Thelema is a Verb, Not a Noun

by Aion 131

The existential dilemma every follower of ‘Thelema’ must confront is that is is not nor can it ever be rooted in dogma because it is as relativistic as Truth, manifesting differently for and through each person in an utterly unique manner. How could it intrinsically ever be anything different?

When I traveled in China, practitioners spoke of Taoist magic or Taoist ceremonies and rituals, but all admitted that the Tao could not possibly have a clear definition or one religion. If it was something that could be wholly grasped or defined, it would not be the Tao, of course. A religion can be grasped and defined as a noun like Buddhism, Islam or Christianity. Tas cani ‘Magick’ ™ which people also use as a noun. Yet the truth of the action is lost in this way and we begin to think of our dynamic life-path as a static thing if it is reduced to a noun. There is no doubt that all that is truly vital and real in life is in constant change. Our individual points of view, propensities and innate or adopted tendencies inform the orbit or motion of our Star. This is the flow of one’s life and is undefinable and the essence of Thelema.

Some try to codify or ‘own’ Thelema and say ‘We know what it is and we are the arbitrators of what it is!’ This seems to me absurd and rather pointless, much like people who arbitrate what is or is not ‘art’ or ‘God.’ It would be funny if ‘fundamentalist Thelema’ had a sense of propriety or flexibility. There is no possibility of dialog when confronted with such old aeon judgmentalism, and dies not move Thelema forward. Many of us find the works of Crowley and the power of Thelema personal and powerful. By saying ‘The Law if for All’ Crowley declared Thelema a ‘big tent’ idea that anyone who chooses to embrace gets to define for him or herself in a state of being and doing.

Religions often destroy the very things they espouse, as one can see on TV daily. Christians call each other non-Christian and still kill each other as they have for thousands of years. Shite and Sunni Muslims do the same, blowing each other up for their nouns even today. One wonders what is the utility of religion is and The Book of the Law clearly states the fate of ‘old aeon’ religions. Can there ever be ‘a scripture’ that dictates MY True Will? Taoism is a good model in that it somewhat escapes this fatal orthodoxy by upfront defining itself as undefinable. Thelema should and, in my opinion does, follow this path. Thus I advocate Thelemic tolerance and ecumenicalism.

Just like Christians should be busy healing the sick and and taking care of the poor and feeding the hungry, which is what Jesus said, those who follow Thelema should be busy finding and manifesting their True Will with Love and helping any who ask as they seek to find their Way. How can we aid each other in this Great Work? The answer, like the Tao, is imbued with compassion and observation but is not ever definable or limited. If you are flowing with the Tao, you are not speaking of it, you are living it. The same goes for Thelema. Arguing, defining or debating about it is not being it. If all are focusing on doing their True Will with Love, the universe will fall into place as it must. This is the simplicity and beauty of the Tao and Thelema, both are not about saying or believing but about DOING.