The term can also refer to the academic study of esoteric religious movements and philosophies, or more generally of alternative or marginalized religious movements or philosophies whose proponents distinguish their beliefs, practices, and experiences from mainstream institutionalized traditions. Examples of esoteric religious movements and philosophies include Alchemy, Astrology, Anthroposophy, C
hristian mysticism, Magic, Mesmerism, Rosicrucianism, Swedenborgianism, Spiritualism, Freemasonry, the Christian Theosophy of Jacob Böhme and his followers, and the Theosophical currents associated with Helena Blavatsky and her followers. There are competing views regarding the common traits uniting these currents, not all of which involve "inwardness", mystery, occultism or secrecy as a crucial trait
Etymology
Plato, in his dialogue Alcibíades (circa 390 BC), uses the expression ta esô meaning "the inner things", and in his dialogue Theaetetus (circa 360 BC) he uses ta exô meaning "the outside things". The probable first appearance of the Greek adjective esôterikos is in Lucian of Samosata's "The Auction of Lives", § 26, written around AD 166.[4]
The term esoteric first appeared in English in the 1701 History of Philosophy by Thomas Stanley, in his description of the mystery-school of Pythagoras; the Pythagoreans were divided into "exoteric" (under training), and "esoteric" (admitted into the "inner" circle). The corresponding noun "esotericism" was coined in French by Jacques Matter in 1828 and popularized by Eliphas Levi in the 1850s.[5] [1]. It entered the English language in the 1880s via the works of theosophist Alfred Sinnett. Definition
Among the competing understandings of what unites the various currents designated by "Esotericism" in the scholarly sense, perhaps the most influential has been proposed by Antoine Faivre. His definition is based on the presence in the esoteric currents of four essential characteristics: a theory of correspondences between all parts of the invisible and the visible cosmos, the conviction that nature is a living entity owing to a divine presence or life-force, the need for mediating elements (such as symbols, rituals, angels, visions) in order to access spiritual knowledge, and, fourthly, an experience of personal and spiritual transmutation when arriving at this knowledge. To this are added two non-intrinsic characteristics. Esotericists frequently suggest that there is a concordance between different religious traditions: best example is the belief in prisca theologia (ancient theology) or in philosophia perennis (perennial philosophy). Finally, esotericism sometimes suggests the idea of a secret transmission of spiritual teachings, through initiation from master to disciple.[6] It should, however, be emphasized that Faivre's definition is one of several divergent understandings of the most appropriate use of the term. The “perennialist” or “traditionalist” school is represented by authors like the French René Guénon (1886–1951), the Indian Ananda Coomaraswamy (1877–1947), the Swiss Frithjof Schuon (1907–1998), the Italian Julius Evola (1898–1974), the Iranian Seyyed Hossein Nasr (born in 1933), both scholars and esotericists. They postulate that there exists a Primordial Tradition of non-human origin.
“We say that it [the origin of the traditions] is polar, and the pole is nomore Western than it is Eastern. It is only in a later epoch that the seat of the primordial tradition, transferred to other regions, was able to become either Western or Eastern. We consider the origin of the traditions to be Nordic, and even more to be polar, since this is expressly affirmed in the Veda as well as in other sacred books.” [7] [2]
In perennialist usage, esoterism is a metaphysical concept referring to a supposed “transcendent unity” of all great religious traditions. Esotericism is the metaphysical point of unity where exoteric religions are believed to converge.[8] [3]
“Our starting point is the acknowledgment of the fact that there are diverse religions which exclude each other. This could mean that one religion is right and that all the others are false; it could mean also that all are false. In reality, it means that all are right, not in their dogmatic exclusivism, but in their unanimous inner signification, which coincides with pure metaphysics, or in other terms, with the philosophia perennis.” (F. After all, the esoteric tradition may be recovered if the seeker undergoes initiation.
