Esoteric Christianity

[bgruagach]

Originally Posted by GalaazV

Maybe the following article in Wikipedia may aid on your search, dear friend:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esoteric_Christianity

Welcome to CR, GalaazV.

Just a friendly reminder to everyone that we're trying to encourage people to share their own ideas and discuss topics in a respectful manner rather than just copy and paste material from other sources. I'm going to leave the quote as is as I believe it's old enough to be in the public domain now (but if it proves to not be public domain, it will be removed...)

It's OK to include relevant links in posts but we encourage actual discussion rather than just using the forum as a way to post links. And links may be removed at the discretion of the moderators here if they feel the links are merely being posted as a way to promote the sites rather than genuinely sharing information.

GalaazV -- what is your own experience with esoteric Christianity? What have you learned about it and can share with us here in your own words? Is it your own spiritual path or is it a topic you happen to know a bit about?

; )

Ben Gruagach
moderator, Alternative section of Comparative-Religion.

[GalaazV]

Thank you dear Ben Gruagach for your warm and welcome words. I understand your point and I apologize for not having made a comment in my own words. Nevertheless, the article (and its discussion page) from the Wikipedia link above is written with my own words (except the words of the authors I have come in touch with).
I didn't know this forum, I just saw, while finishing the article, a question from someone at the page of this thread which still needed an answer and as I was working on it too...

English is not my mothertongue, so I may not be able to give a deeper writing or so clear as I intend to. Below some answers to your questions; they are in the way I am able to grasp reality, meaning they are just my own perspective of it at this time. Yours, in Friendship.

GalaazV -- what is your own experience with esoteric Christianity?

All my current life has been and it is my experience into esoteric Christianity: it is the way I conceive the world, it is the way I see you and me, it is the way I struggle within me to be and live... Truly esoteric Christianity are the teachings of Life and Being.

What have you learned about it and can share with us here in your own words?

Esoteric knowledge is not only to be acquired by the mind (as a child) but to be lived daily with a pure and unselfisheness heart devoted to aid all mankind, even and maybe specially in the most insignificant aspects of on'es life; it is not theoretical knowledge, it is knowledge of our existence and aiming one's evolution.

I subscribe neoxenos and tarakanada words; however we and the world are changing.

Esoteric Christianity it is the Way which is going to lead us all into next step in evolution, into the spiritual worlds, it is the universal religion as we walk as an universal brotherhood.
And at this time, it is already starting, with us, although not visible to the majority, perhaps even to those who deeply study esoteric teachings.
It has left the exclusivity of past centuries of those ones prepared in secrecy (although there will always be those who advanced faster through the direct Path) and it is given as public teaching available to all: this has happened already from beginning of 20th century and already since then a few more all over the world are taking and have taken the first small steps in their present or last physical lifetime during the past century and many more will from now on.
When the Sun enters Aquarius by precession; then we really have entered into this universal religion environment, the majority at least, at the same time more near will be our connection with next planes and our dear deceased beloved ones will truly be seen among us.
But that is not yet that time which no one knows (a bit like when death occurs); to enter that time and live permanently in the new environment - New Galilee - it will be need a special Golden garment: « soma psuchicon », the Christ Within that must be born: this is our task and the aim of esoteric Christianity, as I am able to understand it.

Is it your own spiritual path or is it a topic you happen to know a bit about?

It is the Path.

---
17, the Star

[didymus]

I have been reading a little myself about esoteric christianity and have found it to be intriguing. Jesus and the way in which he spoke was very secretive and even cryptic at times. I encourage anybody with an interest in this area to read whatever thay can get their hands on. God's spirit will guide you in your search and you will discover many truths about God and yourself. That which you find to be false or not convincing can be discarded and take the good stuff with you.

[lunamoth]

Hi didymus, glad to see you around.

lunamoth

[didymus]

Glad to be back. I hope to participate in the forum this time without engaging in heated debates. I felt that it was affecting me negatively.

