The WESTERN LEFT HAND PATH

THY WILL BE DONE vs MY WILL BE DONE

My concern and rationale for using the terms Western and Eastern is rooted in the observation that ultimately, the Eastern Left Hand Path practice (Vāmamārga) leads to a form of union with an Absolute, mirroring the outcome of Eastern Right Hand Path practice (Dakshinamārga). Consequently, I view both as Right Hand Path practices, despite one being designated as Left Hand Path.

In Vāmamārga, achieving its objectives involves the use of heterodox practices. This implies that practitioners of Vāmamārga accept the fundamental principles of their religion but adopt an unorthodox approach to navigate and attain their spiritual goals. In other words, while they may diverge from conventional or mainstream practices, they still acknowledge the foundational beliefs of their religion and seek to achieve their aims within that framework, albeit through unconventional methods.

What is meant by a 'Path'?

A path only becomes a Path when it is walked upon. This means that a path gains significance and purpose through the act of traveling it. Without someone to journey along it, a path is merely a potential route, an abstract concept. It is the footsteps of the traveler that give the path its true meaning and existence.

What is the Right Hand Path?

What is the Left Hand Path according to Eastern philosophy?

What is Western Left Hand Path?

It would seem that many of us see little if no distinction between the so called

"eastern" and "western" Left Hand Path, while others see them as totally

different. Historically the term Left Hand Path fell into one of 5 categories:

1. Original Left Hand Path, usually Tantric, from religions like Hinduism

and Buddhism.

2. Referring to "black magic" or "bad" or failed" practitioners. Used by

people like Blavatsky and Crowley.

3. To refer to hedonistic/egotistical philosophies with moral relativism

(such as LaVeyan Satanism).

4. Used by Western occult groups like the Typhonian Order who used the

term in a way pretty close to #1.

5. In 1992 the book "Lords of the Left Hand Path" by Dr. Stephen Flowers was written using a much newer definition of the term making a fifth designation.

When broken down into its core foundation. The Western Left Hand Path is an

antinomian process of externalizing your True Self. The way it works is that

we have this ability to experience our True Self, our Full Potential Being, this

can be referred to as our GodSelf. It is the perfected you and is your

Psyche/Soul/Greater Self. What is referred to as Apotheosis in the Western

Left Hand Path does not entail 'becoming' a god per se, it entails realizing

one's Greater Self, and bringing this Self into your everyday life in order to

become more than Human.

We don't have Divine texts, Messianic heroes, Dogma, or an exclusive claim to

Truth, we are not outdated, harmful to the individual, harmful to society, an

impediment to the progress of science or humanity, a source of immoral acts,

or customs, or a political tool for social control.

You cannot be doing the bidding of both the Right Hand Path and the Left Hand Path, you are either on one or the other.

Why?

The Right Hand Path is the path of union with a Universal Reality (God/Absolute/Supreme Being, etc.). When this union is completed, the individual self is annihilated, and the individual Will becomes one with the alleged Divine order. This means that the practitioner's personal identity and desires dissolve, merging completely with the universal consciousness or divine essence. The goal is to transcend the ego and align entirely with the higher power, experiencing a state of oneness where individual distinctions and separations cease to exist. This path emphasizes selflessness, harmony, and the dissolution of personal boundaries in favor of a greater, all-encompassing spiritual unity.

The Left Hand Path is the path of non-union with the Universal Reality, focusing instead on the isolation of consciousness within one's Subjective Universe(s). Practitioners of the Left Hand Path intentionally cultivate a state of self-imposed psychic solitude, wherein they refine their Soul/Psyche to increasingly perfect levels. This journey is characterized by a deep, inward exploration and development of the self, prioritizing individualism and personal empowerment over merging with an external divine essence.

In this practice, the Universal Reality or Objective Universe is not something to be unified with, but rather something to be harmonized with the Will of the Individual Psyche. The practitioner seeks to shape and influence the external world according to their personal desires and insights, asserting their individual Will over the collective order. This path emphasizes self-deification, mastery of one's own destiny, and the pursuit of personal excellence and enlightenment through solitary introspection and self-determination.

To absolve oneself self into the Univeral Reality/Objective Universe is

antithetic to the LHP goals of Individuation and Self-Deification.

