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Initiation, Human and Solar - Chapter XIV - The Administration of the Oath
Two Types of Oaths All oaths connected with the occult Hierarchy may be divided into two groups: The Oath of Initiation, in which the initiate binds himself by the most solemn pledges never to reveal, on pain of summary punishment, any occult secret, or to express in words outside the Initiation Hall that which has been committed to his keeping. The Oath of Office, administered when any member of the Lodge takes a specific post in Hierarchical work. This oath deals with his functions and with his relations to The Lord of the World, His immediate superior, His fellow workers in the Lodge, The world of men whom he is to serve. It is needless to say more here regarding this latter type of oath, as it concerns only officials of the Hierarchy. The Oath of Initiation The Oath of Initiation, with which we are dealing now, is divided into three sections, and is administered by the Hierophant to the initiate, being repeated after the Initiator [147] phrase by phrase; it is punctuated at various points by the chanting, by initiates of the same degree, of words in Sensa equivalent to "So let it be." The three divisions of the oath may be roughly described as: A solemn phrase embodying the purpose actuating the initiate, a protestation as to his unchangeable will-attitude, and a solemn declaration as to his realization, coupled with a promise to reveal no part of the realized purpose except in so far as his daily life in the world of men and his service for the race will proclaim it. This involves an oath as to secrecy concerning the revealed part of the Logoic plan seen in the "revelation of the vision." An undertaking of a profoundly solemn nature concerning his relation to his other selves, the Lodge of which he is a member, and the selves of men everywhere. This involves his attitude to his brothers of all degrees, and includes also a serious undertaking never to reveal the true nature of the Self aspect as it has been shown to him in initiation. This includes an oath of secrecy as to the realized relationship of the Solar Logos to the Planetary Logos, and of the Planetary Logos of our scheme to the scheme itself. The enunciation of a solemn undertaking never to reveal to anyone the knowledge that has come to him as to the sources of energy and of force with which he has been brought into contact. This is a triple oath to retain complete silence as to the true nature of energy, as to its laws of manipulation, and a pledge only to use the force placed at his disposal through initiation for the service of the race and the furthering of the plans of the Planetary Logos. [148] This great oath is couched in different terms, according to the initiation undergone, and, as earlier said, is taken in three sections with an interlude between each part occupied by certain ceremonial work of the initiated group around the newly admitted brother. It might here be noted that each section of the oath really concerns one of the three aspects of divine manifestation, and as the initiate takes his pledge, one of the three Heads of Departments collaborates with the Initiator in the work of administration. In this way energy of a triple nature becomes available according to the different sections of the oath taken. This energy flows down from the three major rays, through the Hierophant and the corresponding departmental head at the first two initiations, to the initiate, via the group of initiates of the same degree, so that each initiation is a means of stimulation and expansion to all. At the final five initiations the force flows via the three Buddhas of Activity instead of the departmental heads. It might be of interest to point out here that during this part of the ceremony the group is bathed in color, corresponding to the type of energy and its originating planetary scheme, and it is the work of the Initiator to put the initiate in touch with this energy. This pours down upon the group from the moment that segregation has been effected, and is brought about by the Initiator using certain words and elevating his Rod of Power. The three Buddhas of Activity, who are the great energy centers upon our planet, then touch the tip of the Rod with their staffs of office, a certain mystic Word is jointly uttered by them, and the downpour begins, continuing to the end of the ceremony. The question may be asked whether any initiates break their oath. Very rarely, for we must remember that no [149] initiation is taken until a certain stage has been reached. A few cases have occurred, but as the Lord of the World is cognizant of all that transpires, the future, as well as the resent and the past, no opportunity is ever given to an initiate to reveal that which is hidden. Intent may exist, but opportunity will lack. The initiate who thus sins in intention will be struck dumb, and sometimes dead, prior to thus failing. [150]
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