The Essence of Thelema
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I have a problem with your word choice, but I think I agree completely with your basic meaning.
My objection with calling the universe teleological is that this implies an original cause - a universe that came from somewhere etc. (Teleos itself just means "entire, complete," etc. - whole-speaking Nuit language - but the philosophical term has generally been centered around single causation.) Before 1904, Crowley had already rejected that there is any single cause from which creation began, modelling instead that everything came from nothing; and CCXX runs along the same lines.
Semantics aside... I think you are saying that there is a fundamental wholeness and interconnectedness to the universe, and with this I agree. The root principles of Thelema (whether viewed as "occult" or not) make no sense to me - none in the slightest - without the adopted principle of interconnected wholeness, all points coexisting within the same space (metaphorically), all Wills as local unfurling of individual-0unit participation in a greater, interrelated whole.
Without that, it would be little more than a doctrine of anarchic selfishness. I wouldn't bother with it.
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@ldfriend56 said
"Los does not believe that Thelema is a religion, but rather a philosophy (although he warns us that 'too much philosophy can be a dangerous thing)"
I settled, over the last year, on the term "world-view." There are problems with both "religion" and "phlosophy." However, the world-view of Thelema can serve as (among other things) either a religion or a philsophy.
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@Frater 639 said
"I like this "essence" for sure. But I also like that kissing Hadit part, too."
When one realizes all things come from, live within - Nuit
Never parting, or for a moment becoming separate
One is conscious of the continuity of existence
Offering transcendental loving service as Hadit -
@Jim Eshelman said
"I have a problem with your word choice, but I think I agree completely with your basic meaning.
My objection with calling the universe teleological is that this implies an original cause - a universe that came from somewhere etc. (Teleos itself just means "entire, complete," etc. - whole-speaking Nuit language - but the philosophical term has generally been centered around single causation.) Before 1904, Crowley had already rejected that there is any single cause from which creation began, modelling instead that everything came from nothing; and CCXX runs along the same lines. "
I'm using it not as a original cause but of a final completion into something that was designed or ordered. For example, I can't find the verse or quote, but Crowley often referred to the role of reincarnating adepts to continue to help guide humanity and the earth to become a temple of the holy ghost - i assume a metaphor for an enlightened humanity. Liber Al then would be an example of such a teleological trajectory - higher intelligence guiding humanity to find it's true purpose in the universe.
"Semantics aside... I think you are saying that there is a fundamental wholeness and interconnectedness to the universe, and with this I agree. The root principles of Thelema (whether viewed as "occult" or not) make no sense to me - none in the slightest - without the adopted principle of interconnected wholeness, all points coexisting within the same space (metaphorically), all Wills as local unfurling of individual-0unit participation in a greater, interrelated whole."
Yes - agreed! Do you agree that this implies contacting higher intelligence and such contact would therefore also be elementary to the discovery of the true will?
"Without that, it would be little more than a doctrine of anarchic selfishness. I wouldn't bother with it."
total agreement
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@ldfriend56 said
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"Semantics aside... I think you are saying that there is a fundamental wholeness and interconnectedness to the universe, and with this I agree. The root principles of Thelema (whether viewed as "occult" or not) make no sense to me - none in the slightest - without the adopted principle of interconnected wholeness, all points coexisting within the same space (metaphorically), all Wills as local unfurling of individual-0unit participation in a greater, interrelated whole."Yes - agreed! Do you agree that this implies contacting higher intelligence and such contact would therefore also be elementary to the discovery of the true will?"
I hold that the only substance constituting anything at all in the universe is consciousness, and I observe that the human nervous system is incapable of sustaining the purest, fullest, "highest" form of this - and, therefore, in that particular sense, "higher intelligence" is involved (something more extensive and complete than what registers in the human nervous system) and, of course, that this naturally impels one in the way of True Will except where we mobilize resistance to stop ourselves.
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@ldfriend56 said
"Los does not believe that Thelema is a religion, but rather a philosophy (although he warns us that 'too much philosophy can be a dangerous thing)"
@ldfriend56 said
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I would imagine Los' response is predictable here, but curious to hear of others accept a teleological universe as part of the 'essence' of Thelema."Well, teleology, in philosophy, roughly asks "why are we here?" So, I can see how this might apply to someone personally and collectively in Thelema. I think it is part of the True Will. Definitely a part of the metaphysics, beliefs, etc., so yes: I think it is part of the essence.
A "higher" intelligence "guiding"...the terms get a little fuzzy for me...I understand the idea of a hierarchy, but aren't certain collective functions just the name that we give the value and potential of a given way of organization?
Not to be confused with a categorical imperative. As soon as it becomes predestination or a priori, or a necessary specific "linear" direction to evolution and life in all cases, then I think it falls flat on its face.
