A Brief Introduction
There is a peculiar allure that can be found within esoterism and metaphysics. Perhaps in part because of the pictures painted by Hollywood corporations such as Disney World and Harry Potter. Looking at this analytically, what is it specifically that ends up attracting an individual to research and perhaps eventually practice? To answer this one must look at the origins of occultism, which means the belief of the little known/ or subjects that which are not common knowledge or readily understood by many. As an intelligent species, we are constantly evolving, growing and adopting new perspectives which lead to clearer and more definable understandings. The most basic example that springs to mind is our understanding of the sun. 195,000 years ago when we were barely homosapiens,our understanding of the sun was simple; big brightball in the sky. Over the thousands of years since, our understanding has freed us of fear for many of us were wary of the day when the sun would no longer rise. Where did it go? When will it come back? The various cultures across the world adopted differentmechanisms of understanding which eventually led to the personification of inanimate objects, i.e. Huitzilopochtli, the Aztec god of Sun and War. These circumstances ultimately came about so that we could gain a better and more meaningful understanding of the world around us. Sometimes in order to look at the whole picture, you have to take a step back and look at the object in mention with a broader perspective. This can be called the process of review and reorganize which is a constant daily practice in the lives of many, yet on the same hand there are just as many who are content with theirpresent understandings. Review and reorganization means effort and internal change, something that doesn't happen over night or in a week's time.This is wherethe roads diverge and our collective intelligence morphs into individual intelligence. We may have a collective understanding, but nothing is preventing anyone from challenging these idealogies and understandings on an individual level so that you as an individual can go about your day with a mindset that is more encompassing.
Hobby
A hobby is described as an activity performed on a regular basis such as a garden patch, a collection of crystals, or researching a subject. All of which are pursuits with the collective intention of receiving what you give. With your garden, your flowers will bloom faster and more vibrant the more knowledge and effort you apply. Have you looked into talking to your plants? Can they sense vibrations? What of using certain types of fertilizer for varying gardens? This is cause and effect in action. The more time you spend learning and understanding how to make the best flower garden with the greatest variety of colours, is time spent well. It creates the stepping stones to create a different patch next year, and using your experiences from the year past, you have a broader mindset which will allow you to apply these skills. Your hobby turns into a lifestyle when knowing the fundementals doesn't cut it anymore. You don't just have the desire, but the inner passion to push yourself towards furthering your knowledge and being able to apply what you've learned not just on your garden patch, but the community gardens or teaching the next generation something or even having something to talk about with Mrs Marshall next door. There are countless ways you can learn to adapt and apply your experiences, and the more wholeheartedly you do so the more it becomes a practice and a lifestyle.
Lifestyle
To recap, much of what I've said is in relation to the pursuits of knowledge, understanding, adaptability, and application of experience. The extent to which you practice the above pursuits will determine whether the subject in question becomes a hobby where you practice it regularly, or a lifestyle where even the most miniscule things that have very little correlation bring you back full circle and before you know it you're relearning things ten fold. This is where it enters your lifestyle, or the way you go about life/view life. It permeates your desires, your perceptions, and your mindset until you are often left with more questions than answers. It no longer is a practice of regularity, rather a practice of every moment. It's something that you carry on your shoulders and feel within you even in moments of absolute polarity.
A Brief Conclusion
To briefly summarize and conclude, during the thinking of and writing on this subject, that being the difference between practicing magic as a hobby or lifestyle, I found myself not only with the desire of sharing this perspective but also the desire of hearing what others may perceive of this topic. It is my hope that someone at some point may read this and gleam a new understanding, or take what I've said with a grain of salt and think on it for some time.Challenge yourself internally and you open the doorways to challenging yourself and the world around you externally.
