Pertinax
@aainalbion.bsky.social
A.'.A.'. in Albion aspirant since 2010. Also Zen Buddhist, environmental scientist, ecosystems modeller, amateur musician.
A few months ago speaking to an American lady in a hotel lobby in Tokyo, the topic came up as she was flying with the USAF. The obligatory “thank you for your service” made me thankful for having practiced Liber Jugorum.
January 26, 2026 at 11:51 PM
A few months ago speaking to an American lady in a hotel lobby in Tokyo, the topic came up as she was flying with the USAF. The obligatory “thank you for your service” made me thankful for having practiced Liber Jugorum.
I spent my early 20’s in the army and even then I was dimly aware that it was a con, blood for money dressed up as ‘service’. Defending one’s home is one thing, but we were sent overseas to go an invade someone else’s country. Seeing that reality that patriotism masks is a recipe for cynicism.
January 26, 2026 at 11:48 PM
I spent my early 20’s in the army and even then I was dimly aware that it was a con, blood for money dressed up as ‘service’. Defending one’s home is one thing, but we were sent overseas to go an invade someone else’s country. Seeing that reality that patriotism masks is a recipe for cynicism.
When somebody tells you that you should do your patriotic duty you can read as a subtext that they expect you to go and die in a ditch for somebody else’s interests.
January 26, 2026 at 11:36 PM
When somebody tells you that you should do your patriotic duty you can read as a subtext that they expect you to go and die in a ditch for somebody else’s interests.
“Dharma” was translated in China as “The Law”. So perhaps we could say “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Dharma”.
January 26, 2026 at 6:11 PM
“Dharma” was translated in China as “The Law”. So perhaps we could say “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Dharma”.
K&C needn’t be dramatic, but can be as subtle as the tuning of a violin. Before, something isn’t quite right but it’s unclear in what way. A minor adjustment however, and that scratching noise of bow on string becomes music.
January 25, 2026 at 9:21 PM
K&C needn’t be dramatic, but can be as subtle as the tuning of a violin. Before, something isn’t quite right but it’s unclear in what way. A minor adjustment however, and that scratching noise of bow on string becomes music.
Key to the despots strategy is to have his peons commit crimes so horrific that only his continued rule can prevent retribution. Then, having struck a devils bargain they have no choice but to do more and worse in an attempt to stave off the inevitable.
January 25, 2026 at 3:52 PM
Key to the despots strategy is to have his peons commit crimes so horrific that only his continued rule can prevent retribution. Then, having struck a devils bargain they have no choice but to do more and worse in an attempt to stave off the inevitable.
“No one who would for the master executioner stand, escapes with an uninjured hand.”
Tao Te Ching 74
Tao Te Ching 74
January 25, 2026 at 7:55 AM
“No one who would for the master executioner stand, escapes with an uninjured hand.”
Tao Te Ching 74
Tao Te Ching 74
“If people no longer fear death, what good is it threatening to kill them?” Tao Te Ching chapter 74.
January 25, 2026 at 7:48 AM
“If people no longer fear death, what good is it threatening to kill them?” Tao Te Ching chapter 74.
Thinking you have a self to undergo ego death with is a type of egotism.
January 25, 2026 at 6:54 AM
Thinking you have a self to undergo ego death with is a type of egotism.
I think it’s safe to say that these days I’ve swapped out my Tau robe for the Okesa. But you know what, it’s basically the same fundamental thing. As wearing the Tau implies acceptance of conditions as they are, the Okesa is incarnation itself that we wear willingly and joyfully.
January 18, 2026 at 1:51 AM
I think it’s safe to say that these days I’ve swapped out my Tau robe for the Okesa. But you know what, it’s basically the same fundamental thing. As wearing the Tau implies acceptance of conditions as they are, the Okesa is incarnation itself that we wear willingly and joyfully.
An uncomfortable truth about A.’.A.’. Lines of transmission in that they are often extremely loose. In several instances it’s only the signing of a document from time to time in acknowledgment of complete tasks, rather than teaching in the usual sense. Initiates may in effect be self taught.
January 17, 2026 at 10:15 PM
An uncomfortable truth about A.’.A.’. Lines of transmission in that they are often extremely loose. In several instances it’s only the signing of a document from time to time in acknowledgment of complete tasks, rather than teaching in the usual sense. Initiates may in effect be self taught.
Since ‘Lineage’ has become such a loaded term, I may start using the term ‘line of transmission’. At least until that also inevitably becomes just as loaded, but at least it’s unequivocally descriptive.
January 17, 2026 at 9:57 PM
Since ‘Lineage’ has become such a loaded term, I may start using the term ‘line of transmission’. At least until that also inevitably becomes just as loaded, but at least it’s unequivocally descriptive.
Dawn Zazen. The outward world of subject and object draws attention towards it. The inner world of concept and discursive thought ruses like a chattering tide. Encompassing yet transcending either, unnamed, sit quietly and observe.
