College of Thelema: Thelemic Education

@Aum418 said

"Your nonsense gives me gas."
Ah, my son. I perceive that you are confused and suffering.

Here we are, brothers of the (first warning) Order of the Single Skull, and yet you choose to address me in a condescending and crude manner. I imagine that Jesus (or that other guy) will forgive you if you will just do three pentagram rituals and open your heart to the Truth.

Your term, "nonsense," indicates that you are one of those narrow-tracked fellows who revels in AL and Thelema, but who has made no effort to see the larger picture. Go to Transhimalaya and absorb everything there and perhaps your horizons will be expanded.

"Gas" is the original term (or state) from which the word "Chaos" was derived. If I have given you gas (in it's original Greek sense - not the later Christian definition that indicated disorder), then my purpose has been fulfilled and I can go on to the holier place.

@Aum418 said

"
@Shachdar8=3 said
"93 HeliosMegestos. Your information is misleading, and by the looks of your website, you are not a True Thelemite. (IMO)!"

Thats quite audacious...IAO131"

Misleading? As in "incorrect?" As in "all initiation rituals do NOT include a (symbolic or real) death and rebirth of some nature?"

"Not a True Thelemite" must indicate that I am not doing my Will. Oh wait! I don't remember claiming that I was a true Thelemite.

You guys can pick away at the website all you want. The last time I looked it contained all the elements of a Thelemic (oh no!) society that was operative before any of you read your first Crowley book. Any plagiarism is not really stealing because the wording of certain documents is completely changed to reflect an "audacious," irreverent, dangerous approach to dictatorships - it even states that openly and up front. Did you destroy your computer after the first reading?

Anyone who is running around flashing an 8=3 username on a (semi)public forum is pretty far out. 8=3! right!

I remain, AlfredENu-Man9=2 (or wuz it 13=0, I can never remember).

The primary post on this thread is a shining example of more than one object lesson.

1. A Probationer complains about his Neophyte who does not teach properly or fails to impress the student in other ways. As I understand it, a Probationer is supposed to read (almost) everything and get his (or her) "feet wet" in a whole big bunch of different practices. It even is written that it is contrary to the concept of Probation to set specific tasks for the Probationer. The public proclamation of the inefficiency of one's Neophyte with an appeal for some kind of assistance in this matter on a (semi)public forum is perhaps without precedent. The first reply on the thread sums it up nicely, and I don't even need to get involved - except that I wish to express object lesson number two:

2. We all know how it is supposed to work: A Neophyte is expected to guide a Probationer (Note the word "guide" - not necessarily teach or raise up or pull or push or explain everything). It is also supposed that there is no higher authority actively involved because the Probationer/Initiate officially knows only the person who introduced him or her. Now, if one were to read the historical applications of these concepts, we find that various students (start with C.S. Jones - Fr.'. Achad) seem to always (is always too strong a term?) fall into difficulty with their mentor and someone in higher authority has to step in and either take over themselves (as in the case of Achad) or assign a new mentor (and that new guy is usually at a much higher degree).

The way the system is set up, it's like a first-grader is in charge of a kindergardener - and the result is most often the same.

One lineage with which I am familiar simply states that this concept is a "fatal folly" and will only allow "studentship" with the mentor being admitted already to Tiphereth or above. Just like most colleges and universities require (at least) a Master's degree (M.A., M.S., etc) before one is allowed to teach the Bachelor-level students.

How would you like it if you enrolled in college and were assigned a teacher who just started the year before? (It happens, but they are called 'teaching assistants" and they are supposed to be strictly supervised by the fully-qualified "Teacher of Record"). As I said, look at the historical records - It really is a "fatal folly."

It's interesting that the Transhimalayan stream of the White Brotherhood has a degree titled Chohan that directly correlates with 10=1 Ipsissimus.

The western version of the White Brotherhood (known to us as as the A.'.A.'.) seems to regard Kether as the ending point of the path (which it is in a certain manner*), and likes to enshroud it with great mystery - at least from the Crowley perspective.

The Transhimalayan system, on the other hand, has "degrees" that move up and beyond Kether. They correlate, of course, with the three "negative states" that precede and surround the Tree of Life.

But then it is said that even to probe into the nature of a *Magister Templi *will lead to disorder - So how much more this probably applies to Kether and beyond.

*Chokmah is the end of the path of human evolution. Kether begins a new "superhuman" series of initiations. This is why it gets so "mysterious" and (perhaps) silent at these rarified levels.

@rwidner said

"Are the OTO initiations the same for A.'.A.'.? In other words, can OTO be used for A.'.A.'. initiations?"
As most responses indicate, the answer is "No." These are two different "groups" or "orders," although there is a common philosophy shared by them (in many respects).
However, note that this "answer" pertains to the groups or lineages mentioned. But ALL intitiations, OTO, A.'.A.'., Masonry, Amerindian, etc do have one thing in common. They always portray a death and a resurrection of some kind. Even many Xtians use the "born again" slogan.

@miss ruby said

"I was wondering if a secret chief ..."

"The “Seven Secret Chiefs“ ... constitute the members of the archetypal council that governs the spiritual hierarchy of our planet. They are considered, all at one time, to be universal principles, discarnate entities, historical prophets, and human beings who are presently incarnated and overshadowed by the essence of these ruling potentates. In Thelemic terms, they are the *Masters of the Temple *and the *Magi *of the A.'.A.'.. In other traditions, they are called the seven Ray Lords or the seven Chohans. They are said to oversee and govern the ongoing, evolutionary advancement of mankind."

And:

"Seven ----- Of this Book are twelve portions [38] plus one which is the Source.
Three pertain to the lower world; three are of the Soul.
Now comes the unveiling of the sacred seven.
Where 7 sit in unity [39] there is the beginning of the Age. No matter how often this occurs, it is always the beginning.
Tune in on this meeting. It always goes on. Alpha and Omega are always blended at Shamballa.
Shattering all forms, come unto Me.
[38] 12 Chapters.
[39] The Seven Secret Chiefs, the Seven Chohans (Ray Lords) - or their reflection."

Just a couple of quotes for your consideration.

@Metzareph said

"Yes, I've been to the website. And I thought it was kind of entertaining, but I don't know if that was the purpose. More like a game...There is or was a person here that was using Second Life to "train and admit" people into the "A.'.A.'." That's why I'm asking."

Aha, now I understand. I do not need more Qabalah, I need more www knowledge. Anyway, No, we are not associated with Second Life.

Just this morning we received an inquiry for training, and the applicant was referred to the *Temple of Truth *website with the following comments (among others):

"Although the presentation appears to be out of a comic book, and is generally designed for the amusement of advanced initiates, it is also quite serious and all the oaths and details of the path are right there. There are no fees and there is no dictatorship ... There is a lot of humor and sarcasm, but really, it's all the straight stuff! - as you will perceive if you are destined to tread this particular path."

Helios

@Metzareph said

"The Temple of Truth exist in Second Life as well...?"

"exist" or "exists"?
What "Second Life"?
"as well...?" - As well as what?
Unable to understand message or question, as the case may be. I must need more Qabalastic training.
Anyway, check it out for yourself at: crystal-city.angelfire.com.

Helios

Wikipedia also now shows a link to an Online site: The Temple of Truth.