Thus they give them a thoroughly material, external religious life and blind them to the spiritual, internal religious life that is true religion. Practicing occultist and writer with a particular interest in summoning magic. They were considered two parts of a holistic whole. Those who were more spiritually inclined were directed towards more esoteric systems within the same religion. Having to do with concepts that are highly theoretical and without obvious practical application; often with mystical or religious connotations. If people are allowed or even encouraged to experiment with their spirituality, it significantly decreases the power of priesthood within society. As the initiate progresses through the ranks, he discovers more spiritual truths and simultaneously progresses within a spiritual hierarchy. In contrast to exoteric “religions”, esoteric “religions” (or paths, or Ways) have not been communicated to the public masses. The distinction between “esoteric knowledge,” available only to initiates, and “exoteric knowledge,” available to all, has long been part of the religious life of humankind. The Religion of the Aryo-Germanic Folk: Esoteric and Exoteric [List, Guido von, Flowers, Stephen E] on Amazon.com. In the same breath we’ll provide a distinction between initiation and mysticism as the two main branches of esotericism. The exoteric path represents the more conventional approach to religion involving ongoing participation in the practices and activities of an established religious community (church, mosque, synagogue, temple, etc.). This is an interesting book. It is also the main distinction between pagan cults and Christian orthodoxy. Therefore it’s important to distinguish between initiates of for example an initiatory Order like the Golden Dawn and Desert Fathers of Early and Medieval Christianity. The situation in primitive societies and religions is even more complex because there is no clear line between exoteric and esoteric knowledge at all. Among educated people, the word “esoteric” is widely known and used frequently. ... Esoteric and Exoteric. The distinction between “esoteric knowledge,” available only to initiates, and “exoteric knowledge,” available to all, has long been part of the religious life of humankind. Popular, or exoteric, religion is motivated by the concerns of physical and social existence. The term "exoteric" may also reflect the notion of a divine identity that is outside of, and different from, human identity, whereas the esoteric notion claims that the divine is to be discovered within the human identity. The exoteric aspect is for the many; the esoteric is for the ardent few. The exoteric path represents the more conventional approach to religion involving ongoing participation in the practices and activities of an established religious community (church, mosque, synagogue, temple, etc.). Exoteric relates to "external reality" as opposed to one's own thoughts or feelings. Due to this belief, the Christian orthodoxy also believes that there is no chance to ascend to reach God through our own efforts, as there is a sharp disconnect which can’t be surpassed through own efforts. Is your religion esoteric or exoteric, or both | Religious ... ... ? Thus, the word “exoteric” is esoteric, and the word “esoteric” is exoteric. Going one step further, the pantheistic notion suggests that the divine and the material world are one and the same. Check out my book "The Warrior-Magician Manual", available on Amazon - https://amzn.to/2DntMw5 Readers will also find plenty of valuable book reviews and courses which may prove to be helpful for obtaining greater knowledge. Promoters of Esoteric Christianity contrast themselves with those they call “Exoteric Christians”; the difference is that esotericists focus on inner religion and exotericists focus on outer religion. Alternatively, the esoteric path tends to be more individualistic and mystical in orientation. In this article I will explain the difference between exoteric and esoteric religions in its full cultural context. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This can take a lot of lives, but it does inevitably happen. The exoteric aspect is the more public persona of a spiritual practice: its community, rituals, and liturgic practices. Exoteric and Esoteric: these words basically mean “outer” and “inner” — and are used to describe the relationship between spirituality, mysticism, and organized or institutional religion/community. Eastern religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism have always emphasized liberation from worldly constraints as the pinnacle of human achievement. A product of it's time, Von List was writing in the early 20th and … In fact, many of these primitive societies throughout Asia, Africa and the Americas have initiation and magical rites of passage performed by all members of society. Another way of looking at this is that on the esoteric side, things are being done for you, either by your deities(s), yourself, or other people. While many people hold this belief on a purely rational or intuitive sense, esoteric doctrines practiced through initiation and mysticism can lead one to discover this fact in his heart. Zoroastrianism, while it may be an esoteric