Dennett is Cringe.

On the Acquisition of Esoteric Knowledge

You have 3 sources of knowledge:
-from the senses
-from reason (deductions, logic. Etc.)
-from a secret 3rd thing.

The point isn't that one is "better" than the other. It's that all three are used to "triangulate" Truth.

The 3rd thing can begun to be understood as an Understanding that is "Meta-Rational".

Take telling a Joke for example: You tell a joke, someone "doesn't get it", so you explain the logic of the joke. They still don't get it. But! After a few moments they have an "Aha" Moment and get the joke.

What has happened here?

They've heard the joke (senses - hearing), you've explained the joke (reason - logic), but it's after this that something else happens (Understanding - ?????????)

Humans have a 3rd faculty with which they interact with the world/nature. If the senses are closed, and the rational mind is slowed down then the 3rd thing can "activate" and you may experience an "Extra-Normal Phenomenological Experience" which may represent itself as a vision, a voice, or a sudden spontaneous intuition that nestles in-between within a constellation of ideas suddenly illuminating the connections to you. etc. etc.

Never experienced an "Extra-Normal Phenomenological Perception?" Sure you have.

Take interacting with a psychedelic substance. That'll give you an extreme example.

Never done that?

What about alcohol? When you are drunk there is a "part" of you that "gets" drunk and a part that goes "oh shit, I'm drunk."

What gives? How come there are two you's? One gets drunk the other realises it.

Heck, same happens with stimulants. Drink 10 cups of coffee and your "Phenomenological" experience of the world WILL change.

But what's the point of all this? This hasn't got anything to do with direct knowledge?

Sure it does. The esoteric theory proposed by Occultists of all Epochs is that EVERYTHING in the world gives you an "Extra-Normal Phenomenological Perception" you're just not "subtle" enough to sense it.

Wind of a summer morning, the running water of a stream, the grass you stand on, and every tree you pass is in constant dialogue. We just have not brought this "Dialogue" into our daily conscious Perception.

Why?

Because we are addicted to living exclusively through only either our gross physical senses or just rationally over analysing everything.

Hence why methods to make one subtler can be found in all system of Practical Magic (Introspection, Meditation, prayer. Etc.)

Hold a random gemstone in the palm of your hand, close your eyes, and what do you feel?

"Oh, well in my gembible the topaz corresponds t-"

NO.

Throw your gem bibles into the bin.

What do YOU feel?

In this way you learn to interact with the "invisible" part of the Gemstone.

One can do this with minerals, plants, animals, and other humans.

Of course, if you become adept at interacting with the "invisible" part of the world of form, what happens when you interact with something that has "only" an Invisible part?

This is the beginning of "Theurgy".

I.e. Talking with the Gods.

I met a Sigma from an antique land,
Who said—“a based and gronkless bowl of stone
Skibs in the backrooms. . . . Near it, right on brand,
Half sunk, a shattered rizzler lies, whose frown,
And creaséd drip, and cringe of cold command,
Tell that its streamer well those fashions read
Which yet survive, tagged on these sussy things,
The gyatt that mogged them, and the chat that fled;
And on the pedestal, these words appear:
‘My name is Ozyfanumtax, Chad of Chads;
Look on my Ws, ye Redpilled, and despair!’
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal Kek, bitchless and bare
Ohio’s level lands edge far away.”

Beelzebubs Tales stream Starting soon: https://www.youtube.com/live/2gb1-o_zVaY?si=4B4KLLi_w5qwd1Tv

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I AM THROBBING

The Pythagorean Library
Various authors

This anthology, the largest collection of Pythagorean writings ever to appear in English, contains the four ancient biographies of Pythagoras and over 25 Pythagorean and Neopythagorean writings from the Classical and Hellenistic periods. The material of this book is indispensable for anyone who wishes to understand the real spiritual roots of Western civilization.


https://tradition.st/the-pythagorean-library/