Lust of Result

From Thelemapedia

Lust of Result refers to a type of impediment to the expression of pure will.

References in Aleister Crowley's Writings

The term "lust of result" first appears in Crowley's writings in the First Chapter of The Book of the Law:

For pure will, unassuaged of purpose, delivered from the lust of result, is every way perfect. (AL I:44)

In his Commentaries on the Book of the Law, Crowley typically discusses the concept of "lust of result" along with that of "purpose."

From the Old Comment (1913) on AL I:44:

Recommends "non-attachment". Students will understand how in meditation the mind which attaches itself to hope of success is just as bound as if it were to attach itself to some base material idea. It is a bond and the aim is freedom.

I recommend serious study of the word unassuaged which appears not very intelligible. (Magical and Philosophical Commentaries, p. 135)

From the New Comment (1920) on AL I:44:

This verse is best interpreted by defining 'pure will' as the true expression of the Nature, the proper or inherent motion of the matter, concerned. It is unnatural to aim at any goal. The student is referred to Liber LXV Chap. II, v. 24 [see below], and to the Tao Teh King. This becomes particularly important in high grades. One is not to do Yoga, etc., in order to get Samadhi, like a schoolboy or a shopkeeper; but for its own sake, like an artist.

"Unassuaged" means "its edge taken off by" or "dulled by". The pure student does not think of the result of the examination. (Magical and Philosophical Commentaries, p. 135)

EDITOR'S NOTE: The definition of "unassuaged" in the above commentary is incorrect from the viewpoint of Standard English usage. The definition of "assuage (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/assuage) " is "To make (something burdensome or painful) less intense or severe; To satisfy or appease; To pacify or calm." Unassuaged would therefore be the opposite: to make something already burdensome or painful fully (or perhaps more) intense or severe; to deny satisfaction or appeasement, to disturb or agitate. This editor is unsure whether the divergence of the definition as presented in this commentary from that in common usage was intentional or in error.

Liber Cordis Cincti Serpente vel LXV Chapter II, v. 24, reads as follows:

And I laid my head against the Head of the Swan, and laughed, saying: Is there not joy ineffable in this aimless winging? Is there not weariness and impatience for who would attain to some goal?

Crowley's commentary to the above verse reads as follows: The Adept, bringing this thought closer to Ecstasy, laughs, both for pure joy, and as amused by the incongruous absurdities of "rational" arguments from which he is now forever free, expresses his idea thus: The free exercise of one's faculties is pure joy; if I felt the need of achieving some object thereby, it would imply the pain of desire, the strain of effort, and the fear of failure. (Commentaries on the Holy Books, p. 106)

From the Djeridensis Comment (1923) on AL Chapter I: Will: its possible defects:

Purpose takes the edge off pure will; for it implies conscious thought, which should not replace what Nature intends. Work is done best when the mind does not know of it, either to urge or to check its course. The lust of result also spoils work; one must not distract one's forces from their task by thoughts of the profit of success. (Magical and Philosophical Commentaries, p. 313)

From Liber Samekh:

Let [the student] beware of the 'lust of result,' of expecting too much, of losing courage if his first success is followed by a series of failures. (Book 4, Appendix IV, Liber Samekh, p. 539)

References