religion, is categorized with the Eastern Religions. Brain is reflective, the heart is knowing. For the externally-oriented people, exoteric religion is a necessity, for by continually bringing God and spiritual principles to bear on their outer material life they very slowly begin to spiritualize their thinking and living. Because they rely on intuition and Intellect, as conceived in Traditional societies which didn’t equate Intellect with reason. It signifies anything which is public, without limits, or universal. From the very start she claimed a somewhat intimate acquaintance with both. Exoteric vs Esoteric In the Meme: Exoteric vs Esoteric, each of the religions has an inner spiritual meaning that is not at all understood by the mass of faith-based believers -- and only those who understand the inner esoteric meaning of their exoteric religious teachings can gain access to the Center or Truth of all Truths. Read reviews from world’s largest community for readers. Here is my list of the best magick courses from experienced contemporary magicians available online. For the purposes of categorization, we will include New Age, Rosicrucianism, Satanism, Scientology, Spiritualism, and Mysticism in this category. Initiatory Orders follow certain rules of conduct and tests which must be fulfilled to progress further in the Order’s ranks. That is why they are called “esoteric”—their teachings were supposed to be kept secret, and (thus and thereby) reserved for the few who were truly prepared to … Occultist.net is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. One who believes, or is an initiate, in esoteric doctrines or rites. Welcome to Spiritual Forums!. The Exoteric Vs. Esoteric of Spirituality Spiritual Development. The esoteric side of a religion regards the inner world, the more intimate and arcane elements. The Exoteric dimension: Historically-Informed religions have another dimension, an outward-focused or exoteric … The word is derived from the comparative form of Greek ἔξω eksô, "from, out of, outside". Only through God’s mercy can such a result be gained. The word exoteric traces to Greek roots meaning "outer." Religion on any other basis, Adi Da Samraj shows us, is a product of immaturity. In the Meme: Exoteric vs Esoteric, each of the religions has an inner spiritual meaning that is not at all understood by the mass of faith-based believers -- and only those who understand the inner esoteric meaning of their exoteric religious teachings can gain access to the Center or Truth of all Truths. G urdjieff was asked what was the origin of The Fourth Way, he said, "I don't know what you know about Christianity [he emphasized the word.] "It would be necessary to talk a great deal and to talk for a long time in order to make clear what you understand by this term. In this article I will explain the difference between exoteric and esoteric religions in its full cultural context. We'll start by comparing the relationship between these two terms in … So all can participate in a Truth which is not purely rational, but also mystical and intuitive. Of sanity, self, and salvation. The distinction is commonly based on the belief that only those initiated in a particular tradition or having achieved a certain level of spiritual development should have access to the esoteric or higher teachings. It comes from the Greek Esoterikos: within, into. Of consciousness and cosmos. Aphrodite is the ancient goddess of love and sensual pleasures. Thus, the word "exoteric" is esoteric, and the word "esoteric" is exoteric. Exoteric refers to knowledge that is outside of and independent from anyone's experience and can be ascertained by anyone. We created this community for people from all backgrounds to discuss Spiritual, Paranormal, Metaphysical, Philosophical, Supernatural, and Esoteric subjects. The Christian God is also separate from the material world. Judaism provides another great example of exoteric and esoteric parts of religion being accepted as valid by all parties involved, as Judaism has both a rabbinic orthodoxy and the mystical system of Kabbalah. It has only left alone some mystics within its own ranks such as Meister Eckhart. In comparison, Hinduism and Buddhism didn’t have a struggle between exoteric and esoteric doctrine. Exoteric religion keeps pointing their members to the material and away from the genuinely spiritual (which they often denounce as false or evil). From their ashes rose many occult movements throughout the Middle Ages, the Rennaisance and up to out modern times.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'occultist_net-box-4','ezslot_9',109,'0','0'])); In comparison, Hinduism and Buddhism didn’t have a struggle between exoteric and esoteric doctrine. In this article I will explain the difference between exoteric and esoteric religions in its full cultural context. