What is esotericism?

Last week I wrote about anthroposophy and Mr. Rudolf Steiner. As I told, the idea came into my mind by meeting an old friend of mine after many years within which we haven’t met. I did some research and found out about anthroposophy, which descended originally form theosophy, and its teachings. But what was even more important for me, was to take a close look at my fiend’s life. This was a true revelation! His life had turned into a chaos, since he began to become involved with anthroposophy. A once happy marriage was divorced, he doesn’t want to have any contact with his children any more, his money is gone (all to the society which he now serves) and he is living from public welfare. But what is most surprising it, that he does not see the reality of his life. According to his statements, he has risen very high on the ladder of spiritual levels and is about to become a masters. Therefore he has to avoid all people with “low” character, and most of the world would be to dirty for his “pure” thoughts. It would only take a short time from now and an uprising of the planet would take place, but only for the “chosen” one of course. Everybody else would be sent to lower levels of beings, for the world (which is considered a living being) would be taken to a higher (lighter) state of being (I somewhere heard the same nonsense from some 2012-the-end-of-the-world people).

I haven’t heart a bigger nonsense for many years. This reminds me of many people who are involved within the New-Age or Esotericism scene. They believe to come into contact with “higher” worlds or spheres. Well, from the scientific point of view such phenomenon are nonsense, may be some hallucinations, a case for psychiatrists and in worst case for mental institutions. But other religious traditions, especially Christian ones are aware of the existence of such “worlds”. For example, the Catholic Church is still education exorcists to free people from evil spirits. Whatever we think about such practises, one think that cannot be denied is the fact that people make experiences and that there are many ways by which such experiences can be made. Whoever meditates for a certain time will have experiences, which are not explainable by scientific ways. Even the most “reality”-orientated person cannot deny such experiences.

The word esotericism originates from the old Greek and means, hidden, secret, inside. It is the same as the Latin word occultism. But occultism has some negative connotations and most people interested in the “paranormal” or “supernormal” use esotericism for it sounds much more harmless and is more attractive. But the fact stays that it is the same. Esotericism cares for all things that cannot be perceived in the ordinary, sensual way, we live our daily life. Many people start esotericism, because they are disappointed by the experiences, which they made within their traditional religions (if they have any experiences there at all). They come into contact with the “supernatural” and this experience makes them believe. In contrary the traditional religions did not give them this experience and stay boring and old fashioned in their minds. Many think esotericism offers them the freedom they are searching for. Religion seems to be a way to rule people and take away their freedom. It is nothing to accuse people for, for the reign of humans brings slavery, but the reign of God makes you free. But people consider God being a bigger kind of human being. They have never understood God, they believe in the old point of view of the old polytheistic religions. Gods are a kind of superhuman, according to these traditions, they have bright characteristics and dark characteristics. If you see God as a superhuman with a good and a bad side you haven’t understood a think of the truth of Christendom.

It is true there is a world of God and there is a world of humans. And in between we find many spiritual phenomena with angels, demons, light-beings and the like. It is true, that they exist, they are no illusions. But one think is an illusion: To think that the spiritual world can bring salvation, you can never be free by caring for the spiritual world. God is much higher! And another thing: God is absolute, the spiritual world is a relative (good and evil) and it never serves mankind. There are a lot of lies, which have it’s origin within this spiritual world. The idea, that human beings have a divine potential or that human beings and god are the same. Esotericism thinks human beings can do things on their own if they follow certain rules. Truth is, that without God human beings are unable to help themselves. Nobody can find the way to God without the grace of God. God alone can do the revelation, whatever human beings do, they can never find it on their own (for example Buddhism thinks human beings have Buddha-nature, which is one of the big lies of Buddhism!).

In many of my next posts on this blog, I will explain more in detail the relationships between esotericism, religions and spiritual experiences.