SO, YOU THINK YOU CROSSED THE ABYSS…
Ego, Enlightenment, and the enduring human journey through spiritual paradoxes
The journey across the Abyss represents one of the most enigmatic and profoundly misunderstood aspects within the rich tapestry of Thelemic mysticism.
More than any other, this high initiation encapsulates the essence of Thelema’s spiritual quest, a passage that is simultaneously a pinnacle of achievement and a gateway to ultimate surrender. Aleister Crowley described this journey as the crucial passage from the phenomenal world into the noumenal source, a venture requiring the total dissolution of the ego after surviving the ordeals of Choronzon, the Dweller in the Abyss. Yet, Crowley’s life, marked by undeniable egotism despite claims of having crossed the Abyss, casts a shadow of doubt on the authenticity of such a spiritual attainment. This incongruity invites a deeper examination of what it truly means to cross the Abyss, challenging preconceptions and offering insights that may diverge from popular understanding.
At its core, crossing the Abyss is not a physical journey but a metaphysical ordeal, where the adept confronts the ultimate void — the great spiritual wilderness. This void separates the manifest world from its unmanifest source, demanding the complete annihilation of the ego for successful passage. It’s a confrontation with Choronzon, whose role is to obliterate the false constructs of the self, enabling the adept to emerge on the other side, reborn as a Babe of the Abyss, stripped of all personal attainments, including the hard-earned connection with the Holy Guardian Angel.
The Paradox of Egotism and Mastery
The expectation that crossing the Abyss eradicates egotism is met with scepticism, not just in Thelema but across various spiritual traditions. Despite the high standing within Thelemic circles they claim for themselves, figures like J. Daniel Gunther and Jerry Cornelius exemplify the persistence of ego even after claiming such lofty spiritual titles.
This observation aligns more closely with traditions outside the Western esoteric sphere, such as the story of Milarepa in Tibetan Buddhism, suggesting that advanced spiritual attainment does not necessarily equate to saintliness or the absence of flaws.
Milarepa, known for his spiritual accomplishments and his journey from sin to sainthood, embodies the idea that spiritual greatness does not necessarily preclude the presence of personal flaws or the struggle with one’s ego. His life story, marked by significant hardships, wrongdoings, and eventual redemption through intense spiritual practice, highlights spiritual growth’s non-linear, often messy nature. It suggests that advanced spiritual states and recognising one’s inherent flaws can coexist, offering a more realistic portrayal of the path to enlightenment.
This perspective is crucial in understanding the complexity of spiritual development and the role of the ego within it. The persistent presence of ego underscores a critical point: spiritual titles and achievements do not automatically confer infallibility or saintliness upon an individual. Instead, these examples invite a deeper exploration of what true spiritual advancement entails. They suggest that it involves a continuous process of self-reflection, humility, and effort to transcend personal limitations rather than simply attaining a title or completing a specific ritualistic milestone.
Moreover, these observations challenge the often idealised notions of spiritual leaders and the expectations placed upon them. They call for a more forgiving and realistic approach to spiritual growth that allows for human imperfections and sees them as integral to the journey rather than as signs of failure. This approach fosters a more compassionate and understanding spiritual community, one that values personal progress and the pursuit of wisdom over the mere appearance of sanctity or perfection.
Crowley’s Unique Position
Aleister Crowley’s depiction as the Logos of the New Aeon adds a layer of complexity to the narrative of spiritual attainment. His life, replete with controversy, and his teachings, which continue to inspire and provoke, present a figure that defies the conventional expectations associated with such a profound spiritual passage. Crowley’s position as a pivotal teacher and a herald of a new consciousness introduces the notion that his experience and interpretation of crossing the Abyss might diverge significantly from traditional understandings.
Crowley’s apparent exemption from the outcomes typically associated with the Abyss’s crossing — namely, the dissolution of ego — can be seen not as a shortcoming but as a manifestation of his unique role within the spiritual ecosystem of Thelema. His continued egotism, often critiqued, could be viewed through a different lens: a deliberate aspect of his persona that facilitated his mission to guide and challenge his followers. In this context, Crowley’s role transcends that of a mere individual undergoing personal spiritual transformation; he becomes a catalytic force for the awakening and evolution of others.
This perspective emphasises the crucial role of the Magister Templi — or Master of the Temple — in Thelemic tradition, particularly in teaching and guiding disciples. The Magister Templi is tasked with a responsibility far more extraordinary than personal enlightenment; they are charged with nurturing the spiritual development of their selected disciples. This involves not only imparting wisdom and knowledge but also provoking thought, challenging assumptions, and, at times, embodying the very contradictions and complexities that students must navigate on their own paths.
Crowley’s approach to his role as a teacher was multifaceted. He used his writings, rituals, and personal interactions to push his students towards their own encounters with the divine, urging them to confront their shadows, question their beliefs, and surpass their limitations. His method was not to provide easy answers but to incite a deeper quest for understanding and self-realisation among his followers. By doing so, he exemplified the Magister Templi’s role as not merely a guide but as a living embodiment of the path’s challenges and rewards.
In this light, Crowley’s life and actions can be seen as part of a deliberate strategy to engage with the world in a way that would most effectively transmit the teachings of Thelema. His persona, with all its complexities and contradictions, served as a living testament to the path he preached, embodying the trials and triumphs of the spiritual journey. Thus, Crowley’s legacy as a teacher is marked not by the absence of ego but by his adept use of his personality to inspire, challenge, and elevate those who looked to him for guidance on their own spiritual journeys. This reevaluation of Crowley’s role highlights the importance of the teacher-disciple relationship in spiritual traditions, emphasising that the ultimate goal of such relationships is not glorifying the teacher but the empowerment and enlightenment of the student.
