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© 2006 by Star System, Tomé, NM
In Revelation
Concepts Relative to Initiation and Empowerment
Page 7
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Spiritual Garbage

Spiritual Garbage – This is the accumulated memory and imprint of previous experiences, including grade levels, magickal powers, and miraculous events. It is a form of karma and it (along with everything else) must be abandoned or it will hinder further progress. Of course, we retain the memory of our spiritual history and experiences. It is our attachment, and assignment of importance, to these matters that must be abandoned.

The entire documentary entitled The True History of Solar Lodge is a shining example of Spiritual Garbage. It was written in order to "Take out the papers and the trash."

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Star System

Star System – In the beginning there was the invisible Order that had no name. It is nature's way of ordering the various levels of consciousness. Its generic name was, and is, The Planetary Hierarchy. More specifically, it has become widely known as The White Brotherhood.

In the early 1900's, our Great Grandfather, the Master Therion, set forth the training curriculum for the Great White Brotherhood known as the A\ A\, which is probably the most practical and efficient system of (self) initiation available to seekers of spiritual attainment in the western world.

A\A\ = Astrum Argentum, the "Silver Star."
Many authors maintain the Silver Star is Sirius.

Beginning in the 1920's, following in the footsteps of Helena P. Blavatsky and Annie Besant, the well known channel, Alice A. Bailey, set forth an elucidation of the spiritual principles of the Transhimalayan White Brotherhood, which is probably the most detailed and hardest-to-understand explanation of the system of (self) initiation available to seekers of spiritual attainment in the western world.

In 1980, Frater Shiva set forth a training curriculum entitled Star System, based directly on the Tasks of the Grades of the A\A\, but included additional studies in the principles of the Transhimalayan White Brotherhood. From 1980 to 2005, Star System, graduated five Adepts, four of whom attained the Grade of Magister, with two of these going on to initiate their own system of spiritual cultivation. The gates of initiation into Star System were closed in 2005.

"Graduated" means the candidates completed Outer Order training and were admitted to the Inner Order, and/or otherwise attained the Grade of Magister in the Supernal Order.

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Succession

Succession – This refers to the ongoing, descending lineage of positions, teachers, and Orders.

The succession of positions is described in relation to outer and inner job-descriptions. Everyone is familiar with the (outer) job-description personnel changes of presidents, viceroys, "right-hand" assistants, secretaries, treasurers, mechanics, etc., etc. Either through election or appointment, the "next" person in line assumes the duties of his or her predecessor. Inner position changes are a bit different.

In the metaphysical realm, groups are composed of people who hold various positions. These groups exist on the inner (astral, mental, spiritual) planes, and have been firmly established through years or centuries (even aeons) of repetitive group functions.

Thus, a member of an outer group may find that they "automatically" shift into a position within the group, and find that they have access to knowledge and powers that are beyond their original capabilities. Such members are naturally predisposed to hold these positions, but the selection mechanism is metaphysical and not dependent on election or appointment. This process only applies to groups that are linked to a true lineage. If the member is (by outer means) simply elected, or appointed because it is convenient, then this principle will not apply - In fact, they will either fail or cause endless difficulties.

All true spiritual teachers are somehow linked to a true lineage, and they will gather students around them, with each student fulfilling a particular function. The student (or member) will certainly be aware of this overshadowing process, but they may interpret the phenomenon as a "past life," which it is not. When a student (or member) quits, leaves, or otherwise abandons his or her position in a group, another student (member) will appear and assume the abandoned role. The person who leaves will then cease to be overshadowed, and their previous metaphysical "identity," including specific functions, will no longer manifest. This does not mean that they have not advanced personally, or that they have wasted their time. At some point, it is simply time to move on.

Moving on is known as "Slapping the Guru." Not in the sense of an attack, but as a slap on the back, implying "Thanks for your help, teacher. So long! I'll be moving on to something else now."

The replacement process may take some time, and not all positions are necessarily filled at any given time. This process can be found alike in large Orders and small groups. In group formations, it is very common to note that "So-and-so is just like what's his name," including his or her character, personality, abilities, and/or problems.

