1. Introduction
Ascentialism is a spiritual movement that promotes the synergy of humanity towards a common good. As more and more individuals reach ascension, (typically associated with the consciousness of Christ) the greater the prosperity of humanity and peace of the planet. Ascentialism includes a synergy of : constant meditation, psychism, spiritual guides, ascended masters, the tarot card doctrine, the reiki doctrine, aspects of Kabala, philosophy , metaphysics, quantum physics, esoteric teachings, divinatory and healing practices and most importantly mastery of the self. Ascentialism may be viewed as the divine and universal doctrine of humanity. Ascentialism promotes a self discipline that removes the lower aspects within mankind, such as ego, glamour, illusion and harmfulness. Once one has rid themselves of these lower energies, can one begin the initiation process of ascension. Ascentialism is a utopian movement because it seeks to rejuvenate and manifest the consciousness of Atlantis’s golden era before its consciousness fall. This essay will examine, explain and contextualize Ascentialism, its existence in the lives of its followers, and in the context of this essay those individuals within the Gauteng area . Ascentialism in brief, is the synergy of all religions, social sciences, doctrines and other elements associated within the human condition of trancentendent belief and knowledge.
2. Methodology
Along a timeline of three years , due to personal interest , great information has been gathered for the understanding of Ascentialism . During this three year period a study of tarot card reading and numerous discussions with participants of the Ascentialism movement was undertaken. It is also through interaction with the ascended master Seripis Bey that greater understanding of the Ascential movement was achieved. It is through participation in gatherings, meditations and other forms of interaction that I have derived with the Acentialist* perspective. The Ascentialist perspective has helped me personally understand not only my self better, but that which is beyond and independent of myself, such as society, the role of religion and the history of the world. For the purpose of this essay, five interviews were undertaken with individuals whom participate within the Ascentialist movement within the Gauteng area. Ascentialism in its highest ideal seeks to accommodate and liberate all human knowledge, secular and sacred in a synergy of perspective and truth. Attached to this essay is the list of questions that subjects were asked.
3. Utopia
According to Wikipedia online encyclopedia (2006: pg 1) utopia in its most common and general positive meaning, refers to the human efforts to want a better or perhaps perfect society. Ideals which could radically change the world are often called utopian ideals. In the context of this essay Ascentialism may be viewed as a religious utopian movement due to its respect for the Ascended masters*. Religious utopian movements are based on religious ideals, religious utopias are often described as Gardens of delight. Implying an existence free from worry in a state of bliss and enlightenment. Utopian movements tend to establish/reestablish on earth a society witch reflects virtues and values they believe have been lost or await them in the afterlife. Interestingly Rincon (2004: pg 1) reports that Utopia is largely based on Plato's Republic. It is a perfect version of The Republic where the beauties of society reign (eg: equalism and a general pacifist attitude). Plato , one of the great philosophers of history, amongst others such as Thomas Moore, has made academic references of utopia. During Plato’s explorations to Egypt he learnt and was fascinated about the myth of Atlantis. Plato was the first to mention the utopian ideals within the myth of Atlantis and the first to refer to Atlantis’s fall and disappearance. The fall of Atlantis enlightens the Ascentialism notion of the need for love-wisdom in today’s world.
4. New Age Spirituality
According to Melton (2000: pg 1) Most New Age practices and beliefs may be characterized as a form of alternative spirituality or alternative religion. Even apparent alternative medicine or traditional medicine practices, often have some spiritual realm and conceptual integrations of mind, body, and spirit . Ingrid Marais ( University of Johannesburg : 2006 ) presented a lecture on the notion of new age spiritual movements, during this lecture, Marais presented reasons for the emergence of new age movements; these reasons included the loss of community, increases in prosperity and leisure time, new conceptions of family and most importantly the spirituality of seeking. The spirituality of seeking includes search for freedom as conscience versus choice and the questioning of state and religious institutions. It becomes clear that people find resonation in new age movements , such as Ascentialism , due to its ability of answering questions and providing understandings of life, in comparison to the inability and failure of society, the state and traditional religions failure to do so. Furthermore Imogene (1884: pg 6) states that In New Age spirituality a repetitive principle of social life is co-operation; man helping man. Where as The animating principle of to-day is man opposing man. Thus new age movements can be viewed as ctritiques and explanations of society and ideal ideologies seeking to liberate mankind in some popular expectation of great change.