Most conventional religions can be considered examples of the Right-Hand Path. These religions generally emphasize union with a higher power, divine will, or universal reality. The goal is often to transcend individual desires and ego, achieving a state of spiritual unity and harmony with the divine order. Followers are encouraged to live in accordance with prescribed moral codes, engage in selfless acts, and pursue a path of virtue that leads to spiritual enlightenment and salvation.

Some varieties of Vajrayana Buddhism and "Alchemical" Taoism, as opposed to "Philosophical Taoism," are considered examples of the Left-Hand Path. These traditions differ in their approach to enlightenment and spiritual development. While still valuing virtuous living and good deeds, they place a stronger emphasis on the individual's inner transformation and mastery over their own spiritual journey. Vajrayana Buddhism, in particular, incorporates esoteric practices, rituals, and meditations that aim to transform the practitioner's consciousness and achieve enlightenment within a single lifetime.

In contrast, Mahayana and mainstream Vajrayana Buddhism are often viewed as pure Right-Hand Path belief systems. These traditions emphasize compassion, altruism, and the pursuit of enlightenment not just for oneself but for the benefit of all sentient beings. The ultimate goal is to attain Buddhahood, characterized by complete selflessness and unity with the universal nature of reality.

In summary, the Right-Hand Path focuses on self-transcendence and unity with a higher reality through virtuous living and selfless acts. In contrast, the Left-Hand Path emphasizes individual empowerment, inner transformation, and personal mastery, often involving more esoteric and introspective practices. While both paths aim for spiritual enlightenment, their methods and underlying philosophies differ significantly.

Such definitions and classifications are controversial. Some consider the

sundering of belief systems needlessly dualistic, and often inapplicable to

religious traditions like Advaita Vedanta, Taoism and Buddhism.

Babylonian religion was an astral religion, closely related to Canaanite

practices, although more focused on the sun, moon, and stars and their motion

than on the immediate cycles of nature as it was in Canaan. The Babylonians

worshiped as gods the manifestations of celestial bodies.

The Eastern Left Hand Path follow the idea that all which exists is sacred

(Pantheism), including things that are traditionally impure. All that exists

becomes integrated, because all that exists for them is God / Absolute. The

Western Left Hand Path does not integrate, but rather separates our individual

essence from all that exists.

Essentially, the LHP of the East differs from the Western ideal through its

connection with something divine. Although the Eastern LHP clearly, if

perhaps convoluted, separates one's essence from the Objective Universe /

Absolute it however does this in order for the adherent to remain in the

company of the Beloved, this is where East and West differ.

Earlier Western LHP versions seem to flounder between East and West and it is not

until the Temple of Set's usage of the term by Dr. Michael Aquino and found in

Dr. Stephen Flowers' "Lords of the Left Hand Path" do we find the most

extreme Western Left Hand Path excellently outlined by the late Priest James Kirby:

"The Left-Hand Path (LHP) involves the conscious attempt to preserve and

strengthen one’s isolate, psychecentric existence against the OU (Objective

Universe) while creating, apprehending, comprehending, and influencing a

varying number of SU's (Subjective Universe)." "The Right Hand Path (RHP)

involves the intentional effort to dissolve or merge the self into the OU."

The Left Hand Path and Vamachara

Dr. Stephen Flowers Ph.D.

"The right-hand path is that which seeks a union or merger between jivatman,

the individual self or soul, and the paramatman, the supreme or universal soul.

The left-hand path seeks only to differentiate the jivatman, articulate,

individuate, evolve and immortalize it - without ever consciously seeking to

merge it permanently with anything else."

The Right Hand Path is the path of union with universal reality (God or

Nature). When this union is completed the individual self is annihilated, the

individual Will becomes one with the divine or natural order. Originally

Translated from Sanskrit Dakshina marga.

The Left Hand Path is the path of non-union with the objective universe, the

way of isolating consciousness within the subjective universe and, in a state of

self-imposed psychic solitude, refining the soul or psyche to increasingly

perfect levels. The objective universe is then made to harmonize itself with the

will of the individual psyche. Originally translated from Sanskrit vamamarga.

There are two major criteria for being considered a true Lord of the Left-Hand

Path:

The deification of the Self and Antinomianism. The first of these is complex:

The system of thought proposed by the magician or philosopher must be one

that promotes individual self-deification, preferably based on an initiatory

magical scheme. This first criterion will be seen to have four distinct elements:

1) Self-deification– the attainment of an enlightened (or awakened),

independently existing intellect and its relative immortality.

