Mind Over Magick - by Richard Kaczynski (Paperback)

About the Book

"A scientific examination of magical practice. Draws on peer-reviewed research in psychology and cognitive neuroscience, such as real-time brain imaging, to examine the effects of mystical states and magical practice. Shows how being "in the zone," as described by athletes and performers, is consistent with the ritualist's state of mind when working magic. Suggests rituals and routines to strengthen one's practice of magic, witchcraft, meditation, and yoga with empirically proven tools"--

Book Synopsis

A scientific examination of magical practice

- Draws on peer-reviewed research in psychology and cognitive neuroscience, such as real-time brain imaging, to examine the effects of mystical states and magical practice

- Shows how being "in the zone," as described by athletes and performers, is consistent with the ritualist's state of mind when working magic

- Suggests rituals and routines to strengthen one's practice of magic, witchcraft, meditation, and yoga with empirically proven tools

By looking through the lens of psychology, cognitive neuroscience, and real-time brain imaging, Mind over Magick shows how and why ritual magical practice can produce profound experiences with tangible benefits.

Richard Kaczynski draws on a wealth of peer-reviewed research to shed new light on magic. He uses psychological studies, including the infamous Stanford Prison Experiment in which subjects role-played as prisoners and guards, to reveal the power of magical vestments and personas and the effects they have on ritual practitioners. He shows how being "in the zone," as described by athletes and performers, is consistent with the ritualist's state of mind when working magic. He also reveals what neurological processes are involved when one encounters and works with spirits.

Mind over Magick includes empirically proven rituals to strengthen one's practice of magic, witchcraft, yoga, and meditation. Readers can then apply the scientific method to evaluate their own spiritual praxis and determine what works best for them. For solitary practitioners and group participants alike, the author shares what happens, both on a psychological and neurological level, when they enter sacred spaces and use ritual implements as well as enter deep meditative states. He also details the importance of initiation as a rite of passage and transformative method of instruction.

By approaching the art of practicing magic as a science, readers are encouraged to hone a more effective and empirically grounded practice.

Review Quotes

"Is magick an art? A science? Is magick partially or mostly psychological, or is it something else? It would be hard to think of someone better suited to taking on these questions than Richard Kaczynski. He's a social psychologist and statistician, grounded in academic research. Mind Over Magick is a must-read about the mutually supportive interplay between psychology and magick...This book is serious, and seriously fun to read."-- "Sara R. Diamond, FacingNorth.net"

"Mind over Magick presents a compelling exploration of ritual magick through the lens of psychology and cognitive neuroscience, revealing how structured symbolic practices produce significant shifts in the magician's perceptions, emotions, and behavior. Drawing on peer-reviewed research, Richard Kaczynski offers a clear framework for understanding the psychological foundations of transformative spiritual and magical experience."-- "Dean Radin, MS, PhD, chief scientist at the Institute of Noetic Science (IONS) and author of The Sci"

"Destiny dwells in these pages. Any magical practitioner, seeker, or student of life who reads Richard Kaczynski's Mind over Magick will discover new personal paths and insights from one of the most erudite, unpredictable, learned, and profound intellects writing today in the magical space. From Richard's chilling, unforgettable opening pages to his finely reasoned psycho- metaphysical insights and breakthroughs--and the practices to accompany them--Mind over Magick harbors a fate of its own: an occult classic."-- "Mitch Horowitz, PEN Award-winning historian and author of The Miracle Club"

"Finally--the book I've been hoping Richard Kaczynski would write for the 20+ years since I first met him. An absolute must-read for anyone interested in the interface of psychology and occultism."-- "David Shoemaker, PsyD, author of Living Thelema"

"Richard Kaczynski is a trained social psychologist and statistician who recognizes the presence of 'something' in magick yet also understands the professional practice of science inside and out. Here is a most striking science of magick that is also an implicit theory of popular culture and the ever-present paranormal. We are drawn to things throughout life, it turns out, not because of bad beliefs or misperceptions, but because of who and what we are--magical and material at the same time."-- "Jeffrey J. Kripal, author of How to Think Impossibly"

About the Author

Richard Kaczynski is a lifelong student and writer on Western esotericism. He is an authority on the life and works of Aleister Crowley. The author of Perdurabo: The Life of Aleister Crowley and editor of Aleister Crowley's The Sword of Song, he holds a PhD in psychology with a minor in statistics. His doctoral dissertation examined the structure and correlates of metaphysical beliefs. He lives in Raleigh, North Carolina.