However, Ascentialism although considered as a new age movement in the eyes of anthropology and many other social sciences, Ascentialism draws upon ancient knowledge and understandings from the classical antiquity age, below and beyond, and may be perceived as the doctrine of the universe, i.e. all social movements, religions and historical events are the product of humanities evolution in accordance to a divine and supreme being (The keys of Enoch, 1977: pg 338). It is for this reason that although Ascentialism may be a utopian movement it must by no means be associated with fundamentalism. Ascentialism amongst its many aspects celebrates the “oneness” and love of all humanity and its evolution with the universe and therefore, does not wish to be imposed on other ideologies but rather celebrates all ideologies as contributing to a divine point of evolution. Thus Ascentialism's claim to be the Blueprint science of all humanity.
5. Ascentialism and its existence in the lives of its followers
It is the porogative now in this essay to reflect Ascentialist ideas by depicting Ascentialism as a means of clarity , Ascentialism as a means of self discipline and inner peace and that Ascentialism seeks not to impose utopian ideals within the world but rather to create a “utopia” around the individual and through this very process a ‘critical mass’ reaction will take place whereby humanity’s consciousness will be uplifted in accordance to humanities divine evolution.
5.1 Ascentialism as a means for clarity
According to Burmester (1986: pg xiii) every living entity has a consciousness, in human beings, consciousness develops into self-consciousness, then, soul consciousness, and eventually into God-consciousness. As humans strive towards this cosmic consciousness and oneness with all, and all veils falls off that which hides our divinity, we reach Christ consciousness. This increase of consciousness is often related to the practice of meditation. In essence what is meant by Burmester is that the more we reflect within ourselves and work through our personal illusions we come fully self aware of our talents and abilities and are more able to interact with our external environment with efficiency and love much in the manner that Christ has. This includes more patience, enthusiasm, positivism , empathy and apathy which allows one to see the good within others and especially the good and power inherent in the self . Debra ( Ascentialist practitioner) during a discussion once stated that often misfortune is the result of ignorance to the sense of self, Karma , or a shift in consciousness on a the spiritual path towards awareness of the soul (the mastery of self). Furthermore Ascended masters via the means of group changelings have provided great insight and understanding to the events occurring around the world , often explaining events such 9/11 as shifts in consciousness. In specific the ascended master Seripis bey as help many individuals in the Johannesburg metropolatin area. When all five interviewees were asked weather Ascentialism explains events around them and the world all responded “yes”. Very often , individuals , as a result of Ascentialism , under go great transformation within there lives. Therefore Ascentialism and its various practices provide clarity and direction to its followers within their external and internal environments .
5.2 Ascentialism as a means of self discipline and inner peace
Burmester (1986: pg 62-63) suggests that the secret of the quality of humanity is the power to identify the human consciousness with all other forms of consciousness and of awareness, with all forms of unconscious and instinctual response, and with all forms of the super conscious or divine sense of being. Through the right knowledge, complete harmony is achieved. What Burmester is trying to suggest to us is that once a synergy between the human consciousness and the cosmic consciousness takes place we reach a level of awareness that radiates understanding, love and knowledge that manifests a sense of harmony and power within the inner self. This synergy of consciousness that Burmester speaks of, promotes a lifestyle of rationality, love-wisdom and piety, i.e., Ascentialism promotes a means of self –discipline and inner peace in the lives of its followers, when interviewee’s were asked whether or not they believed Ascentialism promoted self-discipline and inner peace in the their lives all responded in a similar manner. Tony for example answered that due to the understanding and awareness that Ascentialism promotes within an individual , a greater resource of wisdom and empathy allowed better choices to be made in not only personal affairs but also in the interaction of others. Joao* answered that “the light of consciousness” within all people , once engaged , inspires aspects of self behaviour that was once detrimental to the self, to be released and thus influenced aspects of behavior and interaction to be of a pious nature. Joao also stated that it is in the harmony between the external environment and the internal environment of an individual that creates true inner peace, and those standards to maintain such inner peace leads to a means of self-discipline.
