The Way To Freedom

THE WAY TO FREEDOM

Using the example of astrology, I have tried to make clear the concept of fate and the correct way to work with it. Astrology was only an aid to better understanding of fate. We could equally well have reached the same result by other means.

There remains only the question of predestination and freedom of will. Any attempt to answer this question can easily end up in a cul-de-sac if one ignores the law of polarity.

Determinism and free will are two poles which condition one another and belong together and which are not mutually exclusive as is widely believed. As with every polarity our understanding finds it difficult, if not impossible, to grasp how these two poles can exist simultaneously. Yet one cannot live without the other and vice versa. They depend on each other like light and darkness, breathing in and breathing out. Therefore the way to freedom is through the accomplishment of the law of fate.

The paradoxical truth is: only by submitting to law can one be free. Yet the majority try to achieve freedom through arbitrary wilfulness, not realizing that this way leads to loss of freedom. Suffering is merely the friction that arises between the human being and the laws of the world. To fulfill the law means to no longer experience friction. These then are the golden rules for attainment of absolute freedom:

1 Know thyself (the microcosm)

2 Recognize universal law (the macrocosm)

3 Know that this law is good (and thus be in harmony)

4 Place yourself voluntarily and completely under it.

He who takes these four steps will reach the Quinta Essentia which is called: freedom. He who places himself voluntarily under the law becomes one with the law, becomes himself the law – there is nothing more above him that can hinder him. Thus Crowley writes: “Every human being should be like a star and follow his own path”. A star is free so long as it follows its trajectory. The loss of freedom only begins with departure from the path.

Likewise every human being has a path to follow in this cosmos of ours. But one must recognize it in order to avoid the friction that comes from following the false path. Thus we advocate neither activity nor passivity – only the two together can create a rhythm. A person must begin by being still and listening in order to become aware of his path, but after that he must actively follow it. Such activity arises from trust, not from the egomania of “I will, I do”. A human being attains his highest freedom when he can speak the words:

“Lord, not my will, but Thy will be done”.