Iblis and the Separated Ones

Iblis (the Islamic devil) is said to have a special link to the Absolute. This is due to the idea that he is the first model for a separate "I-Consciousness" independent of the Absolute. According to certain Sufi sects, Iblis disobeyed Allah for the sake of love and for the sake of loyalty to his One Beloved. He is cursed and punished for his disobedience - but even in this he takes satisfaction at being separated out for unique treatment by the Absolute.

One Sufi who was executed for his thoughts in 1131 was Ayn-al-Qozat, who spoke of those who have a special affinity for Iblis as "the separated ones". He implies that separation-in-love is in some sense superior to union-in-love because the former is a dynamic condition and the latter a static one. Iblis is not only the paragon of separated ones, he also causes this condition in human lovers - and although some experience this as "evil", the Sufi knows that it is necessary, and even good.

- Flowers (Lords of the Left Hand Path_

Once again I see that, in the final analysis, it is all in how you choose to look at it. There are advantages and disadvantages in everything. As Qigong Djinn say's: your focus determines your reality.

The above idea touches the heart of magic, aka the art of the Magi, which is the conscious utilization of perception and its energies for a consciously fomulated goal, and, more importantly - the progressive realization and manifestation of the Being and Will behind and within the utilization of perception and its energies.