In order to understand the true significance of Masonry and the important role it has filled in the development of succeeding civilizations, it is necessary to know just what is meant by the term 'Initiation.'
Since the beginning of recorded time, all the great religions have been founded on Initiation. This accounts for the similarity in the basic teachings and ritualistic practices of all the major faiths. The ceremonials performed in the temples of old were uniformly designed to protray the essential features of the work entailed in taking each of the three successive steps or degrees of spiritual attainment leading to Mastership.
These three steps are variously designated: In Masonry they are termed: Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft and Master; in modern occultism: Student, Probationer and Disciple. The inner development according to these degrees are, respectively: Purification, Illumination and Self-Mastery.
All humanity can be divided into two principal groupings in respect to their spiritual development. The first, and by far the smallest in number, is comprised of those who have entered into the deeper mysteries of life that lead to Illumination, or Initiation. The other group embraces the masses of mankind who have not attained to this stage of development. They are nourished on the same Mysteries as are those more advanced, but are not yet able to apprehend them except as they are presented in parable and allegory, in cyphers and symbols, in rituals and ceremonies. Only as an individual develops the insight and understanding to penetrate beneath the surface of these external representations does he become "qualified and worthy" to be taught the deeper Mysteries by means of Initiation.
Masonry is founded upon the truths that come to light with the attainment of Initiation. These truths are derived from Nature itself. They conform to the inner structure and constitution of man and the universe. They are in accord with the unchanging laws governing the creative process. They are of divine origin and belong not to time but to eternity. There are universal in their operations. As a system of philosophy and a way of life, Masonry is thus established on a foundation that transcends religious barriers, racial differentiations and passing cultural patterns. It is fundamentally universal in spirit and outlook.
Norman Frederick de Clifford in his monumental work, Egypt, The Cradle of Ancient Masonry, stresses throughout its pages the ageless truths embodied in Masonry. "They were studied in the hoary ages past," he writes, "under the dawning Light of a New Age and a New Race, by peoples whose visions were illuminated from the dying embers of the Atlanteans and Lemurians, races that have passed or are passing away, but who have left behind them the very essence and aroma of their ancient knowledge and civilization. The traditions connected with those older peoples," concludes Dr. de Clifford, "embody the essential truths now taught behind the closed doors of the Masonic Lodges, Chapters, Councils and Consistories of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite."
The first recorded Initiation that took place after the birth of the post-Atlantean Race occurred in the caves of India. In Masonry's most magnificent treatise, Albert Pike's Morals and Dogma, he writes of these early Indian Initiations: "The Indian Mysteries were celebrated in subterranean caverns and grottos, hewn in the solid,rock; and the Initiates adored the Deity symbolized by the Solar Fire. The candidate long wandering in darkness wanted Light and the worship taught him was the worship of God, the Source of Light. The vast Temple of Elephanta, perhaps the oldest in the world, hewn out of the solid rock, was used for Initiations, as were the still vaster caverns of Salsette with their three hundred apartments."
Following the attainment of Initiation, the successful candidate addressed himself exultingly in praise and adoration to the Supreme God of Light. A vow was then taken to forever thereafter let the soul control the outer form, to be tractable and obedient to his superiors, to keep his body pure, to govern his tongue, and to observe a passive obedience in receiving the doctrine and traditions of the Fraternity. He was then sprinkled with water, a rite corresponding to the baptism of common practice; some magic words were whispered in his ear; his shoes were removed from his feet; then finally he encircled the cavern three times.
All initiatory ceremonialism is formulated in accord with the three aspects of Divinity. Christianity knows the Divine Trinity as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In India, the Trinity comprises Brahma, Vishnu and Siva; in Egypt, Osiris, Isis and Horus. Corresponding Trinities are to be found in all the major world religions. These three aspects of Divinity correlate to three principal laws of nature, known as Creation, Preservation and Transformation. Again, these three divine aspects and their manifestation in nature are represented in the Masonic Lodge in the three offices of the Master, the Junior Warden and the Senior Warden. God the Father, creator of heaven and earth, is represented by the Master; the Son, the Preserver and Giver, by the Junior Warden; and the Holy Spirit, the Comforter and Enlightener, by the Senior Warden who effects the necessary evolutionary transformation.
Masonry, being founded on the universal truths belonging to Initiation, recognizes the one Source whence has come spiritual Light for the guidance of all people. This Light has found various expressions in the several Sacred Scriptures of the world. These several revelations have been adapted to the people to whom they were given and were in accordance with the time of their release. Hence, Masonry places on the altar of its Lodges the Bible of the prevailing religion in the land in which a Lodge is located.
The supreme tenet to which all Masons subscribe is a belief in God, the Supreme Ruler of the Universe. Theological differences are left to the individual's own interpretation. The principles on which Mystic Masonry are founded are, therefore, wide as the world and as inclusive as all humanity. They rest on the initiatory truths that have been given to man since the beginning of time for his progressive development and for world betterment.
