"A Thelemic Utopia"
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This thread in and of itself disproves the idea of "democracy,"--or any kind of organization comprised of more than one unit.
The only corporate bodies which are able to retain their status as such do so because they conform to the laws of nature. The ideas of individuality are only true of themselves insofar as they conform to the original unity.
Therefore, an entity governed by as many conflicting elements as possible is only too likely to fail. Experience proves that intelligence deteriorates in the presence of lesser intelligences. For example: a crowd gone amuck in city streets requires brute force to be restrained. At the same time, greater intelligences are cable of wielding the masses at Will, for example: Hitler by his words inflamed the German people to war.
It is seen, then, that the "many," as such, can never exist as such of their own accord, and require a guiding hand. Even so, these individuals, stupid as they may be, require the illusion of personal control. In order to placate these unwilling disunities, democracy was invented and branded the salvation of man.
To wit: any body which lacks unity is bound to deteriorate, be this a corporate body, human body, or an ailing gofer.
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Of course, JPF, I'm not aware of Democracy existing at the present. What we have in today's world are various Republics (including the United States) which is simply defined as a government of representatives. And for unity to exist in such a governmental form, we (the represented) must trust in our elected representatives (and of course, must trust in the voting process). To do either of these requires either great amounts of ignorance to current events, or greater amounts of education and another kind of trust in something greater than ourselves (perhaps some can find that trust in "the rule of Law," some may find that trust "in God" or "Providence," in "the system," or something as yet I haven't named including "karma" and whatever). But don't mistake any thing as "Democracy" as that is certainly what it is not and certainly not very likely to be successful (because it requires either a greater ignorance or greater education among the masses than Republics do).
Also, your words reminded me of the opening paragraphs of Albert Pike's Morals and Dogma:
THE TWELVE-INCH RULE AND THE COMMON GAVEL.
FORCE, unregulated or ill-regulated, is not only wasted in the void, like that of gunpowder burned in the open air, and steam unconfined by science; but, striking in the dark, and its blows meeting only the air, they recoil and bruise itself. It is destruction and ruin. It is the volcano, the earthquake, the cyclone;-not growth and progress. It is Polyphemus blinded, striking at random, and falling headlong among the sharp rocks by the impetus of his own blows.
The blind Force of the people is a Force that must be economized, and also managed, as the blind Force of steam, lifting the ponderous iron arms and turning the large wheels, is made to bore and rifle the cannon and to weave the most delicate lace. It must be regulated by Intellect. Intellect is to the people and the people's Force, what the slender needle of the compass is to the ship--its soul, always counselling the huge mass of wood and iron, and always pointing to the north. To attack the citadels built up on all sides against the human race by superstitions, despotisms, and prejudices, the Force must have a brain and a law. Then its deeds of daring produce permanent results, and there is real progress. Then there are sublime conquests. Thought is a force, and philosophy should be an energy, finding its aim and its effects in the amelioration of mankind. The two great motors are Truth and Love. When all these Forces are combined, and guided by the Intellect, and regulated by the RULE of Right, and Justice, and of combined and systematic movement and effort, the great revolution prepared for by the ages will begin to march. The POWER of the Deity Himself is in equilibrium with His WISDOM. Hence the only results are HARMONY.
It is because Force is ill regulated, that revolutions prove failures. Therefore it is that so often insurrections, coming from those high mountains that domineer over the moral horizon, Justice, Wisdom, Reason, Right, built of the purest snow of the ideal after a long fall from rock to rock, after having reflected the sky in their transparency, and been swollen by a hundred affluents, in the majestic path of triumph, suddenly lose themselves in quagmires, like a California river in the sands.
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Isn't even the idea of any kind of "Utopian" Society is a symptom of dualistic thinking?
In believing that good can exist as separate from evil?Also, a lot of this discussion seems to be being had through a Patriarchal lens, with no view to our Matriarchal past.
Has anyone read Reichs "The Invasion of Compulsory Sex Morality"?
There was much in the Trobriand way of life to admire.And what about through the lens of no higher authority to which to appeal, fatherly or motherly?
@ JPF
I'd see the ideas you posted as being from the "Freudian" viewpoint of analysis, that people are essentially incapable of good (as seen through the negative fruits of "the crowd", ignoring the many positive fruits born when people unite) and so society's role is to guide or control them to make them (*shudder) "normal".
What about the "Reichian" viewpoint that sees people as essentially good and that it is society itself with its restrictions on natural behaviour that breed psychic illness in the individual?