“Initiation is essentially the transmission of a spiritual influence, a transmission that can only take place through a regular, traditional organization, so that one cannot speak of initiation outside of an affiliation with an organization of this kind. We have explained that 'regularity' must be understood to exclude all pseudo-initiatic organizations, which, regardless of pretention and outward appearance, in no way possess any spiritual influence and thus are incapable of transmitting anything.” [9]
[edit] History
Since esotericism is not a single tradition but a vast array of often unrelated figures and movements, there is no single historical thread underlying them all.[10] The developments that one might wish to emphasize in drawing up a history of esotericism furthermore depends on whether esotericism in the dictionary (non-scholarly) or the scholarly sense is intended. Several historically attested religions emphasize secret or hidden knowledge, and are thus esoteric in the dictionary sense, without necessarily being esoteric movements in the scholarly sense of the word. Thus, the Roman Empire had several mystery religions which emphasized initiation. Some saw Christianity, with its ritual of baptism, as a mystery religion. None of these are "esoteric" in the scholarly sense. The terms "Gnosticism" and "Gnosis" refer to a family of religious movements which claimed to possess secret knowledge (gnosis). Another important movement from the ancient world was Hermeticism or Hermetism. Both of these are often seen as precursors to esoteric movements in the scholarly sense of the word. Non-Western traditions can also display the characteristics of esoteric movements. The Ismaili Muslims also stress a distinction between the inner and the outer. It is believed that spiritual salvation is attained by receiving the 'Nur' (light) through the "esoteric", that is, spiritual search for enlightenment. Ismaili Islam also has some of the characteristics associated with esotericism as defined by Faivre, e.g. the belief in an intermediate spiritual sphere mediating between humans and the divine. Esoteric movements in Buddhism, which fall under the general category of Vajrayana Buddhism, employ esoteric training into Buddha's teachings, through use of symbols, mantra and hand-gestures, or mudra. Initiation rituals are typically given to students as they progress along these paths, and care is taken not to discuss specific rituals to those lacking the right empowerment. In order to distinguish esoteric currents based primarily on sources from late Antiquity and the European Middle Ages, from e.g. Islamic or Jewish currents with similar features, the more precise term "Western esotericism" is often employed. Western esoteric movements in the scholarly sense thus have roots in Antiquity and the Middle Ages. A major phase in the development of Western esotericism begins in the Renaissance, partly as the result of various attempts to revive such earlier movements. During the Italian Renaissance, for example, translators such as Ficino and Pico della Mirandola turned their attention to the classical literature of Neoplatonism, and what was thought to be the pre-Mosaic tradition of Hermeticism. Other pursuits of Antiquity that entered into the mix of esoteric speculation were astrology and alchemy. Beside such revived currents from late Antiquity, a second major source of esoteric speculation is the Kabbalah, which was lifted out of its Jewish context and adapted to a Christian framework by people such as Johannes Reuchlin. Outside the Italian Renaissance, yet another major current of esotericism was initiated by Paracelsus, who combined alchemical and astrological themes (among others) into a complex body of doctrines. In the early 17th century, esotericism is represented by currents such as Christian theosophy and Rosicrucianism. A century later, esoteric ideas entered various strands of Freemasonry. Later in the 18th century, as well as in the early 19th century, the diffuse movement known as Mesmerism became a major expression of esotericism. In the 19th century, esotericism is also represented by certain aspects of the philosophy, literature and science associated with Romanticism, by spiritualism, and by a notable French wave of occultism. The major exponent of esotericism in the latter part of the 19th century is the Theosophy of H. Blavatsky, not to be confused with the Christian Theosophy mentioned above. In the 20th century, Theosophy was reformulated by Annie Besant, Charles Webster Leadbeater, Alice Bailey, Rudolf Steiner and many others, and became the source for a whole range of post-theosophical movements such as The Summit Lighthouse. A particularly successful post-theosophical movement is Anthroposophy, a synthesis of occultist, Christian and Neoplatonic ideas with Western esoteric concepts as formulated in the wake of Theosophy. Anthroposophy, which was founded by Rudolf Steiner in the early part of the 20th century, includes esoteric versions of education, agriculture, and medicine. Yet another notable esoteric strain stems from the teachings of G. Theosophy is also considered a major influence on the many less institutionally organized varieties of esotericism in metaphysical milieus, "Ascended Master Activities", and within the New Age. Finally, it can be noted that Carl Gustav Jung can be seen as an exponent of esotericism: his writings concern esoteric subject matter such as alchemy, and rephrased the concept of correspondences in a modern, psychologizing terminology in his theory of synchronicity.