With the aid of a beautifully and scientifically elaborated symbolism and a ceremonialism patterned after the operations of the unfolding creative process, the Mason in his journey toward the East is drawn into an ever closer unity with the universal process of which he is a part, and the en-souling Divinity in which he literally lives and moves and has his being. He comes to realize that Nature is an outer manifestation of God, His visible and tangible garment, and that the degree to which he becomes capable of penetrating into its mysteries does he come into contact with the underlying Power that has brought it into being and sustains it in its courses of eternal progression. At length there comes the great exaltation of a conscious at-one-ment with the very heart of God.
Since Initiation provides the key with which to unlock the mysteries of nature itself, there follows inevitably a recognition of the importance of times and seasons such as has not hitherto been so clearly apprehended. This is why the initiatory ceremonials, as observed in the Mystery Temples of old, were geared primarily to the four turning points of the year, namely the two Equinoxes and the two Solstices; also, to the corresponding quarterly changes of the Moon in its monthly cycle. These times all mark points of spiritual significance in the life of man and in nature. Any one who has made a close study of Albert Pike's Morals and Dogma will recall how much space this profound occult interpreter of Masonry has devoted to the nature and significance of the four Sacred Seasons.
The time has now come when mankind is being prepared for another major advance in its spiritual unfoldment. Consequently, the Mysteries are in process of being restored in their external form. As a harbinger of this revival is the increasing recognition among esoteric groups of the importance of proper observance of the cosmically determined festivals of the year, the major dates of which are the Solstices and the Equinoxes. It is to the rhythm of these four turning points of the year that the soul of humanity receives its greatest increment of soul nourishment. While this is dispensed universally and impartially to all humanity, the individual or group that is aware of the outpouring and enters into conscious cooperation with the cosmic inflow experiences many times greater benefits than those not so participating.
The earliest Mystery Schools of the post-Atlantean Race were located in India. Thence they were established in lands to the westward, finding their expression with the Babylonians, Persians, Egyptians, Greeks, Druids of Briton, Hiberians of Ireland, among others to the far north and west. From these ancient Centers of Light in which the Mysteries attained to truly lofty heights, wisdom flowed into the civilizations over which they presided and exercised an influence far beyond that recognized by secular history. The wisdom they promulgated permeated the whole of life. In Greece, for example, no high office of State was open to anyone who had not become a Brother of the Mysteries. It was publicly decreed that a man held to be unfit for acceptance in the Mystery Schools was not qualified to serve as a public official of importance.
The steps encountered by the candidate on the path leading to Initiation were in all essentials the same in the later Mystery Schools as they were in ancient India. In the Dionysian Mysteries, for example, the ceremonial-which, incidentally, is said to have been formulated by Orpheus — took the candidate through dark subterranean caverns that led to the very abyss of destruction. From this depth of darkness he was resurrected into the Light to the accompanying of a joyous, welcoming acclaim by surrounding brethren who had preceded him in their triumph over death and the grave.
The German composer, Gluck, has immortalized the story of early Greek Initiation in his celebrated opera, Orpheus and Eurydice. In solemn and majestic measures the music conveys the exalted nature of the initiatory theme. Orpheus is depicted as passing unafraid through dangerous, tortuous passages that lead into a pit of darkness and death in order to be reunited with his beloved Eurydice who had preceded him into this nether realm. In rescuing her from death and restoring her to the realm of Light he is beset with various tests and trials, all of which are successfully overcome. Entering into the realms of bliss he arrives with Eurydice at the Temple of Love where, hand in hand, they pass between the two mighty columns that guard the portal of the Temple, and on into the great hall in which they are crowned amid the triumphant plaudits of those who had previously passed through this mystic Rite. It is here that they chant in unison those magic words, so familiar to candidates down through the ages: "I have conquered death; I have become one with life eternal."
In the Grecian legend emphasis is placed upon Love as the power that gives victory to the aspirant, for Love is one with Deity Itself. To awaken and apply this power to the problems of life lies at the very heart of Initiation, both ancient and modern. It is this which bestows true mastery.
It was undoubtedly in ancient Egypt that the initiatory ceremonials reached their greatest splendor and impressiveness. The monumental Temples in which these rituals took place are even today, in their ruined state, so stupendous and awe inspiring that they invoke in the beholder a deep sense of wonder and reverence. In lonely splendor these majestic monuments along the Nile continue, century after century, to testify to the might and glory that was Egypt's in the time of her golden years long past.
Mightiest of all the Egyptian monuments, as well as the one best known to the world, is the Great Pyramid of Gaza. This is no mere memorial mound. It is among the most ancient of the initiatory shrines. Within the Pyramid, in what is known as the King's Chamber, is a sarcophagus in which the candidate was entombed for two days following a long and tortuous journey that preceded his arrival at this point. On the morning of the third day he was raised into light. Then upon his awakening, he chanted the familiar mantram previously quoted: "I have overcome death; I have become one with eternal life."
