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Outer circumstances and the True Will

EverChanging

Well-Known Member
Can outer circumstances inhibit a person's exercise of her true Will? For example, if it is my true Will to visit countries across the globe could that be prevented, say, by lack of money? Do you believe the exercise of one's true Will can be constrained by limiting circumstances?
 

allfoak

Alchemist
@EverChanging

No would be the simple answer, our circumstances do not have to control our lives.

The only constraint is the ability to receive the things or circumstance we desire.
The constraints on our ability to hold our attention on something long enough for it to manifest are many.
This is however, what it takes to achieve our desires.
Focus, will and imagination, with these and an understanding of how the mind works, we can achieve our desires.

When we were children and we wanted to be or do something we pretended.
The only constraint was our knowledge of what we were pretending to be.
If we knew a lot about what we were imitating then we would imitate it well.
As we grew older we would get better at pretending because we had learned more about the subject.

Here is the secret of what happens when we "grow up".
We stop pretending and begin conforming.
The imagination is for children we say.
I say... rubbish.
My imagination is still very much intact and it can be used along with my will to overcome any circumstance and achieve what i desire.
Using our imagination as an adult can be a very powerful thing to do.
It is the secret to maintaining our youth, as well as the achieving of one's dreams.
As adults we have the ability to imitate something so well that we can become what we imitate.

Having said all of that, I am aware of how foolish it must sound to many here.
The reason for this is because there are many, many things that prevent us from accepting and putting into practice the things of which i speak.
Trying to re-learn the proper use of imagination as an adult can be very difficult for many.
Just finding it again is difficult enough, the sustained use of it is even harder to maintain without constant practice.

A strong desire to know the truth is a prerequisite since this ability to control one's life also brings with it a great deal of power.
There are built in safe guards that exist that if violated will seriously damage one's soul.
Most never get beyond the basics because of improper motivation.

Most do not have a strong enough constitution to be able to achieve the ability to control the circumstances of one's life.
But once one has experienced the power that comes with this ability, the power can become intoxicating.
It takes a lot to be able to use it properly without using it to directly manipulate others.

The key is to know where the power comes from and how to use it.
Once a proper foundation is built, there are no limits.
 
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1137

Here until I storm off again
Premium Member
True Will is more an understanding of those outside circumstances, as well as how they impact you. Circumstances can't really hamper your true will, as they are a part of it. But outside circumstances can interfere with your Xeper, which is the active, change causing aspect of magic. This is why it is important to know one's Thelema before engaging in Xeper.
 

Octavia156

OTO/EGC
Really interesting question and a key topic to debate.

I would have to disagree with @allfoak only in so far that he states "no"! The rest of the post is bang on!
To illustrate why I think "no" cannot be the answer to the OP I'll start with the specific example of travel.

Liber Oz states that "man has the right to move as he will upon the surface of the earth"

It is glaringly obvious that we do not have that right. One only has to look at the jungle of Calais to see that a persons freedom is restricted. Hundreds of people who will to integrate into European society are restricted and prevented from doing so. One cannot argue that it is their will to be imprisoned there - many if not all would have exercised enormous will to have been able to leave their countries and migrate so far, only to become trapped indefinitely.

Liber Oz describes a world where a person might find theit will to be unimpinged by circumstances. But that world does not exist *yet*. These rights of man are not universally in effect! Far from it! So clearly circumstances are preventing people from attaining their will all over the globe.

That is why chapter 3 in Liber Al speaks so.much of war: the fight for Freedom for every man and woman. And this battle continues! Around the world so many stars are restricted every single day by their circumstancesite.

I believe that the True Will can definitely be restricted (though: the word of sin is restriction - Liber Al) we are not free in this world *yet* - do what though wilt *shall* be the whole of the law. We have come on leaps and bounds since 1904, but there is a great deal of work still to be done in this aeon. The crowned child has not yet conquered the world.

In terms of the magickal life, I think is it is crucial to carefully reflect and evaluate obstacles to the will.
Sometimes an obstacle is presented as a necessary challenge to be overcome, thus strengthening the person - the greater the trial, the greater the triumph.
However some obstacles may present themselves as indicators that what you think is in accordance with your true will, may in fact be the wrong path.

The mundane world can be all encompassing and full of persuasive notions. It's easy to let your magical life slip and get swayed by external forced into believing you will something that you don't. Persistent magical work prevents this, and if you find as a result of your work that a voice keeps on telling you that you should travel, then this should lead you to start removing any obstacles in your way. If it is your True Will then, even if really difficult, with focused magickal work you will achieve success.

However in my albeit limited experience, if the world keeps pushing back, if things are not only hard but circumstances seem to push you even further from your goal, then it suggests that reflection and mediation is needed.
Even if you firmly believe that a certain course of action is the correct one - the divine will knows better.

Thelemites should never presume that they naturally know the correct course of every action unless they are undergoing a constant practise that results in a perpetual reflection on their relationship to the constantly changing world.

To blindly think that one has attained ultimate control by surrendering to the belief that the Will will just manifest without effort or conscious action, and that by accepting thelema one must miraculously become free of all restrictions, is to neglect the core purpose of our sojourn through this life.

True Will is a verb not a noun.

I'm not sure if I've just non sensically rambled here!! Hope it makes some sense and provides some food for reflection!

In short- yes I do believe it is possible for Will to be restricted by external circumstances. Especially if these circumstances have been brought about by unwilled actions in the past.

Achieving your true will is not guaranteed!!

That's why they call it the Great WORK!
 
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Octavia156

OTO/EGC
@allfoak re-reading your post I really like your points.
I resonate with the issue of conformity and the power of the imagination being the key to success.

And I wholeheartedly agree with and believe in the notion you put forward as the basis of magick.

I am wondering however whether it is an idealistic notion that is being assumed here?.
 

allfoak

Alchemist
@allfoak re-reading your post I really like your points.
I resonate with the issue of conformity and the power of the imagination being the key to success.

And I wholeheartedly agree with and believe in the notion you put forward as the basis of magick.

I am wondering however whether it is an idealistic notion that is being assumed here?.
 

EverChanging

Well-Known Member
@allfoak re-reading your post I really like your points.
I resonate with the issue of conformity and the power of the imagination being the key to success.

And I wholeheartedly agree with and believe in the notion you put forward as the basis of magick.

I am wondering however whether it is an idealistic notion that is being assumed here?.

I am getting back to this thread much later.

While I do not call myself a Thelemite I do work with the concept of Will. The conclusion I have come to is that there is nought but our Will.

Our Will is the expression, the product of all that is. Every particular "thisness" is a particular manifestation of "allness." A tree for example is the expression of mathematics, physics, chemistry, and more. Our Will is also a particular manifestation of All.

We cannot then but do as we Will. The only difference that can be made is that some realize this and others do not. If we give up the illusion of free will -- this is Will.
 
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