Karmic Paths and Roads

"A path without a heart is never enjoyable.
On the other hand, a path with a heart is easy---
it does not make a warrior work at liking it;
it makes for a joyful journey;
as long as a man follows it, he is one with it."
- Carlos Castaneda

For the purpose of this article, Karma is defined as the unexpected,
unintended, and unforeseen consequences and results of our
choices and actions.

In "Thoughts, Actions, and Karma" we explored how our
Thoughts and Actions, both positive and negative, affect us
internally. In this article we will explore how our Thoughts and
Actions affect us externally; how they determine the Roads we
Travel and the Destinies and Consequences we bring upon
ourselves.

Whether we realize it or not, each one of us is journeying down
a Karmic Path which is determined for us based upon the
Choices and Decisions we make.

There are many Paths we can Choose to Travel: well-worn Paths,
seldom Traveled Paths, Paths that very few have Traveled, and
Paths which have never before seen a human Footprint.

A Path which has never before seen a human Footprint is a
Path which is Traveled by the Mystic, or Avatar,  who appears
only rarely in the evolution of a race. This Path has no Karma
and it can only be walked upon by someone who has already
transcended Karma. This is the most sublime Path a person
can journey upon while still occupying the realm of duality and
matter.

We can create, for ourselves, a Path which has never before
seen a human Footprint. This is done by Choosing a lifestyle and
behaving in a manner which is completely unique to any other
type of life-Path existing in the physical realm. Those who
Travel this Path are the Hermits and Holy Persons who dwell
high in the sacred mountains and other Borders Between Realms
which occupy our world.

A Path that very few have Traveled is the Path which is walked
upon by Master Teachers and their Initiates. These individuals
have very little Karma attached to themselves and are in the
process of ridding themselves of whatever little still remains.
These are also the Paths upon which the heroes of mythology
and legend left their Footprints long, long ages ago.

Seldom Traveled Paths are those Traveled by the mysterious
figures of history, myth, and legend. These are the quiet,
uncharted, and unpopulated Roads which are the Adventurous
wonderlands of the Lone Wolf, the Trailblazer, and those mystical
and magical figures of fable known as Wizards and Wanderers.

Those who Travel upon seldom-traveled Paths are Aware of,
and respectful of, the Laws of Karma and have learned how to
use these Laws to their advantage.

However, the vast majority of us spend our lives traveling upon
well-worn Paths and Roads. And, in most instances, there is
nothing wrong with Traveling along these Paths; for these Paths
help us to express, and experience, Our Divine Nature during our
Current Incarnation.

Well-Worn Paths are those Roads which are already in existence.
They are the Roads which have been established many generations
ago and are busy, active, and teeming with vast multitudes of
businesses, activities, and individuals that make up the integral
parts of these Roads. These Roads already have a specific flow
and personality already in place when we step onto them for our
very first time.

An excellent metaphor for Well-Worn Roads is the cantina into
which Luke Skywalker entered the first time, with Obi-Wan Kenobi,
in the pirate city of Mos Eisley on the planet Tatooine. Although
it is a bustling and familiar cantina to those who frequent it,
complete with its own set of rules, secrets, and camaraderies, it
is a completely new first-time experience for Luke.

This cantina is Symbolic of the Well-Worn Roads we step upon
for our very first Time. Let us look at a couple of other examples.

We decide to be a musician. The moment we enter into our
musical career we step onto the well-worn, and bustling, Karmic
road which all others who are pursuing, and have pursued, musical
careers have walked upon for ages. This well-worn road already
has its own particular and unique flow to it. It is familiar to all those
who are already traveling upon it; however, it is all a brand new
experience to us.

This well-worn road is complete with the businesses, characters,
composers, musicians, and other folk which are already an active
and integral part of this road and its flow. In addition, this road
contains the many important personal contacts we are yet to
become acquainted with who will eventually help us establish and
promote our musical career. We rely on the existing experience
of everything, and everyone, on this road to help us become
successful in our chosen profession as a musician.

Someone decides to be a criminal. The moment that person
enters the life of crime they step onto the well-worn Karmic road
which all other criminals are traveling upon, and have traveled upon,
for ages. Again, this well-worn road already has its own particular
and unique flow to it. It is familiar to all those who are already
traveling upon it; however, it is all a brand new experience to those
who are first entering its flow.

