Where to start?
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Greetings from Denmark, everyone
My name is Nicklas, I'm a 17-year old student, and I've quite recently (about 8 months ago to be correct) gained a small interest in the Book of the Law, and Thelema in general. I've gained some basic information about Thelema on the internet (Nuit, Hadit etc.) and well - I want to know more. I've been living in a Christian community my whole life, and well.. I never really fit in, inside the walls of the church... I've been living without any religion the last few years, when I got my parrents tolerance for me, wandering alone, and maybe not following their religious path - so, I left the Danish Church, and decided to look for a religion, fitting me more...
Then I met this guy who knew something about Thelema, and told me to seek it out, since I was so curious, he said that it might have interestI study, religion, philosophy and english on college...
- any ideas of where to start? book? what books? web-pages, where?
With hopes of a somewhat reasonable reply
- Nicklas
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to start read this it's addressed to probationers to the A.'.A.'. so it must therefore be fit for beginners.
POSTCARDS TO PROBATIONERS
by Aleister Crowley
from EQUINOX Vol. I No. 2THEOREMSI. The world progresses by virtue of the appearance of
Christs (geniuses).II. Christs (geniuses) are men with super-consciousness
of the highest order.III. Super-consciousness of the highest order is obtainable
by known methods.
Therefore, by employing the quintessance of known
methods we cause the world to progress.ESSENTIALS OF METHODI. Theology is immaterial; for both Buddha and St. Ignatius
were Christs.II. Morality is immaterial; for both Socrates and
Mohammed were Christs.III. Super-consciousness is a natural phenomenon; its conditions
are therefore to be sought rather in the acts than in the words
of those who attained it.
The essential acts are retirement and concentration -- as
taught by Yoga and Ceremonial Magic.MISTAKES OF MYSTICSI. Since truth is supra-rational, it is incommunicable in
the language of reason.
II. Hence all mystics have written nonsense, and what sense
they have written is so far untrue.
III. Yet as a still lake yields a truer reflection of the sun
than a torrent, he whose mind is best balanced will,
if he become a mystic, become the best mystic.THE METHOD OF EQUILIBRIUM I. THE PASSIONS, Etc.I. Since the ultimate truth of teleology is unknown, all
codes of morality are arbitrary.
II. Therefore the student has no concern with ethics
as such.
III. He is consequently free 'to do his duty in that state
of life to which it has pleased God to call him.'II. THE REASONI. Since truth is supra-rational, any rational statement
is false.
II. Let he student then contradict every proposition that
presents itself to him.
III. Rational ideas being thus expelled from the mind,
there is room for the apprehension of spiritual truth.
It should be remarked that this does not destroy the
validity of reasonings on their own plane.III. THE SPIRITUAL SENSORIUMI. Man being a finite being, he is incapable of apprehending the
infinite. Nor does his communion with infinite being
(true or false) alter this fact.
II. Let then the student contradict every vision and refuse to enjoy
it; first, because there is certainly another vision possible of
precisely contradictory nature; secondly, because though he is God,
he is also a man upon an insignificant planet.
Being thus equilibriated laterally and vertically, it may be
that, either by affirmation or denial of all these things
together, he may attain the supreme trance.IV. THE RESULTI. Trance is defined as the ek-stasis of one particular tract of
the brain, caused by meditating on the idea corresponding to it.
II. Let the student therefore beware lest in that idea be any trace
of imperfection. It should be pure, balanced, calm, complete,
fitted in every way to dominate the mind, as it will.
Even as in the choice of a king to be crowned.
III. So will the decrees of this king be just and wise as he was just
and wise before he was made king.
The life and work of the mystic will reflect (though dimly) the
supreme guiding force of the mystic, the highest trance to
which he has attained.YOGA AND MAGICI. Yoga is the art of uniting the mind to a single idea. It
has four methods.Gnana-Yoga Union by Knowledge Raja-Yoga Union by Will Bhakta-Yoga Union by Love Hatha-Yoga Union by Courage add Mantra-Yoga Union through Speech Karma-Yoga Union through Work These are united by the supreme method of Silence.II. Ceremonial Magic is the art of uniting the mind to a single
idea. It has four Methods.The Holy Qabalah. Union by Knowledge The Sacred Magic. Union by Will. The Acts of Worship. Union by Love. The Ordeals. Union by Courage. add The Invocations. Union through Speech. The Acts of Service. Union through Work. These are united by the supreme method of Silence.III. If this idea be any but the Supreme and Perfect idea, and the
student lose control, the result is insanity, obsession, fanaticism,
or paralysis and death (add addiction to gossip and incurable
idleness), according to the nature of the failure.