2) Individualism– the enlightened intellect is that of a given individual, not a

collective body

3) Initiation– the enlightenment and strength of essence necessary for the

desired state of evolution of self are attained employing stages created by the

will of the magician, not because he or she was “divine” to begin with.

4) Magic– practitioners of the left-hand path see themselves as using their

wills in a rationally intuited system of spiritual technology designed to cause

the universe around them to conform to their self-willed patterns.

The second criterion, antinomianism, states that practitioners think of

themselves as “going against the grain” of their culturally conditioned and

conventional norms of “good” and “evil.” True Lords of the Left-Hand Path will

have the spiritual courage to identify himself with the cultural norms of “evil.”

There will be an embracing of the symbols of conventional “evil,” or “impurity,”

or “irrationality,” or whatever quality the conventional culture fears and

loathes. The lord of the left-hand path will set himself apart from his fellow

man, will actually or figuratively become an outsider, to gain the kind of inner

independence necessary for the other initiatory work present in the first

criterion. The practice of this second criterion often manifests itself in

“antinomianism,” that is, the purposeful reversal of conventional normative:

“evil” becomes “good,” “impure” becomes “pure,” “darkness” becomes “light.”

Antinomianism implies something “against the law.” But the practitioner of the

left-hand path is not a criminal in the usual sense. He or she is bound to break

the cosmic laws of nature and to break the conventional social laws imposed

by ignorance and intolerance. But in so doing the left-hand path practitioner

seeks a “higher law” of reality founded on knowledge and power. Although

beyond good and evil, this path requires the most rigorous of ethical

standards. These standards are based on understanding and not on blind

obedience to external authorities.

Vamachara uses the power of Nature and man's passions and instinct to

conquer and transcend the physical leading to the abstract. Separation from

the All to gain individual spiritual power - Jivanmukti (liberated state).

Vamachara is the individual's union with the individual soul / jivatman and

the continued independence of that realized jivatman from the

universal/supreme soul paramatman. Vamachara - actualize individual

self/atman as personal divinity and maintain independence and freedom of

the individuated self. Left Hand Vamachara does not unify with divinity

outside of themselves to love the divine object and be in the company of the

Beloved.

The Western LHP considers the position of humanity as it is; it takes into

account the manifest and deep-seated desire of each human being to be a free,

empowered, independent actor within his or her world. The pleasure and

pain made possibly by independent existence are seen as something to be

embraced and as the most reasonable signs of the highest, most noble destiny

possible for humans to attain--a kind of independent existence on a level

usually thought of as divine.

Just as most humans go through their natural, everyday lives seeking that

which will give them maximal amounts of such things as knowledge, power,

freedom, independence, and distinction within their world, those who walk

the left-hand path logically extend this to the non-natural realm. They eschew

right-hand path admonitions that such "spiritual behavior" is "evil" and that

they should basically "get with the program" (of God, of Nature, etc.) and

become good "company men." The self-awareness of independence is seen by

many as the fundamental reality of the human condition--one can accept it

and live, or reject it and die. By accepting the internal, known reality of human

consciousness an eternally dynamic ever-moving, ever-changing existence is

embraced; by rejecting it and embracing an external, unknown reality of

God/Nature, an eternally static--ever still and permanent--existence is

accepted. from a certain enlightened perspective, both paths are perfectly

good, it is just a matter of the conscious exercise of the will to follow one of

these paths in an aware state without self-delusion.

EAST INDIAN LHP

Within the Sanskrit terminology of the Indian sects, the right-hand path is that

which seeks a union or merger between the jivatman, the individual self or

soul, and the paramatman, the supreme or universal soul. The left-hand path

seeks only to differentiate the jivatman, articulate, individuate, evolve and

immortalize it--without ever consciously seeking to merge it permanently

with anything else.

The practice of vamamarga is the individual's union with the individual soul (jivatman) and the continued independence of that realized jivatman from the universal r supreme soul (paramatman) the followers of vamamarga seeks to actualize his self (atman) - the personal divinity - then maintain the ongoing independence and freedom of that individual self. Under the protection of Shiva, the RHP adept always experience "someone above him" even at the highest level of realization. LHP adept "become the ultimate sovereign" (chakravartin=world ruler).

In Vamachara there are three levels of man; Khara (Donkey) Nara (Man)

Narayana (God Himself). Samadhi is the identification of the individual self

with a higher self. Through enjoyment one gains liberation; for enjoyment is

the means of reaching the Supreme Abode. Hence the wise who wish to

conquer the spirit should experience all pleasures (Satanism). LHP

practitioners do not unify with the divinity outside themselves. It is simply

because they enjoy loving the divine object so much and being in her company,

that they control their thoughts and emotions to be able to better enjoy the

reality of the company of the beloved.

