Tantrism

Tantrism

by : Tejo Bagus Sunaryo

A system of yoni-worship, or female-centered sex-worship, which allegedly begun thousands of years ago in India by women of a secret sect called Vratyas, the processors of the devadasis or sacred harlots. The religion was associated with later written scriptures known as Tantras, therefore, it became known as Tantrism. Its primary objective was the adoration of the lingam-yoni, sign of the male and female principles in conjunction (the god Shiva and the goddess Kali). Tantrism is still practiced in India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet.
The basic tenet of Tantrism was that the woman possesses more spiritual energy than the man; therefore, the man could achieve realization of the divinity through sexual and emotional union with a woman. A fundamental rite was controlled sexual intercourse, maithuna, Latin, coitus reservatus; sex without male orgasm. In theory the man must store up his sexual fluid rather than expelling it by ejaculation. Through Tantric training, he learned to absorb through his penis the fluid engendered by his partner’s orgasm and to prolong sexual intercourse for many hours. In this way he became similar to Shiva, the God in perpetual union with the Goddess. Theoretically, the concept was that the conserved vital fluids would be stored in the man’s spinal column, working their way up through the chakras to his head, and there flower the inspiration of divine wisdom. The Tantras explains the purposes of the various rites and the philosophy underlying them.
The most sacred mantra expressing Tantric worship was Om mani padme hum, the Jewel (penis) in the Lotus (vulva). The symbolic lingam-yoni often took the form of an altar shaped like a penis in a vulva.
The practice met with opposition as did its Christian counterparts, namely the Ophites and Montanists. Orthodox Buddhism was based on opposition to the female principle and believed in order to saved their souls men must avoid sex. The vitality of the soul was retained by the conservation of semen, and the concentration (see Meditation) on the Self. Buddhist monks claim their prophet commanded them to quell all sexual desire, and to never see or speak to a woman.
Tantrism was never completely destroyed. It has been practiced in different forms or versions throughout the centuries. It was practiced by some early Christians who called it synesaktism, the Way of Shakti, which was a form of Goddess-worship that had come from the Orient through Pythagorean and Neoplatonic mystics. Plotinus equated the mind’s progress toward Ineffable to "the sight of a beautiful lady." The ascent of the mind toward the realization of divinity was divided into six steps, the first being the perception of woman’s beauty to the culmination with the contemplation of Universal Beauty.
However, as with everything which incorporates natural tendencies but also denies them this form of Goddess-worship traveled a bumpy road. One big obstacle was when the Christian Church declared that the sole purpose of sex was for the propagation of children. This lead to the obstacle of others being suspicious of those practicing it, thinking promiscuity was occurring among them.
Some early Christian sects such as the Gnostic Ophites practiced a form of Tantrism by adoring their Goddess symbol of Sophia. She was thought of as the Holy Spirit, the feminine soul or the Shakti of God. They called their rite a spiritual marriage which was completely misconceived by the orthodox Church which condemned it. Certain members of these sects laid naked together while copulating. Their rite was suspicious in that they say they only avoided male orgasm. As previously mentioned promiscuity was suspect.
Christians were not the only ones attacking such practices, the Islamic leaders also were attacking the Sufi cults of love. Sufi mysticism survived underground, carried on by troubadours calling themselves Lovers and adoring the feminine principle as a world-sustaining power. The Sufi worship eventually influenced the European troubadours, who founded cults of Courtly Love in the centuries following the crusades. Such troubadours were branded sinful by the Church because they loved women instead of God; and, women were equated with the devil by the theological opinion of the time. The patriarchal authority was not going to approve something that was natural as good, such an act would seem to grant the right of sexual pleasure to women.
Although Courtly Love practiced Tantric maithuna under the name of drudaria, a sort of love associated with male self-denial, it was anything but chaste. To the contrary, its poetry was highly erotic. The bardic verse indicated Tantrism origins, especially when Peredur’s mystic lady-love revealed that she came from India or when Tristan told his lady-love Iseult that his name was the syllabically-reversed Tantris.
There are indications that Tantrism was present throughout the history of western nations. It was either taught through secret teaching or discovered independently. Medieval goddess-worshippers, valified as "witches" apparently knew of it. There are indications that it was taught and used as a birth-control technique. Many alleged witches were midwives whom the Church thought were teaching birth control. Also, there is no evidence of women becoming pregnant after returning from witches’ sabbats.
Maithuna was heard of once more, in 1848, when John Humphrey Noyes, founder of the Oneida Creek Community, rediscovered the technique which he called "male continence’ or karezza. Noyes’ initial reason as to protect his wife from "the horrors and the fear of involuntary propagation" after she had four disastrous pregnancies. Afterwards Noyes trained members of his community in the technique and they began experimenting in what was called "complex marriage" where the various partners had no fear of unwanted pregnancies.
Some occult groups in the 19th and 20th centuries used Tantric coitus reservatus for various reasons. However, maithuna was not widely practiced by Western men because of Christian and cultural teachings. A.G.H.
http://www.themystica.com/mystica/articles/t/tantrism.html


Mantra (also Mantram)
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Generically mantra refers to sacred words or syllables used repeatedly in religious and ceremonial rituals. The term "mantra" is derived from Sanskrit man, "mind," and tra, "to deliver."
Generally the mantra is considered a holy or divine name, word, or syllable by the one that says or thinks it. The mantra is believed to help one to achieve his goal which may be a mission, or an objective, or the attainment of something desired. For example, in Hinduism the mantra, which holds the essence of a guru's teaching, helps the initiate along his spiritual path.
Likewise, in Buddhism mantra may be a syllable or syllables which represent the cosmic forces, aspects of Buddhas, or the name of Buddha. The mantra is repeated during meditation, and in Vajrayana Buddhism this is accompanied by visualizations and body postures.
Mantras, frequently common in Hinduism and Buddhism, also are found in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. the name of God was always considered powerful mantras. (See: Law of Names) In Catholicism there are the prayers such as the Our Father (Pater noster) and Hail Mary, (Ave Maria) especially when prayed as the Rosary, which might be considered mantras in essence. Even Protestantism embodies the "Our Father."
The Old Testament renders a mantric characteristic to the personal name of God, Yahweh which is known as the Tetragrammation. It was so awesome that in ancient times it was just pronounced by the high priests only on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement which is the most sacred Jewish religious holiday. Often "Adonai" and "Elohim" were substituted for Yahweh.
Mantras are thought to be charged with vibration power. Chanting or meditating silently on mantras helps one to attain an altered state of consciousness. In such a state it is believed possible to perceive the true nature of the mind; "the unity of mind with Mind."
"Lama Anagarika Govinda defined a mantra as a 'tool for thinking,' a 'thing which creates a mental picture.'" (Foundations of Tibetan Mysticism, 1969) Govinda continued. "The mantra...is knowledge, the truth beyond right and wrong, real being beyond thinking and reflecting. What the mantra expresses in sound exists and comes to pass."
Mantras can be used in three ways: verbal, semiverbal, and silent. Verbal repetition of mantras so anyone can hear them is the lowest form of their usage while silent repetition is the highest. While others, such as the Krishna sect, feel that verbal chanting is more powerful. The semiverbal form is when the vocal chords vibrate but no sound is uttered.
Some stress methods in the use of mantras. The correct pronunciation and intonement of mantras is extremely important. This creates strong vibrations that effect every vibration of every universal thing including the deities and lower spirits.
Also, the mantra is thought to be a manifestation of shabda, or sacred sound that can be controlled either to create or destroy. Such a concept also is discovered in the ancient Grecian theory of music, "in which the keynote of a particular organism, body, or substance can be used to cause it to disintegrate."
Yogis and fakirs use mantric power to perform psychokinetic feats such as controlling the weather, teleportation, apports, and levitation. It is said the Tibetan yogi Milarepa used mantras to create a hail storm to destroy family enemies. For using a sacred power for an evil purpose Milarepa served several years of penance.
Presently many mantras are repeatedly chanted. The chanting is usually done in association of dancing to drum or other instrumental music to achieve an altered state of consciousness and/or a rising of power. Such ceremonial rituals are performed in Neo-pagan witchcraft. For incident, many witches and Neo- pagans use chants to raise power to enhance the performance of their magic spells. Words of these chants may be names of the Goddess or Horned God. Also chants may consist of rhymes, alliterative phrases, or charms which are created or taken from other sources such as books or poetry.
http://www.themystica.com/mystica/articles/m/mantra.html


