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Ch 1 .... the call of Nuit resonates highly with me . That is understandable if you saw my natal chart
Also the 'True Will' * and of course 'Love is the Law ' .
* I mentioned earlier that it is an old concept ( and IMO of extreme importance ..... also living one's 'True Will ' is a key component of Eudamonia - sort of like the opposite of depression ) and was taught by Zoroastrians ;
Khvarenah
[Also spelt khvareno, khvarana or khwarnag (the 'khv/khw' are at times denoted by 'hu'). Middle Persian Pahlavi: khwar, khwarr, or khwarrah. New Persian: Khorra(h). Related Old Persian: farnah. New Persian: farr.]
The khvarenah is the archetype of the person one can grow to if allowed to grow to the limit of her or his capacity in grace, that is, in keeping with the
and thereby in keeping with Divine purpose. In the Avesta, the khvarenah is frequently described as 'Mazda-datem', i.e. God-given or God-gifted.
The khvarenah is also a person's higher calling - their meaning in life [the Middle Persian Pahlavi rending of khvarenah is khvesh-kari meaning own-work or own-purpose (in keeping with Divine purpose i.e. the higher calling)].
Every human being is endowed with natural talents that can be harnessed and developed to achieve one's highest potential or one's higher calling [sometimes thought of as one's latent destiny in life]. Alternatively, through choice, these talents can be employed to achieve base ambitions.
, the path of goodness, and pursue her or his calling without expectation of reward.
The khvarenah is specific to a person and is different for each person.
There is a strong implication in Zamyad Yasht (Yt 19.46-57) that the khvarenah that does not belong to a person cannot be seized by another person. The implication is that we should be content with our khvarenah and not be jealous or greedy of the other's khvarenah (here, good fortune).
When all human beings realize their calling or full potential in grace, the world will attain
Human beings often limit or loose themselves. In either case, they do not achieve their full potential or capacity.
While to some extent, a person's lot in life is determined by birth and circumstance, a person can find her or his latent khvarenah or calling by envisioning the person one aspires to become in grace, and then taking steps to realize the khvarenah despite daunting obstacles and adversity.
To loose oneself is to loose one's khvarenah.
In mythology, the khvarenah is like a bird that hovers over a person, and one that can fly away. If grace is replaced by evil ambitions, the bird is replaced by serpents growing out of that person's shoulders [see
The source of the khvarenah is said to be the divine spiritual light that is eternal and which casts no shadow (Denkard Madon 347.6-7).
A person's realization of her or his khvarenah is evidenced by a halo (farr in Persian), glowing brightly over her or his head - radiant as the sun (khvar/khor). (See portrait of Zarathushtra at the top of the page - a physical representation of something perceived by the spiritual eye and senses.) The opposite of the light of a halo is darkness - like a dark cloud hanging over someone.
A person's realization of her or his khvarenah cloaks that person with the aura of charisma and grace, the kind possessed by
Khvarenah and the resulting charisma enable leadership that does not rely on authority.
[For those interested in the etymology of the modern Persian names; Farr, Farah, Farahmand, Farrokh derive from the Old Persian farnah. Farr is translated as halo or nimbus - the aura of spiritual light, a light that casts no shadow, that surrounds a person filled with goodness and grace.]
12. Come forth, o children, under the stars, & take your fill of love!
13. I am above you and in you. My ecstasy is in yours. My joy is to see your joy.
- Many religions 'God's' require obedience , subservience , fear even ... ''Fear God ! '' - not thanks .... Pass !
and of course this ; '' the work of the wand and the work of the sword; these he shall learn and teach.'' - see recent comments on martial arts and magick
41. The word of Sin is Restriction. O man! refuse not thy wife, if she will! O lover, if thou wilt, depart! There is no bond that can unite the divided but love:
57. Invoke me under my stars! Love is the law, love under will. Nor let the fools mistake love; for there are love and love. There is the dove, and there is the serpent. Choose ye well!
