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Religion and the Esoteric - Richard Smoley
Religion and the Esoteric - Richard Smoley
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Esoteric in Religion
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Esotericism or Esoterism is a term with two basic meanings. In the dictionary sense of the term, it signifies the holding of esoteric opinions, and derives from the Greek σωτερικός (esôterikos), a compound of ἔσω (esô): "within", thus "pertaining to the more inward", mystic. Its antonym is exoteric. In the scholarly literature, the term designates a series of historically related religious currents including Gnosticism, Hermetism, magic, astrology, alchemy, Rosicrucianism, the Christian Theosophy of Jacob Böhme and his followers, Illuminism, Mesmerism, Swedenborgianism, Spiritualism, 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 or secrecy as a crucial trait.
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 these currents of four essential traits: a theory of correspondences, the conviction that nature is a living entity, the need for mediating elements (such as symbols or visions) in order to access spiritual knowledge, and a sense of personal transmutation when arriving at this knowledge. To this are added two less crucial traits. Esotericism sometimes suggests an additional element of initiation. Finally, esotericists frequently suggest that there is a concordance between different religious traditions. It should, however, be emphasized that Faivre's definition is one of several divergent understandings of the most appropriate use of the term.
Discussion questions
1- "Esotericism" is a difficult word to define as there are many different forms of esoteric practice. Based on the two summaries above, have the class as a group come up with a relatively short working definition of esotericism.
2- If anyone in the class is involved in an esoteric practice, have him/her discuss their experience in as much detail as he/she is allowed to share.
3- From a religion you are familiar with, give an example of a) an exoteric (outer) practice or teaching and, b) an esoteric (inner) practice or teaching.
5- In a strictly spiritual sense, esoteric does not refer so much to teachings that have been kept for the few or that are secret, but to a hidden knowledge within ourselves which a special ritual/teaching can resonate with and help to activate.
Have you ever had an experience of being exposed to a ritual and/or teaching which seemed to have a special, deep significance for you that lead to spiritual transformation? If yes, briefly share your experience.
6- Discuss as a class the relationship between Theosophy and esoteric spiritual teaching.
7- A basic truth related to the Zohar but applicable to all spiritual practice is that
as soon as you outgrow a level, as long as you are still at that level, it is an obstacle.
Explain this axiom in your own words and share any personal experiences you have had that demonstrate its validity.
8- Another basic principle of esoteric spirituality is that generally, the more public the audience, the less esoteric (deep) the teaching because the teaching must be more sensational, more emotional to reach that larger audience.
9- One of the most riveting moments in the New Testament narrative is Christ’s question on the cross, “Why have You forsaken me?” There have been numerous interpretations of this sentence. Consider as a group what might be possible esoteric interpretations of this question. Consider the general theme of sacrifice in the New Testament and the symbolic esoteric significance of the line. Share your ideas.
After everyone has shared, the group facilitator can read the following possible esoteric interpretation of the line. Spiritual progression is a constant progression of sacrifice/letting go, and that the final sacrifice is to give up even one’s own concept of God. In this light, a famous 13th century Christian mystical text Cloud of Unknowing advises the meditator to repeat the word “love” or “God” over and over in synchronization with the breath. Gradually, the meditator places less and less emphasis on the meditation word be it “love” or “God” until finally during the meditation one is meditating (Zen like) without a concept and yet in connection with something deeper.
Proposed activities
Break into small groups, hopefully at least seven, and have each group take one of the following manifestations of esoteric spiritual practice. In a small class some “groups” may only have one person. Each group should read through the website article lead to by the link for their assigned esoteric concentration. (If laptops or computers are not available, the group facilitator may want to have these articles printed out before the class begins.)
Esoteric Christianity
Kabbalah
Vajrayāna Buddhism
Sufism
The Rigveda
Zen
Freemasonry
2- Have each group give a summary of what he/she learned about the esoteric practice or text researched.