January 17, 2026 at 9:01 PM
Dawn Zazen. The outward world of subject and object draws attention towards it. The inner world of concept and discursive thought ruses like a chattering tide. Encompassing yet transcending either, unnamed, sit quietly and observe.
Religion is the bringing together of self and other, me a you, I and Thou in the unity of the spirit. If your sect teaches us vs them, in-group vs out-group, haves vs have nots, that’s not religion, it’s politics in a robe.
January 16, 2026 at 9:26 PM
Religion is the bringing together of self and other, me a you, I and Thou in the unity of the spirit. If your sect teaches us vs them, in-group vs out-group, haves vs have nots, that’s not religion, it’s politics in a robe.
Is it just me or does Master Dogen ramble on excessively and only rarely get to a lucid point. I’m reminded of Foul Ole Ron from the Discworld series. Millenium and shrimp!
January 16, 2026 at 9:19 PM
Is it just me or does Master Dogen ramble on excessively and only rarely get to a lucid point. I’m reminded of Foul Ole Ron from the Discworld series. Millenium and shrimp!
I hate the whole ‘this lineage good, that lineage bad’ nonsense that crop up from time to time. But to sit by while people are mislead in such a critical juncture as becoming a student by those who should know better, sets me off every time. People in glass houses and all that…
January 16, 2026 at 7:15 PM
I hate the whole ‘this lineage good, that lineage bad’ nonsense that crop up from time to time. But to sit by while people are mislead in such a critical juncture as becoming a student by those who should know better, sets me off every time. People in glass houses and all that…
Sometimes I wonder if the Covid pandemic didn’t give us collective brain damage.
January 16, 2026 at 9:34 AM
Sometimes I wonder if the Covid pandemic didn’t give us collective brain damage.
A.’.A.’. exists in the service of humanity, we cannot ignore politics. But neither should we be drawn against our will into partisan struggles. As aspirants first and foremost I feel that we should be not to eager to march under any flag, even those of movements that we might be sympathetic to.
January 16, 2026 at 12:18 AM
A.’.A.’. exists in the service of humanity, we cannot ignore politics. But neither should we be drawn against our will into partisan struggles. As aspirants first and foremost I feel that we should be not to eager to march under any flag, even those of movements that we might be sympathetic to.
Mystic tip: we often hear that we should be less concerned about what other people are doing. This isn’t about morality or arbitrary rules. Rather, it’s about not setting up self vs other dichotomies.
January 15, 2026 at 8:54 PM
Mystic tip: we often hear that we should be less concerned about what other people are doing. This isn’t about morality or arbitrary rules. Rather, it’s about not setting up self vs other dichotomies.
To Summarise the Inner Order Grades: the Adeptus Minor receives the message of the HGA. The Adeptus Major is the grade of ontological embodiment of the message. Adeptus Exemptus embodies, teaches, and ultimately transcends all.
January 15, 2026 at 4:03 AM
To Summarise the Inner Order Grades: the Adeptus Minor receives the message of the HGA. The Adeptus Major is the grade of ontological embodiment of the message. Adeptus Exemptus embodies, teaches, and ultimately transcends all.
The Outer and Inner Orders of A.’.A.’. differ in that the Outer is intellectual, methodical, discipline driven development of the aspirant. The Inner Order work is Ontological and transformative, concerned with the nature of being and how we relate to life. Solve et Coagula.
January 15, 2026 at 3:52 AM
The Outer and Inner Orders of A.’.A.’. differ in that the Outer is intellectual, methodical, discipline driven development of the aspirant. The Inner Order work is Ontological and transformative, concerned with the nature of being and how we relate to life. Solve et Coagula.
Being a Thelemite who is also an environmental scientist I find myself taking a very pragmatic approach to the path and viewing things not as isolated datum but as part of an ecosystem. ‘No man is an island’ is a truism for aspirants, and we cannot ourselves as somehow separate from the world.
January 14, 2026 at 10:47 PM
Being a Thelemite who is also an environmental scientist I find myself taking a very pragmatic approach to the path and viewing things not as isolated datum but as part of an ecosystem. ‘No man is an island’ is a truism for aspirants, and we cannot ourselves as somehow separate from the world.
If you build yourself an impregnable fortress and then put your enemy in charge, nobody can come and save you but yourself.
January 14, 2026 at 10:26 PM
If you build yourself an impregnable fortress and then put your enemy in charge, nobody can come and save you but yourself.
One of the biggest issues of pre-dawn Zazen is not blowing you nose properly beforehand. Listening to one nostril whistling a tune every time you inhale adds a touch of humour to sussokukan.
January 14, 2026 at 9:14 PM
One of the biggest issues of pre-dawn Zazen is not blowing you nose properly beforehand. Listening to one nostril whistling a tune every time you inhale adds a touch of humour to sussokukan.