Dangers of Mixing Egregores/Systems/Religions, etc.
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Do most Thelemites stick 100% to thelema or do many study other systems, religions, orders, etc.? Is there a danger in studying more than one at the same time and if so, are there particular mixes that are more dangerous? And are there particular degrees in the TOT where it is more or less important to be uninvolved with other currents?
It seems to me that belonging to a specific Order or religion connects one to that particular egregore (current) and mixing others may be like mixing water and electricity! Is this the case in your experience? But maybe there is a way to safely mix?
As a personal example, I am going to an Eastern Catholic Church on some Sundays out of respect to my wife. She wants me to go with her and participate with her as a social thing more than anything, and also be more connected with her. Is this something that will hinder my studies in Thelema? And do you have any suggestions on how I can go to such services (which actually have the oldest and beautiful litergy of the Orthodox Church) and connect it in my mind with Thelema somehow? I was thinking of just trying to tie it in by thinking of Christ being a symbol of Tiphareth and Tiphareth as a symbol of the HGA, thus connecting the entire worship into an adoration of the HGA. Is this appropriate?
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@DavidH said
"Do most Thelemites stick 100% to thelema or do many study other systems, religions, orders, etc.?"
I don't know what most do, but there is quite a mix of religions with Thelema among Thelemites.
My view is that Thelema represents itself as subsuming - or, to turn that inside-out, as beng at the very center of - authentic experience of any other system. See, for example, Liber L. 3:21-22.
"Is there a danger in studying more than one at the same time and if so, are there particular mixes that are more dangerous? And are there particular degrees in the TOT where it is more or less important to be uninvolved with other currents?"
Highly individual. I think "dangerous" is way too strong, though "intrusive or interfering" often would apply. But - again - highly individual!
As to particular degrees in T.'.O.'.T.'. - your specific question tweaks the answer because someone's religion is something with which we explicitly don't interfere. The 0° has certain restrictions about mixing certain other occult practices with what is provided by the Order (lifted thereafter). The Portal is an extremely critical place where the objects of one's attention and devotion make a significant difference in the outcome (though, even there, we don't interfere with someone's religion per se).
"It seems to me that belonging to a specific Order or religion connects one to that particular egregore (current) and mixing others may be like mixing water and electricity! Is this the case in your experience? But maybe there is a way to safely mix?"
I don't think "safety" is the usual issue. More to the point is the measure of one's investment in the group mind (egregore) of a particular system. One corellary of that fact is that diffusion of interest in multiple places that are to you at some odds with each other will tend to draw you out of the depth of your investment to one or more (or all) of them. Eventually one does have to lay claim to the system that is one's own.
"As a personal example, I am going to an Eastern Catholic Church on some Sundays out of respect to my wife. She wants me to go with her and participate with her as a social thing more than anything, and also be more connected with her. Is this something that will hinder my studies in Thelema? And do you have any suggestions on how I can go to such services (which actually have the oldest and beautiful litergy of the Orthodox Church) and connect it in my mind with Thelema somehow? I was thinking of just trying to tie it in by thinking of Christ being a symbol of Tiphareth and Tiphareth as a symbol of the HGA, thus connecting the entire worship into an adoration of the HGA. Is this appropriate?"
"One useful tactic is to find the same truth you know in someone else's symbols and methods - if it's there. This can be rather liberating. On your last question - if it works for you, then it is very appropriate.