Magicians, according to the goals they proclaim for themselves, are divided into two completely clear groups: some strive to accelerate their development, “force evolution,” increasing the level of their power and thus increasing their potential for realization; the latter are looking for a way out beyond the Tree of Life, striving not just for development, not just for evolution - but for complete and immediate realization - and this means access to freedom

The first approach means a consistent and effective passage of the stages of evolution - entering the Tree of Life, ascending the Sephiroth, achieving the degree of the Most Perfect, and moving on to the next round of the spiral of development - already as a deity - the creative mind. To do this, the magician consistently and systematically implements the tasks of each Sephira and conducts the corresponding battles

However, the possibility of “revolutionary” going beyond the limits of causality and achieving absolute freedom is open to man. Two models of this exit are widely known - the Buddha model and the Lucifer model. Lucifer - the spirit of absolute separateness - rebels against “Providence”, that is, against subordination to the system-forming law of the Universe, goes beyond the boundaries of this system, but is thereby forced to turn into a predator, stealing other people’s resources for his existence

Buddha is an integral state of consciousness, when, on the contrary, consciousness is identified with its source and merges into the world's potential completeness - Nirvana. His desire for liberation from suffering also means liberation from actual existence. A magician striving for freedom tries to walk the fine line between these possibilities: he resolutely renounces predation and demonism, understanding the limitations of this existence, and balances the desire for the integration of the Buddha with love, in which his individuality finds full and final manifestation

In fact, Buddhism describes this state as the “path of the Bodhisattva”, and the difference, of course, is only in the direction of movement: towards an increase in individuality (Magic) or towards an increase in Totality (Zen). However, Ouroboros always bites its tail...