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Universal Enlightenment Society |
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There are three main definitions for enlightenment: 1 the act or means of enlightening : the state of being enlightened The Universal Enlightenment Society integrates and transcends all three. A message from Jason Augustus Newcomb: For the past several years people have been trying to get me to start a “New Hermetics Order” or some sort of New Hermetics magical group. I have resisted this for many reasons, most especially because nearly all magical groups seem to degenerate into social/drug gatherings, cults of personality, or else just disintegrate when inflated egos explode. I have never really wanted to start an official “organization,” but it has become clear that it is inevitable, needed, and in some cases even desired. However, it is very important that any organization that we build together not suffer from any of the above problems. The organization must be inclusive rather than exclusive, open rather than closed, and it must foster a true familial bond (by which I mean friendship, trust, intimacy, loyalty etc.) among its members, and within its members toward the world at large. It must be a true brotherhood and sisterhood and this sense of fraternal love must be inclusive of all. The organization must exist purely for the purpose of service, both to and amongst the membership, and toward the world at large. In order to have a reason for existence, this organization must be a beneficial force in the world and for the whole world. It must be totally inclusive in this service, without trying to force anyone to agree with or to dispense with any particular beliefs, values or behaviors unless and until that person or persons discovers more effective ones. In short, the organization must be a totally non-sectarian sect. How can you create a non-sectarian sect? To a certain extent this is impossible, as any time people become a collective they develop a certain shared identity as mutual members of something. But to minimize the more negative aspects of sectarianism several measures have been put in place. There will be no sacred canon. There are no sacrosanct rituals, philosophy, or instruction. The practices are not sacred and are subject to constant improvement, adjustment and variation produced by need or by new and greater understandings. New ideas are welcome and expected at all levels. (The pure principles, the archetypes, the “holy spirit,” these are however constant and the model upon which all rests). While hierarchy exists within any structure because it is necessary for a well organized body, it is purely functional or else based entirely upon advancement in introspective work conducted. The grade system in this organization will confer more responsibility than it does power. In other words, with each level something new will be expected of you, both in your accomplishments in your own life and spiritually, and in service to your fellow aspirants and the world. This is no mere hollow sentimental rhetoric. It is designed into the core of the curriculum and organizational structure. In the ritual wing, group workings will not be conducted by the “in-crowd” with the rest operating as a peripheral chorus or audience. Rather the expectation will be that if you are there you are prepared to take on any part and the specific jobs will be assigned by divinatory lottery. The same will be true for councils, advisory and judicial bodies. If you are there, you may be chosen. And if you are to be a part of the organization at any level beyond the first two, you will be expected to be there more often than not. One of the important ways that ego inflation and sectarianism will be avoided is to use the model of “productive community” at all levels of the organization, rather than “hierarchical control.” What this means is that every study/working group that forms within the organization will constantly be evolving. Contributions, new ideas and innovations will be welcomed from all quarters. Regional and individual differences will be encouraged and cultivated. Heterogeneity is beneficial to evolution. The most useful innovations will be periodically made a part of the core curriculum via regular meetings of regional delegates. It will not be a “Jason Augustus Newcomb” organization or a “New Hermetics” organization, especially as it evolves. It will be an entirely new evolutionary paradigm for esotericism, enlightenment and mutual benefit. Most mystical, spiritual and magical organizations make great pains to establish their historical links with great antiquity, and to conceal their true purpose and core teachings from the world. This organization proposes to do neither. This is a fairly new network of aspirants and adepts that span every continent of the globe, growing every day, and its purpose is to foster personal evolution, enlightenment, peace, brotherhood, art and beauty. Teachings will be offered in a variety of ways and will take numerous forms, particularly over time. No teaching is secret. Not anymore. Nearly every bit of esoteric lore has now been made digitally available. Now what is left is to act, and to act in harmony with one another, to connect with the universal harmony. The Great Work requires us to work, and ultimately to work together. Many esoteric groups refuse to let you join if you are an active part of other esoteric groups. This will not be our policy. All are welcome to come as they please, go as they please, stay as they please. The only requirement for membership is a willingness to engage in the Work. This also comes with a necessity to place the Work at the center of your individual and our collective focus. The Work conducted at all levels will be given central emphasis at all gatherings at all times. In groups working at any level of practice, education and learning, that learning process will be the central focus. In ritual working groups, the focus will be on working ritual magick. By really working at improving skills in concentration, visualization, energy work and ritual practice as the core of what is being done many typical problems disappear. It is only when interpersonal games become the central focus that ego problems start to manifest. Games and politics are always problematic in any group situation, from executive board rooms to quilting clubs. The structure of the organization will be somewhat more like a cloud than a rigid hierarchy, with multiple paths intersecting one with another, all working toward the same end in unique ways. There will be a strong sense of unity encouraged among members, even where the specific work conducted is quite different. In fact this sense of unity will be encouraged toward nonmembers and even toward individuals who view themselves as in opposition to our work. Unity is all-inclusive, and where it is not, it is not unity. (It has been asserted that the strength of a new movement is dependent upon its being in opposition to the present dominant paradigm. In this we will be no exception from a practical perspective, but our opposition will be to do in truth what others only pay lip service to, and to still maintain that all are equal and ultimately united, whether they do so or not). This is the kind of organization I would like to see manifesting in the next year or two, a very open, productive community in which all members are empowered and expected to contribute to the best of their abilities, and to expand and develop their abilities so that contribution and evolution constantly continues in the organization. I want to help create a large and diverse, but supportive and interconnected organization. By working together actively we will improve ourselves and our world much more dynamically and powerfully than we ever could alone or in small, isolated, fragmented pockets. Let’s work together to accomplish the Great Work. |
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Please forgive our appearance while we move into the neighborhood |