The closest I can come to considering Thelemic-based teleology would be studying the evolution of the unit and how it is dynamically related to the vectors of the evolution of the whole and vice versa. But teleogically why?
Love is the vehicle. Unity is the state. Attraction is the bycoming.
So, I guess it would be "biosurvival in a collective sense." But that doesn't really say much. I get more out of seeing morphogenetic fields in biology. Or, maybe, just phototropism.
*Growth towards a light source is called positive phototropism, while growth away from light is called negative phototropism. Most plant shoots exhibit positive phototropism, while roots usually exhibit negative phototropism. *
*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.' *I think "ultimate truth" is the keyword here -- implying that it is unknown what pertains to everyone because of the uniqueness of their True Will. Also, these comments are addressed to the student, and should be taken in context of the basic student curriculum. I would definitely leave room for extension -- depending on the unique True Will, covered in point III.
@Jim Eshelman said
"Semantics aside... I think you are saying that there is a fundamental wholeness and interconnectedness to the universe, and with this I agree. The root principles of Thelema (whether viewed as "occult" or not) make no sense to me - none in the slightest - without the adopted principle of interconnected wholeness, all points coexisting within the same space (metaphorically), all Wills as local unfurling of individual-0unit participation in a greater, interrelated whole.
Without that, it would be little more than a doctrine of anarchic selfishness. I wouldn't bother with it."
I agree with you. Or, at least some weird form of solipsism.
@Jim Eshelman said
"[I settled, over the last year, on the term "world-view." There are problems with both "religion" and "phlosophy." However, the world-view of Thelema can serve as (among other things) either a religion or a philsophy."
Well, I can see where you're coming from as an "insider." But, the fact is, pragmatically, people refer to it as a religion, in the "mundane" sense. I learned not to shy away from calling that, too -- it has negative connotations of fanaticism -- hard to avoid. I learned to get over the hype about what other people call it...
It has dieties, practices, assemblies, belief systems, a holy book, a prophet, spirituality, etc. From an objective, anthropological perspective, it can more accurately be called a religion. We should probably learn to own that term and not shy away from it. Even though we consider it otherwise in practice...of course we know better!
But the perception of other people, when you say "it's not a religion" -- I think strikes them as disingenuous, misleading, and possibly a little cultish. I understand your point of view, though. I wish there were a more universal term that was more accurate. Weltanschauung the closest that I can come up with, but only from a certain point of view. Unfortunately, it's not really that colloquial...and it doesn't have all the elements like dieties, etc. that Thelema has "as religion"...
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I don't say it's not a religion. I say it's bigger than a religion. (The religion of Thelema is a subset of the whole cheese ball.)
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@Jim Eshelman said
"I don't say it's not a religion. I say it's bigger than a religion. (The religion of Thelema is a subset of the whole cheese ball.)"
Gotcha. I meant the general "you." I do that a lot and it seems that people misunderstand me sometimes...
Funny though, I was about to edit that and sub "one says" instead...and then I saw your post.
Interesting how that works.
In any event, I agree.
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"And when the brain goes, you go. Hell, a traumatic enough brain injury could radically alter your personality, completely changing your opinions, beliefs, and everything you hold dear."
If we are going to call True Will just a product of our brain, does this mean those with traumatic brain injury have no "True Will"? Or those that undergo brain injury have their "True Wills" altered, and or taken away? Is it then, to you just some meaningless "product" that is subject to your meaningless surroundings and circumstance? If so, why bother trying to "discover it" if one would have to continually redefine it? It seems this "product" would be as illusive as chasing a rainbow. I hardly agree with this idea.
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I think the only essence to Thelema, if one can speak of essence at all, is that one accept the Book of the Law as one's guide in life.
One can do that without subscribing to any particular Thelemic affiliation or organization (A:.A:., O.T.O., Order of Thelema, etc.)
If one does subscribe to any of those particular Thelemic affiliations or organizations, since they are Thelemic, one must first accept the Book of the Law as one's guide in life, and then on top of that there are further obligations one undertakes to fulfil, promises one makes, etc.
For example, with the A:.A:., one is in effect agreeing to contribute towards the the evolution of humankind by (as one might colloquially say) "sorting oneself out"; with the O.T.O., one is agreeing to the fraternal rules of that organization, which again has, as its primary goal, the furthering of human evolution, but by means of social organization more than personal development. (I don't feel qualified to speak about the Order of Thelema, but I'm sure there must be some analogous agreement or obligation there too.)
On the broader issue, I think Jim is absolutely spot on in his addendum to Los' thoughts.
It all depends on what "one" really is, on what the real identity and nature of this thing here is.
