The methods advised by [Christ, Buddha, Mohammed, etc.] … [all involve] the restraining of the mind to a single act, state, or thought. … It is by freeing the mind from external influences, whether casual or emotional, that it obtains power to see somewhat of the truth of things. … Let us determine to be masters of our minds.
–Aleister Crowley, Book Four, Part 1, “Preliminary Remarks”
At some point, every would-be magick practitioner has to get up from the armchair. To access the Secret Source of energy and do one’s True Will, the aspirant has to gain control of the mind.
We are lucky, though! We live in an extremely favorable time for pursuing control of the mind. Not only can everyone read Aleister Crowley’s instructions and tips, but for the first time in millennia we can access Gautama’s Buddha’s original methods. There are no coincidences in magick!
Certainty, Not Faith
The only way to get spiritual Truth is through your own experience. Reading about Truth in a book will never get you there.
And the only way to experience spiritual Truth for yourself is with a mind able to concentrate to a high degree.
Aleister Crowley asked Mary d’Estes Sturges to open up Book Four, his great overview of the Thelemic system of attainment. In doing so, she emphasizes the importance of personal experience as teacher.
The whole life of Frater Perdurabo [Aleister Crowley] is now devoted to seeing that you obtain this living experience of Truth for, by, and in yourselves!Â
–Mary d’Estes Sturges
And how?
[F]ollow out [your] own methods of research.
–Mary d’Estes Sturges
Crowley begins Book Four with the section on Mysticism—in other words, meditation—because unless you are able to still your mind, you can’t effectively do magick. Meditation is the most effective way to gain this control.
Meditation: The Secret to Success in Magick
Meditation is the most wonderful aid to magick. At some point in your magickal career it even becomes necessary.
Meditation is not always pain-free—physically, mentally, or, especially, psychologically.
That said, the point of meditation is not to feel good (although you may). It’s certainly not to become addicted to higher states as if they were a drug to pacify you or make you feel superior to others. Plain and simple, the purpose of meditation is to control the mind.
Sometimes meditation hurts your body. It can exhaust you mentally. Hardest yet, it can prompt your “stuff” to come up.
Sometimes you may want to jump up from your sitting just to dodge your “stuff”, which you normally use to avoid your true Self.
Your Ego-Center vs Your True Will
Odd as it may sound at first, meditation helps you to experience the powerful forces of Truth without your chakra (energy) system being harmed. To have any prayer of doing your Will, you have to strengthen your vehicle, including your mind.
It was said that people died from touching the Ark of the Covenant. Zeus is said to hurl Lightning bolts. The seat of True Will on the Qabalistic Tree of Life is Chokhmah-2, the root of the element Fire, and known as Chaos. In magick, you are dealing with powerful forces that can madden, maim, or even kill you.
In a weird little way, your wandering mind protects you against the Truth before you’re ready to “handle” it. The ego’s illusions armor you against your True Will. They actually insulate you from the chaotic, fiery forces of Will. “The slaves shall serve” (Liber L vel Legis, II:58).
When you meditate, you strengthen your mind, which helps you weather the forces of Will. In other words, a strong mind armors you against the Chaos of your True Will. “The Sun, Strength & Sight, Light; these are for the servants of the Star & the Snake” (Liber L vel Legis, II:21).
The stronger you make your mind through meditation, the less your ego-center has to maintain its illusions, and the more you are able to channel the Universal Will. It’s a little too simplistic a formulation, but it captures an absolutely necessary ingredient: control of the mind.
[T]he Infinite, the Absolute, God, the Oversoul, or whatever you may prefer to call it, is always present; but veiled or masked by the thoughts of the mind, just as one cannot hear a heartbeat in a noisy city. … Then to obtain knowledge of That, it is only necessary to still all thoughts.
–Aleister Crowley, Book 4, Part 1, “Mysticism”, “Summary”
Personal Reflection
I’m feeling particularly enthusiastic about meditation these days. My own practice is helping me dissolve my main personal obstruction: a karmic tendency to get overly emotional in ways that deviate me from the Work.
Christopher and I just returned from a Vipassana meditation retreat. He meditated all day for 20 days. I joined the party for the last 10, helping to cook for the meditators and meditating 3-4 hours per day myself. At home we are doing 2 hours per day.
Having previously done Crowley’s method for years, I find Vipassana to be far more effective for mental purification. But all meditation helps with concentration.
Do your own research about the options. Experiment and then practice the form that works best for you at the present time.
What have meditation method you found particularly effective, and how did it help you? Please comment below.