The terms Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path refer to a postulated dichotomy between two distinct types of religion. The exact meaning of the terms has varied over time; the most modern usage regards religions which focus upon the worship of one or more deities and the observance of strict moral codes as belonging to the Right-Hand Path, while religions which value the advancement of the self over other goals are considered to belong to the Left-Hand Path. This usage of the terms is invoked almost exclusively by p ...

Including:

• Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Origins
• Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Usage in Tantra
• Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Adoption by Western occultism
• Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Usage in modern occultism
• Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Left-hand path religions
• Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Criticism
• Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Usage
• Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Other uses

Read more here: » Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path: Encyclopedia - Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path

See also:

Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path, Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Origins, Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Usage in Tantra, Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Adoption by Western occultism, Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Usage in modern occultism, Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Left-hand path religions, Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Criticism, Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Usage

Read more here: » Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path: Encyclopedia II - Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Origins

RIGHT-HAND PATH: A term used to identify some traditions where Magick is never used for destructive purposes. Also known as White Magick, Path of Light.

(See also: RIGHT-HAND PATH, Magickal Traditions, Magickal Paths, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

An angel's love is weightless.

Angels always lead you down the right path.

Read more here: » Angel Quotes: Wisdom about Angels

An angel's love is weightless.

Angels always lead you down the right path.

Read more here: » Angel Quotes: Wisdom about Angels

The Noble Eightfold Path

In order to fully understand the noble truths and investigate whether they were in fact true, Buddha recommended that a certain lifestyle or path be followed which consists of:

1.   Right Understanding

2.   Right Thought

3.   Right Speech

4.   Right Action

5.   Right Livelihood

6.   Right Effort

7.   Right Mindfulness

8.   Right Concentration

Read more here: » Buddhism Beliefs:: The Noble Eightfold Path

 While the ultimate result of any truly spiritual path is the negation of the individual ego-self, one cannot begin on one's own personal path of spiritual realization unless one establishes his/her individuality. That means freeing oneself from the demands of organized religions, creeds, socially accepted beliefs, the dictates of any prophet. All of these characteristics of religious participation establish only the group-identity, the body of like-minded believers. People can spend an entire lifetime following the teachings and beliefs of others, without ever finding the path that is right for them personally.

Read more here: » Spiritual Growth: The Individual Path

Boustrophedon is an ancient way of writing manuscripts and other inscriptions in which, rather than going from left to right as in modern English, or right to left as in Arabic, alternate lines must be read in opposite directions. The name is borrowed from the Greek language. Its etymology is from βους, "ox" + στρεφειν, "to turn" (cf. the etymology of strophe), because the hand of the writer goes back and forth, so that the resulting inscription resembles the path of an ox that draws a plow across a field and turns at the end of e ...

Read more here: » Boustrophedon: Encyclopedia - Boustrophedon

Considered positive in nature

(See also: right-hand path, Magic, Shamanism, Pagan Dictionary)

Right-hand Path From time immemorial, in all countries and among all races, there have been recognized two antagonistic schools of occult training, known as the path of light and the path of darkness.

They represent two fundamental courses in nature, and are more commonly called the right-hand path and the left-hand path, as in Greek, Latin, English, and many other languages the word for right-hand also means propitious or skilled, or right as opposed to wrong. Hence in symbology it implies goodness, rightness, light: solar as opposed to lunar, spiritual as opposed to material, etc.

The right-hand path is sometimes known as amrita-yana (the immortal vehicle or path of immortality) or as dakshina-marga (right path), and those who practice the rules of conduct and manner of life enjoined upon those who follow the right-hand path are known as dakshinacharins and their course of life is known as dakshinachara. It is a path leading to an ever wider consciousness, and those whose feet are firmly planted thereon are known as Masters of Wisdom and Compassion.

See also LEFT-HAND PATH

(See also: Right-hand Path, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary)

Right-hand Path

A term used for a person whose practices and philosphy are beneficial to himself and others. Opposite of left-hand path.

(See also: Right-hand Path, New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

Right Hand Path:

(1) The people we like who are doing magic.