Meditation
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Any discipline or practice of the mind and/or body that enables the individual to alter his consciousness or achieve a higher state of consciousness. Meditation is principally employed toward obtaining self-improvement and spiritual growth.
There are two general types of meditation: the mystical and the secular. The mystical is considered the highest form of meditation because the person practicing it is usually thought to be attempting to reach the Absolute or Divine. It is usually practiced in a nonsecular setting, such as a monastery, where the practitioners also practice withdrawal from the world, asceticism, strict diet, and other regimens. However, there are exceptional individuals who independently choose to live this life-style.
Secular meditation helps practitioners improve their health, creativity, self-esteem, success, and relationships with others and the world around them. It can also improve the individual’s psychic powers and accomplishment of self-knowledge. Meditation by itself will not achieved these goals, but will help the individual to achieve them. Generally the person practices meditation twice daily about twenty minutes at a time. Some scientific research has shown meditation improves health.
Meditation is universally practiced. In the East it has became more formalized into a spiritual discipline in which various techniques are used. Concentration is more involved with the Eastern tradition, especially in yoga, it attempts to transform consciousness through mental control, and go beyond the absence of thought. While some goals of meditative concentration is the achievement of mystical states posture is very important. The concentration is on a single object such as breath control, a mantra, a yantra (geometric shape), a candle flame, a koan (Zen puzzle) and so on. Detached awareness meditation also is more characteristic of the Eastern methods, especially among the many schools of Buddhism. Of the various methods, the best known in the West is zasen, or sitting meditation, of Zen.
The prominent Eastern religions or philosophies using meditation are Buddhism, Hinduism, Zen, and Taoism, and others. The primary objective of the practice of meditation in all of these religious philosophies appears to be the release from the material world into the spiritual. This chiefly means release from the body, its concerns and functions. Also, there is a lessening of the ego. Meditative experiences are continued until the individual reaches a nirvana. Beyond the nirvana is the nirodh (cessation), which consists of the absolute cessation of consciousness and the quiescence of bodily processes. This is an extremely difficult state to obtain because the body’s metabolism drops to minimal level for existence; thus the state can be maintained for no longer than seven days. The meditator is required beforehand to determine the length he or she will remain in this state.
Meditation in the Western methods focuses more on contemplation. This includes practices of thinking about meaning, such as prayer, concepts, and questions. Generally contemplation does not quiet the mind or effect bodily rest.
The Western tradition begun with Christian monks in the Egyptian desert around the fourth century who lived as hermits. The discipline which they practiced was one of purification and meditation to obtain union with God. It is suspected many of their techniques were borrowed from the East or rediscovered from there. The repetition, verbally or silently, of phrases from the Scriptures served as the Desert Fathers’ mantras. Steadily in the Catholic tradition the path to God was characterized by purification, asceticism, prayer, and contemplation.
Meditation also is practiced in the practices of Judaism and Islam, the Kabbalah and Sufism. It is included in the practices of neo-Paganism and neo-Witchcraft also.
The following is based a section of the study of neo-Witchcraft. To fully understand the purpose and functioning of meditation one has to observe the human as both a physical and spiritual or psychological being. Meditation helps to connect the physical and spiritual levels of the human being. This connection is brought about at the vital centers within the body known as chakras. During the process of meditation psychic energy known as Kundalini or ‘Serpent Power’ builds up and flows through the chakras. As it does, the chakras open in a successive order.
This psychic energy as it increases influences or controls different areas or levels of the person’s mind. Generally, three levels of the human mind are recognized: the conscious, the subconscious and the super-conscious. The conscious usually pertains to or governs the voluntary actions which the person performs during his waking state such as eating, speaking, walking, writing, etc.; the subconscious usually controls all of the involuntary functions of the body such as breathing, the heart rate, etc.; while the super-conscious, which also is frequently referred to as the Higher Self, when developed may control the other two mental levels. For example, there has been incidences where through meditation individuals have voluntarily controlled their rate of breathing.
There are several techniques by which practitioners can meditate. The failure of a practitioner to be able to meditate may rest in the choice of the wrong technique, the technique not being suited to that particular individual, or not completely mastering that particular technique. Many masters of Eastern philosophies recommend the technique of focusing attention upon what is called the person’s "thousand petaled lotus" or the third eye which is located in the middle of the forehead. When doing this the individual focuses on the seventh and highest chakra in the body to re-orient the physical self to the mental self, thus forming a transcending association between the gross physical self and the person’s mental identifications, to discover the "true" self.
The proof of the re-orientation process may been seen within the person’s physical and psychological well being, or the lack of it. When the person feels good, or is in relative good heath, his attention more aptly focuses on his environment, the things and persons around him. However, when a person does not feel good, or is depressed and/or moody, his attention may be referred to as subconscious, he tends to think more about himself. His attention narrows being focused more on his own troubles or concerns. This is the reason why it is recommended that an individual keep his mental activity as high as possible to always attain his true self.
Popular Western interest in meditation began the be sparked in the 1960s and most of the adopted techniques were derived from those of Buddhism and Hinduism. During the 1950s Japanese scientists begun studying yogis and Zen monks in meditation. In the 1960s Western scientists began to study the practitioners of Transcendental Meditation(TM), at the invitation of the TM founder Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Although study results vary, there were similar findings: meditation lowers bodily metabolism, slows brain waves, and induces relaxation. Persons who meditate regularly tend to show more resistance to stress and illness, and claimed they felt better psychologically. Also, meditation has been shown to be a help in treating addition. A.G.H.
http://www.themystica.com/mystica/articles/m/meditation.html

Contemplation
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Contemplation includes recollection, which is concentration to eliminate all thoughts and sensory phenomena; and introversion, which attempts to concentrate the mind on its deepest part, a prelude to an union with God.
http://www.themystica.com/mystica/articles/c/contemplation.html



Shakti
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Shakti (or Sakti) is the Tantric title for the Great Goddess (Devi), realized as a sexual partner and as the innermost animating soul of man or god, like the Greek Psyche, Roman Anima, Gnostic Sophia, and the Kabbalistic Shekina, all based on the Skati. Jung declared her to be the figure known as My Lady Soul: "Every mother and every beloved is forced to become the carrier and embodiment of this omnipresent and ageless image, which corresponds to the deepest reality in man."
Shakti is translated "Cosmic Energy." She implies "power, ability, capacity, strength prowess; regal power; power of composition, poetic power, genius; the power or signification of a word or term; the power inherent in cause to produce its necessary effect…[S]hakti is the female organ; shakti is the active power of a deity and is regarded, spiritually and mythologically, as his goddess-consort and queen." The Tantras say, "the female principle antedates and includes the male principle, and…this female principle is the supreme Divinity"

Tantric doctrine stipulates mortal women are "life-itself" and Goddess-like, because they embody the principle of Shakti. The sages "hold women in great esteem and call them Shaktis and to ill treat a Shakti, that is, a woman, is a crime." A Tantric synonym for "woman" was Shaktiman, "Mind of Shakti" or "Possessor of Shakti."
In Hindu Shakti is the eternal and supreme power, variously described as manifest energy, the substance of everything and all pervading. The Vedic meaning of Shakti is "energy." In Hinduism Shakti is a term for the manifestation of the creative principle. However, the concept of Shakti is derived from the hoary past and brahminized in later centuries. The concept of the supreme power as female, a mother, a womb, a vulva is not found in the pre-eminently patriarchal scriptures of the Aryans, but arises, to be made respectable by the higher castes, from the submerged prehistoric mother cults of the earliest people of the subcontinent.
A Shakti was also a spirit-wife, or feminine guardian angel, who could be incarnate in the earthly wife, mistress or whore, or a wholly supernatural figure. "An important division of the ‘mythology of woman’ is devoted to showing it is always a feminine being who helps the hero to conquer immortality or to emerge victorious from his initiatory ordeals…Every Teleut shaman has a celestial wife who lives in the seventh heaven, where he meets her and makes love to her during his ecstatic journeys."
The final union with Shakti occurs at the moment of death, according to the Tantric mystics. She was both the individual and the cosmic goddess absorbing the body and soul of the dying sage into herself, an experience of unsurpassable bliss on his part. "The possession of her, the cosmic Shakti, the living embodiment of the principle of beauty and youth eternal, is the ultimate quest, the very highest prize."
The Kulacudamani Nigama said not even God could become the supreme Lord unless Shakti entered him. All things arose from their union, but she said, "There is none but Myself Who is the Mother to create." The Lalita Sahasranamam said, "The series of universes appear and disappear with the opening and shutting of Her eyes." As God required her power before he could do anything at all, so her worshipper on earth required the power of his own Istadevata, Shakti, or fair-love."
Likewise, the Middle-Eastern mystics such as the Sufis kept to a similar belief. They proclaimed such a fair-love or fravashi essential to any man’s enlightenment. By the Christian Gnostics Shakti was worshipped by such names as Sophia, Pneuma, Eide, or Anima. Some Gnostic writings used sexual symbolism to describe the union of one’s soul after death with Shakti, as in the Mandaean Liturgies for the Dead: the soul or "image" (Eide) embraces and caresses the dead man like a beloved woman. This Tantric idea came to the West by the Avesta doctrine that, after the death of a believer, his own conscience would overcome him "in the form of a fair maiden."
In Hinduism, for accuracy it should be noted, Shakti means eternal and Supreme Power, variously described as manifest energy, and substance of everything, and all-pervading. In the Vedas the term means energy. Presently Shakti is both connected with and identical to the power of the gods Shiva, Vishnu, or Brahma, the great Hindu triad. From the most ancient Hindu scriptural times Shakti, under a variety of names, is linked to Shiva, the Lord of Sleep (and his various guises, especially Rudra). Shiva is said to be helpless without the divine energy, Shakti. The two, coupled in sexual union, are the two inseparable forces that impregnate the universe with life in all of its forms. Without Sakati, Shiva is merely the Void. "He has no visible form," the Linga-arcana Tantra states. "What can be expected from the worship of nothingness?" Shiva (or Rudra), thus a corpse, cannot be worshipped without Shakti. The Goddess is the source of all, the universal Creator. Shakti does not even need Shiva; as eternal Virgin (Kumari) she does not depend on any one any power, for she is the One Itself as Power.
Shakti, energy, is the personification of a god, recognized in Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. In the more specific context, the Salti identifies the creative force of the god Siva, particularly the ugra or violent aspects of Durga and Kali. The Shakti may frequently have the same characteristics and carry the same attributes as the principle god. In Tantrism, the Shakti defines the unity of opposites, which is the yoni sexuality that unites with the lingam of Shiva.
http://www.themystica.com/mystica/articles/s/shakti.html


Shamanism
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Shamanism is perhaps one of the oldest divinatory practices in the world to promote healing. By archaeological and anthropological evidence the practice has existed for some 20,000 to 30,000 years, perhaps since the beginning of the human race. Evidence of shamanism has been found globally in isolated regions of the Americas, Asia, Africa, regions of Europe and Australia.
Usually shamans are called to their profession in two ways: by heredity or by spontaneous and involuntary election by the Supernaturals. There are some who seek out the training, but these individuals are not considered as powerful. An exception to the latter is found the Native North Americans because many undertake vision quests to ask for healing power or the help of a guardian spirit. The shaman is distinguished from others by the greater number of his guardian spirits, by the intensity of his vision, and by his greater power.
Although differences of practices are found among the cultures similarities are found too. The shaman lives in two worlds: the ordinary and the nonordinary reality, also called the "shamanic state of consciousness." To enter the shamanic state the shaman must experience an ecstatic trance, or he will not be able to perform all the required functions or duties. This qualification is what sets the shaman apart from all other priests and adepts.When entering the nonordinary reality, which is an unique altered state of consciousness (see Altered States of Consciousness), the shaman has access to the three zones of most cosmologies: earth, sky, and the underworld, which are connected by a central axis represented by a World Pillar, World Tree, or World Mountain. He is lucid throughout his altered state, controls it, and recalls afterward what transpired during it. While in the shamanic state the shaman sees other nonworldly realities, perhaps multiple realities simultaneously. It is in this state that the shaman accesses information that is unavailable to him in the ordinary reality.
It is essential for the shaman to be able to enter the shamanic state at will. He practices techniques that allow him to do so such as drumming, rattling, chanting, dancing, sexual abstinence, sweat baths, staring at a flame, concentrating on imagery, and isolating himself in darkness. Although some societies use psychedelic drugs for this purpose, others claim drugs are not essential
In the shamanic state the shaman has various powers that he does possess in ordinary reality. He can see spirits and souls, and communicate with them; make magical flights to the heavens where he serves as intermediary between the gods and his people; and descend to the underworld, the land of the dead. These flights are accomplished by shape-shifting (see Metamorphosis), he rides mythical horses or the spirits of sacrificed horses, travels in spirits boats, and the like.
Most believe that they must have a close connection with nature because their guardian spirit usually is that of a plant or animal. Many say the guardian spirit takes the shaman to the other realities through holes between worlds where he is given his needed knowledge and power to help his people and village. This latter purpose makes it essential that the shaman remains lucid throughout his shamanic journeys, so he can bring back vital information that will help his people.
http://www.themystica.com/mystica/articles/s/shamanism.html

