Welcome to the first installment of my series on Cognitive Perspective Mapping, a tool for self-exploration that developed across three years of practice and study. This is a synthesis of psychological insight and initiatory intuition and offers a structured and adaptable approach to understanding the communicative complexity of our psyche.
The System
Cognitive Perspective Mapping is a model that takes the abstract elements of our inner experience and spatializes them into a form we can interact with, analyze, and ultimately, understand from a new perspective. It's like a star chart, where instead of constellations, we navigate the configuration and interaction of our thoughts, feelings, sensations, and intuitions. At its core, this system uses a three-dimensional axis to represent the dominant functions of our personalities, as described by the archetypal psychology of Carl Jung and its later interpretation and application in the Myers–Briggs Type Indicator.
Roots in Jungian Theory and Typology
The groundwork for this model lies in the rich soil of Carl Jung's theories of personality, which introduced the concept of psychological archetypes and cognitive functions. Jung proposed that deep within us lie universal patterns of behavior and thought, which he encapsulated in archetypes like the Shadow, the Anima/Animus, and the Self.
Building on Jung's foundations, the MBTI further categorized these functions into 16 distinct personality types, each with its own set of dominant traits. This system expanded the understanding of how we perceive the world and make decisions, whether through logical thought, emotional resonance, sensory experience, or intuitive leaps.
The Advantage of Exploring Oneself
For practitioners of the Left-Hand Path, the Cognitive Perspective Mapping model serves as a scrying mirror, reflecting not only who we are but also who we have the potential to become. It's a tool that supports my fundamental goal of Xeper. Through this model, we can consciously engage with our perceptive mechanisms, encourage communication between our cognitive functions, and develop a more robust sense of self-awareness.
Benefits of the Model in Self-Exploration and Magical Practice
The model offers numerous benefits:
Clarity in Complexity: It simplifies the complexities of our inner world, allowing us to see the relationships between different aspects of the psyche.
Personalized Pathways: The model can be adjusted for each individual's self-reported preference, accommodating the unique blend of cognitive functions that define our personalities.
Empowered Rituals: By understanding our dominant functions and how they inform perception, we can design rituals and symbolism that resonate more deeply with our goals.
Balanced Development: It encourages us to develop not just our strengths but also to recognize and integrate our shadow aspects, leading to a more balanced and visible self.
Enhanced Communication: The model facilitates better communication within, fostering a dialogue between conscious and unconscious elements of our mind.
Navigational Aid: It acts as a compass, helping us navigate through the process of individuation — the Jungian concept of realizing our full potential.
As we progress through this series, we will delve deeper into the intricacies of the Cognitive Perspective Mapping model. We will explore how to construct your personal map, engage with your archetypal energies, and apply this knowledge in practical, magical ways to catalyze your personal evolution. I invite you to explore this model not just to chart the territories of your mind but also to shape them according to your will.
I will attempt to update this series weekly. In my next post we will explore the axes of Feeling vs. Thinking and Sensing vs. Intuition, and how these dichotomies play a pivotal role in our cognitive mapping.
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