The Temple of the Self

Imagine a beautiful temple in the woods: a temple filled with such peace and serenity that one becomes nearly breathless at the site of it. Even at the outer portal, the deeper emanations of sacred space within can be sensed. This temple, like its ancient predecessors, is purified and consecrated space held within a sacred form. It contains a portal, an entry room, the outer temple, and the Holy of Holies. 

A temple of the mysteries is a symbolic representation of divine being, and its component parts contain wisdom about the pathways leading to that attainment. In humans, the physical body and its companion bodies form the holy temple-complex of the divine spirit. Each area of the mystery temple relates to one of the four lower bodies in humans. As each area is purified and consecrated, the wisdom within that space of the temple may be synthesized into one's being. When the portal, entry room, outer temple, and Holy of Holies have been mastered, and each of the bodies have become sacred space, the Shekinah (Divine Presence) then resides within the Holy of Holies.

The portal is the outermost area of the temple-complex. It is where we stand before entering through the temple doors. On either side of the portal are black and white pillars that represent all pairs of opposites. This symbolism also indicates the manifest world of light and dark, day and night. The portal of the temple refers to the physical body, which is the densest body, and the only one fully subject to the three-dimensional world of time and space. 

When we stand at the portal, we are outdoors in the sunlight. The physical body depends upon the sun for its existence. It is an earthly body, created of the earth itself, and it is within this body that the animal instincts for physical survival reside.  It is by conscious use of the wisdom and energies of the portal that these physical drives may be purified, transmuted, and equilibrated. The black and white pillars of the portal are the keys to this wisdom. Representing all opposing forces, the pillars remind us to remain in the center. In terms of the physical body, this means exercising moderation and balance in all things related to the body. Vibrant food, pure water, breath and movement are the primary requirements for balanced physical being. 

Portal level practices for an enlightened physical body include detoxification and purification, yoga and consciousness of breath, and the establishment of dietary guidelines and spiritual practices. As we attune to the wisdom of the pillars of mercy and severity, we must begin to live physical life in a different, and more conscious way. Reflection upon the meanings of all opposites, and efforts to reconcile them into unity within one's being, leads to greater understanding about compassionate and enlightened ways of living on the earth. 

The wisdom-essence of the portal reveals certain specific principles that are to be studied, reflected upon, and integrated into physical life. These principles include: vegetarian diet, consciousness of the life-force carried by the breath, flexibility and strength in movement, increase and elevation of the sexual energies, healing of physical illnesses, and induction of ecstatic states of consciousness through physical means. As each aspirant works through and masters the wisdom of the portal, a deep cellular radiance is attained. When the body has been brought into mastery, we may move forward through the temple doors.

In contrast to the outdoor, sun-drenched portal, the entry room of the temple is dark, closed, and silent. It provides a place to pause and reflect upon spiritual intention, before moving deeper into the sacred space beyond. This room represents the emotional body, and the dark regions of the subconscious mind. The wisdom to be attained within the entry has to do with the purification and illumination of the emotional drives and impulses of the deep psyche. Within this dark womb, we are challenged to find understanding of our emotions, and transmute them into their essence. Through this process, the Higher Self gains access to the tremendous power that was previously locked into emotional forms.

In the mystical traditions of the west, the subconscious mind is said to be the gateway to the inner teacher, and to deep intuitive experiences. As a bay on the great sea that is the collective unconscious, the subconscious holds great potential for bringing through the ancient wisdom teachings of all times and races. However, it is only when the personal sea is cleansed of its shadows, and has become still that the inner teachings can come into our conscious awareness. 

Just as we cannot safely sail on turbulent seas, so we cannot proceed on the journey to the higher self with unruly emotions. Expressions such as jealousy, anger, grief, resentment, guilt, unworthiness, and all other unbalanced emotions are as clouds that block out the full radiance of the sunlight that is the true Self. In the dark shadows of the entry room, these imbalances must be seen, and their presence in one's life understood. Following this understanding, all old emotional forms are destroyed, and the power they have held is returned to the higher self. The potentials to be mastered within the entry room include: self-awareness, control of the desire nature, detachment from emotional processes, maintenance of serenity and peace in all circumstances, purification of intuitive abilities, and strengthening of connections to the inner realms.

From the dark quiet of the entry room, we enter into the outer temple. Here we are once again in the light, but it is a more diffuse light than that of the portal, as it is filtered through windows. We also see another pair of black and white pillars in the distance, near the Holy of Holies. The outer temple contains the sacred records and teachings, and it is where ceremonies and rites are performed. The outer temple symbolizes the lower mental body, which fuses with the higher mental body as mastery is attained. In this room, great knowledge is acquired and transmissions are received from the subtle realm of the higher self. Mastery of the wisdom of the outer temple is often attempted yet seldom fully attained. 

