Prayer of the Heart
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In the Christian tradition, especially the Eastern Orthodox one, there is something called the Prayer of the Heart. It is "prayer without ceasing." The purpose is to say a short one line prayer that eventually becomes part of you so that every breath you take is that prayer and it is unceasing. It's a way to be in constant notice of being near "Christ."
Prayer of the Heart Info www.monachos.net/monasticism/jesus_prayer.shtml
My question is: Is there a similar prayer in Thelema, or a suggested line that can be used to be a constant reminder of the HGA?
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93
In Book 4, Part I, Chapter II: Pranayama and its Parallel in Speech, Mantrayoga, Crowley lists a few useful mantras.
The last one he mentions:
This mantra is the holiest of all that are or can be. It is from the Stele of Revealing.
A ka dua
Tuf ur biu
Bi a'a chefu
Dudu ner af an nuteru.Musical notation is given for the above; best to take a look at the book yourself for that, though.
93, 93/93
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Crowley doesn't give a translation. I'm not aware if anyone else has come up with one either.
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I understand that words in themselves have power but I don't think (to me) that it would have the desired effect (of constant reminder of HGA) when I don't know what the meaning is. It may have other effects such as being used for a meditation mantra to achieve a clear/still mind. The Prayer of the heart is used in everyday life, such as when you are working or walking. Eventually the words (which are a reminder of God) get tied to your breath so even the act of breathing is a prayer and reminder. I don't know if this mantra you mention can be used the same way, even if an excellent mantra for meditation.
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@Draco Magnus said
"Crowley doesn't give a translation. I'm not aware if anyone else has come up with one either."
Isn't it supposed to be the "Unity uttermost showed!" stanza from Liber Legis, III, 37 ?
If it's actually from the Stele of Revealing, there are translations out there. The appendices of the McMurty-edited version of the Holy Books of Thelema contain various transcriptions and translations. I don't have the book at my fingertips right now, but presumably it would be easy to locate the traditional "A ka dua..." part - if it's there.
"Nuteru" is probably Egyptian for "god(s)."
Steve
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From my experience with Yoga (which includes all 8 limbs), the use of mantra (or devotional prayer) is one and the same, and could indeed be used throughout the day while walking, cooking, or whatnot.
In fact, after a while, it's not you doing the mantra anymore, it's the mantra doing you. But that's an aside...
I do understand your need to know the meaning of the words, and probably wouldn't use a 'mantra' if I didn't know what it meant either. But knowing the meaning, I think, is not the most important element in it's performance (from what I understand).
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The essential technique is really the semi-advanced and advanced stages of Raja Yoga. The advanced stage is reached when no words are used. Cf. Molinos for the deepest articulation I know of this.
If one is looking for words, that would vary from person to person, and time to time. It would essentially be one's own mantra of the moment. Several one-liners from Liber L. work. I've had several I've used at one time or another, but the meanings of the words determine their relevance to a particular person's present work. For example, Confundum animam meum cum animam universum [I didn't check the spelling on that, forgive errors please - just pulled it out of my head] only is appropriate is one's work is "I will mingle my life with the universal life." Heru mane padme hum ("Horus, the Jewel of the Lotus") is only appropriate if one is worshipping Harpocrates upon the lotus comingled with the other ideas expressed in there. Etc.
Yes, the Egyptian passage given is the one that Crowley translated (and slightly paraphrased) as "Unity uttermost" &c., first verse. Nuteru probably should be updated to neteru based on better scholarship.
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@Jim Eshelman said
"
If one is looking for words, that would vary from person to person, and time to time. It would essentially be one's own mantra of the moment."Am I wrong in thinking that for most of us, our work should be focused on the HGA up to the 5=6? And therefore any remembrance or raja yoga technique used daily should be appropriate to the HGA? Should it not be consistant and long term in order to be effective, as opposed to a "mantra of the moment?"
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Here is the complete translation as given in the revised version of Book IV:
"Unity uttermost showed!
I adore the might of Thy breath,
Supreme and terrible God,
Who makest the gods and death
To tremble before Thee:-
I, I adore thee!" -
@DavidH said
"Am I wrong in thinking that for most of us, our work should be focused on the HGA up to the 5=6? And therefore any remembrance or raja yoga technique used daily should be appropriate to the HGA?"
Generally, yes, fer shoor.
There may, of course, be preliminary work that isn't yet quite so squarely focussed, and there may be specialty work along the way that requires its own focus. These, ideally, are always in clear relationship to the primary goal, but - that relationship being understood - they may require their own devoted focus for a time.
"Should it not be consistant and long term in order to be effective, as opposed to a "mantra of the moment?""
Consistency is good. OTOH the aspect of the Work forefront in our awareness may change periodically.
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@DavidH said
"The Prayer of the heart is used in everyday life, such as when you are working or walking. Eventually the words (which are a reminder of God) get tied to your breath so even the act of breathing is a prayer and reminder. I don't know if this mantra you mention can be used the same way, even if an excellent mantra for meditation."
Actually, you can use that particular stanza in the manner in which you are speaking of David. In my opinion, it doesn't just exclude itself to adoration of your HGA but adoration of unity, creation, God and all that good stuff. Try reciting it to yourself and see what happens.