Mystical Wonders Discussion Group

d_redant · Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2007 5:10 am Post subject: The Essene Brotherhood

The Essene Brotherhood!
By Dr Joshua David Stone

"Do not try and take the speck out of the eye of your brother when you have a log in your own eye."
Jesus Christ

As I have mentioned in the last chapter, the Essene brotherhood really had its inception at the time of the Great Spiritual Master, Melchizdek, who lived on this planet in 1973 BC.. This, again, was an incarnation of Jesus Christ. So very few people realize that Jesus really began the Essene movement, as well as facilitating the origin of the Jewish religion through Abraham and beginning the Christian religion Himself with the help of the Lord Maitreya.

The development of the Essene brotherhood over the next almost 2000 years can be seen in the development of the Jewish religion. First it must be understood that the Essenes were a Jewish sect. They represented however, more of what might be called "Jewish mysticism". The Jewish mystics studied the Kabbalah, which taught belief in reincarnation, astrology, the tree of life, channeling, prophecy, soul travel, psychic development, angels and all the things that the people reading this book are so interested in.

The development of the Essenes, from the time of Melchizadek and the Order of Melchizadek, began with Abraham (El Morya) and continued onward through Jacob and the story of Jacob’s ladder, and how Jacob wrestled with the Angel.

It continued on through the biblical story of Joseph (incarnation of Jesus) and His coat of many colors. He was thrown into the ditch by his jealous brothers, and eventually became the dream interpreter of the Pharaoh.

Then the development continues on to the great spiritual Master Moses, who led the Jewish people out of bondage in Israel. It was Moses who spoke to God in the burning bush on Mount Sinai. Gold told him that his name was "I Am That I Am". Moses was given the Ten Commandments which are very similar to the original teachings that Melchizadek (Jesus) gave to Abraham. (You can read about this in my chapter on Melchizadek and the Order of Melchizadek in this book.)

One other super interesting piece of information that Djwhal Khul told me about Moses is that when he spoke to the burning bush on top of Mount Sinai, he was actually having a ’revelation from God." When I say God, I don’t mean his soul, and I don’t mean his monad or spirit. I mean was having a direct revelation of the Godhead. Djwhal Khul also told me that Moses ascended at the end of his incarnation as Moses.

Moses was the great spiritual Master who brought forward God’s laws. Moses and the Jewish people wandered in the desert for forty years, and upon Moses death (ascension), Joshua (incarnation of Jesus) took over and led the Jewish people into the promised land.

This whole period of history, of which I have been speaking, continued on to the incarnation of the Messiah (Jesus) when the great Jewish prophets lived and carried forth this mystical lineage. Some of these prophets were Samuel, Isiah, Jeremiah, Ezekial, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadian, Johan, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai Zechariah, Malachi. Carrying forth this lineage were the writings of Elisha, Daniel, Ezra, and Nehemiah. Then we had the great Jewish kings, King David, and King Solomon. We also had Enoch (another incarnation of Jesus), who wrote "The Book of Enoch", as well as the modern book I have mentioned called, "The Keys of Enoch".

Then there was Elijah (John the Baptist) who began the school of the prophets on Mount Carmel. This Jewish lineage, in truth, was also the Christian lineage. Essene lineage, and lineage of the Order of Melchizadek set the stage for next dispensation of spiritual teachings for mankind.

Moses brought forth the law. Buddha, five hundred years previous, brought forth the wisdom of God to mankind. Jesus and the Lord Maitreya would carry forth the law of Moses, the wisdom of the Buddha, but also bring forth the love principle of God.

It must be understood that Jesus was a Jewish rabbi, and purposely incarnated into a Jewish family that was involved in the Jewish sect called the Essenes. The problem was that the Jewish rabbis who controlled the Jewish religion as a whole, didn’t recognize Jesus as the Messiah He truly was. Jesus was not trying to discount the Jewish religion, but was rather building upon it. The Jewish rabbis who ran things were trying to hold on to the past Jewish dispensation that focused upon the law.

This same conflict still holds true 2000 years after Jesus’ life. In our culture today we have the people involved in "traditional religion", and then the people involved in the ’new age movement of spirituality". We have traditional Christianity and then esoteric or mystical Christianity.

In Judaism, we have the traditional Judaism, and then we have the Kabbalah which is Jewish mysticism. (See chapter on Kabbalah and the Tree of Life.) I was raised Jewish, however, with no criticism intended, I personally found traditional Judaism very boring. I never related to it and considered myself more of a universalist.