58; I give unimaginable joys on earth: certainty, not faith, while in life,* upon death; peace unutterable, rest, ecstasy; nor do I demand aught in sacrifice.
* I can personally attest to this ( again see 'Eudamonia ' ) . .. no sacrifice
and this ritual ;
61. But to love me is better than all things: if under the night stars in the desert thou presently burnest mine incense before me, invoking me with a pure heart, and the Serpent flame therein, thou shalt come a little to lie in my bosom. For one kiss wilt thou then be willing to give all; but whoso gives one particle of dust shall lose all in that hour. Ye shall gather goods and store of women and spices; ye shall wear rich jewels; ye shall exceed the nations of the earth in spendour & pride; but always in the love of me, and so shall ye come to my joy. I charge you earnestly to come before me in a single robe, and covered with a rich headdress. I love you! I yearn to you! Pale or purple, veiled or voluptuous, I who am all pleasure and purple, and drunkenness of the innermost sense, desire you. Put on the wings, and arouse the coiled splendour within you: come unto me! ''
( I have access to desert - its amazing out there under 'her body' - ecstatic ;
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Hang on ... who entered 'cosmically ordained' into this formula ?
What you list can be indications of 'True Will' as one finds their way towards it .
what is this 'Cosmic true will ' you speak of ? crowley never called it 'cosmic true will )
Ahhh ... I see now .
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Do what thou wilt ..... even after death ?
From the Gnostic Mass;
Unto them from whose eyes the veil of life hath fallen may there be granted the accomplishment of their true Wills; whether they will absorption in the Infinite, or to be united with their chosen and preferred, or to be in contemplation, or to be at peace, or to achieve the labour and heroism of incarnation on this planet or another, or in any Star, or aught else, unto them may there be granted the accomplishment of their wills; yea, the accomplishment of their wills.
''
I love that you referenced the Gnostic Mass in that last statement there. I have always been confused about what i should expect of my work after death. I wont take this as an apsolute without research, but i sure as hell will try to incorporate that quote into my workings
I think this 'harmony with universe' is an illusion. Someone uncovers their 'true will' is to become a gymnast, what they are doing is just seeing their inner tendencies, emotions, etc etc collating and making them think the universe gives a shit what they do lol
True will is somewhat ill defined but at least in my understanding is a cosmic scale issue. What is one's true will in the unveiling of gnosis or enlightenment in the cosmos (which Crowley basically implies across several writings).
Having said that, it also has different levels and is sort of holographic. You can speak of a person having their true will being a gymnast but that would only be for a particular period of time in an individuals lifetime (although perhaps gymnastics is the best exercise for that particular body in this incarnation).
The actual true will is at a cosmic level and always involves the further spiritual evolution of humanity and/or the cosmos.
Talking about LHP, one can make the proposal that FS is one of the first original LHP currents, like another Thelema offshoot, Kenneth Grant and the Typhonian O.T.O.
Sure, one of the "modern" ones (taking modern to start with the Golden Dawn or their offshoots or perhaps Crowley, etc.). But Huysmans clearly shows in La Bas that LHP's were current by the late 1800's but still pre-Golden Dawn (unless one thinks that Huysmans made it up).
I personally think Crowley's works are vastly underestimated and misunderstood. That said, I'm not super keen on Thelema itself, I think it's okay. The concept of True Will is a good one, but it's of course not unique and you'll find it in other religious systems, just in different words. So when it comes to the mythology and symbology it is a matter of aesthetics.
One reason I would recommend studying Thelema is for the higher degrees. Crowley is one of very, very few adepts that actually talk about what's beyond the Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel in any significant detail. This is more advanced stuff though, and I don't know how far you are on your path, so I am not sure how useful it would be to you at the moment, but at least keep this in mind for the future.
A good thing that came up in discussion at home was the perversion of the term Left Hand Path in modern occultism to mean by default some demonic or ego coddling and retaining of what Crowley would call a 'Black brother' but it is NOT a western term.
