DualityTheMale

Iwouldliketoshareafewessaysthatcomparetheprocessofegodevelopmentwithsomeof themorerecognizedlandmarksofmetaphysicalandpsychologicalresearch.I'veusedthegrade systemoftheGoldenDawnasaconvenientwayoforganizingthisdatausingIsraelRegardie's bookasareference.Icouldjustaseasilyhaveusedtermsusedbypsychologyorsomeother schoolofthought.Themainpointisthatevenifdifferenttermsareusedtheexperiences describedarethesame. Thereisauniversalexperiencethatistrueforallpeopleevenifitishighlysubjective. Thereforethesenextchaptersaretiedtogetherinawaythatbuildsonwhatwentbefore.What theyproposeisaprogressiveladderorstairwayweeachmusttravelintheprocessofhealthy egodevelopment. Withalittleimaginationandmemoryworkyouwillbeabletoidentifypersonallywithalmost everystagethatislisted.Weachievethesestagesallthetimebutdonotrecognizethemforwhat theyare.Theyofferatypeofinitiationthatwillactasacatalystforpersonalgrowthandhealing. WhilemyexamplesmaynotbestrictlyaccuratetheyshouldbeveryevocativeandIwelcome commentsthatwouldhelpsmooththeseconceptsoutalittlemore.

NEOPHYTEDEGREE
InthisdegreetheNeophyteornewbornbeginsexplorationsoftheego.WhatI'mreallysaying hereiswemovefromananimalawarenessintoanawarenessof"self".Typicallytheselevelsare dealtwithnaturallyduringchildhood.Eachmustbedevelopedbeforewecanmoveonand matureinahealthyway.Thisdegreehaseightlevelsofawareness.Eachleveldealswith personallimitationsandhowourdevelopingegogrowsandadjuststoconfrontandgradually mastertheselimitations. Idon'tknowofanyorderorsequencetheseareasmayfallinto.Idoknowwearenot completeuntilwehaveexploredandcometotermswithalloftheseareas.Therearemany similaritieswithErickson's"eightstagesofMan".Thosefamiliarwithhisworkwillfindthis additionespeciallyinteresting. LimitationsofLanguage.Soofteninourliveswordsareinadequatetoexpressthedepthofour emotionsandtheintentofouractions.Wefeelnooneunderstandsus,noonewilllistentowhat wearetryingtosay.Graduallyweacceptthatwehaveauniqueperspectiveonlifeandmany thingsthathappenwillremainforeversecretbetweenourselvesandtheGodofourhearts.We arenotabletosharethemwithothersandwewillneverbeabletosharethem. Atleastthisisthehealthywaythingsshouldbe.Alltoooftenweexpectotherstounderstand andhaveinsightintoourpersonalsituation.Wewanttothinkourlovedonesknowusbutthe realityisthatnoonecanreallyknowusthatdeeply,notevenourlovedones. Limitationsofaction.Welearnveryrapidlyinlifethatcertainthingsareacceptableandothers arenot.Wethinkthingsareunfair.Whyarebadthingshappeningtous?Whycan'twedothe

thingswewanttodo? Welearnthereareconsequencestoouractions,thatactioncausesreactionandweareinthe highestsenseresponsibleforouractions.Welearntodotherightthingsattherighttimessowe aresociallyacceptable. Ourparentsareagreathelpinthisregard.Wedountoothersaswewouldhavethemdounto us.Thesearethebeginninginsightsintothecosmiclawofkarma,causeandeffect.Theyare alsothebeginningsofournaturalsenseofjusticeandfairness.Thereisprideinknowingwe haveearnedtherewardswegetinlife. Sadlygenerationsofchildrenarebeingraisedwithoutlearningthattheiractionshavenatural consequences.Parentsoverprotecttheirchildrenandletthemgetawaywiththings.Howcan childrenbeexpectedtoknowhowtobehavewhentheyturneighteenifmomordadalways comestotherescue? Limitationsofemotions.Thisdealsdirectlywithourstrongestpersonaldesires.Oftenwewant thingssobadlywewoulddoorgiveanythingtoachievethem.Wefeelhurt,angerand helplessnesswhentheyaretakenoutofourreach.WeWANTthesethingsandwecan'thave them.Thisisespeciallytrueinrelationshipsthatinvolveotherpeople.Intimewelearntodesire thingsthatarewithinourgraspandourabilities. Itisveryimportantoursightsareaimedhighearlybecauseotherwisewewillloseourdesire tosucceedinlife.Unfortunatelymanyparentshavekilledthehigherambitionsintheirchildren bynotgivingthemtheemotionalsupporttheyneedwhentheyneedit.Thisisoftenduringthe criticalteenageyears. Personallimitations.Nowwedealwiththelimitationsofourownnewlydevelopingego.We realizeourperceivedshortcomings.Lifeisnotfair.Whyismynosesobig?WhyamIsofat? WhyamIsotall?Doesanyofthissoundfamiliar?Wecomefacetofacewithwhatwehave beengiveninlifeandreactwithintensepersonaldissatisfaction.Aswematurehopefullywe growabovethesethingsandacceptourselvesasweare. Learningtoloveourselvesgoeshandinhandwithbelievinginourabilities.Thismeansto exposeourselvestolifeandbesuccessfulinourowneyes. WeareGodsandGoddessesHereweponderwhatitwouldbeliketoliveforeverandever.As childrenwefeelimmortalandnothingcanharmus.Lifeishugeandjustgoesonandon.We havenocontroloverthisatall.Awarenessjustgoesonandonandon.Wehaveadestinyto fulfillwhetherwewanttoornot.Webelieveweareimportantandhaveanimportantpartto playintheuniverse. Somechildrenaretoldtheywillbejudgedaccordingtotheirdeedsandsentencedtoheavenor hellupondeath.Othersexposedtoreincarnationatanearlyagewillseekarmaasawheeloflife wherewearebornagainandagainuntilwegetsomemeaninglesslessonright.Itiseasytofeel helplessandsmallasweconsidertheseforcesofdestiny. RightandWrong.Herewedealwithourdesireforrevengeandthedestructionofthewicked. Weknowthroughourparentsandothersthedifferencebetweenrightandwrong.Wetrytodo therightthingsandGodhelpthosewhoaredoingthewrongthings.Weareontheircaseinan