(2) Occultists who spend their time being constructive, manipulative and “good.”

(See also: Right Hand Path, Pagan, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

Today, the terms Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path are almost exclusively used by self-proclaimed followers of the Left-Hand Path, who hold varying opinions of the Right-Hand Path; some see the two Paths as equally valid approaches to truth, whose relationship is akin to the balance between Yin and Yang, while others criticize the Right-Hand Path for being too restrictive. According to the latter view, the Right-Hand Path's imposition of formal dogmas and codes of behaviour upon an individual takes away one's ability to be tru ...

See also:

Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path, Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Origins, Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Usage in Tantra, Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Adoption by Western occultism, Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Usage in modern occultism, Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Left-hand path religions, Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Criticism, Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Usage

Read more here: » Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path: Encyclopedia II - Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Usage in modern occultism

A Theosophical definition of Right-hand Path :

Right-hand Path

From time immemorial, in all countries of the earth, among all races of men, there have been existent two opposing and antagonistic schools of occult or esoteric training, the one often technically called the Path of Light, and the other the Path of Darkness or of the Shadows.

These two paths likewise are much more commonly called the right-hand path and the left-hand path, and although these are technical names in the rather shaky occultism of the Occident, the very same expressions have prevailed all over the world, and are especially known in the mystical and esoteric literature of Hindustan.

The right-hand path is known in Sanskrit writings by the name dakshina-marga, and those who practice the rules of conduct and follow the manner of life enjoined upon those who follow the right-hand path are technically known as dakshinacharins, and their course of life is known as dakshinachara. Conversely, those who follow the left-hand path, often called Brothers of the Shadow, or by some similar epithet, are called vamacharins, and their school or course of life is known as vamachara. An alternative expression for vamachara is savyachara. The white magicians or Brothers of Light are therefore dakshinacharins, and the black magicians or Brothers of the Shadow, or workers of spiritual and intellectual and psychical evil, are therefore vamacharins.

To speak in the mystical language of ancient Greece, the dakshinacharins or Brothers of Light pursue the winding ascent to Olympus, whereas the vamacharins or Brothers of the Left-hand follow the easy but fearfully perilous path leading downwards into ever more confusing, horrifying stages of matter and spiritual obscuration. The latter is the faciles descensus averno (Aeneid, 6.126) of the Latin poet Virgil. Woe be to him who, refusing to raise his soul to the sublime and cleansing rays of the spiritual sun within him, places his feet upon the path which leads downwards. The warnings given to students of occultism about this matter have always been solemn and urgent, and no esotericist should at any moment consider himself safe or beyond the possibilities of taking the downward way until he has become at one with the divine monitor within his own breast, his own inner god.

See also: Right-hand Path, Mysticism, Body Mind and Soul)

Brothers of Light. See RIGHT-HAND PATH

(See also: Brothers of Light, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Brothers of the Sun. See RIGHT-HAND PATH

(See also: Brothers of the Sun, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

A Theosophical definition of Brothers of the Shadow :

Brother(s) of the Shadow

A term given in occultism and especially in modern esotericism to individuals, whether men or women, who follow the path of the shadows, the left-hand path. The term "shadow" is a technical expression and signifies more than appears on the surface: i.e., the expression is not to be understood of individuals who live in actual physical obscurity or actual physical shadows, which literalism would be simply absurd; but applies to those who follow the path of matter, which from time immemorial in the esoteric schools in both Orient and Occident has frequently been called shadow or shadows.

The term originally arose, without doubt, in the philosophical conception of the word maya, for in early Oriental esotericism maya, and more especially maha-maya, was a term applied in one of its many philosophical meanings to that which was contrary to and, indeed, in one sense a reflection of, light. Just as spirit may be considered to be pure energy, and matter, although essentially crystallized spirit, may be looked upon as the shadow world or vehicular world in which the energy or spirit or pure light works, just so is maya, as the garment or expression or sakti of the divine energy, the vehicle or shadow of the divine side of nature, in other words its negative or nether pole, as light is the upper or positive pole.