This well-worn road is complete with the business, hiding places,
half-way houses, criminals, informants, con-men, malcontents,
and law-enforcement people who are the integral part of this road.
And while those who Choose to live a life of crime are new to this
road, this road is an old experience to those who are already
traveling upon it.

As Karma is the end result, or Consequence, which is associated
with the Choices we make, we must be constantly on guard in
regards to the Choices, Decisions, and Actions we involve
ourselves with. For by being Aware of all of the Karmic Roads and
Paths which are available to us we are better able to understand the
Consequences and benefits which each Karmic Road and Path
offers us, and we are better able to Choose that particular Road or
Path which is most Harmonious to our Divine Nature.

See also: "Theater of Life"

Comments and Emails: I welcome comments and emails from
people with similar thoughts and feelings. My email address is
located in the upper-left area of this page. Comments can be
posted by using the "Comment" link located below each article.
Also: If you found value in this article please feel free to forward
it to other like-minded individuals, organizations and sites.

Disclaimer: None of my articles should be considered to be
either advice or expertise. They are simply personal opinions
and no more. Everyone is encouraged to seek competent
advice from a licensed, registered, or certified professional
should such advice or service be required.

© copyright Joseph Panek 2011

Obscure Wisdom And Hidden Truth

"Man will occasionally stumble over the truth,
but most of the time he will pick himself up
and continue on."
- Winston Churchill

"To see that which is not there, gaze upon what is."
-Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander, Wizard, "Legend Of The Seeker"

Truth, Wisdom and masterful knowledge are not for the lazy or
timid. A price must be paid for obtaining these mystical gems.
These hidden and guarded treasures must be searched for and
earned.

Clues to their whereabouts and meanings are disclosed to the True
Seeker bit by bit. It is up to the Seeker and Initiate to discover
these bits - one by one - and piece them together like a jigsaw
puzzle until the answers they are pursuing become clear to them.
Un-Veiling, and understanding, Obscure Wisdom and Hidden
Truth is the Quest of the True Seeker, the determined Initiate, and
Wizards and Wanderers.

Seekers, Initiates, and Wizards and Wanderers are the Lone Wolfs
who stand apart from, and are out-of-sync with, the common
masses. The masses simply require quick answers, brief
explanations, fabled stories, and unfounded rumors to satisfy their
impatience, curiosity and Ignorance. And it is because the masses
are teeming with unfounded "information" and unsolicited Opinions
that their judgment is usually found to be erroneous, mis-guided,
and false. For how can the masses possibly know that which they
have made no effort to understand?

Ancient Teachings inform us that Truth and Wisdom lie all around
us. However, although Truth and Wisdom are available to all, they
can only be recognized by those who have taken the Time to develop
the ability to "see" them.

Truth and Wisdom are obscured in the shadows of Ancient
Teachings and cryptic Symbols whose true meanings have been
purposely Veiled by half-truths, vague definitions, over-simplified
explanations, and mis-translations.

The True Seeker's focused purpose is to lift the Veil which shrouds
Sacred Knowledge, esoteric Symbolism, and Ancient Wisdom from
the prying eyes, limited understanding, and disrespectful ridicule
of the common horde. For only by lifting this Veil can the True
Seeker uncover the Eternal Secrets and Cosmic Mysteries which
Divinity has bestowed upon us.

With these Thoughts in mind, the next time we stumble upon our
Path, or face a roadblock, in our Quest for Truth and Wisdom, let
us remember that our Search requires effort, patience, and Time;
Time to grow into the knowledge and Wisdom which is about to
be imparted unto us. However, the Precious Jewels and Secret
Treasures that await us at the end of this trek of ours are well
worth the effort we put forth in their pursuit.

Comments and Emails: I welcome comments and emails from
people with similar thoughts and feelings. My email address is
located in the upper-left area of this page. Comments can be
posted by using the "Comment" link located below each article.
Also: If you found value in this article please feel free to forward
it to other like-minded individuals, organizations and sites.

Disclaimer: None of my articles should be considered to be
either advice or expertise. They are simply personal opinions
and no more. Everyone is encouraged to seek competent
advice from a licensed, registered, or certified professional
should such advice or service be required.