This is where Western and Eastern Left Hand Path ideology and practices part

ways. The western Left Hand Path does not seek to be in the presence of the

Beloved (ALL) and possibly does not accept the idea of an ALL.

The term "Left-Hand Path" originated in the nineteenth century through Western reinterpretations of Indian religious traditions, particularly Tantra. While many Tantric texts describe seven or more “paths,” the concept of two contrasting paths – Dakṣiṇācāra (also Dakṣiṇamārga, meaning “right way”) and Vāmācāra (also Vāmamārga, meaning “left way”) – gained prominence in Western occult circles. This binary division of Tantra into right and left resonated with the pre-existing Western dichotomy of black and white magic. The concepts of “left” and “right” had already been ingrained in the Western occultist milieu for quite some time.

The evolution of the Left-Hand Path cannot be discussed without mentioning

the most (in)famous occultist of the twentieth century; Aleister Crowley

(1875-1947). While Crowley did not use the term Left Hand Path as a

self-designation, his magical philosophy and practice has been extremely

influential on the later Left-Hand Path milieu. From the early 1970s onwards, a

positive re-evaluation of the term Left-hand Path can be found in the works of

British magician and author Kenneth Grant who identifies the Left-Hand Path

as a genuine and important spiritual path, and considers it to be as valid as the

more common “right-hand path.”

If the term Left-Hand Path is not directly used as a self-designate by Kenneth

Grant, it is used so by Anton Szandor LaVey, founder of the Church of Satan

(1966) and “father of modern Satanism.” Some other representatives of the

milieu are the Temple of Set, founded in California, USA, in 1975, the Texan

author Michael W. Ford and his Order of Phosphorus, and the Swedish

originated Dragon Rouge.

The term "left" in the English language originates from the Old English word 'lyft,' which meant weak or worthless. The Italian word for left-handed, 'mancino,' carries connotations of treachery. Similarly, the Latin word 'sinister' translates to left and also implies something wrong or perverse. In many ways, Left-Hand Path philosophies present the feminine in a manner that has been common in Western religion overall. However, there is a distinct difference in how these characteristics are valued. In Tantric vocabulary, only the true 'vīra' (hero) can approach the dangerous divine feminine unscathed. The feminine divine represents aggressive sexuality and power, which is dangerous, but if approached correctly, it can be a great asset for one’s magical development.

HINDUISM

In Hinduism, there is a belief in one supreme God who transcends full human understanding. Hindus are encouraged to connect with God in ways that resonate with them personally, including the worship of multiple deities, which are seen as manifestations of the divine. Among these, the trimurti, consisting of Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver, and Shiva the destroyer, are prominent. Despite the perception of Hinduism as polytheistic due to its many deities, it is more accurately described as henotheistic, wherein one god is worshipped without denying the existence of others.

Hinduism is also often considered a monistic religion, rooted in the belief that everything in the universe is interconnected and part of a unified whole. One distinguishing feature of Hinduism is its recognition of feminine forms of the divine. Shakti, the personification of God's energy through a female figure, is revered by Hindus.

In the West, modern Satanism shares similarities with a specific form of Tantrism found in the East. Both represent primary expressions of anti-nomian religious and moral dissent from mainstream practices. They prioritize physical and material experiences over purely spiritual pursuits, advocating for physical pleasures over denial and embracing the use of magic for selfish worldly goals. These common elements align with the principles of the "Left Hand Path" in both Western (LaVeyan and Setian) and Eastern (Tantric) contexts, illustrating the breadth of the Left-Hand Path, which encompasses both Modern Satanism and certain forms of Tantrism.

There is little question that Tantra (both Buddhist and Hindu) arose in part as an antinomian revolt against restrictive mainstream Vedic, Buddhist and even Muslim morality. So those who would say it has nothing to do with taboo-breaking are quite obviously wrong.