Near the Great Pyramid stands the Sphinx. It is the symbol of the most profound of all mysteries. In the eloquent words of Dr. De Clifford, previously quoted, "There it lies nearly smothered beneath the drifting sands of the desert, looking to the East watching the glorious constellations and signs of the Zodiac come and go, and the twinkling stars whose radiant eyes peep out of the azure vault above from before the misty veil that guards the portals of the eternal day. Yet still it lies crouching there, mute, dumb, but eloquent in its silent majesty, ever watching the endless centuries roll along the stream of time. It catches the dawning light of the glorious Sungod Ra, and reflects it back in farewell benedictions to humanity, who stand watching and waiting from afar off the coming dawn of intellectual advancement, and true spiritual unfoldment, looking for the time when they will be enabled to lift their hands to its glorious light."
The Pyramid and the Sphinx are complimentary embodiments of the masculine and feminine potencies in nature, respectively. Like the Pyramid, the Sphinx was a house of Initiation. The Initiations that occurred therein led to the illumination of the heart. This was accompanied by an awakening of the soul or heart memory that reaches back into reincarnational cycles of the past. The Sphinx Initiation was also designed to develop other latent powers belonging to the feminine aspect of spirit. It is only as this potency, which suffered a "fall" in early humanity, is redeemed, uplifted and brought into perfect balance with its complimentary masculine polarity that man arrives at a state of equilibrium, illumination and mastership.
The Pyramid and the Sphinx remain dual reminders of the fact that the supreme aim of both ancient and modern Masonry is to guide man along the path of spiritual regeneration and world betterment.
Approximately thirteen hundred years before Christ there was born into the kingly line of Egypt a highly advanced soul who was destined to become a messenger for the new Aquarian or Christed Age. Akhnaton, as he is best known to history, endeavored to introduce into the social order of his day the practical applications of the ideals and principles of the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man. His name means literally "Heat-which-is-in-Aton." Aton means the Sun, the Solar Logos, the Cosmic Christ. His arrival upon the world scene has been poetically described as being like that of the singing of birds and the upspringing of flowers.
Not a great distance from where the city of Cairo is now situated Akhnaton built what he called a Friendship City. It was a center unsurpassed for beauty, plan and structure, and for the peaceful and fraternal spirit that permeated its atmosphere. The city embraced broad avenues, splendid structures of all kinds, sunken gardens and flowing fountains. Neither human nor animal sacrifices were permitted within its borders. Moreover, the diet of the inhabitants was drawn exclusively from the sweet and wholesome fruits of the earth.
Akhnaton was a man of peace. There were no armies for conquest. The art of war was not practiced. This truly royal and illumined leader sought to direct his people toward constructive and life-giving activities. As a consequence, cultural projects flourished including all the arts, the chief of which was the art of noble living. Love was recognized as a power, as the supreme solvent, and as the highest potency to draw upon in establishing a new and a higher way of life.
In his Friendship City Akhnaton built two Temples of Initiation. He himself, as Grand Master, presided over one of these Temples, while the other was under the guardianship of his beautiful Queen Nefertiti who, like Akhnaton, was a Master of the Mysteries.
The work performed in these two Temples presents added evidence of the recognition on the part of Mystic Masons that the initiatory Wisdom of which they are custodians, becomes accessible in its spiritual depth and height when the two polarities in man and nature are brought into perfect equilibrium.
Akhnaton died at the almost unbelievable age of thirty. Only an ego of towering stature could have accomplished so illustrious a career in so brief a period. While the lofty idealism he brought to the world continues to give inspiration to social, political and spiritual pioneers, the Friendship City he built soon suffered decline and finally passed away. There were not yet a sufficient number who had developed the requisite strength and idealism to sustain the progress that Akhnaton had created and bequeathed to them. But the vision of this divinely inspired leader was not obliterated. His dream was not fulfilled then, nor has it been up to this time; but the day is yet coming. As the Aquarian Age comes more fully into its own, that which Akhnaton envisaged will move further toward ultimate consummation.
All down through the centuries there have been those who have conceived the beautiful ideal of Akhnaton and have projected it further into actuality. Among such seers was the prophet Isaiah who saw the whole world transformed into a vast Friendship City. This vision he described in the unforgettable and inspired words:
In the new Aquarian or Christed Age this sublime dream will attain a glorious fruition. The Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man will become a reality in the world. In the cities of this New Day Temples of Initiation will arise in which the eternal truths taught in the Mysteries will once again be revived in all their magnificent splendor. Initiation will again be recognized as an attainment by which man can even here and now overcome the powers of death and enter into a realization of life immortal. Passing together, side by side, between the two stately columns that guard the entrance to the Temple, man and women in perfect equality will hear the triumphant welcome as once again they intone that magic chant which belongs to the ages: "We have overcome death; we have become one with Life eternal and Love immortal."
— Corinne Heline
