so, what do yall think of coming to favor one paradigm more than others? most of you who I'm friends with know I've been concentrating on the Hindu Tantric paradigm for quite some time, and among Hindus (of the ethnic Indian variety), I am accepted quite easily as indistinguishable from them apart from my skin color and cultural context - often I am asked what part of India my family is from (and I really don't look Indian)... hehe

anyway, that particular paradigm (Hinduism in general) is almost a metaparadigm within itself. it's almost a fallacy to even call Hinduism a single religion, as there are a myriad interpretations of even the most basic texts and teachings; additionally, the folks I like understand that *their paradigm has no inherent Truth to it* - the more advanced practitioners tend to present religious practice as templates for self growth which are ultimately arbitrary, and which do not preclude the other. I have continued to study Kabbalah, etc. but my main focus has definitely been Hinduism. now, because of the nature of the branch of Hinduism I like, many of the goals of Chaos Magic are shared by left handed Tantra. so really, I have no problem calling myself a practitioner of the school to anyone. the only dogma I've picked up is a firm belief in nondualism, which, Carroll aside, I am convinced is a much healthier model of an amoral universe than any dualist philosophies are, once you get to the good stuff and past most of the crap that has been brought to the west over the past century (by Indians as well as westerners).

so I don't really see associating with this particular paradigm to be limiting in any way other than that I stopped eating beef, and I actually feel better for it (and I have other reasons as well) - the suspension of disbelief and the conscious manipulation of belief for a particular end are both things that you end up discovering are valuable and perhaps necessary tools for Tantra, although it is not often made explicit. but I understand that some might disagree. Josh warns in PP that becoming a Systematic Chaos Magician carries with it the inherent danger of becoming a true believer. but if one becomes a true believer in a paradigm that views itself as arbitrary, what is the real difference? at this point would I be advised to switch things up just to avoid stagnation? I actually became fascinated with this particular paradigm and the richness (as well as the thousands of years of practice which go a long way towards reinforcing conviction) of the systems makes me realize that I'll have to stick with it for quite some time to really master it, if I ever do. I see plenty of room for non-stifling growth within it. additionally, with all of the divinities to placate there is usually a specific ritual and deity that corresponds to what it is you are wanting to achieve, and it works pretty well.

does that make me a heretic yet again? ;)