In more recent years I have found a new found interest and appreciation for Judaism in my intensive study of the Kabbalah, and "The Keys of Enoch" (See chapter on Kabbalah and the Tree of Life). The Essenes have actually given me a new found appreciation of Jewish mysticism also, as I am sure you will appreciate also upon reading this chapter.

Jesus was the Messiah that the Jewish people were waiting for, however it was only the Jewish sect known as the Essenes who recognized it. Moses had established monotheism which really began from Melchizadek who taught Abraham this principle and truth 2000 years previous.

Recorded History of the Essenes
The actual recorded written history of the Essenes originated around 200 BC., and ended around 100 AD.. The Edgar Cayce readings of the Universal Mind tell us that Mary, Joseph, John the Baptist, the innkeeper at Bethlehem, and Jesus, himself, were all Essenes. The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947 have given absolute proof of the Essenes existence.

Edgar Cayce also suggests that Zebedee, John, James, and Andrew all had close ties with the Essenes. Edgar Cayce was correct about the location of the Essene community eleven years before the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered.

The Dead Sea Scrolls were found in Qumran, at the north west coast of the Dead Sea. Excavations began in the Qumran ruins in 1949 and continued for five years. What was uncovered was an Essene establishment. A monastery, a house of studies, a school, and it was right where Edgar Cayce said it would be. According to Edgar Cayce only a fraction of the Essenes lived in the monastery. Thousands of them lived throughout the Middle East, living normal lives. They were bound with the conviction that the Messiah would be born within their ranks.

Philo, the Jewish Philosopher
Philo, the Jewish philosopher, wrote about the Essenes in 20 AD. He said that the Essenes were a Jewish sect that numbered around 4000. He called them Essaie because of their "saintliness". He said they were worshippers of God, who did not do animal sacrifice. They regarded a reverent mind as the only true sacrifice. No slaves were found among them because they saw all men free and as brothers.

Moral, philosophy and ethic was their chief preoccupation. The seventh day they especially studied for this was their Sabbath. They were taught piety, holiness, justice, and the art of regulating home and city. The essence of what they taught was love of God, virtue, and love of mankind. They were indifferent to money, worldly possessions, and pleasure. Their love of man, kindliness, equality, and fellowship passing beyond all description. All money was placed within a common fund, out of which the sick were supported when they could not work.

Josephus, 75 A.D. to 85 A.D.
Josephus wrote that the Essenes were Jews by birth but seemed to have a greater affection for one another than the Pharisees, and Sadducees. They rejected pleasure as evil, but greatly valued self control and discipline over the passions.

They clothed themselves in white garments. Their piety towards God was quit extraordinary. Before the sun would rise they would not speak of profane matters. They began their days with prayer and ritual bathing and baptism. The priest would always say grace before eating, and the praise to God after the meal.

They are adamant for fidelity and are the ministers of peace. What ever they say in normal conversation is firmer than an oath. They never swear. They spend a great deal of time in studying the writings of the ancients. Each candidate, to become an Essene, passed through a period of preparation and purification which extended over three years.

The first year he or she was required to turn over all property to the common treasury. The candidate was then given the ordinances and rules, a spade, an apron and a white robe. After the first year of probation the candidate was allowed to enter the second stage. In this second stage the candidate enjoyed a closer relation and fellowship with the other candidates and was involved in more of the ceremonies and closed rites. At this second stage the candidate could not hold office or sit at the common table.

The candidate entering the third rank was required to take a solemn oath to never reveal the secrets of the Essene order and to practice piety towards God and charity to his fellowman. Also required is a vow that he will do no harm to his fellow man, either of his own accord, or by command of others. He can, at no time, abuse his authority or put himself above others. Any Essene caught in committing a crime would be cast out of the society.

Josephus went on to describe the Essenes as being most accurate and just. They do not pass sentence in their communal court of law with fewer than one hundred members present. What they most honor after God, is the law of Moses. They are stricter than any other Jewish sect from resting from their labors on the seventh day.

They live incredibly long lives, many of them beyond one hundred. When captured and tortured by the Romans, they could not be made to shed a tear or flatter their tormentors. Their doctrine is that their physical bodies are corruptible, but their souls are immortal and continue forever. Many of the Essenes are great prophets of the future, and seldom miss in their predictions.

