The Initiatory Path
Esoteric is commonly understood as "hidden."  Esoteric Christianity was part of the hidden teachings included in Ageless Wisdom, which until recently, had not been as available to the general public. One of the most important ideas in the this tradition is that we are on an evolutionary or initiatory path. All of humanity, and each individual, is growing and evolving through a series of initiations, or expansions of consciousness which are steps in the process of attaining spiritual enlightenment - eventually God-hood ("Ye shall be as Gods.") Further, Master Jesus, who embodied the Christ energy, is seen as a way-shower on this evolutionary path; one who, as a high initiate, helped to model and set the pattern for all of us. Events in Jesus' life are interpreted as part of the path of initiation.

Reincarnation?
Because the path toward God-hood is such an awesome process, taking considerable time and learning, the idea of reincarnation is accepted as part of this process. (not required, but accepted).  Over many lifetimes, the soul incarnates, perfecting itself toward God-hood, just as Jesus perfected himself enough through many lifetimes to be able to hold the Christ energy and become Jesus the Christ.

Understanding the Christ
Basic to Esoteric Christianity is the concept of four qualities assigned to the Christ.  The Cosmic Christ is the divine, creative Being that disseminates the love / wisdom we perceive as God (not just belonging to Christians - a new neutral word would perhaps be better). The Planetary Christ, known in the East as the Maitreya, is the Christ energy that entered and blended with Jesus at the time of his baptism just before beginning his three-year ministry, when he became Jesus, the Christ. This anchored the principle of divine love on  our planet.  "The word became flesh and dwelt among us. . ." John 1:14.  The Historical Christ (Jesus embodied with the Christ energy) refers to the life of Master Jesus as told in The Holy Bible and The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ. The latter includes an account of Jesus' participation in mystery schools where he received spiritual instruction between the ages of 13 - 30. This was a part of his preparation to be able to receive the Christ energy just prior to his ministry. The Christ-within, also known as the mystical or inner Christ, is the divine nature within us.

The Christ Within
The Christ within in is a personal awareness of the in-dwelling spirit of God within ourselves - an actual experiential, first-hand connection with God; the divine nature realized within ourselves. Through personal transformational practices, (meditation, etc.) we work to bring that Christ-within (also known as the mystical or inner Christ) into greater realization in our life. We also understand The cyclic work of the Christ - the pattern of Christ energy that moves seasonally in, out and around our planet.  The influence of the energy changes at each solstice and equinox, and helps us to evolve in a different and particular way.

The Role of Meditation
In this tradition, the primary way to develop the Christ-within and fathom the mysteries is through meditation - being in the silence - although prayer, dreams, impressions, intuition, and other ways assist the process. We practice silence to seek wisdom and experience the light and love of God in a personal way.

The Mysteries
As we unfold in this process, we encounter the mysteries. Mysteries are holy, sacred messages that reveal themselves to us in deeper and deeper layers as we grow in higher consciousness. As we understand, see the light, the mystery is revealed, and a new one awaits. Although teachers can guide us into the mysteries, we must fathom their depths in a personal way.  Striving to penetrate the mysteries is part of meditation and the esoteric tradition.

Spiritual Maturity and Honoring Many Paths
As higher consciousness unfolds and we begin to penetrate mysteries, we develop the spiritual maturity to decide for ourselves, in our hearts, what to believe.  Dogma is released and we listen with our hearts and minds - thinketh in the heart - for our own truth.  We become the final authority of our own truth and come to see the fundamental unity running through the great world religions and the unity in the diversity all around us. We honor other traditions as well as the esoteric path that leads us to Oneness.

If you haven't encountered these ideas before, it gives you lots to chew on and may raise more questions than answers. At Spirit United we honor and incorporate teachings from all spiritual paths that teach love.

It is I who asks for your blessing, Father-Mother, no longer in whimpered tones.
I have grown throughout the seasons and stand now, tall and sure.
I am sensing who I truly am, and I stand to meet that test.
I am your word within this life - this lifetime.
Know I this.

Author Unknown