By Frater Amon Isis

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NOTE: All quotations are from Aleister Crowley’s Liber Aleph.

Introduction

Throughout history, seekers of spiritual enlightenment have developed numerous methods to transcend ordinary consciousness and attain a deeper understanding of the ultimate truth. One such method is Aleister Crowley’s “Method of Ladders,” elaborated in his esoteric work Liber Aleph vel CXI: The Book of Wisdom or Folly. This meditative practice involves the deliberate unification of dualistic concepts within the mind, serving as metaphorical “ladders” that lead the practitioner toward the realization of unity.

Crowley introduces this method in a series of chapters where he emphasizes the transformative power of reconciling opposites. In Chapter 179, he writes:

“Now for the Chief of that which was granted unto me, it was the Apprehension of those willed Changes or Transmutations of the Mind which lead into Truth, being as Ladders unto Heaven… But I make Effort in vain, o my Son, to record this matter in Detail; for it is the quality of the Grass to quicken the Operation of Thought it may be Thousandfold…”

Here, Crowley alludes to the difficulty of articulating the profound insights gained through this practice, especially under the influence of the “Holy Herb” (interpreted by many as a reference to cannabis). The rapid acceleration of thought and the overwhelming beauty of the images experienced make it challenging to capture the essence of the method in words. Nevertheless, he underscores its value:

“Now therefore must I make by my Will a Concentration mighty and terrible of my Thought, that I may bring forth this Mystery in Expression. For this Method is of Virtue and Profit, by it mayst thou come easily and with Delight to the Perfection of Truth…”

The Method of Ladders is thus presented as a means to achieve the “Perfection of Truth,” accessible through the conscious effort to unify dualities. Crowley emphasizes that any thought can serve as the starting point for meditation because all paths ultimately lead to the same spiritual summit—the “Temple of the Sangral” or the Holy Grail.

In Chapter 180, he elaborates on the necessity of prior initiation and understanding:

“I believe generally, on Ground both of Theory and Experience… that a Man must first be initiate, and established in Our Law, before he may use this Method. For in it is an Implication of our Secret Enlightenment, concerning the Universe, how its Nature is utterly Perfection.”

This highlights the importance of preparation and grounding in his teachings before attempting the method. The practitioner must have traversed the “Path of Antithesis,” being adept at resolving dualities and familiar with the mental discipline required.

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Essential Principles of the Method

To comprehend the Method of Ladders fully, it is crucial to distill its core principles as presented by Crowley:

1. Recognition of Dualities: Every thought or concept inherently contains a separation from its opposite. This duality is a fundamental aspect of human perception.
2. Marrying Opposites: The “medicine” for this separation is to consciously unite each thought with its contradiction. Crowley advises: “And thou shalt clap the one to the other with Vehemence of Spirit, swiftly as Light itself, that the Ecstasy be spontaneous.”
3. Continuous Synthesis: Uniting opposites often reveals residual imbalances or unsatisfied aspects. These emergent concepts must also be identified and reconciled, leading to an iterative process of synthesis.
4. Transcendence of Traditional Dualities: As one progresses, they encounter ideas that encompass their own contradictions and thus have no direct antithesis. Crowley notes in Chapter 183: “Above the Abyss, contradiction is Unity, and that Nothing could be true save by Virtue of the Contradiction that is contained in itself.”
5. Attainment of Unity: The ultimate goal is to dissolve all dualities, enabling the practitioner to perceive the “One Substance of Light”—a metaphor for the unity underlying all existence.

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Applying the Method: In-Depth Examples

To illustrate the practical application of the Method of Ladders, let’s explore several examples in detail, demonstrating how to ascend from a specific concept to the realization of unity through the synthesis of opposites. Remember, these are only examples and there are other possible “opposites” and ways to achieve the desired End.

Example 1: The Emotion of “Anger”

Starting Point: Begin by focusing on the emotion of Anger. Reflect on its characteristics—intensity, agitation, a response to perceived wrongs, and the physical sensations it evokes.

