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What the Ancient Wisdom Expects of Its Disciples

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In this short work by Manly Hall, he digresses into the little known subject of how the ancient masters of the mystery schools go about teaching their students. Much has changed in the way of secret societies since the days of Plato and Pythagoras, however, the principles are generally the same. Silence is still of utmost importance. In the times of Pythagoras, silence was not only a virtue, but something your life depended upon. Today, you will not get crucified or burned at the stake for revealing secrets from a society, however, your integrity and Will are disseminated. Silence today stands as a virtue more than anything, but one that most people neglect. This short book also looks into the practices of the Student, Disciple and Initiate, as the basic three grades of the practitioner once they have entered a mystery school. Even today all of these attitudes that Hall speaks about have complete practicality in today's culture. It is less about environment and more about the demeanor of the practitioner. If one does not take in all of the ideas represented in this book, surely one or two of them will cling to the readers mind as not only possible, but inspirational. For those that have been practicing the secret arts for a period of time, this book may serve as a good reminder of why they are doing what they do to begin with.

The pursuit of knowledge, the practice of service to one's fellows, hardship and suffering and ultimately, a true comprehension and temperance of our lower natures, all combine to lead us to a better understanding of our existence. In this curious and important essay, Hall describes the shared destinies of all of us; and that is our pursuit of truth and our conscious or unconscious hunger for a meaningful relationship with the Divine. He warns and laments about our modern tendencies to material gain and instant gratification in all things worldly. Over time, he suggests, the methods used in attaining material gratification has translated into our spiritual endeavours. One cannot deny the plethora of `expert' advise out there, presenting in many guises, to attain Wisdom in "ten easy steps". Become an all-powerful, influential guru and mammoth success, getting rich in the process. For a substantial fee, ladies and gentleman, we can show you the secrets of the ancients and throw in a no-fail diet to boot. This, of course, is not the road to Wisdom. The true road, Hall suggests, is a long and arduous one, fraught with suffering and difficult lessons, where one's hope lies in one's sincere labour, courage, true aspiration and egoless silence.

This short essay is recommended to anyone interested in sound and universal advice in their pursuit of a greater understanding of themselves and existence.

This 61 p. essay has no Table of Contents, so, I provide it here:
Preface=p. 1;
I. A Warning to Esoterists=p. 3
II. The Coming of the Mystery Schools=p. 15
III. The Mystery Schools=p. 34.

Overall, it's a very basic text, decrying modern materialism, providing a "history" (or hagiography if you prefer) of the Mystery Schools, & a description of their acolyte preparations for guidance by a Master. It has a Theosophical &/or Alice Bailey (~7-rays) feel to it, though it mentions the Rosicrucians a few times.

THE GOOD--it provides moralistic guidance to seekers--not unlike the many religious ones such as the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism, but with less detail. It briefly mentions the Rosicrucians who are, indeed, a mystery school, & the Rosicrucian novel Zanoni: A Rosicrucian Tale (excellent IMHO). It has a couple of good quotations: p. 6: "The true occultist wants nothing but wisdom" & p. 21: "The Ancient Wisdom is the invisible spiritual side of religion which quickens the body of religion" with which I agree.

THE BAD--this work is loaded with very basic/elementary/trite platitudes. It speaks of "the gods" without explaining what/who is meant (obviously not Goddesses in Every Woman: New Psychology of Women which speaks the psychology that Hall rails against--without rationale) & he ranks philosophy > science. But, science (by adding empiricism to rationalism) goes beyond the speculations of philosophy. While these differences may be semantic, it appears that both psychology & science would contradict much of Hall's myth-like system. He also severely criticizes the rigidity of religion but HIS rigidity matches theirs! Hall praises occultism, ignoring mysticism--a MUCH higher discipline.

THE UGLY--Hall is specifically oriented towards "secret" organizations, implies that students are the same (one size fits all), & promotes spiritual slavery to The Masters. It's unknown whether his masters are the same as those of Theosophists, Rosicrucians, etc., but his are described as the ultimate--ignoring the Rosicrucian "Master Within," Jung's Self, or Creativity: Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention. Further he speaks little of the non-theistic Absolute (e.g. Hindu Brahman, Kabbalah Ein Sof, Buddhist Ground of Being or Mind Itself, etc.) which is obviously beyond individual masters.

CONCLUSIONS--while there are some good observations/recommendations in this small work, it's much too rigid for my taste, somewhat dated I believe, & quite elementary. There are MUCH better books available. I'd recommend: Unto Thee I Grant (Rosicrucian Library, Volume No. V), The Initiate, Wisdom of the Mystic Masters, Kybalion: A Study of the Hermetic Philosophy of Ancient Egypt and Greece, or the works of Raymond Bernard such as "Secret Houses of Rose-Croix" & "Messages from the Celestial Sanctum." These are all from the Western tradition. There are many Buddhist books of great value (e.g. Zen & Tibetan) including my personal favorite Dzogchen. A great start are the many works of the Dalai Lama such as An Open Heart: Practicing Compassion in Everyday Life, Dzogchen: The Heart Essence of the Great Perfection, & The Gelug/Kagyu Tradition of Mahamudra. These have a more positive orientation than does Hall's work.

In the age when the number of false prophets grows like mushrooms after rain, this book will help an aspirant avoid the many pitfalls that are thrown under his feet. Painfully honest and to the point, this book gives best advice to those who aspire to become students, disciples, or some day adepts of the BL - no, ambition will not get you there. Those who have sight will see the wisdom, which they need to have to qualify for the entrance into the Eternal. The ABC of occult studies; a book which will be my permanent companion. My most sincere gratitude goes to Mr. Hall for living such priceless jewel for future generations.

This is the shortest introduction to the depths of esoteric knowledge you will ever find. If you are on the Path, you will feel like it was written just for you. If you aren't, don't even bother.

This is good but a book that more accurately describes what is expected and required is the Spritual Centers in Man (also by Manly P. Hall). I have it under its original title, An Essay on the Fundamental Principles of Operative Occultism which is more accurate in description. Anyways, Spiritual Centers does talk about the various spiritual centers but what I like about it most is the beginning subject matter which is the requirements of the occult student and what he or her should expect on the path of Occult Studies, the subject that this book obviously purports.

Manly P. Hall gives all students and initiates the essential knowledge of proceeding on the path of the Ancient Wisdom (and the Mystery Schools). Further recommended reading are the books- "ZELATOR"; "KYBALLION"; "The Initiation of the World"; and all the books of Rudolph Steiner and Alice Bailey. Those wishing to advance can also join the Rosicrucians (AMORC).