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{{Theosophy}} |
{{Theosophy}} |
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'''Ascended masters''' in |
'''Ascended masters''' in a number of movements in the [[Theosophy (Blavatskian)|theosophical]] tradition<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/legal-and-political-magazines/ascended-master |title= Ascended Master|publisher=[[Encyclopedia.com]]}}</ref> are held to be spiritually [[Enlightenment in Buddhism|enlightened]] beings who in past [[incarnation]]s were ordinary humans, but who have undergone a series of spiritual transformations originally called initiations. |
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Both ''[[Mahātmā#Theosophy|mahatma]]'' and ''ascended master'' are terms used in the Ascended Master Teachings. The concept of an ascended master is based on the [[Theosophy (Blavatskian)|theosophical]] concept of the Mahatma or Masters of the Ancient Wisdom. However, Mahatmas and ascended masters are believed by some to differ in certain respects. |
Both ''[[Mahātmā#Theosophy|mahatma]]'' and ''ascended master'' are terms used in the Ascended Master Teachings. The concept of an ascended master is based on the [[Theosophy (Blavatskian)|theosophical]] concept of the Mahatma or Masters of the Ancient Wisdom. However, Mahatmas and ascended masters are believed by some to differ in certain respects. |
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==Beliefs about ascended masters== |
==Beliefs about ascended masters== |
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[[File:Helena Petrovna Blavatsky.jpg|thumb|Helena P. Blavatsky]] |
[[File:Helena Petrovna Blavatsky.jpg|thumb|Helena P. Blavatsky]] |
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The term ''ascended master'' was first introduced in 1934 by [[Guy Ballard]] with the publication of ''Unveiled Mysteries'', a book which he said was dictated to him by the ascended master [[St. Germain (Theosophy)|St. Germain]].<ref>King, Godfre Ray. ''Unveiled Mysteries''. Chicago, Illinois: Saint Germain Press 1934 page vii: "The time has arrived, when the Great Wisdom, held and guarded for many centuries in the Far East, is now to come forth in America, at the command of those Great Ascended Masters who direct and protect the evolution of mankind upon this Earth."</ref><ref>Saint Germain Foundation. ''The History of the "I AM" Activity and Saint Germain Foundation''. Schaumburg, Illinois: Saint Germain Press 2003</ref> Other Ascended Master Teachings are contained in [[The Bridge to Freedom]] (1951),<ref>''The Bridge to Freedom Journal'' (1951-1961) Reprinted by Ascended Master Teaching Foundation, 1989</ref> [[The Summit Lighthouse]] (1958) (known also as The [[Church Universal and Triumphant]]),<ref name="Lewis, James R. 1942">{{cite book |last= Melton |first= J. Gordon |author-link= |date=1994 |title= |
The term ''ascended master'' was first introduced in 1934 by [[Guy Ballard]] with the publication of ''Unveiled Mysteries'', a book which he said was dictated to him by the ascended master [[St. Germain (Theosophy)|St. Germain]].<ref>King, Godfre Ray. ''Unveiled Mysteries''. Chicago, Illinois: Saint Germain Press 1934 page vii: "The time has arrived, when the Great Wisdom, held and guarded for many centuries in the Far East, is now to come forth in America, at the command of those Great Ascended Masters who direct and protect the evolution of mankind upon this Earth."</ref><ref>Saint Germain Foundation. ''The History of the "I AM" Activity and Saint Germain Foundation''. Schaumburg, Illinois: Saint Germain Press 2003</ref> Other Ascended Master Teachings are contained in [[The Bridge to Freedom]] (1951),<ref>''The Bridge to Freedom Journal'' (1951-1961) Reprinted by Ascended Master Teaching Foundation, 1989</ref> [[The Summit Lighthouse]] (1958) (known also as The [[Church Universal and Triumphant]]),<ref name="Lewis, James R. 1942">{{cite book |last= Melton |first= J. Gordon |author-link= |date=1994 |title=Church Universal and Triumphant in Scholarly Perspective |url= https://archive.org/details/churchuniversalt0000unse |location= |publisher= Stanford, Calif. : Center for Academic Publication |pages=1–2 |isbn=978-0-8191-9634-7}}</ref> The [[Aetherius Society]] (1955),<ref>{{Cite news|title=Ascended Masters & The Spiritual Hierarchy Of Earth|language=en-US|work=The Aetherius Society|url=https://www.aetherius.org/ascended-masters/|access-date=2017-08-02}}</ref> The Temple of The Presence (1995),<ref name="ReferenceD" /> the I AM University (2004), the [[White Eagle Lodge]] (1936) and the Aquarian Christine Church Universal, Inc. (2006).<ref>Braden, Charles S. ''These Also Believe'' Macmillan Publishing Company 2000, pp. 257-307</ref><ref>Watson, Jacob L. "Initiations of the Aquarian Masters: The Theosophy of the Aquarian Gospel" Outskirts Press 2009 {{ISBN|978-1-4327-4598-1}}</ref> |
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In Ascended Master Teachings there is also mention of Serapis Bey, a being who was incarnated as a high priest in one of the "Temples of the Sacred Fire" on [[Atlantis]], and who migrated to [[Egypt]] at the time of the destruction of Atlantis.<ref>Prophet, Mark L. and Elizabeth Clare ''Lords of the Seven Rays''. Summit University, Livingston, Montana, USA, 1986, p. 149.</ref> It is also believed that he was incarnated as the Egyptian [[Pharaoh]] [[Amenhotep III]] (who constructed the [[Temple of Luxor]] to the god [[Amun|Amon]])<ref>Prophet, Mark L. and Elizabeth Clare ''Lords of the Seven Rays'', p. 153.</ref> and also as [[Leonidas]], the King of [[Sparta]],<ref>Prophet, Mark L. and Elizabeth Clare ''Lords of the Seven Rays'', p. 150.</ref> who was killed in 480 BC defending the pass of [[Thermopylae]] against the invasion of [[ancient Greece]] by Emperor [[Xerxes I]] of the [[Persian Empire]].<!--According to teachings of [[Agni Yoga]],<ref>Roerich, Elena Ivanovna. ''Letters to America''. In 4 Vols (1923–1952). T. 4. Moscow: Sfera, 1999.</ref> [was this sentence meant to lead somewhere?] --> |
In Ascended Master Teachings there is also mention of Serapis Bey, a being who was incarnated as a high priest in one of the "Temples of the Sacred Fire" on [[Atlantis]], and who migrated to [[Egypt]] at the time of the destruction of Atlantis.<ref>Prophet, Mark L. and Elizabeth Clare ''Lords of the Seven Rays''. Summit University, Livingston, Montana, USA, 1986, p. 149.</ref> It is also believed that he was incarnated as the Egyptian [[Pharaoh]] [[Amenhotep III]] (who constructed the [[Temple of Luxor]] to the god [[Amun|Amon]])<ref>Prophet, Mark L. and Elizabeth Clare ''Lords of the Seven Rays'', p. 153.</ref> and also as [[Leonidas]], the King of [[Sparta]],<ref>Prophet, Mark L. and Elizabeth Clare ''Lords of the Seven Rays'', p. 150.</ref> who was killed in 480 BC defending the pass of [[Thermopylae]] against the invasion of [[ancient Greece]] by Emperor [[Xerxes I]] of the [[Persian Empire]].<!--According to teachings of [[Agni Yoga]],<ref>Roerich, Elena Ivanovna. ''Letters to America''. In 4 Vols (1923–1952). T. 4. Moscow: Sfera, 1999.</ref> [was this sentence meant to lead somewhere?] --> |
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===Universal All-Pervading Presence of Life=== |
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Students of the Ascended Master Teachings believe that there is one God, the "Universal All-Pervading Presence of Life", "The One", who is the source of all love, light, and truth in existence, and that all forms of existence and consciousness emanate from this "Allness of God"—"The One". ''The Voice of the I AM'' states "All Life is One"<ref>''The Voice of the I AM''. Saint Germain Press December 1940 page 32</ref> and that there is "One Substance, One Energy, One Power, One Intelligence" as the source of all consciousness and creation.<ref>''The Voice of the I AM'', Saint Germain Press, July 1942, p. 7.</ref> |
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===The individualized "I AM" presence=== |