Whenever I see questions like these come up about "the crowd" I always try to strive to see things through both perspectives as I believe both have elements of the truth in them to a greater or lesser degree. -
I came across a copy of a book by a Stephen Flowers Ph.D called Fire and Ice which is a book about a german teutonic magickal order called The Brotherhood of Saturn or Fraternitas Saturni, which was apparently founded/ run by a Gregor A. Gregorius. I didnt see anything on this forum here regarding this, but apparently this order worked with AC, and not only accepted the Law of Thelema but.....
they are "concerned with activating the Law of Thelema on this planet.....it is taught that the higher sence of the Law of Thelema involves the binding of humanity closer to the Saturian influence...."
Dont know if anyone here has read the book or knows about this branch, I found the information very interesting to say the least, and backed up other information that I had deduced on my own.
just throwing that out there, some of you may like to read it as it does claim AC guidance and approval.
I love kids, I love playing with them, and engaging with them, and watching them, and talking with them......
But I can only take so much Barney Blarney before I feel like I am becoming a babbling idiot myself.
So while I get much love and laughter from children, I must actively work to maintain my hard won maturity.
If I dont "recharge" my intellect with adult companionship, conversation and Love, I would soon deteriorate and not be a proper care giver, a proper guide, a proper nurturer to the children. While I understand that life is blessed when you have that childlike wonder and unabashed creativity, I see that it must be tempered by Will.I will add that there are few things in this world that I find more attractive and stimulating then a properly worded sentence. Sometimes after reading the words here......I feel like I should smoke a cigarette.....
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@Poe said
"What about the "Reichian" viewpoint that sees people as essentially good and that it is society itself with its restrictions on natural behaviour that breed psychic illness in the individual?
Whenever I see questions like these come up about "the crowd" I always try to strive to see things through both perspectives as I believe both have elements of the truth in them to a greater or lesser degree."Though I spent a great deal of time with Mr. Freud as a boy, my ideas are directly inspired by the pinciples of the Law. The same ideas apply as much to the individual as to society: any element in conflict with its Will is bound to come into conflict with other Wills.
Freedom for All is a very nice notion in theory, but only insofar as it allows a being to enact their Will. Who are we to say that the majority of mankind hasn't incarnated to balance karmic debt? In that case, mass liberation would be an insult to Nature, as it may very well be a person's place to suffer and then die. It sound cruel, but were we not restricted by our "humanity," we would realize that the Universe is a cold, cruel place.
Yes, I know: "Every man and woman is a star." Most--including Crowley--display their ignorance of the Law by taking this to mean "Every man and woman is equal," or some such nonsense. In such a case, how do we account for the diseased, the retarded, and the insane? It simply means this: every human being is a microcosm, and should be respected as such. Yet who are we to say what is the Will of any Being? This beggar weeping in the gutter: perhaps it is his Karma to die cold and estranged. The child who dies of cancer at the age of seven: is it our place to say it was rather her Will to live? Tragic? Oh yes, as sorrowful as moving into a new house, or getting a fresh car. As Jesus says: "The fear of suffering is the beginning of all ignorance."
Furthermore, the "average man," when confronted with the Divine, would prefer to remain a dumb beast. In just the same way, observe how man's lack of understanding has lead us to the brink of destruction as a species. Sometimes people forget the fact that we've used up enormous, staggering resources developing the ability to destroy ourselves.
It's all quite amusing once ideas of "dividuality" are eliminated. In the last analysis, all is as it ever was and should be.
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That may be true JPF. But when a speculation on the nature of the afterlife arrives at a conclusion that fully supports a status quo for the wealthy and powerful, it is suspect. It's no different than the little mind-games we play with ourselves to convince ourselves that we are doing what is best.
Just because a person is in once circumstance at a period in their life, doesn't mean that it's necessarily their true will to be in that state their entire life, or that their whole life should be one big karmic debt payoff program.
Justification is beside the point anyway.
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@AvshalomBinyamin said
"That may be true JPF. But when a speculation on the nature of the afterlife arrives at a conclusion that fully supports a status quo for the wealthy and powerful, it is suspect."
Who speculates?
I couched those ideas in speculative form for the sake of the ignorant. Power can be won, and wealth earned, if one Wills. So the average man is too stupid to investigate his nature, realize his abilities, and act in accordance with his nature--what odds? Any human being with a shred of courage and intelligence is able to raise themselves to whatever heights they Will, providing they act in accord with Nature.