The succession of teachers (leaders) can be quite dramatic. Sometimes, when a prominent teacher passes on, the succeeding teacher seamlessly slips into the previous guru's position. This is true when the successor has already been appointed or recognized by the group membership. But often, there are squabbles and much infighting occurs as various contenders fight to be "King of the Hill." A notorious example would be when Great Grandfather Crowley died, leaving assorted "successors" with notes and scraps of paper authorizing them to be the next "Head of the Order." In a similar manner, when Helena Blavatsky died, her Theosophical Society was split into two factions, each side favoring either William Q. Judge or Annie Besant.

One of Crowley's best, last, and most realistic, notes was "My sword to him that can get it!"

The succession of teachers (for the individual) can be traumatic for the initiate, especially when there is personal attachment or especially when Oaths of Loyalty and Devotion have been taken. Sometimes the Oaths appear to be very binding and permanent, with all manner of penalties attached should the initiate quit the teacher or the Order and (heaven forbid!) move on to another teacher or group. This dilemma is quite common, and there is an universal, spiritual principle that applies to such situations:

A new, over-riding Oath supercedes a previous obligation as long as the new Oath is taken to an entity that is operating at a higher level of consciousness than the prior entity.

This dilemma is resolvable because it falls under another principle that states, "The lesser can never understand the greater; but the greater encompasses the lesser."

Think of it this way: Municipal law is overridden by State law, and State law is overridden by Federal law.

The succession of Orders can be just as problematic as any examples given above. Most properly-formed organizations pass on their authority by way of documents like articles of incorporation (with bylaws), charters, trusts, warrants, etc. An unauthorized Masonic Chapter or Order is called clandestine.

Children that are born of married parents are considered legitimate; children that are born of unmarried parents are considered illegitimate; but what matters is – they are born, and they are living beings.

If you are thinking of pulling one of these tricks, the best way to handle the matter is to change the name of the Order and don't infringe upon the rights of the duly-appointed.

There is also consideration of cyclic rebirth of "invisible" Orders into sequential, successive, temporal organizations. One such lineage that gave endless trouble to the European establishment went like this:

Knights Templar (military) > Rosicrucians (religious) >
Illuminati (political) > Contemporary Orders

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Synchronicity

Synchronicity – This term, coined by Karl G. Jung, MD, enjoys common usage today. It translates as meaningful coincidence. We all know and use the term coincidence.

Actually, everything in our lives is coincidental. Co-incident = "Same event" or happening together in time and/or space. The emphasis here, as we consider synchronicity ("same time force"), is on the word meaningful.

Hey! If it grabs your attention, especially if it's backed up with multiple coinciding factors, and if it rings your internal bells, then it is meaningful. It is not to be lightly dismissed with the commonplace statement, "Oh, it's only a coincidence!"

There are very few reliable guideposts on the spiritual path. People often wonder, "Is this a message from my higher self, or is it just my desire?" The answer can be difficult to obtain. However, there is a state of being that can come upon us in the midst of our daily life. It is when everything seems to coincide (synchronize) and run smoothly. Internally, we see it, and we feel it, and we proclaim it to be meaningful. The sensation is similar to the phenomenon known as Déjà vu. This is one of the only (perhaps the only) feedback mechanisms that lets us know that we are doing our Will.

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Transmission

Transmission – This refers to the energetic "passing on" of states of consciousness through teaching, Empowerment, Initiation, and similar processes. The three types of transmission are: Oral, symbolic, and direct.

Oral transmission occurs through speaking and listening, or through writing and reading. Though the "Power of the Word," the brain translates these utterances into concepts and practical applications. Such ideas are transmitted through conversations, speeches, and books. Certain words pronounced during ceremonies have a similar, if not more potent, effect.

Symbolic transmission takes place through emblems, symbols, icons, and works of art like statues, paintings, and talismans. Initiatory ceremonies are composed of symbolic rites, oral transmission, and (if genuine) a central act of direct transmission.

Direct transmission may be enacted without words or symbols, although these may be synchronized with the transfer of consciousness. Sometimes, the delivery is from the eyes of the transmitter*, and sometimes the reception is through the eyes of the beholder (Darshan = The act of viewing a holy man).

* There are accounts of certain holy men who, when they simply look at you, their glance causes your consciousness to radically change.

Initiation rituals (are supposed to) contain a central act of direct transmission. Although symbols can play a part, Empowerments are usually short and direct.

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