The next step

Mephisto

"Vice or virtue?"

Both.

I think an important distinction to make between Thelema and Buddhism (and I myself have spent time in the study of both paths) is that Thelema is a more action-oriented system. Where the Buddhist might be content in saying "may all beings feel compassion..." or what have you, the Thelemite goes forth into the world and wages war on all that lacks this principle. Active vs. passive.

Perhaps a more "Thelemic" prayer would be "may all beings who feel not compassion be conquered and destroyed utterly."

I kid. But you see the point.

gmugmble

In Raja Yoga, Vivekananda says you should precede meditation with something like that, a general benediction towards all beings. I came up with a Thelemic version by modifying a passage from Liber XV.

"May all beings have health and wealth and strength and joy and peace, and that fulfillment of will and love under will that is perpetual happiness." It fulfills the requirement, is not obsequious, and is something that I can utter sincerely (if somewhat illogically).

RobertAllen

@gmugmble said

"In Raja Yoga, Vivekananda says you should precede meditation with something like that, a general benediction towards all beings. I came up with a Thelemic version by modifying a passage from Liber XV.

"May all beings have health and wealth and strength and joy and peace, and that fulfillment of will and love under will that is perpetual happiness." It fulfills the requirement, is not obsequious, and is something that I can utter sincerely (if somewhat illogically)."

Oh, that makes sense. I guess you would expect to find this sentiment in the Gnsotic Mass.

And maybe it is something you have to adapt for yourself at this point.

But as a more standardized thing, it is perhaps something that will be hashed out by some future father, or mother of the Thelemic church—part of the larger catechism of the faithful, and that will codify the 'desire' to bring humanity to that next step.

Love and Will

Danica

concentrating on your own Great Work IS by itself the best way to help humanity.
thus - Know Thyself is the first and foremost task!

Jim Eshelman

@RobertAllen said

"Oh, that makes sense. I guess you would expect to find this sentiment in the Gnsotic Mass.

And maybe it is something you have to adapt for yourself at this point.

But as a more standardized thing, it is perhaps something that will be hashed out by some future father, or mother of the Thelemic church—part of the larger catechism of the faithful, and that will codify the 'desire' to bring humanity to that next step."

Well, drawing from the Mass, there is this benediction:

"The LORD bless you.
The LORD enlighten your minds and comfort your hearts and sustain your bo-dies.
The LORD bring you to the accomplishment of your true Wills, the Great Work, the Summum Bonum, True Wisdom, and Perfect Happiness."

On a different tone, though, I have (almost from the beginning) seen the adoration "Unity" &c. to have this meaning.

RobertAllen

@danica said

"concentrating on your own Great Work IS by itself the best way to help humanity.
thus - Know Thyself is the first and foremost task!"

I agree with this.

As such, speaking only for myself: I tend not to censor strong feelings in my my being that do not seem forced, and that are of a positive, life affirming sort. I know I ultimately don' know their import, but they are there nonetheless, a part of the great work I guess—at least, that's the proposition I allow to play out as it will.

So that, at this moment in time, it makes sense for me to assert that Thelema is an expression of that great love, whose natural inclination is to lift up humanity.

Love and Will

RobertAllen

@Jim Eshelman said

"
Well, drawing from the Mass, there is this benediction:

"The LORD bless you.
The LORD enlighten your minds and comfort your hearts and sustain your bodies.
The LORD bring you to the accomplishment of your true Wills, the Great Work, the Summum Bonum, True Wisdom, and Perfect Happiness."

"

This is excellent, thank you. But, bo-dies?
I really should read XV again, more carefully.

Love and Will

Jim Eshelman

Or our Thelemic Mass - you have 776 1/2, right? It's Sample Ritual No. 10.

RobertAllen

@gmugmble said

"
In Raja Yoga, Vivekananda says you should precede meditation with something like that, a general benediction towards all beings.
"

@danica said

"concentrating on your own Great Work IS by itself the best way to help humanity.
thus - Know Thyself is the first and foremost task!
"

It seems to me that there is a net personal gain by holding this attitude, of being able to align oneself with the sentiment expressed by Vivekananda. This is part on my experience at the moment.

In other words, I actually gain more energy to do the Great Work—it's easier when I bless and pray for the well being and success of others in this venture. Not to mention the sense of participating in a more universal struggle by wading into the common experience of others, validating their struggle as I seek to negotiate my own.

It occurs to me as I think about this, that this is a universal principle—standing with others and taking advantage of a pre-existing flow of energy, if you will. When you give, you get something back.

It also relates to what I perceive as the general problem with thinking that you are somehow all alone, and your effort is and belongs only to yourself (echoes of my political philosophy emerging here).

@Jim Eshelman said

"Or our Thelemic Mass - you have 776 1/2, right? It's Sample Ritual No. 10."

Yes.

Love and Will

Danica

@RobertAllen said

"

In other words, I actually gain more energy to do the Great Work—it's easier when I bless and pray for the well being and success of others in this venture. Not to mention the sense of participating in a more universal struggle by wading into the common experience of others, validating their struggle as I seek to negotiate my own."

are you familiar with this booklet?
www.amazon.com/Training-Mind-Allan-Bennett/dp/0877283397

I think it's also available on the internet as a free pdf (but I'm not sure about the legal aspects of posting some such link here, so I leave it to your search )

RobertAllen

@danica said

"
@RobertAllen said
"

In other words, I actually gain more energy to do the Great Work—it's easier when I bless and pray for the well being and success of others in this venture. Not to mention the sense of participating in a more universal struggle by wading into the common experience of others, validating their struggle as I seek to negotiate my own."

are you familiar with this booklet?
www.amazon.com/Training-Mind-Allan-Bennett/dp/0877283397

I think it's also available on the internet as a free pdf (but I'm not sure about the legal aspects of posting some such link here, so I leave it to your search )"

Thanks, I will research it.

Love and Will