Pliny, a Roman who wrote about the Essenes said; "Toward the West of the Dead Sea the Essenes establish their communities. They are a hermetical society, marvelous beyond all others throughout the whole earth."

The Essenes at Qumran conducted a religious service every morning during the rising of the sun. They were also totally aware of their role in the preparation, birth and training of Jesus. They were also well versed in the study of reincarnation.

The Essenes considered women as equals with men. Membership in the Essenes was totally based on free choice. Elijah’s school of the prophets on Mount Carmel in past times had been a part of the Melchizadek training, as has the work of the prophet, Elisha, who was a disciple of Elijah (John the Baptist incarnation). This work was also carried on by the prophet, Samuel (Saint Germain incarnation).

The life of the Essenes was given to alms, good deeds, and missionary activities, according to Edgar Cayce. The daily life in the monastery of the Essenes was austere and strict. However, both Josephus and Philo attest to the fact that the Essenes were a happy, industrious, and optimistic people. They were also very clean. They wore special clothes for their two meals a day. One meal was at eleven in the morning, and the other after sunset. Their members were not to argue, bear grudges or be critical of anyone.

If a disagreement developed they were to discuss it in a loving way between themselves. If no compromise could be reached, a third person was to listen and try to settle the matter. If this failed they were to go before the council of twelve Elders and three priests. Their decision was law. Punishments for infractions were very severe. Speaking brusquely was punished by having one’s food rations cut for a year. For falling asleep or spitting in a public session it was cut for a month.

"Judy", who was the head of the Essenes, was incarnated in this century and came to Edgar Cayce for a reading. Among many of her functions was to be a record keeper of the Essene material. In some of Edgar Cayce’s readings the Universal Mind said that He was actually reading from the Akashic records some of the records that Judy had written at that time.

Another interesting thing that Cayce said was that there were opposite groups of Essenes. In other words there were sects within the Essene movement itself. The philosophical dividing point seemed to be whether man could make things happen or if God made things happen. The truth, of course, is that both are true, although we do cause our own reality.

The Essenes were also opposed to taking oaths. They were taught that a simple "yes" or "no" given in common conversation was the only oath they needed to make for their word was as good as law to them. The Essenes had the highest level of integrity. The Qumran writings of the Dead Sea Scrolls also established the fact that they revered the "Book of Enoch", which, again, is differentiated from the modern day "The Keys of Enoch". The Book of Enoch was almost like a bible of its time.

The dead Sea Scrolls show an absolute confirmation that the Essenes had a great understanding of astrology. One of the Dead Sea Scrolls described the influence of the heavenly bodies on the physical and spiritual characteristics of those born in certain sections of the zodiac.

Some people of their time referred to the Essenes as the "silent ones" because of the silence they kept during their morning rituals and prayers. The Essenes also believed very greatly in the spiritual importance of baptism. The Essenes had an initiatory type of baptism, and then a daily more personal baptism. In the excavations at Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found, they found meeting rooms, classrooms, kitchen, a room for copying scrolls, and around the building a series of pools, connected by a series of canals.

The Essenes were also known as people of "hidden strength". Josephus stated that through superior mental will, they seemed to be above pain. The treasures in which the Essenes were interested, were those that were stored in Heaven (causal body or soul body). It was only after the third year that a candidate was allowed to be present at the "Hadoth" or secret meetings.

The principle teacher for the Essenes was the Rabban, or Rabboni which means Master. The Rabban’s assistant was known as the Rabbi or teacher. The Rabbi was assisted in his duties by another assistant known as the Rab, or assistant teacher. These three were the spiritual leaders or the Essenes. The Rabban, Rabbi, and Rab, are symbolically associated with the monad, soul, and personality.

The Essenes, in order to preserve their sacred records from the Romans and other profane groups, would hide their scrolls in caves, crypts, and pottery jars especially made for this purpose. It is scrolls such as these that were found in 1947 near the Dead Sea. Two of these Dead Sea Scrolls were termed the "Manual of Discipline" and the War of the sons of light with the sons of darkness". Another one was called the "copper scroll" which listed the material possessions of the Essenes.

The Essenes were also expert Kabbalists, and believed very much in the law of tithing. Some of the Essenes were celibates, and some were householders. No earthly subjects were discussed until the morning prayer and baptism service was completed.

The Dead Sea Scrolls also refer to a "teacher of righteousness" that lived approximately 100 years before the time of Jesus. He was a priest and recipient of divine revelation. I have not as yet been able to figure out who He was. The Essenes were also quite adept at dream interpretation as well as receptive to divine revelation.