The Brothers of the Shadow are therefore those who, being essentially of the nature of matter, instinctively choose and follow the path along which they are most strongly drawn, that is, the path of matter or of the shadows. When it is recollected that matter is but a generalizing term, and that what this term comprises actually includes an almost infinite number of degrees of increasing ethereality from the grossest physical substance, or absolute matter, up to the most ethereal or spiritualized substance, we immediately see the subtle logic of this technical term  - shadows or, more fully, the Path of the Shadows, hence the Brothers of the Shadow.

They are the so-called black magicians of the Occident, and stand in sharp and notable contrast with the white magicians or the Sons of Light who follow the pathway of self-renunciation, self-sacrifice, self-conquest, perfect self-control, and an expansion of the heart and mind and consciousness in love and service for all that lives. (See also Right-hand Path)

The existence and aims of the Brothers of the Shadow are essentially selfish. It is commonly, but erroneously, supposed that the Brothers of the Shadow are men and women always of unpleasant or displeasing personal appearance, and no greater error than this could possibly be made. Multitudes of human beings are unconsciously treading the path of the shadows and, in comparison with these multitudes, it is relatively only a few who self-consciously lead and guide with subtle and nefast intelligence this army of unsuspecting victims of maya. The Brothers of the Shadow are often highly intellectual men and women, frequently individuals with apparent great personal charm, and to the ordinary observer, judging from their conversation and daily works, are fully as well able to "quote scripture" as are the Angels of Light!

See also: Brothers of the Shadow, Mysticism, Body Mind and Soul)

The prevalence of these terms within the New Age movement, particularly occultism and Satanism, is often attributed to the influence of Helena Blavatsky, who first used the term Left-Hand Path to describe "immoral" religions. This usage was popularized in a variant form by Aleister Crowley. He does not use the term 'Left-Hand Path' in isolation; it is only used in the phrase 'Brother of the Left-Hand ...

See also:

Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path, Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Origins, Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Usage in Tantra, Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Adoption by Western occultism, Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Usage in modern occultism, Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Left-hand path religions, Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Criticism, Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Usage

Read more here: » Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path: Encyclopedia II - Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path - Adoption by Western occultism

path: Marga or pantha. A trail, road or way. In Hinduism there are various ways that the term path is used.

-       path of enlightenment salvation moksha: The way to the ultimate goals of Self Realization and liberation.

-       universal path: The spiritual path conceived as being followed by all of existence, marching on its way to Godhood.

-       path of dharma: Following principles of good conduct and virtue.

-       the two paths: The way of the monk and that of the householder, a choice to be made by each Hindu young man.

-       Peerless highest path: The spiritual path (or the path of renunciation) as the noblest of human undertakings.

-       the straight path: The way that goes directly to the goal, without distraction or karmic detour.

-       on the path: someone who is seriously studying, striving and performing sadhana to perfect the inner and outer nature.

-       our right path in life: The best way for us personally to proceed; personal dharma, svadharma. -

-       "Truth is one, paths are many:" Hinduism's affirmation for tolerance. It accepts that there are various ways to proceed toward the ultimate goal.

See: dharma, pada.

(See also: Path, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Dragon Rouge is frequently depicted as a sect or a satanic organization by the tabloid press. The order states that they are hostile towards Monotheism, but not an atheistic nor a satanic organization, but a magical order. The tabloid press and christian spokespersons have on several occasions called the sacrifice of individual drops of human blood in Dragon Rouge magic unacceptable. Dragon Rouge appeared frequently in the Swedish media during the mid and late nineties. Dragon Rouge has occasionally been criticised by other occ ...

See also:

Dragon Rouge, Dragon Rouge - Dragon Rouge, Dragon Rouge - The order, Dragon Rouge - Culture, Dragon Rouge - Philosophy, Dragon Rouge - Psychology, Dragon Rouge - Initiatory magic, Dragon Rouge - The initiatoric Draconian magic, Dragon Rouge - Opposing views

Read more here: » Dragon Rouge: Encyclopedia II - Dragon Rouge - Opposing views