Our Beliefs – Leaping Laughter

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law

Thelema is the Greek word meaning “Will,” and is the Word of the Magus Aleister Crowley, spoken at the onset of the Aeon of Horus. This Word embodies the theme of the present time, and also the mission of humanity’s current efforts towards spiritual evolution and attainment.

At least, that’s one theory.

As Thelemites, we don’t tell people what to think, only “do what thou wilt.” Freedom is the core of our beliefs, freedom of gender, sexual preferences, freedom to move through societal classes, to live as a hobo, a queen, or a middle class computer programmer. An artist, a philosopher, a priestess, or a king.

To accept the freedom of “Do what thou wilt” as a personal philosophy it is intrinsic and paramount that at the same time we accept the freedom of all other human beings incarnated to pursue and attain their will, as stars in a company of stars. We strive to be our truest selves, while defending and respecting the rights of all other incarnated beings to attain their utmost. The pursuit of our “True Will” will never, in theory, result in the impingement or infringement on any other person’s ability to achieve their will.

Working out how to pursue our own wills while defending the rights and freedom of others to pursue their own wills can be a demanding challenge, yet it is one we strive to accomplish.

“Do what thou wilt” is both empowering, and humbling. To accept the right it implies requires and equal acceptance of every other person’s right to do the same.

WE BELIEVE THAT EVERY MAN AND EVERY WOMAN IS A STAR

Within the Creed of the Gnostic Mass, we join together in agreeing that we are individually one star in a company of stars. This statement is both the claiming of our own rights to fulfill the Law as we see fit, but also the respectful recognition of everyone else’s rights to fulfill the Law as they see fit.

The O.T.O. recognizes all genders as being equal. Locally, Leaping Laughter strives to create an environment that welcomes, respects, and protects people across the entire spectrum of human sexuality and non-sexuality, as they see fit, so long as no other person’s will or desires are thwarted. We support consent and equality.

We extend this fierce protection of equality to all matters of society, including race, religion, custom and creed. Humanity is diverse, and every star shines brightly.

The Law is for All.

WE RECOGNIZE ALEISTER CROWLEY AS THE PROPHET OF THE AEON

Aleister Crowley is a controversial figure, but within the Ordo Templi Orientis and the Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica, we recognize the works and efforts, and inspired writings he provided as the core teachings we celebrate. A genius, classically trained, initiated into occult mystery traditions, a polymath, a prolific writer, a user and abuser of chemicals and some would say people as well, our prophet is a complicated conundrum.

Regardless of his personal issues, which he was well aware of, the writings, structure and organizations he left behind continue to inspire those of us called to this particular belief system to strive to become our best possible selves, applying the Law in our own lives as cleanly and clearly as we apply it in those of others.

WE BELIEVE IN FAMILY

Leaping Laughter provides a safe place for people pursuing Thelema to bring children of all ages. We provide events that are open to the public, and people of all ages. While some events are closed to members only, or to people 18 and over due to the laws of the land, we strive to make room for people from the whole spectrum of our community.

Many of the concepts we present are mature, and teens will likely get more out of the events than toddlers in terms of their spiritual advancement, but all are welcome. There is no future without children.

WE BELIEVE THAT EXISTENCE IS PURE JOY

“Remember all ye that existence is pure joy; that all the sorrows are but as shadows; they pass & are done; but there is that which remains.”

Perhaps the most difficult of mysteries to understand, integrate, and apply to our individual lives, “Existence is pure Joy” stands at the top of the list. While we try to delve deeper into this mystery regularly, the community at Leaping Laughter is made of humans, who have seen their share of sorrows. There is no need to fear judgment, or a lack of understanding from our community. While existence may be pure joy, nobody has to be happy all the time.

Come as you are.

WE BELIEVE THERE IS NO PART OF ANYONE THAT IS NOT OF THE GODS

The Gods can be fickle, for sure, but there is no part of us that is not of the Gods. Whether you believe “deity” is a human construct or an external source of light, life, love and liberty, you are welcome here at Leaping Laughter, and will be treated like the god-stuff you are. Members tend to express their opinions about such things regularly, without judgment or expectation of agreement. We support one another in their pursuit of whatever the “divine” might mean to them, at the moment. No one will tell you what god to believe in.

We celebrate the gods Nuit, Hadit, and Ra Hoor Khuit from the Egyptian pantheon, in several forms and ways. Some celebrate them as personal deities who have changed their lives, others as symbolic forms of creation and generation.