instant.Aschildrenwetattleandasadultsweturnothersintotheauthorities.Wefeelastrong desireforrewardandrecognitionbecausewearedoingtheRIGHTthings.Wealsofearthepain andhumiliationofpunishment. We'regivenanearlyunderstandingoflife.Wehavenowmasteredthefundamentals.The storiesanddogmashavebeenreadtous.Ourquestionshavebeenansweredandourthoughts carefullydirectedtoconformwiththewisdomofourelders. Intheirinfinitewisdomtheyassureusthereisnothingmoretolearn.Oureducationisover andwecantakeourplaceasadultsevenifwedon'tfeellikeadults.Wedothisthrough ceremoniessuchasconfirmation,baptism,andgraduation.Thereisastrongsenseofstagnation andwenolongerquestionthewaythingsare.Sadlymanyadultsseemtobestuckatthisstageof egodevelopment. Death.Peopledie,animalsdie,plantsdieandwehaveagrowingrealizationthatwetoowill somedaydie.Itisinevitable.Whathappensafterwedie?Wheredowego?Istherelifewithout thephysicalbody?Doesithurttodie?Areghostsrealandcantheyhurtus? Ourparentsandchurchestelluswewillgotoheaven.Theytellusheavenisthemost beautifulplacewecanimagine.Buttheyalsotellusabouthellanddamnation.Ifwedonot believecertainthingsanddocertainthingswewillgostraighttohellwitheternalagonyand torment.Weneedtosaveourimmortalsoulbynotdoingthingsourbodieswantustodo.We learntonottrustourownbodiesandinstincts.Welearntodie

ZelatorDegree
Whenisthelasttimeyouhavebeenpassionateandexcitedaboutacause?Whenhaveyou believedinsomethingsostronglythatyoubecameazealot?Haveyoueverbeen"bornagain"? Aswematureandconfrontrealitywealsodealwithloweremotionalbaggage.Thislevelisthe awakeningoftheconscience.Normallythisdevelopmenttakesplacearoundtenortwelveyears ofage. Iwasfourteenwhenithappenedtome.Sadlyitmightnevertakeplaceinsomecases.The developmentofouregocannotcontinueinahealthymanneruntilthisstageiscompleted.Most ofushaveaconsciencebutwemightnotalwayslistentoit. Thisdegreehastwolevelsofthought.Inthefirstpartofthisdegreewehearthevoiceofour conscienceandeitherignoreitorgivelipservicetospiritualandnoblegoals.Wehavegood intentionsbutidentifywithourphysicalbodyandhumanego.Wefeelunworthytohavethe thingswedesire. WegotochurchonSundaybutkeepfallingshortofourownexpectations.Inreligiousterms wedon'twanttosinbutwestilldo.Everydaywedothingsoverandoveragainthatweare ashamedofanddespair.Wearesinners.Weareunworthy.Wethinkevilthoughts. Heavyfeelingsofguiltandselfloathingareencounteredatthislevelofthought.Apowerful forcedigsupourdeepestsubconsciouspsychiccontentsandexposesthemopenlytous.Weare broughtfacetofacewitheverywordweeverregretted,everythoughtwewereashamedof.We feellittlemorethananimalsmindlesslyreactingtophysicalandemotionalstimulus.Weare