Divination
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From the earliest stages of civilization people have used various means of divination to communicate with the supernatural when seeking help in their public and private lives. Divination is most often practiced as a means of foretelling the future, and sometimes the past. It is one of the primary practices used by witches, wizards, medicine men, sorcerers, and shamans. These various groups of persons are often called diviners, who often belonged to special classes of priests and priestesses in past and present civilizations, and are specially trained in the practice and interpretation of their divinatory skills.
The methodology for practicing the divinatory skills seems to divide into two categories: the first is the observation and interpretation on natural phenomena, and the second is the observation and interpretation of man-made "voluntary" phenomena. Natural phenomena includes two major subcategories of activity: astrology, and hepatoscopy. To a lesser degree the observation of the following occurrences also can be listed under natural phenomena: unexpected storms, particular cloud formations, birth monstrosities in both man and animal, howling or unnatural actions in dogs, and night-marish dreams.
Man-made or "voluntary" phenomena is defined as being deliberately produced for the sole purpose of soothsaying and includes such acts as necromancy, pouring oil into a basin of water to observe the formation of bubbles and rings in the receptacle, shooting arrows, casting lots, and numerous other acts.
The ancient Romans favored augury and haruspicy. The Egyptians, Druids, and Hebrews relied on scrying. The Druids also read death throes and entrails of sacrificed animals.
The Greeks had their oracle which spoke for the gods. In the Middle Ages grain, sand or peas were tossed onto a field in order to read the patterns after the substances fell. As far back as 1000 BC. the Chinese had "I CHING," an oracle which involved the tossing and reading of long short yarrow sticks. Another ancient Chinese divinatory practice which is still used is "feng-shui," or geomancy, which involves the erecting of buildings, tombs, and other physical structures by determining the currents of invisible energy coursing through the earth. Presently people also are using this principle for the arrangement of furniture in their homes.
Many divinatory methods are still used today, especially in paganism, witchcraft, voodoo and Santeria. Most Christians would probably disagree but prayer might also be considered a divinatory act. Many practitioners today do not feel signs of divination are absolute or fixed, but believe they still have free choices in their future. They believe divination helps them in making better choices.
http://www.themystica.com/mystica/articles/d/divination.html


Hepatoscopy
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Hepatoscopy is the examination or the inspection of the liver of sacrifical animals. The Babylonians were famous for hepatoscopy. A highly trained priest that might also might have been a Chaldaean which was synonymous with a magician, who was called a "bara" or diviner (literally a "seer inspector"), was in charge of the vital function. The liver was considered the seat of the blood and hence the seat of life itself. On the basis of this belief the Mesopotamians, by some incomprehensible process of reasoning, identified the liver of the sacrificial sheeps to the gods, and therefore deemed it a proper vechicle by which to divine the will and intentions of the higher powers.
The bara or priest was specially trained to read or interpret the signs or markings of the livers. The practice of hepatoscopy was often performed in special temples where the priests would purify themselves and dress in special attire when performing the act. Supplies of livers for the purpose of reading omens were kept at the temples. Also, every army regiment had a bara with it and he performed the act before the regiment's entrance into battle. Private citizens also employed baras to perform hepatoscopy for them to determine the gods' will in their personal lives.
http://www.themystica.com/mystica/articles/h/hepatoscopy.html




Paganism
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Paganism is a general term which is usually understood as denoting any religious act, practice or ceremony which is not Christian. Anyone practicing paganism is usually known as a pagan. The word pagan comes from the Latin word paganus which means a country dweller. As Christianity grew the term pagan took on a different definition and unsavory connotations. Gradually a pagan referred to anyone not being a Christian; and paganism came to mean a non-Christian belief or religion. The Christian Church has vigorously attempted to eradicate it by implying that pagans are unsophisticated, uneducated and worship false gods.
Present day pagans or Neo-pagans, as some refer to themselves, find a unison with the ecstatic and mysticism of the pre-Christian religions which they find missing in the mainstream Western religion. Neo-paganism brings them closer to both nature and the Divine Force. The Christian God seems remote or alienated to them, and they see most Christians as viewing nature as just something to be exploited. Most pagans and Neo-pagans view paganism as a religion chiefly worshiping the Mother Goddess, God and nature. The religion also is polytheistic having many deities in the pantheon. To some these goddesses and gods are more than just deities, they represent archetypes of the collective unconsciousness.
http://www.themystica.com/mystica/articles/p/paganism.html


Healing
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Healing is a most important function of neo-Paganism and neo-Pagan Witchcraft. It is considered a very important practice by many, and some even consider it a gift. This is as it should be because healing has played a dominant part in the evolution of humankind. Within neo-Paganism there are a variety methods of healing which involve magic; herbal and folk remedies; Eastern techniques which involve the changing of the body’s energy field; Native American and shamanic techniques; and Western approaches to medicine and psychology. While some neo-Pagans are professional healers trained in Eastern and/or Western medicine and psychology, others prefer holistic and natural healing methods involving healing by sound, breath, color, touch and movement.
History:
Before the advance of the scientific age, healing was commonly practiced or performed by the village witch or wizard, often called the wise woman or man. These individuals often were born having the mysterious gift of healing by touch, and many were adept in herbal lore that had been passed down through generations of their families. They diagnosed both human and animal ailments. This was because in the early history of humankind animals were very important to human survival. Even today some practitioners still practice animal and plant healing because they consider all life as coming from the gods.
Throughout history many healing methods have been practiced. These include a Renaissance remedy for fairy-caused illnesses by the recitation of Christian prayers; measuring the patient’s girdle to see if a fairy had departed the body; diagnosing the patient’s urine; using prescribed charms which consisted of both Christian and pagan elements; casting spells; and other folk-magic remedies such as requiring the patient to boil an egg and bury it in an anthill saying the disease or condition would disappear when the ants consumed the egg. Other remedies were more realistic such as using gems and semiprecious stones, which have a long history of medicinal value, to heal.
Healing techniques:
Many holding neo-Pagan beliefs, as well as others, believe in and practice the technique of healing by touch. The technique combines Eastern and Western beliefs. The basic concept behind this and other healing techniques is that everything, animate and inanimate, is enveloped in an aura. This aura can be seen by the adept, especially those possessing clairvoyance. They claim illness show up in the person’s aura as weak, cloudy, or discolored spots. Many practitioners attempt helping these people through auric healing, color healing and pranic healing. Many practitioners involved in healing by touch are trained in diagnosing the person’s illness and the ability of channeling and transferring vital energy without absorbing the person’s illness.
Other healing techniques include herbal healing and gem healing. These are two other special areas of healing where some knowledge is required, especially in herbal healing. The practitioner should have some knowledge of psychology in order to study the character and symptology of the patient or subject. Some knowledge of anatomy and physiology should also be known so to know the functioning of the body. The person should also have some dietitian knowledge which aids in the nourishment of the patient. The practitioner must have sufficient knowledge of plant and herbs and their curative properties. This includes knowing when and how to administer the herbs and in what amount. The wrong application of a herb can be harmful. Many practitioners grow and produce their own herbs.
Similar knowledge in required in gem healing or therapy that is required in herbal healing. The curative properties of each stone must be known. The application is based on a color pattern similar to the one used in color healing.
Another technique associated with herbal healing is aromatherapy.
Besides candle magic and puppet healing magical spells are another technique of healing used especially by neo-Pagan Witches. They are never cast without the person’s consent because doing so would be going against the Wiccan Rede, "An’ it harm none, do what ye will." They most often encompass the technique of visualization. Such spells are various and often are tailored to meet the specific circumstances. Spells are used in association with sympathetic magic, thus while performing the spell the practitioner may have in her or his possession something personal of the person for whom the spell is being cast for. Sometimes another person will substitute for the person in the spell, but this is thought at times to be hazardous because the substitute can be exposed to the other person’s illness.
Other methods of healing include exorcism; spirit exorcism (see Spirit possession); shamanic healing techniques which do include exorcism and sucking the illness from the body (see Shamanism); various Native American healing techniques; bodywork techniques, in which healing energies are said to be released through movement and deep muscle massage; and other Eastern methods such as shiatsu, acupuncture, acupressure and reflexology.
http://www.themystica.com/mystica/articles/h/healing.html


