The Book of Lies, chapter 20: Samson

93,

The Universe is in equilibrium;
therefore He that is without it, though his force be but a feather,
can overturn the Universe.

I was thinking about this on the drive home from work tonight. I realized that no specific universe is specified (objective universe, subjective universe, universe that is shared by friends, by family, by coworkers, etc etc etc). It originally seemed to me that it was talking about the objective universe, and that those who rise above it would have unlimited power. In my copy of TBoL the commentary also seems to suggest this. But I was considering that perhaps it is a negative thing. The purpose of following the Law of Thelema is a universe in equilibrium, that of the shared universes and the individual universe.

The example in my head was my group of friends. We tend to get along fine, very compatible people, you could compare our interaction as almost a group of people perfectly following our True Will. It is a universe in equilibrium. Then someone gets a big head, a discussion gets heated, beliefs collide, and all of a sudden the universe is overturned. All the years of work to get along and chaos can errupt within minutes, sometimes taking quite a while to repair. Works with family, relationships, even your Self.

I realized then that there is a second half of the chapter I never think about:

Be not caught within that web, O child of Freedom!
Be not entangled in the universal lie, O child of Truth!

Perhaps the web of lies is that the end goal is power, control, the ability to overturn the universe. I always have viewed Thelema from a very left hand path standpoint, and I noticed that it is always the RHP that is questing for power. Politics, the Church, submission, repentance, etc etc etc. These all belong to the RHP. Perhaps this is a warning to those who walk the left hand path to not lose sight of the goal; freedom, truth, equality, Will, etc in place of power. After all, Samson destroyed himself as well.

I think it is a warning many of those who try walking the path constantly overlook.

Thoughts?

93, 93/93

93


The Book of Lies is a book I can only give you my opinion on - can't say I'm anymore of an expert than the laymen with this text - though I do love it.

In regards to your first point... "The Universe" I may guess is referring to both Obj and Sub... as "as above, so below" The Macroscopic Universe being a mirror of the Microscom and v.v. you say "The purpose of following the Law of Thelema is a universe in equilibrium, that of the shared universes and the individual universe." and you are right.. every star is supposed to have its orbit, and that orbit doesn't not interfer with the orbit of another.

So, the balance indicated could be a kin to this hermetic idea of equilibrium - the prefect man is reflection of the universe, hir universe, of which one is god.

in the commentary of Samson it states the first paragraph is a example of Newtons 1s law of Motion - which states "everything will remain at rest or in its current state of motion unless acted on my a force".... in space for example, the tiniest puff of gas from a space craft - akin to the fluttering of a feather would change the course of the craft forever.,... and when extrapolated enough would result in it ending up in a completely different part of the universe than its original trajectory.

I would suggest this relates to True Will, by indicating that when you are on the right course or path don't try and change anything.... its the taoist idea of "go with the flow" - no force is needed if the motion is on course. And I guess this chapter might suggest that if that course require one's own demise then so be it.

Its a bit like the concepts I learn in Wing Tsun Fung Fu - if you are using force - you are doing it wrong.

Thats my interpretation anyway. I'm not sure if that answers you question about your social group. I don't think your analogy is any less valid than mine - have you considered it further since you posted?

The Doors of Perception said:

93,
The example in my head was my group of friends. We tend to get along fine, very compatible people, you could compare our interaction as almost a group of people perfectly following our True Will. It is a universe in equilibrium. Then someone gets a big head, a discussion gets heated, beliefs collide, and all of a sudden the universe is overturned.

Click to expand...

I'm not sure if you've heard of the Thelemic organisation of OTO... but what you describe here is pretty much exactly what happens when a group of Thelemites get together


93,93/93

Haven't had much time to think on it further, but from my perspective we agree on the meaning. You simply put it in a more "Thelemic" way haha.

93,

Crowley clearly says in Book 4: "The Magician works in a Temple; the Universe, which is (be it remembered!) conterminous with himself. By "yourself" you mean the contents of your consciousness. All without does not exist for you."

Consider those comments in light of your speculation on 'which Universe' he is speaking about. He basically means 'everything of which you are aware which is identical with your understanding/awareness of the Universe.' 93 93/93

IAO131 said:

93,

Crowley clearly says in Book 4: "The Magician works in a Temple; the Universe, which is (be it remembered!) conterminous with himself. By "yourself" you mean the contents of your consciousness. All without does not exist for you."

