College of Thelema: Thelemic Education

@Shamati said

"Is the initiation and further grades recieved in ceremonies in a temple or lodge? Such as is the case in the OTO, within the A.'.A.'.? Or is it strictly one to one "tests" of the initiates progress before recieveing a grade? I don't understand how the A.'.A.'. works really, if meetings are held in lodges or if one can be initiated & working in the A'.'A.'. even if there's no lodge or group nearby?
What about lineages? I've read some claims that "there's but one true lineage" etc. Is there any truth to this or are most of the A.'.A.'. groups connected to a valid lineage if it's referred to by a local OTO?"

There are A.'.A.'. temple ceremonies, performed by officers, for 1=10 and 2=9.

There are no meetings as such. People don't (officially) gather in groups.

One does need direct in-person contact with one's superior periodically. (Crowley experimented with ways around this. They were kludges and half-baked, and he moved away from them after a bit of a try.)

Our only statement on lineages is here: helema.org/aa/index.html

@Avshalom Binyamin said

"The tradition is that Enoch is a descendent of Seth, Cain and Abel's younger brother. "

So the Magus, by being initiated into Enochian Magick recieves the mark of Cain?

"
It depends on what you mean by those terms. A really simplistic (and literal!) black and white role reversal of "good" and "evil" in the OT is probably more reflective of the anti-Gnostic polemics by people like Irenaeus than an accurate representation of any early Gnostic beliefs--which were probably a lot more subtle and nuanced."
I feel that the slaying of Abel was out of jealousy towards the attainment of the brother. So if the God interacting with the brothers it seems as an act opposing God.

There seems to be many aspects of Crowley that was similar to Valentinian Gnosticism & the Aethyrs of the Enochian system is also similar to the Aeons in this kind of gnostic philosophy.

"
Check out this paragraph from the Book of Thoth, which follows the comments about Cain and the Lovers Card:

"It is very significant that almost every sentence in this passage seems to reverse the meaning of the previous one. This is because reaction is always equal and opposite to action. This equation is, or should be, simultaneous in the intellectual world, where there is no great time lag; the formulation of any idea creates its contradictory at almost the same moment. The contradictory of any proposition is implicit in itself. This is necessary to preserve the equilibrium of the Universe."
"
Very intriguing idea that maybe also can be applied to the blessing of Jacob over Esau. Another biblical story that on the surface seems to reverse good & evil

Considering you are accustomed to movement,
Taking the time to sit still in asana
Shall certainly give you good results
As well as a little balance.

@Shamati said

"This is because at these classess they seem to sincerely believe that when you have raised the Kundalini you are enlightened"

That is just raising Kundalini
The Balanced, when invested with these energies becomes the Adept
Other wise you find your self with your bigots and fanatics

@Q789 said

"Let me clear a few things up. An enlightened person still feel anger etc We all feel that. However, eventually he does learn to see through it- to deal with it, to control it. Enlightened people sill have personal issues( i feel society has a myth of them) HOWEVER, THEY DO DEAL WITH THEM MORE EFFECTIVELY."

I agree with this.
It becomes more about what you do with them than what they are.

@kasper81 said

"this kundalini-heat phenomena it is enhanced during the summer months apparently. I don't want to get too hot that I am driven to distraction. Any tips and advice on how to make this a balanced experience or is it just a matter of roll with the heat and any other intense effects?"

Turn it up slow.
In my opinion, during the summer it is best to work on control.
Winter is for turning it up.
This, of course, concerns a training regime.

@Labyrinthus said

"For me, I think the *best" daily yoga regimen is one that I can perform daily... day after day after day, year after year."

This is why I try to stress variety.
For I feel it is equally important to have a set time and exercises to perform,
As it is to be able to fit something to the natural unfolding of the day