True and original LHP is just the Vama Marg of Tantra in Hinduism which means you use human passions and senses in rituals and meditation like wine women song and meat. Totally different from how people have taken it.
So in this context Thelema can most definitely be a LHP 'religion'/philosophy
The world as something to celebrate and transmute, not deny. The word of sin is restriction. But it is likewise NOT license to do what you want either.
True and original LHP is just the Vama Marg of Tantra in Hinduism which means you use human passions and senses in rituals and meditation like wine women song and meat. Totally different from how people have taken it.
Its founder hopelessly addicted to heroin (as more than a couple current Thelemites are) is worlds away from the very precise and limited use of various 'poisons' in Indian Tantra.
The forum section was obviously created with the modern, western notion of the LHP in mind
Its founder hopelessly addicted to heroin (as more than a couple current Thelemites are) is worlds away from the very precise and limited use of various 'poisons' in Indian Tantra.
I am giving you a like because you are special and I thank you for your reply.
And yes, you are correct that heroin is not a part of Tantra, and I would have you note, (despite some people's apparent fixation on the man's personally prescribed medication for asthma and bronchitis, as it was commonly prescribed prior to the 1930s) is, shockingly! also not part of Thelema either. lol
Getting addicted is not a part of Tantra. That would be considered utter failure there, and in the teachings regarding the 'poisons' it is clarified they are only for Viras and can easily backfire.
(despite some people's apparent fixation on the man's personally prescribed medication for asthma and bronchitis, as it was commonly prescribed prior to the 1930s)
The 'fixation' isn't on the substance, but the fact crowley made misguided claims for Thelema that one could use such substances without them mastering one (he wrote an entire novel about this).
I am giving you a like because you are special and I thank you for your reply.
And yes, you are correct that heroin is not a part of Tantra, and I would have you note, (despite some people's apparent fixation on the man's personally prescribed medication for asthma and bronchitis, as it was commonly prescribed prior to the 1930s) is, shockingly! also not part of Thelema either. lol
That would be considered utter failure there, and in the teachings regarding the 'poisons' it is clarified they are only for Viras and can easily backfire.
The 'fixation' isn't on the substance, but the fact crowley made misguided claims for Thelema that one could use such substances without them mastering one (he wrote an entire novel about this).
Now it looks like you are saying that no one can use such drugs without them mastering them . It isnt only Crowley that claims that .
Here are the key findings regarding heroin usage and addiction rates:
Immediate Risk: While roughly one-third become dependent in the first year, it is unlikely for most people to develop a full-blown addiction the very first time they use it, though that first experience can initiate a rapid cycle toward addiction.
Addiction Development: Regular, non-dependent use is difficult to maintain, as tolerance develops quickly, often leading to addiction within two to three weeks.
Lifetime Risk: Studies suggest that over a lifetime, about 23% to 28% of people who use heroin at least once will become dependent.
Usage Context: Some research on "chippers" (occasional or controlled users) indicates that some people can manage their usage without becoming addicted, but this is rare and carries extreme risks.
So clearly Crowley was right one CAN use such substances without necessarily becoming addicted to them .
of course I do not advise that , I am just correcting the uninformed mudslinging
That isn't what I meant. I'm familiar with the drug from having known multiple users/addicts, so I don't need to derive 'knowledge' from chat gpt
I've known people who quit cold turkey and never touched it again, after consistent use over a substantial period. Crowley for all his talk of will was simply unable to do so. He claimed in his Drug Fiend novel that a follower of Thelema would be able to use Heroin and other substances 'at will', which was a stupid thing to claim.
