The Ladder - Symbol of Ascension

Symbolically, The Ladder is a connection between the world of
matter below with the domain of Spirit above. It symbolizes the
spiritual stairway which enables a Seeker or Initiate to ascend to
higher realms of consciousness in the Quest for Spiritual
Perfection.

The Ladder, which is rich in Symbolism and Metaphor, consists
of Horizontal Rungs and two Vertical Uprights. The Horizontal
rungs represent progressively higher levels of consciousness
and the two Vertical Uprights, (I I), represent the symbol for
duality.

The horizontal rungs remind us that our spiritual journey is
upward, and the vertical uprights remind us that our upward
journey occurs within the realm of duality.

As The Ladder has no moving parts, it symbolizes ascension
by way of personal Desire and Effort. The Ladder also reminds us
that reaching the highest realms of consciousness is not a short,
swift journey. Each rung represents a gradual ascent whereby
Wisdom, knowledge, enlightenment and perfection are earned
by us one step at a time. However, we must also keep in mind
that no journey is without its rests and pauses. Therefore,
whenever we require a respite during our spiritual ascent, the
rungs of The Ladder provide us with the support and strength we
need until we are ready to take our next step upward.

In addition, The Symbol of the Ladder also reminds us that our
upward ascent, from the bottom-most rung to the upper-most rung,
is a journey through the realm of duality. Before we can step up
to the next higher rung on The Ladder we must first experience and
master the Lessons of duality which exist at our current level of
elevation.

As we steadfastly ascend the rungs of The Ladder we slowly elevate
ourselves, higher and higher, above the lower plane of the superficial
and mundane. Upon reaching the higher rungs of The Ladder, we
begin to breathe in the rarefied air of Higher Consciousness. It is at
these higher levels of consciousness that the mysteries of Eternity
slowly begin to un-veil their secrets to us.

When we reach the top-most rung of The Ladder we enter the
realm of highest consciousness. We have now left the frustrations,
confusions and restraints of the material world well below us and
are now finally able to enjoy the purified realm of angels, higher
spirits, and Divinity. Through our personal Desire and Effort we
have Transcended Duality and achieved entrance into the Infinite
Domain of Enlightenment and Unity.

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

Master Teachers - Ancient Spiritual Guides

"The hopes of the instructed are better
than the wealth of the ignorant."
-Epictetus

Master Teachers have been called by many different names
throughout Time: Thoth, Hermes, Solomon, Christ, Buddha,
Confucius, Veracocha, Quetzalcoatl...

And although Master Teachers have not walked upon the earth for
millenia, their Thoughts, Wisdom, and Esoteric Instructions remain
eternally available to each and every one of us by way of Symbolism,
Mythology, Sacred Writings and the Oral Traditions of Indigenous
Cultures.

Master Teachers are revered for the sublime levels of Spiritual
Enlightenment which they attained: Enlightenments which they
passed on to both their Students and to all future generations.
Master Teachers also possessed certain Divine Characteristics.
Characteristics which caused them to be held in the most highest
esteem by the men and women of their Time.

Master Teachers were Sovereign individuals who possessed a
profound understanding of both their inner and outer worlds.
They understood the Cycles and patterns which govern Time,
the universe, and humanity. They also possessed a very deep
understanding of their Spiritual Nature, their Atman.

Their Spiritual Alignment and Harmony was the result of the years
they spent in contemplation and meditation. Spirituality was their
way of life. They understood the interaction and Interdependence
which exists between the world of matter and the realm of Spirit;
they were Aware of the interplay of opposites which permeate our
daily lives, and; they had a deep respect for the Spirit which resides
within all Thought and matter.

Master Teachers neither demanded, nor expected, a following. They
imposed their Teachings on no one. They Simply imparted their
Wisdom, left their Footprint, and moved on - leaving their audiences
Free to do whatever they Chose with the Wisdom which had just
been bestowed upon them.

Furthermore, Master Teachers did not demand that any buildings
be erected to their "cause". Neither did they expect organizations
be established to "preach" on their behalf. The Master Teachers
Simply reminded us that Spirit dwells within us; that our body is the
Temple of Divinity which we are Free to enter whenever we Choose
by going within ourselves, meditating, and Seeking Inner Guidance.

Master Teachers brought Spiritual Philosophy, Divine Principles,
and Ancient Wisdom to the many people they visited. Their
Teachings have withstood the "test of Time" and are available to
every one of us. We Simply need to Seek them out, absorb their
Timeless Wisdom and follow their Spiritual Guidance.

