Theos-Talk Archives (November 1997 Message tt00385)

b888 wrote:

 Before I go on, I would like to thank you for the work and thought you
put into answering a deceptively simple-looking question.
> > Bart writes:
> > What makes you think that the "Do what Thou Wilt" teaching is hedonist?
>
> This Thelema motto began as I understand it with that cult known as the
> Assassins, or hashish eaters. Later used by Francois Rabelais, then
> purloined by the infamous Al Crowley.

 Note: It is interesting that when the same group of people make similar
accusations against H.P.B. and Aliester Crowley, Theosophists generally
consider the former to be entirely false and the latter to be entirely
true. It is partially due to the fact that Crowley was a master at using
language as a tool, something with which Blavatsky really couldn't be
bothered. He wished to discourage the casual reader, and therefore wrote
his books so that it had one meaning to the casual reader, and another
to the careful reader, and that the casual reader would get turned off
by his books. Unfortunately, like Blavatsky, AC had a bad temper, but
with his mastery of the written word, was able to royally skewer anybody
who crossed him (which included his best friends, at some time or
other).

> "Wilt" is the operative word here as this is the end result of those poor
> souls who set forth on this road. The Greeks had a much better motto "Know
> Thyself".

 But the point of "Do what Thou Wilt" is STRONGER than "Know Thyself".
The word, "Thelema" means "Divine Will" (to be contrasted with
"Theosophy", which means "Divine Knoweldge"). "Do what Thou Wilt" is
different than "Follow you whims". It is a call to know you divine will
(budhi, to Theosophists.). The idea is if everybody knew what their
divine will was, and everybody followed it, there would be no conflicts,
and therefore no need of any other law.

> That this path is hedonistic is demonstrated by those who take it up. For
> the impulses invariably come from the lower self, which seeks sensuous
> enjoyment. For the higher self to take the reins of the chariot a "Thy Will
> be done " attitude is needed.

 One of the problems that Crowley did not forsee when he wrote on two
levels was that the level he designed to disgust people actually
attracted some people to his works. They are not students of Crowley,
but rather emulator's of Crowley's reputation, and an embarrassment to
the true followers of Crowley (I am not a Crowleyite, but I have a
number of good friends in the Caliphate OTO. There ARE major
disagreements between Thelemites and Theosophists, but they are about
which methods are most effective for reaching the same ends).

 Bart Lidofsky