Despite the profound impact of Crowley’s teachings and his undeniable role as the Prophet of the New Aeon, I firmly believe that Thelemites are called to be the heroes of their own stories rather than passive devotees in the shadow of a towering figure. While Crowley’s contributions to Thelemic philosophy and magical practice are foundational, the essence of Thelema — embodied in the proclamation “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law” — urges each individual to discover and fulfil their True Will, independent of any external authority or figurehead. This principle is at the heart of Thelemic practice and represents a call to personal sovereignty and spiritual autonomy.
The tendency towards guru worship, where Crowley’s persona is venerated to the extent that it overshadows the individual’s journey towards self-discovery and mastery, is a deviation from this core tenet. For decades, many of the orders and groups that trace their lineage back to Crowley have risked becoming mere fan clubs, celebrating the man’s mythos while neglecting the rigorous path of personal initiation and enlightenment he espoused. Such an approach not only stifles personal growth but also contradicts the revolutionary spirit of Thelema itself, which champions the quest for individual enlightenment and the realisation of one’s unique purpose in the cosmos.
Therefore, while acknowledging and respecting Crowley’s monumental role in articulating and disseminating the teachings of Thelema, practitioners need to remember that the ultimate journey is a profoundly personal one. Thelemites should aspire to become not followers but sovereign beings, each exploring the vast landscapes of their own spiritual universe. In doing so, the legacy of Crowley and the essence of Thelema will be genuinely honoured — not through uncritical adulation but through the vibrant, diverse expressions of True Will by each individual who walks the path.
The cyclical nature of the Ego
Often envisaged as a clean slate in the spiritual journey, this whole experience is far more complex and messy than a simple eradication of personal flaws and the ego. Contrary to the expectation of permanent transcendence, the Abyss acts more as a reset point than an ultimate purifier. This realization brings to light a fundamental aspect of the spiritual path: the ego, much like a resilient weed, grows back.
This regrowth does not signify failure; rather, it underscores the ongoing nature of spiritual evolution. The process of crossing the Abyss doesn’t strip us of our imperfections for good but offers us a profound opportunity to confront them anew, with fresh insights and a deeper understanding of our true selves. Each return of the ego, therefore, is not a setback but a chance to engage in a deeper level of self-work, continually refining and redefining our understanding of self and our relationship with the divine.
This cyclical process of ego dissolution and regrowth paints a more accurate picture of the spiritual journey — not as a linear path to perfection but as an ongoing spiral of growth, challenge, and renewal.
The Debate on Mortality and Spiritual Attainment
I also would like to challenge the usually accepted ideas behind the experience of the Crossing with the assertion that a valid traversal of the Abyss is impossible within the confines of mortal life, introducing an often overlooked aspect to the discourse surrounding Thelemic spiritual practices and achievements. This stance hinges on the belief that the ego, with its myriad attachments, desires, and fears, remains inextricably bound to the physical body and the material world. Within this framework, the ego’s complete dissolution, a prerequisite for crossing the Abyss according to Thelemic doctrine, is unattainable so long as one remains anchored in physical existence. The argument posits that death itself serves as the ultimate liberator, freeing the soul from the corporeal chains and allowing it to fully unite with the divine source, thus achieving what life could not.
This perspective critically challenges the prevalent ambition within esoteric circles to reach the zenith of spiritual enlightenment while still alive. It questions the authenticity of claims made by those who assert their successful navigation of the Abyss, suggesting that such proclamations might be premature or, worse, rooted in a misunderstanding of the journey’s true nature. The eagerness to declare oneself as having attained the highest levels of spiritual realisation often overshadows a necessary humility and recognition of our earthly existence’s physical and spiritual limitations.
Moreover, this viewpoint underscores a significant philosophical divide within the broader spiritual community: the distinction between those who pursue spiritual evolution as a process culminating in death and those who believe in the possibility of achieving ultimate enlightenment in life. It prompts a reevaluation of spiritual milestones, advocating for a more introspective and measured approach to personal spiritual development.
Acknowledging that the most profound union with the divine might only be possible beyond the physical life invites practitioners to focus on the journey rather than the destination, embracing each step of their path as a vital component of their overall spiritual evolution.
In essence, the debate over whether the Abyss can be indeed crossed during one’s lifetime serves as a catalyst for deeper reflection on the nature of spiritual attainment, the role of the ego in our spiritual quests, and the limitations and possibilities inherent to our mortal coil. It encourages a more nuanced understanding of Thelemic teachings and a more sincere engagement with the spiritual path, which values introspection, humility, and the ongoing pursuit of wisdom over attaining titles or satisfying ego-driven desires.
A Call for Humility and Openness
The journey across the Abyss, as presented in Thelema, is fraught with paradoxes and misconceptions. It stands as a testament, not to the eradication of the ego but to the transformation and transcendence of understanding what it means to engage with the divine. The tales of Crowley and others who have claimed to navigate this passage remind us that spiritual attainment is not a badge of honour but a call to deeper humility and surrender.
In recognising the multifaceted nature of crossing the Abyss, perhaps the most significant lesson is approaching the spiritual path with openness, acknowledging that mastery is not an end but a continually unfolding process of becoming.