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

Wisdom

"Wisdom is not a product of schooling but
of the lifelong attempt to acquire it."
-Albert Einstein

Wisdom is a rare Spiritual Gift which has been bestowed upon
merely a scant few mortals. Wisdom should not be confused with
knowledge.

Knowledge manifests itself in our minds. And although our Mind
provides us a direct access with Divinity, its main purpose is to
enable us to function and interact within the Physical Realm.

Our Mind is a "open gateway" which allows us to collect and absorb
knowledge. Knowledge is logic and reason. Knowledge teaches us
how to measure, recognize and understand the phenomena we
experience in the Material Realm of our Current Incarnation.

Knowledge is something that is readily available, easily accessible
and easy to understand for the vast majority of people. Each of us
has pursued different degrees and types of knowledge and it is
these degrees and types of knowledge that separate one type of
knowledgeable person from another. To increase our knowledge we
simply need to increase the amount of information we are able to
digest. A person can digest and understand vast amounts of
knowledge yet never come close to acquiring Wisdom.

Wisdom, on the other hand, is the highest and purest form of
Knowing and Understanding. Wisdom is Spiritual Alignment,
Insight, and Awareness. Wisdom is understanding the Spiritual
Essence contained within all Thought and matter. Wisdom is the
unique ability to balance (harmonize) Duality, in all its aspects.
Wisdom is Gnosis!

A person who possesses Wisdom has the rare ability to tap into this
highest and purest form of Knowing and Understanding in order to
apply these Spiritual Gifts in the Material World.

When we hear of "the Wisdom of Solomon", this phrase instills
a reverence and awe within us. We ask ourselves how could one
person make monumental Decisions, and dispense justice, with such
Simplicity yet be so highly respected and memorialized. It is because
Solomon was able to "see" all things in their highest, purest and
Simplest forms. This enabled Solomon to make respected, common
sense, Decisions on all matters that were brought before him.
Whenever we hear the name Solomon we immediately associate it
with Wisdom.

Wisdom, by its very nature, is an extremely rare "Gift of the Gods"
that can only only be experienced by a select few individuals. And
although history tells us of a number of Wise Men, Master Teachers,
and Magi who have come before us, and left us their Footprint, their
numbers pale when compared to the vast multitudes who have never
come close to attaining True Wisdom.

The Lesson passed down to us within the myth of Prometheus tells
us just how Precious and Rare the Divine Gift of Wisdom truly is.
Prometheus gave the Gift of Fire to mankind. And for this act, which
was against the will of the gods, Prometheus was chained to a
mountain top where each day a vulture would come and feed upon
his liver.

As with all myths and legends we need to look within the story in
order to understand the Symbolism and Metaphor they are
presenting to us. Symbolically, "Fire" represents Light...Illumination
...Enlightenment...Wisdom! Prometheus, of his own accord, Chose
to give the Gift of Wisdom to all mankind. However the "gods"
understood that mankind, in general, was not ready for such a
Powerful and Divine Gift. For his callous act Prometheus was
severely punished.

The moral of this legend: Mankind, in general, has never been and
still is not ready for the Divine Gift of Wisdom. History, and current
Events, show that whenever Mankind is presented with Truth and
Wisdom they greet it with scorn, mockery, ridicule, suppression and
destruction. Therefore, the "gods" were correct in punishing
Prometheus for his thoughtless act.

Although Wisdom cannot be bestowed upon the common masses,
it is not unusual for certain individuals to discover, understand and
possess this Divine Gift through their personal efforts. These
privileged individuals deeply appreciate and sincerely respect this
Precious Gift when it comes into their possession. These individuals
understand that Wisdom is the one Divine Gift that separates "gods"
from mortals.

But how do we understand and recognize Wisdom? Wisdom is
Spiritual Harmony. Wisdom continually seeks out Truth and Balance.
Wisdom does not entertain doubt, rumors, and unfounded Opinions;
it resolves them. Wisdom does not look for someone to "blame"
when things fail to go according to plan, it seeks out the cause of the
Event. Wisdom expresses itself by Harmony, not by force. Wisdom
is the ability to balance Mercy with Justice. Wisdom is knowing
how to balance Duality in all its forms, as Symbolized by the
Vesica Piscis.

Wisdom is the ability to use our Spiritual Gifts of Insight and
Awareness to evaluate and resolve the Decisions we are confronted
with during our Current Incarnation in the material realm. Wisdom
is the highest and purest form of Spiritual Knowing and
Understanding. Wisdom is the Gift of Divinity, the Holy Grail,
bestowed upon those rare few who make the gallant effort to
understand it, Seek it out and recognize it when it is presented to
them.

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