The Ballad of Genesis and Lady Jaye, which chronicles the personal and artistic process of Genesis and Lady Jaye Breyer P-Orridge, is now available. The film was made by my friend Marie Losier (and includes me in a few cameo shots). The movie is excellent; I saw it screened in Los Angeles and fou... [Read more...]
Orthodoxy as Magick: Hesychasm, the Christian Orthodox Heart Prayer
I go through bouts of faith. After months of churlish disdain for religion, I inevitably find myself facing my core beliefs again (I’m not a materialist), and trying to square them with the tradition that I happen to be born into—Christianity, albeit not Christian Orthodoxy. [Read more...]
The Tragic Case of Kyle Nolan, the Teenager Who Died on an Ayahuasca Retreat
Kyle Nolan was a San Francisco teenager who became intrigued by the potent psychedelic brew after seeing videos about ayahuasca online, and like countless spiritual seekers, decided to hop a flight to Peru to experience the substance for himself. Unfortunately, during the course of the ayahuasca ... [Read more...]
Finite and Infinite Games: James Carse on How to Play With Infinity
“There are at least two kinds of games. One could be called finite, the other infinite. A finite game is played for the purpose of winning, an infinite game for the purpose of continuing the play.” That’s James Carse, author of the classic book Finite and Infinite Games, speaking c. 1987. [Read more...]
Can Playing Starcraft Actually Be a Meditation Practice?
This possibly way-out-on-a-limb article suggests that epic Starcraft sessions may teach focus and mindfulness in a manner similar to meditation practice. I have at one point actually said that “meditation is just something people made up to occupy themselves before the invention of Xbox.” I don’t... [Read more...]
Tulpamancy, Doctor Who Style: Is the Doctor a Tulpa?
Tulpas turn up in our lives now and then, as John Constantine did for Alan Moore, and Superman did for Alvin Shwartz (thank you Neil Gaiman). Superman, Grant Morrison, Dan Raspler, and Frank Quitely did some truly great work together. Alexandra David-Néel had her fat friar thought-form follow alo... [Read more...]
On the Hunt for Alchemical, Gnostic and Hermetic Books in Amsterdam, Europe’s Freest City
Earlier this year I had the good fortune to find myself in Amsterdam. As a visit to the Bibliotheca Philosophica Hermetica to pick up some Hermetic books was on my short list of “to do,” I hit the pavement and wandered through Jordaan until I found its very discreet position at No. 13, Bloemstraa... [Read more...]