What is ESOTERIC, MYSTICS (a.k.a. mysticism)

ESOTERIC -understood by or meant for only the select few who have special knowledge or interest; recondite: poetry full of esoteric allusions.
belonging to the select few.


private; secret; confidential.




(of a philosophical doctrine or the like) intended to be revealed only to the initiates of a group: the esoteric doctrines of Pythagoras.


Esoteric Philosophy is, essentially, the "Science of the Soul," and provides an insight into the synthetic nature of the energies and forces lying behind Man, Creation and the Phenomenal World. The Methods and Laws governing the understanding and utilization of these energies and forces are provided throughout various writings on the subject, and a mere introduction to these concepts have been compiled in the index below. While it is in no way a comprehensive treatment of Esoteric Philosophy, the information below should provide an interesting and provocative appeal to both the rational and intuitive aspects of the reader.



"The keynotes upon which the occult philosophy is built, are:


1. There is naught in manifestation except organized energy.


2. Energy follows or conforms itself to thought.


3. The occultist works in energy and with energies."
"The third eye is an energy centre constructed by man; it is a correspondence to the energy centre, the causal body, constructed by the Monad." (A Treatise on Cosmic Fire, p. 1160)




"Through the practice of the power of visualisation, the third eye is developed." (A Treatise on Cosmic Fire, p. 1010/1)




"The third or spiritual eye has several functions. Amongst others, it is the organ for illumination, the unveiled eye of the soul, through which light and illuination comes into the mind, and thus the entire lower life becomes irradiated. It is also the organ through which pours the directing energy which streams out from the consious creating adept to the instruments of service, his thought-forms.


The little evolved do not, of course, employ the third eye for the stimulating of their thought-forms." (A Treatise on Cosmic Fire, p. 974/5)






"When the third eye is used, which is the case in contemplation, it is the synthesiser and director of triple energy; hence the powerful work performed by those in whom it is functioning. The third eye only begins to function when the third circle of egoic petals is beginning slowly to unfold." (A Treatise on Cosmic Fire, p. 1007)






"One of the fundamental rules back of all magical processes is that no man is a magician or worker in white magic until the third eye is opened, or in process of opening, for it is by means of that eye that the thought-form is energised, directed and controlled and the lesser builders or forces are swept into any particular line of activity." (A Treatise on Cosmic Fire, p. 1008)






"The 'Eye of Shiva' in the human being has its position . . .in the centre of the forehead between the two physical eyes.


It is not to be confounded with the pineal gland, which is distinctly a physical centre or gland. The third eye exists in etheric matter, and is an etheric center of force, . . . whereas the pineal gland is formed of matter of the three lower sub-planes of the physical plane. The latter, nevertheless, has to be functioning more or less before the 'Eye of Shiva' becomes in any degree active." (A Treatise on Cosmic Fire, p. 1009)






"The third eye is the director of energy or force, and thus an instrument of the will of Spirit. . . . It is the eye of the inner vision, and he who has opened it can direct and control the energy of matter, see all things in the Eternal Now, and therefore be in touch with causes more than with effects, read the akashic records, and see clairvoyantly. . . . It is through the medium of this 'all-seeing eye' that the Adepts can at any moment put Himself in touch with his disciples anywhere." (A Treatise on Cosmic Fire, p. 1010/1)






"The third eye links the awakened physical plane man with the astral or subjective world, and enables him to function consciously there. . . . The third eye is the window of the Ego or soul functioning on the physical plane whereby he looks inward into the three worlds." (A Treatise on Cosmic Fire, p. 1130)

esoteric symbols

MYSTICISM -

- Immediate consciousness of the transcendent or ultimate reality or God.

- The experience of such communion as described by mystics.

- A belief in the existence of realities beyond perceptual or intellectual apprehension that are central to being and directly accessible by subjective experience.

A philosophy based upon spiritual intuition that is believed to transcend ordinary sensory experiences or understanding.




What is Christian Mysticism?
                       
         It is Christianity predating Orthodoxy. It has some of it roots in Buddhism and Hinduism and looks at Christianity from an esoteric point of view. It's more of a philosophy then religion, they didn't have an organized belief system, people would just get together and everyday a different person from the congregation would lead the congregation, discussing Christ and his messages and how to understand and be closer to God. It's no longer practiced though I've heard it has had a revival. It was rediscovered in archeology by the Nag Hammadi Library which contains the teachings of Christian Mysticism.


Why is Christian mysticism sometimes disperspect among christian?


There are six levels of spiritual maturity:



+ Information (lowest)


+ Knowledge


+ Intelligence


+ Understanding


+ Wisdom


+ Transformation (highest)
 

   Some Christians never progress past the legalism of the stages of Information and Knowledge.Many others like mystics progress much further. Some Christians who are less mature do not understand the mysticism of more mature Christians.
As Paul encourages in Hebrews 6:1, "Therefore, let us leave behind the basic teaching about Christ and advance to maturity