NYC T.'.O.'.T.'. - The Thelemic Mass - 7 March

[Jim Eshelman]

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.

Aiwass Temple No. 8 of Temple of Thelema, located in New York City, will hold its first public celebration of The Thelemic Mass on Sunday afternoon, March 7, 2010.

The Mass is open to the public, but in a private location. Email thelemicmass@thelema.org to RSVP.

If you're on Facebook, you can go to the FB page for The Thelemic Mass as well.

More information as it emerges.

[Jim Eshelman]

If you wish to attend this Mass, please email: thelemicmass@thelema.org

[Tinman]

Would you consider recording and posting a high quality video of the public Mass?

[Jim Eshelman]

Would you consider recording and posting a high quality video of the public Mass?

Consider? Well, it's not out of the question...

But, no. That would be an entirely other project, and not going to happen this time. It's a big enough project as it is, without turning it into a film event.

Also... Every ritual I've ever seen filmed, regardless of how splendid it was in person, has always seemed flat on film. This could, of course, be overcome if one had all the resources of film-making - multiple cameras, multiplke takes, serious editing resources - but it's also one of the things that convinces me of magick's authenticity. Watching it on film is almost unrelated to the experience of being there in person.

But once the Mass hits its stride and has become a routine performance by the same team in the same place, I wouldn't foreclose the idea of it being filmed one of these years.

[Tinman]

I had the "effectiveness on film" debate in my head before posting; but then what about astral experiences - does visualizing and imagining make those any less "real" or the experiences any less "meaningful". I don't have the answer. So I ask: not being able to travel to NY myself. Thanks for considering down the line though.

[Jim Eshelman]

I had the "effectiveness on film" debate in my head before posting; but then what about astral experiences - does visualizing and imagining make those any less "real" or the experiences any less "meaningful". I don't have the answer. So I ask: not being able to travel to NY myself. Thanks for considering down the line though.

A version of the script will be in print in a few weeks. Maybe we can at least get someone in NY to take some photos for posting here? (Attention NYC gang!)

BTW - and this touches on the astral question somewhat - I had a similar experience the first time I saw live pro tennis. I've never been a tennis fan but, in the late '80s, someone gave me tickets to the Virginia Slims finals. We had first or second row seats and I was amazed! We were watching cream of the crop - Steffi Graf playing (I think it was) Gabriela Sabatini. What I found as that I knew all their moves a couple of seconds before they made them - the entire match (almost every minute of it) was deja vu. My companion had the same experience. We eventually realized that, with the enormous concentration each player was exercising, the keen power of visualization of their own moves, we were seeing their mental pictures as they were seeing them. It was really extraordinary!

Well, I went out of there with an enthusiasm for watching tennis I never thought I'd have, and took the first opportunity to watch a televised match that had the same athletes. What an enormous disappointment! There was nothing - it was, well, flat - it was just as exciting as watching two robots play ping-pong.

And the reason should have been obvious: What we experienced from the players in person, the telepathic rapport, wasn't possible across television. You had to be there in person to get it. I immediately stopped watching tennis again!

Same with magick.

[Metzareph]

Here is the link:

http://aiwass.org/thelemicmass/

[Jim Eshelman]

Thanks, Juan. (Great poster!)

[Jim Eshelman]

If you wish to attend this Mass, please email: thelemicmass@thelema.org

As a reminder, this is coming up Sunday, March 7 (a week from this Sunday). If you want to attend, please use the above email address to RSVP.

I've also just received confirmation that it's 93% certain that I'll have a case or two of the new 776 1/2 hardcover drop-shipped to NY for this event. (It will be the first time I get to see it myself! They'll arrive by truck in LA a week or so later.)

[Alrah]

I've also just received confirmation that it's 93% certain that I'll have a case or two of the new 776 1/2 hardcover drop-shipped to NY for this event. (It will be the first time I get to see it myself! They'll arrive by truck in LA a week or so later.)

:-) You must be very excited - to finally get to hold it in your hands after all your work, Jim. I remember the unique type of anticipation that goes with publishing. Never seems quite real until you've spent an hour fondling the thing and rustling the paper. ;-)

Well done. :-)

[Jim Eshelman]

Thank you. Acdtually, even more excited about the Mass but almost as excited about the book.

And then, when I return to LA, I'll probably have to wait another week for the truck to arrive with the main stock of them plus the first chance to see the deluxe edition. That should be a real thing of beauty.

[Alrah]

Thank you. Acdtually, even more excited about the Mass but almost as excited about the book.

And then, when I return to LA, I'll probably have to wait another week for the truck to arrive with the main stock of them plus the first chance to see the deluxe edition. That should be a real thing of beauty.

Are you arranging for their delivery?

I recall... the delivery of 10,000 books at once and the shock when we realised they would never fit in our house! :D It was funny as well. :D

[Jim Eshelman]

Thank you. Acdtually, even more excited about the Mass but almost as excited about the book.

And then, when I return to LA, I'll probably have to wait another week for the truck to arrive with the main stock of them plus the first chance to see the deluxe edition. That should be a real thing of beauty.

Are you arranging for their delivery?

Someone else is receiving and storing them.