Emergence from Isdom

The Isdom of the Wisdom Society: Embodying time as the heartland of humanity (Part #8)

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It is interesting to explore initiatives that might be considered emulations, recollections or commemorations in some way of the progressive emergence -- or reification -- of Isdom. This is most evident in the hierarchical structures cultivated by various groups.

Military (example)	Martial arts (example)	Masonic degrees (example)	Angelic hierarchies (example)	Initiations (example)
Generäle (Generalmajor, Generalleutnante, General, Generaloberst, General-feldmarschal) Stabsoffiziere (Major, Oberst, Oberstleutnante) Hauptmann (Captain) Leutnante (Lieutenant) Unteroffizier (Non Commissioned Officer) Mannschaft (Soldat, Obersoldat, Gefreiter)	10th dan 9th dan 8th dan 7th dan 6th dan 5th dan 4th dan 3rd dan 2nd dan 1st dan	32. Master of the Royal Secret 31. Inspector Inquisitor 30. Prince Kadosh Consistory 29. Scottish Knight of Saint Andrew 28. Knight of the Sun, or Prince Adept 27. Knight Commander 26. Prince of Mercy 25. Knight of the Brazen Serpent 24. Prince of the Tabernacle 23. Chief of the Tabernacle 22. Knight of the Royal Ax, or Prince of Libanus 21. Noachite, or Prussian Knight 20. Master of the Symbolic Lodge 19. Pontiff 18. Knight of the Rose Croix Council of Kadosh 17. Knight of the East and West 16. Prince of Jerusalem 15. Knight of the East 14. Perfect Elu Chapter of Rose Croix 13. Royal Arch of Solomon 12. Master Architect 11. Elu of the Twelve 10. Elu of the Fifteen 9. Elu of the Nine 8. Intendant of the Building 7. Provost and Judge 6. Intimate Secretary 5. Perfect Master 4. Secret Master 3. Master Mason 2. Fellowcraft 1. Entered Apprentice	Seraphim (Seraphime, Spirits of Love) Cherubim (Cherubime, Spirits of Harmony) Thrones (Thronos, Spirits of Will) Dominions (Kyriotetes, Spirits of Wisdom) Mights (Dynamis, (Spirits of Motion) Powers (Authorities) (Exusiai (Elohim), Spirits of Form) Principalities (Primal Beginnings) (Archai, Spirits of Personality) Archangels (Archangeloi, Spirits of Fire (Folk)) Angels (Messengers) (Angeloi, Sons of Life (or of Twilight))	IX - The Refusal VIII - The Great Transition VII - The Resurrection VI - The Decision V - The Revelation The Part which Energy Plays in Inducing Revelation The Place that the Will Plays in Inducing Revelation IV - The Great Renunciation or Crucifixion III - The Transfiguration II - The Baptism in Jordan I - The Birth at Bethlehem

Much tends to be made about progress "up" such hierarchies and concerning the more profoundly integrative (if not holy) insights that that implies -- and the privileges that should necessarily follow from this emergence of insight. Mountain climbing is then a favoured metaphor (as in René Daumal. Mount Analogue, 1952). The assumption is one of progress from ignorance up to wisdom -- after many years of experience under the tutelage of the wise who have gone before. This ignores the implications of the Buddhist saying that "the seeker is that which is being sought". Furthermore, the implication that this is any form of progressive return to an initial insight that may have been accessible at any time in the reality of the moment -- possibly at any age -- is suppressed. This is the case despite calls to become "as a child" once more as the key to wisdom. The insight of T S Eliot's poem is transformed into an experience for the elderly alone, following appropriate tutelage:

We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.
Through the unknown, remembered gate
When the last of earth left to discover
Is that which was the beginning... (Little Gidding V)

For others, humanity awaits the Externalization of the Hierarchy through the Reappearance of Christ (possibly under other names that may pose problems for Christians) -- despite the centuries of highly problematic implementation of priestly wisdom as intermediaries for such spiritual hierarchies. Again the possibility that such externalization might be through recognition by each person of the wisdom inherent in the moment is set aside in favour of metaphors recalling the arrival of extraterrestrials on their spaceships in clouds of glory (offering up-beaming rapture technology) -- and led at its hierarchical peak by a positive archetypal counterpart to the ultimate malignant totalitarian dictator. This recalls, and encourages, a polarized mindset evident in imperial courts throughout the ages -- namely how to manoeuver through the antechambers, past the various gatekeepers, to "get access" and "favours" from "on high". The pattern is currently evident in relation to any charismatic personality or guru. It is replicated in governmental bodies -- and in intergovernmental organizations such as the United Nations and the European Commission.

Unfortunately alternative movements, despite their communication successes with networking, have not been able to elaborate and implement viable alternative models. As expressed by Naomi Klein with regard to the World Social Forum (What Happened to the New Left? The Hijacking of the WSF, January 2003):

How on earth did a gathering that was supposed to be a showcase for new grassroots movements become a celebration of men with a penchant for three-hour speeches about smashing the oligarchy?

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