Osiris fills the material world with happiness, purity and order, by which the harmony of Nature is maintained. It was said that he died at the autumnal equinox, when the Pleiades rose in the evening, and that he rose to life again in the spring, when vegetation was inspired with new activity.
“Enough is enough,” was the thought that ran through my mind as I read the newest edition of a very popular cerebral minded esoteric philosophical magazine, available only high end bookstores at a ridiculous price, “when am I going to find an article written about my path?”
Even though this enlightening (hint hint) magazine is published in the West, most of the writers teach an Eastern path, often using confusing and mystical Sanskrit words and unsolvable Zen koans as references. Not that I have anything against the great teachings of the East, I just wonder why one of the greatest spiritual paths of the West has been sadly ignored?
Before I re-introduce you to a Western path which parallels the paths of the East, please allow me explain why I think this path is often ignored.
First and foremost it is sadly misunderstood, first by those outside the tradition and sadly to most of those within.
What makes the tradition I have chosen misunderstood by the public is the ancient code of secrecy, a fact of most initiate paths, a secrecy that serves different purposes, none nefarious. Centuries ago in ancient Greece, and later also in Rome, solemn religious celebrations were held in honor of certain gods or goddesses, to which no one was admitted except those initiated and under the vow of secrecy. Violation of the vow meant death. Their purpose was not only to render worship, but to instruct the people in religious observances and by mystic dramas to preserve the traditions connected with the divinity.
In many ways the tradition I follow today mimics the ancient mysteries school, in fact many believe a continuous chain links us to these very same ancient mysteries, a fact I claim no knowledge of. Suffice to say the path of the initiate is usually secretive for protection from the forces of ignorance which I assure you do exist.
I myself prefer to think the tradition I follow is esoteric, a term comes from the Greek "esoteros" or inner, interior. It was applied in the ancient mysteries to those doctrines that were designed for the initiated, in contradiction to those that were imparted to the uninitiated and termed exoteric. The term Esoteric consequently stood for the mysteries and secrets of the Temple that could be known through preparation and timely initiations only. One expression of the motive for secrecy is found in the sayings of Jesus "that men do not cast their pearls before swine.” No offense intended.
Esoteric in the sense in which we employ it, does not imply any purposely concealed truth. All truth is esoteric until one is unfolded to comprehend it.
It is not my intent to justify this code of secrecy, it may be outdated, yet let the reader know that intolerance still exists.
As far as the crux of this blog, the Western esoteric path is still alive and well and yet few realize it. Why? Firstly I believe it has become unfashionable because it is misunderstood, and secondly seeking enlightenment from some mysterious monk has become vogue. After all for many Western seekers the religions of their youth has let them down and assume anything associated with Western esoteric traditions are more of the same, a premise that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Let me state from the beginning, and as clear as possible, I am NOT seeking converts.
It is not my intent to show you another mountain to climb, finish your assent on the path you have already chosen. Attempting to climb two mountains at once is but a fool’s game.
If you haven’t chosen a path, choose one, the world could certainly use a few more enlightened individuals.
My purpose is to reintroduce the path I have chosen in a universal manner to my brothers and others, a path of the heart, not the only path but one that deserves recognition, Freemasonry.
