College of Thelema: Thelemic Education

Thanks Jim -

Basically, the tomb as describe to me would have been filled with 'pornographic images,' candles, a scrying bowl and an Oracle whom would be masturbating to the point of ecstasy but without climaxing. Does this sound more familiar?

93!

I recently returned from a Thelemic Spring Equinox ritual. At the end of the rite, we were ushered, one by one, into what they called a 'Tomb' to receive a word of the for the equinox. There was some very... interesting symbolism present.

Could someone here explain what Crowley intended with the symbolism? What it is supposed to represent, or elicit, in those participating? Any help or guidance would be appreciated.

Thanks -

I just picked this book up - "In the Center of the Fire." It's an interesting - but disjointed read so far. I do enjoy personal accounts of "occult" experiences though so I'm eating it up. There a lot of synchronicity revolving around this read, I'll say that...

Was happy to find a picture that includes both Jim and Tony near the back from 1985 .

"Personally, even before this information I would have vote to include Jung as a saint. "

Agreed. The Red Book cements it. It's definitely the best book I've added to my collection this year.

Thanks oldtaboo!

JG

There is (or was) an updated version of the Gold Dawn deck with the 'correct' symbolism by Tabitha Cicero. This is not an endorsement, just an FYI.

Largely reported that Gardner got most of his ideas about witchcraft from Crowley. There's a great article in the "Book of Lies: Disinformation on the Occult" about this. (note that his is not Crowley's "Book of Lies.")

My back used to kill during 1/2 lotus. I sat through the pain, slowly increasing my time, and after a few weeks it went away. My legs still go numb about 15 minutes in though. You could try leaning up against a wall, or sitting on a cushion. But you have to sit through the pain - that's one of the points of this work.

@RosenKreutz said

"You probably should not read "selections" with Nietzsche because all I hear is that it confuses people. You've got to read his works in their entirety. Beyond Good and Evil and Thus Spoke Zarathustra are a good one, two combination."

I totally concur. I remember first reading Zarathustra and thinking that nearly everyone I have ever heard mention Nietzsche must have never actually read his works. They all took select quotes, out of context, and then assumed it was a representative of the whole. Absurd.

Is there a 'mail-order' program similar to the BOTA curriculum? Is it possible to compare/contrast the two? I've pretty much given up on finding anything locally - which is sad considering I live in Washington DC...

Thanks -

Jeff

Thanks Jim. Wish I still lived out in LA near you!

JG

Does anyone have info on these folks?

www.esotericgoldendawn.com

There seems to be only a single OTO body within 100 miles of me (Wash, DC), so I'm desperately searching for a deep, meaningful (re)initiation onto 'the path.' I'm open to suggestions, thanks for the help.

Jeff

th3fall3n777 I'm in the exact same boat pretty much. I was actually thinking of starting up the BOTA, but perhaps I'll email Jim and get some other ideas as I still make it out to LA about once a year.

Thanks for the thread and the honesty from everyone, it's helped me immensely.

JG

@Aum418 said

"I personally recommend the God asana because many westerners' bodies are already relatively comfortable in this position."

I thought the whole point of the Asana practice as outlined in Book 4 was to be uncomfortable and work through the pain.

I've chosen Half-Lotus, and in about a month of twice a day half-hour sessions, I'm pretty close to feeling 'as if I've stepped in a warm bath,' just not for the whole 1/2 hour.

Personally, I'd warn that satisfying your ego is not the same as following "True Will." They're capitalized for a reason. I've found my ego doesn't necessarily want what's right or best for me.

Usually I've found the more difficult path is actually the right one, honestly. Establishing a 'conscious contact' is the first step to really understanding what I mean. It allows you to develop an intuition as to what's the right course of action. YMMV.

93 - JG

Jim, your posts here have been pure gold for me. Pun intended.

Another question along these lines for you, and anyone else, if you don't mind:

I've been practicing the Zelator Meditation of the Golden Dawn for about four months now. I'm noticing more and more often the visualization 'seeds' leading me down unexpected pathways. However, I seem to strafe a fine line between conscious visualization/meditation and subconscious sleep. Dipping in and out of the waters, so to speak. Is there a way to prevent this or is this the effect I should be looking for? If it is, is there a way for me to better remain conscious, and thus remember what I see when I exit the meditation?

Any help, advice you have along these lines would be great. As expressed recently in another thread, I too am having difficulty finding a satisfactory initiatory body near me. I've been diligent in my spiritual disciplines for years now, and the words of advice on the LBRP given earlier unlocked a doorway I've been patiently waiting on for years. I'm hoping for more fruit, difficult as it is to transmit through the written word.

Many, many, many thanks.

Humbly,

Jeff

bethata418 -

Sorry, I wasn't clear. I've never met the OTO in the DC area, I just don't feel a connection to the OTO in general. It comes from encounters with them in LA, along with careful scrutiny of some of their lesser known by-laws. I honestly don't have time for group affiliation now anyway, my solo path, while slow, has yielded fruit. Plus, I have 2 small children, which makes it difficult for me to attend functions. Maybe in a few years.

JG

Yes - a decent working magical group. I've found some OTO nearby but I've never really felt a connection with them. I wasn't aware there was a CoT campus near Phili - I could perhaps make a trip up there on occasion.

Thanks for the help either way Jim. At least I have heruraha.net

JG

Does anyone know any in the Metro DC area?