College of Thelema: Thelemic Education

At one time I thought I remember reading an excellent analysis of the Book of Enoch pinned in this forum but can no longer find it. Does anyone know if it's still around? Thank you in advance.

I love the two Jim mentioned. My personal favorite is Red Pine's translation www.amazon.com/Lao-tzus-Taoteching-Lao-Tzu/dp/1556592906.

@ThelemicMage said

"I wouldn't go declare war on a substance put here to evolve me more than I'd go declare war on Typhon while I was in the Astral and try to mock all of his demons."

This post helped me today. I haven't had any sugar and I've been feeling miserable. Obviously sugar withdraw isn't in the same class as what the OP is going through. Reading the above reminded me of the verses in Liber LXV: *Then I said: O my beloved, O Lord Adonai, I pray thee to loosen the coils of the serpent! But she was closed fast upon me, so that my Force was stayed in its inception. * That reminded me of an OSHO FB post I read last week: The only problem with sadness, desperateness, anger, hopelessness, anxiety, anguish, misery, is that you want to get rid of them. That’s the only barrier......whatsoever is the case is the case. Accept it and let it come – let it come in front of you. In fact just to say "do not repress" is not enough. If you allow me, I would like to say, "Befriend it."

Befriending the way I feel when I'm miserable is a new concept I'm trying out today.

@he atlas itch said

"
@Priory Soul said
"What are your thoughts on how to integrate Law of Thelema into western culture toward the governing of a Thelemic Nation on the world stage"

Vote for Ron Paul in 2012."

I agree with altlas itch. I realized a few months ago that every argument he makes can easily be re-framed in Thelemic terms of Hadit, Nuit and Ra-Hoor-Kuit. A Thelemic friend of mine didn't care for him and after asking him a few questions I realized he didn't really understand Paul's positions. Once I re-framed them using BOTL characters he all of a sudden got it. I think it's because Paul always takes the position of liberty.

@Avshalom Binyamin said

"I also count 16--3 pointing up along the central axis and 3 pointing down; 2 pointing down on the left side and 2 pointing up; 3 pointing down on the right side and 3 pointing up.

That adds up to 16."

I counted 15. (only two pointing down on the central axis). The 'tip' triangle is missing lines in 2 corners so I didn't count it.

15 = 1+5 = 6

This card brings to mind movement, flowing, charity even and it all originates from beyond. For me it's hard to look at this card without associating the top lotus with the zero and the 2nd lotus as 1/Kether.

@kerlem93 said

"I have been meaning to read this one. It might provide some food for thought in relatively accessible language.
(http://unusmundus-melie.blogspot.com/2011/11/book-yoga-of-jesus.html)"

After your recommendation and reading the reviews on Amazon I picked up both The Yoga of Jesus and his more in depth 2 volume set The Second Coming of Christ. I just finished reading the first book and am about to start on the 2 book set. The author is very familiar with the esoteric side of Christianity and does an incredible job of making a strong case that Jesus was teaching yoga. I've never seen such a clear bridge between Christianity and the East. Thanks for the wonderful recommendation.

@Al-Shariyf said

"what's the purpose of the brick wall toward the top of the hill."

The first thing that came to mind about the hill and brick wall is a phallic symbol piercing a circle.

57. How shall I answer the foolish man? In no way shall he come to the Identity of Thee!

What words are sufficient to convey this perspective to the foolish man? Perhaps he shall gain this perspective but it won't be by his actions or by words but instead by the way that is 'no way'? He shall attain Thee at the end of his desire and Thou shall bring him.

58. But I am the Fool that heedeth not the Play of the Magician. Me doth the Woman of the Mysteries instruct in vain; I have burst the bonds of Love and of Power and of Worship.

Perspective of Kether as already pointed out. Gone are my former attachments of love, power and worship and the result of being free from these results in v59.

59. Therefore is the Eagle made one with the Man, and the gallows of infamy dance with the fruit of the just.

From this high perspective (v 58) what difference is there between any persons no matter how opposite they seem? What difference is there between a tax collector and a pharisee or between Hitler and Gandhi -none whatsoever. More rivers of running water have been passed by, no longer do I feel the need to 'resist evil' or praise the lofty for these are a part of Thee and also me.

40. I am become like a luscious devil of Italy; a fair strong woman with worn cheeks, eaten out with hunger for kisses. She hath played the harlot in divers palaces; she hath given her body to the beasts.

"hunger for kisses" speaks to me as a desire (or seeking) to experience something or to join with something. Perhaps the root of this desire is for something higher yet it is manifesting itself at a lower octave?

'giving her body to the beasts' brings to mind the Nephesh and possibly quieting that river of running water.