Sympathetic Magic
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All sympathetic magic is based upon two principles: first, "likes produce likes," or that an effect resembles it cause; and, second, that things having been in contact with each other continue to react upon one and another at a distant even after they have been severed or disconnected. The former principle is called the Law of Similarity, while the latter is the Law of Contagion or Contact.
From these principles the magician makes inferences. From the Law of Similarity the magician infers that he can produce any effect that he desires just by imitating it. And, from the Law of Contact, the magician infers that whatever he does to a material object will equally effect the person who once had contact with or possessed the object. This is the reason that when performing the spell the practitioner may have in her or his possession something personal of the person, such as a lock of hair, nail clippings, a piece of clothing, or a photograph, for whom the spell is being cast for.
In order for the above principles to form, or cause, sympathetic magic there also must exist a cause-and-effect relationship; if not, the magician’s inferences would never function. Simply, something must transfer the effect of the magician’s actions on the physical object to the person who once was in contact with the object. This thing or substance, for a better term, is believed to be a secret sympathy that exist between the object and person. This secret sympathy is an impulse being transmitted from one thing to the other by means of what we may conceive as a kind of invisible ether, not unlike that which is postulated by modern science for a precisely similar purpose, namely, to explain how things can physically affect each other through a space which appears to be empty.
Many who give examples of sympathetic magic usually present it in a sinister light. One example of this treatment is the witch's ladder. In the past 40 knots were tied tightly in a cord with a concentration of fierce hatred against the victim. Then the cord was hidden so the intended person could not find it because the only way to break the spell was to untie the knots. Supposedly the knots strangled the life out of the person until he died.
Writers when describing these subjects, if they are not objective, seldom if ever describe any good things which are believed by some to occur from these practices. If one is objective one has to wonder if the tying of knots in a cord is always done for evil purposes. There are woodcuts showing witches in the Middle ages selling knotted cords to sailors. It was believed the witches had tied the winds into the knots of the cords. When the sailors got out to sea and there was no wind to move their ship, they would untie a knot causing the wind to rise and their ships to move. Some said, one knot for a light breeze, two for a strong wind, and three for a gale. Here the witches gave sailors opportunities to move their ships. How the sailors used the opportunities was up to them. Untying three knots might not only start a gale but wreck the ship too.
On frequently hears the phrase burned in effigy, which means to let it be known publicly that a person is hated and his enemies want to destroy him. The history of this spectacle reaches back for thousands of years. Occurrences of it were found in ancient India, Babylon, Egypt, Greece and Rome. Occurrences still happen in countries throughout the world. The theory behind the idea of burning in effigy is pure sympathetic magic: just as the image suffers, so does the man. When the image is burned, so the man that it represents must die.
The following are two examples of this: There was an Ojebway Indian custom that when a person wished to kill his enemy he would make a little wooden image of the enemy, then he would burn or bury the puppet. As he did so he uttered certain magic words causing the enemy to die. Peruvian Indians molded images of fat mixed with grains to imitate the persons whom they disliked or feared, and then burned the effigy on a road where the person was to pass. They called this the burning of his soul.
Puppet healing, or magic, is another use of sympathetic magic. It might be said to be the reverse of burning in effigy. Instead of desiring to kill or injure the person whom the puppet represents the practitioner wishes to help him. The theory is whatever degree of healing the practitioner performs on the puppet, the same degree of healing is believed to occur in the person which the puppet represents. So it can be seen that those who subscribe to and practice puppet healing do believe that sympathetic magic can produce positive affects. Also, it is believed that it is the intention of the practitioner which determine whether the results of the sympathetic magic are good or evil.
Positive affects arising from sympathetic magic are also believed to occur in color healing. Color healing can also be applied when the patient is absent by utilizing a photograph of the person. It is also referred to as distant color healing
In summary, sympathetic magic is the belief that what a magician does to a physical object that belonged to a person, or to a representation of the person will similarly effect that person. Many claim that there is no validation for sympathetic magic, the results which seem to occur from its use can be explained by other things. No doubt, in some incidents, this is true. However, with sympathetic magic, as with all magic, the most objective answer seems to be, if people believe in it then it is true for them. Sympathetic magic seems not to be limited just to the occult sciences; one sees individuals praying the Catholic rosary for sick people just as one sees Witches using their cords to heal the sick. Each individual is practicing an act of belief.
http://www.themystica.com/mystica/articles/s/sympathetic_magic.html

Puppet healing, or puppet magic as it is frequently called, is another form of sympathetic magic. The puppet represents the sick or injured person which the practitioner, or practitioners, wish to help or heal. The ultimate goal is to secure a complete cure for the person.
The first procedure in puppet healing is the construction of the puppet. The person for whom the puppet is being made is constantly kept in mind during the construction (see Visualization). First, two cloth outlines of the persons are cut out. The outlines are then sewn or embroidered together except for an opening which should be left at the top of the head. Next the puppet is decorated or marked with special characteristics (such as a mustache if it represents a man possessing a mustache, or long hair if it is for a woman with long hair) that resemble that person. These can be marked or embroidered on the puppet as well. Also there should be marked the person’s astrological signs, including the Sun, Moon, and rising Sun symbols. The puppet should represent the person as closely as possible. Also, since this puppet is being use for healing purposes the afflicted area can be marked. For incidence, if the person is recovering from surgery an incision can be marked on the puppet to indicate the surgery. This will attract the practitioner’s attention to the afflicted area. If the person should have an injured leg, foot, or arm, they could be marked.
Next fill the puppet with the appropriate herbs that will help the healing process and then sew up the opening at the top. When possible lay the puppet on an altar and/or in a circle. Using visualization see the circle being filled with a white light which is the goodness and love of the Goddess and the God which surrounds the puppet and it through it and the practitioner is channeled to the person.
http://www.themystica.com/mystica/articles/p/puppet_healing.html


Visualization
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Visualization, or creative visualization as it is sometimes referred to, is the use of mental imagery to obtain an objective. A vivid mental picture of the desired thing is held firmly fixed in the mind as if it had already happened.
The technique has been widely employed in many fields such as the arts, sports, business, alternative medicine, religious practices, psychotherapy, psychical research, the mystical and occult arts, and self-improvement.
Creative visualization also is known by other terms such as "positive thinking," "positive imagery," "dynamic imaging," "creating imaging," "imaging," and so on.
It is ancient knowledge that the power of thought, imagination, and will does change circumstances. Creative visualization does help the individual to organize the resources necessary to achieve the goal or task that he is presented with. It also is believed to aid in establishing a harmony which facilitates fortuitous synchronicities, or opportunities, and "good luck." With visualization the person is better able to use his advantages because he is more aware of them.
Creative visualization seems to be most effective for the individual when practice in a quiet, relaxed situation, similar to that of meditation and prayer. Some person feel that during the practice they call upon a higher power such as the Divine, the Higher Self, or a spirit guide (see Guardian spirit)or a guardian angel to help them realize their objective.
This visualization technique has been popularized in the West under different names by various writers. One of the earliest books was ‘The Power of Positive Thinking’ ‘1952’ by Norman Vincent Peale, a Methodist minister. The book encouraged a combination of prayer, affirmative thinking and a faith in God. It encouraged the use of affirmative words and phrases such as ‘I am beautiful and loved,’ and ‘I am successful.’ These phrases were to be written down and contemplated on to become part of the consciousness. They were to give reassurance and help eliminate any negative images the person might have.
Another work was ‘Psycho-Cybernetics ‘1960’ by the plastic surgeon Maxwall Maltz. The book discusses the tremendous influence which imagination has upon self-image. Through his work Maltz observed that patients with poor self-image benefited little, if any, from plastic surgery, while patients having a good self-image, or improved it, experienced good transformation following surgery.
In ‘Creative Visualization’ ‘1979’ author Shakti Gawain compares creative visualization to "magic" in the highest sense of the word explaining that positive energy attracts more energy.
Gawain’s terminology of "magic" in the highest sense of the word was similarly defined by Aleister Crowley, magick is "the art or science of causing change to occur in conformity with the Will." In both descriptions magic occurs only as the result of mental activity. The thrust of such activity has been labeled power and/or energy. The result is that change or changes occur in conformity to the will of the person or persons exerting such mental power.
One might wonder why such mental activity is associated with magic. The questioning is legitimate when one thinks of the popular definition or usage of the term magic. Customarily when one hears the term he thinks of the young, handsome magician who pulls the rabbit out of the hat of saws the girl in her skimpy costume in half. This is referred to as stage magic which is mostly based upon sleight-of-the-hand manipulation and optical illusion.
However, the type of magic which Gawain and Crowley are describing is something entirely different. By many, especially neo-Pagans and neo-Witches, it is referred to as true or real magick and spelled with the final "k" –the old spelling of the word – to distinguish it from stage magic. It should be pointed out, however, that there are skeptics that think the spelling of magic with the "k" is just a trick by those believing in the former to make their magic seem more real. Objectively speaking there seems to be no convincing answer to this argument, either one believes in magick or one does not. Those believing in magick claim its function is to make something happen which the person desires or wills to happen. They believe the person is able to do this with the power or psychic energy that the person possesses. There is an admission, although, that at times the person’s power may not be sufficient enough to achieve the sought after object or perform the required task and, it is at these times that the gods give the supplemented power needed.
People believing in magick believe that magick become more powerful as the power or psychic energy within them is increased or built up. The power builds up within the individual like steam in a pressure cooker. The individual wants it to build till he can no longer hold it, but he holds it as long as he can. This is why a group of Witches, each building up power within themselves, within a cone of power think when released all of the power flowing from each person can be directed to obtain the sought after objective. The accompaniment of dancing, chanting, hand clapping, and/or cord magic is used to stimulate and build excitement within the individuals. The flow of energetic power increases. Some who have developed this psychic ability claim that one can see the power flowing upward as a shimmering silver or blur-silver light.
Within this build up of energetic power fits the technique of visualization. With visualization, the person establishes a vivid picture in his mind of what he wants to happen. The picture is not of something that will happen, but rather it is a picture of the thing or event which has happen. This last distinction is crucial in the process of visualization. The mental picture must be of an event or thing that has already occurred or materialized. The purpose of this is to eliminate all doubt in the person’s mind that the desired thing will come true because the person sees that it already has.
One of the most famous employments of the cone of power occurred on Lammas Day, August 1, 1940, in England. At a sabbat, as related by Gerald B.Gardner, all of the covens in southern England gathered in the New Forest for "Operation Cone of Power." It mission was to send a telepathic message to Hitler to keep out of England. Some of the thought sent were "you cannot cross the sea" and "not able to come." There is no certainty that this cone of power worked but those believing in it no doubt thought it did because the Nazis did not invade England.
In some incidences persons in a cone of power may use visualization for healing purposes. In their minds each person has formed a mental picture of a certain person suffering from an illness as already healed and well. At the zenith of power they all might shout the person’s name, saying he is well. All their power is directed toward that person. This process can be repeated.
If the person or Witch is alone, he or she can use the same technique. For example he may desire money or love. The person will imagine himself with the money he desires or needs, or he may imagine himself with the person he wants to love. The image of the money or person grows more and more vivid till it becomes real to the viewer. When the viewer feels he can no longer hold the power within him he might release it by shouting MONEY or LOVE. The person often repeats his shout as his power is released.
http://www.themystica.com/mystica/articles/v/visualization.html