broughtfacetofacewiththemirrorofoursoul.Wedon'tcareifGod/dessforgivesusbecause wecan'tforgiveourselves. Thisisaveryhardtimeandmanyfleeinterroratwhattheyseeinthemirror.Theyspendthe restoftheirlivesinmisery,guiltandshame,hatingthemselvesanddreadingthedaytheymust facetheirfinalreward.ThisisthecrisispointoftheZelatordegreethatmustbecrossed. Oncewehavecrossedthispointwehearthecall"repentsinner".Wechangeourlivesandlive differently.Wenolongeridentifywithourphysicalbody.Insteadweidentifywithourimmortal bodythatlivesonafterdeath. "Hewhobelievesshallneverdie." "Youmustbebornagainintoanewspiritualbody." "Youmustbesaved." Thesearethemessageswehearatthiscriticalstageofegodevelopment.Ourconscienceis eruptingandwhenwearereadytolistenhugechangestakeplaceinourlives. Thereisamentalshiftwherelifebecomesatestandtrialthatisnecessarytopassbeforewe earneternalsalvation.Ifwecanlookinthemirroranddothebestwecaneverydaytheinner voiceofourconsciencewillforgiveusfortheerrorswemake. Mostimportantlywelearntoforgiveourselves.Asweaccepttheinnervoiceofour conscienceandstrivetofollowitwegrowspiritually. Inthissecondlevelweare"bornagain".Weidentifywithaspiritualbodyorsoulthatis immortal.Wegetexcitedabouttheideaoflivingforever. Becausetheegoisselfcenteredthereisafeelingofseparatenessfromothersthatoccurs alongwiththejoyofbeing"saved".Thereisasenseofisolationandterriblelonelinessthatis bittersweet.Wewantotherstoexperiencewhatwehave.Itishardtoacceptthatothersmaynot agreewithus.Weareforeveralonewithauniquepersonalperspectiveandpathmeantonlyfor us. Whenwetrytosharethisperspectivewecan'tandthisrealizationisdevastating.Thethings thataresoimportanttoussimplydonotmattertoothers.Theylaughandridiculeus.Stillthis lonelinessistheresultofdistortedthinking.Weareneverreallyalonebecausetheentire universeisalwaysapartofusandweareavitalpartofit.Othersdon'tneedtofollowourpath. Theyneedtofollowtheirpath. Ourrealizationandexperienceofbeing"bornagain"causesustoweepforthelonelinessand sufferingofhumanity.Somuchmiserydoesnotneedtoexist.Peopledon'tunderstandwhatthey aremissing.Atthispointwedevelopcompassioninourheartsforothers.Asweshareour messageandinteractwithotherswebecomelesslonely. Oursharingbecomesmorementalasthematerialworldbecomeslessimportant.Slowly conceptsgainstrengthandrealityoverourlives.Welivethroughconsciousintentandwill insteadofpassingfancy. Asthishappenstheemotionslosetheircontroloverourlives.Wegaincontroloverthemand repressthemuntiltheyarealmostnonexistent.Asthishappenswedependmoreandmoreupon reasonandlogic. Thisisaverypainfulperiodbecausewesensethecomingdeathoftheemotions.Lifeisno longerasfunasitoncewas.Wehavelostour"innerchild".Lifewithoutemotionsisnolonger

life.

PracticusDegree
Inthisdegreewestrugglewiththeproblemofhowtobebothbodyandspirit.Inthelaststageof egodevelopmentwediscoveredourspiritualnatureanddetermineditwasthemostimportant. Nowwearetryingtoliveinthecorrectway. Wehavebeenwonovertothecauseandnowitfeelslikewehavebeenaabandoned.Our falsehumanegoisstillidentifyingwithourphysicalbodybutatthesametimeholdsuprigid idealisticstandardsforitselfandforotherstoliveby.Herewehavepuppylove.Weestablish rolemodelsandbecomeheroworshipers. Wehaveexpectationsforfindingtheperfectwife,theperfecthusband,theperfecthome,and theperfectjob.Wesetourstandardssohighnoonecanfillthem.Thenwehateourselves becauseofourfailure. Thesestandardsarementalconceptsthatarenotintegratedintophysicalreality.Theyare unworkable.Wehaveenteredtherealmoflogicandreasonandthehumanegoisnolonger supreme.Theideal,representinglogicandreasonisnowsupreme.Althoughtheyruleourlives logicandreasonareunabletogetattruth.Theanswerswegetbringmorequestions.Thisturns intoaviciouscirclethatrapidlygetsoutofcontroluntilwefinallylearntostopaskingquestions. Logicandreasondistortthings.Wearenolongersureofwhatisgoodandevil,sinand salvation,orillusionandreality.Ourheadbeginstospinandouroverworkedintellectfeels inadequate. Indesperationwetrustourintuitionandconscienceinstead.Theintellectcansenseit's approachingdeathevenastheemotionsdidearlier.Itfeelsthreatenedasitdesperatelytriesto grapplewiththingsandunderstandthem. Wefindourselvesinanintellectualfogwheretheonlyvoiceofsanityandreasonlieswith unquestioningfaith.Weidentifymoreandmorewithourintuitions,withtheChristspiritwithin usandfaithintheinnervoiceofourconscience.Aswedothisourintellectisscreamingatusto stop.Itistryingtotelluswhatwearedoingisinsaneandmakesnosenseatall. Trustingourintuitionsandtheinnervoiceofourconsciencebringsthebirthofahigherlevel ofconsciousness.Wethinknotwithwordsbutwiththesymbolsgiveninourdreamsand meditations.Ourthoughtprocessesaremoreabstractandvisual.Therearenowordsforwhatwe arethinking. Thefirststageisanuncomfortablestrugglewithlogicandreason.Thesecondstageofthis degreebringsthedeclineoftheintellectandthetruebirthofintuition.Wetrustourintuition aboveallotherthings.Wedevelopagreatspiritualpridethatourinnerselfhaswonoverthe intellectandphysicalself.Thisisaverydangeroustimeforus! Wehaveatruefeelingofaccomplishmentthinkingweareoneofthegreatadepts.Wehave littledesiretotryfurtherbutarecontenttostayrightwhereweare.Thisisagreatspiritual plateauandwemustbewarethepoisonofspiritualpride.Thislevelmarkstheboundarybetween consciousnessandhigherconsciousness. Ournewconsciousnesswithabsolutefaithintheintuitiveselfisstilluntamed,itisabeast.It

isstilljoinedtothelowerpersonalityandtothephysicalbody.Thespiritualvisionisdistorted andourintuitiveselfishinderedinitsattemptstocommunicatewithus.Theintuitiveselfrules butitisanuneasyruleindeed.

