The Initiatic Experience

The Initiatic Experience PDF Author: Robert Herd
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780615741192
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 166

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Book Description
Freemasonry is an Initiatic Order teaching lessons of philosophy, morality, psychology, and spirituality. It contains elements of perennial wisdom, much of which has been handed down to it by other orders and cultures throughout the history of civilization. Many have searched, and continue to search, for a singular origin to our Fraternity. This book discusses similarities found in the Initiatic Experiences which have been practiced by people of different cultures from time immemorial. You will find that much of what our lessons teach today, was taught to initiates thousands of years before Freemasonry had even been formed, being passed from Master to Candidate. It shows that some of those Initiatic processes, methods, and lessons, which were passed down to us from ancient times, was done so by some of the most famous thinkers, philosophers, and teachers in human history. Sometimes this knowledge was lost by one civilization only to be rediscovered or rejuvenated by the next. The knowledge and lessons changed nearly as little as the methods of conveying them. It shows a lineage or pathway, so to speak, created by the sharing of knowledge and wisdom from Ancient Egypt and Greece, to Renaissance Europe and even the Middle East. It discusses how the process and impact of the Initiatic experience was used then, and is still used today, to promote and protect certain lessons and concepts throughout the ages, sometimes with deadly consequences. This book talks about some of the challenges certain Orders had in maintaining these lessons in times of social or religious turmoil such as the Knights Templar, Rosicrucians, and even the early Alchemists. For the new and old Freemason alike, this book can provide valuable insight into the meaning behind portions of the ritual, the history behind some of the traditions, and the spirit behind some of the lessons of our Fraternity. Those interested in history will find a concise, chronological order of events making study and familiarization of information quick and easy. Those interested in the more esoteric side of Freemasonry will find both old and new concepts behind the superficial aspects of our Craft and the underlying Western Mystery School tradition as a whole.

The Initiatic Experience

The Initiatic Experience PDF Author: Robert Herd
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780615741192
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 166

Get Book Here

Book Description
Freemasonry is an Initiatic Order teaching lessons of philosophy, morality, psychology, and spirituality. It contains elements of perennial wisdom, much of which has been handed down to it by other orders and cultures throughout the history of civilization. Many have searched, and continue to search, for a singular origin to our Fraternity. This book discusses similarities found in the Initiatic Experiences which have been practiced by people of different cultures from time immemorial. You will find that much of what our lessons teach today, was taught to initiates thousands of years before Freemasonry had even been formed, being passed from Master to Candidate. It shows that some of those Initiatic processes, methods, and lessons, which were passed down to us from ancient times, was done so by some of the most famous thinkers, philosophers, and teachers in human history. Sometimes this knowledge was lost by one civilization only to be rediscovered or rejuvenated by the next. The knowledge and lessons changed nearly as little as the methods of conveying them. It shows a lineage or pathway, so to speak, created by the sharing of knowledge and wisdom from Ancient Egypt and Greece, to Renaissance Europe and even the Middle East. It discusses how the process and impact of the Initiatic experience was used then, and is still used today, to promote and protect certain lessons and concepts throughout the ages, sometimes with deadly consequences. This book talks about some of the challenges certain Orders had in maintaining these lessons in times of social or religious turmoil such as the Knights Templar, Rosicrucians, and even the early Alchemists. For the new and old Freemason alike, this book can provide valuable insight into the meaning behind portions of the ritual, the history behind some of the traditions, and the spirit behind some of the lessons of our Fraternity. Those interested in history will find a concise, chronological order of events making study and familiarization of information quick and easy. Those interested in the more esoteric side of Freemasonry will find both old and new concepts behind the superficial aspects of our Craft and the underlying Western Mystery School tradition as a whole.

The Journey of Soul Initiation

The Journey of Soul Initiation PDF Author: Bill Plotkin, PhD
Publisher: New World Library
ISBN: 1608687015
Category : Self-Help
Languages : en
Pages : 466

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Book Description
Soul initiation is an essential spiritual adventure that most of the world has forgotten — or not yet discovered. Here, visionary ecopsychologist Bill Plotkin maps this journey, one that has not been previously illuminated in the contemporary Western world and yet is vital for the future of our species and our planet. Based on the experiences of thousands of people, this book provides phase-by-phase guidance for the descent to soul — the dissolution of current identity; the encounter with the mythopoetic mysteries of soul; and the metamorphosis of the ego into a cocreator of life-enhancing culture. Plotkin illustrates each phase of this riveting and sometimes hazardous odyssey with fascinating stories from many people, including those he has guided. Throughout he weaves an in-depth exploration of Carl Jung's Red Book — and an innovative framework for understanding it.

