Cohesion vs. Dispersion: An Exhortation
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@Mephis said
"No, we cannot spike the drinking fountains. I've really moved beyond the whole preoccupation with substance use/abuse. As I ascend the rungs of "higher" education, I am taking a more mature approach to these things. I support individual liberty in the fullest, but I think that the best way to approach these things is by reopening clinical trials and letting the data speak for itself. The only thing I use with anything close to regularity is cannabis, and even that is decreasing exponentially."
Indeed. I'm only 18 and I'm already slowing down. I still have a very loving relationship with Psylocybes and Amanitas, however. I don't use them regularly, but they'll never be a no-no to me. Same goes for Cannabis. LSD had its day, phenethylamines too, all beautiful sacraments that I recommend to everyone, but I learned what I was going to. The priests at Eleusis would only allow people to consume Kykeon(archaic LSD, essentially) once, and I see virtue in that. At the same time, no initiating officer will ever do as much for me in the pursuit of initiation as being alone with Mr. Mushroom in a semi-ritual context. I think that goes for everyone, as far as opening willing people up to living, breathing Thelema(no better way to meet Nuit than on a friendly dose of Penis Envy! No sir!). Even the old Hebraic priests recognized it.
@Mephis said
"A noble endeavor! I grew up in the LA area--and hated every minute of it. The whole thing is an aesthetic nightmare. I remember standing at the Getty Center one day, and looking out over the smog-ridden chaos, and wondering, "When, O Lord, shalt thou send the brimstone as thou didst Sodom?"
"Well, since we mentioned Tool... www.youtube.com/watch?v=7r_oJALpv44
Forgive me, I had to. -
@kasper81 said
"if someone seeks an escape from reality then practicing magick is the last thing they would do because it would bring them to reality..."
That seems to me to be the BEST reason to recommend they practice it
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@Patrick Ossoski said
"I see Thelema (and Magick, by extension) as the antithesis to escapism. To me it's certainly been so."
@Jim Eshelman said
" kasper81 wrote:if someone seeks an escape from reality then practicing magick is the last thing they would do because it would bring them to reality...
That seems to me to be the BEST reason to recommend they practice it
"Agreed around. No way to un-see the Hawk-headed Lord.
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@Mephis said
"In what way can we positively manifest Thelemic ideals in society?"
Could an overzealous Christian manifest Thelemic ideals if she is following her True Will?
@Mephis said
"How can we work to promote the evolution of Thelema?"
Would a giraffe grow a longer neck if it had a good PR campaign?
@Mephis said
"How can one work to bring others to the Light without conversion or coercion?"
Are people personally responsible to bring themselves to the Light?
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@Frater 639 said
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@Mephis said
"How can we work to promote the evolution of Thelema?"Would a giraffe grow a longer neck if it had a good PR campaign?"
No, but it might benefit from better posture.
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Frater 639...
Always here to poke beautiful holes.@Frater 639 said
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Could an overzealous Christian manifest Thelemic ideals if she is following her True Will?"Do you really think the activities implied fall in line with the Law of love to begin with? Especially love under will? I wonder if anything under the banner of actualized True Will could even be carried out within that paradigm. Interesting experiment, perhaps... In my oh-pin-ion, an overzealous Christian can manifest them only in the sense that their madness highlights the applicability and virtue of its opposite in Thelema.
@Frater 639 said
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Would a giraffe grow a longer neck if it had a good PR campaign?"It could produce the illusion of a longer neck and accomplish its will besides
@Frater 639 said
"Are people personally responsible to bring themselves to the Light?"
This is the whopper. I think its a requirement, not a choice. Those without a semblance of the Light within them damage the world around them with their misguided actions. I am perfectly willing to "guide" them in order to prevent needless messes
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@Diluvium said
"Frater 639... Always here to poke beautiful holes."
I LOVE TO POKE BEAUTIFUL HOLES. ESPECIALLY ONES WITH PERSONALITY.
@Diluvium said
"Do you really think the activities implied fall in line with the Law of love to begin with? Especially love under will? I wonder if anything under the banner of actualized True Will could even be carried out within that paradigm"
Yes. Of course it could. Saying anything else is in danger of one POV being superior?
@Diluvium said
"It could produce the illusion of a longer neck and accomplish its will besides "
I think evolution takes care of itself regardless of hype.
@Diluvium said
"This is the whopper. I think its a requirement, not a choice. Those without a semblance of the Light within them damage the world around them with their misguided actions. I am perfectly willing to "guide" them in order to prevent needless messes "
Sometimes people mention Light but they usually mean their own version of it -- and then, they're quick to apply it to someone else.
@Jim Eshelman said
"No, but it might benefit from better posture."
