The Fourth Way, Simplified.

[Cora'Sahn]

Masks

Don't be fooled by the face I wear, for I wear a thousand masks, And none of them are me. Don't be fooled, for goodness sake, don't be fooled.

I give you the impression that I'm secure, that confidence is my name and coolness is my game, And that I need no one. But don't believe me.

Beneath dwells the real me in confusion, in aloneness, in fear. That's why I create a mask to hide behind, to shield me from the glance that knows, But such a glance is precisely my salvation.

That is, if it's followed by acceptance, if it's followed by love. It's the
only thing that can liberate me from my own self-built prison walls. I'm afraid that deep down I'm nothing and that I'm just no good, And that you will reject me.

And so begins the parade of masks. I idly chatter to you. I tell you
everything that's really nothing and Nothing of what's everything, of what's crying within me.

Please listen carefully and try to hear what I'm not saying. I'd really like to be genuine and spontaneous, and me. But you've got to help me. You've got to hold out your hand.

Each time you're kind and gentle, and encouraging, Each time you try to understand because you really care, My heart begins to grow wings, feeble wings, but wings.

With your sensitivity and sympathy, and your power of understanding, You alone can release me from my shallow world of uncertainty.

It will not be easy for you. The nearer you approach me, The blinder I may strike back.

But I'm told that Love is stronger than strong walls, And in this lies my only hope.

Please try to beat down these walls with firm hands, But gentle hands, for a child is very sensitive.

Who am I, you wonder. I am every man you meet, and also every woman that you meet, And I am you, also.

-Author Unknown


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Perhaps 'masks' are tools of strength, vs. veil for weaknesses. I utilize archetypes in my personal practices. Archetypcal structures are 'tools' for personal growth, not a means to hide 'true identity'.

What is true identity? When we say 'I want...' which 'I' is making the demand?

Do we have collective I's? I've been working with The Fourth Way philosophies, and the 'work' is to work on oneself. Self-examine, self-awareness and personal growth.

Gurdjieff believed that there were 3 ordinary ways to growth and development:

fakir, monk, and yogi.


The fakir, works on the physical
The monk, works on the emotional
The yogi, works on the mental

but there's a fourth way.

Understanding.


If man does not understand, how does he know what to work on? How can he accept what must be changed?

As a fourth way student, I recognize the tools available to me and I use them for betterment of the self. I have no need to veil or hide who and what I am - because I understand who and what I am. I use the masks as tools, for the 'work' to be done.

The Fakir, comes from Sufi idealism.
The Monk, comes from Christian/Buddhist idealism.
The Yogi, comes from Hindi/Sikh idealism.

The Fourth Way, is highly Satanic.

* Conscious labor
* Intentional suffering as a means to an end.
* Self-awareness
* Constant self-observation
* Self-remembering, muscle memory


Activism is a Satanic act. If you are not active in your own evolution - you are passive, and continue to slumber.

Awaken, and understand.

Cora'Sahn
Wizard of the Terrible Darkness
Cult of Cthulhu

[Cora'Sahn]

So, are you comparing or contrasting then this Fourth Way to the beliefs espoused under LaVeyan Satanism?

No.

I am perpetuating the idea, that being active is Satanic.

While Modern Satanism via Anton LaVey also focuses on working on the self, and being aggressive - there is a fair bit that directly conflicts with the LaVeyan paradigm (Fourth Way and otherwise). Modern Satanism should be an individual philosophy. I'm comparing it with my own Satanism, and the idea that the symbol of Satan, also represents the activist, not just the adversary.

I find the phrase 'LaVeyan Satanism' to be offensive, and herdish.

I am no LaVeyan Satanist, and I don't know why anyone would identify themselves as such.

LaVey offered a review of ideas, already in existence, that he codified as 'Satanism'. He reminds the reader, not to forget past orthodoxies, yet - they are forgotten.
Why? [Insert The FOURTH WAY here].

These philosophical principles should be examined, like any other idea in existence. The philosopher has a passion for knowledge, and knows that there are no absolutes applied to philosophy. No sphere of knowledge should be off-limits, and no one person has absolute truth for all.

To the layman, his (LaVey's) ideas might be considered a 'foundation' to build-upon, if your architecture was lacking in that area. But, then that throws the 'born-not-made' axiom out the window, doesn't it?

So, again - this is my philosophical truth, shared - for peer review.

Agree?
Disagree?
Why?

[R'phanaot]

Interesting. Apologies if I gave offense in attempting to understand your philosophy and LaVey's. I'm still trying to get my head around all this and I saw a few similarities (at least I thought they were) between the Fourth Way and his espousals. I can't say I agree or disagree with you at this point as I've still much to learn it seems. The particualr point you make about activism and Satanism is intriguing and not a path I'd considered before. Something I'll have to look further into. Thanks for the reply!

[Cora'Sahn]

No apology necessary, based upon your comment - I knew that you were not trying to be offensive, I was conveying my thoughts about the label. I find it wretched.

I should have communicated that better.

All questions are welcome, and I'll do my best to communicate my ideas. It's often difficult in written format.


:-)

[Blaphemous Ki'Rin]

First off Cora, That was a good post.

Following the idea of masks, I have always had the notion that people operate in a controlled form of multiple personalities. There are many I's and it is only when they fall out of whack with each other does the common person give pause and wonder what the hell they ( as in themselve) are doing. Those people on a more...esoteric path instead bloat and use particular I's to achieve an end.

As far as the satanist path, I do personally wish discussions could be had without reference to LaVey. While he was a force that opened the way for many, he always intended that people follow their own paths, not herd behind him in confusion and use his name like some kinda talisman...kind like that other guy....what was his name again....oh yeah, Jesus.

From what I have gathered by reading up on fourth way, it is very much apart of the Satanic way of mind if not already inclusive in it.

[Cora'Sahn]

As far as the satanist path, I do personally wish discussions could be had without reference to LaVey.

You and me both, hence the reason why I continue to use 'My own Satanism' as a point of reference.

It seems to me, that a lot of people really miss the entire point LaVey himself was making. It's a complex and abstract idea for some, and it does go right over their heads. If you read his books and follow his ideas, you've missed the mark.