Within us there are various types of energy which we must understand:
1. First, mechanical energy;
2. Second, vital energy;
3. Third, energy of the psyche;
4. Fourth, mental energy;
5. Fifth, energy of the will;
6. Sixth, energy of the Consciousness;
7. Seventh, energy of the pure Spirit.
No matter how much we might increase our strictly mechanical energy (Malkuth), we will never awaken Consciousness.
No matter how much we might increase the vital forces (Yesod) within our own organism, we will never awaken Consciousness.
Many psychological processes (Hod) take place within us without any intervention from the Consciousness.
However great the disciplines of the mind might be, mental energy (Netzach) can never achieve the awakening of the diverse functions of the Consciousness.
Even if our willpower (Tiphereth) is multiplied infinitely, it can never bring about the awakening of the Consciousness.
All these types of energy are graded into different levels and dimensions, which have nothing to do with the Consciousness (Geburah).
Consciousness can only be awakened through conscious work (through Geburah and Chesed) and upright efforts.
-Samael Aun Weor, The Great Rebellion: The Dialectic of Consciousness
There are many who, having practiced sexual magic multiplied the sexual forces of Yesod in great abundance, have transformed themselves into terrible demons. Samael Aun Weor made the horrifying prophecy that "An infamous harvest of Hasnamussen is going to appear, mainly in the South American territories of Venezuela and Colombia."
This is due the fact that these innumerable practitioners worked in alchemy but did not dissolve the ego; they did not work consciously against themselves through upright efforts, but developed their mechanical, vital, astral, mental and volitional forces, completely without the guidance and direction of the consciousness and spiritual principles.
Therefore, what is important to awaken consciousness is how you direct attention. Work with sexual energy is important and essential, since the power of the Holy Spirit is the basis for comprehension (Hebrew: Binah, "Understanding") but without proper direction through one's consciousness, that energy will be misused. If you are single, prepare for your matrimony by annihilating the ego, since the less defects one has when entering the forge of Vulcan, the better.
Pranayama or sexual magic is necessary in order to achieve change, in order to provide the fuel for spiritual experience. Yet without the proper work in one's consciousness, that light cannot be established and developed within our interior. As Samael Aun Weor wrote, "Wherever we direct attention, we expend creative energy." Yet without having creative energy through transmutation practice, we will lack the force necessary to feed and develop our consciousness. In synthesis, conscious work and transmutation must go hand in hand.
As for comprehending these teachings, even instructors and missionaries continue to develop themselves on a continuous basis and must seek to review, revise and relearn many things. Let us remember that genuine spiritual development is a process. Do not be hard on yourself, but be objectively critical; analyze what you need to work on, and do so with dilligence, serenity, patience, and upright effort.