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Within the "I AM" Activity, contact and cooperation with the ascended masters became a central part of each member's life. Through Guy and Edna Ballard as "Messengers", the ascended masters were believed to have regularly communicated with the students of the "I AM" Activity. These addresses (known as "Dictations") were delivered before gatherings of members in Conclaves held throughout the United States of America, published in the monthly periodical, ''The Voice of The "I AM"'', and some were collected and reprinted in the books of ''The Saint Germain Series''. In all, 3,834 Dictations from the masters were received through Guy and Edna Ballard. Other "Ascended Master Activities" believed that the ascended masters, cosmic beings, Elohim, and archangels continued to present a program for both individual development and spiritual transformation in the world.<ref name="Partridge 2004. pages 330 - 334">Partridge, Christopher ed. ''New Religions: A Guide: New Religious Movements, Sects and Alternative Spiritualities'' Oxford University Press, USA 2004. Describes the religious organizations based on a belief in the Ascended Master Teachings, such as The I AM Activity, The Bridge to Freedom and The Summit Lighthouse. pages 330–334</ref> They believe that further instruction from the ascended masters and the rest of the spiritual hierarchy continued through new dispensations with new messengers, such as [[The Bridge to Freedom]],<ref name="ReferenceE">''The Bridge to Freedom Journal'' 1951 - 1961 Reprinted by Ascended Master Teaching Foundation 1989</ref> [[The Summit Lighthouse]],<ref name="Lewis, James R. 1942" /> The Temple of The Presence, and The Hearts Center. |
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==Other beliefs about ascended masters== |
==Other beliefs about ascended masters== |
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Belief in the brotherhood{{what|reason=What brotherhood?|date=January 2024}} and the masters is an essential part of the beliefs of various organizations that have continued and expanded the concepts released in the original Saint Germain instruction in the 1930s through [["I Am" Activity|the "I AM" Activity]]. |
Belief in the brotherhood{{what|reason=What brotherhood?|date=January 2024}} and the masters is an essential part of the beliefs of various organizations that have continued and expanded the concepts released in the original Saint Germain instruction in the 1930s through [["I Am" Activity|the "I AM" Activity]]. Examples of those believed by the ones proposing these teachings to be ascended masters would be the Master Jesus, [[Confucius]], [[Gautama Buddha]], [[Mary the mother of Jesus]], St. [[Paul of Tarsus]] ({{aka}} [[Master Hilarion|Hilarion]]), [[Ashtar Sheran]], [[Sanat Kumara]], [[Melchizedek]], [[Archangel Michael]], [[Metatron]], [[Kuan Yin|Kwan Yin]], St. Germain and [[Kuthumi]].{{cn|date=March 2024}} |
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==Jesus== |
==Jesus== |
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==Sanat Kumara== |
==Sanat Kumara== |
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According to the post-1900 publications of Theosophy (specifically, the writings of [[Charles W. Leadbeater]], Alice Bailey, and [[Benjamin Creme]], as well as the Ascended Master Teachings of Guy Ballard, Elizabeth Clare Prophet, [[Geraldine Innocente]], [[Joshua David Stone]], and other Ascended Master Teachings teachers), Sanat Kumara<ref>[http://ascension-research.org/sanat.html Sanat Kumara] at ascension-research.org</ref><ref>[http://www.luisprada.com/Protected/a_progress_report_on_our_ascension.htm A Progress Report On Our Ascension] at luisprada.com</ref> is an "advanced being" of the Ninth Initiation (the highest initiation possible on planet Earth) who is regarded as the Lord or Regent of [[Earth]] and of [[ |
According to the post-1900 publications of Theosophy (specifically, the writings of [[Charles W. Leadbeater]], Alice Bailey, and [[Benjamin Creme]], as well as the Ascended Master Teachings of Guy Ballard, Elizabeth Clare Prophet, [[Geraldine Innocente]], [[Joshua David Stone]], and other Ascended Master Teachings teachers), Sanat Kumara<ref>[http://ascension-research.org/sanat.html Sanat Kumara] at ascension-research.org</ref><ref>[http://www.luisprada.com/Protected/a_progress_report_on_our_ascension.htm A Progress Report On Our Ascension] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303195405/http://www.luisprada.com/Protected/a_progress_report_on_our_ascension.htm |date=2016-03-03 }} at luisprada.com</ref> is an "advanced being" of the Ninth Initiation (the highest initiation possible on planet Earth) who is regarded as the Lord or Regent of [[Earth]] and of [[Human|humanity]], and the head of the [[Spiritual Hierarchy]] of Earth who dwells in [[Shamballah]]. |
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It is believed by these authors that he is the founder of the Great White Brotherhood, which |
It is believed by these authors that he is the founder of the Great White Brotherhood, which consists of Masters of the Ancient Wisdom (Fifth Initiation), ascended masters (Sixth Initiation), Chohans and [[Bodhisattva]]s (Seventh Initiation), Buddhas (Eighth Initiation), and highly spiritually-evolved volunteers from other worlds, who have all joined to advance spiritual evolution on Earth.<ref>Schroeder, Werner. ''Ascended Masters and Their Retreats'', Ascended Master Teaching Foundation 2004. Describes the founding of Shamballah by Sanat Kumara</ref> |
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Sanat Kumara was mentioned briefly by the theosophist [[Helena Blavatsky]].<ref>Blavatsky, Helena Petrovna. ''The Secret Doctrine: The Synthesis of Science, Religion, and Philosophy'', Theosophical Publishing House, 1888. Sanat Kumara - Volume I: pp. 89, 457–458; Volume II: pp. 106, 140, 319, 584.</ref> She claimed he belonged to a group of beings, the "Lords of the Flame", whom [[Christian tradition]] have misunderstood as [[Lucifer]] and the fallen angels.<ref>Blavatsky, Helena Petrovna. ''The Secret Doctrine: The Synthesis of Science, Religion, and Philosophy'', Theosophical Publishing House, 1888. Volume II, pp. 243 ff.</ref> |
Sanat Kumara was mentioned briefly by the theosophist [[Helena Blavatsky]].<ref>Blavatsky, Helena Petrovna. ''The Secret Doctrine: The Synthesis of Science, Religion, and Philosophy'', Theosophical Publishing House, 1888. Sanat Kumara - Volume I: pp. 89, 457–458; Volume II: pp. 106, 140, 319, 584.</ref> She claimed he belonged to a group of beings, the "Lords of the Flame", whom [[Christian tradition]] have misunderstood as [[Lucifer]] and the fallen angels.<ref>Blavatsky, Helena Petrovna. ''The Secret Doctrine: The Synthesis of Science, Religion, and Philosophy'', Theosophical Publishing House, 1888. Volume II, pp. 243 ff.</ref> |
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Sanat Kumara gained greater prominence when her follower Charles W. Leadbeater wrote that Sanat Kumara was the "King" or Lord of the World, and the head of the Great White Brotherhood of Mahatmas who had revealed the principles of theosophy.<ref>Leadbeater, C.W. ''The Masters and the Path''. Adyar, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1925 (Reprint: Kessinger Publishing, 1997), pp. 296-299.</ref> |
Sanat Kumara gained greater prominence when her follower Charles W. Leadbeater wrote that Sanat Kumara was the "King" or Lord of the World, and the head of the Great White Brotherhood of Mahatmas who had revealed the principles of theosophy.<ref>Leadbeater, C.W. ''The Masters and the Path''. Adyar, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1925 (Reprint: Kessinger Publishing, 1997), pp. 296-299.</ref> |
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==Comparison with Masters of Wisdom== |
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There is considerable difference between the concept of Masters of the Ancient Wisdom in Theosophy (as described by Blavatsky, [[Henry Steel Olcott|Olcott]], [[Alfred Percy Sinnett|Sinnett]], and others) and the current concept of ascended masters, developed by Guy Ballard and Elizabeth Clare Prophet 55 years after the [[Theosophical Society]] was founded.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}} |
