Orphism and the Initiatory Tradition (Aurea Vidya Collection) - Softcover

Raphael - Asram Vidya Order

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1931406057 ISBN 13: 9781931406055

Publisher: Aurea Vidya, 2012

Synopsis

ORPHEUS, Pythagoras, Parmenides, Plato, Plotinus, etc., are not the same as a Locke, a Hume or a Fichte or such, even though the latter ones are very stimulating at the mental-conceptual level. To say that the Philosophy of Pythagoras, Parmenides, or Plato belongs to the Philosophia Perennis, precisely because it is not individual and temporal, by no means detracts from the authors' personality. On the contrary, it means recognizing them as "mediators", as "divine transmitters", or what is known in the East, as Avatår.The Mysteries instituted by Orpheus represent different states of being. RAPHAEL, the Author of this book, is fully aware to have only touched on the problem of the Sacred Mysteries, just as he has only touched on the events that characterized the life of Orpheus. But human beings, as such, need to acknowledge in themselves a double element: the one titanic (to use Orphic terms) and the other divine. It is up to one's own consciousness to determine whether one wants to be a single whole with the divine or with the titanic.

About this title

From the Publisher:

Historians and ethnologists argue and attempt to establish whether this "myth" or that Deity, concern one or another people. In the same way, many historians of philosophy seek to demonstrate that the philosophy of Pythagoras, Parmenides, Plato, Plotinus, etc., is purely personal and original; the development of the author's intuitional mind. They believe that the consideration of Dionysus, Isis, the Indian Mahadeva, or Pythagoras, Plato, etc., in an impersonal or supra-national way, is to make too little of the intuition of the founders of "myths". Often, orthodox historians try to individualize knowledge by setting up altars to the individual creator of "systems", be they religious, philosophical or scientific.

But, if one has the capability to approach what these minds actually said, surmounting individualistic and often merely parochial attitudes, one will be able to tell, without any fear of being mistaken, that the essence, the theme, and the noumenon in every traditional philosophy, religion or science are identical. Obviously, each being, depending on its degree of consciousness and intuitive-contemplative awakening, adorns that essence with wealth and beauty of form, but above all with the power of his own consciousness vibration or irradiation.

From the Author:

This particular moment in human history is characterized by an intense clouding of consciousness and by a deep attention for the sensible corporeal sphere that absorbs all our energies.

Even the "many" who are interested in spiritual, religious or initiatory matters are used to emphasize primarily contingent and particular aspects, though they may speak of transcending the empirical or even of realizative metaphysics.

"Polishing one’s own rough stone" is arduous, especially today because, in point of fact, we find it easier to delegate others to do the work.

The human condition in this present "iron age" is such by now that it seems now difficult to achieve even a simple rectification. Yet we must not lose hope, because dejection and despair are part of avidya (metaphysical ignorance) or the result of emotional clouding. On the plane of "becoming" everything is cyclical: there is a birth, a coming to maturity, and a decadence. Then it all begins again. This cyclical process is perpetuated since the beginning of time. There are actually no surprises; everything is in its right place.

It is well to remember that of Hermes, Orpheus, Gautama, Sankara, Pythagoras, Plato and their like, only the bodily forms have died. Their shadows, their "prisons" are no more, but what they expressed and donated to humankind has not perished. This is all that matters.

To those "few" who manage to find the strength to face the phantoms of illusion and emotional confusion goes all my encouragement and a threefold embrace.

About this edition

• Publisher: Aurea Vidya
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 1931406057
• ISBN 13: 9781931406055
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 154