[Bandit]

hi didymus!

glad to see you again too.
i bought you a new set of boxing gloves so put up your dukes.
(teasing)

[lunamoth]

Originally Posted by didymus

Glad to be back. I hope to participate in the forum this time without engaging in heated debates. I felt that it was affecting me negatively.

I understand.

Bandit, you be nice! I've some pickle jars of my own.
lunamoth

[truthseeker]

Hi Didymus!!!!

I was just asking about you...
Interesting place for us all to meet up....
Esoteric Christianity has come across some of my reading nowadays. Interesting, interesting....
I'd like to know more about it from the people who live it. Maybe ones who have converted from the church doctrine into this way of life.

[InLove]

Hi, and Peace to All--

Hi didymus--I am so glad to see you here. You were here before I ever was.

Esoteric? What does it mean? The fountain of youth? (that is one guess--not a definition).

Does it mean a return to what is already known as truth? I don't know. I think that people tend to attach labels to things, and I am a label-hater.

But I am interested in this topic.

I am old enough that when I ask a question like this, it means I am not afraid to show my ignorance. What do you guys think about the reading material already introduced in this long and old thread?

Young and old, of all political and religious persuasions--

(And those with none of the above )

I believe in mysticism--and I do not personally "condemn" magic (or magick, if you like). I could never do that--silly me--before God told me about it and how I should handle it, it was Him who talked to me in the first place. He is way more powerful

Well, now I have surely dipped my toes in up to my knees at least (and please, don't call me "Surely")

InPeace,
InLove

[Thomas]

Hi Lothlorien -

Before commenting on this topic let me first draw a distinction between 'Esoteric Christianity' and 'Christian esoterism,' as the two are quite distinct.

'Esoteric Christianity' implies (and would require) a total separation between itself and its exoteric counterpart - it would require its own liturgical rite as a means of transmitting the grace (gnosis) of itself, that is different from the common or exoteric rite as practiced by Christians generally.

'Christian Esoterism,' on the other hand, is simply a deeper and more profound understanding of the Mysteries, the spirit that illuminates the letter. 'Esoteric' means simply 'more interior,' in its proper sense of a mode of understanding (rather than 'esoteric' being a piece of knowledge not commonly known).

To say 'Esoteric Christianity' is to miss the point - the 'scandal' of Christianity is that it is an esoterism in plain sight. Christ might well have taught his followers in private, but he lived and died in the public gaze, and worked his wonders for all to see. Whether they got the point was another matter, whether they had 'the eyes to see or the ears to hear' depends ultimately upon the disposition of the heart towards God, "This people honoureth me with their lips: but their heart is far from me," (Matthew 15:8).

The symbolism of the rending of the Veil of the Temple, at the moment of Christ's death upon the Cross, signifies nothing other than the abolishment of any formal distinction between esoteric and exoteric domain, and similarly ends the separation between God and the world:

"And he said to them: Go ye into the whole world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall he condemned."
Mark 16:15-16

The conversion of the centurion Cornelius, as recorded in the Acts 10, points to this, and is worthy of lengthy consideration in itself.

To believe that there was a secret and inner transmission of yet a higher degree, vouched to a few, would require there to be an 'inner gnosis' and an 'outer gnosis' - yet there is no evidence of this in the writings of the Apostles, Doctors, Fathers, Mystics, Saints or Theologians - in fact quite the reverse.

In fact Dionysius talks of the 'legal' and 'celestial' character of Christian Initiation, (the exoteric and esoteric aspect) - of reception into the Church, and by 'celestial' and 'legal' he means the Church in her Sacramental and doctrinal aspects - 'in spirit and in truth'.

The important point here is that it is one and the same initiatic act, and one and the same church.

The pivotal act of Christian Initiation is Baptism:
"since one has put on the Son of God, one has been judged worthy to accede to the perfect initiation and Baptism is received 'in the name of the Father,' our Lord Jesus Christ himself giving the power to become children of God,"
said St Basil of Caesarea, and before him St Athenasius (The Father of Orthodoxy) and Origen (the Man of Steel) both regarded Baptism as such.