Seeing what I have of Thelemites, I'm not too impressed with their utilization of will. CS Hyatt (Alan Miller) was correct to call the OTO a trailer trash organization, and that was after financially helping them for years lol
The more general point was the more rigorous and precise usage of forbidden (to Hindus) practices in Tantra is only vaguely related to the anal sexcapades and copious drug taking of Thelema. Come to think of it, I really don't see the amazing results in the higher degree OTO sex practices that are held out like a dubious carrot to gullible Thelemite aspirants (since so few achieve those degrees anyway)
Sure, one of the "modern" ones (taking modern to start with the Golden Dawn or their offshoots or perhaps Crowley, etc.). But Huysmans clearly shows in La Bas that LHP's were current by the late 1800's but still pre-Golden Dawn (unless one thinks that Huysmans made it up).
As far as I know, Huysmans was a pious Christian who wanted to warn people about the alleged dangers of devil worship, with the quite contrary effect, inspiring modern satanic tropes and clichés of today's pop culture, like in horror movies or heavy metal music. Seemingly, for his novel he took inspiration from classic medieval "satanic panic" narratives, mostly deriving from Christian smear campaigns against Pagans, Jews, the Gnostic movements... or women!
Interestingly, the very same tropes were used later in a smear campaign of the tabloid press against Crowley and the O.T.O. He and some of his peers, like Dion Fortune, were actually quite outspoken against what they referred to as "black brothers", meaning by that basically people who were practicing Goetia, and in the case of Fortune, also homosexuals!
IMHO practicing Goetia (or devil worship) does not necessarily mean to follow the Left Hand Path. Before the rise of modern magick there was a clear distinction between magical practice (sorcery) and mysticism. Magic was used for material results, benevolent or harmful in their outcomes. Controlling demons (if that is really possible?) was just a tool. With the Golden Dawn (and Crowley took inspiration here) rose the idea of using magic for the sake of the mystic experience, as a tool for protection and the communication with the Divine. But yet, there was still no distinction between a right and a left hand path.
And finally, I come to my conclusion. LHP is part of the modern magick framework of ideas and believes, commonly referred to as the "Western Esoteric Tradition", also inspired by eastern traditions (something Crowley should also be granted some credits for), like Tantrism. It's about accepting the "dark" side and using its powers for spiritual means, preferably in balance with the "bright" side. And I firmly believe (in the actual state of my studies), that Kenneth Grant or Gregor A. Gregorius played important roles in this development. Among others it was their doing to get rid of these Christian tropes of devil worship and black witchery. I.e. the Fraternitas Saturni established Lucifer as cosmic principle in their current, completely free of any pseudo-satanic shenanigans. Gregorius was one of the first authors establishing the idea of the "Black Light", a common term in today's LHP currents.
Following the LHP is not about celebrating satanic stereotypes (maybe just a little, to get rid of the angsty naysayers and to anger the pious preachers ). Quite contrary, it's about liberation from those limiting superstitious believes and unifying inner and outer opposites to find true potential, and of course to destroy your enemies and obstacles, for they're many in various forms! In a nutshell, IMO everything before that was nothing but a spook show.
I'm afraid of going off-topic here, though still including some facts about Crowley and his philosophy. I think this topic would make an great thread for further discussion. The Origins and History of the Left Hand Path perhaps?
As far as I know, Huysmans was a pious Christian who wanted to warn people about the alleged dangers of devil worship, with the quite contrary effect, inspiring modern satanic tropes and clichés of today's pop culture, like in horror movies or heavy metal music. Seemingly, for his novel he took inspiration from classic medieval "satanic panic" narratives, mostly deriving from Christian smear campaigns against Pagans, Jews, the Gnostic movements... or women!
Interestingly, the very same tropes were used later in a smear campaign of the tabloid press against Crowley and the O.T.O. He and some of his peers, like Dion Fortune, were actually quite outspoken against what they referred to as "black brothers", meaning by that basically people who were practicing Goetia, and in the case of Fortune, also homosexuals!
