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Aleister Crowley had some thoughts on geniuses (specifically religious geniuses, but he believed genius didn't end there) and how any human being can attain tow

Aleister Crowley had some thoughts on geniuses (specifically religious geniuses, but he believed genius didn't end there) and how any human being can attain towards this level of consciousness: https://sacred-texts.com/oto/aba/aba1.htm https://sacred-texts.com/oto/aba/aba1.htm Specifically, from the Q&A, he says: > Q. What is genius, and how is it produced? >> A. Let us take several specimens of the species, and try to find some one thing common to all which is not found in other species. > Q. Is there any such thing? >> A. Yes: all geniuses have the habit of concentration of thought, and usually need long periods of solitude to acquire this habit. ... His training system -- the A∴A∴ -- is designed to lead people to their genius. Interestingly, it is very similar to this checklist: it teaches self-discipline (by having to follow a specific training program); studying great people and works of philosophy, metaphysics, mathematics, etc; controlling emotions; controlling thought (including constraining it to a single idea); writing down ideas; etc. I think Crowley goes much further and was more rigorous in his approach to applying the ideas listed. In his view, you don't _become_ a genius through this work, but connect to the genius that is already inside everyone. Connecting to this Genius and finding out your goals in life is the key to a joyful life -- or, as TFA says, 'Establishing a clear goal for your life should be a priority'.

z3ncyberpunk 5y ago
While I see you're a thelema cultist, I would hardly take anything a sociopathic, sadistic, spoiled, trust fund brat like Crowley has to say with any seriousness. Crowley wasn't some brave misunderstood hero, he was a delusional twisted pervert with a power complex.
- hackingthelema 5y ago
  Have you read Hacker News' approach to comments and site guidelines? https://news.ycombinator.com/newswelcome.html https://news.ycombinator.com/newswelcome.html > Which brings us to the most important principle on HN: civility. Since long before the web, the anonymity of online conversation has lured people into being much ruder than they'd be in person. So the principle here is: don't say anything you wouldn't say face to face. This doesn't mean you can't disagree. But disagree without calling names. If you're right, your argument will be more convincing without them. https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html > Please don't post shallow dismissals, especially of other people's work. A good critical comment teaches us something. And so on.
  - deleted 5y ago
    [deleted]
  - pstuart 5y ago
    It was quite negative but my run-ins with the OTO members (SF Bay Area) did not lead me to believe that path was worth following.
  - z3ncyberpunk 5y ago
    Don't even try to come in here with that nonsense. You threw civility out the window first by dedicating your whole profile to a sadist's cult, then coming to the thread, shamelessly I might add, trying to preach his doctrines like they are supposed to hold any merit or credibility. If you insist on idolatry I suggest you find a different icon to submit to.

z3ncyberpunk 5y ago

While I see you're a thelema cultist, I would hardly take anything a sociopathic, sadistic, spoiled, trust fund brat like Crowley has to say with any seriousness. Crowley wasn't some brave misunderstood hero, he was a delusional twisted pervert with a power complex.

hackingthelema 5y ago
Have you read Hacker News' approach to comments and site guidelines? https://news.ycombinator.com/newswelcome.html https://news.ycombinator.com/newswelcome.html > Which brings us to the most important principle on HN: civility. Since long before the web, the anonymity of online conversation has lured people into being much ruder than they'd be in person. So the principle here is: don't say anything you wouldn't say face to face. This doesn't mean you can't disagree. But disagree without calling names. If you're right, your argument will be more convincing without them. https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html > Please don't post shallow dismissals, especially of other people's work. A good critical comment teaches us something. And so on.
- deleted 5y ago
  [deleted]
- pstuart 5y ago
  It was quite negative but my run-ins with the OTO members (SF Bay Area) did not lead me to believe that path was worth following.
- z3ncyberpunk 5y ago
  Don't even try to come in here with that nonsense. You threw civility out the window first by dedicating your whole profile to a sadist's cult, then coming to the thread, shamelessly I might add, trying to preach his doctrines like they are supposed to hold any merit or credibility. If you insist on idolatry I suggest you find a different icon to submit to.