[edit] Methodology
Wouter J. Hanegraaff is Professor of “History of Hermetic Philosophy and Related Currents” at the University of Amsterdam (1999). The Universiteit van Amsterdam (UvA) is the world's first academic institution to have created a complete program for research and teaching in the field of Western Esotericism.[4] He is also president of the European Society for the Study of Western Esotericism. Essential to Hanegraaff’s methodology is what he calls an “empirical” approach, with an informed, open, and, so much as possible, neutral mind. He makes a sharp division between a “religionist” perspective and an “empiricist” one.
“Empirical research must be based on methodological agnosticism with regard to religious and philosophical ‘first principles’, and must fully recognize the historicity of religious phenomena. This empirical perspective is applied to the newly emerging academic field of esotericism.” [12]
Secondly, Hanegraaff follows a distinction between an “emic” and an “etic” approach to religious studies. [5] The emic approach is that of the alchemist or theosopher as an alchemist or theosopher. The etic approach is that of the scholar as an historian, a researcher, with a critical look. An empirical study of esotericism needs “emic material and etic interpretation”.
“The principal theoretical tool to safeguard scientific legitimity in this situation is the distinction between emic and etic. Emic denotes the believer’s point of view. On the part of the researcher, the reconstruction of this emic perspective requires an attitude of empathy which excludes personel [sic?] biases as far as possible. Scholarly discourse about religion, on the other hand, is not emic but etic. Scholars may introduce their own terminology and make theoretical distinctions which are different from those of the believers themselves.”
Pierre A. Riffard (Ph.D., University of the French West Indies) studies the method used by esotericists themselves (alchemists, magicians, Rosicrucians, Anthroposophists...).[14] He examines some of their procedures. 1) Mythological origins. The esotericists trace the origins of their doctrine or practice to an extremely distant past. They situate the life of Hermes in times immemorial. 2) Cosmic cycles. For Gaston Georgel, “history is governed by cycles of 540, 1080 and 2160 years”. 3) The chains of initiation. Some Rosicrucians include Francis Bacon among their masters and trace their origins back to the time of Thutmosis III. 4) The secret books. Esotericists prefer to base their beliefs on secret writings, unknown to the majority of people and inaccessible to the uninitiated: for instance, among the Theosophists, The Book of Dzyan. 5) Spiritual interpretations. The esotericists are able to endow the most profane texts with an occult meaning. The alchemists discover within the Greek and Roman myths the Great Work of alchemy. 6) Magical uses. A book can be used as a talisman, a divinatory machine... The Sortes Sanctorum (Lots of the saints) were, in early Christianity, a divination which consists in taking passages of the Bible at chance, and drawing conclusions from them concerning future. Arthur Versluis (Professor, Ph.D., Michigan State University) proposes the term “sympathetic empiricism” as the approach that he finds most amenable in the study of Western Esotericism.
“While I am convinced of the critical importance of historiography in the study of esotericism (and for this reason all of my academic books are firmly grounded in historical method) I do not believe that historiography is adequate in itself to convey the complex, multivalent nature of esoteric thought, traditions, or most of all, experience. Esotericism, given all its varied forms and its inherently multidimensional nature, cannot be conveyed without going beyond purely historical information: at minimum, the study of esotericism, and in particular mysticism, requires some degree of imaginative participation in what one is study. Some esoteric schools
The Arcane School
This school was founded by Alice A. Bailey in New York in 1923, specializing in esoteric discipleship training. They carefully distinguish themselves as not a probationary path type of group that is involved in psychism or astralism, but they neither claim to be an advanced one - the future schools that is involved in preparing disciples for the great initiations. As an intermediate type of esoteric school, the work involves the self-discipline ("discipleship") of integrating the personality with that of the Soul. Instructions are via correspondence using the distance learning model, with focus on 3 areas- study, meditation, and service. The scope of materials will cover a lifetime of training. Orientation is towards the new emerging pattern of presentation of the mystery teachings that combine the east and the west. Not mystical or transcendental, but occult and practical. School for Esoteric Studies