The Practice and the Therapeutici
The Essenes were loosely divided in two groups, the "practici" and the "therapeutici". The practici or practitioners were focused on the more physical survival sorts of jobs such as making pottery, clothing, growing food, and carpentry. The "therapeutici" were the healers.

The Essenes taught that the physical body was the temple of the soul. Their healing methods were divided into three categories. They were first master herbalists. They were master in understanding the healing properties of herbs, roots, leafs, barks and plants. The second method of healing was in the use of healing stones, rock and hardened earth, hence using the mineral kingdom. Jesus, in the bible, prescribed clay to be placed on the blind man’s eye, which He most probably learned in His training with the Essenes. The third healing method was healing with the use of spiritual energy of the soul, monad and God.

The Essene Gospel of Peace
The Essene "Gospel of Peace" is an extraordinary book and source of information on the Essenes, that not very many people in this world know about. It was discovered in the "secret archives of the Vatican", by Edmond Bordeaux Szekeley.

It is the original manuscript of St. Jerome in the middle of the Fourth Century that he translated for the Pope at that time. The manuscript was thought to be lost, however, survived in the Benedictine Monastery of Monte Cassino.

There are other documents that reference the Essenes in these archives, however, I don’t think the Catholic church is too hot about releasing them. An understanding of Essenes does change their interpretation of what really went on.

St. Jerome was one of the most brilliant scholars and translators of his time and was apparently quite gifted at soul travel. He had become the personal secretary for the Pope which is how he had access to such extraordinary documents.

Edmond Bordeaux Szekeley has eloquently presented this material in a series of books on his life long research of the Essenes. He has come up with absolutely profound teachings and understandings of Essene philosophy which I would like to share with you now.

The Tree of Life and Angelology
One of the areas that the Essenes were most attuned to, of everything I mentioned in this chapter, is angels. They developed a whole science to the study of angels called "Angelology". They saw angels as the forces of the universe. These invisible angels were sources of tremendous power and energy.

The Essenes developed a "Tree of Life" which represented fourteen positive angelic forces. Seven of these were of the heavenly nature and seven of a more earthly nature. The tree of life was symbolized as having seven branches reaching towards the heavens and seven roots reaching into the earth. Man was seen sitting in a type of yoga posture half way between heaven and earth. The esoteric significance of the number seven is quite obvious here.

The seven earthly forces, powers, and roots were: The Earthly Mother, The Angel of Earth, The Angel of Life, The Angel of Joy, The Angel of the Sun, The Angel of Life, and The Angel of Air.

The seven powers, forces, and branches in the heavenly region of the tree were: Heavenly Father, The Angel of Eternal Life, The Angel of Peace, The Angel of Love and Wisdom, The Angel of Power, and the Angel of Creative Work.

According to Edmond Bordeaux Szekeley
Within this "Tree of Life" there is also a specific vertical relationship or correspondence between certain roots and certain branches of the tree.

The Heavenly Father and Earth Mother

The Angel of Eternal Life and the Angel of Earth

The Angel of Creative Work and the Angel of Life

The Angel of Peace and the Angel of Joy

The Angel of Power and the Angel of the Sun

The Angel of Love and the Angel of Water

The Angel of Wisdom and the Angel of the Air

This "Tree of Life" allowed the Essenes to understand that they were surrounded by invisible spiritual forces within both the heavens and within nature and the earth. Every day the Essenes would have certain prayer and meditative rituals where they would commune with these forces. These exercises they practiced were said to have originated from "Enoch". Every day of the week in their morning and evening communions they were assigned a different angel to pray and meditate upon.

The Morning Communions
1. The Earth Mother - Saturday morning

2. The Angel of the Earth - Sunday morning

3. The Angel of Life - Monday morning

4. The Angel of Joy - Tuesday morning

5. The Angel of the Sun - Wednesday morning

6. The Angel of Water - Thursday morning

7. The Angel of the Air - Friday morning

The Evening Communions
1. The Heavenly Father - Friday evening

2. The Angel of Eternal Life - Saturday evening

3. The Angel of Creative Work - Sunday evening

4. The Angel of Peace - Monday evening

5. The Angel of Power - Tuesday evening

6. The Angel of Love - Wednesday evening

7. The Angel of Wisdom - Thursday evening

Noon Contemplations
A third group of practices were held each day of the week at noon.

