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For servers, students, and men and women of goodwill
who really want to pursue the serious and organized study of
esotericism, world service and the ageless wisdom through a formal
course of training being offered by an esoteric school may want to
inquire in the following groups or organizations. There are
many more really good schools or organizations not mentioned below but
we do not want to
recommend any group unless we have a first hand experience working with
them or we are already very familiar with their philosophical framework.
Light Net is NOT an esoteric school offering new age
discipleship or esoteric training. We are a unit of service, a
strand of Light, among the many who are trying to help humanity USING
esoteric methods, as stated in our charter objective.
Light Net is composed
primarily of spiritually minded people, students of the Ageless Wisdom
, esotericists-in-training from other groups,
and men and women of goodwill who responded to the 'spiritual call' of
the time. The purpose of our Virtual Center, publications,
information campaigns, the Esoteric Meditation Workshop/Study Course
for Beginners, and the Problems of Humanity Course is to encourage
concerned people to be actively involved in human affairs and world
service collectively. This distinction is very important.
Required Readings for
beginners
(Note: Most of the books mentioned here
are available in the Reading room
for free online reading. They are good starters and will
give you a macro-perspective of the Ageless Wisdom Teachings and a tool
for understanding its various presentations given by other writers or
traditions)
- Jonathan Livingston Seagull
by Richard Bach
(note:
a cool little book that says it all in simple words. inspiring! )
- First Things First by Dr.
Stephen
Covey
(note:
serious esoteric study can be a daunting task for beginners. It
takes a lot of time; life priorities should be re-assessed and
unimporant routines be discarded. This book is a must for those
wishing to be an esotericist, a server and an effective person, all at
the same time!)
- The Golden Thread by
Natalie Banks
(note: a
small book
published by
lucis publishing outlining the history and continuity of esoteric
teachings and its various traditions down the ages. If you
have extra cash, you can purchase the more expensive, yet scholarly
& comprehensive "upsize" version of this, written by Manly Hall, "The Secret Teachings of All Ages".)
- Fundamentals of Esoteric Philosophy
by G. de Purucker
(note: This is a
thick volume on
the basics of theosophy or the ageless wisdom teachings according to
Mdme. H.P. Blavatsky. The best thing is this is available online
for free. If you have extra cash you can purchase an equally
essential book, "Basic Theosophy" by Geoffrey Hodson, "The Cosmos in
Man" by Torkom Saraydarian, and Ponder on This, A compilation from the Alice Bailey Books)
- Initiation, Human and Solar
by Alice A. Bailey
(note:
this work brings us further
into the framework for hierarchical initiation and the path of
hastened attainment. If you feel, you have some more time to
spare and a few weeks to forego 'after-work socializing', follow this
up with related materials,
"A Treatise on
Cosmic Fire"
by Alice A. Bailey ,"The
Secret Doctrine" by HP Blavatsky and The
Rosicrucian Cosmo-Conception" by Max Heindel. All are available for
free online reading. Reading these is in itself, a
consciousness-expanding and life changing activity)
- An Outlook on Our Inner Western Way
by William Gray
(note:
this volume will put some sense and understanding to the ongoing
revival of ritualistic spiritual practices, magick, wicca or paganistic
religions. It also discusses the rationale behind outer symbols
and rituals in pursuing spirituality based on the Western mystery
tradition. It might also be useful to take a look at an 80s classic, "The Aquarian Conspiracy" by
M. Ferguson to understand the spirit behind the revival of spiritual
and new age teachings, in general, to the West.)
- Esoteric Christianity by
Dr. Annie Besant and From
Bethlehem to Calvary by Alice A. Bailey
(note: for
those wishing to bridge the Ageless wisdom to Christianity, these two
books are very useful. In addition, if you have more time and
resources, the following are interesting read: "The Mystical Life of Jesus"
by H. Spencer Lewis, "The
Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ" by Levi and "Ancient and Modern Christian
Mystic Initiation" by Max Heindel. An inexpensive
and introductory book on mainstream Biblical scholarship might also be
useful, "How to Read the Old
and New Testament" by Fr. Etienne Charpentier.)
- The Story of Philosophy by
Will
Durant , Mysticism
by Evelyn
Underhill and The Perennial Philosophy
by Aldous Huxley
(note:
these three
classical works will also expose us to the mainstream Western
philosophical framework, as well as eastern and western Christian
mystical thoughts through the ages.)
- The Truth behind Faith
Healing in the Philippines and The Magicians of God by
Jaime T. Licauco
(note:
It is also important for beginners to get an understanding of the local
indigenous spirituality prevalent in the Philippines, especially the
rationales behind the unique healing phenomena being practised
here that is famous throughout the world. Mr Licauco's researches
published in these 2 books and in his other works are the most
scientific and authoritative so far).
