Find the formula of this purpose, or “True Will”, in an expression as simple as possible
Once we are able to view our trajectory in life based on our personal history, to see our traits and tendencies clearly, and the effect we have on the world around us, that perspective allows us to find the formula of our purpose. One way to think about that formula is as a short phrase or expression that captures the pattern that your Will impresses onto your life. Many methods exist for discovering one’s true will, and these are easily available so no words will be spent here on that instruction.
There is a certain power that comes from being able to state one’s true will in a few words. It can be compared to a sigil which is a composite or representation of all of the parts of the object of the magical operation, but in this case it is your personal signifier made up of all of your tendencies, thoughts, actions, and the effects that you have on the world, condensed into a formula or phrase.
Part of what we gain from acquiring self knowledge is an understanding of where we have direct control in our lives, and where we only have indirect or partial control. Our duty here is to use this knowledge to expand influence into other spheres of action where we have less control, or little control. Examples of this are going to be personalized and different for each magician. One may have great control over business affairs, but only indirect control over the household, or vice versa. One may be extremely good with cards and dice or ceremonial grimoires but awful when it comes to love. Whatever it is, you have the duty to yourself to direct force of will and expand your direct control into new areas. This sounds similar to Crowley’s introduction to Magick in Theory and Practice where he writes:
“Man is capable of being, and using, anything which he perceives, for everything that he perceives is in a certain sense a part of his being. He may thus subjugate the whole Universe of which he is conscious to his individual Will.”
Also, in Liber ABA (Book 4) when Crowley writes about the magical link in the chapter titled “Of the Consecrations,” he talks about the different ways the link can be classified, and the orders of being that are involved.
“The second class includes all operations by which the Magician strives to impose his Will upon objects outside his own control, but within that of such other wills as are symbolized by means of a system similar to his own…The Third Class is characterized by the absence of any existing link between the Will of the Magician and that controlling the object to be affected.”
By advancing into these new areas, you balance out your energetic composition and fill those areas of your life where there tends to be less force. This increases the strength of your personal power and expands the overall breadth of your control.
Extend the dominion of your consciousness, and its control of all forces alien to it, to the utmost
When we talk about consciousness, in part we are talking about awareness. That awareness comes from the five physical senses as well as our more subtle senses. We have the duty to be aware of ourselves and our environment, of the people and events in our lives in every level of being that we can perceive. And as we have seen previously, we are charged with the duty to explore and push ourselves further along that spectrum into new unexplored territory.
Explore your ordinary senses to their utmost reach. Find the limits and then push beyond them into new realms of sensitivity. According to Hermetic doctrine, the universe of created form is made up of different levels of vibration, and its forms extend from the coarse condensation of matter to the most delicate and ineffable emanations. There are finer and more subtle forms to be discovered by highly developed senses. Through practiced effort and increased skill, our senses become more focused, more accurate, more attuned to these finer forms. Success brings us into contact with new territories, and we gain an experiential understanding of the larger picture of how things fit together in an organized structure.
With this knowledge and experience comes a sense of leverage and control. From an early age, we find ways to push, pull, and otherwise manipulate things around us with conscious attention. It is the same skill set being applied to new sensitivities. Look for edges and seams in reality. Push or pry on that edge until it moves. Practice until you can do it routinely, and then figure out how to use it in service to your Will.
Never permit the thought or will of any other Being to interfere with your own
Of all the duties we have to ourselves, this one is of paramount importance. We say “every man and every woman is a star,” and that implies independence, or at the very least a freedom from interference. We are each free to carry out our Wills as we see fit. We must also use that freedom to protect ourselves from the undue influence of others. One may not know 100% what their Will is in explicit terms, or where it may lead, but one can certainly be alert to guard their temple against the approach of the profane.
Defense of the self can take many forms. Critical thinking is foremost of these defenses, and it is important to be on the lookout for words or deeds that could pressure you to deviate from your Will. Discrimination is the key. One must be vigilant and ready to resist with maximum force any influence, but act appropriately according to the situation and only when offensive pressure is correctly identified.
Listen carefully. Know the difference between helpful advice and subtle (or not so subtle) manipulation. Examine your interactions with other Beings. Do they float your boat or flatten your cone? Is someone contributing to your understanding and enriching your experience or are they draining or diverting you? One should be able to accept a higher synthesis of Truth when it is offered, even when the method of transmission may be uncomfortable or inconvenient. Crowley’s reference to “passionate fusion” is how we can interact with each other even when there are differences of opinion in order to resolve conflicts and come to an understanding. It can sometimes be direct, blunt, and confrontational, but should always be honest and truthful.
Cultivate detachment in this regard. Take the time you need before you react or speak or make a decision to accept or refuse. Detachment gives you space to make good judgements and to let your Will guide your actions.
Do not repress or restrict any true instinct of your Nature; but devote all in perfection to the sole service of your one True Will.
The quotes from Liber AL in this section of the essay are about the nature of True Will and the use of Will. They also speak directly to the ethics and morality of Thelema. There is no law beyond do what thou wilt. In that light, and using a proper understanding of one’s will as a guide, everyone can follow a path to perfection.
Restriction of the Will is the only sin that Thelema recognizes. Any repression or restriction of one’s natural way of being runs counter to correct and acceptable behavior.
Whereas we never allow others to interfere with our Wills, we must never restrict ourselves in a similar way. Therefore, we have the duty to ourselves to break free of the social pressure to conform. We can let go of cultural hang ups that are not serving our true nature. We must find freedom from any self-imposed restrictions that would prevent us from being ourselves.
This all comes from undertaking the work to know ourselves very well and finding a growing inner certainty of what our will is. The goal is obtaining the freedom to be yourself according to your own definition of your true nature. Dropping the things in our lives that do not serve us is part of the process toward that goal.
Rejoice!
The quotes from Liber AL in this section are all about rejoicing, joy, rituals, feasting, and enjoyment. This is what we were born on this Earth to do! As has been said, our duty is to make use of our senses, to enjoy and experience life to the fullest. When rejoicing is a duty, we take it as a daily task, a spiritual responsibility, to seek joy in every experience.
We also recognize that shadows, death, sorrows, and pain are a natural part of the human experience. Where does our duty lie there? How are we supposed to rejoice when things turn to shit? In this context there can be a misconception of what joy and rejoicing means when it comes to facing the unpleasant parts of life. It does not mean finding a way to like everything bad that happens to us. Pretending things are fine when they are not okay is an unnatural and inauthentic reaction. We cannot ignore our pain and suffering as if nothing were wrong. If our duty to ourselves means anything at all, it means that we should act authentically and remain true to our nature at all times.
The secret here (if it can be called that) is to find balance and joy in every phenomenon, both good and bad. This is a different type of joy that runs deep below the surface of the common superficial understanding of things. True joy recognizes the unchanging divinity hidden within every experience no matter its effect on our personal or material circumstances. It is feeling Nuit’s presence behind all we experience. When we explore the depths of ourselves, we can come to that unchanging core. The first of the quotes from the Book of the Law in this section carries that message:
“Remember all ye that existence is pure joy; that all the sorrows are but shadows; they pass & are done; but there is that which remains.”
The sorrows are shadows, but this is no less true for the happy times. They all pass away eventually because the only constant is change. But there is that which remains in spite of the ups and downs. We connect to that changeless foundation when we understand that all of experience is a reflection of Our Lady in the world, the body of the Star-Goddess Nuit, a divine gesture of that Lord of the Light and of the Darkness.