Let then the Student understand all these things and combine
them in his Art, uniting them by the supreme method of Science. -
Technically, that's about spiritual aspiration - undertaking the Great Work - not about Thelema per se.
It's still pretty cool!
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Is not the method of the A.'.A.'. useful in discovering one's true Will, based upon which grade one maxes out at, or is most fitting to one?
We can not all be "Christs" but there are many degrees or classes between the undeveloped probationer and the Genius of the Magus.
The Christs can only progress humanity in the wake of his speech, if there are no masses to respond to his words, it would like trying to make waves in the desert. Such a Magus would merely be futilely flapping his arms about.
Thelema is about one's True WILL, and the Will of a vagrant or a king is no less TRUE than the WILL of a Magus or Christ.
The real interest lies in how shall we determine this WILL, and it seem to me that each individual WILL can be filtered into a class system, by having all men shoot for Magus but find his TRUE fit when he falls short.
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@Froclown said
"Is not the method of the A.'.A.'. useful in discovering one's true Will, based upon which grade one maxes out at, or is most fitting to one?"
The original question was about Thelema. I'm just saying, don't confuse the A.'.A.'. with Thelema!
The A.'.A.'. has preexisted the present aeon and is responsible for articulating the current Law - which is only its present phase, though. Even in the modern form created by Crowley and Jones, the A.'.A.'. originally had no hint of anything about Thelema below the 2=9 Grade for its first dozen years.
Additionally, one can be a Thelemite without belonging to the A.'.A.'., without having any interest in magick or mysticism, etc. etc. The two are not inherently connected.
Now, in my life they're connected
... I'm just saying that this wouldn't be true for everyone. -
While it is true that one can be a Thelemite without study of magick, it is also true that one can be a judge without study of the law, one is just not a very effective judge. No matter how highly one holds his personal opinions, the qualities that make a good judge are not subjective, and thus a judge who has learned legal theory and been steeped into it's practice, through tests, hypothetical examples and real life experience is far more competent than one who merely proclaims himself worthy of the title out of conceit.
At it's heart Thelema is the search for an objective science of determining right conduct for the individual. This training required a deep self reflective insight and an objective means to deconstruct oneself, analyze each element of one self, and determine the proper function and fulfillment of one's being as a whole.
Thus, a system such as the A.'.A.'. was devised to act as a scientific method to achieve these ends not only introspectively but with optimism that these methods can be used objectively to discern the proper function of each individual, and thus smooth over any conflicts which may arise with appeal to a standard.
Such as in the natural sciences where evidence is weighed on the scale of standard models, which have been fought for using the methods of science, that is the observation checked by reasoned logic.
Right conduct with the defeat of the standard model at the point of modernity, a model that was often expressed as theocentric but not always, that is the paradigm of Osiris. Any a new formula, that is a new standard to measure up to has been forged, and that must be derived from rigorous study of the self and answers attained systematically from various tests and exersizes.
The A.'.A.'. consists of a syllabus of such exersizes presented in the proper order, enabling the aspirant to align his social aspirations with his actuality ability rather than his conceited (or otherwise warped) self image.
Thus a Thelemite like a judge, must be trained, and we must expect them to be so trained.
If a peasant puts on the kings robes (though he can not hide his poverty, in spirit) and we turn a blind eye the the fact that he is unfit to rule, the whole kingdom suffers, because we fear for our dignity, we do not want to "make a scene".
If a man is not trained by the A.'.A.'. or by personal means similar to those used by the A.'.A.'. he is a Thelemite in name only, and I say strike him hard and low, if he perished then good riddance, one less poser to dilute the Great Work,
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Hi, Nicklas. I'd recommend searching the internet for the phrase "thelema 101" there are a number of different websites with varying amounts of text on the matter, some are better than others. Most are not a substitute for reading Crowley's writings. I think there is an online text of Magick Without Tears which you should also search for. Though the book is chiefly geared toward students of Crowley's magical system, it answers a number of fundamental questions about Thelema.