3- After everyone has shared their research, create, as a group, a list of similarities you see that are present in each practice.
Related resources:
Books
- Bartlett, Harriet Tuttle, An Esoteric Reading of Biblical Symbolism, 220.6 BAR ER
- Blavatsky, H. P., The Esoteric Writings of Helena Petrovna Blavatsky : A Synthesis of Science, Philosophy, and Religion, T B614 EWB
- Drury, Nevill, Dictionary of Mysticism and the Esoteric Traditions, 133.03 DRU DM
- Hall, Manly P., The Adepts in the Eastern Esoteric Tradition, 145 HAL AEET
- Hall, Manly P., The Adepts in the Western Esoteric Tradition,145 HAL AWET PT.1-3
Sound recordings
(AR: audiocassette; CDA: Compact Disc)
- Algeo, John, Esoteric Christianity, CDA 0193
- Algeo, John, Esoteric Christianity, AR 5088-13
- Algeo, John, The Esoteric in Modern Art, AR 0161
- Algeo, John. Will the Real H.P. Blavatsky Please Stand Up?, CDA 0196
- Escudero, Bing, The Esoteric Basis of Christianity, AR 0160
- Hoskins, Ianthe H., Vedanta & the Esoteric Philosophy, AR 0402-8
- McDavid, W. D., An Introduction to Esoteric Principles : A Study Course, T M142 IEP 2008
- Purucker, G. de, The Esoteric Tradition, T P977 ET
- Smoley, Richard, The Future of Esoteric Christianity, CDA 0422
- Weber, Renée, The Esoteric Plato, AR 0163
Videorecordings
(VR: VHS Videocassette)
- Rosser, Jerry, The Esoteric Nature of Music, VR 0043
Download handouts
Esoteric in Religion
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Esotericism or Esoterism is a term with two basic meanings. In the dictionary sense of the term, it signifies the holding of esoteric opinions, and derives from the Greek σωτερικός (esôterikos), a compound of ἔσω (esô): "within", thus "pertaining to the more inward", mystic. Its antonym is exoteric. In the scholarly literature, the term designates a series of historically related religious currents including Gnosticism, Hermetism, magic, astrology, alchemy, Rosicrucianism, the Christian Theosophy of Jacob Böhme and his followers, Illuminism, Mesmerism, Swedenborgianism, Spiritualism, 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 or secrecy as a crucial trait.
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 these currents of four essential traits: a theory of correspondences, the conviction that nature is a living entity, the need for mediating elements (such as symbols or visions) in order to access spiritual knowledge, and a sense of personal transmutation when arriving at this knowledge. To this are added two less crucial traits. Esotericism sometimes suggests an additional element of initiation. Finally, esotericists frequently suggest that there is a concordance between different religious traditions. It should, however, be emphasized that Faivre's definition is one of several divergent understandings of the most appropriate use of the term.
Discussion questions
1- "Esotericism" is a difficult word to define as there are many different forms of esoteric practice. Based on the two summaries above, have the class as a group come up with a relatively short working definition of esotericism.
2- If anyone in the class is involved in an esoteric practice, have him/her discuss their experience in as much detail as he/she is allowed to share.
3- From a religion you are familiar with, give an example of a) an exoteric (outer) practice or teaching and, b) an esoteric (inner) practice or teaching.
- 4- It has often been said that a religion that loses its esoteric side often starts to die.
- 4a- What does it mean for a religion to lose its esoteric side?
- 4b- Can you think of an example of this happening?
- 4c- Why would losing its esoteric side cause a religion to die?
5- In a strictly spiritual sense, esoteric does not refer so much to teachings that have been kept for the few or that are secret, but to a hidden knowledge within ourselves which a special ritual/teaching can resonate with and help to activate.
Have you ever had an experience of being exposed to a ritual and/or teaching which seemed to have a special, deep significance for you that lead to spiritual transformation? If yes, briefly share your experience.
