Safety Third

The Dominance of Safetyism and Its Effect on Self-Transformation

“The bad news is you’re falling through the air, nothing to hang on to, no parachute. The good news is, there’s no ground.” - Chögyam Trungpa

Introduction

In recent years, the concept of safetyism has emerged as a dominant force in many areas of life, and its influence is growing in realms where one might not expect it. The term refers to a cultural and psychological fixation on safety, often to the detriment of growth, challenge, and risk-taking. Originally highlighted in the context of higher education and politics, safetyism has now infiltrated the world of magic and self-transformation.

Magic, traditionally a field of deep personal and spiritual exploration, seems to have developed its own version of a health and safety department, a set of rules and regulations dictating what is considered "safe" and what is not. While this shift might be rooted in good intentions, the emphasis on safety has begun to overshadow the deeper, transformative work that magic is designed to facilitate. Instead of being a path to self-transformation, magic is becoming a practice of maintaining the status quo, where the very nature of magic—risk, change, and the unknown—is tempered and subdued by a fear of the potential dangers involved. This trend has significant implications for both magical practice and the broader context of human development.

Safety obsessed

Charles Eisenstein has criticised this contemporary obsession with safety, arguing that it stifles the spirit and limits life’s possibilities. This fixation can lead to a habitual comfort that ultimately becomes confining. Eisenstein asserts that an excessive focus on safety can obscure the true purpose of being human, which involves fostering connections, intimacy, and engagement with the richness of life.

He posits that this relentless quest for safety often arises from a denial of mortality, with society’s extreme measures to evade death paradoxically intensifying our fear of it. By prioritising safety above all else, we may neglect the fundamental values of giving, receiving, and embracing the uncertainties inherent in existence—elements that are essential for a vibrant and meaningful life.

The Stoic practice of Memento Mori aligns closely with the themes of embracing mortality and living fully in the present. This philosophical concept serves as a reminder of the inevitability of death, encouraging individuals to reflect on their lives and prioritize what truly matters. By acknowledging the transient nature of existence, practitioners of Memento Mori can cultivate a deeper appreciation for life, enhance their decision-making, and foster resilience in the face of adversity.

Similar to Eisenstein’s critique of safety obsession, the Memento Mori practice challenges us to confront our fears and the societal tendency to evade thoughts of death. It invites us to live authentically, making meaningful connections and choices rather than becoming trapped in comfort or avoidance. Ultimately, both perspectives advocate for a life rich in experience and engagement, where the awareness of mortality enriches our journey.

Magic is Real

Many practitioners of magic appear to struggle with a genuine belief in its reality, a trend that has become increasingly apparent in recent years. This disconnect often stems from the prevalence of “armchair magicians,” who engage with magical concepts more as a casual hobby than as a serious practice. Reflecting on my early internet experiences, I remember visiting forums dedicated to magic discussions. It soon became clear that I was one of the few actively participating in rituals, like visiting graveyards at midnight or undertaking the Abramelin Operation.

The online portrayals of the Holy Guardian Angel often led me to conclude that very few had actually gone through the rigorous process, yet many felt comfortable discussing outcomes as if they had firsthand experience. This reminded me of the criticism surrounding the Brass Eye series on pedophilia, where many dismissed it without having watched it. I began to see parallels between those who discuss magic superficially and those who genuinely engage with it. This realisation prompted me to step away from online discussions around magic.

True magical practice involves not just theoretical knowledge but actively creating and building something meaningful in the world. This approach nurtures a genuine connection to magic, illustrating that it’s not merely about writing books or engaging in discussions; it’s about living magically and fully embracing the transformative potential of the practice.

The Rise of Safetyism

Safetyism, as a societal phenomenon, can be traced back to a growing cultural aversion to risk and discomfort. This trend was famously described by Jonathan Haidt and Greg Lukianoff in The Coddling of the American Mind, where they argued that the overemphasis on safety in universities and other institutions was stifling intellectual freedom and emotional resilience. While physical safety is, of course, important, the term safetyism refers to the broader concept of emotional and psychological safety, where people are protected not only from physical harm but also from emotional discomfort, difficult ideas, or risky experiences.

This approach, when applied to areas like education or personal development, can have a stultifying effect. Instead of encouraging individuals to confront challenges, grapple with new ideas, and grow through adversity, safetyism prioritizes comfort and protection from harm. In the short term, this may seem beneficial, but in the long term, it often results in stagnation, as individuals are shielded from the very experiences that lead to growth and transformation. They remain ensconced within the rigid confines of their ego, adrift in the vast emptiness of existence, shielded from the realities of impermanence, the essence of life, and the truth of what is.

