Typhonian > The Typhonian Order
Typhonian OTO
OnTheOtherHand:
--- Quote from: kidneyhawk on March 27, 2009, 10:05:54 pm ---Michael-I recall the slight that was dealt your way and was in agreement with our webmaster that it was an inappropriate rudeness. Not everyone who raves about Kenneth Grant and related themes represents the Typhonians, however, and as one who is myself associated with this group, I am all for some common courtesy, respect and good humor amongst us all, regardless of what camps we affiliate with.
--- End quote ---
The sad thing is that, as a member of small, esoteric groups that are largely unheard of by the masses (and largely unheard of in an accurate light, thanks to those who are willing to disparage NRMs), we are inherently representatives of the respective groups we are members of. For example, I am a Thelemite and a member of the O.T.O. but I know that basically, every time I interact with someone and tell them that I am a Thelemite, that people are going to judge Thelema based on who I am and how I behave.
Is this unfair? Absolutely. This means that people all over the world are getting divergently different perceptions of Thelema/O.T.O./whatever, perceptions that they would not have if the people introducing the concept to them were switched. But it's not unreasonable. I experience the same thing being a transsexual woman in Denver, a lesbian as I travel across the United States and Canada, etc. People generally base their opinions based on who they know, which is why people who know gay people in a positive way are more likely to vote for their rights to be expanded than those who do not.
kidneyhawk:
"every time I interact with someone and tell them that I am a Thelemite, that people are going to judge Thelema based on who I am and how I behave"
That's true. As it is with ANY religion, political affiliation and so on. And EVERY group has its bad apples. Every group has its GOOD apples (well, MOST of them-!). Is your point to "Call All Thelemites" to a conduct standard whereby people won't think "Good Christ! What's THIS shit?"
I remember a Jehovah's Witness who I once worked with. We would argue and argue over religion. This was great fun as our mutual job was horrifyingly dull. At one point, he said "Look! Just read THIS!" He handed me the JW guide to witnessing. I still have it. Hardcover. This book contained a "proper" response to every objection to the person at your door. Not the sort of thing you normally have handed over to you. I guess I just fried this guy's nerves.
Among the responses was the advice on how to dress and the particular advice to use breath mints. After all, some fetid blast from mouth could cost a person...their soul!
I suppose a Kirby salesperson could benefit from the same advice. So is "Thelema" something we're SELLING or something we're DOING?
DWTW could express itself in ways that are counterproductive to "selling the message."
So , WHAT, exactly, is this "Thelema?" Is it something revealed to us through this guy, Aleister? Something we need to be careful with as we try to integrate it into society?
Is "Horus" at risk of getting his wings clipped if we don't do this right?
Or are really selling a group? A club?
When I was involved in Freemasonry, I recall an older member talking about how he really didn't like the image of the skull, how it made people think we were "Satanists." This, for him, was a hurdle to get over in becoming an acceptable element in modern society.
I'm sure we could push Liber Al with greater effectiveness if we got over all that peck out the eyes of Jesus and make "cakes" from menstrual blood and...well, you get the picture. And if we just didn't Do What Thou Wilt, people might listen. After all, it's worked for the religions that are killing us, eh?
All I'm saying is that the sentiments I see in your post are the same I've heard in those (anathema!) "old aeon" religions.
It's my thought that the "New Aeon" is not only a philosophic upgrade but a switch in Modus Operandi!
What do you think...?
Shiva:
--- Quote from: kidneyhawk on July 12, 2012, 08:23:43 am ---This book contained a "proper" response to every objection to the person at your door.
--- End quote ---
Wow! What a rare collector's item.
It's true. ANY interaction with a Witness open the door to endless dialogue - as they seem to have the answer to eveything or any position. Except one ...
"No, thank you!" >>> [close door].
http://www.cftf.com/miller/You asked ... "So , WHAT, exactly, is this "Thelema?"
Oh, it's a word, and a philosophy, and a concept, and a force.
Some say it's a religion, while others bristle at the very thought.
It is subject to all manner of dispute and debate, as can be verified by reading a few lashtal forum threads on the subject.
Is it something revealed to us through this guy, Aleister?
The word/philo/concept/force was in use long before Aleister incarnated. But for us (the bystanders in the AC Society), we can at least say that he (AC) pointed this way of thinking out to us - perhaps more strenuously and single-pointedly than some of those other guys.
Something we need to be careful with as we try to integrate it into society?
If one is going to talk about it, and [gasp] name it aloud, and become a conscious hero in its promulgation, yeah, a bit of caution and common sense might be in order. The world (portions of it) are like mean dogs who snap and snarl at every thing that is new, everything that is different.
Other folks will forego shooting their mouths off and simply live the concept as they observe the fourth power of the sphinx.
Is "Horus" at risk of getting his wings clipped if we don't do this right?
Such a question can only be answered by each individual, for the answer is dependent upon what "Horus" MEANS to the solitary mentat.
Or are (we?) really selling a group? A club?
There are rumors that some folks have joined one or more clubs - associations based on common interest, but not necessarily of work. And then one sometimes hears about a serious, working group - but we hear less about them, for their work tends to be shrouded in thin or thick veils - not much "selling" here. Oh Lord, then there are those ronin* who are commonly called "independent Thelemites" - Fools, flabbergasters and finely-tuned alike.
* A ronin is a "masterless samurai."
It's my thought that the "New Aeon" is not only a philosophic upgrade but a switch in Modus Operandi!
Well, of course it is.
What do you think...?
As little as possible. It seems like all problems are immediately solved if one can simply stop thinking.
michaelclarke18:
Neither of the current groups OTO and TOTO hold any interest for me....and neither seem to embody the real spirit of thelema, as I understand it. Maybe there is another group?
kidneyhawk:
"neither seem to embody the real spirit of thelema"
Can you elaborate on what you envision the "real spirit of thelema" to be?
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version