Guardian spirit
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The belief in guardian or guide spirits originated in tribal cultures. The spirit, usually in an animal form, protects, individuals, tribes, clans, or provides some sort of magical shamanic power. The power possessed by the animal is generally believed to represent the collective power of the entire species or genus, giving the animal magical abilities to perform extraordinary feats, such as the wolf with the power to fight.
These spirits usually appear in animal form, but have the ability to assume human form too. In their animal form it is believed they can talk to humans. This belief in animal formed spirits is derived from a stronger belief that animals and humans were once related.
Beliefs concerning guardian spirits vary among the various tribal cultures. Many tribes believe every male child is born with a guardian spirit to protect him, otherwise he would never reach adulthood. Other tribes believe not every male successfully gets a guardian spirit; those who do not experience weakness and failure in their lives.
Most tribes assume that it is less important for girls to acquire guardian spirits because when reaching womanhood they do not become hunters and warriors. Although, some tribes do have minor rites for girls to acquire guardian spirits.
Totem guardian spirits are known among the Native North Americans, especially among the tribes along the Northwest Coast. These totem spirits can protect an entire tribe or clan with collective power or the individual power of the animal. The totem animal is sacred to that particular tribe. If, for example, a tribe's totem animal is a bear, no member of that tribe is permitted to kill a bear, but the tribe may eat flesh of a bear killed by another tribe.
In Shamanic cultures the shaman is required to have a guardian spirit. He cannot be a shaman without one. The guardian spirit empowers the shaman with its magical powers and serves as the shaman's "animal power" or his alter ego.
Within an altered state of consciousness, in which he performs his duties, the shaman assumes the form and power of the guardian spirit. He sees it, converses with it, and uses it to help him achieve his mission. The guardian is never harmful to the shaman but escorts him through the underworld or accompanies him on his mystical ascents into the sky.
The shaman can contact his guardian spirit regularly. This is called "dancing the animal." Although, one guardian spirit does not remain with the shaman throughout his life. The stays of the spirits are temporary, and new spirits replace them.
Guardian spirits are not the same as "spirit helpers" which have minor powers and specialized functions such as curing certain diseases and illnesses. A shaman may use spirit helpers collectively. And, guardian spirits are not to be confused with helper spirits. Neither are guardian spirits to be confused with the tonal, a spirit in animal form, which symbolizes the person's soul or birth date; nor are they familiars.
There are several ways of acquiring guardian spirits: seeking a solitary spirit quest or vision quest in the wilderness; spirits may come in dreams to some persons; many tribes require the acquisition of a guardian spirits during initiation rites into manhood. In some rites hallucinogenic drugs are used.
One way of communicating with one's guardian spirit is during ecstatic dancing when the person enters a trance state and assumes the form of the animal. The Zuni, for example, call this dance "Calling the Beasts."
From the tribal view point most Westerners still have guardian spirits, but are not aware of them throughout their lives. This is because of their lost contact with nature, and thus they rob themselves of this source of greater reinforcing power.

Helper Spirit
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A name for a discarnate entity, not necessarily possessing superior knowledge, but eager to help humans in humble ways. Also these entities may be under the direction of one or several superior spirits. Helpers are usually recently deceased friends or relatives and distinct from guardian or guide spirits which have greater experienced garnered from higher spiritual planes.
http://www.themystica.com/mystica/articles/h/helper_spirit.html


Color Healing:
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In Western culture the different classifications used in dealing with colors are: hue, value and chroma. Non-Western cultures may determine their color concepts by different means. Hue refers to the position in the spectrum of visible light. Each of the seven primary has a position on the spectrum measured in angstrom units. (An angstrom unit is one hundredth millionth of a centimeter and is used to measure wavelengths on the electromagnetic energy spectrum) The following is the positions of the primary colors measured in angstrom units: The color violet has a wavelength varying from 4000-4500; indigo, 4500-4700; blue, 4700-5100; green 5100-5600; yellow, 5600-5900; orange, 5900-6200; and red, 6200-6700.
Value represents the amount of light reflected, or the brightness of the color. The range of reflected goes from "white," where all the light is reflected to "black," where there is no reflection of light. But, it must be noted that no true color has been found. White even has grays to black in it. There are no true orange or green, but a mixture of other colors. The same holds true for the next classification of color, chroma, the "purity," "saturation," or "intensity" of a color. No color is pure, but an combination of other colors, although one particular hue is dominant.
The body selects from sunlight whatever colors it needs to maintain balance, and these colors are absorbed by vibrations. Lacking colors is called chromopathy, from the Greek words kroma, color, and pathos, suffering. The treatment for this condition is chromotherapy, which supplies the body with colors that it is lacking. The application of chromotherapy is very practicable and can be done without danger to anyone because the natural element of color is being dealt with.
The primary colors of the spectrum and their healing properties:
Violet: Violet is at the opposite end of the spectrum from red. Good for mental disorders, the nervous system, baldness and female complaints.
Indigo: Indigo is a slight narcotic removing fears and reassures those afraid of the dark. Good for emotional problems, deafness, and especially good for the eyes, even cataracts.
Blue: Blue acts as an antiseptic and cooling agent. Excellent for inflammations including those of internal organs. Good for cuts and burns, also for rheumatism.
Green: Green is the great healer. It is neutral to the other others. It serves as a general tonic and neutralizer. When in doubt, use green. Excellent for heart problems, neuralgic headaches, ulcers, head colds and boils.
Yellow: Yellow is excellent in treating bowel and intestine problems. It can act as a mild sedative to relieve many fears and give a mental uplift. It is good for treating indigestion and heartburn, constipation, piles, also menstrual problems.
Orange: Orange is not as harsh of a color as red, but has many of the same properties. Very good for illnesses of the respiratory system such as asthma and bronchitis; also good as a tonic and laxative.
Red: Red is at one end of the spectrum. It is a warm color which invigorates, excellent when used for treatment of persons having heat diseases, anemia, and liver diseases.
Color healing is usually done with the technique of visualization. The practitioner vividly holds the color in his mind and directs it to the affected area of the patient.
Directing the Color:
The practitioner produces the color required to heal the patient. Most often light from outside or direct sunlight is used. To intensify the required color a piece of colored glass, plastic, or even cellophane may be used in which to direct light through. One method is to tape the piece of colored glass, plastic, cellophane, or even tissue paper on the pane of a window, then let the patient sit in front of the window so the colored light is directed directly on the patient’s afflicted area, if it is the stomach then the light should penetrate the stomach area, or an afflicted arm, or whatever. This treatment should be given in two thirty minutes daily, once in the morning and once in the evening.
In the absent of sunlight or there is no available window artificial light may be used. One method is the used of a photographic slide projector. This is frequently better than a window because the light can be more accurately focused onto the afflicted area. From a photographic supply firm one can obtain empty cardboard slide mouths onto which can be placed small rectangles of colored plastic or acetate so to have a set of slides of the seven primary colors.
Color-Charged Water
An ordinary glass of water can become medicinal when charged by sunlight. Tape a piece of colored paper or acetate around the glass (a colored bottle is even better) and let it sit in sunlight from six to eight hours. Even if the sun does not directly shine on the water it will still be charged. A wineglass of water taken three time daily has the similar effect as a thirty minute colored light application.
An example of this is drinking red water in the morning to wake one up or invigorate the person, and drinking indigo at night to relax him. Treatment by the use of color-charged water is called Hydrochromotherapy.
Distant Color Healing
Color healing, used as form of sympathetic magic, can also be applied when the patient is absent by utilizing a photograph of the person The treatment is known as Graphichromotherapy. It is best employed by using a low voltage light bulb, perhaps even a night light. The same application applies as in all color healing: focus the color directly onto the afflicted area. This can be more easily done when the photograph is in a frame. The colored material is placed over the afflicted area of the person. The treatment should be applied at least three hours a day.
http://www.themystica.com/mystica/articles/c/color_healing.html


Aromatherapy
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A term used for the treatment of illness and the maintenance of physical health by using essential oils distilled from plants such as chamomile, camphor, peppermint, rosemary, lavender, and eucalyptus. Such treatments were known in ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, and other civilizations. Early Arabian physicians developed the distillation of aromatic oils through experiments in alchemy.
The term aromatherapy originates from the writings of the French chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse, whose book Aromatherapie was published in 1928. Aromatherapy is simply more than a department of herbalism, since it postulates subtle energies of aromatic plants are related to the life force, which correlates to the ancient Chinese concepts of Yin and Yang.
http://www.themystica.com/mystica/articles/a/aromatherapy.html


Spirit possession
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Unlike demonic possession where the person is thought to be taken over by the Devil or his demons for harm, spirit possession is a voluntary, culturally sanctioned displacement of the personality. The spirits, be they deities, angels, demons, advanced entities, or the dead, are invited to enter a human person to educate, communicate with the living or just because they do not realize they are dead and need help in passing to their next realm.
In modern Christianity spirit possession is mainly practiced by the Pentecostal and Assemblies of God Protestant denominations along with other charismatic groups. They connect their practices to the happenings on the First Day of Pentecost, as recorded in Acts 2:4, when what appeared to be flames or tongues of fire settled on the heads of each of the apostles and "they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."
Even though it seemed remarkable the apostles spoke in different languages, what appeared equally remarkable "was that the apostles' listeners recognized their own languages and realized the apostles should not have been able to speak them. Whatever the apostles said was heard in each ones native language." This phenomena of speaking or writing in a foreign language is known as glossolalia.
The apostles were said to be possessed by the Holy Spirit and these denominations claim the practice still exists among members of their congregations. The people frequently speak in strange tongues or languages and enter a trance state. They believe the Holy Spirit speaks directly to them during these times.
Other Christians also believe in the Holy Spirit and pray to it for guidance and help, but until recently many did not think they ever became possessed by it. However, in the 1960s and 1970s a charismatic renewal began. Persons of other Christian denominations other than the Pentecostals began to express a more personal union with God through the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Talking in tongues was considered a sign that the religious experience had occurred. Other signs or gifts of the Holy Spirit were receiving of wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning spirits and interpreting tongues. Pope Paul VI blessed the movement in 1973, and celebrated a charismatic mass in 1975. However, one psychical researcher, James H. Hyslop, thought the charismatic movement bordered on the occult.
Spirit possession is not restricted to Christians but has been and is practiced by many groups and cultures throughout the world. The Greek civilization had their oracles that prophesied future events.
The ancient Druids believed in spirit possession, especially of the Mother Goddess. The ceremony was held annually and was similar to the "Drawing Down the Moon" ritual as described below. Marion Zimmer Bradley describes the Druid ritual in her novel "The Forest House."
Shamanism also employs spirit possession when securing cures from illnesses and driving evil spirits out of persons. The shaman enters a trance before becoming possessed by the spirit.
The concept of spirit possession by various deities plays a major role in religious worship in the Caribbean, the Middle East, India, and Africa. In the Caribbean and especially Africa a variety of Vodoun (also Voodoo) religions are found. This possession is often sought after, and is considered to be received by only a worthy person. The possession usually occurs during religious ceremonies and only lasts during the event. Becoming possessed is known as "mounting the horse." The horse is the person or victim who "manifests" the spirit, and the spirit is the one who "rides" him or her.
Often the victims enter a trance and dance and do things which they would be unable to do in their conscious state of awareness. Many elderly and physically disabled persons have displayed this unique ability or behavior. Similar possessions occur in Santeria and Macumba.
In Neo-paganism there are two rituals which involve spirit possession. They are the "Drawing Down the Moon" which is the invoking of the Goddess (moon) into the high priestress, and is more prevalently celebrated; and the "Drawing the Sun" which invokes God (sun) into the high priest. According to the beliefs in Neo-pagan witchcraft, during the ritual of "Drawing Down the Moon" the priest invokes the Goddess or Triple Goddess, symbolized by the phases of the moon, into the priestess. Others believed the priestess invokes the Goddess into herself. The ritual usually occurs within what is known as the magic circle. Depending on the priestess' attitude she often experiences the spirit possession of the Goddess, during which time many believe the Goddess speaks and works blessings through the priestess. The priestess' elated feeling can linger for days afterwards. There can be a similar experience for the priest who has been possessed by the God.
Similarly in Spiritualism some mediums while in trances claim spirits speak through them. In Spiritualist churches trance, spirit-possessed medium frequently deliver sermons as well as messages from the dead meant for the congregation.
Channeling, a New Age term for a type of spirit possession, also involves the invoking of higher developed entities to speak to human audiences.
Mediums involved in Spiritualism and channeling do not fear the spirits which possess them at times. They believe such possession is temporary. If the spirit linger too long its exorcism takes the form of a stern conversation in which it is told to depart.
http://www.themystica.com/mystica/articles/s/spirit_possession.html




