From: mimir@u.washington.edu (Grendel Grettisson)
Subject: Tantra "Will" - Relates to Thelema
Date: 16 Jun 1993 08:21:47 GMT

TANTRA "WILL"
A SMALL DIALOGUE ON THE "WILL" OF TANTRA, THAT WILL BEING OF THE
HIGHER SELF, TRUE SELF, LIBERATED SELF. TAT TWAM ASI!
 (c) 1993 Rose Dawn Scott.

Eastern metaphysical tradition describe sexuality as the most
universally accessible means to transcendental Unity. Sexual worship
or magic(k) is a legacy of many traditions: not simply Indian/Tibetan
Tantra or Chinese Taoism, but the early magickal texts of ancient
Egypt.  mystical writings of Hebrews and Greeks, alchemical
practitioners of medieval Europe, and ancient , pre- mysoginistic
Arabs.

Do as Thou wilt: The concept of Will (Thelema in Greek) is familiar to
members of the O.T.O., students/researchers of Aleister Crowley, and
those familiar with Sir Francis Dasherwood. Crowley states, in his
*Confessions* that he wanted to "form an archetype of a new
society...in which each human being has his own definite object in
life...and has every right to fulfill this purpose and none to do
anything else." (Hill & Wang, Confessions, p. 848). Crowley has stated
that s exuality and divine consciousness were integrally joined to one
another. The many similarities between O.T.O./Thelemic thought and
Indian Tantric tradition may seem surprising; in fact Crowley embraced
Tantra and was said to have been initiated by a Tantric Master. The
1880's O.T.O., founded or reclaimed by Theodor Reuss and Karl Kellner,
embraced and expanded such traditions. Reuss and Kellner were both
instructed by two Indian Tantric Masters and an Arabic sexual magician
in sexual secrets--Tantra --sex magick. Crowley was appointed leader
of O.T.O. and wrote prolific books, both of his own power and those
channeled or revealed to him by Beings from other realms.

Tantric Will: Tantra, like O.T.O. and other esoteric paths, has been
misunderstood and maligned throughout history. Thelemic "Will" has
been said to be the Will of the higher Self, rather than the vortex
continuum created by following any whim that catches one's
fancy. Similarly, Tantric Will espouses the traditional Hindu/] idea
of the Self as opposed to the self. (s)elf-will can be folly;
Self-Will is Liberation.

 Long-established western religious and cultural training have
recognized narrow norms of sexual behavior, creating barriers that
restrict spiritual growth. Parents, religious organizations, and
social institutions, unfortunately, have all too often caused lives
filled with frustration. Attempting to force oneself or another to
conform to restrictive "norms" of sexual behavior restrict individual
development, lead to guilt feelings, and may lead to perversion of the
sexual instinct and act. Yet an honest break with "norms" as
expression of Will and bid for Liberation, have historically led to
alienation and ostracism--or in the most extreme manifestations of
repression of Will, imprisonment or even execution of those
individuals truly seeking to follow the Will of the Self.

 In the past few decades, sexual taboos have begun to be broken,
inhibitions cast aside; freeing sensual and sexual joy from the burden
of guilt and castigation. This is a positive development, but under
Tantric tradition, may be *dangerous* unless accompanied by proper
physical/mental/emotional maturation--which lead to the spiritual and
are absorbed into it.

Simply put, Tantric Will dictates that sexual Liberation must be
pursued sincerely (as it *must* be, if the true Will of the Self is
engaged), or Tantric practices used as a "mask" for those seeking free
sex, will inevitably lead to a feeling of emptiness and meaningless,
and cau se psychic depression; or, alternately, muddy the karma of
*false* Tantric Masters, who become sorts of psychic vampires, feeding
on the sexual energy and submission purely offered by unaware
partners.

Tantric Will assumes that each individual is responsible for his/her
own actions, and that those who refuse to shoulder this responsibility
will ultimately be barred from any real Tantric evolution or
progress. The sexual bond is a means to liberation from the limits of
the (s)elf and a path toward th e Self. The sharing of the Secrets
implies giving as well as taking, and those for whom Love, Trust, and
Will are interdependent and even synonymous are usually the ones who
make the most progress on the Red Tantric Path. (Red Tantra-sexual
practices, for the initiated, celebrated with a
partner/partners. White Tantra-solo practices, for the initiated; may
be meditative only, or involve 'astral sexual union.'  Note that no
distinction of 'good' or 'bad' separates the White from the Red. It is
a matte r of Self-Will, circumstance, and spiritual
evolution/revelation.)

