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Initiation, Human and Solar - Chapter XIV - The Administration of the Oath
THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE OATH The Work of the Lodge during Initiation We now come to the most solemn part of the initiation ceremony. This ceremony, from one point of view, divide itself into three parts: First. That in which the initiate is concerned and in which he realizes his own august Self, the Presence and sees the vision and the plan. Second. That in which the Initiator is concerned, in which he wields the Rod of Fire, and effects certain specific results in the body of the applicant. Third. That in which certain words and formulas are committed to the initiate by the Hierophant, an which he carries away within his consciousness in order the better to carry out that portion of the plan which concerns himself. During the whole procedure the Lodge of Masters, congregated without the Triangle of force, has been occupied with a threefold work, their aim being to produce certain results in the consciousness of the initiate and thus to aid the Hierophant in his strenuous endeavor. It must be remembered that under the law of economy wherever there is an application or a transmission of force from one force center to another there is a consequent diminution in the center of withdrawal. This is the basis of the set times an seasons in connection with the initiation ceremony. The sun [143] is the source of all energy and power, and the work of the Initiator is facilitated when advantage is taken of favorable solar conditions. The times and seasons are ascertained through esoteric solar and cosmic astrology; this being based, of course, on the correct figures, the true mathematical conception, and a real knowledge of the basic facts concerning the planets and the solar system. The horoscope of the initiate is also invariably cast so as to check the time for an individual initiation, and only when the individual signs blend and coincide with the ceremonial chart by which the Initiator is guided, is it possible to perform the ceremony. This is the reason why sometimes initiation has to be postponed to a later life, even when the initiate has done the necessary work. The threefold work of the Lodge during the ceremony may be described as follows: First: The chanting of certain mantrams sets loose energy from a particular planetary Center. It must be remembered here that every planetary scheme is a Center in the body of a Solar Logos, and embodies a peculiar type of energy or force. According to the energy desired at a particular initiation, so it is transferred, via the sun, from that planetary Center to the initiate. The procedure is as follows: The energy is set in motion from the planetary Center through the power of the Planetary Logos, aided by the scientific knowledge of the Lodge, and the utilization of certain words of power. It passes thence to the sun where it mingles with pure solar energy. It is transmitted from the sun to that particular chain in our Earth scheme which corresponds numerically to the particular originating planetary scheme. [144] From there it is transferred to the corresponding globe, and thence to the dense physical planet. By the use of a particular mantram the Initiator then focuses the energy in his own body, using it both as a receiving and a transmitting station. Eventually it reaches the initiate, via the Triangle and the Sponsors. It will be apparent, therefore, to the student that when the Initiator is the Lord of the World, or the physical reflection of the Planetary Logos of our scheme, the force comes more directly to the initiate than at the first two initiations, wherein the Bodhisattva is the Hierophant. Only at the third initiation will the initiate be in a condition to receive direct planetary force. Second: The concentration undertaken by the Lodge assists the initiate to realize within himself the various processes undergone. This is accomplished by working definitely on his mental body, and thus stimulating all the atoms, through the united thought power of the Masters. The work of apprehension is thus directly aided. This concentration in no way resembles hypnotic suggestion, or the powerful impress of stronger minds upon the weaker. It takes the form of a strenuous meditation by the assembled Masters and initiates upon the realities concerned and upon the Self; through the force thus liberated the initiate is enabled to transfer his consciousness more easily away from the not-self to the divine essentials wherewith he is immediately concerned. The thought power of the Masters succeeds in shutting out the vibration of the three worlds and enables the applicant literally to "leave behind him" all the past and to have that farseeing vision which sees the end from the beginning and the things of time as though they were not. Third: Through certain ceremonial rhythmic action the [145] Lodge greatly assists in the work of initiation. Just as in the Wesak Festival, results in force demonstration are brought about by the use of chanted mantrams and the sacred ceremonial pacing and interweaving of the assembled crowd in the formation of geometrical figures, so in the initiation ceremony a similar procedure is followed. The geometrical figures appropriate for the various initiations differ, and herein lies one of the safeguards of the ceremony. The initiate knows the set figure for his own initiation, but no more. All these three aspects of the work of the Masters and initiates in Lodge assembled, occupy them until the moment when the Rod has been applied. Through its application the initiate has become a member of the Lodge, and the entire ceremonial then changes, prior to the taking of the oath and the revelation of the Word and Secret. The Sponsors drop back from either side of the initiate and take their places in the ranks, whilst the three Buddhas of Activity (or their representatives at the first two initiations) take their stand behind the seat of office of the Hierophant. The Lodge members are grouped differently, and initiates of the same degree as the newly admitted applicant place themselves around him, and assist in the final part of the ceremony; the remainder of the initiates and adepts stand in their various grades. The earlier three stages of the initiation ceremony are the same for all initiations. In the final two stages those who are not of equal rank with the newly made initiate (such as first degree initiates at the initiation of a third degree member) drop back to the rear of the Hall of Initiation at Shamballa, and a "wall of silence" is built up through mantric energy between the two groups; a vacuum, so to speak, is formed, and nothing can then be transmitted from the [146] inner group to the outer. The latter confine themselves to deep meditation and the chanting of certain formulas, and in the inner group around the Hierophant a dual performance is taking place: - The newly made initiate is taking the oath. Certain Words and Secrets are being handed over to him.
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