But that is for one to explore, using the Book of the Law as one's primary guide, with appeal to the Beast's writings, particularly the other Holy Books, as a secondary guide; and, if one is a member of any of the Orders, with the help of one's superiors in those Orders, as one's tertiary guides.
On an even broader level, one can be a Thelemite au naturel, without even having even come across the Book of the Law, if one's life and doings are in the spirit of that Book. There are probably many, many more "natural" Thelemites in the world than there are "official" Thelemites, although it's probably safe to say that "we" are a tiny minority in absolute terms.
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Recall, the Word of the Law was given unto us by Nuit
She is the one who declared it
Calling, in her Love Chant : "To Me! To Me!" -
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
Love is the law, love under will.The essence of Thelema is the perfect union of Willing and Loving.
To the extent that Love can be completely disorienting and overwhelming, it must be placed under the rule of conscious Willing in order to give it appropriate boundaries, form, and purposeful direction.
The rest is instruction and method toward complete understanding and mastery.
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@Frater 639 said
"I'd like to talk about what people consider the "essence" of Thelema"
I never gave my basic answer to this. Here it is. (It is summarized in the interrelationship of three principles, arising out of a single communication.)
Thelema is a world-view founded on a system of principles articulated in Liber Legis (The Book of the Law).
The Book of the Law is revolutionary. (It seems basic to Thelema that it’s foundation work is revolutionary.) Liber L. announced the dawning of a new era for humanity. The archetype of an eternally birthing child has superseded that of a sacrificed god as the central archetype of transformation. The formula of spiritual awakening is no longer one of death (or death and resurrection), but of **continually new life. **
Three words declare the core principles of Thelema:
- Thelêma, meaning Will
- Agapê, meaning Love
- Tzaba, meaning Star
The Greek Thelema means “will.” It refers to the True Will, the root divine impulse or Truth-of-self inherent to each of us: our experience of ourselves as separate, unique beings having differentiated natures, experience, and purpose.
The Greek Agape means “love.” It refers to our experience that there is no separation between any of us – that all of us are inseverably ONE, part of a single whole. Agape is the complement of the individualizing, differentiating principle called Thelema. Love is unity. In practical spiritual training, Agape refers to passionate love of the Divine as a basis for profound and unconditional human love.
The Hebrew Tzaba means “star.” It expresses the first direct teaching of The Book of the Law, one that comes even earlier than the doctrines of Will and Love: “Every man and every woman is a star.” (From its start, The Book of the Law announces itself as “The unveiling of the company of heaven.”)
These verses portray each of us as spiritual being alive in a universe of unending wonder and choice. This admonition of our stellar natures is arguably the most important revelation in The Book of the Law. It is the basis of Thelema’s chief metaphor for the nature of life and reality, portraying each of us as a burning, brilliant, creative luminary alive in infinite space – infinite room to be ourselves amidst the company of our fellow stars.
We are sovereign, individual, plotting our own course and going our own way. Yet we are not alone: we are part of a universal whole. These enumerated qualities disclose the intimate intertwining of the companion doctrines of Will (passionate individual particularization) and Love (passionate community and connection). We are both unique and universal.
Will, Love, Star: the three core principles of our system.
From these three core principles, many other principles emerge. Most important in these is the intertwining and inherent relationship between the ideas of Will and Love. We are each individual and we exist in the context of each other. (This triangulation – a third principle transcending and integrating two others – is perhaps the fundamental architecture of things Thelemic.) Nature and nurture are not in conflict. Who we are dynamically is determined continually by our intrinsic nature interacting with environment, self in context of the whole.
From these principles, we envision an ideal social system, a society of free men and women consciously committed and empowered to know and do their True Will, recognizing and affirming this right and duty for everyone else. Such a society embraces diversity, recognizing every expression of the universe as necessary.
In such a society’s religion, each experiences himself or herself as one star within an infinite company of stars.
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Amen and Augmn!
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@Jim Eshelman said
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@ldfriend56 said
"Los does not believe that Thelema is a religion, but rather a philosophy (although he warns us that 'too much philosophy can be a dangerous thing)"I settled, over the last year, on the term "world-view." There are problems with both "religion" and "phlosophy." However, the world-view of Thelema can serve as (among other things) either a religion or a philsophy."
Los doesn't have a Thelemic weltenshcauung but a sceptical-atheistic-naturalistic-moral-nihilistic weltenshcauung which he conflates with Thelema.
See also: MAGICK WITHOUT TEARS, Chapter XXXI: Religion–Is Thelema a "New Religion"?
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@Los said
"...Crowley's..."The Scientific Solution to the Problem of Government" reads like the blueprints to use the framework of Thelema to impose a totalitarian horrorshow on the world."
Why would a moral nihilist (like yourself) care if something's totalitarian or not?
