College of Thelema: Thelemic Education

Kicking myself for getting rid of my Old Testament Survey textbook.

I like this thread. Cool excerpts.

@Bereshith said

"In one direction, you can stand your ground on causality and resist any tendency to see the coincidences as anything more than precisely that - random occurrences upon which one is merely projecting a meaningful connection. As I said, however, over time, this becomes harder to do unless one begins to forgoe any practices that might stimulate the experiences because repetition and consistency, more than anything else, shapes our understanding of Reality.

In the other direction, you can begin to question the nature and assumptions of causality itself. Of course, normally, no rational person would do such a thing. But, as I said, over time, the persistence of the appearance of unique, impossible-seeming coincidences begins to chip away at one's standard notions of causality, and other possibilities begin to come to mind. It must be admitted that they all tend to force the ego out of its perception that it is the sole source of causality in its own thoughts and experiences (at least under certain conditions). Spending time with such experiences and generating conceptions of other possibilities tends to force the hypothesis of a causal source (internal or external to the self is a separate argument, and perhaps a meaningless one) that is independent and transcendent of the ego and its limitations. But, even within such a conception, the standard reasoning and experience of the ego (however illusory it may or may not be) in everyday relationships with both things and others definitely seems expected, even demanded, by that same hypothesized, ego-transcending, causal source. "

It is always a pendulum of both methinks? That is, until those two stories are incorporated as same/same...until it becomes Lust (9) from a certain POV.

Well, on one hand, I would look at this between the balance of Netzach and Hod. We have scientific evidence/rational intellect (eins, zwei) on one hand and the passionate beauty of witnessing symmetry (joie de vivre) on the other. Constantly building our ideas into a Tower to God (80) and tearing it down.

In the middle is Art, which leads to Tiphareth. Which I think you describe an aspect of here:

@Bereshith said

"In the psychological model, it is this "third perspective" that represents the position of what occultists refer to as the Holy Guardian Angel, who may be understood as a representation and embodiment of this "transcendent function.""

Our skepticism keeps us from turning all fruitcakey, off the Venusian deep end -- so we scrutinize our confirmation bias -- that is a must...

However, the passion keeps us loving life and seeing the beauty and perfection in the imperfection. All sorts of magical/mystical/playboy models enter the picture to be able to remove the "rational censor" at will. What do you think?

I agree this process is also bridging the unconscious and conscious, from another POV (like Lust -- or even Love (4), in the highest aspect of Venus - beyond separate self).

Tower, Lust, Love = 93

What is cool is that these two functions are being becoming proven by fMRIs -- the external "I am this, and that is that" is a particular phenomena generally isolated to one side of the brain...the internal "I am this, and that is that" is a particular phenomena generally isolated to another side of the brain. Studies show these usually "oppose" each other when moving back and forth between these thought processes...even when dreaming.

The "same/same" idea incorporates both sides at once (seer AND seen). It can incorporate awareness that is "non-dual." It is being proven as useful when it comes to healthier mental patterns, neuroplasticity, etc. These newer studies are extremely exciting...I think we've talked about them a bit before...

I think they have something to do with what you're talking about here. IMHO, it has to do with the Self/Not-Self to a certain degree, if that makes any sense. What do you think?

Cool post! I'd like to keep going with it. 😀

@Uni_Verse said

"I saw the Buddha as the divine Self, whose nature can only be seen through the image projected through the lens and onto the TV."

It had me tripping over my shoelaces as the Buddha wasnt very big on the divine,( he came to the personal conclusion that it is unimportant to enlightenment) The void is the ultimate.
I felt the picture was attempting to illustrate the impersonal.

@Bereshith said

"However, not everything the Subconscious mind presents is a message from the Angel (Superconsciousness)."

Sound observation.

This is addressed in one's training. First, one has to open up to witnessing and interacting with subconsciousness. A further step (a little further along, once that interaction is well developed) is passing the suggestion to subconsciousness that it reflect truly from superconsciousness. That starts a new leg of the journey.

To elaborate: Something not usually mentioned is that the Knowledge & Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel begins as an experience that transforms our relationship to Y'sod, not Tifereth. This is why the symbols and dialogues are so sexual, intimate, union-based - it is a transformation of our relationship to shared intimacy, to a sense of connection. It is only indirectly a transformation of the ego, in that the ego is given a new dimension of perspective from the profundity of the experience. Consider Crowley's description of the HGA as "The Holy Guardian Angel is the Unconscious Creature Self – the Spiritual Phallus" - that's Yesod language. Or the longer passage, from comments in Liber Samekh:

"The main purpose of the Ritual is to establish the relation of the subconscious self with the Angel in such a way that the Adept is aware that his Angel is the Unity which expresses the sum of the Elements of that Self, that his normal consciousness contains alien enemies introduced by the accidents of environment, and that his Knowledge and Conversation of His Holy Guardian Angel destroys all doubts and delusions, confers all blessings, teaches all truth, and contains all delights."

Why does it seem that the dialogue is between the Angel and the Ruach? It is because the pattern of interacting with subconsciousness has been long, and solidly, established.

There is a powerful symbol of this subtly placed within the traditional Golden Dawn Neophyte structure. Three officers down the middle axis synmbolize Neshamah, Ruach, and Nephesh. The first two (Hierophant and Hegemon) face west. The Hiereus, in the west, faces east. The Hegemon has to take various actions (say, picking up a scepter) exactly when the Hierophant does so but is unable to see the Hierophant directly. The only way the Hegemon (Ruach) knows to do this is by watching the Hiereus (Nephesh), who can directly see the Hierophant (Neshamah) and reflect truly.