Consider those comments in light of your speculation on 'which Universe' he is speaking about. He basically means 'everything of which you are aware which is identical with your understanding/awareness of the Universe.' 93 93/93

Click to expand...

93
What you speak of is conpounded in one of my favourite quotes from Thelemic ritual:

I am Omniscient, for naught exists for me unless I know it.

I am Omnipotent, for naught occurs save by Necessity, my soul's expression through my Will to be, to do, to suffer the symbols of itself.

I am Omnipresent, for naught exists where I am not, who fashioned Space as a condition of my consciousness of myself, who am the centre of all, and my circumference the frame of mine own fancy.

I am the All, for all that exists for me is a necessary expression in thought of some tendency of my nature, and all my thoughts are only the letters of my Name.

I am the One, for all that I am is not the absolute All, and all my all is mine and not another's; mine, who conceive of others like myself in essence and truth, yet unlike in expression and illusion.

I am the None, for all that I am is the imperfect image of the perfect; each partial phantom must perish in the clasp of its counterpart, each form fulfil itself by finding its equated opposite, and satisfying its need to be the Absolute by the attainment of annihilation.


- Liber V Vel Reguli

93,93/93

I'm not sure I agree, but then again I'm not really a follower of Crowley himself. For example, my subconscious desires exist though I am not consciously aware of them.

A valid point to raise..

But you will still agree that even though you are not aware of your subconcious desires - they are still part of you... they don't belong to anyone else - or exist outside of you?

Those who choose the formal mystical path of Thelema will be familiiar with the strapline "Know Thyself" - the point you raise is important - for how can one do one's True Will if one is not in control of one's subconscious desires and urges.

Therefore one of the first bodies of work that a Thelemite might undertake is getting in touch with the subconscious for the very purpose of harnessing it - so it very much becomes part of your conscious.

That way you can separate desire from Will - a key part of Thelemic practise.

The methods for delving into the subconcsious are many.. although we don't necessarily believe in the objective truth of systems such as the Tarot, Astrology or Qabala, we see them as useful tools in getting to know the subconsicous realms of our minds.

My subconscious does not exist outside me, no. But we scientifically know at least some decisions are unconsciously decided seconds before we are aware of it. Still us perhaps, but not consciously. This seems to fall into the philosophy of solipsism, what you guys are saying. Nothing existing outside of your mind. But this doesn't work with Thelema in my opinion because the True Wills of others are suppose to exist as well.

The Doors of Perception said:

My subconscious does not exist outside me, no. But we scientifically know at least some decisions are unconsciously decided seconds before we are aware of it. Still us perhaps, but not consciously. This seems to fall into the philosophy of solipsism, what you guys are saying. Nothing existing outside of your mind. But this doesn't work with Thelema in my opinion because the True Wills of others are suppose to exist as well.

Click to expand...

93,

Firstly, the idea that many decisions are made outside of your awareness is accounted for and even encouraged in Thelema. "Reason is a lie" et cetera, because the conscious mind cannot know the Totality of the Self that includes the unconscious elements. A lot of the work of Thelema involves getting the conscious ego out of the way (or in the 'right place') so that it is a minister of the Will rather than its tyrant.

Thelema is not solipsism. We acknowledge that everyone has their own True Will. Your True Will is, so to speak, in harmony with the Universal Will of All, and so is everyone else's. Practically, we say 'Do what THOU wilt" to others, acknowledging their right & duty to know & do their Wills as we do ours. Hope that's helpful.

93 93/93

It's helpful, I think we are on the same page.

93,

The universe is in equalibrium, 0 = 2. The second line, I think, is not a truth. In fact, the second part straight states that it is a lie. This logical yet misleadig idea is the appeal that leads many to magick an occultism in the first place and holds them back in the Abyss. If not originally, this lie may develop in the adepts mind as they progress and create a black brother.

This may actually be the best writing on the BB.

93, 93/93.

1137 said:

93,

The Universe is in equilibrium;
therefore He that is without it, though his force be but a feather,
can overturn the Universe.

Click to expand...

Bumping this because this quote happens to one of my favorites from the book of lies.

Mine as well.