Haha! "Better" could be a measurement of a biased perspective.
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@Frater 639 said
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@Diluvium said
"Frater 639... Always here to poke beautiful holes."I LOVE TO POKE BEAUTIFUL HOLES. ESPECIALLY ONES WITH PERSONALITY.
@Diluvium said
"Do you really think the activities implied fall in line with the Law of love to begin with? Especially love under will? I wonder if anything under the banner of actualized True Will could even be carried out within that paradigm"
Yes. Of course it could. Saying anything else is in danger of one POV being superior?
@Diluvium said
"It could produce the illusion of a longer neck and accomplish its will besides "
I think evolution takes care of itself regardless of hype.
@Diluvium said
"This is the whopper. I think its a requirement, not a choice. Those without a semblance of the Light within them damage the world around them with their misguided actions. I am perfectly willing to "guide" them in order to prevent needless messes "
Sometimes people mention Light but they usually mean their own version of it -- and then, they're quick to apply it to someone else."
Okay, okay, you got me.
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@Frater 639 said
"Could an overzealous Christian manifest Thelemic ideals if she is following her True Will?"
If her name happened to be Emily Bertha Bishop.
"Would a giraffe grow a longer neck if it had a good PR campaign?"
No, but it might vote Republican.
"Are people personally responsible to bring themselves to the Light?"
Yes, but some have "eyes that are but little covered in dust."
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I bristle at the concept of proselytizing and "converting" people, just on general principles. That seems to be the ultimate interference with someone's will, Thelemite or not. And, we all know it: Thelema is not for everyone, and in fact, I don't believe it's for most people. Most people don't have the self-awareness and have no interest in nor capability of taking responsibility for oneself that Thelema requires. Christianity is so prevalent because it's so easy to "give it all to god," and "let jesus take the wheel," and BOOM! you're off the hook.
I certainly agree that we are examples in the way we live our lives and practice our belief, and if someone comes to any of us and asks what it is we "are," then by all means, share with them. They'll know soon enough if they are up for the challenge. Thelema to me is new each day - because I'm continuously growing, learning new things, new ways of looking at life and at myself. Life would not be worth it without these daily renewals. Some people crave stasis and want no new ideas to interfere with their insulated, closed world. Thelema breaks down all those doors and forces you to face yourself - personally, I think that is the number one fear that people have and most never do, all their lives.
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@Mephis said
"If her name happened to be Emily Bertha Bishop."
Or Violet Firth and Mother Theresa. Hopefully still household names after the last armchair Thelemite dies off...
@Mephis said
"No, but it might vote Republican."
Haha! Funny.
Giraffes don't vote! Only sheep.
You'd be surprised -- most of the Animal Kingdom still believe in the Manipulative Memes that stem from the Distraction Dichotomy.
@Mephis said
"Yes, but some have "eyes that are but little covered in dust." "
"You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."
-- Jesus of Tiphareth
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@Frater 639 said
"Or Violet Firth and Mother Theresa. Hopefully still household names after the last armchair Thelemite dies off..."
Well, that's fine--I'm more of a barstool Thelemite anyways.
"You'd be surprised -- most of the Animal Kingdom still believe in the Manipulative Memes that stem from the Distraction Dichotomy.
"Which is why I remain a practicing carnivore.
""You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."
-- Jesus of Tiphareth
"Plank=Luach=44
44 also gives us "to absorb/swallow up" and "garment/carpet," so, by reverse Aiq Bekar (applied to the M.A.L.A.R.K.Y. formula) I read this as a warning against carpet munching, nothing more.
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Regarding conversion the BOTL is very clear - "...argue not; convert not; talk not overmuch!" Reading this made me think of a scene in the move Malcom X where he was meeting with Elijah Muhammad. The mentor taught the student that people in general will take what is available to them. However, if they are given a choice then they'll choose what best fits them, what is most pure to them, what tastes better, etc. Possibly a key to this is making sure there is an avenue for this choice to be made if one is inclined to "spread the word" so to speak.
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@Mephis said
"Well, that's fine--I'm more of a barstool Thelemite anyways. "
Nothing wrong with an arts degree. Is this an invitation for a drink?
@Mephis said
"Which is why I remain a practicing carnivore. "
Rare for NorCal. No pun intended.
@Mephis said
"44 also gives us "to absorb/swallow up" and "garment/carpet," so, by reverse Aiq Bekar (applied to the M.A.L.A.R.K.Y. formula) I read this as a warning against carpet munching, nothing more."
Advanced!
Christians always advise against the stuff that they love (i.e. judging others, carpet munching, etc.) -- they just usually need more secret codes to admit it after they've converted to Thelema, no?