Solipsism, LaVey and Greater Magic

It is like stating that all the universe is a single conscious being, and that being is one person, like Pantheism but the perceived universe is believed to be the self.

Both of the above admit that conscious beings have some basic way in which they interact which probably makes this an impure form of Solipsism.

LaVey and Solipsism

The Third Satanic Sin:

"3. Solipsism - Can be very dangerous for Satanists. Projecting your reactions, responses and sensibilities onto someone who is probably far less attuned than you are. It is the mistake of expecting people to give you the same consideration, courtesy and respect that you naturally give them. They won't. Instead, Satanists must strive to apply the dictum of "Do unto others as they do unto you" It's work for most of us and requires constant vigilance lest you slip into a comfortable illusion of everyone being like you. As has been said, certain utopias would be ideal in a nation of philosophers, but unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately, from a Machiavellian standpoint) we are far from that point"

Anton LaVey warning against Solipsism in the Third Satanic Sin

It has been my opinion for quite a few years that Anton LaVey was not talking about philosophical Solipsism, but (as his text clarifies) his warning is more akin to a social solipsism, a belief that everyone else is on the same level as you. A failure of empathy, and a valid danger of elitism.

I have been a solipsist (in theory, if not in name) on and off for the past ten years or so, it is a feeling I cannot quite shake. To many, however, it is ludicrous!

I can quote from Pentagonal Revisionism to further support my belief that Anton LaVey was not talking of philosophical solipsism in his Satanic Sins, as it appears to contradict the Fifth point of Pentagonal Revisionism: (I quote in full)

"The opportunity for anyone to live within a total environment of his or her choice, with mandatory adherence to the aesthetic and behavioral standards of same - Privately owned, operated and controlled environments as an alternative to homogenized and polyglot ones. The freedom to insularize oneself within a social milieu of personal well-being. An opportunity to feel, see, and hear that which is most aesthetically pleasing, without interference from those who would pollute or detract from that option.""

Pentagonal Revisionism by Anton LaVey

This statement says that it is desirable that we each life in a solipsist environment, and therefore living more obviously closer to my personal solipsist beliefs.

List Essays On Sin

Greater Magic

In this belief, reality is a product of our subconscious imagination, our conscious self then interacts with this creation and we therefore experience our world. This truly makes us gods, each individual being the sole creator of his reality.

Magic would simply be a case of our subconscious altering things about reality according to its wishes but in contradiction to the normal rules of science that our conscious self has learned about.

Getting in touch with our subconscious
Our subconscious is not, however, directly controlled by our conscious selves. This model says that becoming a magician is equivalent to getting in touch with your deeper, unconscious self. Some achieve this through meditation, ritual, drugs or any task. It is enlightenment to completely reunify your conscious self with your real self and when that is achieved you would become nothing, having seen all reality for what it is and therefore not having the conscious/subconscious dynamic that fed you all your experiences in the first place. It may be any action that causes you to realize this, any action from dancing, making love, meditating or listening to black metal.

Without going as far as reaching enlightenment, I believe getting in touch with yourself, your body and emotions, are the most potent way we can realize greater potential. This is greater magic, a change in yourself or a change in the outside world that would not be possible using conventional logic.

In Solipsism, Greater Magic is self-control and self-reflection, as reality is your own subconscious in the first place your subconscious can change that reality.

Magical incantations, or whatever rocks your boat, are all merely methods of getting in touch with your inner self and therefore potential methods for performing magic.