The Experience of Eternity

The Experience of Eternity PDF Author: Jean Dubuis
Publisher: Lulu.com
ISBN: 0615161073
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 180

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Book Description
"Densely written with 37 illustrations and diagrams, Dubuis presents classical esotericism, alchemy, qabala, and natural magic in a form that allows each person to undertake the road of interior initiation without need of a guru, master, or teacher. Extensive and detailed discussion of the creation of the universe, our place in it, and reason for being are all presented in clear and concise language. Methods given utilize the most nominal tools easily available locally or via the Internet. Among some the the topics addressed are man's inner structures, how to harmonize them, the role of visualization, dream symbols and their use, astrological timing for specific experiences, and how to anchor our inner work into our daily life." -- P. [4] od cover.

Affecting Performance

Affecting Performance PDF Author: Corinne A. Kratz
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781604944983
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
This reissue of Affecting Performance makes available a major work in performance studies, linguistic anthropology, ritual and symbolic studies, and African studies. A classic study widely used in the classroom, the book examines how ceremonial performance works and the contradictory dynamics of gender and ethnicity in Okiek initiation ceremonies in Kenya. Combining discourse analysis, semiotics, history, political economy, symbolic interpretation, and gender studies, Corinne Kratz examines the power of ritual to produce social transformation and explores how children are made into adults through initiation rites. Taking girls' passage into womanhood as her topic, Kratz considers dramatic structure, costume, song, ritual space, and the discourse, rhetoric, and poetics of ceremonial performance. Based on decades of research with the Okiek of Kenya, Affecting Performance demonstrates how representations of the central themes of initiation--gender relations and cultural identity--probe the tensions and contradictions that characterize relations between women and men, young and old, and the Okiek and their neighbors. Long-term fieldwork and extensive interviews with Okiek women and men of several generations enable Kratz to situate Okiek ceremonies culturally and historically. She provides a rich description of changes in Okiek life and ceremonies from 1900 to 1990. Kratz's sensitive and detailed analysis of ritual language and ritual action provides an important synthesis and critical perspective for understanding ceremonial structure and performance and for interpreting the efficacy of ritual performance both from actors' and observers' viewpoints. About the Author Corinne A. Kratz is a professor of anthropology and African studies at Emory University. She authored the award-winning book, The Ones That Are Wanted: Communication and the Politics of Representation in a Photographic Exhibition, and recently co-edited Museum Frictions: Public Cultures/Global Transformations. She lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Gnostic Visions

Gnostic Visions PDF Author: Luke A. Myers
Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 1462005470
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 324

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Book Description
Gnostic texts are filled with encounters of strange other worldly beings, journeys to visionary heavenly realms, and encounters with the presence and spirit of the divine. In Gnostic visions, author and Gnostic scholar Luke A. Myers presents evidence demonstrating how Gnostic visions were created and the connection these visions have to naturally occurring visionary compounds that are still in existence today. The culmination of more than ten years of research, Gnostic Visions advances the understanding of classical ethnobotany, Gnosticism, and the genesis of early Christian history. In this book the author discusses the prehistoric foundations of early human religion as well as the visionary religious traditions of the classical Greeks and Egyptians. Using these as a foundation, the book presents new and never before seen research explaining how Gnostic visions were created and what types of compounds were used by these ancient people to create them. Gnostic Visions presents evidence directly linking visionary Ayahuasca analogs with the creation of Gnostic and Hermetic visionary experiences. Gnostic Visions also describes the decline of Gnosticism, other visionary practices used in the Dark Ages and gives a brief tour of the visionary plants of the new world. In Gnostic visions, Myers tells of his personal experience with the divine and includes some of his own reflections of the importance of mankinds relationship to the natural world. He communicates that altered states of consciousness have been responsible for many of the most profound mystical religious experiences in human history.

God's Ambiance

God's Ambiance PDF Author: William John Meegan
Publisher: Outskirts Press
ISBN: 1478780479
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 347

