Good Day! I’m looking for suggestions on how to approach learning about occult beliefs without jumping into the deep end. I have adhd and tend to get lost in the details. If you understand what I mean, can you share what has helped you stay on track or at least keep this from becoming another unfinished hobby? Thanks!
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Feasible Approach to the Occult for someone with ADHD
- Thread starter lbenn
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Hello! I also have ADHD and an interest in the esoteric. 
This may not be exactly what you’re looking for, but if your goal is to be a practitioner, starting working on a habit of mindfulness meditation is something I highly recommend. It both will become useful on the path of a practitioner and temper some of ADHDs issues.
Beyond that, as more ADHD specific practices, I will create micro-rituals ( just ways of doing something) to create consistency in my day or wearables that remind me of something I want to do.
An example of how these work out in real life is as Bernie approaches I have created a micro-ritual of attending to my altar, lighting incense, and sitting in meditation for a period. Then I read a chapter or so in the book I am currently working through. The book is always in the same place next to my bed, which is close to the altar and meditation space. Finally, I wear a short length of chain around my wrist that has a variety of meanings, but one of the intents is that the weight and noise of the chain act as a physical reminder of the need to complete the micro-ritual nightly.
Hope something out of that is helpful to you!
This may not be exactly what you’re looking for, but if your goal is to be a practitioner, starting working on a habit of mindfulness meditation is something I highly recommend. It both will become useful on the path of a practitioner and temper some of ADHDs issues.
Beyond that, as more ADHD specific practices, I will create micro-rituals ( just ways of doing something) to create consistency in my day or wearables that remind me of something I want to do.
An example of how these work out in real life is as Bernie approaches I have created a micro-ritual of attending to my altar, lighting incense, and sitting in meditation for a period. Then I read a chapter or so in the book I am currently working through. The book is always in the same place next to my bed, which is close to the altar and meditation space. Finally, I wear a short length of chain around my wrist that has a variety of meanings, but one of the intents is that the weight and noise of the chain act as a physical reminder of the need to complete the micro-ritual nightly.
Hope something out of that is helpful to you!
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As an ADHD haver, I benefited a lot from just having a variety of forms of media to jump between.
is really good because he gives a lot of intro and related context for an idea within occultism while also giving related reading.
Particularly the play list I just share, Dr. Seldge recommends "Western Esotericism: a Guide for the perplexed" by Wouter Hanegraaf as the best possible starter for studies in the occult.
I'm personally partial to because he gives a nice wide variety of religious and philosophical world views that I think add greatly to a wide understanding of occultism and all in a podcast form.
Another podcast that I listen to, but is both less polished and yet more related is the
I also think it's important to think about studying the Occult in the same way you should think about studying history. You don't need to finish the book or the podcast or the video to get the idea. Most scholarly books are written to be taken piecemeal so that every chapter is independantly a good idea with good evidence. I've only read 50% of "Western Esotericism: a Guide for the perplexed" because the last 50% is reference material, sources, continued reading, etc.
Similarly, with so many resources out there on this, keep bouncing around until you find something that clicks. For me it was Alchemy that really got me into this. I read a lot of alchemy books just because it triggered a hyperfixation. Now I'm on a general history of the occult arts and how we got to now.
is really good because he gives a lot of intro and related context for an idea within occultism while also giving related reading.
Particularly the play list I just share, Dr. Seldge recommends "Western Esotericism: a Guide for the perplexed" by Wouter Hanegraaf as the best possible starter for studies in the occult.
I'm personally partial to because he gives a nice wide variety of religious and philosophical world views that I think add greatly to a wide understanding of occultism and all in a podcast form.
Another podcast that I listen to, but is both less polished and yet more related is the
I also think it's important to think about studying the Occult in the same way you should think about studying history. You don't need to finish the book or the podcast or the video to get the idea. Most scholarly books are written to be taken piecemeal so that every chapter is independantly a good idea with good evidence. I've only read 50% of "Western Esotericism: a Guide for the perplexed" because the last 50% is reference material, sources, continued reading, etc.
Similarly, with so many resources out there on this, keep bouncing around until you find something that clicks. For me it was Alchemy that really got me into this. I read a lot of alchemy books just because it triggered a hyperfixation. Now I'm on a general history of the occult arts and how we got to now.
This is great! The micro-rituals sound like a good option to narrow my focus and prevent me from ending up a perfectionist loopHello! I also have ADHD and an interest in the esoteric.
This may not be exactly what you’re looking for, but if your goal is to be a practitioner, starting working on a habit of mindfulness meditation is something I highly recommend. It both will become useful on the path of a practitioner and temper some of ADHDs issues.
Beyond that, as more ADHD specific practices, I will create micro-rituals ( just ways of doing something) to create consistency in my day or wearables that remind me of something I want to do.
An example of how these work out in real life is as Bernie approaches I have created a micro-ritual of attending to my altar, lighting incense, and sitting in meditation for a period. Then I read a chapter or so in the book I am currently working through. The book is always in the same place next to my bed, which is close to the altar and meditation space. Finally, I wear a short length of chain around my wrist that has a variety of meanings, but one of the intents is that the weight and noise of the chain act as a physical reminder of the need to complete the micro-ritual nightly.
Hope something out of that is helpful to you!
. I already start my day with some tea, fuzzy socks, and sunlight. Like @Morell suggested, I can add on to this. A candle and ritual from a book since I already have these items available.
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Thank you for the suggestion! I’ll check the threads for information on banishing rituals. It never occurred to me to start my day with one but I’m eager to find ways to make my days feel like something again
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Ok this is my current mode of operation! I find myself squirreling from one thing to the next. Usually happens when I come across something that I need more details on. I go look for better understanding and then end up on a totally different rabbit hole. It is good to know that there is a benefit from this kind of approach. Especially since it’s my natural tendency. I will check out the links and resources you provided! I will be floating around until I come across something that sticks
Post automatically merged:
Ok this is my current mode of operation! I find myself squirreling from one thing to the next. Usually happens when I come across something that I need more details on. I go look for better understanding and then end up on a totally different rabbit hole. It is good to know that there is a benefit from this kind of approach. Especially since it’s my natural tendency. I will check out the links and resources you provided! I will be floating around until I come across something that sticks
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