A few words about Initiation in two other traditions, which I think will show that we are speaking of a universal experience:
In the Hindu tradition,
stages of the initiatory path are given as follows:
Parivrajaka,
Kutichaka, Hamsa, Paramahamsa,
Asekha. These Sanskrit terms translate roughly as
`Wanderer,' `He who builds a hut,' `Swan,' `Great Swan,' and
`Non-learner.' The explanation is that, having fulfilled the responsibilities of familial duty, one becomes a
sannyasin, the devotee or ascetic. To successfully orient oneself to the spiritual quest will result in the aspirant becoming a
Wanderer, as s/he is no longer anchored, or rooted, in the world of outward, material pursuits - or
any of our usual, mundane affairs.
Progress of a certain degree warrants the designation of
Hut-builder, since it is safe to say that such a person has attained to a good measure of peace and purity, and is rightly oriented to the outward world. The
epitome of this stage is immortalized in W. Somerset Maugham's
Razor's Edge in the character of Larry, played by Tyrone Power in the 1946 movie (and later by Bill Murray in an excellent remake). Such a man, is a man of Service, and is understood in Western Initiatic traditions
as well as East to be a true
disciple, the world server. Please see the movie, if you haven't.
Swan and
Great Swan suggest the gracefulness with which those who have mastered the mortal mind, and the
higher mental faculties, respectively, can be observed to move through the world.
Asekha means that this individual has no more to learn. S/he is no longer bound by karma, and will only incarnate again on this planet if this is the chosen path of service. Other paths lead elsewhere. They are, equally, the demonstration of pefect love - in whatever sphere the
Asekha find himself. Earth has a long history, a record and a
living Testament - of the activity of these.
The term
gotrabhu indicates that a student has become ready - at whatever
stage of the spiritual path - to advance. The fact that
even such a distinct word exists to indicate this, seems significant. Likewise, the term
Maggo indicates the early stages after initiation, where we struggle with the various fetters & hindrances that
all students must confront ... who have attained to
whatever stage we are considering.
Phala means fruit, or result, which comes after we have overcome the challenges of
Maggo ... and
Bhavagga as the
third stage, meaning
culmination, suggests that the disciple is ready to perform satisfactorily the work of the current stage of the path. Once s/he is
gotrabhu, another initiation can occur.
All of these terms are
Sanskrit, as are the indications of various fetters to be tackled along the spiritual path ... such as
Sakkayaditthi -- the delusion of self,
Vichikichchha -- doubt or uncertainty
, and Silabbataparamasa -- superstition. However, the Path of Initiation is universal. As such,
these exact same stages of the path are taught in Buddhism, but given different designations, or symbolisms. For example, the first four stages of the path are termed
Srotapanni, Sakridagamin, Anagamin, Arhat ... meaning
`Stream Entrant,' Once-returner,' `Never-returner,' and
`Worthy.'
The
Stream-Entrant, as anyone familiar with Buddhism will recall, relates to the key metaphor of the Stream, and recurs frequently in the sutras. One has entered the
spiritual stream, and can be thankful to have found the
current - even if this proves
not to be the "free ride" that some might have expected.
Once-returner and
never-returner are designations that
suggest that such an individual is obviously nearing the end of the long, long cycle of incarnation. Perhaps it will take several lives, but the appellation is at least a key.
To have become
Worthy, in terms of Initiatory standing, means that one is an
arhat ... also found as
rahat, arhan, and
lohan. Traditionally, the Buddha is supposed to have had 900 of them, yet that would seem to have indicated his charge - and the
fruits of his teaching the Dharma, future-tense, rather than an actual condition 2600 years ago. Surely, an arhat, the
paramahamsa, is as yet rare to behold, though I sometimes wonder if perhaps
every major city might be home to one. I hope so.
The teachings concerning the stages of Initiation are ancient, finding place in every religious system, and taught in the Mystery Traditions as Thomas expounds. Certainly one can send away for a nifty piece of paper nowadays with a nice gold seal stating one's
spiritual accomplishment, if that is what one wishes. Or one can
study online, or take any variety of classes, and no doubt include among one's accomplishments the "attaining of initiation" according to one school or another. Elaborate ceremonies exist, I am sure, and I do not for a moment doubt the objectivity or
real transfer of power/energies that may occur at some of these. For the skeptic, or anyone who is convinced that there is no more to this subject than fluff, I recommend open-minded investigation of one of the more
exoteric initiatory ceremonies, the
Kalachakra Initiation, of Tibetan Buddhism. Alex Berzin has an excellent book on the subject. And yet, that is a
public, and an
exoteric ceremony ...
The reality of an inner, metaphysical process of Initiation,
governing our entire spiritual unfoldment from the moment we enter the Human Kingdom, until the attainment of our final Liberation/Salvation ... is something that I have come to accept simply
de facto. Not everyone seeks to tread the later stages of this path, as we are discussing in this thread ... but I think the crucial statement was made by Thomas, thus:
"In Christianity the change of heart comes first, before one is initiated into the 'Disciplina Arcane' or allowed entry into the Mystery."
I couldn't agree more wholeheartedly, yet I would submit that inasmuch as Initiation is Universal ... applying to
all aspirants to the Mysteries (regardless of outward trappings) ... perhaps the statement could read this way:
The change of heart comes first, before one is initiated, or allowed entry into the Mystery.
Those seeking some form of recognition, or who are pursuing advancement for advancement's sake ... will find the doorway of initiation barred, just as those who
have chosen to forget self in the service of others ... will find that it ever stands open, and wide. It is this
self-forgetfulness which constitutes the "narrow gate."
And Christ Himself, as I have come to understand Him, taught us this way. He showed us the Five Stages of the Initiatory Path,
in which the inner conversion is key (as Paul knew well):
- The Birth at Bethlehem (and of the Christ Within)
- The Baptism at Jordan, and the walking on water (purity of character)
- The Transfiguration, in which the entire personality is consecrated to & by Spirit
- The Renunciation, in which the personality is laid down, via sacrifice
- The Resurrection & Ascension, in which Spirit is exalted over form, and Divinity manifests triumphantly
My finding is that the continuity of Revelation has moved forward, and schools which
specifically prepare students for the conscious treading of the spiritual path can be found
here and
now, in America, in the UK, in Australia and New Zealand, in Europe, in Russia,
and by all who seek, in every country. It is the true, inner conversion of the heart - which
readies the student for initiation ... drawing him or her to the spiritual path in the first place. As s/he advances,
the Hephaestian fires do temper both the heart, and the intellect, and
all of our various qualities and faculties, forging us into new beings altogether. Some of those who have already crossed the bridge ahead of us, have pointed out - that the prior self they once knew, and the
present self which they have become ... are forever separated by an abyss, or chasm. We are not meant to
wander forever - on this side of the abyss. No longer lost, I trust we all at least agree that the road stretches for
miles and miles ahead ...
And
paths converge - like the roots of the Mighty Yggdrasil.
Namaskar,
andrew