PhilosophusDegree
Wefindjoy,peaceandinspirationinmentaltravelsanddaydreamsaswebuildabridgeof communicationbetweenourintuitiveselfandobjectiveconsciousness.Therearethree progressivelevelsinthePhilosophusdegreethatoccurnaturally. Thefirstlevelistherealmofmentallytravelinginimaginationthroughtimeandspace.Thisis therealmofavidreadersandbookworms,especiallyreadersofsciencefictionandfantasy.This isalsotherealmofheavydaydreaming.Ourmindisconstantlychatteringawayandweare enjoyingit.Thisisasummaryofallthepreviouslevelsandagreatsenseofpeaceandjoyis foundinloosingone'sselfinimaginationandcreativity. ThePhilosophusletshisorherimaginationrunwildasheorsheexploresallaspectsof physicallifeandwhatcouldbe.Anythingandeverythingispossible.Thisstagebeginsthedeath ofthelowerhumanegobecausethementalworldisbecomingmorerealthanthephysicalworld. Thereisagrowingsensethatallisoneandthecaresandworriesofthedistantworldbecome vagueandunreal.Wearestartingtobecomeheadtrippers. Wearedrawntowardabstractthoughtsandspirituality.Thespirituallifeseductivelybeginsto lurethePhilosophuswithpromisesofgreattreasuresandrewards.Moreandmoretimeisspent inmentalpursuitsuntilallofhis/herfreetimeandenergyiscaughtupinthistypeofactivity. Materialandworldlyaffairssufferaswebecomecareless.Ourrelationshipswithfamilyand friendsdisintegrateandweweepbitterlyatlosingthesethingsbutwecan'thelpourselvesand continuelivinginourheads. Inthesecondlevelofthisdegreewefeelandappreciatethethingswehavelostinourmental pursuits.Wefeelthembecausetheyarenolongerthereandwemissthem.Ourbridgeof communicationwithourintuitiveselfisnotbeingbuiltveryfastandthecostwearepayingis veryhigh.Mentalpursuitsarenolongerasfunandtakeonanaspectofdesperation. Weexplorethemysteryoftoilandthevirtuesoflaborthroughintensestudy.Indesperation weturnourvastcreativeenergiesexclusivelytolaborandstudytobuildthatbridgeassoonas possible. Werecognizeonlythenwillweknowourtruepathinlife.Oureffortsmeetwithfailureafter failureaswestruggletomanifestwhatisinourheads.Trialanderrorarethewaystoturnour ideasintoactualexperiences. Weconsideroneoccupationafteranotherandtestitforintuitiveapproval.Timeandtime againourintuitiveselfsays"no,thisisnotit".Littlebylittlewelearnaboutourselvesby discoveringwhatishiddeninourblindspots.Doweliketodraworworkwithpeopleorperhaps write.Whatweshoulddraw.Shouldwebecommercialartists?Architects?PureArtists?Comic bookillustrators?Children'sbooks? Whatshouldwewrite?Poems?Stories?Magazinearticles?Politicalspeeches?Possiblywe shouldtranslatebooksfromonelanguageintoanother.

Slowlybutsurelyourintuitiveselfguidesusonavoyageofselfdiscoverywherethegoalis notasimportantasthejourneyis.Throughtrialanderrorweseeourlaborsasaprocessofself unfoldmentandselfexpression.Weareinagradualprocessofevolutionandconstantchange andsoistheentireuniverse.Itisthroughlivingandsufferingthatwelearnwisdom. Weseeallpartsoftheuniverseareworkingtogetherasabigsystemandeachindividual'spart isveryimportant.Weseethereisaspecificpathorplaceforustofillandwecansensethe importanceofit. Intuitivelywecomprehendtheentireuniverseoscillatesbetweenstatesofpotentialandkinetic energy.Westartedoutaspassivespiritualbeingsofpurepotential,divinesparksoflight.Then wedescendedintophysicalbodiesofpurekineticenergy,allmotion. Nowwerealizeweareoncemorereturningtothespiritualrealmsofpurepotentialenergy. WeareonthepathofreturntoSource.WecanuseourabilitiesandbecomecocreatorsasGod hasalwaysintendedustobe. Inthethirdlevelofthisdegreewehaveadramaticchangeinviewpoint.Wethinkaboutbeing cocreatorsoftheuniverseandMastersofourownlives.Wecontemplatewaystoharnessthe energiesofthehigherplanesandusetheminthephysicalworld.Aswestrivetobringthese intuitiveinsightsintophysicalfocuswepourincreasedvigorandvitalityintoourstudies.It becomescriticaltobuildourbridgeofperfectunderstandingbetweenourintuitiveself,the Christspiritwithinus,andourconsciousawareness. Wethinkaboutideasandconceptswithoutawarenessofselforidentityorego.Formand formlessmergeintoeachotherasweconsiderpureabstractions.Thoughtconstructsbecome thingsthathavealifeandawarenessoftheirown.Wesensetheentireuniverseisaliveinsome wayandawareofourefforts. Ourconsciousnessbecomesaneyethatcanseewhereeveritchooses.Weseematterand spiritasvalidrealities.Webecomeobsessedwiththecompletionofourspiritualbridge.Our intensitybordersontheveryedgeofinsanityandwearedriven.Nothingelsematterstousat thispoint.Wearedrivenbytheseductivegoldendreamofwhatcouldbe.