In Vedic cosmology, the concept of the 'All' is represented by Brahman, the ultimate reality or cosmic principle from which everything originates. From Brahman emerged the divine entities Vishnu and Shiva. Brahma, one of the Trinity, is revered as the creator of the universe, responsible for its inception and design. Shiva, also a member of the Trinity, plays the role of the destroyer, responsible for the dissolution of the universe, paving the way for its renewal. Vishnu, another aspect of the divine Trinity, serves as the preserver and protector of the universe, ensuring its continuity and balance across cosmic cycles. Together, Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva form the fundamental cosmic forces responsible for the creation, preservation, and destruction of the universe according to Vedic cosmology.

Prominent Shaivites state the following:

"Sadhana leads to the assimilation of the object (world) in the subject (I) until

the Self (Shiva) stands revealed as one with the universe"

"The individual is a mini Shiva, who, when he recognizes his true self, becomes

one with the universal consciousness"

"The attainment of Shivatva may be understood as complete merger in Shiva"

"The Kashmir Shaivite is not so much concerned with worshiping a personal God as he is with attaining the transcendental state of Siva consciousnessSadhana leads to the assimilation of the object (world) in the subject (I) until the Self (Shiva) stands revealed as one with the universe"

"The goal-liberation-is sustained recognition (pratyabhijna) of one's true Self as nothing but Shiva. The individual is a mini Shiva, who, when he recognizes his true self, becomes one with the universal consciousness."

Sources were:

Subhash Kak

Dr. B.N. Kalla

R. K. Sapru

Dr. C. L. Raina

Prof. M. L. Kokiloo

Dr. R. K. Kaw

Shri Jankinath Kaul 'Kamal'

It seems there's a discrepancy between the Western interpretation of the Left-Hand Path (LHP) and the Hindu concept of Shiva's relationship with Brahman. In orthodox Hinduism, Shiva is understood as inseparable from Brahman, representing the cosmic principle of destruction and renewal within the framework of the divine Trinity.

This relationship contrasts with the Western LHP ideal, which typically emphasizes individualism, self-deification, and opposition to conventional norms and structures. In this context, the merging of Shiva with Brahman may not align with the Western LHP's rejection of merging or assimilation into a greater whole.

Comparing Shiva's relationship with Brahman to Theistic Satanism's relationship with orthodox Christianity offers an interesting parallel. Just as Theistic Satanism is a construct within the framework of orthodox Christianity, Shiva's existence within the Hindu system is intertwined with Brahman.

In essence, while orthodox Hinduism may be seen as heterodox in certain respects, it doesn't necessarily fit the antinomian framework typically associated with the Western LHP. The Western LHP often involves a deliberate rejection of societal norms and religious conventions, whereas orthodox Hinduism embraces a structured cosmology where entities like Shiva are integral components rather than antinomian rebels.

Here's a clearer organization of the paths:

Eastern Right Hand Path: Follows a prescribed blueprint aimed at uniting and dissolving the personal self into the All.

Eastern Left Hand Path: Intentionally deviates from the prescribed blueprint to achieve the union and dissolution of the Self into the All.

Western Right Hand Path: Adheres to a predetermined blueprint to gain entry into the afterlife associated with specific deity or deities, maintaining subservience to them.

Western Left Hand Path: Utilizes or disregards the prescribed blueprint based on personal morals and goals, seeking to separate the Self from both the All and deities with the aim of attaining deityhood.

The Western Left Hand Path has evolved in to many different paths, including

Satanism, Luciferianism, Setianism, Ahrimanism, Mercurænism and similar

paths. They all share certain common traits – apathy towards cultural

norms/values, a high respect for subjective experience, and perhaps most

importantly, a focus on the individual Self (as something Isolate and unnatural

from the objective universe). This is taken to the extreme extent of

self-deification, whether that means becoming metaphorically godlike in this

life, or continuing as godlike beings after death.

CONCLUSION Right Hand Path religions share a single, universal perennial doctrine. This doctrine posits that the highest good that human life can achieve is through the union with a Supreme Being / Energy/All of the Universe. However, the way in which this is achieved is through the deception of one's conscious awareness into believing that one has been accepted by this Supreme Being/Energy/All otherwise known as the objective universe, which can be understood as it plainly is, a non-conscious, unaware, unintelligent, mechanism of Negentropy and Entropy, composed of Time, Space & Matter.

To absolve one's Self into this is antithetic to the Western LHP goals of individuation, apotheosis, and autotheism. Symbolically, this resistance to RHP perennialism is the basis of such occult structures as the Tree of Daath and the ideals behind furthering the Fall of the Tree of Life because it is an imperfect Tree and in its place, a new and perfected Tree (that of your subjective universe with you as god) is nurtured.