5.3 Ascentialism as an immediate utopia around the individual
According to Alice Bailey and Djwhal Khul (1934: pg 127), once one has attained the clarity of light, the self –discipline and inner peace of light, can one rally their own forces, renew vows of dedication to the service of humanity and subordinate their own ideas and wishes to the group good, to take their eyes off themselves and fix them a new upon the universal vision, to guard their mouths of negativity and study to the intention of moving intelligently forwards, once this is achieved one can manifest ideals of utopian nature, firstly in context of the individual’s personal life and then once this has been achieved, the force of love-wisdom will manifest utopian ideals around the individual in larger context’s of the individuals environment. In other words, once in tune with the “oneness” that Ascentialism promotes, higher aspirations of group prosperity is reached and achieved . When the notion of man helping man for a common good is realized this will cause a reaction in acknowledgment of such benefits, and as more individuals reach this consciousness the greater the prosperity will be. Observation within group meditations held with the ascended master Seripis bey made this abundantly clear: Once one witnesses the grace of group consciousness in tuned to the greater prosperity of humanity and love-wisdom, one then notices that a utopia is not a massive reconstruction of society but rather a synergy of intention towards equality, prosperity and individualism. Furthermore, one interview with Paula revealed that, once we have worked and transformed within ourselves, accepting the power and light of the “supreme being” do we find the humanitarian need and grace in trying to uplift the consciousness of our environment in the most selfless and subtle of ways, she states further that the more people that get in touch with this force and knowledge the grater will society reflect such prosperity. Interestingly Paula stated further that science will play an integrating role with this regard, for sciences such as quantum physics in this very moment is a science of the unseen and that the ultimate frontier would be a secular theory of the existence of a God. This response was very similar to the other interviews. Ascentialism therefore can be perceived as an ideology that creates a “utopia” within and around the individual via a means of perspective synergy, love-wisdom, inner peace and clarity, self –discipline and the love of humanity
6. Critiques of Ascentialism
As with any ideology, critiques flow with abundance. Ascentialism has three main critiques , the challenge of diversity, the involvement of a capitalist market and the challenge of commitment to self mastery. Firstly, the challenge of diversity raises concerns of mediation within the integration of different belief structures. Often people guard there transcendent beliefs as the ultimate truth and thus dismiss other transcendent beliefs making no room for the mediation along a ‘middle ground’. Ascentialism as an integration of secular and sacred knowledge sets a goal that some might see as challenging or even impossible. Secondly , capitalist markets of today are known to market and lure customers via the means of their beliefs. Countless books, divination tools, sacred sites and healing practices encompass a multi-million dollar industry, this as a consequence raises questions behind the authenticity of the knowledge that Ascentialism entails. Thirdly, the challenge of the mastery of the self is viewed by many as difficult, impossible or unrealistic due to the virtues that Ascentialism promotes. Thus it is in the difficulty of practicality that Ascentialism adopts its biggest critique.
