MAGIC & PEOPLE’S BELIEFS: ERLE ARGONZA GUEST ON TV GMA7
Prof. Erle Frayne Argonza, sociologist and mentor at the University of the Philippines, was special guest in the TV program IMBESTIGADOR of GMA 7 (Manila), last 27 October ‘07 (Sat.), at 9:30 p.m. (Manila time). Imbestigador is hosted by veteran broadcast journalist Mike Enriquez, whose show hostings also appear in many other parts of the globe.
The topic for the occasion was about magic & the mysterious. Prof. Erle Argonza was particularly requested to shed analytical insights about magic: about why people believe in this phenomenon.
Being a sociologist, Prof. Argonza explained that magic is an institutional response to the human need for control. From out of magic, which among circles of mystics is referred to as ‘alchemy’ or ceremonial magic, emerged the following diverse human endeavors: priesthood, divination, spiritism, healing & medical arts, and experimental science.
Being a mystic and guru of Light, Prof. Argonza clarified that magic is among the natural departments of life, of which there are a total of seven (7): power, wisdom, art, devotion, science, service, and alchemy/ceremonial magic. Nobody can wish away magic as it is a part of life. Everyone, whether they like it or not, invocates mantrams or say prayers that are part of magical practices.
Prof. Argonza further clarified the difference between high magic and low magic. Those practiced by the folk that are popularized folk healers, spiritists and fortune tellers are considered low magic, inclusive of invocations they pass on to clients. Those practiced by mystics and masters, whether of the Light or Dark side, is high magic.
Asked why people love to watch magic shows, Prof. Argonza explained that magic for show is ‘brown magic’ and is theatrical. Those show men & women who perform live magic are not true magicians but slight-of-hand artisans. They simply mimic the true practice of magic. True magicians don’t demonstrate magic in public being a part of the discipline of their inner or esoteric craft.
The bonus for the show is that Prof. Erle Argonza is himself a mystic or an ‘insider’ among practitioners of white magic. Although alchemy is not Prof. Argonza’s chief mission, he is knowledgeable about principles of ceremonial magic such as prayers, invocations, harnessing beneficial energies for healing, and yogic practices related to synthesis and centering.
As a mystic, Prof. Argonza’s mission is essentially to teach the Light lessons of the spiritual masters. Prof. Argonza is a Fellow of the mystical order Great White Lodge, and his chief mission as Teacher of the Path had intensified lately.
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