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. There are many reasons why they oppose esoteric knowledge; new heretical movements led by fake gurus or simply the fact that they would no longer have complete control over people’s hearts. Esoteric (noun) An esoteric doctrine or treatise; esoteric philosophy; esoterics. Whereas materialism is exoteric, mysticism is esoteric, and deals with the inner world of our thoughts and state of being, as the ALL is mental. Intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest, or an enlightened inner circle. She can help you find the love of your life, she can make you more... 10 Powerful Types of Magic You Can Master. One should neither mix nor separate spirituality from religion (theism) since 1) We all are spiritual beings , experiencing physical existence at different individual levels. Exoteric spirituality is the outward teachings: the surface-level stuff that’s easily understood by the masses. External; public; suitable to be imparted to the public; hence, capable of being readily or fully comprehended; - opposed to esoteric, or secret. Pagans had many esoteric cults, also known as Mysteries which the Christian Church did a good job of destroying at the detriment of posterity. The Church is simply afraid of dealing with any hidden knowledge, because it didn’t assimilate it from the start. She was the first since the days of the Alexandrian Neo-Platonists who unhesitatingly and emphatically declared that a secret body of Teaching and Teachers existed. One should neither mix nor separate spirituality from religion (theism) since 1) We all are spiritual beings , experiencing physical existence at different individual levels. Those are the two main differences within esoteric spirituality. He is the Creator of the world, the world does not emanate from Him. Marked by secrecy or privacy; private; select; confidential; as, an esoteric purpose; an esoteric meeting. Welcome to Spiritual Forums!. There is certainly reason for concern, as becoming enlightened is often explained as becoming one with God. confined to and understandable by only an enlightened inner circle; "a compilation of esoteric philosophical theories". It is knowledge that is public as opposed to secretive or cabalistic. The Exoteric Vs. Esoteric of Spirituality Spiritual Development. Adi Da Samraj distinguishes two categories of religious effort that have developed in human history — the "exoteric" and the "esoteric". By summoning Aphrodite you can improve your love life in many ways. In order to make a proper distinction between exoteric and esoteric in a religious context is highly dependent on the society and the religion in question. Now, any alternative spirituality is treated as a competitor on a spirituality market which exoteric Christianity had a monopoly on for over a thousand years. This riddle over the aeons has defied a strait jacket explanation. adj. In Islam, there is an esoteric movement called Sufism which is tolerated by the imams. This antagonism on a doctrinal and practical level has been maintained by the Church up to this day. Exoteric religion is the outer form of religion, the unique stories and myths behind each of the great faiths, Chrisitanity, Buddhism, Islam and so on… Esoteric religion is the inner expereinces that one can achieve through the spiritual PRACTICES that are taught … Of consciousness and cosmos. The antonym of "exoteric" is esoteric, meaning "designed for or understood by the specially initiated alone"; … * {{quote-book, 2007, Reza Shah-Kazemi, chapter=Frithjof Schuon and Prayer, editor=Martin Lings, The Underlying Religion citation , passage=Again, it is folly to belittle the significance of the canonical prayer — or exoteric rites in general — out of some presumptuous notion of esoterism.}} So why does the Christian orthodoxy despise esotericism? Exoteric vs Esoteric Religion and Spirituality Explained. Write a review. To gain God’s favor, one must follow the rules set out by the Church and hope that God will notice the earthly, moral efforts of the individual. It is not required that exoteric knowledge come easily or automatically, but it should be … The foppery of an exoteric and esoteric doctrine. Early Christianity was marked by a struggle between Gnostics (proponents of esotericism) and the Church orthodoxy who were proponents of exoteric religiosity. The exoteric aspect is for the many; the esoteric is for the ardent few. So I hope this has cleared some misconceptions and has shown the complexity of these two terms as they can’t be treated the same in every religious and cultural setting. Please add askdifference.com to your ad blocking whitelist or disable your adblocking software. That secret portion of Masonry which is known only to the initiates is distinguished from exoteric Masonry… which is accessible to all who choose to read the manuals and published works of the Order…. It often lacks any proper rules so the result is highly dependent on the mystic and his subjective connection with the Divinity in question. I like to think of magic in the shape of a talent tree in an RPG game. The only major exception is Christianity, and especially the Catholic Church which has prosecuted and burnt at the stakes thousands of heretics for dabbling with the occult, esoteric knowledge. Your love life in many forms I like to think of magic in the century. Surface-Level stuff that ’ s largest community for people from all backgrounds to discuss exoteric vs esoteric religion, Paranormal, Metaphysical Philosophical. Of higher spirituality higher spirituality regards the inner world, the word exoteric! 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