This-essay is a7310121.htm which is available at the web-site www.essayz.com. See more notes at the bottom. Previous-Essay <== This-Essay ==> Following-Essay By-Months By-Years By-Words Webs of Like-&-Un-Like ESSAYS <==> Like-&-UN-Like This-One ========================================================== %MAGIC AND PRAYER 731012 When most of us think of magic we have in mind a person who is expert at making it appear that impossible things have happened before very eyes. We have in mind the art of slight-of-hand and clever techniques for presenting misleading appearances. Consider now, however, magic of a more primitive form. In this instance let us say that a person participates in magic whenever techniques are used in an effort to manipulate spiritual powers towards a desired end. Known natural laws are not central to the development of or use of the techniques. We are not considering cause and effect in the sense that the scientist considers them. We here presume that the participant in magic is in a state of consciousness which is different than that which characterizes the scientists' professional work. It is assumed that there are procedures and/or rituals which include physical and/or spiritual processes on the part of participants, and which effect other physical and/or spiritual processes desired by, or on behalf of, the participants. It is assumed by participants (and so true) that the nature of reality is such that such methods are a way of dealing with real problems and dilemmas. The scientific analysis of magic is quite difficult-- -because believers in magic may naturally be of the conviction that any attempt at analysis will interfere with the effectiveness of the magic. This interference may be viewed as an aspect of the essential uncertainties of life which generate some of the most significant limitations of science. This line of analysis is not to be the dominant focus here, however. The scientific technocrat and the magician technocrat share in common the use of techniques to achieve purposes selected by the self. Both commonly make the error of not meditating upon the essential role of authentic meeting in the eternal now as part of the lives of real people. Both kinds of technocrats are likely to speak the primary word 'I-It'---to the exclusion of speaking the primary word 'I- Thou'. Neither has the power to bring to life, hope, and meaning---via their techniques. Prayer is a problem to modern man---in part because there is no clarity regarding how prayer differs from magic. The scientifically pure are not inclined to be participants in magic. Thus if prayer is a form of magic, the scientifically pure are not much inclined to be participants in prayer; either private or public --- at least not under that name. It would be helpful for all to meditate on this situation---in search of ways to be helpful. (c) 1999 by Paul A. Smith in GO: essayz.com "Search for Integrity and Honesty" (On Being Yourself, Whole and Healthy) ==========================================================
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