I completely agree, and this is exactly how Meridjet is with me. People who are unaccustomed to seeing, for instance, a harsh martial arts sensei, see some of his methods and cringe, or even at times argue for mercy on my behalf. He’s unmoved, but never truly lacks compassion. There are moments when I feel so close to breaking, and can’t believe he can refuse me what I think I need — encouragement, a nod, a smile. And then I pick myself up and keep going anyway. And later, when I’m not suffering over the lack, I’ll receive the compassion and encouragement I thought I had to have to keep going. He doesn’t coddle, and he can be every bit that harsh sensei… but his devotion is complete and undeniable.

Though, god, he can be a bastard. He knows exactly what I need.

Apart from the fact I just finished reading John Gardner’s *Grendel*, which IMHO ought to be required reading for anyone interested in the concept of magic as paradigm shifting, and which involves a rather prominent arm-ripping near the end, I can appreciate the notion the HGA doesn’t always communicate needful wisdom through gentle coaxing. I’ve had colleagues speak of the Lurker beyond the threshold, which is essentially the antagonistic devil to the “good” HGA – something to be banished or bound, lest it bring harm to the practicing Magician.

In my own experience, this extreme, zero-sum sort of moral dualism simply fails to account for the world which I perceive. My own guardian spirit, like most of the other spiritual entities I’ve encountered over the years, exhibits both Seelie (bright and innocent) and Unseelie (dark and mischievous) tendencies, as the mood and the moment seem to strike him, or more likely, with the guise in which my conscious self really needs him to appear. He’s not exactly an angel with the shining halo, but neither is he a cruel, depraved tormentor. He’s the healer and the trickster, by turns. And this is how things should be, I feel.

I very much enjoyed reading your perspective on this crucial field of study and meditation.

Blessed Be!

Grey Glamer’s last blog post..Musings upon Hume’s Fork

I do intend to further explore the evolution concept in my book. It’s a major reason I’m writing it at all. I feel that, if given a slightly more accessible bent, the Thelemic ideas of HGA and the Great Work will be easier for the layman to relate to. There’s a lot of untapped potential in people, and I’m hoping to help those with what I call “spirit companions” to realize the profound opportunities inherent to the experience. This is how it started with me, before I even knew what Thelema was.

It may be a backwards avenue compared to the usual material on the topic, but I don’t think it’s a faulty one. All it really takes is a shift in purpose and perspective to bring a spirit relationship like this around and make use of it.

I’ve probably told you more than you want to hear, at this point. lol.

Thanks again.
93 93/93,
Sheta

If this is a book on ’spirit work’ I am glad you are infusing it with such beautifully-stated Thelemic ideas. I approve.

(I tend to mention things I disagree with more than the things I agree with so I tend to look… disagreeable… but I think 99% of your article is top-notch compared to most other writings, even the explicitly Thelema-related writings, on the HGA, etc.

I agree that evolution is less liable to confusion than higher vs. lower. I like your notion that evolution can proceed on an inward scale/direction, as well. Perhaps that could be fleshed out a bit?

93 93/93,
IAO131

I like the term “evolution” because it provides that flexibility. Nothing in my article, I hope, indicates specifically what that evolution refers to. We are limited to the scope of language, and while I’m sorely under-read (comparatively speaking) with regard to Crowley, I don’t see a profound difference between his statement and my description — it’s just a matter of how you interpret it. To me, “becoming more” is a process of revelation, and that’s in line with what he says in your quote.

My goal in this article was to make the concepts as I understood them more accessible to the average person. The excerpt is from a book not on Thelema, but on spirit work. I hope it’s not too misleading.

93s,
Sheta

You have touched upon some important points: HGA is not the guardian angel or your conscience that sits on your should. Your ‘purpose’ is not to be a doctor, sailor, etc. but to perform the Great Work.

Something I take issue with is your notion of ‘evolution.’ That itself is just a subtle value judgement to say someone is ‘further’ or ‘more evolved’ – you are just switching a spatial metaphor (upper vs lower) for another (evolved vs unevolved). The Great Work is to know one’s True Self, coterminous with the HGA, and consequently know one’s True Will since will is simply the dynamic aspect of the self. You can put this in terms of ‘evolution’ but Crowley says something to the opposite effect: ” Initiation means the Journey Inwards: nothing is changed or can be changed; but all is trulier understood with every step. ”

Great work though, no pun intended.

93 93/93,
IAO131