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Ballard and Prophet added more than 200 new ascended masters that they claimed to receive dictations from in addition to receiving dictations from the original ''Masters of the Ancient Wisdom'' of Theosophy.<ref>Prophet, Elizabeth Clare and Prophet, Mark (as compiled by Annice Booth) ''The Masters and Their Retreats'' Corwin Springs, Montana:2003 Summit University Press—See Profiles of the Ascended Masters Pages 13–394—More than 200 Ascended Masters are listed.</ref> |
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The ascended masters, as their name suggests, are supposed to be Masters who have experienced the miracle of ascension, as it is said Jesus did. The original teaching, channeled by Guy Ballard, was that a new ascended master would not die but would take the body up with him. This teaching of ascension is in direct opposition to the Theosophical teachings. Mahatma K.H. refers to the idea disparagingly in one of his letters to Sinnett: |
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{{blockquote|There was but one hysterical woman alleged to have been present at the pretended ascension, and{{nbsp}}[...] the phenomenon has never been corroborated by repetition.<ref>Barker, A. T., and Vicente Hao Chin Jr., eds. ''The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett from the Mahatmas M. and K. H.'' in Chronological Sequence, p. 5. Adyar: Theosophical Publishing House, 1998.</ref>}} |
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Blavatsky also rejects ascension as a fact, calling it "an allegory as old as the world."<ref>Blavatsky, Collected Writings vol. 8, p. 389. Wheaton: Theosophical Publishing House, 1977-91; See also CW 4:359-60.</ref> In the Theosophical view, the Masters of Wisdom retain their physical bodies. |
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The Masters of the Wisdom are not like the ascended ones, who are said to become Godlike, all-powerful beings beyond the laws of nature. In their teachings, the Theosophical Masters even denied that such beings exist. Mahatma K.H. wrote: |
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{{blockquote|If we had the powers of the imaginary Personal God, and the universal and immutable laws were but toys to play with, then indeed might we have created conditions that would have turned this earth into an Arcadia for lofty souls.<ref>Barker, A. T; Vicente Hao Chin Jr., eds. ''The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett from the Mahatmas M. and K. H.'' in Chronological Sequence, p. 474. Adyar: Theosophical Publishing House, 1998.</ref>}} |
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In their letters, the Mahatmas constantly talk about the "immutable laws" of the universe, and that they can help humanity only within the limits of these laws.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}} |
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Proponents of the ascended masters sometimes attempt to account for these discrepancies by claiming that when the Theosophical Society (TS) was founded most of the Theosophical Mahatmas were still "unascended Masters". This leaves room to detach the ascended masters from the limitations. However, the Mahatma K.H. wrote: "We are not infallible, all-foreseeing 'Mahatmas' at every hour of the day."<ref>Barker, A. T; Vicente Hao Chin Jr., eds. ''The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett from the Mahatmas M. and K. H.'' in Chronological Sequence, p. 450. Adyar: Theosophical Publishing House, 1998.</ref> As he explained: "An adept—the highest as the lowest—is one only during the exercise of his occult powers."<ref>Barker, A. T; Vicente Hao Chin Jr., eds. ''The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett from the Mahatmas M. and K. H.'' in Chronological Sequence, p. 257. Adyar: Theosophical Publishing House, 1998.</ref> In fact, according to the Theosophical teachings, the higher the adept, the less they are likely to hear from him: |
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{{blockquote|The more spiritual the Adept becomes, the less can he meddle with mundane, gross affairs and the more he has to confine himself to a spiritual work{{nbsp}}[...] The very high Adepts, therefore, do help humanity, but only spiritually: they are constitutionally incapable of meddling with worldly affairs.<ref>Blavatsky, H. P. ''Collected Writings'' vol. 6, p.247. Wheaton: Theosophical Publishing House, 1977-91.</ref>}} |
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In the Theosophical view the Masters do not pay attention to personal desires. Theosophy teaches that the [[Psychological egoism|psychological ego]] is false, that the idea that a person are their body, emotions, and mind is a mistake of perception and the source of sorrow. It says that real happiness comes only as an unsought by-product of reducing rather than increasing one's attachment and identification with the personal. Blavatsky wrote that "Occultism is not{{nbsp}}[...] the pursuit of happiness as man understands the word; for the first step is sacrifice, the second renunciation."<ref>Blavatsky, H. P. ''Collected Writings'' vol 8, p. 14, Wheaton: Theosophical Publishing House, 1977-91.</ref> K.H. agreed with this when he wrote: "We—the criticized and misunderstood Brothers—we seek to bring men to sacrifice their personality—a passing flash—for the welfare of the whole humanity."<ref>Barker, A. T., and Vicente Hao Chin Jr., eds. The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett from the Mahatmas M. and K. H. in Chronological Sequence, p. 222. Adyar: Theosophical Publishing House, 1998</ref> During the early times of the Theosophical Society, some members, misunderstanding the nature of the Mahatmas, would bring HPB some personal requests to ask of them. In a letter Blavatsky explained: |
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{{blockquote|The Masters would not stoop for one moment to give a thought to individual, private matters relating but to one or even ten persons, their welfare, woes and blisses in this world of Maya [illusion], to nothing except questions of really universal importance. It is all you Theosophists who have dragged down in your minds the ideals of our Masters; you who have unconsciously and with the best of intentions and full sincerity of good purpose, desecrated Them, by thinking for one moment, and believing that They would trouble Themselves with your business matters, sons to be born, daughters to be married, houses to be built[...]<ref>C. Jinarajadasa, ''Early Teachings of the Masters'' p. iv. Chicago: Theosophical Press, 1923.</ref>}} |
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This kind of interest is a very marked feature of the ascended masters. The Ascended Masters Teachings teach ways to attract material or emotional possessions to a person's life, and also how to dissolve unpleasant karma, a conception that the Theosophical Mahatmas emphatically opposed. For example, K.H. wrote: "Bear in mind that the slightest cause produced, however unconsciously, and with whatever motive, cannot be unmade, or its effects crossed in their progress—by millions of gods, demons, and men combined."<ref>Barker, A. T., and Vicente Hao Chin Jr., eds. ''The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett from the Mahatmas M. and K. H.'' in Chronological Sequence, p. 77-78. Adyar: Theosophical Publishing House, 1998.</ref> In fact, the ascended masters are portrayed as cosmic fathers who will take care of their followers' problems. In contrast, Mahatma M. said: "We are leaders but not child-nurses."<ref>Eek, Sven, ed. ''Damodar and the Pioneers of the Theosophical Movement'', p. 605. Adyar: Theosophical Publishing House, 1965</ref> |
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==Maitreya== |
==Maitreya== |
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=== The fall of man === |
=== The fall of man === |
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It is believed that since the "fall of man" during the time of the incarnation of the [[Root race#The fourth root race (Atlantean)| |