AdeptusMinorDegree
TheAdeptusMinorisgaininginsightsandinspirationsatregularintervals.Bitsandpiecesof abstractcosmicrevelationsaregatheredonebyone.Atthispointthesescatteredfragmentshave norhymeorrhythmtothemandtheydefyallattemptstomakesenseoutofthem. TheAdeptusMinorcontinuesthephilosophicalstudyofpureabstractionsandarchetypal images.Theyareattemptingtobuildamentalunderstandingofthecosmicrealmfromthebits andpiecesreceived.Thegoalistocreateaperfectreflectionofthecosmicrealm,amirrorimage insidethatreflectstheworldoutside. However,thedevelopingimageisverydistorted.Existenceappearsastotalannihilation.The AdeptusMinorrecognizestheyarealongwayoutintomentalspaceandallalone.Thereareno familiarlandmarksandtheentireregionseemsanabominationfullofhorrorandmadness. Insanityislurkingaroundthecorner.Thereisnocolor,nosoundandnoform.

Nothingissacred.Itisarealmwhereonlyideasandmoreideaskeepcomingandhaveno wheretogo.TheAdeptusMinorstillidentifieswiththeirphysicalbodyandhumanego.Ifthey areChristiantheycomefacetofacewiththeirhigherselforangelicbody. Thisisthepartofthemthatcontinuesoninawarenessafterthephysicalbodydies.They realizethisangelicbodyismoreapartoftheirtrueselfthanthefalsehumanego.Theperson exposedtotheconceptofreincarnationcomesfacetofacewithhisorherreincarnatingego.The realselfthatlivesfromlifetimetolifetime.Physicallifeinthepresentbodyisseenas meaningless,amerepuppetfollowingthepromptingofapredetermineddestiny. Pastandfuturelivesareseenasalloccurringatthesametime.Thereisastrongsenseoftime anddestinyflowingtogether.Ashiftofidentityisneededtoproperlyassimilatethesenewparts oftheself.TheAdeptusMinormustshifttheiridentityfromegotosuperego.Theviewpoint mustshiftfromasinglehumanbeingtoamultidimensionalpersonality. Thesecondstageofthisdegreeiswhenthisshiftofviewpointoccurs.Theworldanduniverse appearasatremendousspinningwheelormachinewithlittlesenseorpurpose.Thiswheelis bothseductiveanddeceptive.TheAdeptusMinornowhastheabilitytoperceiveboththebig cosmicpictureandthematerialworldatthesametime. Iftheirbeliefsystempermitstheyalsogaintheabilitytoperceivemultidimensionallifelines, probablerealities,pastlives,futurelivesandprobableselvesblendingtogetherandexerting subtleinfluencesuponeachother. Thislevelcorrespondstothesocalledakashicrecordsofmysticalthoughtandpsychicability. Humanityisseenasevolvingspirituallyfromtherimtowardthecenter.Weareallmovingback toward"Source". AstheAdeptusMinorperceivesthesubtleblendingofalltheseinfluencesmovingtogetherin harmonytheyunderstandthekarmicneedforviolence,bloodshedanddeath.Goodfightsevil, lifefightsdeathandallprogressmustbeindividuallyearned. Whereharmonydoesnotexistviolenceistheonlymeansforawarenesstoleapacrossthe chasmandassurethegreaterharmonyofthewhole. NoAdeptcangiveinsighttoanother.However,theycangiveinitiationtoanotherifthe studentisproperlypreparedandreadyforit.ThisisoneofthedutiesoftheAdeptusMinor. Theyaredevelopedinunderstandingtothepointwheretheyareabletoplantseedthoughtsinto thereceptivemindsofthosereadyforit.Theybecomespiritualteachers. Initiationimpliesadrasticchangeandtotallynewoutlookonlife.Trueinitiationiswithinthe mindandemotionalnatureofthestudentandtheAdeptusMinorisinapositiontosaythe correctthingatthecorrecttimebaseduponinsightsgainedfrompersonalexperience.

AdeptusMajorDegree
BlindlyintoxicatedbytheelixirofthegodstheAdeptusMajorentersthevaultofpreparation.At leastthat'swhattheoldalchemicaltextssay.Inmoderntermswemightsayheorsheisgoing aroundthebend.Thisstageiscrucifixionandsacrifice.Theinspiredbitsandpiecesfromthe intuitiveselfformdimlyperceivedpatterns.TheAdeptusMajorgetsveryexcitedaboutthese

