musing...

Said JM Greer, in the chapter of Learning Ritual Magic titled “The Great Work,” “…and to perfect the self-the goal of the magician’s work, seen from the perspective of the microcosm, the “little universe” that is the self-leads, in an ultimate sense, to the perfection of the universe, as well.” (A lot of quotation marks there).

What this says to me is that the Great Work, and Tikkun Olam have the same goal, it is just the doorways that are different. For the Great Work, one works to elevate and perfect oneself, and, as you do so, you also affect the rest of creation. This happens in (at least) 2 different ways. One, the more dross removed from the personality, the more likely you are to treat others well, thus increasing happiness in the most local of planes. Also, by removing said dross and dregs you lower the level of such stuff in humanity as a whole, thereby helping to elevate all.

The looked for results of Tikkun are the same-but the method is the reverse. One reaches out, and works to help and improve the macrocosm. Each act to improve the world outside of ones personal sphere improves the self. And the more you do to improve the world for others, the more elevated and purer your spirit becomes. Intent is important, of course. Great works of charity may help the recipients, but if the only reason for doing such works of charity is for publicity purposes and bragging rights (and tax deductions), you may not get much more than that from it. That is why Jewish households have “tzedakah” (justice) boxes and not charity boxes.

Two doorways, but I can see how they both open to the same path.