Frater wrote:

The two biggest reasons to work in group, for me are:
1. Exponentially increases the current which is focused for the
magical purpose. This applies not only to the non-physical acts, but
also to the physical current. With additional brothers and sisters
focused on the same goals, you learn from each other, support each
other, and grow from each others experiences and wisdom. The support
of those you work with help you to grow faster, and work harder.

2. Alchemy. When you are working with other people, you are more
likely to work through the challenges you are confronted with. The
initiate is confronted with a variety of alchemical challenges, and
these challenges can cause you to hold back in the work. They can
cause you to allow your ego to inflate (without you realizing it). And
they can allow your alchemy to hit a wall, past which, you choose not
to go. Working with others to support continued growth, even in the
darkest of times, is a blessing we all have, and one of the reasons
that this forum exists.

I think people fear the unknown because of a lack of faith in
themselves, and in the divine. This seems brought about by the natural
life and the turning away from truths which can only be experienced in
silence. Especially in a day when science and intellectualism is
worshiped as the deity which it is not, it becomes easy to
rationalize, and apply scientific method to spiritual truths which
cannot be verbalized and put on paper for the consumption of real
truth. This is what seems to make people uncomfortable is that they
have no basis of experience with which to relate with things beyond
their current beliefs. It's as if the things they were taught as a
child, and accepted as a child, are frozen in their beliefs, and
anything new must be acceptable on an intellectual level.

The Great Work opens us up to so many new experiences, with which we
have no previous experiential basis to measure them by. It is a shame
to see so many of our non-order brothers and sisters not be open to
the mystical path. Yet, it is said that we see ourselves in those
around us. So, when we see people not being open to divine currents,
and mystical awakenings, it is because we see this aspect of doubt and
disbelief in ourselves. Interestingly enough it is ourselves which we
can change, and by doing so, cause this change to occur in other
people. I think this is one aspect of the philosophers stone that we
can all utilize in forming the world around us.

...for the completion of the one thing...

Love and Light!
T