Well, by my book Chaos Magick isn't so much about what's right or wrong, especially in the beginning. It's about doing doing doing.

The Mass of Chaos was the first experience we have had working in this group that didn't involve using a ritual that was pre recorded. (The Chaochamber and the AOFE Rite for the new people on the list).

To address specifics in John's post...

"For me next time I should just stick to one difficult thing per session"

Rather than sticking to "one thing per session" I would say (based on my experience) that maintaining a regular practice of skills (liber MMM being a good one) and pushing your boundaries when things become to easy are good habits to develop.
Mass of Chaos is interesting because there is an invocation in to a person of Baphomet. Most of us westerner types really struggle with that concept, especially if the "entity" has some intimidating aspects.
Work small at first. I had some successes early on invoking other people, fictional characters, or representations of emotion. These are not as threatening initially as invoking some types of "god forms" or "demons". Once you get comfortable with one form, keep pushing. You get to a point where you start "taking on" the stuff that is intimidating to you, just because you realize it is another boundary to cross and is useful to achieving results :)

"chemognosis less is definitly more."

I am of about 50 million minds on this topic. I use it personally at times, but I also consider it a crutch. Chemognosis can be seen as a bridge to gnosis. Less than that has no effect, more and you're just stoned and probably only doing fantastic magick in your head.
I tend to find chemicals more useful in illumination type workings, and wouldn't neccessarily use them with every working. If you can't "perform magick" without the aid of chemicals, it doesn't really speak a whole lot for ability and practice (IMO).

"These rituals so far tend to be short and intense"

Somewhere the idea has crept in that elaborate long and precise rituals = more powerful magick/ results.
Chaos Magick could be said to be the antithesis of this. What actually gets the result? Is it the complex memorized ritual, or is it intent+gnosis= results.
While elaborate rituals can be fun, they seem to be more for the operator than for the results. Most times what actually "launches" the working has little to do with the complexity, and complexity and length can sometimes kill the inspiration.
A lot of us are hooked on the archaic idea of robed, chanting, diagram drawing, incense burning ceremonies up on a hill top and shooting light out of our fingertips..I tend to see that more as a good line for a fictional read than for actual results producing magick :)

On a final note, I would say that any group work we do depends largely on individual effort. In John's situation, there was difficulty reaching the "posession" state (there usually is the first few times out!) In the interest of group work, were I he, I would maybe prod further in to that aspect if I wanted to assume that role in the future. (Not picking on John, just using his post as an example)

Group work needs to be just that.. not individual motive work with a lot of people in the room. I don't come from a magical back ground of group work, but have been in and lead other mundane groups enough to realize that. Synchronicity takes time, and outside effort on everyone's part to pull of fantastic feats :)