College of Thelema: Thelemic Education

Thank you for clarifying, that makes much more sense. So let me clarify, after the union of subject and object, there is the ecstasy of union and creation of a third consciousness? Am I wrong to say that a lot of Eastern Gurus get stuck in the ecstasy stage of union, so how are we supposed to move past the union?

I mean Yoga as in the all the aspects of Yoga (Raja, hatha, pranayama, etc.). What I am confused about is where the HGA/True Will lie in relation to Samadhi. Are you to attain union before you are able to find the HGA/True Will or after?

I have a couple short questions that I need clarifying on:

Is it possible to find your True Will/HGA using Yoga alone?
Yoga and Magick result in union, so what are we to do once we have achieved this union?

"YOGA AND MAGIC

I. Yoga is the art of uniting the mind to a single idea. It has four methods.
Gnana-Yoga. Union by Knowledge.
Raja-Yoga. Union by Will.
Bhakta-Yoga. Union by Love.
Hatha-Yoga. Union by Courage.
add Mantra-Yoga. Union through Speech.
Karma-Yoga. Union through Work.

These are united by the supreme method of Silence.

II. Ceremonial Magic is the art of uniting the mind to a single idea.

It has four Methods.
The Holy Qabalah. Union by Knowledge.
The Sacred Magic. Union by Will.
The Acts of Worship. Union by Love.
The Ordeals. Union by Courage.
add The Invocations. Union by Speech.
The Acts of Service. Union through Work."
"

Is this single idea liberation? Or is it supposed to be whatever your mind chooses?

That still leaves me confused, isn't the end goal to reach the higher self? If the self is pure on its own with no attachments to the extra ego, wouldn't there be an elimination of desires?

I seem to be very confused about the road of Magick vs Eastern philosophy. In Eastern thought, it seems to me that the steps are quite simple and proceed like this: normal life (pain, suffering etc) -> liberation or union with the universe, all desires are quenched.

How does Magick fall into the scheme of things because from what I have read, the goals are similar. How can one enjoy sensual pleasures like it is said in The Book of the Law when you have "transcended" duality? I have read a lot of Thelema scripts, but the answers seem to conflict in my head.

Yes I have read the Eight Lectures, but I am still rather confused about the idea. Nirvana is union of subject and object, or self with supreme being, correct? So, Magick is working beyond this union? In other words, once we achieve enlightenment, we must continue in the practice of Magick? I am sorry if my questions are in ignorant nature, it just seems that I am unable to find what I am looking for, nevertheless, I am not neglecting practice. It is just hard to continue on when your mind is not "at ease", I suppose, with where it is going.

Okay so essentially you guys are saying that Yoga, etc. is removing the extra-stuff from your true Self? How would you be able to differentiate between removing the false ego, and removing the ego entirely; because isn't that what the Buddha and many other Yogi's taught? A lot of Samael Weor's teachings also say to remove the "i" or the "ego". Or are Buddha's teachings the same as discovering your pure will?

I thought the use of Yoga was designed for that purpose? I am rather confused now; then how do you go about finding your true will?

In the book of the law it says

22. I am the Snake that giveth Knowledge & Delight and bright glory, and stir the hearts of men with drunkenness. To worship me take wine and strange drugs whereof I will tell my prophet, & be drunk thereof! They shall not harm ye at all. It is a lie, this folly against self. The exposure of innocence is a lie. Be strong, o man! lust, enjoy all things of sense and rapture: fear not that any God shall deny thee for this.

How does this apply to removing the ego and finding your True Will? Isn't it contradicting? Or am I getting confused?

Greetings all,

My name is Alexander as you can tell. I am rather new to Thelema/Occult practices, but I have been doing Yoga for quite a while. I have read a few of Crowley's works in the past couple of weeks, but it seems my path is rather aimless. What are the recommendation for starting on this journey? The amount of information is endless, and a syllabus or guide to the literature would be fantastic !

-Alexander