© Copyright Joseph Panek 2010

Solomon - Symbol Of Wisdom

Who is the wise man?
He who sees what's going to be born."
- King Solomon

Who was King Solomon? We hear of the Wisdom of Solomon and
we hear of the Temple of Solomon. When we hear the name
Solomon we automatically associate the name with profound
Wisdom. But was Solomon a real person, or was he, like Homer,
a possible combination of many Ancient Teachers?

Is it also possible that the name Solomon is a title conveyed upon a
Master Teacher of an Ancient Mystery School? Schools in which
Wisdom and knowledge were passed down by "word of mouth",
from generation to generation, to Worthy Initiates, until they were
finally reduced to writing for the benefit of all future generations.

Certainly the Lessons which are credited to King Solomon are
sound, spiritual Truths. But, again we have the question of whether
King Solomon was a real person or one of a number of Master
Teachers who carried this ancient title.

When we look at the name Solomon it consists of two parts:
Sol + omon.

Sol is a word which means "sun". The sun is the Symbol for light,
enlightenment, and illumination. Even today we have the metaphor
"the light went on" to indicate that we finally grasped an idea.

Omon, or Amon, or Amun is an ancient Egyptian Word which
means "hidden", "secret", "esoteric", "unknowable" or "Veiled". It is
a Word which indicates special knowledge, and Wisdom, available to
only a select few individuals. We see this Word incorporated into
Egyptian titles such as Amon Re, Amenhotep, and Tutankhamun.

When we consider the name Solomon in this manner we see that the
name takes on a whole different and unique meaning. Solomon now
becomes "hidden light", "secret enlightenment", or "veiled
illumination"; terms which have esoteric meaning and are
representative of a title given to an individual who is one of a long
line of Master Teachers in an Ancient Mystery School.

In addition, when we are Instructed about the building of King
Solomon's Temple we are told that during the long years of its
construction no sound could be heard from the tools and
implements used by the workmen who toiled in erecting the
Temple.

As we all know, constructing a building of any sorts is not
accomplished without the noise and sounds of toiling workmen.
This leads us to Believe that the Temple referred to as Solomon's
Temple is actually our own Inner Temple which consists of our
Body, Mind, and Spirit. And because the work was done without any
sound or noise, this labor is an inner labor which goes on noiselessly
within ourselves.

Therefore when we speak of the construction of King Solomon's
Temple we are referring to a metaphor for the inner work we must
perform upon ourselves in order to insure that our Personal Temple
is strong, correct, and unwavering. For only if our Personal Inner
Temple meets these esoteric requirements are we able to attain the
"hidden light" and "secret enlightenment" which the name Solomon
represents.

However, regardless of whether Solomon was a real person or
whether the name Solomon represents a title bestowed upon a
Master Teacher, the Wisdom and Truths passed down to us by
way of Sol-Omon are sound and Eternal. And, in the end, it is by
following the sacred guidance and Instruction passed down to us
by all Master Teachers of the Past that we are able to obtain the
torch of "Veiled Wisdom" which is available to all who take up the
Quest for Self-Instruction and Self-Illumination.

Comments and Emails: I welcome comments and emails from
people with similar thoughts and feelings. My email address is
located in the upper-left area of this page. Comments can be
posted by using the "Comment" link located below each article.
Also: If you found value in this article please feel free to forward
it to other like-minded individuals, organizations and sites.

Disclaimer: None of my articles should be considered to be
either advice or expertise. They are simply personal opinions
and no more. Everyone is encouraged to seek competent
advice from a licensed, registered, or certified professional
should such advice or service be required.

© copyright Joseph Panek 2010

Instruction Of The Initiate

"Know thyself"
- Inscription above the entrance of
the Temple of Apollo at Delphi

(This article is Part 2 of: "The Ancient Initiate")

Upon being admitted into an Ancient Mystery School, the Initiate
was trained and Instructed in the Lessons and Disciplines that
govern our Physical and Spiritual Worlds. These Lessons and
Disciplines took the form of Spiritual and Physical Instruction
which took many years for the Initiate to Master.

Spiritual Instruction: These were the Lessons that helped to
develop the Initiate's Internal World: The World of Wisdom.

Through these Lessons the Initiate learned how to focus his,
or her, mind through the Disciplines of Silence and Meditation.

