Cicero - Self Initiation into the Golden Dawn Tradition_Part 01

92 SELF-INITIATION INTO THE GoWEN DAWN TRADITION
The powers of concentration should also be developed as this awareness exercise
is practiced. If the mind begins to wander, gently bring it back. Your powers of
concentration will gradually but steadily become enhanced.
During this practice, you may become aware of itching sensations in various parts
of your body. Do not attempt to scratch. Merely observe. Simply be aware of various
body sensations without trying to alter or ignore them. Do not make judgments
or criticisms about these sensations. Accept them as a part of you.
Sensations will come and go in different areas of the body. Study them. It is
sometimes a good idea to verbally express what you are feeling or experiencing.
This exercise will result in a profound relaxation of nervous tension. Daily practice
will heighten the function of self-awareness, something that is vital to the work of
an initiate. All complex ceremonies and rituals actually begin with this heightening
of self-awareness.
No special time period needs to be found to practice this. Lying in bed at night or
in the morning is certainly an excellent time to rehearse body awareness. This exercise
should be done twice daily while in the Neophyte grade. In addition to this,
short periods of temporary pause from activity can be taken throughout the day
during bathing, shaving or dressing, etc., in order to sharpen one's perceptions and
observe what is happening within.c
EXTRASENSORY AWARENESS EXERCISE
Obtain a set of ESP cards such as those developed in the parapsychology laboratory
at Duke University (for sale at most occult bookstores). The drawings on
these cards are simple symbols-one symbol per card.
Shuffle the cards. Place the cards face down and place your hand upon the top
card. Make your mind as blank as possible and attempt to guess what image is on
the front of the card (square, circle, cross, waves, or star). Go through the entire
deck in this fashion, at least once daily. Do not get discouraged ifyou do not often
guess correctly. Record your results.c