In the realm of magic, many practitioners tend to follow prescribed steps without genuinely believing in the reality of what they are doing. This often leads to unexpected outcomes that they are unprepared for. When something real turns up, it scares the shit out of them. This then leads those who fall for the trap of safetyism towards for want of no better word “white magic”, instead of fully grasping the real, they retreat to the safety and comfort of the ego.

The Great Work

The true endeavor, that of the Great work, lies in transforming shortcomings into strengths. This process involves confronting your limitations and actively working on them. In my approach, influenced by my mentor Dr. Hyatt, we utilise a dual strategy that operates concurrently. First, you craft your life into a work of art, achieved through discipline and taking full accountability for the hand you are dealt and responsibility for the circumstances you face. This removes blame and entails learning from mistakes and setbacks to shape your identity.

Simultaneously, you must strip away the layers of ego and self-perception, radically dismantling everything you think you are. This awakening is reminiscent of Neo in The Matrix, as you come to recognise the essential work that exists in reality. I plan to elaborate on this in future discussions, as I view these two methods as pinnacle efforts in Maslow’s hierarchy—self-actualization and self-transformation.

However, it’s crucial to ensure that foundational needs lower on the pyramid are met before embarking on this journey of unmaking. As Bill Hicks aptly put it, addressing “the food air deal” is vital for creating a safe space for deeper exploration.

In my youth, as I mentioned above, I fully engaged in the Abramelin Operation, where the concept of the Higher Genius (HGA) revealed itself to be subtle yet immensely powerful. The experience, while magnificent, also disrupts your life in ways that are hard to articulate. Because I was young, this made little difference, I lived at home in relative comfort, but now as an adult leaning into this undoing involves a level of risk, but also massive reward. This is the essence of chaos magic: embracing the unpredictability of life, much like Captain Jack Sparrow. However, it’s important to recognize that this chaotic lifestyle isn’t for everyone, and it requires careful consideration. Engaging with magic inherently means inviting upheaval and the willingness to navigate the resulting chaos. I of course highly recommend it.

Safetyism in Magic: Protecting vs. Progressing

The paradox of this situation is that self-transformation—whether through magic or other means—requires a degree of discomfort, risk, and confrontation with the unknown. Transformation is rarely a smooth or safe process. It involves challenging existing beliefs, facing fears, and pushing oneself beyond familiar limits. By imposing safetyism on magical practice, the potential for real change is reduced, and what remains is a kind of sanitised mysticism that lacks the depth or intensity to create meaningful growth.

It’s important to clarify that advocating for magical practices doesn’t imply that all approaches should be reckless or dismissive of safety. Having a solid foundation of knowledge and experience is crucial before delving into advanced or potentially risky magical work. However, when safety becomes the foremost concern, we risk losing the essence of magic—its transformative power that thrives on challenge and exploration.

The health and safety department of magic, if you will, can provide important safeguards for beginners or those just starting out, but when it becomes a dominant force, it prevents practitioners from moving beyond the basics. It keeps them locked in a state of superficial engagement with magic, where the real work of transformation is sidelined in favour of maintaining comfort and security.

The Cost of Avoiding Risk

Much like in everyday life, where avoiding difficult or uncomfortable experiences can lead to stagnation, the avoidance of risk in magic prevents practitioners from accessing the deeper layers of self-knowledge and spiritual growth. Personal transformation is a process of alchemy—it is about refining the self, transforming the base elements of one's existence into something higher, something more profound. This process requires the practitioner to confront the shadow, to engage with forces that are unknown, and to take risks that might lead to failure, discomfort, or even danger.

When safetyism takes hold, magic becomes little more than a ritualistic exercise, devoid of the deeper challenges that make it truly effective. The practitioner remains at the surface level, engaging in rituals and spells that are "safe" but ultimately ineffective at bringing about real change. It is a form of magical complacency, where the transformative power of magic is more concerned with self protection than self progression.

Conclusion

To move away from safetyism in magic, practitioners must reclaim the original spirit of risk and transformation that defines magical practice. This means embracing the discomfort and uncertainty that come with engaging in serious magical work. It means pushing beyond the limits of what is considered safe or comfortable and diving into the deeper, darker aspects of both the self and the spiritual world.

Magic has always been about walking the line between the known and the unknown, between the mundane and the mystical. It is a practice that requires courage, discipline, and the willingness to confront uncomfortable truths. In order to facilitate real self-transformation, practitioners must be willing to take risks, to challenge themselves, and to engage with magic on a deeper, more intense level.

In the end, magic is not about staying safe—it is about pushing boundaries, confronting the unknown, and evolving through challenge and risk. To engage in magic is to embrace the uncertainties of life and the deeper mysteries of the universe. It is a path that requires courage, and those who walk it must be willing to face both the light and the darkness in their quest for transformation.

So my final advice is that of Charles Eisenstein “Safety third”.