Re: the whole Qabala shebabble

["Alan Cook" <fish_studios@...>]

Dear David,

>> What are other people's experiences with this? At what stage did 
it seem not only comfortable but natural to branch out into related 
fields like the Qabala -- if you weren't already familiar with those 
fields before starting Bardon? When is it appropriate for me to 
explore? <<

For myself, I began to feel "ready" (can't think of a better word 
right now) to study other fields was after becoming grounded in the 
Theory part of IIH. My concern was that I would add "foreign" 
elements to the Hermetic philosophy and call it Hermetic. So once I 
had the foundation of the Theory, I could find no reason not to look 
into other subject matter. Of course, I also had to find the 
time ;) As a recommendation, I'd suggest starting with the Self-
Healing Archaeous. As it is meant to compliment IIH, there are no 
conflicting concepts and it relates directly to what you are doing 
already. This gives you a chance to "test out the waters" of two 
different practices.

But in the end I would like to say that nothing is really separate 
from what you already do. Tarot, Quabbalah, Alchemy, etc. all are 
part of what you do. The key is to take their practice, and make it 
your own. Example: If I study Tarot say as a Norseman (don't ask, 
just an odd example), then the philosophy behind it, I'm sure, would 
be quite different than if you study it from a Hermetic source. If 
I keep the two separate, then I have gained nothing from studying 
Tarot. On the other hand, if I take what I learned from the Norse 
and incorporate it into what I already know and do, then it has been 
worth the effort and a help to my development.

Although, this was just an example (and not a very good one), the 
point is to make sure that you incorporate what you learn from 
different fields and practices into what you are doing with IIH. 
I'd also suggest that when you want to approach a new field of 
study, to first look at it from a Hermetic source first (such as 
Paul Foster Case for Tarot) so that you once again get that firm 
foundation in Hermetic Theory. Of course, provided that you wish to 
have a Hermetic foundation ;)

All Will Go Well,
--Alan