Demonic possession
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A person thought to be demonically possessed is said to suffer from a complete behavior takeover by a demonic entity. The entity may dominate the victim so the person becomes the demonic entity.
Christian theology, in the Middle Ages, deemed the concept of demonic possession heretical, so anyone displaying unusual behavior or a strange personality was automatically suspect of being possessed by the Devil. (The Devil or his demons who did the possessing were called the 'energumenus,' and the possessed person was the 'energumen'). In this era people were closer to Christ and God, and therefore more fearful of the Devil. Also, they were more attuned to the belief that there was a constant war being waged between God and the Devil for their souls.
It was thought that there were two ways of becoming possessed by the Devil. Either, the Devil passes directly into the person, or someone, in collaboration with the Devil -- ususally said to be a witch or wizard -- sends a demon into the victim through bewilderment. In this way many medieval unfortunates found themselves in peril because they were old, ugly, or poor. This could very well work the other way too. Many widows lost their homes and property by being declared witches.
In medieval times people generally believed God allowed the Devil to test people with hardships. One basis of this belief is derived from the Biblical story of Job. The Devil or one of his demons with the assistance of a witch were said to lay such difficulities as childhood sickness or seizures -- which presently would be medically diagnoised as epilepsy -- or dead livestock or crop failures on people. Each time such events occurred the general population looked for a witch. Frequently if a witch was not found, an unfortunate person was declared a witch.
Often unfortunate persons having terrible bodily deformities especially of the face, such as the evil eye, were thought by the general population to suffer from the Devil's mark. Such prejudice was similar to the fear and mocking of the Elephant Man in nineteenth-century London.
Here it might be added that a carry over of medieval thought still persists among many Christians, especially the fundamentalists. Although they are firm in their belief of man's sinful nature, they hold God still permits the Devil to try man. Such trials are tests of man's faithfulness to God.
The Catholic Church still defines true signs of possession as displaying superhuman strength, often accompanied by fits and convulsions; changes in personality; having knowledge of the future or other secret information; and being able to understand and converse in languages not previously known to the victim, such as the phenomenon glossolalia.
Early Puritan ministers and later Protestant clergy agreed on the same symptoms for declaring a person demonically possessed. In many incidences there was a complete ignorance of the person's medical condition and behavior.
Included in the list of other signs or symptoms for declaring demonic possession are: the practice of lewd and obscene acts, or even sexual thoughts; horrible smells of bodily ordors or of sulphur, associated with hell; distended stomachs; rapid weight loss where death seems inevitable; changes in the voice to a deep, rasping, menacing, guttural croak. Occasionally there may be signs of automatic writing or levitation.

Many of these signs or symptoms can be explained away by modern medical science. Seizures and convulsions are symptoms of epilepsy. Personality changes can indicate hysteria, or schizophrenia, or other psychological malfunctions. Lewd and obscene acts can indicate mental disorders. Having sexual thoughts, if taken seriously as a sign of demonic possession, would indicate nearly all of the modern population is possessed, especially the men. Distended stomachs can indicate malnutrition and other medical disorders. Also, having knowledge of future events or information is known as clairvoyance by many occultists and Neo-pagan witches which they consider a special spiritual gift. In light of such evidence it seems the term demonic possession is hardly functional anymore.
Such advanced knowledge is the reason why the Catholic Church has cautioned their priests to investigate the medical and psychological aspects of the person before performing the rite of exorcism. At present, the one main basis for declaring a person possessed seems to be a violent revulsion toward sacred objects and texts.
Neo-pagan witches strongly deny any association with the Devil. While some do not believe in the essence of evil and hold that the belief in the Devil is a Christian creation; almost all hold a deep and abiding respect for the free will of all living creatures, and do not believe they should interfer with this freedom of will. This theory of thought is embodied in the Wiccan Rede, which simply states, do what you will, but harm no one.
Although some modern occultists do think some people can become possessed by toying with the supernatural by such devices as the ouija board, few are certain of it. However, many occultists, especially witches, think they have been unjustly blamed throughout history for causing demonic possession.
http://www.themystica.com/mystica/articles/d/demonic_possession.html




Clairvoyance
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Clairvoyance is the psychic ability or power to see objects, and visions, or to gain information regardless of its distance. The visions may also be in the future, and some times in the past. Clairvoyance is an umbrella term which often refers to telepathy, spiritualism, psychic research, second sight, prophetic visions, and dreams.
Clairaudience, which is similar to clairvoyance, is the psychic ability to hear things from afar. Both phenomena can occur in normal state of consciousness, but also can be induced by drugs, fasting, illness, hyperesthesia, or scrying.
http://www.themystica.com/mystica/articles/c/clairvoyance.html


Scrying
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Scrying is the ancient act of divination for the purpose of clairvoyance. It is usually achieved by concentrating on or staring at an object having a shiny surface until a vision appears. Magicians and witches have practiced scrying throughout the ages. The typical stereotype of a person scrying is a Gypsy fortune teller looking into her crystal ball.
Scrying comes from the English word "descry" which means "to make out dimly" or "to reveal." There have been and are many purposes for the activity; to see into the future, to find lost objects or persons, and track criminals, among others. In the Middle Ages a wise woman or a wise man, perhaps also called a witch, with a natural gift of second sight was called upon for scrying purposes.
Although the object used for scrying usually has a shiny surface, innumerable objects have been used for the practice over the centuries. The Egyptians used ink, blood and other dark liquids. The Romans used shiny objects and stones. Water has been used for gazing into. Mirrors are often used.
There is an example of the interior of a cauldron being painted black, then filled with water at night, a silver coin was dropped into the water so to reflect moonlight. Such means have been employed to see visions and read mystical signs.
Many witches scry in a magic circle to prevent outside influences from distorting their visions. Also, this is why most scrying is done at night in order to receive better psychic vibrations. As a general rule most diviners work at night in order to avoid the excessive psychic vibrations that are generated in the day due to the confusion of everyday living. The methods of scrying differ but after a period of concentration on the speculum visions, mental images, or impressions appear. Frequently the visions are symbolic and the scryer must be trained and skillful in interpreting their meanings.
http://www.themystica.com/mystica/articles/s/scrying.html


Trance
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An individual in a trance appears to be in a sleeplike condition which is usually accompanied by an indifference to his objective environment and an amnesia to whatever occurs during the period that he is in this state. Trance has a more popular usage than a scientific designation. It can describe a daze state resulting from drugs, illness, prolonged contemplation, or other agencies.

Mystics can induce trances, or altered states of consciousness, by fasting, positioning himself in strained physical postures, and intense concentration. He becomes unaware of his physical environment including all physical discomfort which he may be experiencing. Instead he experiences deep emotional revelations or significance intellectual adventures.

When the term trance is used in Neo-paganism, such as witchcraft and shamanism it usually refers to altered states of consciousness.

