Meditation

by Aleister Crowley

Originally published as part of his magnum opus Liber ABA, Meditation explains Crowley's system of meditation, designed to still, mind, and enable the single-pointed concentration so essential to his occult teachings. Crowley explains important concepts like Asana, Pranayama, Yama, Niyama, Pratyahara, Dharana, and Samadhi, borrowing heavily from Indian yogis.

Audible Audio

First published February 24, 2011

About the author

Aleister Crowley was an English occultist, ceremonial magician, poet, novelist, mountaineer, and painter. He founded the religion of Thelema, proclaiming himself as the prophet destined to guide humanity into the Æon of Horus in the early 20th century. A prolific writer, Crowley published extensively throughout his life.
Born Edward Alexander Crowley in Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, he was raised in a wealthy family adhering to the fundamentalist Christian Plymouth Brethren faith. Crowley rejected his religious upbringing, developing an interest in Western esotericism. He attended Trinity College, Cambridge, focusing on mountaineering and poetry, and published several works during this period. In 1898, he joined the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, receiving training in ceremonial magic from Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers and Allan Bennett. His travels took him to Mexico for mountaineering with Oscar Eckenstein and to India, where he studied Hindu and Buddhist practices.
In 1904, during a honeymoon in Cairo with his wife Rose Edith Kelly, Crowley claimed to have received "The Book of the Law" from a supernatural entity named Aiwass. This text became the foundation of Thelema, announcing the onset of the Æon of Horus and introducing the central tenet: "Do what thou wilt." Crowley emphasized that individuals should align with their True Will through ceremonial magic.
After an unsuccessful expedition to Kanchenjunga in 1905 and further travels in India and China, Crowley returned to Britain. There, he co-founded the esoteric order A∴A∴ with George Cecil Jones in 1907 to promote Thelema. In 1912, he joined the Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.), eventually leading its British branch and reformulating it according to Thelemic principles. Crowley spent World War I in the United States, engaging in painting and writing pro-German propaganda, which biographers later suggested was a cover for British intelligence activities.
In 1920, Crowley established the Abbey of Thelema, a religious commune in Cefalù, Sicily. His libertine lifestyle attracted negative attention from the British press, leading to his expulsion by the Italian government in 1923. He spent subsequent years in France, Germany, and England, continuing to promote Thelema until his death in 1947.
Crowley's notoriety stemmed from his recreational drug use, bisexuality, and criticism of societal norms. Despite controversy, he significantly influenced Western esotericism and the 1960s counterculture, and remains a central figure in Thelema.

Reviews

[Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

By far the easiest read from Crowley that I've encountered!
Much of it was not very useful for my personal daily practise, but there were some interesting takes nonetheless. I'd take this with a hefty grain of salt, as I think some of these practises are a bit extreme and not suited to the average person.

[Recensioni in tre parole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Occulto. Mistico. Meditativo.

[Dianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy read!!!

I love how Mr. Crowley removes all of the mysticism usually associated with mediation. I am new to mediation and find his book very easy to follow. He writes in a way that makes me believe I will be successful in my journey.

[Malcolm Schmitz · Rating 3 out of 5]

An.... interesting work. Not sure how much of it is accurate or was even worth my time, but if nothing else, it had the nuggets of some neat ideas in it.

Ragingly cultural-appropriative, though, and based on what I think are some very misguided readings of Hinduism.