The Administration of The Oath - 2

Third:

Through certain ceremonial rhythmic action The Lodge greatly assists in the work of initiation. Just as in the Wesak festival, results in force demonstration are brought about by the use of chanted mantrams and the sacred ceremonial pacing and interweaving of the assembled crowd in the formation of geometrical figures, so in the initiation ceremony a similare procedure is followed. The geometrical figures appropriate for the various initiations differ, and herein lies one of the safeguards of the ceremony. The initiate knows the set for his own initiation, but no more.All these three aspects of the work of the Masters and initiates in Lodge assembled, occupy them until the moment when the Rod has been applied.

Through its application the initiate has become a member of the Lodge, and the entire ceremonial then changes, prior to the taking of the oath and the revelation of the Word and Secret.The sponsors drop back from either side of the initiate and take Their places in the ranks, while the three Buddhas of Activity (or Their representatives at the first two initiations) take Their stand behind the seat of office of the Hierophant. The Lodge members are grouped differently, and initiates of the same degree as the newly admitted applicant place themselves around him, and assist in the final part of the ceremony; the remainder of the initiates and adepts stand in their various grades.

The earlier three stages of the initiation ceremony are the same for all initiations. In the final two stages those who are not of equal rank with the newly made initiate ( such as first degree initiates at the initiation of a third degree member) drop back to the rear of the Hall of Initiation at Shamballa, and a " wall of silence" is built up through mantric energy between the two groups; a vacuum, so to speak, is formed, and nothing can then be transmitted from the inner group to the outer. The latter confine themselves to deep meditation and the chanting of certain formulas, and in the inner group around the Heirophant a dual performance is taking place:-The earlier three stages of the initiation ceremony are the same for all initiations.

In the final two stages those who are not of equal rank with the newly made initiate ( such as first degree initiates at the initiation of a third degree member) drop back to the rear of the Hall of Initiation at Shamballa, and a " wall of silence" is built up through mantric energy between the two groups; a vacuum, so to speak, is formed, and nothing can then be transmitted from the inner group to the outer. The latter confine themselves to deep meditation and the chanting of certain formulas, and in the inner group around the Heirophant a dual performance is taking place:-

a. The newly made initiate is taking the oath.

b. Certain words and Secrets are being handed over to him.

Two Types of Oaths. All oaths connected with the occult

Hierarchy may be divided into two groups:-

1. The Oath of Initiation, in which the initiate binds himself by the most solemn pledges never to reveal, on pain of summary punishment, any occult secret, or to express in words outside the Initiation Hall that which has been committed to his keeping.

2. The Oath of Office, administered when any member of the Lodge takes a specific post in Hierarchical work.

This oath deals with his functions and with his relations to

a. The Lord of the World

b. His immediate superior

c. His fellow workers in the Lodge.

The world of men whom he is to serve. It is needless to say more here regarding this latter type of oath, as it concerns only officals of the hierarchy.

Reference: Initiation Human and Solar: Alice A.Bailey