7. Conclusion
Ascentialism may be viewed as the divine and universal doctrine of humanity. Ascentialism promotes a self discipline that removes the lower aspects within mankind, such as ego, glamour, illusion and harmfulness. Along with three years of personal interests and various forms of interaction research was gathered. For the purpose of this essay however, five interviews were undertaken with individuals whom participate within the Ascentialism movement within the Gauteng area. Religious utopian movements are based on religious ideals; religious utopias are often described as Gardens of delight. Implying an existence free from worry in a state of bliss and enlightenment. Most New Age practices and beliefs may be characterized as a form of alternative spirituality or alternative religion. Ascentialism, thus may be defined as a utopian movement. Ascentialism in the context of its followers lives promotes, to mention but a a few , three main factors : ascentialism as a means of clarity, as it provides spiritual insights and comforts to the events in and around the individuals life, bringing about mental clarity to the position of the individuals life and any relevant aspirations. Secondly ascentialism promotes self disapline and inner peace, several doctrines within the ascentialsit perspective promote high standards of self conduct within and without the enviroment of the individual, this self disapline in return reults into inner peace, ascentialism thus promotes a lifestyle of rationality, love-wisdom and piety. Thirdly, due to the clarity, inner peace and self –discipline that Ascentialism promotes, results into the third factor of Ascentialism being an immediate utopia around the individual, the force of love-wisdom generates abundance and bliss consciousness around the individual and manifests the appeal to strive for a common good: once one witnesses the grace of group consciousness in tuned to the greater prosperity of humanity, one then notices that a utopia is not a reconstruction of society but rather a synergy of intention towards equality, prosperity and individualism. Critiques of Ascentialism include the challenge of diversity, the involvement of a capitalist market and the challenge of commitment to self mastery. Yet the most defining and striking aspect of Ascentialism is the enlightenment that God resides in each and every persons mind, the human condition of intellect and its evolution through the rise of consciousness, since Being bipedal, leads to questions of what mankind’s unrevealed abilities are, this aspect according to Ascentialism’s “as above so below” is the next challenge of science, to prove that God equals the mind and that humans are the reflection of the supreme being.
7. Bibliography
Bailey, A . & Khul, D. (1934). A Treatise on White Magic. Britain: Lucis Press LTD
Burmester, H. (1986). The Seven Rays Made Visual. United States of America: DeVorss & Co., Publishers
Hurtak, J. (1977). The Book Of Knowledge: The Keys Of Enoch . United States of America : Sinclair Printing Company
Imogen, F. (1884). “The New Age” Religio-Philosophical Journal . Chicago : Ephemera
Melton, J. (2000). The new age transformed. Switzerland: Institute For Study of American Religion
Marais, I. (2006).New age Spirituality: week 6 Lecture. Department of Anthropology: University of Johannesburg
Rincon, P. (2004). Satellite Images Show Atlantis. BBC News. Available from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3766863.stm [Accessed 19 may 2006]
‘Utopia’ (2006). Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Available from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utopia [Accessed 19 May 2006]
Ascentialism may be viewed as the divine and universal doctrine of humanity. Ascentialism promotes a self discipline that removes the lower aspects within mankind, such as ego, glamour, illusion and harmfulness. Along with three years of personal interests and various forms of interaction research was gathered. For the purpose of this essay however, five interviews were undertaken with individuals whom participate within the Ascentialism movement within the Gauteng area. Religious utopian movements are based on religious ideals; religious utopias are often described as Gardens of delight. Implying an existence free from worry in a state of bliss and enlightenment. Most New Age practices and beliefs may be characterized as a form of alternative spirituality or alternative religion. Ascentialism, thus may be defined as a utopian movement. Ascentialism in the context of its followers lives promotes, to mention but a a few , three main factors : ascentialism as a means of clarity, as it provides spiritual insights and comforts to the events in and around the individuals life, bringing about mental clarity to the position of the individuals life and any relevant aspirations. Secondly ascentialism promotes self disapline and inner peace, several doctrines within the ascentialsit perspective promote high standards of self conduct within and without the enviroment of the individual, this self disapline in return reults into inner peace, ascentialism thus promotes a lifestyle of rationality, love-wisdom and piety. Thirdly, due to the clarity, inner peace and self –discipline that Ascentialism promotes, results into the third factor of Ascentialism being an immediate utopia around the individual, the force of love-wisdom generates abundance and bliss consciousness around the individual and manifests the appeal to strive for a common good: once one witnesses the grace of group consciousness in tuned to the greater prosperity of humanity, one then notices that a utopia is not a reconstruction of society but rather a synergy of intention towards equality, prosperity and individualism. Critiques of Ascentialism include the challenge of diversity, the involvement of a capitalist market and the challenge of commitment to self mastery. Yet the most defining and striking aspect of Ascentialism is the enlightenment that God resides in each and every persons mind, the human condition of intellect and its evolution through the rise of consciousness, since Being bipedal, leads to questions of what mankind’s unrevealed abilities are, this aspect according to Ascentialism’s “as above so below” is the next challenge of science, to prove that God equals the mind and that humans are the reflection of the supreme being.
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