Traditional Wisdom Survey Traditional Wisdom SurveyEgypt didn't have mystery schools, Egypt was a mystery school.
The Eleusinian Mysteries
The Eleusinian Mysteries were held in Greece at the Spring
and Autumn Equinoxes for over 1,800 years, and
were available to men, women, even children and slaves, to everyone
except murderers and wizards. It's central
tale, the abduction of the maiden Kore/Persephone and her Grain
Mother Demeter's search for her can be
understood on many levels: literally celebrating the agricultural
cycle, a mother/daughter relationship, and allegory
about our growth from human darkness into spiritual light. This
class looks at what is known about these great
events (public discussion including writing about it was illegal),
including the process of initiation, the interesting
roles of officials, and the use of entheogens combined with sacred
theater to depict Homer's Hymn To Demeter.
The School of Pythagoras
I strongly recommend that you first read "The Pythagorean Sourcebook and Library: An Anthology of Ancient Writings Which Relate to Pythagoras and Pythagorean Philosophy" described here.
Savitri by Sri Aurobindo
Savitri is the title of an epic love poem composed
by spiritual guide and writer Sri Aurobindo. At nearly 24,000
lines, it is the longest poem composed in English, and is the
most beautiful and profound writing you may ever
experience. It tells the story of the Hindu goddess Savitri born
upon earth, and whose experiences and love
overcome death, told in the guise of the world's, and our own,
spiritual journey. The story will be told through
selected readings along the flow of this great work. Come, sit
back, gaze across the bay, and dwell within the
benificent sway of Savitri's profound beauty, wisdom and power.
"On the dumb bosom of this oblivious globe
Although as unknown beings we seem to meet,
Our lives are not aliens nor as strangers join,
Moved to each other by a causeless force....
There is a Power within that knows beyond
Our knowings; we are greater than our thoughts,
And sometimes earth unveils that vision here.
To live, to love are signs of infinite things,
Love is a glory from eternity’s spheres.
Abased, disfigured, mocked by baser mights
That steal his name and shape and ecstasy,
He is still the godhead by which all can change.
A mystery wakes in our inconscient stuff,
A bliss is born that can remake our life."
The full text of Savitri, as well as information about Savitri and its author Sri Aurobindo can be found here.
Chakra Symbolism Around the World
Teachings about our chakra centers were disguised within the symbols of many sacred traditions.