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Power and wealth can also be obtained through murder and stealing.
People can live contrary to their true wills, and can hurt each other. You have to acknowledge that this happens at least some of the time.
Otherwise, true will is just a meaningless tautology.
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"Otherwise, true will is just a meaningless tautology."
I kind of understand it as just accepting your own preferences and their function in the universe and going with it. The gods play their sport through us. We are bread for God's sacred feast. Figs plucked from a tree in the Garden. When I need to go there, I can find myself there sometimes, but not always. And when I can't, I still have to worry about things like eating and pooping and working.
The argument seems to always retreat from itself. Learn to oppose every thought, and all that. If it gets concrete, force it to the higher (yes, I'm guilty). If it gets too abstract, force it to the lower. We keep chasing this discussion up and down through the planes. Or, if I'm using the wrong words, does that make sense?
Personally, I think our own ability to do this with this argument demonstrates once again that a concrete "Thelemic utopia" necessarily depends on the time, geography, culture, circumstances, etc. for what it would look like. In fact, I am convinced we already live in one: Three-pointed balance of power, one point judges between the other two. Our whole system of government reflects occult geometry, and the rules are flexible enough to adapt it to whatever comes next - as long as the people can be made to agree upon it - and I chose those words carefully.
So, I suggest another thread, but you may ignore this if you like.
What if other lifeforms are already evolving and we don't see it? We argue about corporations being "persons," but do they not function like amoeba? And aren't amoeba the kind of hunger-led organisms that will deplete their food supply and die? Are they another form of life that needs to be controlled? I'm not worried so much about creating a Thelemic utopia as much as losing the one we already live in.
"When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
"Personally, I wonder if the evolution and empowerment of another, larger (but less adaptable) form is occurring without our realization. Corporations are about to be equal to nations. And, yes, there are Thelemites on either side. And, yes, either can make the case that they are seeking to preserve human life on Earth. And that currently puts me personally on both sides of the issue.
But that's just me wanting to evolve the discussion. Perhaps I am simply waking up to a very old one. I can't tell.
lol... The future looks like Star Wars to me.
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Here at a certain point I know that several of you (if not all of you in this thread) have not read Magick Without Tears and The Law is for All (I'm sure any edition of it will suffice) for to say that Crowley believed every "man and woman equal" is a farce. Quite frankly he writes in Magick Without Tears (I'll beg you to seek it out where for your self) that although Aiwass has spoken that every man and every woman is a star, not every so-call homo-sapient is a man or a woman. He explains his thesis on this very topic this entire thread is about in his commentaries to the Law - so I suggest you read them before accusing him of having an opinion. Meanwhile, feel free to discuss your own opinions on this topic - but let's not lose sight that all we can have are theories, wishes, and opinions.
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Well, I for one, confess my ignorance of those works. Just shooting the bull and having a think, man. It's whatever...
Peace.
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Frater LA, your response to my comment went over my head, and I missed it's connection to my point.
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Yeah, my bad. I just keep hearing an argument between people who are more concerned or less concerned about their connectedness to others. There's the feeling part of that argument - do you feel with them - and don't only monsters not feel? And there's the practical part of that argument - will you survive without them - and to what depths are you willing to go in order to survive? I tried to demonstrate that in my debate with Labyrinthus. I even unconsciously called my shot beforehand. I just knew how to beat his argument.
This argument goes to the nature of Hadit vs Nuit always. In my mind, Hadit is more linear, individual consciousness. Nuit is more global, collective consciousness. I mean, we're supposed to practice each so that we can control them, but it also generates the ability to see the situation from each of the perspectives. And once you can do that, you can simply take the alternate viewpoint to the one presented. Who knows why we have our preferences? Family of origin? Genetics? Temperament?
But we always just end up playing Vampire and Wolfboy with each other as long as we are only working from our emotional level, with its preferences. We have to find some kind of mathematical point of agreement to base any concrete decision upon.
Otherwise, it's simply verbal fencing to stay in shape.
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@Takamba said
"Here at a certain point I know that several of you (if not all of you in this thread) have not read Magick Without Tears and The Law is for All (I'm sure any edition of it will suffice) for to say that Crowley believed every "man and woman equal" is a farce."
As much of a farce as, say, condemning "congenital homosexuality" in his later work?
The post-comment Crowley smacks of egotism and self-ignorance, I'm afraid. (This isn't to say, however, that his work is without merit; indeed, despite his conundrums, ego trips, and contradiction, he still retains his literary genius.)
