Rocky Mountain Atelier TMO Master's Message

Greetings in the Light of Martinism!

Dear Sisters & Brothers & Friends,

Spring has arrived in the Northern Hemisphere and all of the life on our planet literally renews itself in its appearance in our world in so many interesting and various ways! We have just celebrated the Spring Equinox at the end of March – we are renewed at all levels whether we are consciously aware of it or not – and our spiritual growth follows in this same manner as what we see with our physical eyes occurring in the world around us!

Do you find that a question or two arises within you without any conscious thought?? What is that question?? Quite often, the question comes from the realm of Spirit to assist each of us on our chosen path of growth in this life – at least, that has been my personal experience.

I encourage you to set aside a period of “quiet time” and simply see what might be attempting to gain your conscious attention at this moment.

On a similar note, as Martinists we hold the Prayer of the Heart so dear to us! I encourage us to utilize this powerful tool to bring Peace, Joy, Love and Light to ourselves – to our families and community – to our nation and to our world! We are all brothers and sisters and at this level of connection, we can perform miracles together!

I would like to share an article from the 2009 TMO magazine Pantacle that seems relevant to our world at this instant:

The Value of Ancient Wisdom in a Modern Age

by Louis Rutan, Provincial Master of the Michigan Region

What value does ancient wisdom hold in modern society, where change is so rapid that both individuals and groups find it difficult to hold their bearings? Provincial Master Rutan reflects on this question from a Martinist perspective, and invites us to do the same.

As most people are well aware, the demands of the modern society are rapidly multiplying for the individual as well as the world as a whole. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it is surely fraught with challenges. On a world scale, whole societies of people are faced with the challenge of redefining themselves, choosing new directions, and trying to see their true identity in a virtual house of mirrors.

On an individual basis, we are essentially doing the same thing. In the rapidly changing world economy, it has become imperative that we are more efficient, more productive, and more adaptable to an environment that is apparently in a state of flux.

With all of the technological advancements, there is a production of unrelenting streams of information, useful or not. We collectively spend more and more time multitasking and learning the nuances of our modern day.

The Value of Ancient Wisdom

That being said, I ask the question: What value does ancient wisdom have in a modern age? The wisdom of which I speak today is specifically the teachings of the Traditional Martinist Order and what these teachings offer. As we know, our Martinist tradition has historically been oral. The knowledge that is imparted is not streaming, nor public, nor overly simplified. Quite conversely, it is attained in slow degrees, in the sanctuary of a Home Oratory, Atelier, or Heptad. It is carefully detailed, and requires meditation and contemplation to be clearly understood. This is specifically what makes it “knowledge” as opposed to information.

What are the benefits of following a path that is winding, discrete, inconspicuous, and for all practical purposes unglamorous?

To begin with, this knowledge has been learned, applied, refined, and handed down through generations of seekers as a means to assist us in finding our true identity. This very specialized knowledge helps us understand our origins from the most ancient of days, so that we might guide our steps back into the wholeness of the One. Further, this tradition provides specific techniques for making this knowledge useable in our daily lives.

Balance

This ancient wisdom provides balance. Present-day society is rapidly moving forward on the wheels of technology and is determined to learn as much as it can, as quickly as it can, about whatever it can. Could we wisely choose to make an effort to balance the equation by learning as much as we can about ourselves, and rediscover our true relationships to our brothers and sisters, and our fellow creatures on the planet, however long it may take?

Peace

Next, consider the peace that the ancient wisdom offers. In a world that seems to be having growing pains, where pressure to perform is on the rise and the future may seem uncertain, this peace is at a premium. This is the peace of mind that comes from the knowledge and understanding that, however tumultuous the times may appear to be, the world is unfolding just as it should and we are active participants in its development and not merely spectators.

Objectivity

Objectivity is another fruit of our Martinist teachings. In a world of information that is packaged and marketed in an effort to solicit a specific response or to form a popular opinion, coupled with a sense of urgency to do so, it is a grace to be able to step back for a moment and get a clear view. We take comfort in the fact that through the study of ancient wisdom we are not so easily swayed and have learned that there is a greater overall purpose for humanity than fanciful consumerism and a rush to judgment of our brothers and sisters.

Patience

Moreover, what of patience, in a modern age where the availability of information is almost instantaneous? We can travel great distances at high speeds and speak to people on the other side of the world at will. Our Martinist tradition instills the value of being able to understand what is truly important and recognizing that it requires the hand of time to bring about the true regeneration of the self. We need to have patience with our sisters and brothers and even with ourselves as we find our way along the path. As an illustration, one does not generally walk to the top of a mountain. Depending on your particular path, you would climb, fall, scratch, claw, rest, and climb some more during the ascent, if you intended to reach the summit. It could take a while to reach the top. Patience is necessary.

Purpose

Then there is purpose: does the study of ancient wisdom help us as individuals to develop specific goals for our lives? Does it help us to refine our thoughts and actions so that they may become useful, but more importantly, helpful to others? The study and application of ancient wisdom is a timetested process with the sole intention of maturing individuals for the purpose of creating a caring, loving, patient, and forgiving society as a whole. This was developed by our caring, loving, patient, and forgiving masters of the past. The tradition has been entrusted to us that we might carry on the great work and bring it to its ultimate fruition: complete reintegration of the whole.

Love

Finally we must consider love in our relations with others. Through the study of the ancient wisdom of Martinism we can come to understand that individuality is actually an illusion. We can truly realize that when we interact with others we are actually influencing and trying to develop another aspect of our own self. Love is universal.

Experience the Value of Ancient Wisdom

Brothers and Sisters, let us conduct a small experiment. Read through the experiment first, and then guide yourself through the reflections.

Think about all of the information that you receive in your normal busy day.

Think of the steady stream of information that comes to you through the many avenues of technology. Now think of the uniqueness of the information and knowledge that you receive through the teachings of the Traditional Martinist Order. Consider the balancing effect that this specialized information brings to your scope of understanding.

Think about the sense of peace that you experience when you consider and realize that through the teachings you understand that humanity is moving forward just as it should in its natural cycles, just as it has for many thousands of years before.

Recall a time when all those around you were rushing to judgment in a situation or of an individual, and you, through the application of your role as an unknown, were able to maintain objectivity and refrain from participation in the rush.

Think about a time when you have been required to exhibit patience and you know that your ability to do so was because of the patience and methodology that you have learned in the teachings of the Traditional Martinist Order.

Consider how you are today compared to your state of life before you began the path of Martinism. Examine the broader understanding that you now possess and the sense of purpose that this understanding assigns to your daily thoughts and actions.

Above all consider the aspect of love. Contemplate the fact that through the application of these learned skills you can advance on your journey, gaining a better understanding of this immeasurable concept, and through grace, develop the ability to radiate it to humanity

Brothers and Sisters, you may now return to objective consciousness.

Conclusion

Brothers and Sisters, the original question asked today was: What value does ancient wisdom have in a modern age? It is my sincere hope that through this exercise we were able to experience that ancient wisdom is invaluable in our modern age. It is the means that will impart specialized, practical knowledge, create balance, bring peace, maintain objectivity, develop patience, refine purpose, and enable us to love all of humanity as our sisters and brothers.

Brothers and Sisters, may you ever dwell in the Eternal Light of Divine Wisdom!

Terry Orlikoski

Master Rocky Mountain Atelier

7100 Broadway Unit 3J

Denver, CO 80221

Cell 702-420-0369 email terry@orlikoski.com