Clarifying Concepts: What is the context when Samael has said: “tie a millstone around your neck…”

Some people quote Master Samael Aun Weor as saying, “tie a millstone around your neck and throw yourself at the bottom of the sea,” and ascribe to it connotations of being Gnostic, practicing gnosis, and, in most cases, abandoning the Gnostic teachings.  Let’s clarify what Samael says.

What Master Samael says is ascribed to a specific context.

Fundamentals of Gnostic Education, chapter 35:

“He who does not want to understand or accept his own mechanics, he who does not want to understand this fact correctly, can no longer change; he is unhappy, unfortunate; it would be better for him to hang a millstone around his neck and throw himself to the bottom of the sea.”

Logos Mantra Theurgy, chapter 12 (The Flaming Forge of Vulcan):

“Therefore, I say to you, Bregate, brethren of my soul, and enter through the narrow, narrow, and difficult Gate; for truly I tell you, many will want to come in and will not be able!

Woe to the inhabitants of the earth!

Woe to those who do not go down to the Flaming Forge of Vulcan!

Woe to those who despise the Ninth Sphere!

Woe to those who are afraid of the Ninth Gate!

Woe to those who reject the Pure Water of Life and the Sacred Oil of the Temple!

They had better not have been born, or they would have to hang a millstone around their necks and throw themselves to the bottom of the sea!

Those are the lost ones: the failures of the Fifth Race!”

Perfect Matrimony

Chapter 7 (The Seven Churches):

“The Great Arcanum is the key to all powers and the key to all empires. The powers of Nature are unleashed against those who try to dominate it. The great Hierophants hide their secret, and the Divine Kings do not give to any mortal the secret key to their power. Unhappy, unhappy that mortal who, after having received the secret of Sexual Magic, does not know how to take advantage of it: "it would be better for him not to have been born or to hang a millstone around his neck and throw himself to the bottom of the sea". Nature is not interested in the cosmic realization of man, and that is even contrary to her own interests. That is the reason why she opposes with all her strength the daring man who wants to dominate her.”

Chapter 3 (The Great Battle):

“The Great Arcanum is the key to all powers and the key to all empires. The powers of Nature are unleashed against those who try to dominate it. The great Hierophants hide their secret, and the Divine Kings do not give to any mortal the secret key to their power. Unhappy, unhappy that mortal who, after having received the secret of Sexual Magic, does not know how to take advantage of it: "it would be better for him not to have been born or to hang a millstone around his neck and throw himself to the bottom of the sea". Nature is not interested in the cosmic realization of man, and that is even contrary to her own interests. That is the reason why she opposes with all her strength the daring man who wants to dominate her.”

Christmas Message 1967-68 (The Solar Bodies), Chapter 26: Black Tantra

“Among the perpetual snows of the thousand-year-old Tibet, loaded with so many traditions, there are several Black Tantric Schools.

Woe to him who joins these dark schools; it would be better for him not to have been born or to hang a millstone around his neck and throw himself to the bottom of the sea.

The basic, fundamental objective of the Black Tantric Schools is the development of the abominable Kundabuffer Organ (Satan's Tail).”

Magic of the Runes, Chapter 13: Rune SIG

“Alas! Alas! Alas! of those INITIATES who succumb to the kisses of fire, not of women, but of the woman par excellence, of the woman-symbol, who does not try to seduce him rudely with the suggestions of mere animal sensation, but with the most perfidious and delicious arts of subtle sentimentality and romantic emotionalism.

For those, it would be better not to have been born or to hang a millstone around their necks and throw themselves to the bottom of the sea.”

Occult Medicine and Practical Magic, section titled “The Snake and the Mirror” in the Chapter “Secrets of Practical Magic”:

“Alas! Of those mystics who detest women, of those passionate fornicators who only see in it an instrument of pleasure. Woe to you! It would have been better for you not to have been born, or to have hung a millstone around your neck and thrown yourself to the bottom of the sea. Whoever wants to reach the Altar of Initiation must throw himself into struggle against his own defects, against his vices, in hand-to-hand battle, face to face against the enemies who dwell in his own house.”

Major Mysteries, Chapter 8: The Initiation

Initiation is the essence of your existence. It pertains to consciousness and sex. Our consciousness is a spark separate from the great cosmic consciousness. We once had awareness as minerals, plants, and animals. Now, we possess human consciousness. Later, we will have Angelic, Archangelic, Seraphic, and other higher states of consciousness. It's easy to say this is good or bad, but truly being aware of good and bad is very challenging. Saying that 2 and 2 equals 4 is simple; understanding that 2 and 2 really equals 4 is a divine matter. The drunkard knows drinking alcohol is harmful, but he isn't truly aware that it is harmful. If he were consciously aware that drinking alcohol is wrong, he would prefer to hang a millstone around his neck and throw himself into the sea rather than continue near alcohol.

Pistis Sophia Unveiled, Chapter 36: Peter Complains about Mary

“(We must praise the Father who is in secret.)

(Many times, the soul faints, but if the Father strengthens us, we will be victorious.)

(When the son falls, when he is perverted, the Father moves away.)

(When the Father turns away, the Son falls into disgrace.)

(If the Father were not absent, the Son would not fall into disgrace.)

(He who his Father assists never falls into misery.)

(Wretched is the wicked son who has his Father absent.)

(To that one, it would be better not to have been born, or to hang a millstone around his neck and throw himself to the bottom of the sea.)