45. The Second Degree of Initiation

©2001 Athene Bitting All Rights Reserved

XLV

The Second Degree of Initiation:

From Acolyte to Apprentice

or, the Seven Steps to Wisdom

Lecture based Questions:

1. What is required of a Second Degree Initiate?

The candidate must be able to transcend the influences of the world and the body. Glamour no longer impresses one. Desire and fear are not the motivators of one’s choices. The advantages of this attitude are several:

•The logical mind can have more influence over the destiny of one’s life.

•The disciple is comfortable in his/her own skin and no longer needs the company of others for validation.

•People can’t manipulate a 2DI very easily, because their “buttons” are hard to push.

•The 2DI earns the respect of most people, because she/he seems fearless and practical.

•The 2DI can always win on the Fear Factor reality TV series, if he/she is in good physical condition. Okay, this one is a joke, but it still has some truth to it.

Also a certain amount of personal power must be accumulated. As a metaphor, if a 1DI needs $1,000 in personal power, a 2DI needs $250,000. It takes several lifetimes to master each of the seven steps to wisdom.

2. Which episode of Jesus’ life represents this initiation?

The temptation of Christ (Luke 4:1-13) in the desert is the story that relates to the 2DI. Here we learn to have faith in the Divine Plan without fear for supply, need for self-promotion, nor reaction to the goading of other people. The illusions of lack, loneliness, and calamity are beginning to show how false they really are. In other words, the temptations of the world are without weight.

This is because we can see what is permanent and what is temporary. Our virtues, character, and wisdom is permanent. Our stuff, our social connections, our intelligence and knowledge are easily removed through accident or bad luck. Once we get this concept down, we have gained an important power over this physical life. When we see what is real and truly valuable, we can see beyond glamour or ugliness into the character of people we meet. We can relax during the ebb and flow of financial seasons. We can learn, explore, love, and work with peace in our hearts.

Of course, this is not a perfect state, and there will be many moments of emotional backsliding. This is understood and expected by our teachers and angels. We are not expected to get it right all the time! Thank God!

3. Is there a most efficient way to achieve this degree?

Yes. One may follow the strict path of Arhatic Yoga, which is to meditate frequently, eat karma-reduced food, do service, and retreat from the worldly life.

However, human nature being what it is, there is likely to be a shadow backlash if such choices feel oppressive and unnatural. It is wiser to take a more gradual and easy-going pace. The best way to make progress is to dialogue with your Guardian Angel constantly and listen, listen, listen!

4. What are the keys of accomplishment that must be gathered for the Second Degree of Initiation to take place?

These are also minor initiations.

•1) Desirelessness—desire does not rule one’s choices.

•2) Understanding what is illusion and what is eternal.

•3) The ability to create beauty & power.

•4) Mastery over anger.

•5) A level of composure by knowing one’s place in the universe.

•6) Freedom from attachment.

•7) Fearlessness.

5. How can we recognize a Second Degree Initiate?

A 2DI is unflappable. She/he appears to be very patient compared to most people, but is still learning about protecting her/his own boundaries. She or he displays a certain level of genuine humility, although pride is the final frontier and does not become completely addressed until the 5DI. This one is really fearless. He or she often may not have great wealth or possessions, as these things have no meaning to them.

6. Meditation Exercise: The Dweller on the Threshold

Wearing many faces, the Dweller keeps guard at the point of transition. One of the most valuable tools on the path of enlightenment, this is an aspect of ourselves, a denizen of our own spiritual landscape.

•Imagine in your outstretched palm a tiny representation of your Dweller.

•Claim it and bless it. Tell it that you are grateful for its good service.

•Ask it what your next challenge is.

•Ask it what you need to do in order to succeed at your next challenge.

•Ask what you can do to aid in its blessing and upliftment.

•Envision a small golden portal for it to pass through back to your spiritual landscape where it belongs.

•Say, “In all the aspects of my being, may I always express the Divine Idea.”

7. Draw or describe one of your helpers.

Animals can be helpers too. Some are older in soul than me! Howzabout picking one that has given you support in your life?

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Containing the Genie in the Bottle

Long ago, before the world was made, the creators decided the way of our development here on earth. The outcome of their deliberations was to advance each soul individually instead of as a herd, and to give each person a chance for upliftment at his own unique pace. The way would be marked by key choices and confrontations of self. The major hurdles would be placed on the specific junctures of learning.

How can we best utilize this system of development? The possibilities are as varied as there people and lifetimes. However, one straight path intersects them all, and that is to follow the path of objective interest—to be involved but not entangled. This comes more naturally to some than to others, and should not be aspired to as a goal, but rather viewed as a useful attitude to be employed whenever possible.

After the journey of individuation is completed and the First Degree of Initiation has occurred, a new course is laid for the acolyte. Seven sub-initiations will take place before the final great initiation of the second degree can be accomplished.