http://www.themystica.com/mystica/articles/t/trance.html

Mysticism
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This is a belief in or the pursuit in the unification with the One or some other principle; the immediate consciousness of God; or the direct experience of religious truth. Mysticism is nearly universal and unites most religions in the quest for divinity. It can also be a sense of mystical knowledge. Dionysius the Areopagite was the first to introduce the concept "unknown knowing" to the Western World. In areas of the occult and psychic it denotes an additional domain of esoteric knowledge and paranormal communication. Even though it is thought that just monks and ascetics can become mystics, mysticism usually touches all people at least once in their lives.
The term "mysticism" comes from the classical Greco-Roman mystery cults. Perhaps it came from myein meaning "to close the lips and eyes, and refers to the sacred oath of the initiates, the mystes, to keep secret about the inner workings of the religion." In Neo-platonism "mysticism" came to be associated with secrecy of any kind. The term mystica appeared in the Christian treatise, Mystica Theologia, of an anonymous Syrian Neoplatonist monk of the late fifth or early sixth century, who was known pseudonymously as Dionysius the Areopagite. In this work mysticism was described as the secrecy of the mind.
Despite the various approaches to mysticism it seems to possess some common characteristics. Such were the findings of the philosopher W. T. Stace, who discovered seven common themes of mysticism when studying Roman Catholic, Protestant, ancient classical, Hindu, and American agnostic mystical experiences. They were (1) a unifying vision and perception of the One by the senses and through many objects; (2) the apprehension of the One as an inner life; (3) and objective and true sense of reality; (4) feelings of satisfaction, joy, and bliss; (5) a religious element that is a feeling of the holy and sacred; (6) a paradoxical feeling; (7) and inexpressible feelings.
From the above is can easily be seen that mysticism is not the same to every person experiencing it. Therefore, there are various kinds or types. Various mystics subscribe to one of two theories of Divine Reality: emanation or immanence. In the emanation view, all things in the universe are overflowing from God. In the immanence view, the universe is not projected from God, but is immersed in God.
Mysticism is usually thought of as being of a religious nature, which can be either monistic or theistic. The objective of monistic mysticism is to seek unity and identity with a universal principle; while theistic mysticism seeks unity, but not identity, with God.
The ultimate expression of monistic mysticism is perhaps best displayed in the Upanishads of India, as in the concepts of "I am Brahman" (the all-pervading principle) and tat tram asi "that thou art," meaning that the soul is the eternal and Absolute Being. Monistic mysticism is also found in Taoism,, which seeks unity with Tao, the ineffable way. Theistic mysticism, unity with God, characterizes Christianity, Judaism (in the Kabbalah), and Islam (the Sufi sect), and is also found in Hinduism.
There are other forms of mysticism throughout the world. Many assume a religious nature according to the beliefs and practices of the practitioners. Most of these states of mysticism commonly possess what is deemed a mystical communion with what is considered sacred which varies from group to group, even subgroup to subgroup, and includes dance, song and chant, the sacred pipe, purifying sweats (a preliminary for undertakings), fasts, dreams, vision quests, and the occasional use of psychotropic drugs.
Apart from religious mysticism, but not entirely separated from it, is nonreligious mysticism. This is more of an experiencing mysticism through, or from, Nature, although some have discovered God or the Absolute of Nature through such experiences. An authentic experience of mysticism derive from Nature is essentially the unity of the subject and the object. In other words, the person becomes one with Nature; all boundaries or separation between the person and Nature disappears. The person becomes part of nature and is not separate from it.
This is clearly seen in the Goddess religion, which includes neo-Paganism and neo-Pagan Witchcraft, which worships Nature. Such worship includes love where the separation between the subject and object vanishes. Starhawk, in The Spiral Dance, defines it as immanence. Immanence is one of the three core principles of the Goddess religion, the other two being interconnection and community. "Immanence means that the Goddess, the Gods, are embodied, that we are each a manifestation of the living being of the earth, that nature, culture, and life in all their diversity are sacred. Immanence calls us to live our spirituality here in the world, to take action to preserve the life of the earth, to live with integrity and responsibility."
A similar point was made in the description of Gaea, previously called Terrebie, or the planet Earth by Otter Zell (formerly Tim Zell), founder and high priest of the Church of All Worlds in Ukiah, California. He redefined divinity and deity as the fulfillment of potential as "the highest level of aware consciousness accessible to each living being, manifesting itself in the self-actualization of that being." So, the cell is thought of as God by its components; the tissue is God to the cells, and so on. The human being manifests a whole new level of awareness, organization, and "emergent wholeness." When describing this level of organization Zell wrote, "We find it appropriate to express recognition of this Unity in the phrase: 'Thou art God.'" And as all things are connected biologically, all eco-systems express a new level of awareness. Therefore, Mother Earth is seen as God. Of this, Zell wrote:
Indeed, even though yet unawakened, the embryonic slumbering subconscious mind of Terrebria is experienced intuitively by us all, and has been referred to instinctively by us as Mother Earth, Mother Nature (The Goddess, The Lady.)
Instinctively every one has done what the neo-Pagan openly admit doing, calling Earth, Mother. This recognition of Earth as our Mother is justified because we all are dependent on her for our survival. Just as the child comes to love the mother who cares and nurtures him, so too, we love Mother Earth who we know loves and nurtures humankind as her children. By definition, this is mysticism.
http://www.themystica.com/mystica/articles/m/mysticism.html



Altered States of Consciousness
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Altered states of consciousness generally include alterations in both the content and functioning of the consciousness, usually experienced by an individual and observed by others watching him. The term "state" is not to be trivialized but denotes the states or stages of behavior through which the individual progresses. Frequently persons in these states appear to be in a sleeplike condition commonly referred to as a trance.

Among the long term effects are the radical shifts in the perception in one's self and environment that result in a semi-permanent redefinition of one's self, world, and values. Frequently altered states of consciousness either are induced personally or by others which may or may not produce lasting effects. Some religious groups do seek to induce such altered states in persons so they may derive spiritual insight and value changes from them. The most dramatic examples of these states are mystical experiences.

When used in occult and mysticism term trance usually denotes an altered state of consciousness. A supreme example of a trance like state in occultism, particularly in Neo-pagan witchcraft, is witnessed in the ceremony of the "Drawing Down the Moon". In an altered state of consciousness the high priestess assumes the spirit of the Goddess. Within this state energy, which is believed to be the power of the Goddess, is raised. Often it is believed that the Goddess inspiringly speaks through the high priestess.

In a similar ceremony called "Drawing Down the Sun" or "Drawing Down the Horned God" the Horned God is similarly invoked in a same manner as described in the "Drawing Down the Moon". The high priest enters an state of altered consciousness in which he assumes the spirit of the Horned God.

In mysticism the altered state of consciousness may be total or partial. When partial, the state of consciousness is usually only a feeling. Most generally this feeling is one of unity with God, or the universe, or of enlightenment. Most mystics do not believe in the transcendence (see Immanence) of God. They generally subscribe to one of two theories concerning Divine Reality: emanation or immanence. From the emanation viewpoint the universe and everything in it is an outflowing from God, while the immanence view holds that the universe is not a projection from God, but rather, it is immersed in God.

The experience of being united with God or nature is called a mystical experience. Such experiences may be of a religious or nonreligious nature. The nonreligious experiences derive much of their content from nature; although many religious mystics have been lead to God or the Absolute through nature. However, not all transcendental experiences with nature are mystical, but just render feelings of overwhelming joy or ecstasy.

Causes other than religious beliefs, such as illnesses and accidents, can result in altered states of consciousness or mystical experiences. "In 1971 John, a graphic designer in his late thirties, smashed his legs in a motorcycle accident. `When I regained consciousness' [he said] `I looked at a tree in a certain way.' He became a pagan, and with five years had developed a `language' with trees (this was a sort of divinatory system) and he founded a Druidic order which now has 150 members (by subscription), a journal with a circulation of 750, and an inner group." The accident could have caused a mystical experience because great pain can release a neurochemical response. At least, it seemed so to this person who emphatically states the formation of his order is the direct result of the accident.

Emanuel Swedenborg (1688-1772), the Swedish scientist and scholar, also claimed to have experienced mystical experiences in the form of dreams. These episodes began at the age of fifty-six. In these dreams he traveled to spiritual planes such as heaven and hell where he claimed to have spoken with Jesus, and God, and spirits of the dead which he referred to as angels. Also, he claimed to have seen the order of the universe. He continued spending most of the remainder of his life taking these spiritual journeys usually in a light sleep or trance which sometimes lasted as long as three days. As a result of these trips his spiritual views differed greatly from orthodox Christianity. His views were published in several books.

Swedenborg's techniques of achieving the state of altered consciousness or trance were introduced into spiritualism. One individual that actively participated in this introduction was Andrew Jackson Davis, an American and a student of Swedenborg. He is said to have paved the way from mesmerism to spiritualism. Spiritualism had larger followings in the United Kingdom than the United States because of many churches. It had no legal status before 1951 when the final Witchcraft Act (of 1735) was repealed. Under that act it was possible for a medium to be charged with witchcraft.

Edgar Cayce (1877-1945) sometimes called the "sleeping prophet" gave prophetic, healing, and karmic readings in a light-sleep state similar to that of Swedenborg. Cayce put himself into a hypnotic trance while lying down and then gave personal readings. He helped heal many persons this way by describing their ailments and then prescribing what the person should do in the form of treatment. He gave many karmic readings telling about the lost continent of Atlantis and other ancient places. Frequently when giving solitary readings Cayce would have the person taking down his reading tap him to prevent him from going into a deeper sleep.

Also within shamanism altered states of consciousness are employed. They are often self-induced by the shaman and called the shamanic state of consciousness. This is a state can vary from a light sleep to a coma which enables the shaman to see and do things in a nonordinary reality which he cannot do in the ordinary reality of a waking state. It is in this nonordinary reality the shaman can perform cures with the help of guardian spirits and spirit helpers and do shape shifting (see: metamorphosis).

Various societies and groups have and do use hallucinogenic drugs to induce altered states of consciousness. Such drugs can be dangerous and causes long termed effects.

COMMUNITY OF SAMIN

COMMUNITY OF SAMIN

One of Radical Community from Muslim-Abangan in Java

By:

Tejo Bagus Sunaryo

Institute of Ethnomusicology,
Tainan National University of the Arts
2008

I. Introduction
Samin community refers to peoples of subdividing form, which based on special of tradition and teachings in the interaction which different from the other communities in Java. Since 19 centuries, many peoples have known this community. Many scholars have to do researches concerning the Samin. The scholars as following: (1) E.Ketjen (1877). He had research and write about orang-orang Kalang (Kalang community) in Blora City-Central Java, (2) Purbatjaraka (1954). His research is concerning History of Blora, (3) Harry J.Benda and Lance Castle (1960). They have research and write about Tapelan Peoples is Belongs to the Samin Community.
Till today, many scholars still to do research concerning the Samin. They to do those activities with have many kind of interesting topic such as philosophy, social change, social conflict, culture, and religion, even politics. Therefore, for scholars, samin is still become an interest topic in the development.
This paper will explain in a general manner the following: (1) who is samin community? (2) How is Samin’s teachings form? And (3) how is development of samin at era nowadays? The writer will try to answer those questions through this paper.
II. Definition and Myth of Samin
Religion is become a fundamental of states philosophy in Indonesia. Islam is become biggest religion in Indonesia especially in Java. Although Javanese have been trust Islam as their religion, Muslim in Java still can separated become two general groups. The first one, there is term of Santri, and the second, there is term of Abangan.
The term of Santri refers to a big group from society, which trust and full meekly with Islamic teachings. Santri is following Prophet Muhammad’s teachings only. They do not want to mingle Islam with local custom or culture. They assume that is bid'ah (making new regulation or rules which disagree with Muhammad's teaching), which prohibited in Islam. Therefore, they more choose and use conducted by Muhammad and leave inappropriate local custom.
In the contrast, there is term of Abangan. The term of Abangan refers to a big group from society; they belief Islam become their religion, also trust with Islamic teachings, but still use culture and local custom in their everyday life or habits. In the Muslim-Abangan society, based on believing or conviction, this can divided into two kind, which we can call communities “A” and communities “B” although this is very difficult to separate and understand about who is belongs to community of “A” or “B.”
Communities of “A” refer to communities, which have believing in Islam, or Islam is become fundamental of mind but they still use traditional ceremonies from custom and traditional cultural religion. While communities of “B” refers to communities that they only use Islam as “clothes” but they still belief traditional cultural religion and custom become fundamental or basic of mind and hearth. Community of Samin is belongs to communities of “B.”
Here, the writer tries to compile a schema about position among the Santri, Abangan and Samin in the Javanese Muslim society as following:



