Theos-Talk Archives (January 1999 Message tt00067)

> << Like him or not, this is not a true statement.  His OTO has as many
>  or more members than the TS and his influence in virtually all of
>  today's magical and occult schools is enormous.
>
>  Jerry S.
>   >>
>
> As opposed to Krishnamurti who was, for the most part, an incomprehensible
> bore.   The greatest gift that Crowley left us, in addition to
> some fantastic
> magickal scholarship and some real fun rituals, is the fact that one can
> follow a spiritual path and not have to pay any attention to the pompous
> eunuchoid fools who say you have to give up all the fun things in
> life, like sex, to do it.
>
>Chuck

Extracts from "Occultism Versus The Occult Arts" (Lucifer, 1888):

". . . . Siddhis (or the Arhat powers) are only for those who are able to
"lead the life," to comply with the terrible sacrifices required for such a
training, and to comply with them to the very letter.  Let them know at once
and remember always, that true Occultism or Theosophy is the "Great
Renunciation of SELF," unconditionally and absolutely, in thought as in
action.  It is ALTRUISM, and it throws him who practices it out of
calculation of the ranks of the living altogether.  "Not for himself, but
for the world, he lives," as soon as he has pledged himself to the work.
Much is forgiven during the first years of probation.  But, no sooner is he
"accepted" than his personality must disappear, and he has to become a mere
beneficient force in Nature.  There are two poles for him after that, two
paths, and no midward place of rest.  He has either to ascend laboriously,
step by step, often through numerous incarnations and no Devachanic break,
the golden ladder leading to Mahatmaship (the Arhat or Bodhisatva
condition), or - he will let himself slide down the ladder at the first
false step, and roll down into Dugpaship. . . ."

"The aspirant has to choose absolutely between the life of the world and the
life of Occultism.  It is useless and vain to endeavour to unite the two,
for no one can serve two masters and satisfy both.  No one can serve his
body and the higher Soul, and do his family duty and his universal duty,
without depriving either one or the other of its rights; for he will either
lend his ear to the "still small voice" and fail to hear the cries of his
little ones, or, he will listen but to the wants of the latter and remain
deaf to the voice of Humanity.  It would be a ceaseless, a maddening
struggle for almost any married man, who would persue true practical
Occultism, instead of its theoretical philosophy. For he would find himself
ever hesitating between the voice of the impersonal divine love of Humanity,
and that of the personal, terrestrial love.  And this could only lead him to
fail in one or the other, or perhaps in both his duties.  Worse than this.
For, whoever indulges after having pledged himself to OCCULTISM in the
gratification of a terrestrial love or lust, must feel an almost immediate
result; that of being irresistably dragged from the impersonal divine state
down to the lower plane of matter.  Sensual, even mental self-gratification,
involves the immediate loss of the powers of spiritual discernment; the
voice of the MASTER can no longer be distinguished from that of one's
passions or even that of a Dugpa; the right from wrong; sound morality from
mere casuistry."

So much for "fun rituals", "sex" and the like, eh.

Best wishes,
Paul