The candidate encounters a Dweller on the Threshold of each minor initiation. A sensation of creepiness and being watched precursors the time of meeting. Thus, an experienced initiate rejoices at such signs, for a significant hurdle is about to be overcome, and a new form of enlightenment is about to occur.

Dweller on the Threshold was a literary invention of the English mystic and novelist Sir Buwer Lytton in his romance Zanoni. It has been widely used in Theosophical circles. Blavatsky uses Dweller to mean an accretion of astral echoes, but the deep occult meaning is an accumulation of karmic consequences from a person’s past. The initiate must be victorious in the face of these aspects of self before achieving the next level of initiation. We might also call them the Káma-rúpas of our past identities.

[paraphrased from Occult Glossary by G. de Perucker]

1) Desire The first sub-initiation is that of conquering the ruling hormones of desire. It takes [sometimes] many lifetimes of practice to finally see that the shackles of desire had enslaved one in a restless existence of seeking gratification. The path seems fraught with temptations of the body, but in fact, the way is inside the mind. At last, after tasting every delight and pursuing every orgasmic-like experience, the acolyte realizes that the greatest stimulation is within her or his own thoughts. So begin the first steps of wisdom.

2) Knowledge The second sub-initiation takes place on a more subtle level. Thirsting for knowledge, the acolyte becomes immersed in accumulating data both occult and worldly. Eventually, the student comes to understand that knowledge is useful, but fleeting. It only lasts as long as the brain cells continue to function. This is when the acolyte begins to seek for That Which Is Eternal.

3) The Beautiful The third sub-initiation continues the quest for something greater than worldly charms. The seeker becomes able to see beyond appearance and into the hearts of those he or she encounters. The challenge is to be able to peer into one’s own heart with equal candor. The acolyte sees beauty and power for what it is, a useful tool in dealing with people, and a way to create harmonious vibrations in the environment. The student thereby learns how to create beauty on many levels.

4) Anger The fourth sub-initiation is the mastery over anger and rage. After realizing that violent emotions are counterproductive, the student has tests at many levels. Finally, the acolyte has mastered the subtleties of constructive expression, objectifying the emotion, avoiding repression, and finally farming the red energy to one’s best advantage.

5) Perspective The fifth sub-initiation marks a true advantage in accomplishment. The acolyte ceases to see him or her self as the center of the universe. The sensation of aloneness goes away as the student understands the vital and cooperative place that she or he occupies in the grand scale of energy, time, space, and harmony. This lends the candidate a certain level of patience, humility, and peace.

6) Greed/Attachment The sixth sub-initiation usually takes many incarnations to master in its many guises and degrees. As there are many names for things in the world, so are there just as many ways to be entrapped by each of them. As the acolyte wins victory over this hurdle, she or he understands appropriate motivation. After all, the quiet irony to mastery over material gain is to look away from the goal. At the success over this mark, the candidate acquires the knack of constant prosperity.

7) Fear The seventh sub-initiation is the hardest and longest goal to master. Even First Rays must struggle with the minute layers of this hormonal and astral energy. To be free of fear means to be free from the control of others, and this is why it is so important to overcome. At the end, the candidate has no paranoia, phobias, insecurities, squeamishness, or dread. The Second Degree Initiate is unflappable.

Finally, the last step is mounted, and the victory is won. The acolyte has transcended identity with the physical realm, and thereby takes a creative stance in its formation. Let us envision you at this point.

Your soul body assimilates the thought form of enlightenment for this juncture. A certain golden maturity, beauty, and strength ripple through it. The Soul Body becomes more stable and alert.

Your Mental Body achieves a higher vibration of existence. All through this cycle of learning, it has become more beautiful and refined. Now it proudly bears the badge of the initiate.

Your Astral Body also had gradually changed and improved during this process of transcendence. Now it wears the air of wisdom in its aura. It is eager to help others through this process and becomes dedicated to service in this line of action. Another name is added to the one you had chosen for yourself at the First Degree of Initiation.

Your physical body will know that something is happening. Many revelations have been taking place already, and at the moment of initiation the fog of worldly vision lifts for an interval. No matter what the body is suffering at this time, the consciousness is blessed with an outshining attitude that brings peace and happiness and purpose.

All the Second Degree Initiates stand by their new equal at each this initiatory event. The Christ Presence, the Initiatory Angel, the Awakener Angel, the Guardian Angel, and all the angels who participated in your long journey will rejoice at this very resplendent occasion.

A tall golden stair,

and each step miles long.

They were not built for giants,

But for us, to traverse the steps

From the bottom, as tiny children.

Then we amplify ourselves in the climb

Into greater beings. As we gain the top step,

Our feet just fit the width. By the time we are there,

We grow to the greatness of the stair. And so we climb.