Magick in Theory and Practice (Section 4)

fall altogether from the Tree o£ Life and to attain the Towers of the Black Brothers. But We hold that this is not possible for any adept who has truly attained his grade, or even for any rrian who has really sought to help humanity even for a single second x, and that although his aspiration hâve been impure through vanity or any similar imperfections. 5. Let then the Adept who finds the resuit of these méditations unsatisfactory refuse the Oath of the Abyss, and live so that his Karma gains strength and direction suitable to the task at some future period. 1 2 6. Memory is essential to the individual consciousness; other- wise the mind were but a blank sheet on which shadows are cast. But we see that not only does the mind retain impressions, but that it is so constituted that its tendency is to retain some more excel- lently than others. Thus the great classical scholar, Sir Richard Jebb, was unable to learn even the schoolboy mathematics required for the preliminary examination at Cambridge University, and a spécial Grâce of the authorities was required in order to admit him. 7. The first method to be described has been detailed in Bhikkhu Ananda Metteya’s aTraining of the Mind” (Equinox 1,5, pp. 28-59, and especially pp. 48-57). We hâve little to alter or to add. Its most important resuit as regards the Oath of the Abyss, is the freedom from ail desire or clinging to anything which it gives, Its second resuit is to aid the adept in the second method, by supplying him with further data for his investigation.3 8. The stimulation of memory useful in both practices is also achieved by simple méditation (Liber E), in a certain stage of which old memories arise unbidden. The adept may then practise this, stopping at this stage, and encouraging instead of suppressing the flashes of memory. 9. Zoroaster has said, “Explore the River of the Soûl, whence 1. Those in possession of Liber CLXXXV will note that in every grade but one the aspirant is pledged to serve his inferiors in the Order. 2. Make the Adeptus Exemptus perfect as such before proceeding. 3. The Magical Memory (i.e. of former incarnations) frees one from desire by shewing how futile and sorrow-breeding ail earthly and even sub- magical attainment prove. — 416 —