St Cyril of Jerusalem, a great instructor of the catechumenate, said:
"Prepare your own heart to receive instruction for communion in the Sacred Mysteries. Pray more earnestly that God will make you worthy of these heavenly and immmortal mysteries."

And again:
"Disciples of the New Testament and partakers of the Mysteries of Christ, as yet by calling only, but ere long by grace also, make you a new heart ... Come for the Mystical Seal, that ye may be easily recognised by the Master.'

'Mystical' here is an adjective of 'Mystery,' which was understood as the liturgical and sacramental rites of Baptism and the Eucharist.

+++

That different people have different depths of understanding is in the nature of things. There are wise and there are unwise Christians, but the only difference is the unwise have wasted the gift; they listened but did not hear, saw but did not see.

Christ often instructed Peter, James and John apart from the Twelve, but it is evident from Scripture that they were tasked to enlighten their brothers, 'and nothing shall be witheld' from the true seeker. Certainly they taught nothing contrary to the rest.

And once received in Baptism, education of the 'neophyte' (new plant) or the 'myst' (initiate) continued under the title of 'mystagogia' - spiritual growth never ceases.

St Basil of Caesarea talks of Baptism as communicating 'the divine gnosis' to those 'capable of the intelligible light', but those who by nature are less capable are in no sense second before God, they receive the same light in a different way: 'blessed are the poor in spirit,' or as the poet says, "They also serve who only stand and wait."
(On His Blindness,” Sonnet XIX of John Milton.)

We should also take care not to confuse 'divine gnosis' with 'obscure knowledge' the material product of the mental and intellective faculty - it is this that St Paul refers to in his First Letter to Timothy: "the profane novelties of words and oppositions of gnosis falsely so called," (6:20) and dare I say it, but this 'rede' reeks of it.

Now - if you want to talk of an authentic 'Christian esoterism,' the symbolical, analogical or anagogical sense of Scripture, Christian Metaphysics, Mystical Theology, then modesty forbids ...

... but you might take a peek at www.theveil.net and 'ressourcement theology' in general.

That this 'interior' dimension is so derided in the world today is evident, and tragic, but that does not mean it is not there.

Thomas

[Thomas]

If I was pushed to the wall on this topic I would be obliged to admit that in 'our' world there are many who spend Sunday washing the car whilst a child dies every three seconds for the want of clean water.

(And if one considers the symbolism of 'water' in all its Scriptural dimensions ...)

Which is why in the Liturgy we pray (in hope) "look not on our sins but on the faith of your church."

Thomas

[Quahom1]

Can't be all places at once. And WE aint God...not even close. But we do what we can. Unsolicited Guilt does not become us...I would say, we should carry on as we started.


My two cents.

v/r

Q

[Thomas]

Hi Quahom1 -

Absolutely!

Interestingly Jean Borella talks of an element of guilt which is most 'unbecoming', and that is the 'possession' (and thus embodiment) of guilt that seeks to portray itself as a virtue but in reality hides a vice - a false piety - something akin to Dickens' portrayal of Uriah Heep.

Nevertheless the objective cause of 'guilt' wounds our common human nature - one might say that on the Cross Christ took upon Himself not so much the guilt, but its cause, "Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do," (Luke 23:34) and thus freed us (healed our nature as understood by the Dear and Glorious Physician) of its burden:

"Take up my yoke upon you, and learn of me, because I am meek, and humble of heart: And you shall find rest to your souls. For my yoke is sweet and my burden light."
Matthew 11:29-30

Thomas

[InLove]

Hello, and Peace--

Thank you, Thomas--your post was very helpful. I must admit that it took me a while to decipher (had to look up some words). If I understand what you are saying, then "esoteric Christianity" is associated with the early gnosticism that Paul adamently condemned. "Christian esoterism" is simply acknowledging and accepting the Truth of Christ and the purpose of His sacrifice, thereby growing in the wisdom of the Spirit--special knowledge that is available to all who believe. Do I understand correctly?

InPeace,
InLove

[truthseeker]

I took a look at theveil website and it was pretty deep. I didn't know the catholic church went that deep with the Word. Got me pretty interested...