Silence taught the Initiate how to listen for, hear and communicate
with their God Within, their Atman. Through Silence the Initiate
mastered the power of Intuition which acted as the Initiate's Inner
Guide.

Spiritual Instruction also involved the Discipline of Meditation.
Meditation taught the Initiate how to focus on Symbols, Mantras
and Silence.

It was through Meditating on Symbols that the Initiate was able to
un-Veil their secret, esoteric meanings. It was through Meditating
on Mantras (sounds and phrases) that the Initiate was able to
understand the Hidden Meanings and Harmonies contained within
these Sacred Sounds and Phrases. It was through Meditating on
Silence that the Initiate learned the art of Calming and Grounding
oneself.

Physical Instruction: These were the lessons that helped to
develop the Initiate's External World: The World of Knowledge.

Although other Lessons were involved, the Initiate's Physical
Instruction mainly focused on the Seven Liberal Arts and Sciences,
which are: Grammar, Rhetoric, Logic, Arithmetic, Geometry, Music
and Astronomy.

Grammar taught the Initiate how to use Symbols and letters to
form Words.

Rhetoric taught the Initiate how to use Words to form
sentences which could be used in communicating with others.

Logic taught the Initiate how to use sentences in order to debate
and evaluate arguments and ideas.

Arithmetic taught the Initiate the use of numbers.

Geometry taught the Initiate how to use numbers to measure the
shapes and angles that prevail in the universe. These are the same
shapes and angles that are used in the science of engineering and
construction.

Music taught the Initiate how to recognize and appreciate Harmony.
For what better way is there to understand Harmony than by
hearing a well-composed piece of music?

Astronomy taught the Initiate how to understand, measure and
predict the movements of the heavens. This included the
movements and appearances of planets, comets, eclipses and
seasons; along with all the other celestial phenomena.

Once the Lessons of the Spiritual and Physical Disciplines were
completed, the Initiate was recognized as a Master of both their
Inner and Outer Domain. At this time the Initiate was Elevated to
the well-earned Title of Master Teacher. It was at this point that
this new Master Teacher was able to Instruct other Initiates in the
Secret and Sacred Mysteries of the Physical and Spiritual Universes.
This was how knowledge was passed down, from generation to
generation, since the earliest beginnings of Time.

The Ancient Mystery Schools, along with their method of teaching,
faded into history somewhere near the end of the Age of Ares and
the Beginning of the Age of Pisces (about 2,100 years ago).

However, although these Mystery Schools no longer exist, their
Knowledge and Wisdom can still be found in the Mythologies,
Symbols and Sacred Teachings found everywhere on our planet.
These Timeless Mysteries, that lie all around us, simply await
some modern-day Initiate (Seeker) to uncover and awaken their
Secrets.

Comments and Emails: I welcome comments and emails from
people with similar thoughts and feelings. My email address is
located in the upper-left area of this page. Comments can be
posted by using the "Comment" link located below each article.
Also: If you found value in this article please feel free to forward
it to other like-minded individuals, organizations and sites.

Disclaimer: None of my articles should be considered to be
either advice or expertise. They are simply personal opinions
and no more. Everyone is encouraged to seek competent
advice from a licensed, registered, or certified professional
should such advice or service be required.

© copyright Joseph Panek 2009

The Ancient Initiate

"Know thyself"
- Inscription above the entrance of
the Temple of Apollo at Delphi

In the Remote Past, Sacred Schools were established by Master
Teachers. It was in these schools that Master Teachers provided
Instruction to well-qualified individuals, who were in search of
Enlightenment, about the Secret Mysteries of the Physical and
Spiritual Worlds. These schools have come to be known as the
Ancient Mystery Schools. The individuals who were granted
admittance into these Mystery Schools were referred to as
Initiates.

Although many men and women applied for admission into these
Mystery Schools, only a few were accepted. The Master Teachers
first weeded-out the applicants who were seeking admission simply
out of "curiosity". Next, they eliminated those applicants who were
considered to be either too lazy, or simply unable, to dedicate
themselves to understanding and mastering the Knowledge and
Wisdom that these Sacred Institutions had to offer.

