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What I present is assuming that there is more to the 'effects' of things related to the occult then just on the mind of the individual.

I remember a discussion I had with someone who would probably fit the definition of a "mentor" to the majority of people. Our discussion touched on the topic of people on an occult path, and if they achieved any kind of practical consistency. He said something to the effect of, "When people figure out how to do magic, they rob others of the ability to choose.". The idea was that a persons free will was being infringed on, or denied to them, because they weren't being given the ability to make a choice when someone uses occult means to create an effect on the environment/reality. This seems to assume/imply that the person who has figured out how to do magic is capable of things bordering, or actually, on the fantastical side of claims made over the years. I also think this assumes/implies that a person is in more control of their life then most believe.

I have seen some arguments to justify people using anything that would be related to the occult for personal gain as acceptable to do. Situational examples aside, the idea was that it wasn't any more 'unfair' then other people who were 'gifted' in ways that are, or seem to be, more mundane using their 'gifts' to their advantage. I think circumstances are likely significant to what would be 'fair', atleast in a discussion, but I think a discussion of that nature would best be left to another thread. I think a more important concern would be what people actually do.

It seems to me that few aspects of the occult aren't directly linked to personal gain, and it seems fewer don't have potential for application to achieve personal gain in one way or another. It seems that this might be a somewhat important part of living a magical life. What you believe is the reason for existing/being here, what the afterlife might be like, and any ideals you have about life, society, etc, might have an impact on your answer(s). Do you think people are being robbed of their ability to make a choice? How do you feel about the idea of living in a world where you can rob others of their ability to make a choice, and it can happen to you? What do you think about the circumstances in regards to what most people seem capable of? How do you feel about the circumstances regarding the potential possibilities? Do you use anything to influence aspects of the environment/reality/your life? If you were exceptionally gifted in one way or another, would you make use of it? Anything you'd care to share or add?

First I want to say that regardless of what we do, magical or not, we are affecting others, even if it is very minutely. Chaos Theory says that a butterfly flapping it's wings in the Pacific can start a hurricane in the Atlantic. Everything we do has an effect on everything else around us. So what makes this any more innocent than a conscious effort to use magic to affect the world?

Perhaps it's the same thing that governs mundane actions. Most would agree it's wrong to interfere directly in someone's life, even if you think it's for their benefit because you deprive them of free will intentionally. I think the same thing applies to any kind of magic you might use to target someone. I think that as long as you make a note not to harm anyone in whatever you do, you can't be held at fault.

I think the main issue in using magic or whatever you want to call it for personal gain is that being selfish is usually a very good way to feed the ego and thus shut down any intuitive or psychic/magical abilities you might have. Provided, most goals are selfish, but there's a difference between "I want to get a good job," and "I want a million dollars." There's a difference between "I want a partner that loves me," and "I want to have sex with hot women."

And this could be an arbitrary difference, but I tend to hold to the belief that you reap what you sow, and if you sow ill intentions that's what you're going to get.

Do I use my abilities to affect my environment? I use what I best describe as my mind to move small objects. Trivial when you think about it, but you have to lift a 50lb. weight before you can lift a 100lb. weight. Any other time I might use abilities is for personal healing or enhancement of attributes. I like to think I'm rather unobtrusive with whatever I'm doing. Sometimes I get a sense of the emotional or mental state of a person, maybe a faint glimpse into their current thought process, but this isn't an intentional thing. I just think I'm very perceptive to this, being a rather emotionally sensitive person.

I *have* to believe that I'll be able to do more than move a piece of aluminum or paper, otherwise I won't ever be able to. We're inhibited by what we believe is possible. If we believe something isn't possible then it doesn't matter if it is or isn't, because we limit ourselves.

The questions I have to consider tend to relate to "What would I do if I actually could do something substantial with my ability?" I spend so much time in the quest for power that I hardly stop to think of what I would really do if I acquired a large amount of it. Retribution or personal gain are cursory motivations, but would I really be able to go through with it? I don't know.

For the most part, the people who come to me do so because they are unhappy with the situation their own circumstances and choices have created over time. What I do helps bring about clarity and favorable circumstances to help them move on. Sure, one could make the argument that I'm infringing on their right to suffer until they can pull their head out, but...well, they're asking for help. What kind of asshat would I be if I said no? I've never yet told anybody they *have* to do anything, but I have pointed out where they're standing in their own way, and demonstrated other ways to be. What they do with that information and guidance is up to them.

Aside from that, most of the time I'm working with troubled spirits, and all I do is send them where they need to go. If they didn't want to get sent, they shouldn't have bothered somebody who knew how. Freedom of choice means freedom to accept the consequences.

To correlate with Mitsh's once-again excellent posting, which I agree with in its entirety, an actual exchange from a favorite family story:
"What would the ocean be like if everyone peed in it?"
"...Warm."