This school was founded under the same stream, philosophy, and inspiration as that of the Arcane School. Both uses the same program of training. However, SES prefers to focus on deepening the vertical development of the student more than the widening of his/her horizontal reach. They are more in line with the open-source concept of online education. University of Seven Rays - Morya Federation Online School of Esoteric Education
This is a new initiative started by the University of the Seven Rays that aims to teach the Ageless Wisdom (and train future esotericists) derived from the inspiration of both DK and the Master M. It will be structured formally much like a formal University but content will be delivered online. There will be a 2-year and a 5-year program. It calls itself a “Federation”, because a number of emerging and existent esoteric schools and colleges are affiliated with it, much like a faculty consortium. Theosophical Society
The society was founded by Helena P. Blavatsky in New York City in 1875. This is often referred to as the first modern public revival of the mystery schools in the Western world since the dark ages (when most esoteric groups went underground to shield themselves from persecution). However, it is not offering any structured or systematized form of esoteric training. To fully benefit from the group, one has to be pro-active and participate in its Theosophical correspondence courses, self-transformation seminar-workshops, and seek entrance into its esoteric section, if available in a local lodge. Servants of the Light (SOL)
A school of the Western Mystery Tradition tracing its modern day roots to Dion Fortune of the Golden Dawn and, later of her own: Society of the Inner Light. A fully contacted school, SOL was formally established as an independent esoteric school in 1972 by WE Butler and Gareth Knight. Its focus is meditation and path working on the Qabalistic tree of life, Arthurian myths and symbols, and training on individual and group ritual work. Current director of studies is Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki and their headquarrter is in the UK but they also accept students worldwide via their correspondence course. You may also want to read, What is an Esoteric School? Some esoteric educational groups
Agni Yoga Society
"The Agni Yoga Society was founded in 1920 by Nicholas Roerich and his wife Helena. The Society has little formal structure. There are no schools, no study courses, no classes. But it is available to all who study the books. Unlike previous yogas, Agni Yoga is a path not of physical disciplines, meditation, or asceticism—but of practice in daily life. It is the yoga of fiery energy, of consciousness, of responsible, directed thought. Though not systematized in an ordinary sense, Agni Yoga is a Teaching that helps the discerning student to discover moral and spiritual guide-posts by which to learn to govern his or her life and thus contribute to the Common Good. For this reason Agni Yoga has been called a "living ethic." Torkom Saraydarian Group University
They offer short term online courses on esoteric sciences and full length degrees as well. It was founded by Gita Saraydarian in the US after the death of her father, Torkom, a prolific writer and teacher of the Ageless wisdom teachings. Torkom's writings incorporated the teachings of Agni Yoga to the AAB-HPB stream. Most notable is his talent to simply complex esoteric concepts into simple words and tell them in the light of his own experiences and life stories. White Mountain Education Association
The association is located in Arizona and has been in existence long before the TSG Foundation was established. Similarly, the teachings are based on Agni Yoga and AAB. Torkom Saraydarian also contributed much to the resource materials in this training institute. Rosicrucian Fellowship
A modern version of Rosicrucianism introduced by Max Heindel in 1910 that is consistent with the core principles of the Ageless Wisdom and the cosmology of HP Blavatsky. The focus of the group are spiritual healing, spiritual astrology, and the esoteric interpretation of the Christian Bible. General Anthroposophical Society
Anthroposophy started in Germany in 1912 by Rudolf Steiner. The spiritual teachings were derived from HPB's Theosophical stream but this new version was made more practical. It has a strong focus on social transformation via the introduction of its own spiritually based system of education, banking, medicine, and even agriculture. Esoteric training is being done through its School of Spiritual Science. The School of Ageless Wisdom
This group is dedicated to the study and dissemination of the cosmology and teachings of the ageless wisdom based on the writings of Alice Bailey and Helena Roerich's Agni Yoga. Its foremost service activity is anchored on the educational fields - the pedagogical model and curricula of the Robert Muller School, Balanced Beginnings, and the Global Elementary Curricular Model of the United Nations. Astara
Its esoteric teachings also descended from the Ageless Wisdom stream of HPB-AAB plus the founders' own spiritual experiences and practices. It was founded in 1951 by the late Earlyne and Robert Chaney. Some occult & fraternal orders
International Co-Freemasonry - Le Droit Humain
