On Ritual & Intention
Regarding the Sanskrit translations at www.shivashakti.com, I can tell you that Shri Mahendranath strongly discouraged the person responsible for the translations from doing them. I believe this is because the material, as presented, is mostly useless on practical levels.
A ritual or tantra is not a “recipe” one can effectively “cook” with unless one is intimately aware of all of the ingredients and process.
A “ritual” is a time based exertion of INTENTION. It has specific and a finite number of elements. Each element included in a ritual must be understood, at least on a clear conceptual level. All elements of ritual are intended to correspond and link to the INTENTION of the ritual. The purpose of enacting a ritual or practice over and over is to eventually succeed in the linking of the elements of ritual, through INTENTION, with the desired outcome or effect.
The clear INTENTION of the “sadhaka” who enacts the ritual, is using their motive force of INTENTION as their pivot. The elements of ritual should be helpful corresponding foci which are invoked to facilitate the transition from one “mode,” where we are at, to the desired one.
The question may be less, is this a good ritual? A better question may be, “what I am trying to accomplish?” Once this is clear, the “how” can be considered.
It is a sad failing of many, new to the occult, who undertake a ritual in order to achieve a specific magickal end. By way of discreet encouragement I must inform: You must become an Adept first. In light of the obvious, I suggest that the INTENTION of one at this stage and the nature of ritual construction and involvement should be to this end.
I think you are on to something when you mention the “juice.” While one may stumble upon it in the course of so many different avenues, I would suggest that you make it the INTENTION and focus of your ritual pursuit. You have to get the “juice” before you can manipulate the Magick of the Cosmos.
The old tantras often speak of large numbers of repetitions and lengths of time, etc. I suggest we need to look at this in the light of “functional aspects” and not superstition. Surely, I can tell you that there is no cosmic bead counter watching your mantra repetitions thinking, “When that yahoo reaches 50,000 I going to light him/her up like a Christmas tree.” Not really. It is more the case that that the Cosmic Watcher is waiting for you to “align” properly. Then your success in the Yoga and ritual cannot be denied.
Patanjali takes the process and boils it down to a few things. Yama and Niyama come into play. In English, this could be roughly expressed in functional terms as Observances and Restrictions. In this light, a ritual is an Observance and what we Restrict are those facets of thought, word and deed which impede its success. If we modulate and control these two aspects effectively with our INTENTION we will achieve success rapidly.
Obviously, understanding and experience in occult (hidden) spiritual dimensions cannot be expected to be achieved without some refinement of mental function and development. This is likely to take “some time.” Thus, the idea of the sadhaka bashing a mantra for hours on end or meditating for ridiculous periods paints a rather realistic picture. If we align ourselves properly with the Cosmic Spirit (Yoga), and create the conditions by our exertions we will become prepared to receive the descent and experience of the “juice.”