1. Peace with the Body - Friday noon

2. Peace with the Heavenly Father - Saturday noon

3. Peace with the Earthly Mother - Sunday noon

4. Peace with Culture - Monday noon

5. Peace with Humanity - Tuesday noon

6. Peace with the Family - Wednesday noon

7. Peace with the Mind - Thursday noon

In these noon contemplations they would call upon the heavenly Father to send His Angels of Peace to balance and harmonize these different areas of their lives.

The Great Sabbath and Essene Vows
Every seventh Sabbath was called the Great Sabbath. This was a transcendental peace, that acknowledged all aspects of peace.

According to the research done by Edmond Bordeaux Szekeley, in his book, "From Enoch to the Dead Sea Scrolls", candidates to become a member of the Essenes were on a seven year, not a three year, probationary period. Once passing this seven year period they then had to take the "Great Sevenfold Vow". This vow was to never reveal the communions to anyone without permission, and never to use the power and knowledge obtained for material or selfish purposes.

Prologue to the Communions
Before actually speaking the words of the communion to reference a particular angel on the "Tree of Life", the Essene would say the following prayer/Affirmation.

"I enter the eternal and infinite garden with reverence to the heavenly Father, the earthly Mother, and great Masters, reverence to the holy, pure and saving teaching, reverence to the brotherhood elect."

Then they would actually do a communion with an angel. For example, to commune with the earth Mother on Saturday morning they would say:

"The earthly Mother and I are one. She gives the food of life to my whole body."

The Essene member would then contemplate and meditate on the earth Mother and the earth energies and the food and sustenance she supplies.

I am not going to go through all the prayers and communions or all the Angels in this book. I would, again, guide you to read Szekeley’s book "From Enoch to the Dead Sea Scrolls", which is where I have sourced all the information in this chapter starting with the section on the Essene Gospel of Peace.

You can read the whole book in an hour and it is packed full of all the rituals the Essenes practiced. I have attempted here to give you a skeletal outline and feeling for the teachings and lifestyle. My thanks to Edmond Bordeaux Szekeley for his wonderful research and light which he has brought to more greatly understanding the Essene Brotherhood.

I would like to end this chapter with one more quote from his book, which is the seven fold vow that the candidate to the Essene Brotherhood was given and required to take before being given the actual understanding of the "Tree of Life" and daily communions with the angels.

The Seven-Fold Vow
1. "I want to and will do my best to live like the "Tree of Life", planted by the great Masters of our brotherhood, with my heavenly Father who planted the eternal garden of the universe and gave me my spirit; with my earthly Mother who planted the great garden of the earth and gave me my body; with my brothers who are working in the garden of our brotherhood.

2. I want to and will do my best to hold every morning my communions with the angels of the earthly mother, and every evening with the angels of They heavenly Father, as established by the great Masters of our brotherhood.

3. I want to and will do my best to follow the path of the seven-fold peace.

4. I want to and will do my best to perfect my acting body, my feeling body, my thinking body, according to the teachings of the great Masters of our brotherhood.

5. I will always and everywhere obey with reverence my Master, who gives me the light of the great Masters of all times.

6. I will submit to my Master and accept His decision on whatever differences or complaints I may have against any of my brothers working in the garden of our brotherhood; and I shall never take any complaint against a brother to the outside world.

7. I will always and everywhere keep secret all the traditions of our brotherhood which my Master will tell me; and I will never reveal to anyone these secrets without the permission of my Master. I will never claim as my own, the knowledge received from my Master and I will always give credit to Him for all this knowledge. I will never use the knowledge and power I have gained through initiation from my Master for material or selfish purposes."

Summation
In reflecting on my personal feelings about the Essenes, I would imagine that it would be hard for anyone to be anything but deeply moved by their purity and devotion to God. The things that stands out most to me, however, is the "Tree of Life’, and the incredible balance they achieved in integrating both the heavenly and earthly aspects of life.

So many of the spiritual teachings of our day are so top heavy on the spiritual side, and not enough time is given to understanding Pan, Nature Devas, Nature Spirits, Elemental Kingdom, the physical body and the Earth Mother.

The "Tree of Life" is such a beautiful symbol and metaphor for this process. Most spiritual paths with which I have been involved on this earthly side of life and the angels and spirit beings who live within the material aspect of creation are not honored and sanctified as the Essenes have done. If there is one thing I, personally, take away besides their inspiring commitment to God, it is their sanctification of the heavenly Father and the Earth Mother.

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