Living Thelema: A Practical Guide to Attainment in Aleister Crowley's System of Magick

First, let me thank Dr. Shoemaker for this wonderful work. I'm not new to Crowley's System, I've studied it the past but never found a step by step guide like this one. Along the book I found so many answers to so many questions I had that in years of study could not find.But don't get me wrong, you don't need years of study to understand this book, if you are new I would tell you to just read this book, it will give you all that you need explained in a very easy to understand way (where to start, how to start, what resources you should use at each stage, where to go next) you just need to start working! The experience of Dr. Shoemaker will save you years of searching (I wish I had this book when I started).The book contains a couple of chapters on Alchemy, I would like to say that although Dr. Shoemaker talks only about the mental/psychologial side of Alchemy, there is also a laboratory side that you may like to know, it is a very profound spiritual practice. I would suggest that you google for Philosophers Of Nature, Jean Dubuis, Frater Albertus, etc. to know more about the Laboratory Alchemy.The book contains also a couple of insightful chapters on psychoteraphy related to the magical work. I would also like to suggest you to explore NLP (just Richard Bandler's work). In my experience, NLP offers wonderful resources to get that balanced psyche that is essential to the effectiveness of the magical work.I hope this review can help you.

93 93/93Dr.Shoemaker has produced the most brilliant work on the Thelemic path so far. What he has done is to strip away all the details which one does not need to know at an early level,(of course these more advanced details are available in Crowley's source works and online). He has made somewhat clearer the path to attainment. After reading and meditating on this book I have re-assessed the way I do my work and after only 3 weeks I feel the rewards, i am a sole practitioner. Quite literally I was doing rituals which I needed not be doing as yet, which was somewhat overworking my psyche. I feel clearer and fresher in the ones I am doing according to Dr.Shoemakers instructions. Of course he makes clear that if you are of a higher grade to which I am, not to change your regimen without talking to your superior. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in attainment in Aleister Crowleys system. Considering the author is a practicing Clinical Psycologist the wording is very easy to fathom. He could have blinded our senses with science, but that was obviously not his intention. Grab yourself a copy, I am sure you won't be disappointment ! We need more balanced Thelemites out there to carry the flame which "burns in every heart of man, and in the core of every star". Yes, that is each and every one of you,(who is called). An extremely admirable work! I might finish by saying that there are no rituals(there is a sample), but there are several very useful exercises throughout, which I am sure you will find interesting and educational. Thank You Dr. David Shoemaker!

This book is indispensable both as a beginner's guide to practical occultism, and as a toolkit for the more advanced practitioner. It is also as good a book as I have found for explaining what the magickal path is about (with a strong focus on Thelema, as the title states), and I will be buying a few extra copies to give to those close to me.Dr. Shoemaker lays out the theoretical framework of the A∴A∴ and provides you with basic exercises and practices. Each chapter has a bibliography including classics of psychology, mythology, and foundational Thelemic and occult texts. If you use this book as a starting point and read one or two books from each chapter's bibliography, it is a very good start.As a psychologist, he ends the book with practical life advice which is sorely lacking from most other texts in this field. He gives an introduction to cognitive therapy techniques, and provides a system for dealing with interpersonal relationships from a more enlightened perspective. He provides advice on how to find a therapist, which for me was a stumbling block for many years.I could go on much longer, but the simple fact of the matter is that I believe every serious seeker should read this book. I would've read it sooner if I had known.

Although I am not a practicing member of the A.A. or O.T.O., I am a long time spiritual seeker and have been a student of the Kaballah and Eastern mysticism for 10+ years. This book is a treasure trove of information on topics such as meditation, visualization, astral projection, pranyayama, and even the psychology that goes with magick. The chapter on cognitive therapy for magickal practitioners was especially helpful.The book is written by a clinical psychologist/Thelema expert, so the author has excellent credentials. The book is, furthermore, well written and organized. I have highlighted and marked this book up extensively in just a matter of days. I imagine this is one I will refer to repeatedly as try to grow spiritually and progress with the Great Work. Not a book that will collect dust on the shelf after reading. Highly Recommended!

I can find almost any of this material elsewhere. I enjoy having it nicely as a Kindle book but not sure it was worth it, especially considering I still have to look up information elsewhere. Edit: I changed the title of my review. It was "for beginners". As pointed out, I was harsh and inaccurate. To be more concise, purchase of this book was part of a natural return for me to Thelemic practice, and my own natural frustration at ground lost came through in the review. My 2nd slower reading through was much more fruitful. I also realized that the book made me Want to look up information elsewhere, and that is hardly a fault.

93.the clear, no nonsense way in which mr.shoemaker delivers his methods and advice is a great starting point for any one interested in thelema. other new age or occult students will also find much to learn in this excellent book. highly recomended.93. 93/93.

perfect

excellent

Good

Interesting book well written