David Shoemaker

It's hard to believe that the Living Thelema podcast started more than 15 years ago! I've been taking a break from the podcast for the past 3-4 years to focus on writing projects, and administration of the training organizations I work with--but watch for some exciting announcements in the coming months! In the meantime, ALL podcast episodes are available on my YouTube channel, and of course in your podcast feed.

Living Thelema Practical Instruction in Thelemic Magick and Mysticism from Dr. David Shoemaker

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZFO9oXsu7o/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

In the vocal booth at Peter Gabriel's Real World Studios, with a nice view of the mill pond for inspiration. This was an incredible week of work, supported by fantastic engineers, producers and musicians such as Katie May (Peter Gabriel, Florence & The Machine), Tim Oliver (Sinead O’Connor, New Order), John Baggott (Massive Attack, Portishead), Robert Brian (Siouxsie Sioux, Goldfrapp, Simple Minds) and Chris Hughes (Tears for Fears, Robert Plant). Special thanks to my collaborator Jack Kennedy, who added beautiful guitar and bass, as well as his considerable engineering skills, to the track; and to Xav Sinden, whose magic ears and Pro Tools skills sprinkled on the final fairy dust. I can't wait for you all to hear this new song, which will be released on a Real World compilation in the coming weeks, and then on my new solo album later this year! https://davidshoemaker.bandcamp.com/

I just had an incredibly satisfying day of recording. More details to come...

My Ovation Legend 1867 acoustic, acquired for Guitar Circle courses with Robert Fripp in 2014 and 2015. My relationship with Robert and the Guitar Craft/Circle tradition, which began in 1985 when I was just 16 years old, has been an incredibly important source of musical and spiritual support across my life.

davidshoemaker.bandcamp.com

Save the Date! I'll be giving a talk on "Qabalistic Psychology and the Path of the Initiate" in London, Wednesday, June 24, in the evening. The talk is co-sponsored by the Temple of the Silver Star and the Atlantis Bookshop, and the venue is the White Hart pub in Covent Garden. Here's the link for tickets and more information: https://theatlantisbookshop.com/events/event/qabalistic-psychology-and-the-path-of-the-initiate/

If you're in the area, I hope to see you there!

From our archives: The original of one of the last (and possibly *the* last) photo ever taken of Aleister Crowley.

"We don’t need to transcend some sinful or unholy aspect of self. We don’t need to rely on some external redeemer to raise us up or save us – there’s nothing we need to be redeemed from! And we can raise ourselves up from our sorry state of ego-absorption, once we’ve realized that the neshamah [spiritual superconsciousness], not the ruach [human ego], is the real Master on the throne of our inner temple. Every part of us is sacred."

From Chapter 2 of The Way of the Will, "Qabalistic Psychology in the New Aeon." [Bracketed comments added for clarification of terms.]

Purchasing link:

The Way of the Will: Thelema in Action In David Shoemaker explores how the spiritual discipline of Thelema, founded by Aleister Crowley (1875-1947), can be utilized to enhance your psychological and spiritual growth. The book grew out of the author's own teachings and experiences—podcast episodes, classes, and of course, many yea...

Please have a listen to my music here, and consider a purchase to support my work: https://davidshoemaker.bandcamp.com

Throwback to 2006, performing with my band at the time, Last Three Lives. I was just trying to do my thing, but some guy kept looking over my shoulder. 😂 https://davidshoemaker.bandcamp.com

""What is left of us when those outer husks of stability and identity are stripped away? ... Only what is essential to our survival." --The Way of the Will, Introduction https://a.co/d/0ebBDiQ0