41. She hath slain her kinsfolk with strong venom of toads; she hath been scourged with many rods.

I have willingly sacrificed my family and children; I have been beaten down by many rods of attachment.

15. Also I prayed unto the Elephant God, the Lord of Beginnings, who breaketh down obstruction.

The ego still reaching out for assistance against what it views (in ignorance) as an ‘obstruction’.

16. These gods came right quickly to mine aid. I beheld them; I joined myself unto them; I was lost in their vastness.

Shift in perspective –possibly as far as the ego can go?

17. Then I beheld myself compassed about with the Infinite Circle of Emerald that encloseth the Universe.

Even from this state of identification with 'all that is' -the ego is still encircled about. The 'definer' realizes that it is actually the one who is defined -defined by that which isn't definable. It has been brought to the End. As far as the ego can go and it still can't get beyond love and will.

However it has now gained a new perspective (one that I’m having difficulty articulating), an initiation that ultimately leads to another river of running water being passed by.

10. I gazed upon the Crystal of the Future, and I saw the horror of the End of thee.
11. Further, I destroyed the time Past, and the time to Come — had I not the Power of the Sand-glass?
12. But in the very hour I beheld corruption.

To me this speaks to the consciousness of time and attachment in general.

8. But I beheld in thee a certain taint, even in that wherein I delighted.
9. I beheld in thee the taint of thy father the ape, of thy grandsire the Blind Worm of Slime.

Upon first being exposed to this verse, the word taint, in my mind, carried a negative association with it. Over time my perspective has changed and I now view the taint as complementary instead of as a disturbance or a running river. I'm reminded of Rumi references to vinegar and honey.

"I add a little vinegar to the honey I give.
The bite of scolding makes ecstasy more familiar."

and

"I have disappeared like a drop of vinegar in an ocean of honey"

"1. Verily and Amen! I passed through the deep sea, and by the rivers of running water that abound therein, and I came unto the Land of No Desire."

For me, these rivers of running water have become a *means *to reach the Land of No Desire. There was a time when I thought they were to be avoided or held back but have since learned to accept them and ride them through till they disperse into the deep sea.

The place where you are right now
God circled on a map for you
wherever your eyes and arms
and heart can move

Against the earth and the sky,
the beloved has bowed there.

The beloved has bowed there knowing
You were coming…
~Hafiz

What does the mountain have to do with words or purpose or desire or reason? Does the mountain have tired feet?

The image of a mountain brings to mind that which the hermit has climbed. It also brings to mind obstacles in general.

When one has reached the top one still 'chops wood' -although with a much wider view/perspective.

I hadn't heard the story of Mohammed and the mountain before. What did come to mind was the parable of Jesus speaking to the fig tree and then referencing commanding the mountain to be removed and cast into the sea.

@Alien696 said

"Personally i have done the golden dawn pranayama of the fourfold breath a lot. Found i can easily get into that, is real pranayama much more difficult?"

My first exposure to pranayama was through learning Heart Rhythm Meditation. My Murshid had told me never to pause between the exhalation and inhalation as it can cause asphyxiation. Later down the road I was exposed to the Four-fold breath when researching and trying out some Golden Dawn techniques. I felt a little torn, I wanted to experience this pattern but also had that warning in my mind. I ended up replacing the Four-fold breath with what's called the Square breath (X out, X in, 2X pause).

I've caught myself breathing like that (pause after exhalation) a few times and noticed I was feeling lethargic and sleepy. With a little breath correction (removal of the pause after exhalation) my energy levels always came back up.

44. Thou strivest ever; even in thy yielding thou strivest to yield — and lo! thou yieldest not.

This verse has always reminded me of the last two lines in this quote:

@Rumi said

"When the sweet glance of my true love caught my eyes,
Like alchemy, it transformed my copper-like soul.
I searched for Him with a thousand hands,
He stretched out His arms and clutched my feet."

41. (The scribe was wroth thereat. He spake:
O Adonai and my master, I have borne the inkhorn and the pen without pay, in order that I might search this river of Amrit, and sail thereon as one of ye. This I demand for my fee, that I partake of the echo of your kisses.)

Both partake and kisses brings to mind the image of the mouth and tasting in the sense of experiencing.

These kisses seem to be the interactions of love between the "ye" that he's addressing -how they experience each other.

Echo brings to mind reflection, pattern, image, duplication, etc...

Perhaps the scribe can't experience their kisses? However, the echo seems to rectify this and provide a way suitable for the scribe.

37. So they will reproach thy servant, saying: Who hath set thee to save us?

The first time I read this passage the word 'set' stood out. I expected 'sent' to be used. It gave me much to think about.