"Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law"
About this Quote
Aleister Crowley's statement "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law" is a basic tenet of Thelema, a spiritual approach he developed in the early 20th century. In the beginning glimpse, the statement may appear to promote a form of libertarianism or hedonism, recommending that people should act according to their own desires without regard for social norms or legal restraints. However, a deeper analysis exposes more intricate layers.
First, it's crucial to understand that "wilt" in this context does not merely equate to individual whim or superficial desire. Rather, Crowley described "True Will", which he thought was a person's divine function or special course in life. In Thelema, finding and aligning oneself with this True Will is thought about the highest calling. For that reason, "Do what thou wilt" encourages individuals to find and fulfill their true purpose, going beyond base desires or spontaneous actions.
The phrase "will be the whole of the law" stresses the vital importance of this concept in Thelemic viewpoint. It recommends that all ethical and ethical guidelines are secondary to the pursuit and realization of one's True Will. Crowley presumed that once individuals are in harmony with their True Will, their actions will naturally align with wider cosmic order and add to the greater excellent, rather than causing harm to others.
Interconnected with this is another key tenet: "Love is the law, love under will". This acts as an ethical compass within the structure of Thelema, indicating that actions in accordance with one's True Will need to be carried out with love and respect for others, reinforcing that a person's true course needs to not lead to selfish or devastating habits.
Overall, Crowley's dictum is an invitation for self-exploration and personal credibility within a spiritual context, promoting a life of intentionality and positioning with one's inmost purpose, rather than superficial or disorderly freedom.
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