The initial work of aspiration is by it's nature positive, active, and to an extent this activity continues throughout the life of an aspirant. The work consists of setting up and sticking to a discipline (Pertinax meant 'stick to it'). Persistence is key, and there is an aim in mind that keeps the aspirant on the path, a goal which s/he may only be vaguely aware, but which can be discerned like a star on a misty night. This is the 'fish-hook' that draws the student onwards and upwards. However this doesn't last forever. There is a saying in the book of lies, the aspirants of A.'.A.'. are men, the Brothers of the A.'.A.'. are women. That is to say, aspirants must exercise virtue (qualities of manhood, from the Latin Virtus), that is strength, self-discipline, rigour and determination, all positive traits. But once a fulcrum point is attained it is less a case of actively working towards achieving something, and more one of responsive sensitivity, listening, watching and responding appropriately.
At some point the path ceases to be an act of will and instead becomes habit, which leads to momentum, faster and faster we fall....momentum builds up, but by this time there is no longer a path in the linear sense, only the next step, and the next step. "Always, we begin again", in the words of St. Benedict.
At that point, the Angel takes over and begins to issue instructions. This is of course only a way of speaking, but it fits the perceived experience. Like a soldier trained by years of discipline, when the order comes the aspirant, now initiate, responds. The soldier charges the machine gun nest without hesitation or question. In fact the whole work of the initiate becomes one of responsiveness to the instruction of the Angel. As Frater Saturnus put it, Perinde ac cadaver, in the manner of a corpse, total submission of the aspirant to the Angel. When the order comes there can be no questioning, only acquiescence, and you may find yourself doing things that would previously have been unthinkable, for no other reason than you are compelled to do so. This is the real meaning of martyrdom, not the mawkish throwing away of one's life in a futile gesture, but a deliberate act of putting oneself on the line. It is also the acceptance of the most fundamental reality of ones being, this is not just what you are doing, this is what you are. Birds sing, the sun shines, trees raise their branches to heaven, and the initiate does whatever he does, as the angel of his angel, so to speak. This need not be particularly exciting, and in fact is more often than not perfectly unremarkable. Most of us are not called to do great things in the world of men, to be world changers, movers and shakers. As Crowley points out, Magick is for the shop girl and the butcher, for Joe Blogs. There is a heroism in ordinariness, in the day to day adjustments and small tasks which go towards the work of the adept, who is an adept precisely because of this basic humility, the ability to be himself, without thrills or ruffles.
After this there is no more work, only life itself with its daily round of prayer, meditation, work to keep body and soul together and pay the rent, and whatever ancillary tasks may be to hand. The 'path' begins to be apparent in all its simplicity, the 'true will' becomes totally ordinary, a living reality rather than a matter of a far off aspiration, a daydream cooked up in the idle mind, something that requires divine help to obtain or else a fond fantasy, but simply daily life, one foot in front of the other. But daily life sanctified by experience and knowledge.
As the zen saying goes, before enlightenment, chop wood and carry water, after enlightenment, chop wood and carry water.
Love is the law, love under will.
No comments:
Post a Comment