2003-1-28 13:26:00
I received the following question by e-mail.
Quoting me:
As far as the initiation ceremony goes this is often done shortly after death or during sleeping hours and the initiate may have no memory of its occurrence.
I thought all initiations from the third upwards were always taken consciously i.e. a person knew he or she had taken an initiation.
JJ Response:
Movement into the consciousness of the first two initiations is gradual and the initiate will not be aware of the exact moment that he has arrived in the eyes of the Hierarchy and usually not even know what an initiation is.
We must remember that the initiations, as described by DK, are merely a hierarchical recognition of what has already been achieved.
The third and fourth are different because the disciple will definitely realize he is going through a unique experience as he crosses the threshold. The disciple may cross the threshold of the initiations and make use of the higher consciousness for some period before he receives the ceremonial diploma, so to speak.
Even though a person may achieve the third degree he may be completely unaware that he has taken an initiation. Even so, he will be aware of a "higher calling" and a higher consciousness. In this way he is aware of initiation, but not aware of the word itself.
The apostle Paul is the most famous case in point. When he saw the blinding light and heard the voice of the Master he knew he had moved to a new level with a new mission, but didn't know the details as to what a third initiation was.
When Abraham Lincoln underwent the fourth initiation (where he crossed the threshold) he knew that God had tested him and that he had yielded to that will but wasn't sure what it was all about.
When an initiate is reborn, he usually passes through his past initiations without a lot of fanfare and no ceremonies until he arrives at his consciousness of his last incarnation, usually by the age of 21.
Copyright 2003 by J.J. Dewey, All Rights Reserved