Identifying the Opposite: Consider the natural opposite of anger, which is Calmness or Peace. Calmness embodies tranquility, serenity, and emotional equilibrium.

Uniting the Opposites: Contemplate how anger and calmness are both aspects of the human emotional spectrum. They are interconnected; one often appreciates calmness after experiencing anger, and suppressed anger can disrupt calmness. By uniting them, recognize that they are expressions of the underlying capacity to feel deeply.

Emerging Residual Concept: From this union, you might notice a residual concept like Passion. Passion can manifest as both intense anger or profound calmness in the form of deep contentment.

Identifying the Opposite of the Residual: Consider the opposite of passion, perhaps Apathy—a lack of feeling or interest.

Uniting Again: Unite passion and apathy by understanding them as positions on the spectrum of Emotional Engagement. Both reflect different levels of connection with experiences and stimuli.

Progressing Toward Unity: Continue this process, exploring broader concepts like Emotion and its opposite Reason. Unite them to contemplate Conscious Experience, encompassing both feeling and thinking.

Transcending Dualities: Reflect on the nature of Consciousness, which includes both the conscious and unconscious mind. Recognize that consciousness itself transcends individual emotions or thoughts.

Attaining Unity: Meditate on the idea of Being or Existence, which transcends both consciousness and unconsciousness. all dualities. Then, ultimately meditate on the idea of Being and Non-Being, and That which is beyond them.

By systematically uniting opposites, you dissolve the separations within your mind, leading to an experiential understanding of unity. As Crowley writes:

“Thou knowest right well, o my Son, how a Thought is imperfect… but above the Abyss, contradiction is Unity.”

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Example 2: The Color “Green”

Starting Point: Focus on the color Green, associated with nature, growth, and renewal.

Identifying the Opposite: Identify Red as the complementary color, often symbolizing energy, passion, or warning.

Uniting the Opposites: Recognize that green and red are both colors perceived by the human eye, part of the visible spectrum. They represent different wavelengths of light but share the quality of being colors that evoke emotional responses.

Emerging Residual Concept: From this union, the concept of Color as a whole emerges.

Identifying the Opposite of “Color”: Consider Colorlessness, encompassing shades like black, white, and gray, or the absence of color.

Uniting Again: Unite color and colorlessness by contemplating Visual Perception. Both colorful and achromatic experiences are processed by the visual system.

Progressing Toward Unity: Reflect on Perception itself, which includes all sensory experiences—not just visual but auditory, tactile, olfactory, and gustatory.

Transcending Dualities: Consider Awareness, which underlies all perceptions and sensations. Awareness exists even in the absence of sensory input, such as in deep meditation.

Attaining Unity: Meditate on Consciousness as the fundamental reality in which all experiences arise. One could then move again to Being which transcends the opposites of Consciousness and Unconsciousness… And once again once moves to Unity which transcends Being and Non-being.

Through this process, you move from a specific sensory perception to an appreciation of the underlying consciousness that unifies all experience. Crowley’s words resonate here:

“This Method is continuous… dissolving all Things into the One Substance of Light.”

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Example 3: The Action “Running”

Starting Point: Contemplate the act of Running, focusing on the sensations of movement, speed, and exertion.

Identifying the Opposite: Consider Stillness or Rest as the natural opposite, representing inactivity and calmness.

Uniting the Opposites: Acknowledge that running and stillness are both states of the body, part of the spectrum of physical activity.

Emerging Residual Concept: From this union, the broader concept of Physical State arises.

Identifying the Opposite of “Physical State”: Contemplate Mental State, encompassing thoughts, emotions, and psychological processes.

Uniting Again: Combine physical and mental states to explore the States of the Individual.

Progressing Toward Unity: Consider the opposite of the states of the Individual as states of Other beings in the world. Combining the Individual and the External world we get Existence itself, which includes all forms of being, both human and non-human.