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@Jim Eshelman said
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@Frater 639 said
"I'd like to talk about what people consider the "essence" of Thelema"I never gave my basic answer to this. Here it is. (It is summarized in the interrelationship of three principles, arising out of a single communication.)...
[...]
Three words declare the core principles of Thelema:
- Thelêma, meaning Will
- Agapê, meaning Love
- Tzaba, meaning Star
[...]
"Thanks for posting this, Jim. You touched on this at your Thelema as Method lecture -- and I really enjoyed it. Finish your new book already!!!
When I get a second, I'd like to go further with this idea...while using a Nuit, Hadit, RHK analogy...
HAPPY VENUS DAY!
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@Frater 639 said
"Hello All,
I'd like to talk about what people consider the "essence" of Thelema, as it seems to be a topic of interest lately around the forum. "
I had to give this one a shot - it's been on my mind a lot lately as well, since I always find myself coming back to it in my wanderings.
For me, the essence of Thelema is the direct reference to a unified Will pervading and giving form and purpose to all existence. I see this Will best expressed in the concept of the Ratzohn (I defer to FrAAAAAM's explanation here: heruraha.net/viewtopic.php?p=21931#p21931), or the Egyptian concept of Ma'at, which links it with Truth and a beneficial, generative force of Life/Order/Health/Beauty/Goodness. From that True Will, all things derive their individual True Wills, as they exist when not limited by death or disorder/confusion. The expression of this Will goes from formlessness to form, and thus the individual Wills are restricted by time and place, which cause a separation from their origin and a resulting delusion that they are disconnected from the Source. This cannot happen, in reality. The unity of the True Will is a natural law; it can no more be broken than any other natural law. Flight is an expansion of the Law of Gravity, not a violation of it. But to those who don't know the physics of it, it looks like the power of Gravity is shattered. Same with us, in our lives...by Gnosis, we can perceive the greater workings of the Will even though our senses may insist that we are separate from it, due to the uniqueness of our individual place within it. Nothing that is manifest can do anything other than reflect its nature, which flows from this Source. Even complicated humans with our pesky ability to reason, invent, alter and create are in our abilities reflections of the Intelligence that is a component of this True Will. Yet, in knowing ourselves, we can know All. The reflection that traps us also shows us the way to freedom.
All of my religiousness as a Thelemite, and the ethical code produced by it, derives from this central concept. The state of ignorance caused by the sensual entrapment causes movement against the True Will, which results in Suffering ("isfet", to go back to Ancient Egyptian terms), perpetuating the illusion. Two necessary forces in the world (going back to Empedocles) - Love and Strife, and the purpose of the Thelemic path is to make them both Love. In the natural strife which is built into the way the individual Wills resolve their existence in accordance with the True Will, there is no really harm done - even the compost generates life. It's when something is forced too far out of their nature due to ignorance or delusion that serious injury results, and to even the person responsible for it, since everything is actually connected. You always have to remember that in the True Will, the concept of Time as we know it might as well not exist. The rate at which the skin cell lives and dies is different from that of the Sun, but each are completely necessary to life. So I look at it as a guiding philosophical concept, which I personally try to increasing apply to every aspect of my mundane life. (And in this day and age, that's a real fight, hence the need for a warrior's faith.)
In brief (otherwise I'll be here all night, and that's no way to spend a Friday evening!), the Book of the Law - for me - is a modern explanation of this Reality, given at a specific time and place as an aid to realizing Truth. I don't feel charged at all to accept it as the sole revelation of the Law or as something that opposes the perennial Truths expressed in previous revelations (though just like in scientific discovery, it changes the understanding that precedes it when there are assumptions that are in error.) Crowley wasn't the only one having visions or revelations during this period - in my book, our understanding of the nature of Light which led to the quantum age is probably a far more paradigm-shattering manifestation of the change in human understanding going on. But Crowley's legacy does have a very important lesson and correction, for those of us with the karma of being born into this time and place. I'm personally not bound by what has presented itself so far as
"Thelemic religion," as I found it restrictive to my understanding of the Law, but that fact doesn't cancel out how effective Crowley's work has been as a lens by which to see Reality.In Light, Life, Love and Liberty,
MNA -
@Sr_MNA said
"I had to give this one a shot - it's been on my mind a lot lately as well, since I always find myself coming back to it in my wanderings. "
93,
What a beautiful shot it was! Thanks for sharing. Hope to see more posts...
93 93/93
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@Avshalom Binyamin said
"So the only purpose in discovering will, to you, is to enjoy life more before you die?"
To paraphrase Crowley, one discovers the True Will because one cannot help but do the True Will, and one therefore ought to figure out how to do it well.
"Also, will in your view of the universe is a misnomer, since it's a side effect of biology, and can be changed fundamentally by random circumstance. Right?"
Wrong.