I had a conversation with a friend recently about magical thinking. She is a Buddhist who believes that through chanting, one's desires can become manifest. Yet, she does not believe that there is anything magical about chanting, and relegated belief in magic to those whose mental fortitude may be lacking. Likewise, many friends of other religions agree with this sentiment when it comes to prayer--there is simply nothing magical about it. Magic, chant, prayer, even law of attraction--they are all the same in my mind, so is it just matter of semantics? Attitudes? Perception? Culture?
Magical thinking is very prevalent in our society, yet so is the reluctance to claim it for what it really is: the input of intent behind a certain desired outcome. Why the disdain? Is it fear of being perceived by others in a negative light? Is it the comfort in knowing that we are somehow more 'evolved' than our earthly neighbors who still live in grass huts and whose daily lives are infused with the magical? Or that we are more 'together' than those who believe in such "hocus-pocus", as my dear friend refers to it?
In this latest podcast episode I share my thoughts on magical thinking. Nothing deep, just a light-hearted rant of sorts. Also included: The music of Babatunde Olatunji, an iPhone application review of Liber Umbrarum et Lux (Book of Shadows and Light), a review of the film Paranormal Activity, and some notes on a recently cast money spell.
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Happy Thanksgiving!