Transcending Dualities: Reflect on the opposite of Existence again being Non-existence…

Attaining Unity: Meditate on the Oneness of All That Is, dissolving distinctions between action and inaction, body and mind, individual and world, existence and non-existence. As Crowley states:

“This last Going upon thy Ladder is easy, if thou be truly Initiate, for the Momentum of thy Force… serveth to propel thee.”

By following the method, you transcend individual activities, recognizing the unity underlying all forms of existence.

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Example 4: The Historical Figure “George Washington”

Starting Point: Focus on George Washington, reflecting on his role as a leader in American history.

Identifying the Opposite: Identify King George III as his historical counterpart, representing the opposing side during the American Revolution.

Uniting the Opposites: Consider both figures as leaders who significantly influenced history, embodying different ideals but sharing the commonality of leadership. The emerging residual concept from this union is the concept of Leadership itself.

Identifying the Opposite of “Leadership”: Consider Followership or perhaps Anarchy, the absence of leadership. On the next step on the ladder, unite leadership and followership within the context of Social Dynamics, exploring how societies are structured and how individuals interact within them.

Progressing Toward Unity: Reflect on Human Society as a whole, including both organized structures and individual behaviors. It’s opposite might be the Natural world. On the next step, contemplate the unified ecosystem of Earth, integrating human society with the natural world.

Attaining Unity: Contemplate the unity of beings on Earth with those beings in the rest of the Universe in the concept of Being itself. The opposite of Being and Non-Being form the ultimate unity.

Crowley illuminates this in stating:

“Thou mayst know how every Road endeth in Monsalvat, and the Temple of the Sangral.”

Through this journey, you transcend individual identities and societal constructs, embracing a universal unity.

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Reflection and Integration

The Method of Ladders is not merely an intellectual exercise but a transformative practice that engages the whole being. By consciously uniting opposites, we begin to see beyond the illusions of separation that pervade our everyday perceptions.

Crowley emphasizes the importance of speed and intensity in this practice:

“And thou shalt clap the one to the other with Vehemence of Spirit, swiftly as Light itself, that the Ecstasy be spontaneous.”

The rapid synthesis of opposites can lead to moments of profound insight or ecstasy, as the mind transcends its usual patterns.

However, he also warns of the challenges, which highlights the need for preparation, focus, and readiness to engage deeply with the process:

“An Hesitation should confound thee, breaking down thy ladder, and throwing back thy Mind to receive Impression from Environment, as at thy first beginning.”

Practicing the Method of Ladders requires:

• Mindfulness: Staying present and attentive to each thought and its opposite.
• Openness: Willingness to explore and question deeply held beliefs and assumptions.
• Courage: Facing the discomfort that may arise when confronting contradictions within oneself.
• Dedication: Committing to the iterative process, even when it becomes challenging. Each new thought must be “clapped” into its opposite and follow up the ladder to the Ultimate Unity.

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Conclusion

Aleister Crowley’s Method of Ladders offers a profound approach to spiritual development and self-understanding. By systematically uniting opposites, we can transcend the limitations of dualistic thinking and experience the unity that underlies all existence. By embracing this method, we embark on a journey from the particularities of our individual experiences toward the universal truth of unity—a journey that is both challenging and deeply rewarding.

This practice aligns with insights from various mystical traditions, which often emphasize the dissolution of ego and the realization of non-duality. The Method of Ladders provides a valuable tool for Thelemites to cultivate a more expansive and balanced consciousness.

The Method of Ladders invites us to explore the depths of our minds, challenging us to move beyond superficial understanding. It is a call to embrace complexity, to find unity in diversity, and to recognize the profound interconnectedness of all things. By applying this method thoughtfully and consistently, we can cultivate a more nuanced and balanced worldview, one that acknowledges the multiplicity of perspectives while holding space for the unity that binds us all. As we navigate the ever-changing landscape of life, the wisdom encapsulated in Crowley’s teachings remains a valuable compass, guiding us toward greater self-awareness and harmony with our Wills.

“This Method is continuous and proceedeth ever from the Gross to the Fine, and from the Particular to the General, dissolving all Things into the One Substance of Light.”

Love is the law, love under will.

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