It is believed that since the "fall of man" during the time of the incarnation of the [[Root race#The fourth root race (Atlantean)|fourth root race]], imperfection, limitations and discord increasingly entered into the world. The memory body is considered to have become known as a "soul", and this temporary personality has taken on the sense of a self that is separated and not connected to God. It is believed that a "Dictation" from Maitreya further clarified this matter through the "Messenger", [[Geraldine Innocente]], on September 27, 1954, when what occurred during the time of the fourth root race was described: |
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{{blockquote|Curiosity, rebellion against holding true to the Divine Pattern and the use of thought and feeling in creation of imperfection, began the building of what you call the 'soul'. It is a consciousness apart from the full Purity of God. The first thought a man had that was imperfect and impure, energized by a secret feeling, was a cause and that, sent out into the atmosphere, created an effect. Like a boomerang, the effect came back into the consciousness and made a record. That record was the beginning of an impression. Energy sent out in a certain manner returned to affect the lifestream who had sent it forth and there began to be created a shadow between the I AM Presence and the human consciousness. Endeavoring to contact the Presence, the individual would find these 'tramp' thoughts and feelings flowing through that line of contact until more and more imperfect was the conscious use of them. Finally, those centers got completely away from the control of the ego and acted independently.<ref>''The Bridge to Freedom Journal'', February 1956 (Reprinted by Ascended Master Teaching Foundation 1989) Purported address from Maitreya on September 27, 1954 "through" Geraldine Innocente</ref>}} |
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=== Dawning Golden Age === |
=== Dawning Golden Age === |
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Students of the Ascended Master Teachings believe that this world is destined to again have a [[Golden Age]], a "Heaven on Earth", that will be permanent, unlike previous Golden Ages millions of years ago.<ref name="Unveiled_Mysteries">King, Godfre Ray. ''[http://www.sacred-texts.com/eso/um/index.htm Unveiled Mysteries]''. Saint Germain Press 1934. pages 42, 97, |
Students of the Ascended Master Teachings believe that this world is destined to again have a [[Golden Age]], a "Heaven on Earth", that will be permanent, unlike previous Golden Ages millions of years ago.<ref name="Unveiled_Mysteries">King, Godfre Ray. ''[http://www.sacred-texts.com/eso/um/index.htm Unveiled Mysteries]''. Saint Germain Press 1934. pages 42, 97, 136–137, 142, 167–168, 171–172, 225–226, 228, 236</ref> |
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==The Great White Brotherhood== |
==The Great White Brotherhood== |
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The [[Great White Brotherhood]], in belief systems akin to Theosophy, are said to be supernatural beings of great power who spread spiritual teachings through selected humans.<ref name="barrett">{{cite book|title= Sects, 'Cults', and Alternative Religions: A World Survey and Sourcebook|last= Barrett|first= David|year= 1996|publisher= Blandford|location= London|isbn= 0-7137-2567-2|url-access= registration|url= https://archive.org/details/sectscultsaltern00barr}}</ref> The members of the Brotherhood may be known as the Masters of the Ancient Wisdom or the Ascended masters.<ref name="barrett" /> Various people have said they have received messages from these beings, including most notably Helena Blavatsky (Theosophy), [[Aleister Crowley]] ([[Thelema]]), Alice Bailey ([[New Group of World Servers]]), Guy Ballard ([["I AM" Activity]]), Geraldine Innocente (The Bridge to Freedom), [[Mark L. Prophet]] & Elizabeth Clare Prophet (Church Universal and Triumphant) and [[Benjamin Creme]] ([[Share International]]).<ref name="barrett" /> |
The [[Great White Brotherhood]], in belief systems akin to Theosophy, are said to be supernatural beings of great power who spread spiritual teachings through selected humans.<ref name="barrett">{{cite book|title= Sects, 'Cults', and Alternative Religions: A World Survey and Sourcebook|last= Barrett|first= David|year= 1996|publisher= Blandford|location= London|isbn= 0-7137-2567-2|url-access= registration|url= https://archive.org/details/sectscultsaltern00barr}}</ref> The members of the Brotherhood may be known as the Masters of the Ancient Wisdom or the Ascended masters.<ref name="barrett" /> Various people have said they have received messages from these beings, including most notably Helena Blavatsky (Theosophy), [[Aleister Crowley]] ([[Thelema]]), Alice Bailey ([[New Group of World Servers]]), Guy Ballard ([["I AM" Activity]]), Geraldine Innocente (The Bridge to Freedom), [[Mark L. Prophet]] & Elizabeth Clare Prophet (Church Universal and Triumphant) and [[Benjamin Creme]] ([[Share International]]).<ref name="barrett" /> |
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The Masters are collectively called the "Great White Brotherhood" by various theosophists and esotericists. The use of the term |
The Masters are collectively called the "Great White Brotherhood" by various theosophists and esotericists. The use of the term ''white'' refers to their advanced spirituality (in other words, that they have a white colored |
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[[Aura (paranormal)|aura]]) and has nothing to do with race. Blavatsky described many of the Masters as ethnically [[Tibetan people|Tibetan]] or [[India]]n ([[Hindu]]), not [[European ethnic groups|European]].<ref>Sinnett, Alfred Percy. ''[[s:The Occult World/Occultism and Its Adepts#Page 24|The Occult World]]''. Boston: Colby & Rich, 1882.</ref> She did, however, describe them as being from all cultures and races, such as the "Greek gentleman" known as [[Master Hilarion|Hilarion]].<ref name="enigma">Sisson, Marina Cesar. [http://www.blavatskyarchives.com/sisson1.htm ''Helena Blavatsky and the Enigma of John King'']; originally published as ''Informativo HPB'', No. 3, 4 and 5 English translation.</ref> |
[[Aura (paranormal)|aura]]) and has nothing to do with race. Blavatsky described many of the Masters as ethnically [[Tibetan people|Tibetan]] or [[India]]n ([[Hindu]]), not [[European ethnic groups|European]].<ref>Sinnett, Alfred Percy. ''[[s:The Occult World/Occultism and Its Adepts#Page 24|The Occult World]]''. Boston: Colby & Rich, 1882.</ref> She did, however, describe them as being from all cultures and races, such as the "Greek gentleman" known as [[Master Hilarion|Hilarion]].<ref name="enigma">Sisson, Marina Cesar. [http://www.blavatskyarchives.com/sisson1.htm ''Helena Blavatsky and the Enigma of John King'']; originally published as ''Informativo HPB'', No. 3, 4 and 5 English translation.</ref> |
||
Belief in the Brotherhood and the Masters is an essential part of the [[syncretism|syncretistic]] teachings of various organizations that have taken the Theosophical philosophical concepts and added their own elements.<ref>Melton, Gordon J.; Partridge, Christopher. ''New Religions: A Guide: New Religious Movements, Sects and Alternative Spiritualities'', Oxford University Press, 2004.</ref> Examples of those believed to be |
Belief in the Brotherhood and the Masters is an essential part of the [[syncretism|syncretistic]] teachings of various organizations that have taken the Theosophical philosophical concepts and added their own elements.<ref>Melton, Gordon J.; Partridge, Christopher. ''New Religions: A Guide: New Religious Movements, Sects and Alternative Spiritualities'', Oxford University Press, 2004.</ref> Examples of those believed to be ascended masters by these organizations are: Jesus, Sanat Kumara, Buddha, Maitreya, [[Confucius]], [[Duke of Chou|Lord Lanto]] (Confucius' historical mentor), Mary the mother of Jesus, Lady Master Nada, [[Enoch (ancestor of Noah)|Enoch]], [[Kuan Yin|Kwan Yin]], Saint Germain, and [[Koot Hoomi]] (Kuthumi), to name but a few.<ref name="AM Ascended Master Dictation List' 1995">''I AM Ascended Master Dictation List'', Saint Germain Press Inc., 1995, Listing of those who are claimed to be Ascended Masters by The I AM Activity</ref> It is believed that all of these put aside any differences they might have had in their Earthly careers, and unite instead to advance the spiritual well-being of humanity.<ref>''The Great White Brotherhood in the Culture, History and Religion of America''. Summit University Press, 1975.</ref> |
