Recently, a member of the popular Rosicrucian Tradition Facebook group posed a rather significant question concerning the perceived aims of spiritual initiation. The thoughtful post was written as a 17-point survey, exploring the many facets of initiation, both from the perspective of theurgical rites and lodge induction or grade ceremonies alike. I therefore decided to wade into the discussion with my own unique perspective, as follows:
In an earnest attempt to offer a succint but meaningful response to this monumental survey, that one ought rightly commit several months of contemplation to before formulating a response that would do any justice to the topic, I make the following humble contribution:
It’s first important to distinguish between induction or grade ceremonies that are intended to reflect a demarcation point between the candidate’s so-called “profane” worldview towards the initiate’s deeper philosophical understanding of the spiritual dimension of our reality, versus a theurgical initiation that is intended to enact a profound and irrevocable change within one’s inner state of being. The former being much more common and reflective of the modes of initiation typically leveraged by western occult organizations and lodges, than the latter. That said, for the purposes of my response, I will speak more to the latter than the former conception of initiation.
Therefore, the root aims of initiation, as I have come to understand them, are threefold;
- First, to bring about the birth of a spiritual consciousness, or more precisely, to enable the perception of one’s inner guiding spirit that presides over one’s destiny and serves as the principal conduit between the manifest world and the spiritual realm;
- Second, to expand the capacity of the body and soul to receive an influx of divine inspiration and to achieve the state of ritual purity required to elicit such a response from the heavenly realm;
- Third, to bring about the bestowal of divine grace from upon high that for a moment, inflames the heart with a deep sense of union with the Great Cosmos, such that one receives an overwhelming experience of unadulterated love that in turn, instills within us an even deeper desire to impart that same feeling of love and connection to others.
It is at that point that the initiated becomes the initiator and is burdened with the mission to seek outwardly once again, to “find the others”.
The knowledge and wisdom that comes from such an experience is:
- Knowing the root of our soul,
- Understanding the imprints that shaped its journey into our present incarnation and;
- Discovering that point within our heart that holds the promise of our becoming.
In my opinion, those are the true benefits and privileges of initiation.
What I have gleaned from the ordeals of my own intiation, is that I have been afforded the uncanny opportunity in life to always be placed in close proximity to those who have a greater capacity than I to effect substantive change in my community, so that I may bend their ear and be an advocate for fairness, mercy and balance.
The instruction that my teachers imparted to me along the path of initiation has enabled me to develop a greater capacity to delay judgement than I had possessed at the beginning of my journey. I believe this has helped me receive more authentic experiences of others in my daily interactions.
The conditions that must be cultivated within a person before such rites of initiation will have force and effect are, in my opinion, threefold:
- An inner state of equanimity,
- An ability to discern between inner thoughts and emotions versus outside influences, and;
- A contrite heart and a deep, almost desperate sense that it can only be mended by closely adhering to the divine.
Those who were responsible for guiding me along my path of initiation suggested that the only thing to be gained from such an experience is a more profound sense of understanding and appreciation for the religious and mystical experience. They further explained to me that initiation is a path of divine struggle and a vocation of service to humanity that some have taken upon themselves. That in so doing, they align themselves with divine will and become conduits for the manifestation of that will on earth, and that the general thrust of that will is to bestow love and healing unto our world.