Initiation v. Religion
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No doubt about the etymology - and that's why I often use the word "religion" in places that startles some people.
So anther layer of this discussion is, "What do these words mean in normal usage that people will understand" vs. "What would we like these words to mean in an ideal world of linguistic purity."
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@Jim Eshelman said
" "What do these words mean in normal usage that people will understand" ""
yeah ...um...well... i just dont buy the websters definition...or lets say I disagree with it
stay away from mainstream media...and mainstream dictionariesIMHO there are far more aspects that make a religion a religion besides what Websters lists.....specifically ( I have already posted this somewhere else, i am a repetitive sort of person) the control /cultural organization elements comes to mind
and once again, what "religion" really means is ultimately depending on how we as individuals choose to use the term. by using it in conversation/literature/message boards etc according to our subjective understanding of the word, we are shaping its definition/meaning...and who knows then they might even update the dictionaries accordingly...
btw, welcome marc!
is the board now open to the public or are u a guinea pig to test the waters in here? ;D -
@anima solis said
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@Jim Eshelman said
" "What do these words mean in normal usage that people will understand" ""yeah ...um...well... i just dont buy the websters definition...or lets say I disagree with it
stay away from mainstream media...and mainstream dictionariesIMHO there are far more aspects that make a religion a religion besides what Websters lists.....specifically ( I have already posted this somewhere else, i am a repetitive sort of person) the control /cultural organization elements comes to mind
and once again, what "religion" really means is ultimately depending on how we as individuals choose to use the term. by using it in conversation/literature/message boards etc according to our subjective understanding of the word, we are shaping its definition/meaning...and who knows then they might even update the dictionaries accordingly..."
They probably will update the dictionary accordingly. What isn't going to change, however, is that the root of the word -- religare or somesuch -- means "to bind". At root, this is all the word means. Any other defining we do to it merely dresses it with our own projections. Therefore the literal translation of the word can only mean something to the effect of "that which binds a person more tightly to the Universe" -- substitute God, The Great One, Big Daddy, the Chief, or whatever else you want to call It. Religion is Yoga.
I have found over the years that studying a word's etymology in order to get at what it actually means has some of the same effect of working with gematria -- that is, it is a seed of meditation that creates pathways to related ideas, leading to a greater understanding of the interrelationship of things.
All of which is not to discount whatever the profane might mean when they are referring to religion -- and it is useful and important to know that, in certain (perhaps most) settings; but note that your definition merely puts forth your own anti-establishment bias. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but religion does not translate to "a system of control of the masses".
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We might as well suck on both teats...
Main Entry: ini·ti·a·tion
Pronunciation: i-"ni-shE-'A-sh&n
Function: noun
1 a : the act or an instance of initiating b : the process of being initiated c : the rites, ceremonies, ordeals, or instructions with which one is made a member of a sect or society or is invested with a particular function or status
2 : the condition of being initiated into some experience or sphere of activity : KNOWLEDGEABLENESS -
Religion, by definition is re-connecting with the divine. Initiation is living or directly experiencing this reconnection. This requires a dramatic transformation of consciousness. Most of the time, religion doesn't necessarily imply or provide the mystical experience or the divine experience. It just shows the potential. Initiation puts you in direct contact with the powers of the divine, that is, the divine within you.
A lot of people are not ready to process this experience, because they sense that something HAS to die.
As I understand this, death is the only thing that stands between you and life, and to conquer death you only have to die.
Now this is the death of the ego, and to be reborn you have to shed the old you... the real process of initiation. -
What is more, Religion is often the exoteric degenerated residue of an original pristine esoteric initiatory tradition. Christianity itself offers an oustanding case in point. It is not for nothing Baptism is called "The Rite of Christian Initiation" in the Roman Catholic Church.
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@zeph said
"Therefore the literal translation of the word can only mean something to the effect of "that which binds a person more tightly to the Universe"
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it is a seed of meditation that creates pathways to related ideas, leading to a greater understanding of the interrelationship of things."Rather like the rope binds the foot of the Hanged Man to the framework of the Universe, so that His meditation will lead to greater understanding of the relationship between personal and Universal.
~*~
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This thread has brought to light a recent issue I have been struggling with. Although I know the answer and meaning will be clear for me as I work through the argument, it still seems it would be good to discuss this here.
Abraham was reticent about making clear to Lamech (as book One of the sacred Magic of Abramelin records) that one should not renounce the Religion one is born with. As Mathers stated, many Occultists would have some disagreement with this, and until the meaning is clear to me, it is troublesome.
Can anyone shed a little light on this?
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@Nudor said
"This thread has brought to light a recent issue I have been struggling with. Although I know the answer and meaning will be clear for me as I work through the argument, it still seems it would be good to discuss this here.
Abraham was reticent about making clear to Lamech (as book One of the sacred Magic of Abramelin records) that one should not renounce the Religion one is born with. As Mathers stated, many Occultists would have some disagreement with this, and until the meaning is clear to me, it is troublesome.
Can anyone shed a little light on this?"
The Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage is a helpful instruction and pathworking for one who desires his Holy Guardian Angel to be Satan.
And I will say nothing at this time concerning a few other divers and sundry minutia in that book, but I have heard of old that the sages give utterance that Satan has been known to deceive.
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At what time do you think you will speak about those "other divers and sundry minutia in that book?" I'd like to read what you have to write about them.
Also, how did you come to the conclusion that the method of attaining the conversation with the HGA in that book brings you to Satan? It would be interesting as I don't know anyone personally who has used the Abramelin working.