The Book of The Law Study Group 3.57

[Grigori]

Originally Posted by Aiwass

57. Despise also all cowards; professional soldiers who dare not fight, but play; all fools despise!

http://www.sacred-texts.com/oto/index.htm
http://hermetic.com/crowley/index.html
http://lib.oto-usa.org/libri/liber0220.html

Other threads in this study group

[closrapexa]

Seems like a line that is even more obscure than most. Could it be that the real "fight" is internal, and this is a cry against so-called ideological wars, perhaps even an anti-imperialistic sentiment? I try not to drag "real life" into the verses but this one makes it more difficult.

[Aeon418]

Originally Posted by closrapexa

I try not to drag "real life" into the verses but this one makes it more difficult.

That's the "outer" direction that Crowley took in his own commentary, where he rants against Christian passive resistance and turning the other cheek mentality. That seems quite appropriate for verse 57. DGIM(57) - Fishes; Pisces.

Personally I think III x 57 = 171 is quite significant to the inner meaning of this verse and the ones that follow. 171 is the mystic number of the 18th path - Cheth, Atu VII The Chariot. We've just had a set of Binah themed verses, so this verse and the ones that follow may be the natural outcome of Mary being "torn upon wheels." The Water of Life flows again?

As Crowley says in the Book of Thoth (p.85), Cancer is the cardinal sign of the element of Water. The 18th path is the route by which the Supernal Waters(Blood) of the Great Mother Binah descend upon Geburah - the energy of humanity - and inspires it. It is curious that of the four powers of the Sphinx it is Water that relates to courage - Audere, to Dare. And right at the start of this verse we have a rant against cowardice, which is a lack of courage.

The reference to soliders might be more understandable if taken in the general context of the third chapter which is the battle and war at the pre-Adept stages of initiation. Maybe the soldiers who play are those who treat Thelema as a game and are afraid to bloody themselves in battle. In that case they never make an authentic connection and thus the inspiration never flows. (To me III:46 has the flavour of this inspiration.)

The "fools" could always be just literal idiots. But maybe it refers to follis, airy windbags, intellectual Thelemic-wannabe theoreticians who do all their fighting from the comfort of an armchair.

Just jumping ahead a little, but the four brothers mentioned next might correspond to the four Kerubs before the Chariot. The constituent parts of man need to fight like brothers in this battle.

[closrapexa]

I like your thoughts on this verse, although, as is often the case, the verse is, if interpreted thus, off-putting, if one lets it be. Do nought but thy Will, of course, but it seems like this verse goes against the engaging friendliness of Magick Without Tears, if any "budding" initiate is to be "despised" since they haven't committed fully (yet) to their True Wills.

I do suspect, however, Crowley himself didn't fully despise them, as he did love to teach. It is all too easy to forget this is Aiwass and not Crowley, although verses like this seem to bear a little too much resemblance to the many "jealous God" quotes present in other modes of faith.

[Aeon418]

Originally Posted by closrapexa

Do nought but thy Will, of course, but it seems like this verse goes against the engaging friendliness of Magick Without Tears, if any "budding" initiate is to be "despised" since they haven't committed fully (yet) to their True Wills.

"Professional soldier" suggests that a commitment has been made. Someone has signed up and joined the ranks, so to speak. They've got the title (Thelemite? Initiate? etc.) and wear the uniform (group identity), but god forbid they should actually get their hands dirty.

What if this soldier is merely a wayward aspect of the self?

Originally Posted by closrapexa

I do suspect, however, Crowley himself didn't fully despise them, as he did love to teach.

Crowley loved to teach. But he didn't have much time for posers, time wasters, and psuedo-intellectuals.

[Always Wondering]

Originally Posted by Aeon418

The "fools" could always be just literal idiots. But maybe it refers to follis, airy windbags, intellectual Thelemic-wannabe theoreticians who do all their fighting from the comfort of an armchair.

I pulled the Five of Disks this morning. So I've been reading Fortune on Geburah.

Great freedom is his; but also great strain. He can speak the word of power that unlooses the wind, but he must be prepared to ride the ensuing whirlwind. This is the thing that the amateur magician does not always realize.

AW

[Aeon418]

The theme of this verse along with the possible connection to, Atu VII The Chariot, makes me think of the early chapters of the Bhagavad Gita. The whole discourse between Arjuna and Krishna takes place on a chariot in the middle of a battlefield. Arjuna refuses to fight, becomes despondent and throws down his weapons. Krishna rebukes him for his cowardice and urges him to do his duty in a way that is highly reminisent of parts of Liber Legis. I:42-43 immediately comes to mind.

After that Krishna goes off on a spiel about different yogas. It's very interesting. Crowley thought quite highly of it.

[closrapexa]

I like that connection. Isn't that the story where Krishna shows Arjuna the opposing army is composed of his loved ones, and then tells him that the battle has already been fought and won, and in this way rebukes him for not doing his duty? When put that way, this verse's connection to True Will becomes clearer. Thanks for that.

[Always Wondering]

Originally Posted by Aeon418

The theme of this verse along with the possible connection to, Atu VII The Chariot, makes me think of the early chapters of the Bhagavad Gita.

And like the ocean, day by day receiving
Floods from all lands, which never overflows;
Its boundary-line not leaping, and not leaving,
Fed by the rivers, but unswelled by those;-
So is the perfect one! to his soul's ocean
The world of sense pours streams of witchery,
They leave him as they find, without commotion,
Taking their tribute, but remaining sea.

Beautiful.

Resist the false, soft sinfulness which saps
Knowledge and judgment! Yea, the world is strong
But what discerns it stronger, and the mind
Strongest; and high o'er all the ruling Soul.
Wherefore, perceiving Him who reigns supreme,
Put forth full force of Soul in thy own soul!
Fight! vanquish foes and doubts, dear Hero! slay
What haunts thee in fond shapes, and would betray!

I would say this is a pretty good match to this verse.


AW

[Aeon418]

Here's the quote from the Bhagavad Gita that I was thinking of.

Bhagavad Gita II:31-33

Originally Posted by Krishna

31. Recognizing your inherent duty, you must not shrink from it. For there is nothing better for a warrior than duty-bound war.
32. It is a door to heaven, opened fortuitously. Fortunate are the warriors, Partha, who are presented with such a war.
33. But if, careless of your inherent duty and renown, you will not undetake this duty-bound conflict, you shall transgress.

Or as William Shakespeare said:

Originally Posted by William Shakespeare

This above all: to thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.

Spot the acrostic?
http://lib.oto-usa.org/libri/liber0031.html?num=45