Schema 1. Positions among the Santri, Abangan, and Samin
In the Javanese Muslim Society

From schema above, we can take definition about community of Samin. Samin is belongs to communities “B,” which use Islam as “clothes” but they still belief traditional cultural religion and custom become fundamental or basic of mind.
There are some opinions that community of Samin is not belongs to Muslim society in Java because they have other religion which different from Islam teachings. But the reality is Indonesian government have been enter them belongs to Muslim society. This is can prove with see of their residency card. On the other hand, although theirs teachings is different from Islam, they still use many term from Islam teachings.
For Samin community, term of samin is mean sami-sami amin (always together to say “amen”). Here, samin can be interpreted as democrat ion form, which based on agreement reached from deliberation.
There is no body know when is community of Samin born. Therefore, myths of Samin appeared in society. Many peoples said that the name of the Samin was taken from one of leader’s name in Desa Mendenrejo-Blora city. His name is Samin Surosentiko. People in Blora city have been known a figure of Samin because he is one of hero at the Dutch colonial domination era. At that moment, Samin with his cantrik (students) had been done opposition versus Dutch. But theirs opposition is different. They use opposition in a symbols form. For example, they did not pay tax to Dutch government. Moreover, Samin had been teach a teaching which most unusual, including how to use language for theirs daily life. For example, if there is question in Javanese language “kowe arep menyang endhi?” (where will you going?), then they will only answer “arep ning ngarep” (will going to headway); if there is question “kowe saka ngendi?” (where had been you going? Or where are you come from?), then they will only answer “saka mburi” (from backside); also if there is question “pira anakmu?” (how many children do you have?), their answer is always “loro, lanang karo wadon” (two, boy and girl), although they have more than two children.
“Insubordination” by community of Samin was underway until sociopolitical order era, even until today. Some staff government asks to them to pay tax just with sentence “sedulurmu butuh ragat dinggo mbangun” (your family or your friend need money to build). Although that is the meanings tax, if that sentence used, they will follow to pay. The uniqueness to use special words or language in the community of Samin, some times we get annoyed listening to theirs words. Based on theirs words, community of samin can divided into two categories that is Samin Singkep and Samin Sangkah. Samin Singkep can be categorized as community has soft of words in their daily life, while Samin Sangkah refer to society has hard character, very easy to angry, and communicate with them must use simple words.
System of marriage which ever develop at community of Samin Sangkah – finally that system is become idiom of Samin community- there was opportunity to jago (prospective husband) and babon (prospective wife), to life together such as married couple. If they have agreement or harmony, they can continue to get married. If there is no agreement, they can divorce. This system is similar with Nayar peoples in West-East India. This system is also making pro and contra opinion in the Javanese Muslim society.
III. Teachings of Samin
In fact, teachings of Samin still submitted original local religion then Islam teachings. They just use many terms from Islamic term, but they have been gave much different of meanings. Many terms from Islamic teachings was given meanings as sexuality. For example, a term of the masjid (mosque) is a place for Muslim to do pray and other Islamic ritual activities. But for them, they give a meanings that masjid is the meaning women’s vitality (vagina). Term of dinul for Indonesian is mean agama (religion from Allah). But they give other interpretation such as term of dinul is agama, while term of agama is from term of agem, then develop become term of agem-agem which has meaning man’s vitality (penis). Term of Salat or for Muslim Javanese has been called “Sembahyang”, that is the meaning Islamic prayer, beginning movement of the takbir until movement of the salam. But for them, they give different meaning about salat or sembahyang. For them, sembahyang refers to ritual of sexuality. Term of “sembahyang” divided into two term as following: (1) term of “sem” is come from mesem (smile), (2) “bahyang” is the meanings “grope.” There is the other term again which come from Islamic term such as kiyamat or kiyamah. For Muslim, kiyamat is the meaning judgments day or doomsday. But for Samin peoples, kiyamat has a meaning as climax of sexual pleasure.
Samin’s teaching is still used by community of Samin until today. There are five literatures certain of Samin’s teachings in the following:
1. Serat Punjer Kawitan, this literature certain history and legend about Javanese kings genealogy (silsilah), regents from east Java, and Javanese. They belief that Javanese is Adam’s generation and Pandawa’s generation. The land and water in Java is Javanese right only. This concept has nationalism meanings to Javanese generally.
2. Serat Pikukuh Kasejaten, this literature certain of law and system of marriage.
3. Serat uri-uri, this literature certain of norms such as angger-angger pratikel (norm or certainty of behavior), angger-angger pangucap (norm of sayings, etc.
4. Serat Jati Sawit, certain teachings of the glory life after death. This teaching is containing about “Karma” from Hinduism.
5. Serat Lampahing Urip, this literature is primbon (divining manual), which certain of regulation or manners about born, marriage, good or bad day to build house, etc.
The five literatures above have been associated by them become one literature such as “holly book”, that is Serat Kalimasodo, which also have a meaning is kalimat sahadat (sentence of sahada).
IV. Change of Social Culture in the Samin Community
For Samin peoples, although they always defended theirs tradition and identity, there are some change from samin community such as understanding of religion, tradition of ritual marriage, and tradition of ritual death.
A. Change of Tradition
1. Ceremony of Marriage
Before ceremony of marriage, for samin peoples does some of attend enough family and blessed by sesepuh (the older person which respected). Marriage have done with consider prospective wife-husband and witnessed by their parents.
Since there are contact with others cultures through television, radio, and or through intensive illumination by Indonesian government, have consequences that ceremony of marriage changed. For example, to choose lovers, young peoples did not follow theirs parent anymore but based on like and love each other and although that choice is not come from generation of samin peoples.
Bibliography

Anwar, Hasan. “Article:”Pola Pengasuhan Anak Orang Samin Desa Margomulyo, Jawa Timur” in journal: Prisma Number 10, October 1979.
Ali Aziz, Muhammad. Dakwah Pada Masyarakat Samin (Surabaya: IAIN Sunan Ampel, 1994).
Deden Faturrohman. Article: “Hubungan Pemerintahan dengan Komunitas Samin” in the book of Agama Traditional Potret Kearifan Hidup Masyarakat Samin dan Tengger (Yogyakarta: LKIS Press, 2003).
Kadu, C.S. Kultur Kehidupan Masyarakat Samin di Desa Klopodhuwur, Kecamatan Banjarrejo, Kabupaten Blora. (Surakarta: MALIMPA-Universitas Muhammadyah Surakarta, 2000).
Nur Syam. “Pergeseran Masyarakat Samin: Perspektif Budaya” in Journal IAIN Sunan Ampel, Surabaya, edition XV, 1999.
Sugeng Pujileksono. Article: “Konsep Kesejahteraan Desa Klopodhuwur” in the book of Agama Traditional Potret Kearifan Hidup Masyarakat Samin dan Tengger (Yogyakarta: LKIS Press, 2003).
Warsito. “Pergeseran Sosial Budaya Masyarakat Samin”. Master Thesis Universitas Muhammadyah Malang (Malang: Perpustakaan UMM, 2001).

Attachments

These attachments have been taken and translated from a newspaper: The Jakarta Post, Surabaya.
Features - March 08, 2008
ID Nugroho, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya
Identity cards display more than just your name, date of birth and address. They also reveal your job, your marital status and your religion.
If you take a close look at the ID card of a Central Javanese Samin tribesperson, you will notice the religion section is left blank.
"It's because our religion is not one of the five religions recognized by the government," said Gun Retno, a Samin from Surabaya.
Little is known about the Samin tribe and, unfortunately, they are often stereotyped as lazy and anti-development.
This stereotype is derived from Samin Surantiko, a public figure who lived in the Samin community at the border of East Java and Central Java. Samin led his people through the struggles of Dutch colonialism and was known to refuse to do anything ordered by the Dutch.
His resistance inspired people in Pati, Blora, Kudus and Bojonegoro to respond to the Dutch in the same way. Their resistance to the Dutch, however, created the Samin stereotype, known as sedulur sirep.
Peter Dwiyanto, a photographer from Surabaya and alumni of Petra Christian University, has long felt troubled by the stereotype. He felt motivated to research the tribe for his final major work as a student. He lived for a month with the Samin tribes in Pati, Kudus and Blora to learn more about them.
He taught the people, who wear black clothes and batik headscarves, value honesty, reflected in a list of the tribes' 20 taboos.
The taboos include being jealous, envious, frugal and easily upset. Stealing, pilfering, touting, lying and being ungrateful are also taboo.
"Essentially the Samin people are honest in their activities and attitudes," Peter said.
Following this philosophy allowed Peter to enjoy unforgettable experiences during his stay in the communities.
"Someone left some money in a Samin community in the 80s and it is still being well-kept," he said.
Gun said the Samin maintained honesty in everything they say and do. They do what they say and say what they do. If they think they will not be able to do it, they will not say they can. Because of this tradition, the Samin are often regarded as strange.
Gun, who has four children, is reluctant to speak Indonesian because he thinks he is not proficient in the language.
"I prefer to speak Javanese because this is the language I know and understand best. When I speak Indonesian, I feel afraid I will make mistakes," he said in Javanese.
The farmer in black said that his choice to speak Javanese did not mean that the Samin rejected anything new introduced to them, including technology.
"We also have TVs, tractors to harvest the rice fields and other modern items in our village. But we only use them when necessary, not excessively," he said.
When it comes to education, the Samin prefer to teach their children about life based on their own experiences. The sons learn how to farm from their fathers while the girls learn cooking from their mothers.
"We don't teach them reading and writing, but if they want to, they can learn from their friends," he said.
As a result, most of the Samin do not have the same type of education as other Indonesians. After graduating from elementary school, they work on the land.
"It seems we can't do that anymore because we have to fill in that part," he said.
A two-week photo exhibition featuring the life of the Samin people is being held at
the French Cultural Center in Surabaya until March 11.