The Esoteric Parenting The Rationale of Prayer The Pilgrim Initiate and The Tree of Life SPRING EQUINOX 2019 VOLUME 39 NUMBER 1 Established by Dion Fortune in 1922 1 There is a saying falsely ascribed to a Chinese sage, rules? He would say not, and it is with regret that I “may you live in interesting times” in fact we do not feel I must agree with him. know who originated this ironic statement but it does seem very apt as a description for the current Robinson and Fletcher offer us a hope for the future times. In some ways the macrocosm of the nation is rather than a description of the present, and this echoed in the microcosm of my life with this journal. should not be news to the esotericist. In esoteric Who knows what will come next – will I get articles? science we are clearly told the purpose of the Great Will I be able to fill the pages? Uncertainty is the Work, and that is the regeneration and perfection over-riding principle of the current age. We are of the human being, firstly in our own person and uncertain about nearly everything, from politics to secondly in the form of humanity as whole, extending the best way to live, from health care to what career in widening circles. For no individual can be held path to follow, even down to what type of coffee to responsible for the development of the whole have. of humanity. We can but take responsibility for nurturing our own Inner Light, that we may allow it We have entered a world where for most of us the to shine and become a beacon for others. range of choices we face are so great that we are unable to act. We are paralysed by choice. In the So in the face of the paralysing multitude of choice it 1960s Joseph Fletcher and JAT Robinson developed is the role of the initiate of the Mysteries to become an ethical system known as situation ethics. In this an example. To face each paralysing choice with a they argued that the process of moral decision calm confidence, and the desire to see beneath the making needed to move away from rules and legalism surface, to what lies beneath. I was fortunate enough and instead be driven by concern for the outcome. to see a recent performance by David Bramwell They argued that every ethical situation should be of his fascinating exploration The Cult of Water, in considered in its own context, and the possible which he talked about his thalassophobia, the fear of consequences assessed, the moral agent should then what lay beneath the surface. As I reflect on it and act in a way that maximises love. They argued that the words above I am reminded how we all fear the there was no fixed idea of good and bad, and that unknown to some degree. As we face the guardian the only constant, reliable, guide was love. By this on the threshold our fear is reflected back to us, they meant, not the conditioned love found in human our failure to be confident and take the opportunity relationships, but the unconditional love of God for before us. When we pass the guardian we see not a humanity demonstrated in the Bible and known as monster but an angel and suddenly wonder why we agape. were afraid at all. It is by these moments of initiation and growth that we take the path of condensed This approach seems very idealistic, and indeed, evolution and we become “man come of age.” Our Robinson said in his book “A New Christian role then is to find the inner balance needed to Morality” that it was a morality “for a man come of discern a way ahead, and bring stability to those age”. Yet as William Barclay rightly contested, have around us, overcoming the Kings of Edom. we really come of age? Are we ready to accept the challenge presented to us by the removal of guiding Christian 2 Esoteric Parenting By Kate Heath Wars are waged by people who were someone’s child. Crimes are committed by people who were parented by someone. Brutality is inflicted by people who were mothered by someone. Nations are led by people who were fathered by someone. Hope, help, and healing are all shared by people who were brought up by someone. We, the parents of today, are that someone for our children, and our children may one day be that someone for their children. We may not be able to eliminate all war, crime and brutality, but sowing kindness, compassion, ‘The Path of the Hearth-Fire’ has a dubious and empathy into our children is the single most reputation. “Ah, that old chestnut!”, people say, powerful way we can each be someone who changes usually women. It is considered second prize to the the world for the better. We can visualise this as a Path of Initiation, or just somehow lesser, just as a ripple effect caused by throwing a stone in a pond; stay-at-home mother is not regarded as a ‘working our actions or 'metta' spread out further than we mum’. All mothers are working mothers. This article might think. This is true sympathetic magic; the work hopes to give different perspective. of an Initiate. Dion Fortune devotes a whole chapter to the “The biggest challenge we face is shifting human subject in ‘The Training & Work of an Initiate’ and consciousness, not saving the planet.” insinuates that a humdrum life is due to karmic debt Xiuhtezcatl Martinez or the soul not being ready for ‘the Path’. With this in mind, why would an initiate choose to desert the Temple for a time and pour his or her heart and soul It is said that the human brain and heart that are into the raising of a child? I believe there is more to met primarily with empathy in the critical early this worthy Path than creating a serene, clean and years cannot and will not grow to choose a violent beautiful home. In the ‘Work and Aims’ of the SIL, it or selfish life. That is the way we change human states correctly that ‘those who serve through the consciousness, by parenting with kindness. Path of the Hearth Fire are indeed giving service.” It is explained that this is a ‘path of service essential to This is true the race’. sympathetic magic; the “There is no single effort more radical in its potential work of an Initiate. for saving the world than a transformation of the way we raise our children.” Marianne Williamson Attachment Attachment Parenting has become more common It would take just one generation choosing peaceful, in recent years and is commonly criticised in respectful parenting to change the brain of the next the mainstream press and by more authoritarian generation, and therefore their future, and with that, parents. However, this is not a new trend, but more the world, for all future generations. As L. R. Knost a ‘remembering’ of ancient or tribal practices like says, “This is our time. Our chance is now. Let’s natural term breastfeeding, baby-wearing and co- change the world, one little heart at a time.” sleeping/bed-sharing. The science behind it is well established, yet largely ignored by modern parenting 3 should be supported to care for their own children in the family environment, if they wish. Instead, children are shipped off for early indoctrination and mothers pay someone else to do the job they themselves could do so much better, whilst simultaneously working for someone else and paying taxes...whom does this system benefit? “Children are NOT a distraction from more important work. They are THE MOST important work.” C. S. Lewis Being a parent or a teacher is service, and it is the highest order of service. We are serving our society by nurturing our babies and children so that they in turn will be prepared to best serve our society. gurus who advocate such harmful things as ‘cry-it- When I hear a baby cry, I imagine the reality of their out’. John Bowlby first coined the term Attachment brain development with nurture, and the alternate Theory in the late 60s as a result of his studies reality without it. Who would they be without involving the developmental psychology of children reliably nurturing responses to their communication? from various backgrounds. It states that a strong Who would they be without acceptance of all of emotional and physical attachment to at least one their emotions? Who would they be if they slept primary caregiver is critical to personal development. alone? What if they were left to cry alone in the night? Who would they be if they not allowed to Indeed, “the more the child feels attached to the feed on cue? Who would they be if we ignored mother (or significant other), the more secure he is their need to be close? Every loving choice leaves in his acceptance of himself and the rest of the world. a strong connection in the brain shaping who our The more love he gets, the more he is capable of babies become; their mental, emotional and physical giving. Attachment is as central to the developing health and their success. We will never be perfect, child as eating and breathing.” – Robert Shaw, MD we can never respond immediately 100% of the time - but we can do our best as much as possible - our However, as Kathii Valeii states, “We are so far children’s brains are shaped by it.