What is the "Left Hand Path"?
There are many paths in life. Is one any better than another? Throughout human history, we have been inventing gods and religions, philosophies, myths. We want something more than the mundane; we want meaning and purpose, to understand.
In this post I will explore some of the differences between what we call the Right Hand Path (RHP) and the Left Hand Path (LHP).
So what do we mean by Left or Right?
Traditionally, the RHP is associated with:
Positivity
Morality
Righteousness
Virtue
Belief in an afterlife
Belief in gods (Not always)
Revealed Truth
Strict dogma
Many RHP religions derive these values from directives delivered by divine revelation. Strict adherence to directives from “on high”, with various consequences for deviation is a hallmark of RHP religions. Concepts of sin (acts against a particular god’s wishes) prevail.
On the surface there isn’t much wrong with walking the Right Hand Path. Wanting to be “good” is a good thing, right?
The three main monotheistic cults of the world espouse morality, “right living” in accordance with the revealed truth of their divine master. However, when we examine their spiritual texts and histories, things turn a bit dark.
Each claims to be the ONE WAY. Each seems to have no problem with the destruction of other peoples who don’t conform. They label each other with the name of their Spiritual Adversary. They have conquered whole nations and forced them to convert, or die. They appropriate certain traditions of the conquered peoples, and demonize their gods. They seek control over governments, in order to enforce the tenets of their religion through threat of violence, imprisonment, financial restitution. They condemn heretics, burn “witches”, excommunicate members of the flock who stray from the path. They indoctrinate their children through fear.
It is difficult to reconcile the atrocities committed in the name of righteousness with the supposed moral values of the “righteous.” They are able to justify it, because it is “God’s will”. Morality dictated by a supreme being opens the door to such violence. One can be persuaded to violence rather easily if one is convinced that the god they worship demands it.
This isn’t to say that all paths on the “right” are this way. There are some “light and love” cults, new-age pagans and the like, that are less rigid in their dogmas, and seem to eschew violence. These are often persecuted heavily by other RHP groups. These types are usually mostly live and let live. Their path may not be ours, but we are happy for them to live their best life.
Here we come to the fork in the road.
On the right, the way seems well lit, paved nicely, all laid out with checkpoints. No guessing, no deviation, just straight and narrow. And boring. To change direction is to crash.
To the left, the way is dimly lit, many paths spiderweb their way across the world. There are wonders and dangers, strange smells, the music is a cacophony of highs and lows, dark and lovely chords. There are hills and valleys.
Both directions end in the long peaceful abyss.
If, like me, you have chosen to adventure into the unknown, to take that left turn, strap in. Steel your resolve. You will need to discipline your mind, your greatest weapon, and ignite the Black Flame within. Question everything, shine your light into the shadows to see what lurks there.
This way is not for everyone. There is no god here to tell you “Thou Shalt” or “Thou Shall Not.” This is the godless way, where you are responsible for your self.
If you want happiness, you will create it yourself.
If you wish to be “good”, you will need to figure out what that means.
If you seek fulfillment, pursue your desires.
Be prepared for disappointment.
Be prepared for success.
Knowledge is power, learn!
Nothing is true, everything is permitted.
If you seek meaning and purpose, create them.
You are a force of and in nature.
The only dogma is that there is no dogma.
What about magic, ritual, spirituality? The supernatural? The way I see it, is that nothing can exist that is “super” natural. If it exists, then it is natural. The greatest power we can possess, is power over one’s self. We have the creative power within us to affect our inner world. Any change you wish to see in the outer world starts within. We use magic and ritual to affect the alchemy of the self. The transformative nature of ritual is undeniable.
The world is a vast realm of possibility. As infinite as the outer world is, our depths are equally infinite.
Now, I did say this is the godless way, but you can have your cake and eat it. Most of the pantheons of gods we have invented encompass the world around us and within us. The myths, stories we tell about them describe forces of nature, the whole beautiful mess of human emotion, special places, sacred practices. These archetypes are within all of us, and we have access to them. We may call upon them, and allow them to work their magic on us from within.
Beware. In these depths, madness awaits. Here, only fools rush in. If you allow these “beings” to form too strongly in your mind, they can dominate. This is possession. An invocation is temporary possession, but limits are set. Only a strong mind can endure such twistings of the psyche. Meditation, mindfulness practice, visualization, these are tools to help calm, and steel the mind.
Eventually you will know that there is only one god that matters. That god is you.
Along this way also lies liberation. You will be set apart. You are under no obligation to conform with the herd. You may taste every divine pleasure or exquisite pain life has to offer. You need not fear death. It will come. If you have a voracious appetite for life, be informed. Can you withstand the experience you seek? Be reasoned in your indulgences, in order to prolong your ability to indulge. Or go out in a blaze. Your choice.
The Left Hand Path is one of self-discovery, self-empowerment, liberation, and Apotheosis.
May Lucifer’s light blaze within you. Let the Black Flame burn deception from your heart. Be ever curious, my friend.