"spiritualtruths".Anewwayofthinkingisarisingoutofthesefragmentsandisunderstandable asfarasitgoes. Fascinatedbythisperceptionof"truth"theAdeptusMajorcommitsthesacrificeofbelieving intheirownvisionsratherthanwhatphysicalrealitysaysordemands.Theyidentifyexclusively withtheirhigherselfandtheirvisions.TheAdeptusMajorisfreeofpersonaldesires,emotions, thoughts,regretsandattachments. Onlyonethingmatters.Perfectunionwiththedivine.Theyhavelostthemselvesintheir passionformysticalexperience.TootherstheAdeptusMajorhasbecomeathingofwoodwith noemotionalnature. Closefriends,relatives,andfamilymembersarehurtandconfusedbythedistancebetween themselvesandtheAdeptusMajor.Theydonotliveinthesameworldandcan'treachtheir lovedone.TheAdeptusMajorissoheavenlyboundtheyarenoearthlygood. TheAdeptusMajornextentersintoadeepunderstandingofcauseandeffect.Thesmallest pebblecreatesripplesthattravelthroughouttheentireuniverse.Everythingthathappensaffects everyotherthing.Allrealityisseenasrelative.Occurrencesaretheresultofmanysmallcauses andnotonebigone.Thisisverycompatiblewithmodernchaostheory. Everythingisgrey.Allisinmotion.Goodandevil,rightandwrongbecomemeaningless concepts.MoralvaluesareimposedbymanandnotbyGod/dess.Allispureexistentialism. Whatyouseeiswhatyouget.Theuniverseisselfevidentandeverythingisrightinplainviewif wecanonlyseeit! Allthingscontainapassiveelementandanactiveelementthatmustbebalanced.Logicand reasonaredestroyed.Theycometorealizeallthingscanlogicallybeproventobethebestthat everhappenedortheworstthateverhappened.Truthisrelative.Valuesarerealonlytothose thatperceivethem. AtthisstagetheAdeptusMajorconfrontstheirkarmicloadandunderstandswhatmustbe donetobecomekarmafree. TheAdeptusMajorknowstheyareaspiritualbeing.Theirallconsuminggoalisperfect realizationofthedivineChristspiritwithinthemandcompleteharmonywiththeirconscience. Bynowthespiritualrealmsarerevealedintheirentirety.Theyhavedevelopedanincredibly perceptive"ChristConsciousness"andanunderstandingoftheirlife'swork. Unfortunatelytheyperceivethegoalbutcan'treachit.Physicalrealityfightsagainstthem. Theyfeelobjectiveconsciousnessasanunrulybeastthatrefusestogowhereitisdirected.Itis badlyinneedofdiscipline.Inrealtermstheydon'tknowhowtophysicallymanifesttheirvision andbecomeveryfrustrated. Graduallytheyworkthroughfalsethinkingandconfronttherealitiesofdailylife.Hardwork eachdaybringsnewfreedomfromthechainsofcauseandeffect. Theymayappearquiteirrationalandfeartheyaregoinginsane.Theymayfearbuttheir spirituallustandintoxicationdrivethemtoplungeintospiritualoblivion. Spiritualobliviontakestheformofintensejoyandspiritualbliss.Lifeisagreatjoyanddance thatneedsnootherpurposethanitself.Thismentalstateiscalleddancinginthelight.The intenseharmonyholdsthemspellbound.Withjoytheyrealizetheyarenotgoinginsaneafterall. Thereisaphysical,materialpurposetowhattheyaredoing.Injoytheyunitethephysicaland spiritualwithinthemselvesandworktowardaunitedpurpose. Theyareenthusedaboutthegreatthingstheyaredoingeventhoughnooneelseunderstands

them.

AdeptusExemptusDegree
Mentalenergycanonlybetakensofarandtheseadeptshavereachedtheouterlimits.Doyou knowwhathappenswhenyourmindfails? Thesepeoplehavelefttheworldofform,thematerialworldandliveentirelyintheirheads. Theyaredeadtothephysicalworldandmoveaboutconductingtheirworldlyaffairslike zombies.Whenviewedfromthepurelyphysicalpointofviewthesepeoplewouldbeconsidered insaneorseverelytroubled.Theyareemotionless,stern,solemnandconstantlycaughtupin theirownthoughts.Theyarenotreallythere. TheAdeptusExemptushaseliminatedallpersonaldesireandlustforlife.Thereisastrong feelingofdeathandstagnation.Theynolongerhaveanydesireforcreativity.Theyliveintotal selfabsorbeddarkness.EventhedesireforSpirituallightisabsent.Detachedfromtheir surroundingsandfromthemselves,theyarecompletelyfoldedinuponthemselves. Theyhavegonetoofarandthereisnogoingback.Theyseenothing,hearnothing,andsay nothing.Alloftheirenergyhasgoneinwardinatotaleffortofspiritualselfishness.Theyseek onlypersonalsalvationandcarenothingaboutothers.Theyhavenocompassionorfeelingatall. Theyarepeoplethathaveusedyoga,magic,meditationorprayerforpersonalgainandnothing canreachthem.Nowtheyareexploringthedarkerareasoftheirsouls.Theyhavegonetoofar andrealizetheyareintrouble.Inadesperateattempttoremainsanetheyfreezeandtrynotto moveinanydirectionatall. IftheAdeptusExemptushasstartedtheirquestwithcompassionandconcernforotherskarma willcarrythemforwardintothetempleoftheGreatWhiteBrotherhood.Thislevelemphasizes theimportanceofhumancompassionandconcernforothers.Itrepresentsthedesiretohelp otherswithnothoughtforpersonalreward.PeopleatthislevelareknownasAvatars, Mahatmas...ect. DuringthislevelaMasterwillappearandperformthebaptismoftheholyChristspirit.The bridgebetweenGod/dessandconsciousawarenesshasbeenbuiltenoughfortheChristspiritto descendintheformofasacredbaptismandinitiation. ThosewhorefusetoshareintheGreatworkcangonofurther.Theyhavenothingtolivefor. Alltheyhaveisahugeegothatshutsthemofffromothers.Theyworkonlyforpersonalgain andbelongtotheBlackBrotherhood.Theyfeartheabyssanddeathofthepersonalegothatlies aheadofthem. MembersoftheWhiteBrotherhoodrecognizecompassionforothersisasacreddutyandholy trust.Spiritualselfishnessmustbeeliminatedwiththedeathofthefalseego.Thisdegreeis aboutthedeathofthefalseego. TheystandonthebrinkoftheGreatAbyss.Thereisasenseofimpendingdoomasthelastbit offalseegocriesoutforsurvival.Thisisthebrinkofhumanconsciousness.Theyarevirtuallyat theveryedgeoftheirminds.LogicandReasoncannotgobeyondthispoint.Thereisastrong feelingoftension.Thereisexpectationofanimportanteventbutnothinghappens. Thetensionisunbearablewithatugofwarbetweenpurespiritandmatter.Theyaredrawn