[EDIT: deleted pointless rant]
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@Froclown said
"Thus, a system such as the A.'.A.'. was devised to act as a scientific method to achieve these ends not only introspectively but with optimism that these methods can be used objectively to discern the proper function of each individual, and thus smooth over any conflicts which may arise with appeal to a standard. "
You have your time scale off. The A.'.A.'. system was conceived at a time that Crowley still rejected Thelema. It wasn't about Thelema initially. It was simply about Scientific Illuminism / Sceptical Theurgy. Thelema wasn't even introduced in any sense until 2=9 and The Book of the Law, still unpublished for years to come, was withheld until the Second Order.
I agree that the two converged well later on, and that the forces prompting the creation of the A.'.A.'. (as distinct from its two human founders) likely had all this sorted out in advance - but your telling of history is out of sequence.
"Thus a Thelemite like a judge, must be trained, and we must expect them to be so trained. "
Are you only allowing that the word "Thelemite" applies to spiritual aspirants? I'm not necessarily disagreeing - see the other thread on the subject where I expressed my flexibility on the definition of that particular word. I'm just wondering whether you are allowing for its application to fully lay members of a religious community who accept a philosophy and profess a creed but have no particular motifvation to push past their present state.
"If a man is not trained by the A.'.A.'. or by personal means similar to those used by the A.'.A.'. he is a Thelemite in name only"
I suppose that answers my last question on what your definition is.
"and I say strike him hard and low, if he perished then good riddance, one less poser to dilute the Great Work,"
Funny how you suddenly turn to denying a person the enaction of his or her True Will if it doesn't conform to your model.
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to discover one's TRUE WILL, is a matter of scientific investigation into just what one is and how to best apply oneself in the world.
Thus, Thelema means that one sees one self, not just one's body, but one's whole being as a tool, a tool without an instruction manual, that one must discover it's properties and delineate it's proper use.
In order to do this, one must apply some sort of objective method to test, explore, and enhance one's particular abilities in order to make oneself fit to be used for one's purpose.
A professional athlete discovers that he has certain physical skills and he follows a strict training regiment, that is designed for his unique physiology and the sport of his interest. He must also adhere to certain life-style choices such as diet and refrain from smoking tobacco on a regular basis, if he is to but himself to his task as an athlete effectively.
Now, an athlete when he starts out will not know just what diet is right or what exersizes to perform, thus he has one of two choices. Very careful personal study, by trial and error, with strict records kept and adjustment of his routine based on those records.
Or he can enlist a personal trainer, who is well studied and skilled the science of creating individual routines, and can apply the method above, by keeping the records and adjusting routines for the athlete.
Both of these methods are out to use in the A.'.A.'..
When the science used by the personal trainer is applied to not just an athlete and not just to one aspect of his life (training) but instead this method is adopted for use by every individual and expanded to include the whole of his life, this is what we call Thelema.
And one who practices such an approach to his life, and promotes this science openly, we call such a person a Thelemite.
The A.'.A.'. has as it's aim the production of a Spiritual Genius or Christ, just as the training program has at it's aim the production of an athlete.
However, when we realize that the spiritual genius is spirituality based on "Do what thou Wilt" it is obvious that the spiritual training of the A.'.A.'. is generally applicable to any more specific aim, from athlete to zoo keeper.
Whatever the WILL of the individual, the methods and practices of the A.'.A.'. can produce by way of producing a well trained Thelemite in general, the specifics of each WILL are innate to the individual. But the training of the A.'.A.'. enhances the individual such that his unique WILL may be more efficiently performed.
Thus unless one is trained in the art of WILL, how can one claim to be a Thelemite?
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@Froclown said
"Thus unless one is trained in the art of WILL, how can one claim to be a Thelemite?"
Who said anything about claiming to be a Thelemite?
I would not expect Jonas Salk to have called himself a Thelemite, but I would give him that label.
It is also clear that many people who call themselves Thelemites are deceiving themselves, believing that one's studies and juju make them such, while still living the sort of life divided from humanity that preempts Thelema.
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The original post was only looking for information about Thelema, not necessarily how to undertake the Great Work. Discovering one's True Will (tm) doesn't necessarily have to be a scientific process, nor is the method of the A.'.A.'. the only process to accomplish it. Some people probably don't even need any process.
@Frowclown said
"Thus unless one is trained in the art of WILL, how can one claim to be a Thelemite?"
Unless one is insecure with their identity why would they need to claim this?
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The point is that Thelema is a social system, it's not a religion, it's not a mere philosophical pondering.
It's a social system like democracy or socialism.