||
==Dictations== |
==Dictations== |
||
Within "The I AM Activity" (founded by Guy Ballard in the early 1930s), claimed contact and cooperation with the |
Within "The I AM Activity" (founded by Guy Ballard in the early 1930s), claimed contact and cooperation with the ascended masters became a central part of each member's life. Through the Ballards as "messengers", the ascended masters were believed to have regularly communicated with the students of "The I AM Activity". These supposed addresses (known as "Dictations") were delivered before gatherings of members in Conclaves held throughout the United States of America, and published in the monthly periodical ''The Voice of The "I AM"'', and some were collected and reprinted in the "green books" of ''The Saint Germain Series''. In all, 3,834 claimed Dictations from the Masters were received through Guy and Edna Ballard. Other "Ascended Master Activities" believed that the ascended masters, cosmic beings, Elohim, and Archangels continued to present a program for both individual development and spiritual transformation in the world.<ref name="Partridge 2004. pages 330 - 334">Partridge, Christopher ed. ''New Religions: A Guide: New Religious Movements, Sects and Alternative Spiritualities'' Oxford University Press, USA 2004. Describes the religious organizations based on a belief in the Ascended Master Teachings, such as The I AM Activity, The Bridge to Freedom and The Summit Lighthouse. pages 330–334</ref> They believe that further instruction from the ascended masters and the rest of the spiritual hierarchy continued through new Dispensations with new Messengers, such as the Bridge to Freedom,<ref name="ReferenceE">''The Bridge to Freedom Journal'' 1951 - 1961 Reprinted by Ascended Master Teaching Foundation 1989</ref> the Summit Lighthouse, and the Temple of The Presence. |
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==The Aquarian Church== |
==The Aquarian Church== |
||
The Aquarian Christine Church Universal, Inc. (ACCU) is a denomination founded in 2006 based on '' |
The Aquarian Christine Church Universal, Inc. (ACCU) is a denomination founded in 2006 based on ''[[The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ]]'', said to be transcribed from the [[Akashic records]] by [[Levi Dowling|Levi H. Dowling]]. The Aquarian Christine Church actively promotes Ascended Master Teachings and shares many beliefs in common with the I AM Movement, White Eagle Lodge and New Thought and Theosophical groups. The book "Initiations of the Aquarian Masters: The Theosophy of the Aquarian Gospel" by ACCU founder Jacob L. Watson, expounds on the church's teachings which draw heavily from the writings of A.D.K. Luk (pen-name of Alice Beulah Schutz) (1905–1994), the Saint Germain Series published by the Saint Germain Press (The Saint Germain Foundation), and especially from "The Lost Years of Jesus" compiled by Elizabeth Clare Prophet and published by The Summit Lighthouse.<ref>Watson, Jacob L. "Initiations of the Aquarian Masters: The Theosophy of the Aquarian Gospel"</ref> |
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==Skeptical views== |
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⚫ | [[René Guénon]] wrote a detailed critique of Theosophy titled ''Theosophy: history of a pseudo-religion'' (1921). In the book Guenon speculated that Blavatsky had acquired all her knowledge naturally from other books not from any supernatural masters. Guenon points out that Blavatsky spent a long time visiting a library at New York where she had easy access to the works of [[Jacob Boehme]], [[Eliphas Levi]], the [[Kabbalah |
||
==Criticism== |
|||
⚫ | [[K. Paul Johnson]] suggests in his book ''The Masters Revealed: |
||
⚫ | [[René Guénon]] wrote a detailed critique of Theosophy titled ''Theosophy: history of a pseudo-religion'' (1921). In the book Guenon speculated that Blavatsky had acquired all her knowledge naturally from other books not from any supernatural masters. Guenon points out that Blavatsky spent a long time visiting a library at New York where she had easy access to the works of [[Jacob Boehme]], [[Eliphas Levi]], the [[Kabbalah]] and other [[Hermeticism|Hermetic]] treatises. Guenon also speculated that Blavatsky had borrowed passages from extracts of the ''[[Kanjur]]'' and ''[[Tanjur]]'', translated by the eccentric orientalist [[Sándor Kőrösi Csoma]], published in 1836 in the twentieth volume of the ''Asiatic Researchers of Calcutta''.<ref>{{cite book | first1=René |last1= Guénon |others= Alvin Moore, Jr. and Cecil Bethell (trans.)| title = Theosophy: history of a pseudo-religion | year=2004 | pages= 82–89 |publisher= Sophia Perennis |isbn= 9780900588808 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=7_WwVFntyFwC }}</ref> |
||
⚫ | [[K. Paul Johnson]] suggests in his book ''The Masters Revealed: Madame Blavatsky and Myth of the Great White Brotherhood'' that the Masters that Madam Blavatsky claimed she had personally met are idealizations of certain people she had met during her lifetime.<ref>Johnson, K. Paul. ''The Masters Revealed: Madame Blavatsky and Myth of the Great White Brotherhood'', Albany, New York: State University of New York Press, 1994.</ref> |
||
Also see the article "Talking to the Dead and Other Amusements" by [[Paul Zweig]], ''New York Times'' October 5, 1980, which speculates that Madame Blavatsky's revelations were fraudulent.<ref>Zweig, Paul. “Talking to the Dead and Other Amusements”, ''The New York Times'', 5 October 1980.</ref> |
|||
[[Robert Todd Carroll]] in his book ''The skeptic's dictionary'' (2003) speculates that Blavatsky used trickery into deceiving others into thinking she had paranormal powers. Carroll further speculates that Blavatsky had faked a materialization of a tea cup and saucer as well as written the messages from her masters herself.<ref>Carroll, Robert Todd. ''The skeptic's dictionary'', 2003, p. 376.</ref> |
[[Robert Todd Carroll]] in his book ''The skeptic's dictionary'' (2003) speculates that Blavatsky used trickery into deceiving others into thinking she had paranormal powers. Carroll further speculates that Blavatsky had faked a materialization of a tea cup and saucer as well as written the messages from her masters herself.<ref>Carroll, Robert Todd. ''The skeptic's dictionary'', 2003, p. 376.</ref> The article "Talking to the Dead and Other Amusements" by [[Paul Zweig]], ''New York Times'' October 5, 1980, also speculates that Madame Blavatsky's revelations were fraudulent.<ref>Zweig, Paul. "Talking to the Dead and Other Amusements", ''The New York Times'', 5 October 1980.</ref> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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* [[Khwajagan]] |
* [[Khwajagan]] |
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* [[Master Morya]] |
* [[Master Morya]] |
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* [[Obadiah Archer]] |
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* [[Once-returner]] |
* [[Once-returner]] |
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* [[Qutb]] |
* [[Qutb]] |
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Ascended masters in a number of movements in the theosophical tradition[1] are held to be spiritually enlightened beings who in past incarnations were ordinary humans, but who have undergone a series of spiritual transformations originally called initiations.
Both mahatma and ascended master are terms used in the Ascended Master Teachings. The concept of an ascended master is based on the theosophical concept of the Mahatma or Masters of the Ancient Wisdom. However, Mahatmas and ascended masters are believed by some to differ in certain respects.
According to the Ascended Master Teachings, a "Master of Light", "Healer" or "Spiritual Master" is a divine human being who has taken the Fifth Initiation and is thereby capable of dwelling in a 5th dimension. The teachings hold that an "ascended master" is a human being who has taken the Sixth Initiation, also referred to as Ascension,[2] and is thereby believed to be capable of dwelling in a 6th dimension.
