College of Thelema: Thelemic Education

That doesn't sound like a very safe practice. I would think it'd be possible to aspirate some of the liquid, potentially causing pneumonia.

In my extremely limited experience with Pranayama (over the course of 2-3 months), there was one session in particular that stood out in my mind.

I felt on the verge of something, almost like an orgasm, but in my torso. Aside from the breathing I was doing, my chest felt as thought it were expanding of it's own volition. Not physically, but like... I don't know. Essentially, it was like something in my chest (other than my lungs) were growing and expanding. Very peculiar.

particularly the Thoth tarot.

If one, for instance, drew 9 of Swords, and Knight of Swords, how could I interpret the latter card gematrically (sp?)

9 and... Not sure how to enumerate KoS to a number.

I've reading The Book of Thoth currently (or trying to read it) and I'm coming across a LOT of astrological references and degrees, exaltation, etc etc and all this confusing jargon. It's all greek to me.

Aside from that, there's a lot of great stuff in there, and it has helped me get more out of my cards. I just don't understand this cosmological craziness as well as I should.

It is, in my uninitiated opinion, that the pronunciation that resonates best with yourself is the "correct" one.

Some pronunciations make me cringe, while others are pleasing to my ears. I wouldn't be able to place myself in the proper mood of doing these things if I sounded ridiculous to myself, because of the way my mind has already familiarized and adapted to a particular way of saying these words.

You shouldn't force yourself to pronounce something in a manner which feels unsuitable to you, or rubs you the wrong way.

2¢

I've been doing it pretty much solidly for the last 2-aught months, with some unexpected "results"; which has been being able to conjure up the willpower to get up and do things that I don't really want to do, but will benefit me in the long run (hopefully!)

It has changed my view of the word "Will", so it carries far more impact for me. When I say "I will do this", then it becomes something of an obligation to myself.

Otherwise, there hasn't been any illuminating moment of success after the completion of the ritual so far. It seems the act of simply making myself keep such a routine has strengthened my drive to get necessary things done. However, I'm not sure exactly why I do it or what I'm looking to get out of it, besides these little perks. I initially began the practice, not fully understanding what was to come of it, besides the supposed "equilibrating" effects it has on the psyche.

So, basically, I feel as if I'm doing these things blindly, not actually knowing where it should lead me and why.

Also, it's gotten to a point where if I try to skimp out on performing it (and practicing my Asana,) I cannot feel comfortable at all, and experience an incessant, nagging urge to get up and get it done. This couldn't be the O of the IAO formula, could it? Because I'm not really enjoying it. It feels more like a duty or an important errand. Or maybe a habit. I don't know for sure.

@RifRaf said

"Sitting on a chair gets you hot? Does it vibrate? (EDIT: I must have been typing this at the same time you were responding.)

Anyway, on topic, I ditched the "Liber E" Asana's. I tried them all, I only liked the Dragon but I stopped doing Yoga work for a bit and then returned and decided to switch it up. Half-Lotus is my sitting posture for Asana. I also have a laying posture that resembles the Hanged Man for contemplation, pratyahara, etc."

Is there a particular reason why one couldn't use a prone position like the Hanged Man all the time?

The posture was applying a lot of pressure to my perineum, and was causing my orgasms to become weak and unsatisfying.

I mean, I'm pretty sure that's what was causing it... Never happened before I started practicing the Asana.

I have, yes.

I also frowned upon it, because I kept thinking "How am I supposed to bring and work with a chair in my ritual space?"

But more than that, it was causing me some slightly embarrassing problems sexually.

For a short time I tried the sukhasana, which proved to be intolerably painful on my lower back.

Then I tried the God Asana, which, while not terribly painful on my back, caused me other physiological problems that prompted to me to cease the practice after a time.

I then tried a slight variance of the Sukhasana, the baddha konasana, which proved no less painful for me.

In fact, I cannot find any seated posture in which I am not caused sharp and trembling pain in my back.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm becoming quite aggravated with myself.

During my visualizations of the LBRP, most of them come along fine enough (Imagining energy being drawn in to my body to intone the words of power, etc, etc.)

However, it seems to be that whenever I get to the actual forming of the pentagrams, they NEVER stay still. They constantly spin and contort, and it takes me several moments to stabilize their images enough so I feel it was done "right".

Visualizing the Archangels? No problem. Scenery? Easy. Sounds? Pffft. Keeping a pentagram perfectly still and in my mind's eye?

I have even counted on the images of the Archangels to hold on to them to keep them from rotating and bending in-and-out of shape... But it doesn't do much.

Any insights in to this problem?