"Meanwhile, feel free to discuss your own opinions on this topic."
I'm glad we have your permission.
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@JPF said
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@Takamba said
"Here at a certain point I know that several of you (if not all of you in this thread) have not read Magick Without Tears and The Law is for All (I'm sure any edition of it will suffice) for to say that Crowley believed every "man and woman equal" is a farce."As much of a farce as, say, condemning "congenital homosexuality" in his later work?"
Find me one work he produced later than Magick Without Tears (his last work). Secondly, if he condemns "congenital homesxuality" (as also I do - well I don't condem so-called "born gay," I condemn the belief in it), what has that to do with what I said? That's an entirely different topic altogether and no one is making or dismissing the claim that he condemned "congenital homesexuality," so there's no farce. What I said (for those who do not know how to read what I wrote) was that claiming Crowley ever said every man and woman is equal (meaning they should be given equal right etc etc etc) is not observant of the fact that he doesn't believe that every bipedal creature with the capacity to vote qualifies as being defined as either a man or a woman. Or to put it to you bluntly, he states that some "people" are merely animals roaming this planet and do not deserve "the rights of Man" (aka Liber OZ) and that any claim contrary that being stated as his is the farce. So no, no farce in his "condeming 'congenital homosexuality'" as I fail to see how claiming to be born without a choice in one's sexual preferences is in alignment with the Law as proclaimed by Liber Legis. Being gay or acting gay via one's Will (or will) to do so is one thing, being "forced" is a farce.
@JPF said
"The post-comment Crowley smacks of egotism and self-ignorance, I'm afraid. (This isn't to say, however, that his work is without merit; indeed, despite his conundrums, ego trips, and contradiction, he still retains his literary genius.)"
What is this "post-comment Crowley?" Please be more specific if you desire to rid Thelema of Crowley.
@JPF said
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@Takamba said
"Meanwhile, feel free to discuss your own opinions on this topic."I'm glad we have your permission.
"You know I was only teasing, right?
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While it is correct that Crowley most certainly was no believer in equality of character between all men and women. He did not believe that people should be abused or mistreated either. Rather it is than everyone has a unique purpose or niche and should be treaded accordingly. A horse may not be equal to a gentleman of higher learning and sophistication, and while we do not invite the horse out for brandy and cigars and we do not attempt to tie a plow to the gentleman. We also respect the biological limits of the horse, we realize that it needs time to rest, it needs a healthy diet, etc. It would be a violation of Thelema (The law of fitness) to claim since a horse is less than a man, that it should be severely beaten and driven to plow until it collapses and dies.
Crowley envisioned a meritocracy where the enlightened, the physically fit, the mentally adroit, the spiritually aware, etc would be promoted to a higher class based on passing sever ordeals and having their faculties refined by training, all done according to effective principles discovered by applied science to social and psychological situations. The Grade or degree system would be a means to discern the refinement and proper place of individuals merited social and political caste. (Of course the higher grades teach service to the lower, just as the properly refined farmer serves the needs of the work animals, rather than abusing them.)
Thus the Rule in a Thelemic society is by those who have refined them selves and have mastered their mind, body and emotions to the whip of their TRUE WILL. Such that they are properly able to comport themselves as leaders of men, not so refined and self controlled. Giving them a role model to look up to, showing them guidance in life and in specialized art, crafts, science etc. That they will rule with a firm but kind hand, not abusing the natural qualities of the "slaves" who serve. Rather helping the slaves to refine them selves and to express their highest potential within the field they work. When the workers are happy, treated well, and expressing their fullest potential, then the society as a whole prospers, including those with higher ranking roles.When the ruling class is cruel and mistreats the working class, you get vindictive workers who are lazy and rebellious, who may slack off, purposely injure themselves to get out of work, became addicts to self medicate dis-satisfaction, even may riot and revolt, ether violently or in the form of trade unions using political power.
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@Froclown said
"While it is correct that Crowley most certainly was no believer in equality of character between all men and women. He did not believe that people should be abused or mistreated either. Rather it is than everyone has a unique purpose or niche and should be treaded accordingly. A horse may not be equal to a gentleman of higher learning and sophistication, and while we do not invite the horse out for brandy and cigars and we do not attempt to tie a plow to the gentleman. We also respect the biological limits of the horse, we realize that it needs time to rest, it needs a healthy diet, etc. It would be a violation of Thelema (The law of fitness) to claim since a horse is less than a man, that it should be severely beaten and driven to plow until it collapses and dies.
