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Subject: TANTRA "WILL"
A SMALL DIALOGUE ON THE "WILL" OF TANTRA, THAT WILL BEING OF THE
HIGHER SELF, TRUE SELF, LIBERATED SELF. TAT TWAM ASI!


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.

EOF