Thelemic Will

By: Xi O'Teaz

re: Uncle Al's "Do what thou Wilt shall be the Whole of the Law":

>>And you threw the Crowley quote as if to say it >>means nothing more than, "do what ever you want to". >>In which case... if that was what it meant, that is >>what it would read. > >that is what it reads....i think..to me it is. anyone >else care to suggest it means otherwise? i know there >are some more qualified than me on this list on >Crowley's works...

Thelema is a Greek word meaning "Will". The way that Crowley used the term, he meant *Will* as in a Path that one follows in Life. It has a kinda "higher" feel to it, in that one's life should be spent discovering and then following their "True Will" (cf. *will*, as in a mere fleeting desire or want).

I think that one's Will can be seen as similar to a Destiny or Fate. The Romans had a saying that basically stated

"The Fates *lead* those who would follow, and *drag* those who would resist."

I think this sums it up quite well.

Another way to look at it is that we are all given a "script" for our lives. Whilst the actual *words* in the script are irrelevant, the progression of our Life's Story (major plots and sub-plots, resolutions, direction, etc.) is our True Will.

Make sense?

But "doing whatever you want to" implies a more fleeting and ephemeral desire than a Thelema/Will would cover. One's Will is *not* fleeting, as has been shown above.

Hope this helps.

"Know Thy Selves"

~~~3 Coyotes Dancing~~~

[Note: Submitted, and used with permission.]