Magick Matters

29.01.2023

“Musical Emotions Explained” by Patrik N. Juslin

Magick Matters

"Can music really arouse emotions? If so, what emotions, and how? Why do listeners respond with different emotions to the same piece of music? Are emotions to music different from other emotions? Why do we respond to fictional events in art as if they were real, even though we know they're not? What is it that makes a performance of music emotionally expressive? Based on ground-breaking research, Musical Emotions Explained explores how music expresses and arouses emotions, and how it becomes an object of aesthetic judgments. Within the book, Juslin demonstrates how psychological mechanisms from our ancient past engage with meanings in music at multiple levels of the brain to evoke a broad variety of...>>

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29.01.2023

“Music, The Brain, And Ecstasy: How Music Captures Our Imagination” by Robert Jourdain (1997 edition)

Magick Matters

"What makes a distant oboe's wail beautiful? Why do some kinds of music lift us to ecstasy, but not others? How can music make sense to an ear and brain evolved for detecting the approaching lion or tracking the unsuspecting gazelle? Lyrically interweaving discoveries from science, psychology, music theory, paleontology, and philosophy, Robert Jourdain brilliantly examines why music speaks to us in ways that words cannot, and why we form such powerful connections to it. In clear, understandable language, Jourdain expertly guides the reader through a continuum of musical experience: sound, tone, melody, harmony, rhythm, composition, performance, listening, understanding—and finally to ecstasy. Along the way, a fascinating cast of characters brings Jourdian's narrative to...>>

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29.01.2023

“Meditation: First and Last Step—From Understanding to Practice” by Ivan Antic

Magick Matters

"In this book, you will find everything you need for the practice of meditation, the way the oldest and greatest authorities, Buddha and Patanjali, presented. They left a legacy for humankind that we can all benefit from. We also cover the purpose of meditation: why man needs it, why it is so appealing to spiritually mature people, and its relationship with the soul. Unlike other practices of meditation that deal with the mind only (mantra), or with the body only (yoga), or with emotions only (bhakti) — often leading to discrepancies that have to be adjusted through rituals and beliefs — the practice of meditation presented here encompasses all of these dimensions of man in...>>

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29.01.2023

“Dzogchen Nonmeditation” by Keith Dowman

Magick Matters

"Dzogchen Nonmeditation introduces Dzogchen as a functional description of nonduality in the here-and-now. In Dzogchen parlance nonmeditation is the existential mode of identity with the nature of mind and thus it is central to the Dzogchen project. Nonmeditation is primarily identified as such, without any structure whatsoever; then in the traditional trekcho context as formal nonmeditation; in the context of togal as directed nonmeditation; and finally as 'skygazing'. This work on nonmeditation acts as both a pointing-out, revealing the magic of Dzogchen vision, and as a practical manual and guide in nonmeditation. Part One of the book comprises descriptions of the various permutations of nonmeditation, while Part Two consists of translations of extracts of...>>

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28.01.2023

“What Maketh The Witch?: The Origin and Evolution of Magical Intent” by Elisa Gray

Magick Matters

"An analysis of witchcraft and magic and how these phenomena have developed over millennia. Ancient man was seen to barter for the use of magic from the gods, and during the witch trials magic was seen as the work of the Devil. Later, the notion of manifestation gave power back to the witch, with intent developing into modern day practice. This book is concerned with the development of magical practice, and how it has been viewed over time and also takes a close look at the witch, who truly has that power, a power as intense today as it was in ancient times."...>>

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