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Chaos Magic, a "system" developed in the 1970's and inspired by the early 20th Century work of Austin Osman Spare, today still manages to stand as a unique form of practice. While maintaining the basic ideal, that magic exists as the manipulation of our reality by force of will, Chaos Magic stands alone on its approach in application. There are many areas noted as common to all forms of magic. Chaos Magic in fact most actively recognising this, being built on a framework of such common techniques. Here, though we already begin to see one of the points of divergence. Chaos Magic focuses on results and on techniques first and foremost. Anything which is unable or unnecessary to generate our desired result may be cast aside. The second and potentially largest point of divergence between Chaos Magic and other forms of magic is in the approach to belief inherent in Chaos Magic Theory (CMT). In practicing Chaos, we do not hold to any set of firm, solid and unshakeable belief systems. Rather, belief itself becomes for the practitioner of Chaos yet another technique and any belief system (or paradigm) becomes their tool rather than their boundaries. While other forms of magic adopt and hold to a set of belief, the practitioner of Chaos will adopt such beliefs that state that his or her intent is not only possible, but imminent and will then discard those beliefs when they are no longer required. This has meant that Chaos Magic continues to be resistant to dogma and stagnation as practitioners find ever increasing ways to express their will upon reality. This approach to belief, known as a meta-paradigmal approach, again recognises the observable fact that their are certain techniques, common to all forms of magic which work regardless of the belief system they are attached to. This of course signals that, while belief exists as a part of the product mix, that its nature need not be specified and inflexible. As such, the beliefs of the Chaos Magician are random and focus on what is necessary and most applicable for that moment in order to generate the confidence that the work in progress is capable of being fulfilled. Inherent again in the approach to belief is the focus on result, one to which the the practitioner of Chaos Magic continues to return. Whether they be the manifestation of physical results, or that of internal results through growth of the selves, achieving consistent and measurable results becomes our goal.
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