Can one join both orders?
-
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
"Can someone in the A.'.A.'. Join another order at the same time?"
As said, yes, and it's not uncommon for someone to be in both O.T.O. and A∴A∴ (for example). However, you might want to consider your reasons for joining another order and how it will affect your A∴A∴ Work (which is, or should be, the most important one). Not saying that you shouldn't or that it's bad necessarily.
"Also, on the subject of those who for whatever reason have
left the A.'.A.'., can they meaningfully continue on their own? In other words, failing can they continue in this lifetime upward, or is it simply futile in their present state (incarnation)?"While the general answer would be yes, I think it can change a lot depending on what "leaving the A∴A∴" means. If you made the commitment and then gave up, what would that say about your aspiration? Another case would be if you somehow lost contact with your instructor, in which case you haven't formally left. I'd say as long as you have your Oath up and didn't get back at your word, you're okay.
Just my thoughts.
Love is the law, love under will.
-
@Ethar said
"Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
"Can someone in the A.'.A.'. Join another order at the same time?"
As said, yes, and it's not uncommon for someone to be in both O.T.O. and A∴A∴ (for example). However, you might want to consider your reasons for joining another order and how it will affect your A∴A∴ Work (which is, or should be, the most important one). Not saying that you shouldn't or that it's bad necessarily.
"Also, on the subject of those who for whatever reason have
left the A.'.A.'., can they meaningfully continue on their own? In other words, failing can they continue in this lifetime upward, or is it simply futile in their present state (incarnation)?"While the general answer would be yes, I think it can change a lot depending on what "leaving the A∴A∴" means. If you made the commitment and then gave up, what would that say about your aspiration? Another case would be if you somehow lost contact with your instructor, in which case you haven't formally left. I'd say as long as you have your Oath up and didn't get back at your word, you're okay.
Just my thoughts.
Love is the law, love under will."
93 Ethar,
Thank you. Yes, I'm not walkng away, and my aspiration is well intact. I'm just not sure if my laps in work did me in. I'm hoping not, I pulled through and have now a much better place to work! Anyway, my reason for asking was id like the group setting. Id like working with others I think that helps staying on track as well.
93 93/93
-
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
Laps are nothing. So long as your aspiration survives, you're alright. Don't have any doubts.
Also, keep in mind that your specific A∴A∴ Work is supposed to be done alone (or, in some cases, with your instructor or disciples).
Love is the law, love under will.
-
@Ethar said
"Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
Laps are nothing. So long as your aspiration survives, you're alright. Don't have any doubts.
Also, keep in mind that your specific A∴A∴ Work is supposed to be done alone (or, in some cases, with your instructor or disciples).
Love is the law, love under will."
Oh, ok. I was thinking the ordeal was to not stop at all, this being the ordeal of the Siren. I never "gave up", just was overwhelmed with life problems that paralysed me for a bit. Is it then the test if you reject your oath, and purposely "stop"? Guess I was thinking a laps was itself failure. That's a relief! Regardless, my laps was not very long, maybe a month or two.
Appreciate your words, thank you.
93 93/93
J -
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
"I was thinking the ordeal was to not stop at all, this being the ordeal of the Siren."
I think this could be the case, because most brothers who stop never get back. But it's not an injunction: there's nothing saying "If you stop working for an amount of time, you're out."
"I never "gave up", just was overwhelmed with life problems that paralysed me for a bit."
That's the thinking of a winner. Those who fail generally come up with excuses for their lack of Work and to get back to the regular world (as you know, this commonly manifests in the form of a lover).
"Is it then the test if you reject your oath, and purposely "stop"?"
Yes, I'd say if someone does that, they're done. But it may not be that clear: like I said, they may come up with excuses instead of making up and moving on.
"Guess I was thinking a laps was itself failure. That's a relief! Regardless, my laps was not very long, maybe a month or two."
It seems you're on the way to success. Problems happen, what makes a difference is your attitude about them and using them to grow. Just remember: the time is now. Work. Be aware that your possible doubts about all this can be part of the Ordeal itself, if you convinced yourself (or let someone convince you) that you're out, for example. Only you can prove the Siren wrong. It's up to you.
Love is the law, love under will.
-
@Ethar said
"Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
"I was thinking the ordeal was to not stop at all, this being the ordeal of the Siren."
I think this could be the case, because most brothers who stop never get back. But it's not an injunction: there's nothing saying "If you stop working for an amount of time, you're out."
"I never "gave up", just was overwhelmed with life problems that paralysed me for a bit."
That's the thinking of a winner. Those who fail generally come up with excuses for their lack of Work and to get back to the regular world (as you know, this commonly manifests in the form of a lover).
"Is it then the test if you reject your oath, and purposely "stop"?"
Yes, I'd say if someone does that, they're done. But it may not be that clear: like I said, they may come up with excuses instead of making up and moving on.
"Guess I was thinking a laps was itself failure. That's a relief! Regardless, my laps was not very long, maybe a month or two."
It seems you're on the way to success. Problems happen, what makes a difference is your attitude about them and using them to grow. Just remember: the time is now. Work. Be aware that your possible doubts about all this can be part of the Ordeal itself, if you convinced yourself (or let someone convince you) that you're out, for example. Only you can prove the Siren wrong. It's up to you.
Love is the law, love under will."
93 Frater!
I just ran into a post of yours where you mention your age, your only 16? Your a bright young man! I wish I had your knowledge at such a young age, keep up the Great Work! Thank you for your advice!
93 93/93
J -
@Takamba said
"
@J L Romer said
"
@Takamba said
"We don't need no stinkin' badgers!**walks away waiting for an "official" response."
What's that suppose to mean?
93"
"Watch "the Blazing Saddles," a classic film of the American corpus--I find the film somewhat enhanced by prior ingestion of tetrahydrocannibinol. But that's me.
What Takamba so glibly refers to is the concept that one need not be an "official" member of an order (in order) to be a practicing Thelemite. It comes down to personal choice/advantage: for some, the social aspects of Order work are stimulating and appealing. Others are limited by location or occupation, and thus find the necessary outlet through message boards such as this.
Still others are socially inept and cannot help but nourish their starving egotism through anonymous internet outlets in a vague attempt to achieve some degree of recognition. These we can but pity.
Sincerity and perseverance are your greatest allies. "When the student is ready the Master appears."