This brand of freemasonry is open to both men and women without distinction of ethnicity and personal beliefs, and was promoted by Annie Besant in the early 20th century. Freemasonry, in general, is the 7th and 1st ray expression of the ancient wisdom and has co-existed together with other esoteric schools since the middle ages. Builders of the Adytum
BOTA was founded by Dr. Paul Foster Case which first became a member of the Order of the Golden Dawn. In cooperation with an inner school adept, he established this new order which incorporated the teachings of the Holy Qabalah, the Tarot, symbols of Freemasonry, and the core principles of the Ageless Wisdom. Fraternity of the Hidden Light
This Order has the same lineage as BOTA and uses the same body of teaching given by Paul Foster Case. But they are more ritually oriented and has more temple-lodges for group ritual work. Open Source Order of the Golden Dawn
Among all the remaining Golder Dawn Orders existing today, this is so far the most transparent, democratic and accessible (web-based) to any seekers wishing to study its systems and rituals. Some training institutes
Universal Healing Tao Center
A training center offering a complete system of Taoist esoteric yoga. This center is based in Thailand and their workshop are being offered there, but there are also affiliated centers worldwide that offer its training program. For seekers who are interested in making his physical, as well as his etheric or energy or "chi" body strong and on top health condition. The beauty of this system is that it is D.I.Y. friendly. One can just order their books online and the instructions in it are easy to follow and understand. Healing Tao USA (Michael Winn)
This center is affiliated and has originated from Mantak Chia's Universal Tao system. Michael Winn added his own insights and new spin to the techniques based on his own personal experiences from his training from other Taoist masters in China. Ananda Marga Yoga
If the spiritual seeker really wants to go deeper into Hatha yoga or in practising the Asanas, Ananda Marga's brand of yoga is one of the better schools. They have been in their craft for a very long time and they are serious about man's holistic health and well-being. Their instructors are not only graduates of yoga teaching certificate courses, but (more important) they are also spiritual practitioners of this path for real. They embrace the yoga philosophy and most of the instructors are missionaries. However, one is free not be involved in the initiatory or religious processes of the group. They are also actively involved in human betterment initiatives, ecology, social justice, and in the education and empowerment of underdeveloped communities. International Network of Esoteric Healing
Their training program is based on the ideas presented in Alice A. Bailey's excellent book, "Esoteric Healing". While the techniques of energy healing may include their own innovative interpretations, the causes of diseases, the rules for healing, as well as the more important concept that alignment to one's Soul is the only lasting source of healing are all based on the original spirit of AAB's teachings. World Institute for Safe and Effective Meditation
This institute modernized ancient esoteric techniques and ageless wisdom concepts and adapted them for use of people in leadership positions, business executives, professional, and university students. Mr. Del Pe developed this new presentation to be delivered in a non-dogmatic and empowering way, minus the cultic or "guru-worship" mentality that usually goes with similar systems. His institute teaches energy healing sciences, meditation techniques to maximize performance, organizational leadership and productivity, and methods to develop the human energy centers. Institute for Inner Studies
The late Mr. Choa Kok Sui pioneered the systematization of the Ancient art of Pranic Healing into a replicable and teachable science. The training institute he founded aims to propagate pranic healing on a global scale, which in effect, validates the existence of what the Ageless Wisdom terms as the etheric plane or the bio-magnetic energy field surrounding the planet. His institute also teaches a form of kundalini yoga meditation which he termed, "Arhatic yoga". Inner Mind Development Institute
Jimmy Licauco, author of many books on paranormal research and psychic phenomena, founded this scientific training institute for developing the inner mind. Accordingly, the training aims in making the left and right hemispheres of the brain function as a unified whole. He uses some ageless wisdom teachings and recent discoveries in PSI sciences, as bases for his programmes. Kalipunan LakdawLiknayin
Engr Marco Dela Cruz of the Philippine Metaphysics Society pioneered the research of the supposed mystical origins of the ancient South East Asian script, the Baybayin (popularly known as alibata) that is said to be comparable to the ancient Hebrew script. His group has been around since the 1980s and also teaches healing arts, internal alchemy, exorcism, and helps people who are victims of dark spells and hexes. He wrote 2 books on Healings and Initiations.