6- Discuss as a class the relationship between Theosophy and esoteric spiritual teaching.
7- A basic truth related to the Zohar but applicable to all spiritual practice is that
as soon as you outgrow a level, as long as you are still at that level, it is an obstacle.
Explain this axiom in your own words and share any personal experiences you have had that demonstrate its validity.
8- Another basic principle of esoteric spirituality is that generally, the more public the audience, the less esoteric (deep) the teaching because the teaching must be more sensational, more emotional to reach that larger audience.
- 8a-What does this imply about the relationship between emotion and genuinely deep spiritual practice/experience?
- 8b- Consider this statement in light of the fact that Blavatsky for a while performed occult parlor tricks to entertain and interest her audiences but then suddenly ceased performing them. Why do you think she stopped?
9- One of the most riveting moments in the New Testament narrative is Christ’s question on the cross, “Why have You forsaken me?” There have been numerous interpretations of this sentence. Consider as a group what might be possible esoteric interpretations of this question. Consider the general theme of sacrifice in the New Testament and the symbolic esoteric significance of the line. Share your ideas.
After everyone has shared, the group facilitator can read the following possible esoteric interpretation of the line. Spiritual progression is a constant progression of sacrifice/letting go, and that the final sacrifice is to give up even one’s own concept of God. In this light, a famous 13th century Christian mystical text Cloud of Unknowing advises the meditator to repeat the word “love” or “God” over and over in synchronization with the breath. Gradually, the meditator places less and less emphasis on the meditation word be it “love” or “God” until finally during the meditation one is meditating (Zen like) without a concept and yet in connection with something deeper.
Proposed activities
Break into small groups, hopefully at least seven, and have each group take one of the following manifestations of esoteric spiritual practice. In a small class some “groups” may only have one person. Each group should read through the website article lead to by the link for their assigned esoteric concentration. (If laptops or computers are not available, the group facilitator may want to have these articles printed out before the class begins.)
Esoteric Christianity
Kabbalah
Vajrayāna Buddhism
Sufism
The Rigveda
Zen
Freemasonry
2- Have each group give a summary of what he/she learned about the esoteric practice or text researched.
3- After everyone has shared their research, create, as a group, a list of similarities you see that are present in each practice.
Related resources:
Books
- Bartlett, Harriet Tuttle, An Esoteric Reading of Biblical Symbolism, 220.6 BAR ER
- Blavatsky, H. P., The Esoteric Writings of Helena Petrovna Blavatsky : A Synthesis of Science, Philosophy, and Religion, T B614 EWB
- Drury, Nevill, Dictionary of Mysticism and the Esoteric Traditions, 133.03 DRU DM
- Hall, Manly P., The Adepts in the Eastern Esoteric Tradition, 145 HAL AEET
- Hall, Manly P., The Adepts in the Western Esoteric Tradition,145 HAL AWET PT.1-3
Sound recordings
(AR: audiocassette; CDA: Compact Disc)
- Algeo, John, Esoteric Christianity, CDA 0193
- Algeo, John, Esoteric Christianity, AR 5088-13
- Algeo, John, The Esoteric in Modern Art, AR 0161
- Algeo, John. Will the Real H.P. Blavatsky Please Stand Up?, CDA 0196
- Escudero, Bing, The Esoteric Basis of Christianity, AR 0160
- Hoskins, Ianthe H., Vedanta & the Esoteric Philosophy, AR 0402-8
- McDavid, W. D., An Introduction to Esoteric Principles : A Study Course, T M142 IEP 2008
- Purucker, G. de, The Esoteric Tradition, T P977 ET
- Smoley, Richard, The Future of Esoteric Christianity, CDA 0422
- Weber, Renée, The Esoteric Plato, AR 0163
Videorecordings
(VR: VHS Videocassette)
- Rosser, Jerry, The Esoteric Nature of Music, VR 0043
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