Whether this works depends on how true the Hiereus is in mirroring the Hierophant.

Crossing the Abyss is then a direct infusion of Neshamah into Ruach, overflooding its previous boundaries &c. Therefore, the symbols of the approach to this are all symbols of the sword, Air, fragmentation, spilling of blood, and all sorts of things one can find in Liber 418. That is, symbols of Ruach - Air, sword, Sun - are first hyper-stimulated and then undergo transformation.

FWIW

I don't know what to say, really.

Pondering these things has produced the seed of what could become maps and maps of relatedness based on geometry and method of analysis, and it does all seem to match up with existing hermetic wisdom. To explain all of it would require a book, probably based on the archetypes of numbers, but it seems to be what we're all already studying anyway.

It makes me question the benefit of clarity versus the wisdom of laying it all out in one book for public consumption, and that produces questions about my own particular Will.

All that to say, it's still unfolding in my mind. Several of the maps are already constructed but much of the work of particular analysis and association has yet to be done. However, the intuited potential for it all to be completely formed and rationally interrelated rings loudly in my mind. I have the feeling of "Aha! This is the key of it all!" But I've experienced that feeling before, and it the work of putting it all together has yet to be done.

@Al-Shariyf said

"FWIW I recommend checking out this book. I believe it would give you an idea of what one could possibly expect when doing the Abremelin Operation while having a job.

www.aftertheangel.com

I got it last weekend and have been glued to it. "

Ehm, I'd like to share my thoughts on the subject:

I read it, the diary entries were a bit boring to read, but the end is worth the while.

Author did force it a bit, in my opinion, and I think it is better to attain K&C of HGA prior attempting such an Operation.
Also, author did it in 2004 I think, when the more complete translation has not yet been available. I'd recommend the new translation (Georg Dehn et al), it actually is more informative, IMO.

But, all in all, it is good to see that it can be done under the fire of mundane shitty job.

The reference of the "big hole in the chest" and "there is no one here" after the attainment is more or less how I'd describe post K&C of HGA scenario.

Tnx again for sharing the link. 😄

"31. The propositions which one comes back to again and again as if bewitched - these I should like to expunge from philosophical language."

Wittgenstein, On Certainty

@Sardonyx said

"There's the saying around here, perhaps it originates from Jim, that one tends to cross several abysses before they are even ready to begin the Work, or something to that effect."

I often say that, but metaphorically. I probably need to consider a different approach, since my intention is to dissuade people from thinking it really has anything to do with The Abyss.

But most of us hit - many times - points where our old fundamental definitions collapse, or surrender to a framework far larger than we had before. Our world gets bigger. (I suppose I could just call it pulling our head out of our asses and seeing that there's actually a world outside 👿 )

"But my real question is what is the nature of abysses in general? There's the possible error of dispersion at each one, right?"

See above. The old boundaries collapse. You find out that you've been "inside," and there's a larger "outside."

"What's the nature of that dispersion? I guess I could be asking what is the nature of Choronzon, but the simple literal answer is that he's a demon and his nature is dispersion."

Yeah, probably not a good idea to get him into the mix until THE Abyss - because, actually, at earlier stages we need to grow INTO that Ruachian saturation before we can grow THROUGH it and out the other side.

"But in regard to the psyche and its relationship to the Work, what is it that brings the dispersion? What is the tendency within the self that falls prey to it? What is it in the psyche which generates it? "

"Falls prey?" It's actually a growth step... at the right time.

I am surprised at how well this work. It is a roller coaster for sure, but I am amazed by how accurately the cards unfold through each day.

I feel you, Frater. I'm sure the connection is strong with a lot of us.

Your avatar makes me wanna fry up some taters.

Peace and Power to You and Yours

93

Frank

Very cool!

@Sardonyx said

"Do you hold the grade sign during the whole adoration, or do you just do it at the beginning?"

"From "Hail unto thee" through "from the abodes of [whatever]." Not during the adoration following (which is done in the Sign of Osiris Risen, so called).

@Bereshith said

"
I think I've spent a lot of time trying to sort of piece together "where I am on the Tree" in my experience, as if I were only in one stage, and I just needed to figure which one.
"

I usually consult my Superior.

On the other hand, it might also be called freedom: being and playing many roles.
It is my experience, however, that the Attainment does gravitate to a specific "position" on the map of your choosing. It is quite naturally to see specific properties manifest after attainment, say, K&C of HGA.

In the end, HGA has all the answers. By His mere presence.

"Dost thou fail? Art thou sorry? Is fear in thine heart?
Where I am these are not. "
(AL II: 46-47)

Thank you both.

Full Circle, Higher Octave 😉

Ah, a fellow seminary man. I changed my courses to pursue a Religion degree instead though.

Cheers!

Wow! That is great to hear. Thanks for letting me know. 😄

Thank you.

Thank you all for your responses and their thoroughness.

Great. I misposted, having confused the threads... what i posted in the other thread i meant to say here. I go to the corner now. 😊 😊 😊
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"There are simply two perspectives. From a broader picture, they both align and are opposed simultaneously, and this seems perfectly fitting to me."

The Dance! I like how peacefully you speak of duality, usually so much tension. To shut up and Dance too is Wisdom incarncate. But! I'm preachin' to the choir, haha. I love this place.