IMHO practicing Goetia (or devil worship) does not necessarily mean to follow the Left Hand Path. Before the rise of modern magick there was a clear distinction between magical practice (sorcery) and mysticism. Magic was used for material results, benevolent or harmful in their outcomes. Controlling demons (if that is really possible?) was just a tool. With the Golden Dawn (and Crowley took inspiration here) rose the idea of using magic for the sake of the mystic experience, as a tool for protection and the communication with the Divine. But yet, there was still no distinction between a right and a left hand path.
And finally, I come to my conclusion. LHP is part of the modern magick framework of ideas and believes, commonly referred to as the "Western Esoteric Tradition", also inspired by eastern traditions (something Crowley should also be granted some credits for), like Tantrism. It's about accepting the "dark" side and using its powers for spiritual means, preferably in balance with the "bright" side. And I firmly believe (in the actual state of my studies), that Kenneth Grant or Gregor A. Gregorius played important roles in this development. Among others it was their doing to get rid of these Christian tropes of devil worship and black witchery. I.e. the Fraternitas Saturni established Lucifer as cosmic principle in their current, completely free of any pseudo-satanic shenanigans. Gregorius was one of the first authors establishing the idea of the "Black Light", a common term in today's LHP currents.
Following the LHP is not about celebrating satanic stereotypes (maybe just a little, to get rid of the angsty naysayers and to anger the pious preachers ). Quite contrary, it's about liberation from those limiting superstitious believes and unifying inner and outer opposites to find true potential, and of course to destroy your enemies and obstacles, for they're many in various forms! In a nutshell, IMO everything before that was nothing but a spook show.
I'm afraid of going off-topic here, though still including some facts about Crowley and his philosophy. I think this topic would make an great thread for further discussion. The Origins and History of the Left Hand Path perhaps?
That is a very great post and I agree with everything you said.
I was hoping knowledgeable people would be able to read between the lines of my post as you did, and correctly intuit my inner meaning , referring to Kenneth Grant and early Luciferianism etc!
That is a very great post and I agree with everything you said.
I was hoping knowledgeable people would be able to read between the lines of my post as you did, and correctly intuit my inner meaning , referring to Kenneth Grant and early Luciferianism etc!
I think
a
great idea for a thread , which has been kind of banging around in my head as I practise and study .
Great post !
Adding that this is also where Thelema becomes LHP 'Accepting and using the dark side for spiritual development ' rejecting no part of human nature and transmuting it alchemically.
That isn't what I meant. I'm familiar with the drug from having known multiple users/addicts, so I don't need to derive 'knowledge' from chat gpt
I've known people who quit cold turkey and never touched it again, after consistent use over a substantial period. Crowley for all his talk of will was simply unable to do so. He claimed in his Drug Fiend novel that a follower of Thelema would be able to use Heroin and other substances 'at will', which was a stupid thing to claim.
I dont see why . Some people do that, I dont know if they are Thelemites . The definition of a Thelemite is too broad, I feel to make such a distinction .
and I dont remember the claim when I read the book that a Thelemite 'would be able to ' do that . I suppose though, as far as will goes, its one of the ultimate tests as addiction seems the antithesis of freedom . But I dont remember the claim and think this is your take or summary of it .
I dont want to go deeper here about it as its a novel and not representative of the teachings of Thelema . I will state again though, that in some expressions 'the teachings of Thelema ' are about NOT being addicted .... to anything .
So this is all really a red herring and seems a round about way of discrediting .
Seeing what I have of Thelemites, I'm not too impressed with their utilization of will. CS Hyatt (Alan Miller) was correct to call the OTO a trailer trash organization, and that was after financially helping them for years lol
My experience has been the very opposite ... and that is personal experience , not just one person bitchin with another agreeing .
of course I am not advocating every manifestation of Thelema and every group ... they are all different . some good , some not so good and some problematic , like all groups .
The more general point was the more rigorous and precise usage of forbidden (to Hindus) practices in Tantra is only vaguely related to the anal sexcapades and copious drug taking of Thelema.
