Sir Launcelot Arrives

Conquering Philosophy



Why Bother?

Why bother with philosophy? Philosophy, especially a forceful one like the Conquering Philosophy I write now, both attacks and explores the the need for a proper Life-Way for those forced to live in a Post-Modern world. Why do we have this need? Where there were once traditional Life-Ways for people of all person-types, there is only the mundane and democratized "every-man" of our times. There is another problem here, in that we cannot simply resurrect an older culture and hope to prop it up in our own times. No, we cannot become necromancers of a romanticized past. At most we can hope to take some of their advice and pitfalls, and learn from them while seeking the same Mysteries they grappled with.

We must battle with nihilism and all forms of modern foolishness. We must fight stasis, disorder, and mindlessness. We must transcend the petty morality of the commoners, the "every-men", and stand tall with our fellow Nobles against this mundaneness thrust upon us. And we must win. 

Luck and Being

The more I meditate on this subject, the more I come back to the same type of conclusion: Luck is a manifestation of Being. And by manifestation, I surely mean that Luck is a direct product of the process of Becoming. We dream our future-Selves into Being and slowly Become that future-Self in the here and now, and this process morphs into predestined fate as it establishes itself in the past. As this Willed crystallization of the future-Self is achieved, Luck is the generated momentum that helps one crush obstacles and understand the next horizon. Being and Luck: things found in proper proportion in individuals with lives in proper measure.

In the Forge

Stress can be an acidic property that destroys the vessel it is contained within. In this regard it is much like the fiery force of hatred. But we can utilize this force with the proper mindset and fortitude. We can transmute stress and hatred in raw strength without being burned ourselves, though this is no easy task and it is not achievable for all people. But those warlords, for this type of person with the proper Will the normally negative emotions are changed into vitality and useful weapons against their foes. Fear those who can cripple mundaneness with such fiery itstruments.

A Judgement upon Judgement

Popular society has engrained within us a fear of judgement. We are taught to dismiss the notion of judging others while respecting those people who can legally judge us, at least to their faces anyway. Instead of agreeing with such a foolish notion, let me say this upon the matter. Judgement is a positive, required application of the mind as long as you don't get stuck in these traps: ethnocentrism, inaction, and cultural relativism. All three stifle the dynamic mind. Only judge something from a proper vantage-point and only judge what you intend to act upon. Nobody likes a useless individual who can only cast judgement without following that up with strong Deeds.

Become the Bull by Slaying the Serpent

Weakness is a form of delusion; delusion sponsored by yourself and reinforced by society. It is a manifestation of mindlessness. How do we overcome it? I can think of at least four ways. The first way is to possess and demonstrate bravery and courage. Do the Right action at the Right time, regardless of fear or the ridicule of the fools around you. You will overcome them, sooner or later. Admirable Deeds win greatness the world over. The second way is take initiative in your life, from the greatest actions to the smallest ones. Maintain that momentum to steam-roll over your obstacles. The third way is forget about suffering. It does not build character or strength; it only builds martyrs. Instead of suffering embrace the Quest and its trials! Test your iron and use the experience of truly living to build power. The fourth way is to remember that adversity and danger are simply coals; pick them up and move them aside with neither hesitation nor concern of safety. Build contempt for those things. Power comes from grappling and overcoming ever-increasing resistance. 

And one last idea: do all that you say and accept neither excuse nor compromise from anyone, especially from yourself.

For the Black Sufis

A musing on the nature of the Soul. The True Self is the Mirror of Truth and it has existed before Objective Creation. It shows the Seeker of Truth only true things, as delusion is false and false things are Unmanifest. This Chaotic Mirror has many attributes. It shows Truth, gives a form of transmission to the First Cause, holds the Mysteries of the Macrocosm, reflects true attributes of the First Cause, and is far more powerful than any angelic being. This Mirror of Truth is within each Man, which is created in the best of Forms and the Highest of Life. Those who do not perform Right Actions are as permanent as ash in the win. The Higher Self, the Soul, is an honoured kinsman of the body and therefore you should embrace both. Strengthen the body so that it may better house the soul, like a great city holding its citizens. Strengthen the Higher Self so that it may flood the body with vitality, like a cup that overflows with strong drink. Remember the words of Ibn 'Arabi in closing, "O follower of the Path of Truth: If you look deep into the divine secrets, you will find you yourself are the source of divine wisdom".

On Travel

You don't travel to find yourself. Your self is usually the source of your problems and you will be followed by it regardless of where you go. No region or landmark can help you find wisdom. The fool travels to find himself whereas the owner of Truth travels to crystallize one's own True Self; to hone an edge already present.

On Honesty

Honesty is of the utmost importance in life. it is often overlooked that real honesty starts within the Self. If a person is not truly honest, brutally honest even, how can she be honest with others? How will one even recognize honesty (and the Truth) if one does not exercise it upon one's Self and life? If you seek to be honest, start at the centre and work your way outwards. If you seek to be dishonest, at least remain true to the Oaths you swear to your Self and those who matter.

On Fate

Of all the things I know of fate, this is surely the most well tested. Those who sleep have no chance at understanding its manner. Those who are awake may feel its tugging and vibrations. Those who conquer the natural order Will a predestined fate of their making into Being. When a titanic battle looms, neither dread nor curse it. Consider it briefly and then run upon it full speed! If you conquer it you will gain great honour, since strong Deeds produce admiration and esteem. If you fail, at least you fail in an utterly epic way and have a new horizon to shoot for in the future. I am reminded of the saying that even if the spears spare your life, old age shall not! So go forth and exercise your lust for life, even if you burn down the world in the process.

But what is the nature of Fate? It certainly has two natures: one false and external, one true and divine. The false Fate is given to us by the "every-men" and has no bearing on our True Selves. It is made up of political ideology and sentimental nonsense on how people should act in this world without compass. We should learn a lesson from Gilgamesh and rage against this false Fate. But then there is our True Fate. This is written within and beyond; a Mystery found in the Night Sky. We learn bits and pieces of this Mystery through True knowledge and potent Deeds. This Fate is to be worked with and made manifest in the world of mundaneness. This, once realized and made solid, can only lead one down the path of power and the conquering of one's foes. Make the sacrifice and gain the knowledge from the Well, and do not allow yourself the ease of faltering.

"Nutze dein Schicksal, widerstrebe ihm nichte!" ("Use thy destiny, do not strive against it!") - Guido von List