The lower mental body is far denser than the higher mental body, which resides above the etheric or light body. The higher self can be thought of as residing within the higher mental body. It is a subtle vehicle that can only be experienced through the lower mind. Thus the wisdom of the outer temple has much to do with purification and balancing of the mental processes.

As a dense body, the mental nature is filled with thought-forms made of dense light. This is the light the ancient occultists called the lesser light. Thought-forms are created by the repeated holding of specific mental patterns. These patterns are ideas, concepts, beliefs, and intellectual understandings. The great majority of these patterns come from various conditionings such as are found in public schools and universities, family structures, cultural and political institutions, churches, and all other systems created by mass consciousness. Through the wisdom-essence of the outer temple, we are led to confront, dissolve, and transmute all erroneous mental processes and concepts.

Study of the ancient metaphysical teachings is essential to mastery of the powers of the outer temple. The teachings reveal the true purpose of the Self in incarnation, and so inspire devotion to the path. Western wisdom schools also contain knowledge of the multiple dimensions of existence, and provide resources for practical work in which one experiences other planes.  Through devotion to the practices and study of the mysteries, knowledge and understanding of spiritual reality is gained, and the lower mind is liberated from constricted, conditioned thought. 

Many esoteric ceremonies and rituals are learned and performed within the outer temple. These conscious acts of focused attention aid the lower mind to take in new concepts, while also providing a powerful resource for ecstatic experiences of union with the higher self. Ritual performance impacts all of the lower bodies simultaneously in a unique way, bringing the whole personality into a more purified and vibrant state.  These sacred practices also lend experience in the creation of purified thought-forms derived from the higher light.

The wisdom-essence of the outer temple is acquired and integrated over a long period of time, as its inherent nature is expansive and limitless. Its realizations and attainments include: intellectual mastery of the concepts of esoteric science, multi-dimensional memory, witness consciousness, illumination of thought and thought-forms, conscious communion with the Higher Self, and ecstatic consciousness of oneness. Once these experiences have integrated into all levels of being, and we are living life in complete harmony and reconciliation on the three lower levels, we may approach the Holy of Holies.

Traditionally the Holy of Holies was the inner temple wherein only the High Priest/ess could enter. It is the most potent and powerful space within the temple complex. Its forms and symbols are based in sacred geometry, and its wisdom-essence is conveyed through these structures.  Veils cover the entrance to the Holy of Holies, yet the ancient teachings proclaim that when we have become prepared, the veils will be rent from top to bottom, and we shall enter in. 

The geometric foundation of the Holy of Holies is the vesica pisces, the sacred fish. The symbol is the space between two overlapping circles. These circles represent the realms of the higher and lower selves, and the shape formed by their convergence is known esoterically as the sphere of being. This is the etheric body, and its primary function is to reflect the light from the higher self into the lower bodies. 

The etheric body contains the other three bodies that form the personality - the physical, emotional, and mental aspects of being. It is also in constant vibratory contact with the higher mental body of the higher self. Because it is a subtle, reflective body, both the lower and higher realms impact and effect the etheric level. On the physical level, these impacts are often seen as disease, illness, and mental and emotional tensions. Wherever there are obstructions in the lower bodies, the radiance of the etheric body cannot anchor. Likewise, when the lower nature has become purified and surrendered to the higher self, the etheric body reflects far more powerful radiations of the spiritual light.

The wisdom-essence of the Holy of Holies is more subtle than that contained in the outer areas of the temple. Its teachings are paradoxical and abstract. Wisdom and experiences at this level are often beyond language, yet one is transformed in a powerful way. When the sphere of being is fully anchored in all of the lower bodies, and communion with the higher self is occurring, the radiant light of the spiritual realm reflects outward from the aura.  This radiance can be seen as halos and light emanating from enlightened beings. It is the source of healing power, the sense of spiritual presence, and the essence of all miracles.

Potencies that manifest when we have integrated the essences of the Holy of Holies include: vibratory transmission, unified consciousness, command of manifestation, multi-dimensional mastery of the light body, and alignment with the higher will. When we reside within the Holy of Holies, we live fully in the divine presence. Our lives are filled with joy and peace, and we give freely to all in love, compassion, and service. 

The temple of the Self is not a building made of stone or wood. It is the physical human as a purified vehicle for the sacred essence of Spirit. Temples of the mysteries are powerful symbolic representations of the components and processes leading to divine realization. Though we may pass through a multitude of darkness, shadow, challenges, and opportunities, our desire for this divine union provides light and inspiration along the way. By working with the symbolism of the temple, initiates direct the lower unto the higher, and receive the blessings of communion.

It is I who am the light which is above them all. It is I who am the All. From me did the all come forth, and unto me did the all extend. Split a piece of wood, and I am there. Lift up the stone, and you will find me there. Yeheshuah in The Gospel of Thomas (II, 2).