Mundane Love and the Pursuit of Hermetic Initiation
© 2002
>> And here is my question - what is the relation of Hermeticism to mundane love..? <<
Both are *human*. Mundane love is a vital part of human existence.
>> Does it help to have someone close to your heart or is it a disadvantage of spiritual growth...? <<
Love, in all its forms, is THE key. If you are fortunate enough to have someone close to your heart, it can be the gateway to incredible spiritual growth. Love is NEVER a disadvantage -- it is THE advantage. It might hurt sometimes and cause intense emotional confusion, but this brings rapid growth does it not? Doesn't it make you question your whole existence? And doesn't the pursuit of Hermetics do the same?
>> but I just wonder if this is an appropriate motive - to live with Hermetics just because I couldn't manage to live with someone...? <<
No, escapism is not an appropriate motivation for the pursuit of Hermetics. Besides, the self-transformation of your character would inevitably bring to the surface all of the unresolved emotions you'd be trying so hard to avoid. You would still HAVE to deal with them.
On the other hand, the pursuit of Hermetics and the self-transformation that it brings about, make *you* a more complete person. To my mind, that's THE best definition of an ideal lover! ;-) Some one who is completely their own self. Some one who has already examined their emotions and who has already started living life honestly.
>> and I know that being a 'Hermetic' means being more 'human'... <<
AND a better lover! ;-) Seriously though, I suggest that you try to imagine what loving is like for an adept . . . Can you imagine the degree of intimacy and surety? The depth of emotion possible?
>> I am also aware that Hermetics is the way of living, and not actually something to solely practice upon... but again - where is the place for this beautiful, very mundane feeling of love...? <<
Where is there not a place for it? Love AS an Hermetic, not "instead of".
>> is it a feeling one should move aside with other emotions...? <<
In Hermetics, you don't "move aside" your emotions. Instead, you examine them and transform them. Instead of your emotions controlling your life, *you* direct them, *you* determine how far you will follow an emotion's lead. You don't deny them.
>> I'm pretty confused now..... <<
Good! That means you're questioning things that NEED to be questioned. If they didn't need to be questioned, you wouldn't be confused. At the heart of the adept's Equilibrium is a fearless self-honesty and willingness to confront whatever part of the self might show its face. Love is like the purifying Alchemical Fire that heats the materia, opens its structure and frees the most volatile part -- the true spirit. The changes that loving another person puts you through, should be embraced with your whole self, not denied or run away from.
I think that Hermetics does an excellent job of providing a person with the tools that enable the embracing of the WHOLE self. It's not an "alternative" to being human and encountering the experiences that every single human being encounters, such as loving another person. It just makes those experiences richer and more beneficial to the self. It illumines them with a deeper significance.
My best to you,
:) Rawn Clark
07 Nov 2002