- The Problems of Humanity, Glamour: A World Problem,
and Education in the New Age,
by Alice A. Bailey
(note:
these works will relate the
esoteric teachings to social issues and will encourage active
participation from students)
- Books, Journals and reports on
history and contemporary social problems
(note:
To really gain a macro-perspective of the ageless wisdom teachings and
the esoteric tasks at hand, it is suggested that the student also
strive to familiarize himself with world history, the history of
nations, various economic theories that shaped the world, political
upheavals in nations, etc.. It is also important that he/she be
aware of current events and the various problems of humanity through
journals, reports or credible media source. It is important to
study also the perspective, biases, business & political interests
and credibility of sources or writers or publishers of historical
books, news reports, etc. before we accept them as facts. For
instance, for news outlets, read from mainstream papers or networks but
also compare it with the opinions/versions of those belonging to
independent media outfits. As to social problems and
developmental issues, the various Human Development Reports issued
annually by the UNDP is generally accepted as accurate and
unbiased. Some sincere religious missionary journals can
also be useful in these areas. A local movie we recommend is Jose Javier Reyes' "Live Show". It contains truths about the current Philippine situation.)
International Esoteric Schools
(note:
Light Net also believes, as DK suggested, that the
disciples/esotericists of the aquarian age can be self-taught.
The wealth of 'revealed' materials that abound are sufficient for
the student to direct his own esoteric studies and practice by
himself, without the need for a guru or a formal school. However,
there are certain types of personality who can still profit from the
organized system of study and rigid discipline that a formal esoteric
school can offer. For such students, we recommend two highly
reputable modern schools of the mysteries:)
(note: This was founded by
Alice A. Bailey in New York in 1923, specializing in esoteric
discipleship training. Instructions are via correspondence using
the distance learning model. The scope of materials will cover a
lifetime of training. Orientation is towards the new emerging pattern of presentation of the mystery
teachings that combine the east and the west. Not mystical or transcendental, but occult and practical (science of redemption).)
(note: A school of the western mystery
tradition tracing its modern day roots to Dion Fortune of the Golden
Dawn and, later of her own Society of the Inner Light. A
fully contacted school, SOL was formally established as an independent
esoteric school in 1972 by WE Butler and Gareth Knight. The
current director of studies is Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki and their
headquarrter is in the UK but they also accept students worldwide via
correspondence course.)
Short-term
Training Institutes
(note:
Offers short term online courses on esoteric sciences and full length
degrees as well. Founded by Gita Saraydarian in the US after the
death of her father, Torkom, a prolific writer and teacher of the
Ageless wisdom teachings.)
(The White Mountain
Educational Association, which sponsors this institute, is in Arizona.
The teachings are based on Agni Yoga and AAB. Torkom Saraydarian
also contributed much to the materials of this training institute.)
(note:
A Training center offering a complete system of Taoist esoteric
yoga. This center is based in Thailand and their workshop are
being offered there.. However one can order their books online
and instructions in it are easy to follow and understand.)
(note: Offers Monthly FREE Ageless Wisdom Seminars, Meditation Workshops and Monthly Problems of Humanity Lecture Series)
(note: Their
popular "Self Transformation Weekend Seminar" is great program for
examining your life's purpose, meaning and direction. Also based
on the Ageless wisdom or theosophy.)
(note: A small
group in Manila offering short courses on simplified magical ritual
methods. They also offer customized spiritual retreats based on
the Ageless wisdom.)
(note: Ananda Marga, the first yoga group to teach regular yoga classes in Manila, Philippines (since 1967), offers instruction in yoga asanas, yogic treatment, meditation and relaxation through regular courses and personal instruction. A basic course consist of 6 classes taken once a week.
Its center is located at 46 Maamo St., Sikatuna Village
Quezon City)
(note: An
eclectic group which was also based on the ageless wisdom teachings. It
was founded by Frater Jose Lagutan. Its sister organization, the Order of the Hermetic Gold
and Rose+Cross meets regularly at the University Hotel in UP Diliman, QC)
(note: Pranic
Healing Grand Master, Choa Kok Sui founded this training institute
which popularized Pranic Healing and the Arhatic Yoga Meditation
method for developing the chakras and the kundalini. They also
offer other short term courses and published many books based on the
Ageless Wisdom teachings.)
(note:
This was founded by Mang Mike Nator which became popular for its
esoteric training program for developing the etheric vision or
clairvoyance, among other things. With the passing of Mang Mike,
we no longer know what happened to the continuity of its programs or
who's in charge out there. )
(note:
Mr. Jimmy Licauco's scientific training institute for developing the
inner mind, making the left and right hemispheres of the brain function
as a unified whole. Combines both the ageless
wisdom teachings and recent discoveries in PSI sciences.)
Local
Units of
Service/Goodwill groups/Ageless Wisdom based organizations
(note: pls. inform us if there are
more)
Local
Libraries
for Books on the Ageless Wisdom
(note: pls. inform us if
there are more)
International Goodwill groups/Cause
Oriented Organizations
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