Authors Experience: The Western Mystery Tradition

My name is Robert Barnett, and I author this website with my wife, Karen. In addition to my Christian Seminary education and ordination as a Christian minister, I've also practiced the Western Mystery Tradition for approximately 44 years. This has not been a hindrance but has strengthened my belief in Jesus. I've almost always been more Spiritual than Religious. And the more I learned about "Dogma" in my many years of studying theology and world religions, the more I moved toward Spirituality.

I began my studies of the Western Mysteries at Builders of the Adytum (B.O.T.A.). Builders of the Adytum was founded by Paul Foster Case, who was a member of The Golden Dawn. Around 1980, four high-ranking officers of B.O.T.A. asked me to join them and form a new order called Fraternitas L.V.X. Occulta, or Fraternity of the Hidden Light (F.L.O.). I was initiated shortly after that and became an Adept 5=6 a year or two later. Paul A. Clark, my mentor, was the highest-ranking officer (Steward) of the F.L.O. I was the Grand Prolocutor General before my retirement on good terms after about 15 years.

After my time in the F.L.O., I have focused on Contemplation and I continue to study The Western Mysteries in a highly disciplined manner reading and studying often. I particularly appreciate the books by John Michael Greer in that my path is similar to his: Master Mason, Senior Adept in a Golden Dawn order, and member of O.B.O.D.

I try to perform my Golden Dawn related Rituals daily. I open with the LBRP and the LBRH (Including Analysis of the Keyword). Additionally, I often perform the Rose Cross Ritual, and Shem Angel Invocations. I practice several forms of The Middle Pillar and The Lightning Flash Ritual. My spiritual guidance is Rosicrucian and Christian.

A Caution

Invocation, when it arises as an act of genuine worship or to seek harmony with the divine will, embodies a profound respect for the sacred. It is a reverential approach, acknowledging the sovereignty of the divine and seeking to align oneself with the divine attributes of goodness, truth, and beauty. This contrasts sharply with invocation aimed at exploiting divine forces for personal gain—a practice tinged with the overweening pride of hubris.

The invocation of the Names of God and of angels in pursuit of Christlikeness is reverential. In many Christian contemplative and mystical traditions, such as those found within the Western Mystery Tradition (The Middle Pillar Ritual), the goal is not to exert control but to become vessels of the divine will. Invoking divine names in this context is about transformation. It's a spiritual practice aimed at refining one's own nature to reflect divine attributes such as love, compassion, wisdom, and justice—qualities epitomized by Christ in the Christian faith.

Position of the Author of https://contemplation.info

The intention behind ones practices is paramount. It is essential to discern whether the practice serves personal glorification or the higher purpose of honoring and magnifying God's presence in the world. One must reflect on whether these actions originate from self-centered motives or from a sincere commitment to the disciplined pursuit of sanctity.

References

• Deuteronomy 18:10-12: These verses condemn various forms of divination and spirit consultation, which are described as detestable to the Lord.
• Exodus 22:18: This verse states that a witch should not be allowed to live, reflecting the serious view of witchcraft in ancient Israelite law.
• Acts 8:9-24: This passage tells the story of Simon the Sorcerer, who believed and was baptized but then tried to buy the power of the Holy Spirit with money, for which he was rebuked by Peter.
• 2 Peter 1:4: This verse speaks about the great and precious promises given to believers, through which they may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.