Each of us has come into the world through the power of the sexual
act.  Each of us who has experienced sexual love has had a taste of
ecstasy; a drop of the Nectar. Those who disdain "pleasures of the
flesh" or refer with superiority and bigotry to the inferiority of the
"Left-Hand Path" refuse to recognize that renunciation of the flesh is
at worst, foolish, leading to a cycle of repression/eruption; and, at
best, simply *one* path to enlightenment, far from the *only* or
*best* one.


TANTRIC TRADITION OF RECOGNITION OF TRUE SELF-WILL.

Tantric neophytes should strive to create a dynamically charged state
of mind, stemming from the belief that there is meaning and purpose to
one's life. Again, Crowley has expressed a similar philosophy (see,
above, Confessions). This state recognizes and identifies with the
primal energy that creates all, puts one in touch with the Source of
being, and allows limitless capacity for evolution.


This state should be practiced in all areas and become a sort of basis
by which we gauge our actions in the world. It is true Self- Will: the
recognition of the Divine within the Self, a commitment to the Self,
and part of the process of evolution.

Many barriers and doubts about Self-Will come into play. Meditation,
Prana and Hatha Yoga, and simple examination of motive should lead one
to recognition of true Self-Will vs. whim or whimsy. Evocation of high
spiritual ideals in even the most mundane t asks can bring them to the
realm of the spiritual; evocation of this state of mind brings
exquisite joy. Open your Self and the truth will manifest.

Tantric Yoginis evoke divine creative energy; and embody the Jungian
"anima" archetype.

Rather than separate "flesh" from "soul," Tantric Will teaches the
unification of body, mind, intellect, intuition, and spirit. Through
consecration of all parts of our being, we integrate them and achieve
the exalted state of true Self-Will. Emotions and lust can b e
transformed into transcendental ecstacy.

According to Kaularahasya: "Where there is only worldly enjoyment,
there is no release. Where there is only release, there is no worldly
enjoyment. But both worldly enjoyment and release are in the palm of
the hand of those devoted to the True Self Within."

According to Advayasiddhi: "By those same deeds which create bondage
for dualistic beings, one can be liberated from the bonds of the
world. The secret is that the act must be accompanied by non-dualism
between 'fleshly' and 'spiritual'."

 Recognize your freedom of choice, refine your higher Will! The
dependency created by habit must be broken, one must master habit.
Sexual habits are the most restrictive. The Kama Sutra says: "Love
resulting from the constant and continual performance of some act is
called love acquired by habit."

 Any *intentional* act of Will has magical potency and is far superior
to habitual or unintentional acts. Habits inherited from parents or
through social conditioning ar e difficult to break; they provide a
false sense of security, but restrict entire ways of life and
conscious choice. By ignoring or sublimating the Will of the Self,
such ingrained habits obliterate awareness and stunt growth and
evolution. Once the initial fear of change is overcome, the rewards
will be instantly realized. Tantra requires adaptability in the area
of sexual love. All eastern sexual magic teachings point to the need
for uninhibitedness, spontaneity, and the willingness to "Do As Thou
Wilt." According to Tilopa: "The louse of habit is (s)elf-originated,
and (S)elf-destructed.  Kill this louse and find the Teaching."



 From the CHANDOGYA-UPANISAD:

 Where there is ecstacy, there is Creation.
 Where there is no ecstacy, there is no Creation.
 In the Infinite, there is ecstacy;
 There is no ecstacy in the finite.

 Through diligent preparation and practice, and through deliberate
cultivation of reflective attitude and openness to the Self, one's
true Self and true Will will be revealed.

 DO WHAT THOU WILT SHALL BE THE WHOLE OF THE LAW. LOVE IS THE LAW;
LOVE UNDER WILL.

 TAT TWAM ASI: THOU ART THAT.

 D. Yogini Padma Ushas Suryananda, other sources as cited.
 (c) 1993 Rose Dawn Scott.