31. {Kappa-Epsilon-Phi-Alpha-Lambda-Eta Lambda-Alpha}
THE GAROTTE
IT moves from motion into rest, and rests from rest into
motion. These IT does always, for time is not.
So that IT does neither of these things. IT does THAT one
thing which we must express by two things neither of which
possesses any rational meaning.
Yet ITS doing, which is no-doing, is simple and yet complex,
is neither free nor necessary.
For all these ideas express Relation; and IT, comprehending
all Relation in ITS simplicity, is out of all Relation even
with ITSELF.
All this is true and false; and it is true and false to say
that it is true and false.
Strain forth thine Intelligence, O man, O worthy one, O
chosen of IT, to apprehend the discourse of THE MASTER; for
thus thy reason shall at last break down, as the fetter is
struck from a slave's throat.
COMMENTARY ({Lambda-Alpha})
The number 31 refers to the Hebrew word LA, which means
"not".
A new character is now introduced under the title of IT,
I being the secret, and T being the manifested, phallus.
This is, however, only one aspect of IT, which may
perhaps be defined as the Ultimate Reality.
IT is apparently a more exalted thing than THAT.
This chapter should be compared with Chapter 11; that method
of destroying the reason by formulating contradictions is
definitely inculcated.
The reason is situated in Daath, which corresponds to the
throat in human anatomy. Hence the title of the chapter,
"The Garotte".
The idea is that, by forcing the mind to follow, and as far
as possible to realise, the language of Beyond the Abyss,
the student will succeed in bringing his reason under
control.
As soon as the reason is vanquished, the garotte is removed;
then the influence of the supernals (Kether, Chokmah, Binah),
no longer inhibited by Daath, can descend upon Tiphareth,
where the human will is situated, and flood it with the
ineffable light.
"The Book of Lies," by Aleister
Crowley |