What makes Thelema unique is that is it is based on scientific experiments, that organize society around the individuals unique properties, and not just because the individual claims to have those properties or abilities, nor because he wins a popularity vote, No that individual must demonstrate his unique properties. He must keep a record of his results, and only by study of those records can his WILL and thus his social role be determined.
He can devise his own experiments and tests, however he must prove that these tests where done scientifically and that they are valid tests.
We can not claim that a man is fit for space travel because he has become fluent in Latin.
And just as if one demands that all market transactions be ruled over by the State, one can not also claim to be capitalist, any more than a woman can claim to be a man, or a man claim to be a pig.
One is not a thing just because one wants to be. To be a thing means to be part of the system or classification.
One need not join this or that A.'.A.'., but if one does not perform test on one self such as liber jugorum, or test one's physical limits and skills, if one does not keep a written record of one's progress. Then how can one know about oneself in any real since of the world?
It would be like concluding global warming doesn't exist because it snowed one day and you felt cold not warm, or even because you feel like it was warmer last year.
Thelema is not about how you feel about yourself, it's not about what you "want to do". It's about scientific investigation into what you really are, and even if it turns out that what you have always wanted to do is not what you are fit to do, then a Thelemite must crush all his own hopes and dreams and Do what he is FIT to do.
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@Froclown said
"The point is that Thelema is a social system, it's not a religion, it's not a mere philosophical pondering.
It's a social system like democracy or socialism."
That is one thing that Thelema is, and so it is understandable that there are some individuals for whom this is the proper course. It is also much more than this, as other posts in this and other threads have already covered of late.
@Froclown said
"We can not claim that a man is fit for space travel because he has become fluent in Latin."
No, but we can claim that a man is fit for curing disease because he has cured disease.
@Froclown said
"One need not join this or that A.'.A.'., but if one does not perform test on one self such as liber jugorum, or test one's physical limits and skills, if one does not keep a written record of one's progress. Then how can one know about oneself in any real since of the world?"
We are agreed on the written record, and I'm certain that a survey will reveal that the vast majority of artists and scientists and mystics of all stripes maintain one. That's about as far as it goes; believing that a man or woman must follow the instructions of Liber Jugorum in order to discover who they are and why they are here fails to recognize that each individuated center of expression is unique, not only in expression but in refinement. It is ironic that this arises from the delusion of separateness, yes?
@Froclown said
"Thelema is not about how you feel about yourself, it's not about what you "want to do". It's about scientific investigation into what you really are, and even if it turns out that what you have always wanted to do is not what you are fit to do, then a Thelemite must crush all his own hopes and dreams and Do what he is FIT to do."
Agreed, although I believe in practice the Thelemite in question would not have to crush her hopes and dreams, because she will have realized that her hopes and dreams have been moving in the direction of her True Will her entire life.
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one can develop hopes and dreams that are totally unrealistic, and are generally presented to one by culture, media or family.
It may very well be that one who discovers one's True WILL must then give up these previous ambitions, and let down his entire super-ego structure of internalized notions of himself.
This may be crushing, however it would seem that as he gets acquainted with is TRUE WILL, this will fade away and a renewed enthusiasm and zest for life will replace his previous state of merely feeling comfortable with how his life was going out of habit and learned coping mechanisms.
In any effect that is where to start with Thelema, the realization that what you think you are and what you may think you want in life, may and most likely is not who you really are nor what you are truly most fit to do.
The next step is to device a means of objectively discovering who and what you really are.
And is not the Grade of Zelator in the A.'.A.'. concerned with one discover of one's foundation (yesod). The methods of Asana and Prahayana being a scientific observation of the effects of posture and breathing on one's thoughts and moods.
I should think that the A.'.A.'. is not so strict as to focus only on those specific reading and exersizes as well, all methods of testing and exersizing one's foundations are part of being a Zelator, not just those officially in the syllabus.
Thus, even if one has never heard of liber Jugorum or of asana, it would still be some similar method of Yoga or personal exploration that would be necessary in order to better grok one's foundation, ie how one's physiology and one's actions can effects thoughts and moods. As well as some method of becoming acquainted with by attention, one's vocal, physical and thought habits, as well as how to shape this by WILL and changes in breathing and posture, and how all these fundamental are the rock on which the WILL is based.
If one can not Grok one's fundamentals, how shall be come to Know and Do one's WILL?
and is not the A.'.A.'. both a particular mystical schools put forth by Crowley and a transcendent process or method which is adaptable to any particular case.
