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  Thursday, 24 October 2013
  3 Replies
  2.6K Visits
I've been told by a friend two things of alcohol.

1. This path is not a path of deprivation.
2. You cannot walk the spiritual path by intoxicating the body with alcohol.

Contrary statements.

Then I read this yesterday in The Perfect Matrimony.

Liquor and fornication must be banished from the bosom of Gnostic homes. However, we must not be fanatics. Whoever is incapable of handling one drink at a social gathering is as weak as someone who cannot control his liquor and gets drunk.

Seemingly the same statement.

I've stopped drinking since starting this work just a little over a year ago. I will say the progress I've made internally over the course of the year has been 3 or 4 times greater than the results of the work I'd put in for the previous 5 years combined. Partially due to the renunciation of alcohol and other intoxicants and to the power of these teachings. Really this work is profound and I know it is a blessing to be learning this path. Truly I am lucky to be here.

My question is did Samael drink? Also, is he saying that it is okay to have one drink at a social gathering?

I still am tempted to drink at times which is why I know I will stay away from it until I no longer have the urge. But is it always necessary to not drink?

From what I understand, in the spirit of Gnosis and having a direct experience, I suppose to test this idea of only having one drink out for myself. I'd rather get input from those who have been on the path a lot longer than I.

I am a little hesitant to ask this question as it feels like I will be scoffed at and responded to in a crushing way but I ask it anyway.

Thank you.

-Miguel
10 years ago
·
#4705
Accepted Answer
Let us clarify what your friend has said.

Firstly, no one here will tell you what to do; that is up to you to decide.

Regarding alcohol, Samael Aun Weor was very clear in his writings. Read the chapter linked below.

"With the sinister demon Algol, it is impossible to make compromises, arrangements, or any kind of crooked deal. Alcohol is very treacherous and sooner or later will stab us in the back. Many people with Thelema (will) only drink one or two glasses a day; a terrific ruse, isn’t it?" - The Mystery of the Golden Blossom


As stated in the teachings and known by science, alcohol is a poison.

"There is no question that being a product of disintegration... alcohol has a vibratory disintegrating, dissolving and destructive tendency, drying our tissues and destroying the nerve cells, which are then gradually substituted by cartilage.

"It is clearly evident that alcohol tends to eliminate the capacity for independent thought and calm judgment since it fatally stimulates fantasy. It also shockingly debilitates ethical sense and individual liberty."


In other words, alcohol promotes the exact opposite of the path.

You said, "This path is not a path of deprivation." Actually, this path is 100% about depriving the EGO of what strengthens it, such as fornication, drugs, alcohol, etc. The consciousness, the BEING, does not need or want alcohol.

There are many foolish people who, desiring to prove they are not "fanatics," drink alcohol. Perhaps they prove they are not fanatics, but they also prove they are stupid. This is how their ego fools them easily. Wanting to prove themselves strong, they instead prove they are weak.

Nevertheless, there is evil in good and good in evil. This is how we sometimes find medicine in poison. There are medicinal treatments that utilize small amounts of alcohol. These treatments are not sufficient to create intoxication. If someone becomes intoxicated, they have consumed too much.

The line you quoted about being able to handle a drink does not mean that one should willing drink alcohol (especially just to "prove" something). Rather, it means that one should know how to handle social situations with grace: holding a drink does not mean one gets drunk. In this case, the graceful one avoids offending his hosts, yet also avoids intoxication. This is how we fool the foolish.

"Do not worry; cultivate the habit of being happy." - Samael Aun Weor

10 years ago
·
#4705
Accepted Answer
Let us clarify what your friend has said.

Firstly, no one here will tell you what to do; that is up to you to decide.

Regarding alcohol, Samael Aun Weor was very clear in his writings. Read the chapter linked below.

"With the sinister demon Algol, it is impossible to make compromises, arrangements, or any kind of crooked deal. Alcohol is very treacherous and sooner or later will stab us in the back. Many people with Thelema (will) only drink one or two glasses a day; a terrific ruse, isn’t it?" - The Mystery of the Golden Blossom


As stated in the teachings and known by science, alcohol is a poison.

"There is no question that being a product of disintegration... alcohol has a vibratory disintegrating, dissolving and destructive tendency, drying our tissues and destroying the nerve cells, which are then gradually substituted by cartilage.

"It is clearly evident that alcohol tends to eliminate the capacity for independent thought and calm judgment since it fatally stimulates fantasy. It also shockingly debilitates ethical sense and individual liberty."


In other words, alcohol promotes the exact opposite of the path.

You said, "This path is not a path of deprivation." Actually, this path is 100% about depriving the EGO of what strengthens it, such as fornication, drugs, alcohol, etc. The consciousness, the BEING, does not need or want alcohol.

There are many foolish people who, desiring to prove they are not "fanatics," drink alcohol. Perhaps they prove they are not fanatics, but they also prove they are stupid. This is how their ego fools them easily. Wanting to prove themselves strong, they instead prove they are weak.

Nevertheless, there is evil in good and good in evil. This is how we sometimes find medicine in poison. There are medicinal treatments that utilize small amounts of alcohol. These treatments are not sufficient to create intoxication. If someone becomes intoxicated, they have consumed too much.

The line you quoted about being able to handle a drink does not mean that one should willing drink alcohol (especially just to "prove" something). Rather, it means that one should know how to handle social situations with grace: holding a drink does not mean one gets drunk. In this case, the graceful one avoids offending his hosts, yet also avoids intoxication. This is how we fool the foolish.

"Do not worry; cultivate the habit of being happy." - Samael Aun Weor

10 years ago
·
#4708
Wow. Great answer. Thank you, Matthew Thomas.

Oddly enough I have a different friend who isn't on the path but has been trying to convince me "everything in moderation" and it'll be fine. That is the phrase many people have responded with when asked of this topic.

But my friend even goes as far as to say that since he can "control" it and only partake in the intoxication of his body on a small level that he is strong. And that since I can't "control" it that I am weak. What you said really hit home for me and gives me strength. Intuitively, giving into your desire for alcohol or drugs on any level, even if on a small scale, still seems like poisoning yourself but simply at a slower rate. I would not drink bleach whether given the option of one glass or one ounce a day, this I know. Thanks for the perspective.

Also, thanks for clarifying what my friend meant by saying that this is not a path of deprivation. Makes absolute and complete sense. It's easy to see how the ego can take this statement and justify having a drink of alcohol.

Many blessings,
Miguel
10 years ago
·
#4717
Also,

That line about being scoffed at and then crushed by the reply was clearly a projection of mine.

Thanks again,
Miguel
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