This sounds like outside gossipy mudslinging and is rather nonsensical as you are ( due to your choice of syntax ) claiming a philosophy itself copiously takes drugs and has 'analsexcapades ' and dude ... those terms are a dead giveaway of prejudice and judgement .
Maybe you yourself had a bad experience with some ONE or some ONE group ?
Come to think of it, I really don't see the amazing results in the higher degree OTO sex practices that are held out like a dubious carrot to gullible Thelemite aspirants (since so few achieve those degrees anyway)
Then I have to ask ... are you privy to the results of 'higher degree OTO ' practices ?
I could point to very valid results that are being developed in modern science right now ( as Crowley predicted this would happen ) but again ... off topic .
I am not interested in group workings or social aspects, and so never have been a member of OTO but I can say from personal experience with others I have met, and my own evolution, that the curriculum of the A.:.A.:. is about mastering your own being, and this would include not being tempted by 'anal sexcapades' and 'drug taking' as a false 'perk' of higher grades. It's antithetical to everything Crowley taught.
You can do what you feel your soul needs to evolve and learn, grow, experience life in all it's positive and negative manifestations ,but they are not out there 'dangling carrots' of illegal activity and 'sex', as if they are all celibate single losers with no reasoning faculty. Merely by being seekers and risk takers they are likely to be exposed to more fringe areas of life than other groups, that does not equal causation for Thelema=bad.
Your choice of the words 'trailer trash' says it all, and belies your unwillingness to openly consider the curriculum and group as having any validity or use whatsoever.
Most of Beyond Everything's posts on this forum seem focussed on denigration and deconstruction for some reason.
Wasn't my choice of words, that's what Hyatt called them. And that was after helping the OTO many times, including financially. He was also Regardie's closest colleague, so he had a direct pipeline into how Crowley really was.
Wasn't my choice of words, that's what Hyatt called them. And that was after helping the OTO many times, including financially. He was also Regardie's closest colleague, so he had a direct pipeline into how Crowley really was.
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That's because knowing what to avoid is important in the battle towards immortality.
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Those results didn't help Crowley's money magic. He was so poverty stricken at times despite his workings that he couldnt afford paper.
Put simply, you seem to think that denigrating others is somehow useful, or perhaps you enjoy it.
What works for one person will not necessarily work for another.
Avoiding something personally, is different than your apparent antagonistic persona on this forum, unless I am just hallucinating or not getting it.
Maybe this is all your form of 'teaching' /sharing information in a useful way.......
As for your apparent fixation on Crowley's personal life, instead of the man's teachings, I don't know what to tell you.
He apparently was not too broke to afford rent, pipe tobacco, brandy, and heroin in his 70s, at least.
Is it 'denigrating' to point out that Crowley's claims regarding drugs/heroin in his Thelemic novel don't hold up to the reality of his helpless addiction? Let's recall this part of the discussion came about because he was compared to the Left Hand Tantric disciplines.
Or are we adults discussing the occult on a forum? The occult shouldn't be religion, ie all claims and all aspects should be open to clear-eyed criticism.
Is it 'denigrating' to point out that Crowley's claims regarding drugs/heroin in his Thelemic novel don't hold up to the reality of his helpless addiction? Let's recall this part of the discussion came about because he was compared to the Left Hand Tantric disciplines.
Or are we adults discussing the occult on a forum? The occult shouldn't be religion, ie all claims and all aspects should be open to clear-eyed criticism.
Is it 'denigrating' to point out that Crowley's claims regarding drugs/heroin in his Thelemic novel don't hold up to the reality of his helpless addiction? Let's recall this part of the discussion came about because he was compared to the Left Hand Tantric disciplines.
Or are we adults discussing the occult on a forum? The occult shouldn't be religion, ie all claims and all aspects should be open to clear-eyed criticism.
But you are not doing that yourself . For example , you never answered the criticism of your claim about that novel and the related things you tied to it .
And now you are just using the same example again .