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Book Description
The MATRIX OF WISDOM is all about God’s Ambiance residing in the soul of the individual. This volume is about unraveling the deep mysteries of God esoterically codified into the world’s sacred scriptures, literature, artworks, monuments and architecture in all times and climes via the ESOTERIC SCIENCE: i.e. the harmonious integration of the Seven Liberal Arts: Quadrivium (Four Mathematical Sciences) and the Trivium (Three Grammatical Arts) that are the foundations of the ancient Mystery Schools. The MATRIX OF WISDOM is a 10 x 10 matrix that is the original source material that wrote the sacred scriptures in all religious cultures around the world. From the mystical depths of this 10 x 10 matrix China created the I Ching and the Tao te Ching, Buddhism created their Stupas, Hinduism and Christianity builds their temples, cathedrals and churches, numerous cultures around the world built their pyramids based upon it schematics and the Native American Indians knew of it, Astrology and the Game of Chess were developed from it, and Pythagoras developed his mathematical theorems from it, and Freemasonry is founded upon it and the city of Washington DC is built on its esoteric design and this latter is provided for in the United States Constitution, Article 1, Section 8; however, this matrix is never-ever discussed explicitly to the general public. Throughout this volume there will be a continuous tsunami of demonstrable evidence directly and indirectly challenging the status quo of academia and the orthodoxy of all religions around the world. The WORD OF GOD will be discussed mainly from the perspective of the Judaeo Christian Scriptures, the secret teachings of the Roman Catholic Church’s literature, artwork, monuments and architecture and Freemasonry symbolism designed into the landscape of Washington DC. The MATRIX OF WISDOM (spiritual waters of creation: i.e. sum total or all knowledge) is inherent in the psyche of every human being. The MATRIX OF WISDOM is a commentary or the MONAD, which is the soul’s raison d’être: i.e. God/Man Christ (Tao, Krishna, Buddha, Horus. etc.). When the soul comes into the world it splits into a two-part psyche: ego-consciousness and the unconscious mind and this knowledge is esoterically codified into the mythoi of the Judaeo Christian Scriptures; thus, the sacred scriptures of the world are all about explaining to the worthy initiate the dynamics of the soul and its psyche. The sacred scriptures are written first and foremost for the Born Again initiate; though, the average member of the laity has direct access to both its exoteric writings (REVEALED) and its secret esoteric teachings (COVERED). The inexplicable WORD OF GOD (HIDDEN): however, cannot be explained to another in the vernacular. The initiate can know of the ESOTERIC SCIENCE; however that does not avail him or her of the true understanding of the WORD OF GOD. Only God can communicate that unfathomable and inexplicable knowledge to the individual The ESOTERIC SCIENCE can somewhat prepare the worthy initiate for the spiritual Initiatic Visionary Experience, which is gifted only to those that are worthy and truly DESIRE to know the WORD OF GOD. The sacred scriptures around the world are written to explain the spiritual Initiatic Visionary Experience; furthermore, the sacred scriptures in their indigenous languages are the most scientific instruments on the face of the Earth; though, modernity will most likely dispute that fact ad nauseam.

The Three Stages of Initiatic Spirituality

The Three Stages of Initiatic Spirituality PDF Author: Angel Millar
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1620559331
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
Languages : en
Pages : 327

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Book Description
A detailed guide to the three successive initiatic archetypes: Craftsman, Warrior, and Magician • Investigates the symbolism, rituals, and metaphysical aspects of each initiatic archetype, from the alchemy and shamanism of the craftsman, to the subtle energy work of the warrior, to the sex magic practices and Higher Self work of the magician • Shares meditations, practices, and transformational techniques for each archetype • Investigates the similarities between contemporary Western occultism, from Crowley to Chaos Magic, and the “positive thinking” mind metaphysics movement Exploring the craftsman, warrior, and magician archetypes--three vocations that echo the traditional tripartite division of society--Angel Millar reveals how these archetypes represent the three successive stages of spiritual growth in an individual’s life. He shows how they provide structure for the initiatory process to develop one’s mental, physical, and spiritual potential. As craftsman, the individual experiences “mnemonic” initiation: the cultivation of memory as well as language. As warrior, “somatic” initiation: development of the physical body and cultivation of the spirit body. And as magician, “gnostic” initiation: cultivation of the self and manifestation of the Higher Self. Investigating the metaphysical aspects of each archetype, the author explores their symbolism, spiritual practices, and rituals. Examining the craftsman archetype, he looks at metallurgy, alchemy, and the “Craft” of Freemasonry, as well as the ancient role of blacksmith as shaman. He explores the idea of God as a “Creator” or “Craftsman,” especially in relation to ancient Greek philosophy, Islamic neoplatonism, and the Kabbalah. Examining the warrior archetype, he reveals how the way of the warrior was affected by religion and mysticism, such as how the Persian martial art of Zoorkhaneh was profoundly shaped by Sufism and why the Buddhist Shaolin temple became synonymous with Kung Fu. The author places special emphasis on the cultivation of subtle energy as practiced in martial arts, especially in relation to Taoist inner alchemy. Examining the magician archetype, he reveals how each individual has two “selves”--a lower self and a Higher Self--and explores the union of opposites studied by the magician, such as in the tantric arts and sacred sex magic. Sharing meditations, practices, and processes associated with each archetype, as well as techniques for transforming one’s consciousness, he also investigates similarities between contemporary Western occultism, from Crowley to Chaos Magic, and the “positive thinking” mind metaphysics movement. Structured to parallel the three archetypal stages of the initiatic process, this comprehensive guide offers a literary initiation through three degrees of esoteric knowledge.