towardGod/dessacrosstheabyssbutfearthedeathoftheegobecausetheegocannotcross. Theyhavetastedunionwiththeholyspiritattheirbaptismandnowdesiretomergewith God/dess.Butthespiritualbridgewillnotallowconsciousawarenesstocrossit.Finallytheir deeplongingwinsandtheyplungeintotheGreatAbyss. Theytakethisplungeagainandagainuntilthefalseegoistotallydestroyed.Theirpersonality isnomore.Thereisnosenseofself.Ittakescourageanddeterminationtoachieveapermanent unionwithGod/dess. Itrequireslonghardworkandthespiritualbridgewillonlyallowshortmomentsofunion withGod/dessatatime.Itwillonlyallowbriefglimpses,thoughts,andinspirations.Stillthe AdeptusExemptusacquirestheabilitytoachievetheseinsightsatwillandthedaycomeswhen theirawarenesswillcrosstheabyssforbriefperiodsatatime. ThefeelingofcrossingtheAbyssisindescribable.Theyplungeintothearmsofthegreat CosmicMother.Theyaresurroundedinloveandallembracingfemininewarmth.Theyloose ourselvesinholyblissandrapturebecausetheyhavetrulyachievedsalvation.Theyknowthat spiritisrealityandmatterisillusion.Thisisthespiritualdawningofanewdayandanewsense ofselfandawareness.Thisisthe"GoldenDawn".

MagisterTempliDegree
Inthisdegreetheadeptachievesthehighestmysticalstateknowntoman.Thishasbeen called"CrossingtheGreatAbyss","CosmicConsciousness"and"ChristConsciousness".Their awarenessmergespermanentlywiththecollectiveintelligenceofthehumanrace.Theyachieve astateoftranscendenceandunity. TheMagisterTemplihasachievedtheGoldenDawnandpreparesfortheHolyMarriagewith theChristspirit.Theyrealizetheirowndivinityandunderstandtheirlife'swork.Theycomplete andperfectthespiritualbridge.Theyalsocompleteamirrorimage,themicrocosmbackonthe mentalplane.Thiscreatesaperfectbridgeofunderstandingallowingconstantcommunication betweenthementalandthespiritualplanes. TheMagisterTemplihascompletedtheHolyTreeofLifewithin.Thetrunkandbranchesare solidchannelsforspiritualenergies.Therootsareburiedinthemysteriousearthandthickleaves coverbranchesreachinguptothestars.ThisanalogymeanstheMagisterTemplihasconstructed apersonalbeliefsystemthatallowsthemtofunctionatwillonthespiritualplaneandthemental plane. Theyenterintotheplaneofspirituallove.Heretheyfindselfloveandloveofothers.They seeothersasmereillusionsorextensionsofthemselves.Theyperceivetheyarerealandallelse isillusion.Theyareadropofspiritslippingintoagreatspiritualseawheretheyseektoloose themselves. Somehowtheymustriseabovethesefeelingsandrecognizeothersasreal.Theirtaskbecomes helpingothersontheirspiritualjourney.Thisisthewayofreturntothephysicalworld. Allkarmicresiduebecomesasheshereforthewhiteadept.Theirkarmahasbeenconsumed andtheybecomeliberated. TheAdeptlearnsthereisnosupremeDeityexcepttheonewithinthemselves.Alltruthis

unknowableandreplacedbyrealizedtruth.ThisisrevealedbytheChristSpiritalittleatatime. Eachadeptmustseektheirowntruthdeepwithinthemselves.Thisisanindividualjourney. TheadeptseestheforcesofChaosandOrderlockedineternalstruggle.Themaleenergy representsExpansiveChaosandtheirwilltochangethephysicalworld.Theyaspiretobecome cocreatorswithGod/dess. ThefemaleenergyrepresentsRestrictiveOrderandthewaythingsarenow.Togetherthey manifestalllevelsbelowthisone.Thedualitythatcreatestheuniverseisperceived.Itisa balanceofexpansionandrestriction. TheMagisterTemplibecomesanagentofChaostoachievetheirownpersonaldesiresandthe upliftmentofhumanity.Theydesiretochangethewaythingsare. Physicalrealityresiststhemfiercelyandtheyarestrippedofallpowerandattainment.Thisis thecurseofthisgradeandthemysteryof"Sorrow".Thephysicalworldseeksto"eject"them