Crowley envisioned a meritocracy where the enlightened, the physically fit, the mentally adroit, the spiritually aware, etc would be promoted to a higher class based on passing sever ordeals and having their faculties refined by training, all done according to effective principles discovered by applied science to social and psychological situations. The Grade or degree system would be a means to discern the refinement and proper place of individuals merited social and political caste. (Of course the higher grades teach service to the lower, just as the properly refined farmer serves the needs of the work animals, rather than abusing them.)
Thus the Rule in a Thelemic society is by those who have refined them selves and have mastered their mind, body and emotions to the whip of their TRUE WILL. Such that they are properly able to comport themselves as leaders of men, not so refined and self controlled. Giving them a role model to look up to, showing them guidance in life and in specialized art, crafts, science etc. That they will rule with a firm but kind hand, not abusing the natural qualities of the "slaves" who serve. Rather helping the slaves to refine them selves and to express their highest potential within the field they work. When the workers are happy, treated well, and expressing their fullest potential, then the society as a whole prospers, including those with higher ranking roles.When the ruling class is cruel and mistreats the working class, you get vindictive workers who are lazy and rebellious, who may slack off, purposely injure themselves to get out of work, became addicts to self medicate dis-satisfaction, even may riot and revolt, ether violently or in the form of trade unions using political power."
Begone! ye mockers; even though ye laugh in my honour ye shall laugh not long: then when ye are sad know that I have forsaken you.
He that is righteous shall be righteous still; he that is filthy shall be filthy still.
Yea! deem not of change: ye shall be as ye are, & not other. Therefore the kings of the earth shall be Kings for ever: the slaves shall serve. There is none that shall be cast down or lifted up: all is ever as it was. Yet there are masked ones my servants: it may be that yonder beggar is a King. A King may choose his garment as he will: there is no certain test: but a beggar cannot hide his poverty.
Beware therefore! Love all, lest perchance is a King concealed! Say you so? Fool! If he be a King, thou canst not hurt him.
Therefore strike hard & low, and to hell with them, master!
"It has naturally been objected to by economists that our Law, in declaring every man and every woman to be a star, reduces society to its elements, and makes hierarchy or even democracy impossible. The view is superficial. Each star has a function in its galaxy proper to its own nature. Much mischief has come from our ignorance in insisting, on the contrary, that each citizen is fit for any and every social duty. But also our Law teaches that a star often veils itself from its nature. Thus the vast bulk of humanity is obsessed by an abject fear of freedom; the principal objections hitherto urged against my Law have been those of people who cannot bear to imagine the horrors which would result if they were free to do their own wills. The sense of sin, shame, self-distrust, this is what makes folk cling to Christianity-slavery. People believe in a medicine just insofar as it is a nasty; the meta-physical root of the this idea is in sexual degeneracy of the masochistic type. Now "the Law is for all"; but such defectives will refuse it, and serve us who are free with a fidelity the more dog-like as the simplicity of our freedom denotes their abjection."
- Aleister Crowley (stated. Believe what thou will) -
Right, so even the slave class who are unable to seek out the ordeals and mastery of their own WILL, are still acting according to their natural orbit and function by serving, and the difference between old and new aeon slavery is that the new aeon masters work to provide labor and opportunity to as close an approximation of the right and proper function of the slave, as anyone can ascertain for anyone else.
The shall serve with dog like loyalty, and a dog will often serve a loving master equally as an abusive one, but the proper master will tread a dog according to it's needs and use a dog according to it's function. Likewise the slaves shall serve, but the reward of service is being treated with kindness and the service requested is within the ability and nature of the slave called upon to perform the activity. (One would not call upon a male slave to give birth and then beat him senseless for failing to get pregnant, any more than one would expect a slave with no hands to perform a piano recital, or a retarded person to perform mathematical equations, or a timid person to express hostility and anger.) The work must be attributed according the the general WILL of the individual, taking into account, the physical prowess, psychological state, education, gender, race, nationality, and social class of the individual.
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So keeping in mind that this meritocracy is also itself restricting, that is - one does not become President of the Nation simply because of one's skill at Basketball - and many other topics about class system and judgments written by Crowley, we admit that neither the golden rule nor the golden mean are accurate descriptions of anything (except in cases of the Golden Mean seen in works of nature, art & magick, but not in politics).