The Path of Initiation

The Path of Initiation PDF Author: J. S. Gordon
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1620551748
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
Languages : en
Pages : 400

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Book Description
Details the process of spiritual initiation from aspirant to the highest Adept • Explains the characteristics of each stage of initiation, including the associated psychological issues that need to be faced to move to the next stage • Explores the long history of the Mystery traditions from ancient Egypt, Babylonia, and India to the modern Theosophy of Blavatsky and Bailey • Reveals how the Brotherhood of Spiritual Adepts is increasing global tensions to prepare humanity for the Age of Aquarius and spiritual revelation As the precessional cycle transits from Pisces to Aquarius, great shifts in spiritual evolution are on the horizon--not for all of humanity as many in the New Age movement have generously hypothesized but for those who have undertaken the necessary spiritual preparation and initiatory work. Drawing from his deep immersion in the Mystery traditions of both East and West, author J. S. Gordon investigates the initiatic path from ancient times to modern day, detailing the step-by-step process of initiation and the sequence from spiritual aspirant to the highest Adeptship. He explains the natural logic and characteristics of each stage of initiation, including the associated problems and psychological issues that need to be faced in order to move forward to the next stage. He shows how humanity is naturally inclined to spiritual evolution and the development of higher consciousness. We are part of the overall evolutionary process of Nature, a system guided by the most highly evolved Adepts and extending beyond Earth to the entire kosmos. Exploring the long history of the Mystery schools beginning with ancient Egypt, Babylonia, and India, Gordon examines the sacred metaphors and allegories of esoteric philosophy, metaphysics, occult science, and the Science of the Seven Rays as well as the Adept-inspired theosophical works of H. P. Blavatsky and A. A. Bailey. He looks at the Adept Hierarchy of the Great White Himalayan Brotherhood and considers in detail two much-discussed mysteries: The Jesus-as-Christ mystery and the Maitreya-Buddha mystery. Revealing how advancement--spiritual, scientific, and cultural--erupts out of tension, he explains how the Adepts have been increasing local and global tensions to prepare humanity for the Age of Aquarius, thereby creating the ideal preconditions for spiritual evolution and an eventual restoration of the Mysteries in our own modern era.

Self-Initiation Into the Golden Dawn Tradition

Self-Initiation Into the Golden Dawn Tradition PDF Author: Chic Cicero
Publisher: Llewellyn Worldwide
ISBN: 9781567181364
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
Languages : en
Pages : 794

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Book Description
The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn has been considered one of the most important Western magical systems for over a century. Although much of their knowledge has been published, to really enter the system required initiation within a Golden Dawn temple--until now. Regardless of your magical knowledge or background, you can learn and live the Golden Dawn tradition with the first practical guide to Golden Dawn initiation. Self-Initiation into the Golden Dawn Tradition by Chic and Sandra Tabatha Cicero offers self-paced instruction by two senior adepts of this magical order. For the first time, the esoteric rituals of the Golden Dawn are clearly laid out in step-by-step guidance that's clear and easy-to-follow. Studying the Knowledge Lectures, practicing daily rituals, doing meditations, and taking self-graded exams will enhance your learning. Initiation rituals have been correctly reinterpreted so you can perform them yourself. Upon completion of this workbook, you can truly say that you are practicing the Golden Dawn tradition with an in-depth knowledge of qabalah, astrology, Tarot, geomancy, spiritual alchemy, and more, all of which you will learn from Self-Initiation into the Golden Dawn Tradition. No need for group membership Instructions are free of jargon and complex language Lessons don't require familiarity with magical traditions Grade rituals from Neophyte to Portal Link with your Higher Self If you have ever wondered what it would be like to learn the Golden Dawn system, Self-Initiation into the Golden Dawn Tradition explains it all. The lessons follow a structured plan, adding more and more information with each section of the book. Did you really learn the material? Find out by using the written tests and checking them with the included answers. Here is a chance to find out if the Golden Dawn system is the right path for you or to add any part of their wisdom and techniques to the system you follow. Start with this book now.

A Dream in the World

A Dream in the World PDF Author: Robin van Lõben Sels
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1135479585
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 274

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Book Description
How can science and religion co-exist in the modern discipline of psychotherapy? A Dream in the World explores the interfaces between religious experience and dream analysis. At the heart of this book is a selection of dreams presented by the author's patient during analysis, which are compared with the dreams of Hadewijch, a thirteenth century woman mystic. The patient's dreams led the modern woman to an unanticipated breakthrough encounter with the divine, her "experience of soul". The experience reoriented and energized her life, and became her "dream-in-the-world". Following Jung's idea that the psyche has a religious instinct, Robin van Loben Sels demonstrates that the healing process possible through psychotherapy can come from beyond the psyche and can not be explained by our usual theories of scientific psychology. Written in flowing, easily-read language A Dream in the World details a classical Jungian analysis of a woman's dreams, and searches the relationship between religious encounter, psyche and soul.