Embryonic cells
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as per Av's request. I'll try to get a serious topic of discussion started.
I am reading a great book about an ancient branch of female Taoism. In this book I read the mention of embryonic cells. I am familiar with this term from the scientific slant, these are the original cells we all start out life with. As we age, they slowly die. Or should it be said, as the cells die.....we age.
I am putting this topic in Thelema and not magic, for a distinct reason. My distinction is that while many people do magick for immortality, long life, and sound health from my understandings of what they are doing in these rituals and ceremonies is actually not helping thhem in the long run of achieving this lofty goal.
Yet, I see in the practice of Thelema, (which I will define as a person embracing, assimilating, becoming the current, do what thou wilt, love is the law) the mechanism in which to perpetually enliven these embryonic cells and thus in a very real way, put the breaks on aging.
I have not seen immortality discussed seriously here, nor have I seen any discussions of the true motivations behind a persons desire to embrace there own powerful self and what they intend to do with it.
Just throwing this out for possible consideration to talk about.....
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Maybe I'm wrong. In the sense that if I am wrong, I am wrong for some but not all. Not wrong for me. My view on immortality of the self is that it is a black lodge concept. My self dies daily and I enjoy that. What remains is what has grown to be something more. Ever expanding in all dimensions simultaneously. If anything, this is why this topic is not raised much.
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That's interesting...
The topic sent me off to do a little reading.I remember in biology classes, when we looked at slides of cancer cells, the professor told us that most cancer cells in US biology classrooms come from one person who died years ago. Cancer cells are immortal in the sense that they will keep dividing as long as they are given the necessary nutrients. A regular cell can only divide about 50 times in lab settings before it degenerates.
One of the key factors is the telomeres--DNA sequences at the ends of chromosomes that act as a buffer, protecting the genes that would otherwise sit at the end of the chromosomes, and get clipped during mitosis. In normal cells, the telomeres eventually shorten and the cells die. Embryonic stem cells, and cancer cells have very active telomerase, which helps explain their lifespan.
While the pursuit of longevity in science angle is interesting (if we live longer, will we evolve more mentally/emotionally/spiritually?)
But I really find the whole metaphor of transmission of data fascinating. In cells, as the genetic library gets passed on, it develops errors (from damage or random mutations). Health and longevity is dependent on passing on this library error-free.
And as humans, our real immortality has always been on what we pass on to our heirs--whether through DNA, or through the ideas that live on after us. And mystery schools are about passing on the knowledge, as transmitted to them. Mystery schools and individuals have to have good "telomerase" systems, buffers that protect the secrets from getting clipped.
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" He that lives long & desires death much is ever the King among the Kings."
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@Takamba said
"Maybe I'm wrong. In the sense that if I am wrong, I am wrong for some but not all. Not wrong for me. My view on immortality of the self is that it is a black lodge concept. My self dies daily and I enjoy that. What remains is what has grown to be something more. Ever expanding in all dimensions simultaneously. If anything, this is why this topic is not raised much."
Interesting. I see what you are saying.
This book is definately talking more about physical longevity, in methods to preserve these original embryonic cells so that ones physical body would not deteriorate. Through the methods taught one is able to revert back to an adolescent state of being. The reason it seems one would do this is because in order for a human beings spiritual essence to achieve illumination one must rigorously purpue that goal. The Taoist of old it seems were highly disciplined in order for them to create what I would called a parellel to the baby in the egg metaphor used in Thelema. With the distractions of normal life achieving this goal was achieved very rarely, hence the desire to slow down tine, live longer and thus be able to achieve the goal of true spiritual rebirth.
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@ldfriend56 said
"" He that lives long & desires death much is ever the King among the Kings.""
That is a loaded sentence! I see many layers of wisdom in that. Especially since one of the keys to this apparent preservation of embryonic cells has to do with generating desire, and of course the blissful death that comes with that.
Pun intended.
Yet, from these teachings here the female Taoist methods of being a Queen among Queens, is realizing death.
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@Avshalom Binyamin said
"That's interesting...
The topic sent me off to do a little reading.
While the pursuit of longevity in science angle is interesting (if we live longer, will we evolve more mentally/emotionally/spiritually?)
But I really find the whole metaphor of transmission of data fascinating. In cells, as the genetic library gets passed on, it develops errors (from damage or random mutations). Health and longevity is dependent on passing on this library error-free.
And as humans, our real immortality has always been on what we pass on to our heirs--whether through DNA, or through the ideas that live on after us. And mystery schools are about passing on the knowledge, as transmitted to them. Mystery schools and individuals have to have good "telomerase" systems, buffers that protect the secrets from getting clipped."
edited.....Excellent information! Very true and fascinating stuff going on at that microscopic level!
I'm gonna try to bring this topic Into a Thelemic vein.
In my experience a human being in a normal healthy family situation is brought up with support and love to explore their unique authentic selves. They are fostered in a way that naturally allows them to be in alignment with their TrueWill. In a perfect world, our young would be emotionally, physically and morally supported.
As a youngster separates from it's dependence upon it's mother, father, and clan forming it's own psyche, personality and ego this person is at a unique cross roads for developing it's own individuality, purpose and method for repaying, contributing, serving it's social circle.
This is what happens at adolescence. Not a child but not an adult. Yet, it's physical body is starting to get primed with hormones and it's mind is now capable of independent thoughts and desires. There is just enough sex hormones particularly to make life very exciting, happy and powerful. Yet as we completely mature, our being is often controlled by these hormonal urges, so much so that it befuddles the mind and leads to great stress on the whole biological being.As I mentioned in a different post, all major spiritual traditions advocate returning to a childlike state of being. To be young and free of any responsibilities, to enjoy everything, laugh, have fun, be true to your own desires, whims and TrueWill. Now, I sometimes get so slack from grumpydumpies, tell me to grown up, stop being so childish.....and I must look at them like a deer caught in the headlights of a car. That too me is just blasphemy. Just because I make light of things, and don't take myself seriously, does not mean I am not capable of deep thought, introspection, positive growth and wisdom. In fact from my experience, because I actively and aggressively pursue my desires with a Childs heart, with a sence of awe and wonder of the world I am extremely better equipped to deal with the day to day stresses of life and capable of navigating my way through the world with a high rate of success.
When I first started studying magick it was because my family life was violent and chaotic and I sought a means to control it, and gain power over these external situations. But what I found in Thelema and Magick was that the only thing I can ever hope to control is myself, and that too is the only thing I should ever attempt to exert power over. I actually at that time had attempted to die and failed miserably. My goal in studying the mystery traditions was far from immortality, I hated life, I hated everything I saw and experienced. But as I applied techniques to my life my hatred changed to acceptance and love. I now love my life enthusiastically, passionately....there is so much beauty and wonder to experience and there is no way I will ever be able to fit it all into one short little human life.