The term ascended master was first used by Baird T. Spalding in 1924 in his series of books, Life and Teachings of the Masters of the Far East (DeVorss and Co.). Godfre Ray King (Guy Ballard) further popularized this concept of spiritual masters who had once lived on the earth in his book Unveiled Mysteries.[3][third-party source needed]
Definition
[edit]Adherents of the ascended master Teachings hold that the beliefs surrounding ascended masters were partially released by the Theosophical Society beginning in 1875, by C.W. Leadbeater and Alice A. Bailey, and began to have more detailed public release in the 1930s by the ascended masters through Guy Ballard in the I AM Activity.[4] However, theosophists maintain that the concept of an ascended master is an exaggeration and corruption of the more modest theosophical concept of "Master of the Ancient Wisdom".[5]
Guy Ballard said his work Unveiled Mysteries was dictated to him by the ascended master St. Germain.[3][6] Other Ascended Master Teachings are contained in The Bridge to Freedom (1951),[7] Mark Prophet and Elizabeth Clare Prophet's The Summit Lighthouse (1958) (reorganized as the Church Universal and Triumphant in 1975),[8] The Temple of The Presence (1995),[9] The Hearts Center (2005), the I AM University (2004), and various other organizations such as The White Eagle Lodge (1936) and the Aquarian Christine Church Universal (2006).[10][11]
Peter Mt. Shasta, who claims to be channeling the ascended master Saint Germain, has been releasing the ancient teachings in a more modern and simplified form, emphasizing the teaching that the masters can work with those who have an open heart and the desire to benefit humanity.[12]
Beliefs about ascended masters
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ad/Helena_Petrovna_Blavatsky.jpg/220px-Helena_Petrovna_Blavatsky.jpg)
The term ascended master was first introduced in 1934 by Guy Ballard with the publication of Unveiled Mysteries, a book which he said was dictated to him by the ascended master St. Germain.[13][14] Other Ascended Master Teachings are contained in The Bridge to Freedom (1951),[15] The Summit Lighthouse (1958) (known also as The Church Universal and Triumphant),[16] The Aetherius Society (1955),[17] The Temple of The Presence (1995),[9] the I AM University (2004), the White Eagle Lodge (1936) and the Aquarian Christine Church Universal, Inc. (2006).[18][19]
In Ascended Master Teachings there is also mention of Serapis Bey, a being who was incarnated as a high priest in one of the "Temples of the Sacred Fire" on Atlantis, and who migrated to Egypt at the time of the destruction of Atlantis.[20] It is also believed that he was incarnated as the Egyptian Pharaoh Amenhotep III (who constructed the Temple of Luxor to the god Amon)[21] and also as Leonidas, the King of Sparta,[22] who was killed in 480 BC defending the pass of Thermopylae against the invasion of ancient Greece by Emperor Xerxes I of the Persian Empire.
Other beliefs about ascended masters
[edit]Belief in the brotherhood[clarification needed] and the masters is an essential part of the beliefs of various organizations that have continued and expanded the concepts released in the original Saint Germain instruction in the 1930s through the "I AM" Activity. Examples of those believed by the ones proposing these teachings to be ascended masters would be the Master Jesus, Confucius, Gautama Buddha, Mary the mother of Jesus, St. Paul of Tarsus (a.k.a. Hilarion), Ashtar Sheran, Sanat Kumara, Melchizedek, Archangel Michael, Metatron, Kwan Yin, St. Germain and Kuthumi.[citation needed]
Jesus
[edit]Jesus is believed to be one of the Masters of the Ancient Wisdom in Theosophy and is one of the ascended masters in the Ascended Master Teachings. The Master Jesus is regarded by Theosophists as the Master of the Sixth Ray.[23]
It is believed by Ascended Master Teachings organizations that the Master Jesus was "Chohan of the Sixth Ray" until December 31, 1959, when, according to Elizabeth Clare Prophet, Lady Master Nada[who?] fully took on the Office in the Spiritual Hierarchy in his place. According to Prophet, Jesus became World Teacher, along with Kuthumi,[who?] on January 1, 1956, succeeding Maitreya, who took the Office of "Planetary Buddha" and "Cosmic Christ".[24]
According to Elizabeth Clare Prophet, Prophet of the Church Universal and Triumphant (the largest Ascended Master Teachings religion), the Master Jesus incarnated twice as the Emperor of Atlantis, once in 33,050 BC and again in 15,000 BC.[25]
According to Alice Bailey, the Master Jesus was previously incarnated as Joshua, the Hebrew military leader in the 13th century BC, and Joshua the High Priest in the sixth century BC.[26]
According to the Ascended Master Teachings,[27][28][29][30] Jesus was also incarnated as Joseph of the coat of many colors in the 17th century BC/16th century BC (approximately between 1650 BC and 1550 BC), as well as King David (who lived c. 1037 BC until around 970 BC), and Elisha in the 9th century BC.[31]
Sanat Kumara
[edit]According to the post-1900 publications of Theosophy (specifically, the writings of Charles W. Leadbeater, Alice Bailey, and Benjamin Creme, as well as the Ascended Master Teachings of Guy Ballard, Elizabeth Clare Prophet, Geraldine Innocente, Joshua David Stone, and other Ascended Master Teachings teachers), Sanat Kumara[32][33] is an "advanced being" of the Ninth Initiation (the highest initiation possible on planet Earth) who is regarded as the Lord or Regent of Earth and of humanity, and the head of the Spiritual Hierarchy of Earth who dwells in Shamballah.
It is believed by these authors that he is the founder of the Great White Brotherhood, which consists of Masters of the Ancient Wisdom (Fifth Initiation), ascended masters (Sixth Initiation), Chohans and Bodhisattvas (Seventh Initiation), Buddhas (Eighth Initiation), and highly spiritually-evolved volunteers from other worlds, who have all joined to advance spiritual evolution on Earth.[34]
Sanat Kumara was mentioned briefly by the theosophist Helena Blavatsky.[35] She claimed he belonged to a group of beings, the "Lords of the Flame", whom Christian tradition have misunderstood as Lucifer and the fallen angels.[36]
Sanat Kumara gained greater prominence when her follower Charles W. Leadbeater wrote that Sanat Kumara was the "King" or Lord of the World, and the head of the Great White Brotherhood of Mahatmas who had revealed the principles of theosophy.[37]
Maitreya
[edit]Initiation
[edit]According to C.W. Leadbeater, Initiation is a process by which "we try to develop ourselves not that we may become great and wise, but that we may have the power and knowledge to work for humanity to the best effect."[38] According to Alice Bailey, Initiation is the "process of undergoing an expansion of consciousness"[39]
Periodization
[edit]The fall of man
[edit]It is believed that since the "fall of man" during the time of the incarnation of the fourth root race, imperfection, limitations and discord increasingly entered into the world. The memory body is considered to have become known as a "soul", and this temporary personality has taken on the sense of a self that is separated and not connected to God. It is believed that a "Dictation" from Maitreya further clarified this matter through the "Messenger", Geraldine Innocente, on September 27, 1954, when what occurred during the time of the fourth root race was described:
Curiosity, rebellion against holding true to the Divine Pattern and the use of thought and feeling in creation of imperfection, began the building of what you call the 'soul'. It is a consciousness apart from the full Purity of God. The first thought a man had that was imperfect and impure, energized by a secret feeling, was a cause and that, sent out into the atmosphere, created an effect. Like a boomerang, the effect came back into the consciousness and made a record. That record was the beginning of an impression. Energy sent out in a certain manner returned to affect the lifestream who had sent it forth and there began to be created a shadow between the I AM Presence and the human consciousness. Endeavoring to contact the Presence, the individual would find these 'tramp' thoughts and feelings flowing through that line of contact until more and more imperfect was the conscious use of them. Finally, those centers got completely away from the control of the ego and acted independently.[40]
Dawning Golden Age
[edit]Students of the Ascended Master Teachings believe that this world is destined to again have a Golden Age, a "Heaven on Earth", that will be permanent, unlike previous Golden Ages millions of years ago.[41]
The Great White Brotherhood
[edit]The Great White Brotherhood, in belief systems akin to Theosophy, are said to be supernatural beings of great power who spread spiritual teachings through selected humans.[42] The members of the Brotherhood may be known as the Masters of the Ancient Wisdom or the Ascended masters.[42] Various people have said they have received messages from these beings, including most notably Helena Blavatsky (Theosophy), Aleister Crowley (Thelema), Alice Bailey (New Group of World Servers), Guy Ballard ("I AM" Activity), Geraldine Innocente (The Bridge to Freedom), Mark L. Prophet & Elizabeth Clare Prophet (Church Universal and Triumphant) and Benjamin Creme (Share International).[42]
The Masters are collectively called the "Great White Brotherhood" by various theosophists and esotericists. The use of the term white refers to their advanced spirituality (in other words, that they have a white colored aura) and has nothing to do with race. Blavatsky described many of the Masters as ethnically Tibetan or Indian (Hindu), not European.[43] She did, however, describe them as being from all cultures and races, such as the "Greek gentleman" known as Hilarion.[44]
Belief in the Brotherhood and the Masters is an essential part of the syncretistic teachings of various organizations that have taken the Theosophical philosophical concepts and added their own elements.[45] Examples of those believed to be ascended masters by these organizations are: Jesus, Sanat Kumara, Buddha, Maitreya, Confucius, Lord Lanto (Confucius' historical mentor), Mary the mother of Jesus, Lady Master Nada, Enoch, Kwan Yin, Saint Germain, and Koot Hoomi (Kuthumi), to name but a few.[46] It is believed that all of these put aside any differences they might have had in their Earthly careers, and unite instead to advance the spiritual well-being of humanity.[47]
Dictations
[edit]Within "The I AM Activity" (founded by Guy Ballard in the early 1930s), claimed contact and cooperation with the ascended masters became a central part of each member's life. Through the Ballards as "messengers", the ascended masters were believed to have regularly communicated with the students of "The I AM Activity". These supposed addresses (known as "Dictations") were delivered before gatherings of members in Conclaves held throughout the United States of America, and published in the monthly periodical The Voice of The "I AM", and some were collected and reprinted in the "green books" of The Saint Germain Series. In all, 3,834 claimed Dictations from the Masters were received through Guy and Edna Ballard. Other "Ascended Master Activities" believed that the ascended masters, cosmic beings, Elohim, and Archangels continued to present a program for both individual development and spiritual transformation in the world.[48] They believe that further instruction from the ascended masters and the rest of the spiritual hierarchy continued through new Dispensations with new Messengers, such as the Bridge to Freedom,[49] the Summit Lighthouse, and the Temple of The Presence.