The applicants who were accepted into the Mystery Schools were,
indeed, the well-qualified and dedicated few who would invest the
time and energy necessary to learn the Knowledge and Wisdom that
the Master Teachers were about to impart to them.

Two important facts must be remembered regarding these Ancient
Mystery Schools:

First: Admission into the Mystery Schools was open to both men
and women. The gender of the person was not important. What
was important was whether the applicant was well-qualified,
dedicated, and able to handle the years of Spiritual and Mental
disciplines that lay before them.

Second: application for admission into these Mystery Schools was
completely voluntary. In addition, the Initiate was free to leave the
School should he, or she, determine that the Way of the School was
not in Harmony with their Personal Path. Needless to say, very few
Initiates Chose to quit these Mystery Schools.

But who were these Initiates of the Remote Past? And why did
they voluntarily dedicate years of their lives in order to understand,
and master, Sacred and Secret Mysteries...Mysteries that were
considered Ancient even during their lifetimes?

These Ancient Initiates were Seekers of Truth and Wisdom.
It was their Divine Calling to seek out, understand, and master the
Knowledge and Wisdom that govern the the Eternal Cycles of
Man and Spirit. These Initiates, these Seekers, did not look upon
the Teachings of these Mystery Schools as an obligation they must
endure. Instead, they looked upon their Lessons and Disciplines as
an Adventure that was in Harmony with their Divine Nature. They
appreciatively, and enthusiastically, embraced the Knowledge and
Wisdom that the Master Teachers of these Mystery Schools were
pleased, and honored, to bestow upon them.
See also: "Instruction of the Initiate"

Comments and Emails: I welcome comments and emails from
people with similar thoughts and feelings. My email address is
located in the upper-left area of this page. Comments can be
posted by using the "Comment" link located below each article.
Also: If you found value in this article please feel free to forward
it to other like-minded individuals, organizations and sites.

Disclaimer: None of my articles should be considered to be
either advice or expertise. They are simply personal opinions
and no more. Everyone is encouraged to seek competent
advice from a licensed, registered, or certified professional
should such advice or service be required.

© copyright Joseph Panek 2009

Veil Of Isis - Symbol and Mythology

"No mortal shall pierce the Veil of Isis."
-Ancient Egyptian Mystery

This Ancient and Sacred statement is very similar to the
opening cryptic lines of the Tao Teh Ching.

And although this statement tells us that no "mortal" shall pierce the
Veil of Isis, it also alludes to the fact that The Veil can be pierced.
However, it does not tell us how to pierce the Veil.

As with many Ancient Teachings, we must look "inside" the
Lesson itself in order to discover its True Meaning.

Symbolically, a Veil represents something hidden; something
concealed. The Veil shrouds a Secret, a Mystery. In this instance,
the Veil shrouds Esoteric Knowledge.

And what is "Esoteric Knowledge"? Esoteric Knowledge is Sacred
Wisdom that can only be bestowed upon a worthy Initiate; a worthy
Seeker of Truth.

But how can a Seeker or Initiate, who is mortal, "pierce" this Veil
that we are told "no mortal shall pierce"?

We must always remember that Infinite Truths cannot be accessed
by the finite mind. The Infinite can only be accessed by the Spiritual
side of Our Divine Nature.

The Seeker pierces the Veil not by using the mortal faculties of
mind, reason, and logic, but by using the Spiritual Faculties of
meditation, insight, and intuition.

It is through meditation, insight, and intuition that the Seeker slowly
peels away, one layer at a time, the Mysteries that wrap themselves
around, and conceal, Eternal Spiritual Truths.

Likewise, it is by Learning and using these same Spiritual Disciplines
that we too can acquire the ability to Un-veil the Divine Mysteries
that are cryptically "hidden" in Ancient Teachings.

See also: "The Known, The Unknown and The Unknowable"

Comments and Emails: I welcome comments and emails from
people with similar thoughts and feelings. My email address is
located in the upper-left area of this page. Comments can be
posted by using the "Comment" link located below each article.
Also: If you found value in this article please feel free to forward
it to other like-minded individuals, organizations and sites.

Disclaimer: None of my articles should be considered to be
either advice or expertise. They are simply personal opinions
and no more. Everyone is encouraged to seek competent
advice from a licensed, registered, or certified professional
should such advice or service be required.

© copyright Joseph Panek 2008