MagusDegree
TheMagusisreadytoreturnbacktoordinaryphysicalexistence.Theyhavelearnedouterreality isintimatelyconnectedtoinnersubjectivereality.Theyhaveachievedrealwisdomandgained recognitionoftheirownlevelofachievementandmastery.Theyhaveintegratedtheirspiritual natureandnowneedtointegratetheirshadowaspect. TheMagusbecomesthelegendaryphilosopher'sstonewhichtransmutesallthatcomein contactwithit.Theyareacirclewhosecenterisnowhereandwhosecircumferenceis everywhere.Theyarewhoorwhattheychoosetoidentifywith.HeretheMaguslearnsto consciouslycontrolselfatalllevelsofexistence.Theyreawakentheemotionsandthephysical body.Theyregaincontrolovertheirsurroundingsandpursuetheirtruepurposeinlife. Liketheartistthatiscompletelyfreetopaintwhattheychoose,theMaguscandoasthey chooseinlifeaslongastheyallowothersthesamefreedom.Lifebecomesatruejoyandan expressionofselfthroughalllevels. Theirdutyandpurposeinlifeistobethemselves.Bydoingthistheytransmuteallthatcome incontactwiththemandinspirepeopletoahigherlevelofliving. TheMagusisnotallknowingorallpowerful.Theyareonlyasknowledgeableandpowerful astheirbeliefsystemallowsthemtobe.Thisistherealsecretoftheirpowerandability.Their beliefsystemisopenendedandharmoniousatalllevels.Theycanlearnasmuchaboutanything astheywishbeforegoingontosomethingelse. Theirbeliefsystemisallinclusive.Itincludestheentirecosmos.Thisbeliefsystemisentirely integrated.Itislikeaholograminwhicheachpartcontainseveryotherpart. ThethingstheMaguscannotcomprehendareconsiderednonselfandthereisapowerful attractionbetweenwhattheyknowandwhattheywishtoknow. LearningisanareaofintenseblissandtheMaguswilljoyouslyspendtheirlifelearningall theycanaboutphysicalreality.Theyhavetraveledthroughthedifferentlevelsofawarenessand nowlongtobecomethoselevels. ThisistheindescribableexperienceofnondualityortotalunionwithGod/dess. Thereisasenseofgentlelovingandsharingthatcompletelyfillsthem.Theyarethekeyor

microcosmandtheuniverseormacrocosmisthelock.Thekeyisalltheyarecapableof knowingandthelockisallthatispossibletobecome. Asthemicrocosmbecomesmorelikethemacrocosm,theMagusgainspowerandstrength fromthefabricofthecosmos.Theyusethispowertoachievetheirultimatepurpose. IntheirstruggletoreintegratewithphysicalrealitytheMagusisactiveonallplanesactivating acausallinkbetweenastral/ethericrealityandphysicalreality.Physicalrealitycontinuesto stubbornlyresisttheireffortsbutgiveswayandtheymoveforwardanyway.TheMagusis exploringthemysteryofChangeandhowtoachievehis/hertruedestiny. Foreveryonethathasnotachievedthisdegreeofawarenesslifeconsistsofonestepforward andonestepbackwardwithazerosumgain.Thatiswhyitissohardtogetanywherewithout compromisingwhoyouareorwhatyoudesire.TheMagususesbothsidesofhisnaturetomake eachstepmoveforwardinanunstoppablemannertowardthedesiredgoal. FortheMagustheshadowselfandthespiritualselfworktogethertowardacommongoal underthedirectionandrulershipofthetruehumanego.

IpsissimusDegree
WhentheMagusisreadytoachievethehighestregionofspiritandthefirststagesofnon dualitytheybecomeanIpsissimus.Thisisthehigheststageofpsychologicalandego developmentknowntotheancients. Inthisdegreealloftheenergies,physical,emotional,mentalandspiritualareintegratedin completeharmony.InadditiontheIpsissimushasalsoreturnedbacktophysicalrealityand becomeintegratedwiththeenergiesoftheearthandwiththeenergiesofsociety.Theybecomea littlechildorbabe,thesonordaughterofGod.ThisisthelevelachievedbyJesus. Atthisstageconsciousawarenessandintuitiveawarenessareoneandthesame.They encompassallthingsatwill.Thisisthehighestlevelmancanenterandreturninthephysical bodytotalkabout.Theyhavefoundtheirtruepathandfollowtheirdestiny.Beinganddoing convergeasmuchashumanlifewillallow.TheIpsissimusisasfreeasitispossibletobeas longastheydowhattheywereborntodo.Thereisnodiscordorinnertension,onlycomplete joyandpeaceastheyrecognizetheirdivinity. Easternreligionstalkofthecreationofthe"immortalphysicalbody".Whenthisbodyis createdtheordinaryphysicalbodyisdiscardedortransformedandnolongerneeded. TheGodsandGoddessesofallreligionswereoncenormalhumansthatachievedthisdegreeand becamedivineorimmortal.Thishasalwaysbeenthetruegoalofthesecretteachingswithinany religion.