The Aquarian Church
[edit]The Aquarian Christine Church Universal, Inc. (ACCU) is a denomination founded in 2006 based on The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ, said to be transcribed from the Akashic records by Levi H. Dowling. The Aquarian Christine Church actively promotes Ascended Master Teachings and shares many beliefs in common with the I AM Movement, White Eagle Lodge and New Thought and Theosophical groups. The book "Initiations of the Aquarian Masters: The Theosophy of the Aquarian Gospel" by ACCU founder Jacob L. Watson, expounds on the church's teachings which draw heavily from the writings of A.D.K. Luk (pen-name of Alice Beulah Schutz) (1905–1994), the Saint Germain Series published by the Saint Germain Press (The Saint Germain Foundation), and especially from "The Lost Years of Jesus" compiled by Elizabeth Clare Prophet and published by The Summit Lighthouse.[50]
Criticism
[edit]René Guénon wrote a detailed critique of Theosophy titled Theosophy: history of a pseudo-religion (1921). In the book Guenon speculated that Blavatsky had acquired all her knowledge naturally from other books not from any supernatural masters. Guenon points out that Blavatsky spent a long time visiting a library at New York where she had easy access to the works of Jacob Boehme, Eliphas Levi, the Kabbalah and other Hermetic treatises. Guenon also speculated that Blavatsky had borrowed passages from extracts of the Kanjur and Tanjur, translated by the eccentric orientalist Sándor Kőrösi Csoma, published in 1836 in the twentieth volume of the Asiatic Researchers of Calcutta.[51]
K. Paul Johnson suggests in his book The Masters Revealed: Madame Blavatsky and Myth of the Great White Brotherhood that the Masters that Madam Blavatsky claimed she had personally met are idealizations of certain people she had met during her lifetime.[52]
Robert Todd Carroll in his book The skeptic's dictionary (2003) speculates that Blavatsky used trickery into deceiving others into thinking she had paranormal powers. Carroll further speculates that Blavatsky had faked a materialization of a tea cup and saucer as well as written the messages from her masters herself.[53] The article "Talking to the Dead and Other Amusements" by Paul Zweig, New York Times October 5, 1980, also speculates that Madame Blavatsky's revelations were fraudulent.[54]
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ "Ascended Master". Encyclopedia.com.
- ^ Partridge, Christopher ed. New Religions: A Guide: New Religious Movements, Sects and Alternative Spiritualities, Oxford University Press, USA, 2004. Describes the Theosophical Society and religious organizations based on a belief in Ascended Masters, such as The I AM Activity, The Bridge to Freedom and The Summit Lighthouse. pp. 330–334.
- ^ a b King, Godfre Ray. Unveiled Mysteries. Chicago, Illinois: Saint Germain Press, 1934, p. vii: "The time has arrived, when the Great Wisdom, held and guarded for many centuries in the Far East, is now to come forth in America, at the command of those Great Ascended Masters who direct and protect the evolution of mankind upon this Earth."
- ^ King, Godfre Ray. The Magic Presence. Saint Germain Press 1935. page 89, 95
- ^ "Mahatmas versus Ascended Masters - Theosophical Society in America". Archived from the original on 2016-03-07.
- ^ Saint Germain Foundation. The History of the "I AM" Activity and Saint Germain Foundation. Schaumburg, Illinois: Saint Germain Press, 2003.
- ^ The Bridge to Freedom Journal (1951-1961) Reprinted by Ascended Master Teaching Foundation, 1989.
- ^ Lewis, James R. Church Universal and Triumphant in Scholarly Perspective Center For Academic Publication 1994.
- ^ a b White Paper - Wesak World Congress 2002. Acropolis Sophia Books & Works 2003
- ^ Braden, Charles S. These Also Believe, MacMillan Publishing Company 2000, pp. 257–307.
- ^ Watson, Jacob L. "Initiations of the Aquarian Masters: The Theosophy of the Aquarian Gospel" Outskirts Press, 2009. ISBN 978-1-4327-4598-1
- ^ "Adventures of a Western Mystic: Apprentice to the Masters" (Church of the Seven Rays, 2010)
- ^ King, Godfre Ray. Unveiled Mysteries. Chicago, Illinois: Saint Germain Press 1934 page vii: "The time has arrived, when the Great Wisdom, held and guarded for many centuries in the Far East, is now to come forth in America, at the command of those Great Ascended Masters who direct and protect the evolution of mankind upon this Earth."
- ^ Saint Germain Foundation. The History of the "I AM" Activity and Saint Germain Foundation. Schaumburg, Illinois: Saint Germain Press 2003
- ^ The Bridge to Freedom Journal (1951-1961) Reprinted by Ascended Master Teaching Foundation, 1989
- ^ Melton, J. Gordon (1994). Church Universal and Triumphant in Scholarly Perspective. Stanford, Calif. : Center for Academic Publication. pp. 1–2. ISBN 978-0-8191-9634-7.
- ^ "Ascended Masters & The Spiritual Hierarchy Of Earth". The Aetherius Society. Retrieved 2017-08-02.
- ^ Braden, Charles S. These Also Believe Macmillan Publishing Company 2000, pp. 257-307
- ^ Watson, Jacob L. "Initiations of the Aquarian Masters: The Theosophy of the Aquarian Gospel" Outskirts Press 2009 ISBN 978-1-4327-4598-1
- ^ Prophet, Mark L. and Elizabeth Clare Lords of the Seven Rays. Summit University, Livingston, Montana, USA, 1986, p. 149.
- ^ Prophet, Mark L. and Elizabeth Clare Lords of the Seven Rays, p. 153.
- ^ Prophet, Mark L. and Elizabeth Clare Lords of the Seven Rays, p. 150.
- ^ Bailey, Alice A, A Treatise on Cosmic Fire (Section Three - Division A - Certain Basic Statements), 1932, Lucis Trust, 1925, p. 1237.
- ^ Prophet, Mark L. and Elizabeth Clare Lords of the Seven Rays Livingston, Montana: Summit University Press 1986 page 225
- ^ Prophet, Elizabeth Clare and Prophet, Mark (as compiled by Annice Booth) The Masters and Their Retreats Corwin Springs, Montana:2003 Summit University Press Pages 142-143
- ^ Bailey, Alice A. Initiation, Human and Solar New York: Lucis Publishing, 1922, p. 56.
