Immersion

immerse /ɪˈməːs/ verb

1. To dip or submerge in a liquid.

2. To involve oneself deeply in a particular activity.

There is something that annoys us a bit, and it pertains to immersing yourself in a particular practice or paradigm. So then, let us clarify this...confusion.

Many people would contact us, saying that they've "immersed themselves in various paradigms" yet, they've only been practicing for a year or so (and have apparently "immersed" themselves in 8 different paradigms during that year). To immerse yourself in a practice or paradigm means that you must have - at least - practiced that particular path or paradigm for at least 5 years. At least. And not just reading a few books on it, or doing a ritual over the weekend or whatever - no. It means that, by the end of those 5 years, you know that path/paradigm/practice like the back of your hand, maybe even better than you know yourself. That you have dissected it, consumed it and have become it.

Only after you've immersed yourself in a particular path or paradigm can you say without a shadow of a doubt that you are no longer a layman, a spiritual vagrant meandering about and looking for your place of belonging. Because, if you can stay on a certain path and DEVOTE YOURSELF UTTERLY to that path/paradigm for that meager amount of time (yes, 5 years IS a meager amount of time) it means that that path/paradigm resonates with you and compliments you and your nature.

We repeat - reading a book or two DOES NOT count as immersion. Doing a ritual of that paradigm once every blue moon when you feel like it DOES NOT count as immersion. Reading about it on a blog or forum DOES NOT count as immersion. Visiting a botanica and buying a little Santa Muerte candle DOES NOT count as immersion. Reaching out to a spirit or entity from a particular paradigm DOES NOT count as immersion.

Immersion means that you actively practice that particular paradigm every single day and not when it is "convenient" for you to do so. Immersion means to dedicate yourself fully and completely to that path or paradigm, to learn all that there is to learn about it. Immersion is to transmute yourself into that path or paradigm. Immersion is to live and breathe that paradigm...to become it. And to not just delve into or practice the "convenient" or "palatable" parts of it...but ALL of it. Yes, even the "tedious" parts of it.

Even if you feel drawn to certain paradigms/paths/currents, this does not necessarily mean that they will suit you and your nature. As an example, many people get stars in their eyes and weak at the knees when they think of the darker paths and paradigms...but when they actually practice it and IMMERSE themselves in it they practically shit themselves in fear and do an about turn and run to their nearest church. We like this example because it is the one we encounter the most by far with people.

When you say that you've "immersed" yourself in a path/paradigm, yet you have only flitted about in it for a week...the only people you will fool into believing you is you yourself and other armchair novices who do not know of any better.

Please please do not fool yourself. Hell, why do we always have to be the bad guys with things like this. Probably because we are the bad guys, apparently.

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