- ^ I AM Ascended Master Dictation List, Saint Germain Press Inc., 1995, Listing of Ascended Masters by The I AM Activity
- ^ Schroeder, Werner. Ascended Masters and Their Retreats, Ascended Master Teaching Foundation, 2004. Listing of those who are believed to be Ascended Masters by The I AM Activity and The Bridge to Freedom
- ^ Booth, Annice. The Masters and Their Retreats Summit Lighthouse Library, June 2003. Listing of those who are believed to be Ascended Masters by The I AM Activity, The Bridge to Freedom, and The Summit Lighthouse
- ^ Shearer, Monroe & Carolyn. I AM Adorations, Affirmations & Rhythmic Decrees, Acropolis Sophia Books and Works, 1998. Listing of Ascended Masters by The I AM Activity, The Bridge to Freedom, The Summit Lighthouse, and The Temple of The Presence
- ^ Prophet, Elizabeth Clare and Prophet, Mark (as compiled by Annice Booth) The Masters and Their Retreats Corwin Springs, Montana: Summit University Press, 2003, p. 143.
- ^ Sanat Kumara at ascension-research.org
- ^ A Progress Report On Our Ascension Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine at luisprada.com
- ^ Schroeder, Werner. Ascended Masters and Their Retreats, Ascended Master Teaching Foundation 2004. Describes the founding of Shamballah by Sanat Kumara
- ^ Blavatsky, Helena Petrovna. The Secret Doctrine: The Synthesis of Science, Religion, and Philosophy, Theosophical Publishing House, 1888. Sanat Kumara - Volume I: pp. 89, 457–458; Volume II: pp. 106, 140, 319, 584.
- ^ Blavatsky, Helena Petrovna. The Secret Doctrine: The Synthesis of Science, Religion, and Philosophy, Theosophical Publishing House, 1888. Volume II, pp. 243 ff.
- ^ Leadbeater, C.W. The Masters and the Path. Adyar, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1925 (Reprint: Kessinger Publishing, 1997), pp. 296-299.
- ^ Leadbeater, Charles W. The Masters and the Path, Adyar, Madras, India, Theosophical Publishing House, 1925, p. 166.
- ^ Bailey, Alice A. Initiation, Human and Solar New York: Lucis Publishing, 1922, p. 12.
- ^ The Bridge to Freedom Journal, February 1956 (Reprinted by Ascended Master Teaching Foundation 1989) Purported address from Maitreya on September 27, 1954 "through" Geraldine Innocente
- ^ King, Godfre Ray. Unveiled Mysteries. Saint Germain Press 1934. pages 42, 97, 136–137, 142, 167–168, 171–172, 225–226, 228, 236
- ^ a b c Barrett, David (1996). Sects, 'Cults', and Alternative Religions: A World Survey and Sourcebook. London: Blandford. ISBN 0-7137-2567-2.
- ^ Sinnett, Alfred Percy. The Occult World. Boston: Colby & Rich, 1882.
- ^ Sisson, Marina Cesar. Helena Blavatsky and the Enigma of John King; originally published as Informativo HPB, No. 3, 4 and 5 English translation.
- ^ Melton, Gordon J.; Partridge, Christopher. New Religions: A Guide: New Religious Movements, Sects and Alternative Spiritualities, Oxford University Press, 2004.
- ^ I AM Ascended Master Dictation List, Saint Germain Press Inc., 1995, Listing of those who are claimed to be Ascended Masters by The I AM Activity
- ^ The Great White Brotherhood in the Culture, History and Religion of America. Summit University Press, 1975.
- ^ Partridge, Christopher ed. New Religions: A Guide: New Religious Movements, Sects and Alternative Spiritualities Oxford University Press, USA 2004. Describes the religious organizations based on a belief in the Ascended Master Teachings, such as The I AM Activity, The Bridge to Freedom and The Summit Lighthouse. pages 330–334
- ^ The Bridge to Freedom Journal 1951 - 1961 Reprinted by Ascended Master Teaching Foundation 1989
- ^ Watson, Jacob L. "Initiations of the Aquarian Masters: The Theosophy of the Aquarian Gospel"
- ^ Guénon, René (2004). Theosophy: history of a pseudo-religion. Alvin Moore, Jr. and Cecil Bethell (trans.). Sophia Perennis. pp. 82–89. ISBN 9780900588808.
- ^ Johnson, K. Paul. The Masters Revealed: Madame Blavatsky and Myth of the Great White Brotherhood, Albany, New York: State University of New York Press, 1994.
- ^ Carroll, Robert Todd. The skeptic's dictionary, 2003, p. 376.
- ^ Zweig, Paul. "Talking to the Dead and Other Amusements", The New York Times, 5 October 1980.
References
[edit]- Braden, Charles S. These Also Believe MacMillan Publishing Company 1960 (Reprint 2000). The classic study of minority religions in the United States of America. ISBN 0-02-514360-3
- Cranston, Sylvia. H. P. B. : The Extraordinary Life & Influence of Helena Blavastsky . G. P. Putnam's Sons 1993 ISBN 0-9662115-1-0
- Godwin, Joscelyn (1994). The Theosophical Enlightenment. SUNY Press. ISBN 0-7914-2152-X
- King, Godfre Ray. Unveiled Mysteries. Saint Germain Press 1934. ISBN 1878891006
- King, Godfre Ray. The Magic Presence. Saint Germain Press 1935. ISBN 1878891065
- Milanovich, Norma & Shirley McCune. The Light Shall Set You Free. Athena Publishing 1996, 2004. ISBN 0962741752 Includes "quotes" from numerous Ascended Masters
- Leadbeater, C.W. The Masters and the Path . The Theosophical Publishing House 1925 (Reprint: Kessinger Publishing 1997). ISBN 1-56459-686-9
- Hall, Manly P. The Secret Teachings of All Ages "An Encyclopedic Outline of Masonic, Hermetic, Qabbalistic and Rosicrucian Symbolical Philosophy Being an Interpretation of the Secret Teachings Concealed within the Rituals, Allegories and Mysteries of all Ages" H.S. Crocker Company, Inc. 1928 (Reprint: Tarcher 2003) ISBN 1-58542-250-9
- Partridge, Christopher ed. New Religions: A Guide: New Religious Movements, Sects and Alternative Spiritualities Oxford University Press, US 2004. Describes The I AM Activity, The Bridge to Freedom and The Summit Lighthouse. ISBN 0195220420
- Partridge, Christopher ed. New Religions: A Guide: New Religious Movements, Sects and Alternative Spiritualities Oxford University Press, US 2004. Describes the Theosophical Society, The I AM Activity, The Bridge to Freedom and The Summit Lighthouse. ISBN 0-19-522042-0
- Saint Germain Foundation. The History of the "I AM" Activity and Saint Germain Foundation . Saint Germain Press 2003 ISBN 1-878891-99-5
- Saint Germain. I AM Discourses . Saint Germain Press 1935. ISBN 1-878891-48-0
- Mt. Shasta, Peter. Apprentice to the Masters: Adventures of Western Mystic, Book II ISBN 978-0692570449
Further reading
[edit]- Campbell, Bruce F. Ancient Wisdom Revived: A History of the Theosophical Movement Berkeley: 1980 University of California Press ISBN 9780520039681
- Johnson, K. Paul The Masters Revealed: Madam Blavatsky and Myth of the Great White Brotherhood Albany, New York: 1994 State University of New York Press ISBN 978-0791420645
- Melton, J. Gordon Encyclopedia of American Religions 5th Edition New York:1996 Gale Research ISBN 0-8103-7714-4 ISSN 1066-1212
- Chapter 18--"The Ancient Wisdom Family of Religions" Pages 151–158; see chart on page 154 listing Masters of the Ancient Wisdom;
- Section 18, Pages 717-757 Descriptions of various Ancient Wisdom religious organizations
- Melton, Gordon American Religious Creeds (Detroit: Gale, 1988; republished in three volumes, New York: Triumph Books, 1991) See chapter on the Ancient Wisdom group of religions. ISBN 978-0800730147
External links
[edit]- Ageless Wisdom Teachings
- The Saint Germain Foundation, Original publisher of Ascended Master Teachings beginning in 1934