The “Bread of Knowledge”

In an initiatory Center, which is considered the purest expression of an archaic eastern tradition, it is taught that in order to “explore” the highest levels of knowledge, it is necessary to learn how to feed on the “Bread of Knowledge”.

The Disciples that have focused their goals (inner motives) realize a first re-joining between mind and «will for action». They recognize in this “boost” the chance to access the Center of the initiation. The first offer they receive is to guide and support the disciple in a process of energetic and emotional cleanliness.

Integrity in the aims and will for action are the elements on which the first cleanliness of the magnetic (ethereal-astral) Aura is based; it gets cleansed from the accumulation of psychical sediments that are not any more in the conscience or memory of the Disciple. From the sub-conscious, though, they affect the integrity of his judgment and his choices.

The neophyte will not be able to repeat this first energetic re-conversion again, since it is a unique chance. After this, he will be introduced in his own Center, the heart, where he is shown the sign under which are the trials that he is expected to overcome, if he wants to.

«He» who accepts on Himself the commitment, the effort and the responsibility of accompanying the aspirant towards the Initiation will be the first one to offer him to feed on the “Bread of knowledge”.

By feeding on the «Bread of knowledge» whose yeast is spirituality, the Aspirant grows in his ability to understand and to want. By discriminating the truth from the untruth one can achieve a fair judgment and the freedom to choose the quality of one's own destiny. This will be reached sooner and better with the help of «Who» has accepted to take upon Himself the duty to assist and guide the neophyte in the stretch where he is still «blindfolded» by imperfection, so much that he seems blind.

For an Initiate to ritually break the «Bread», symbol of spiritual thought and nourishment of the soul, and then “to accept” to share it with those who don't have any, it means to accept to share Himself, the ability of his own Soul, with those who don't communicate with their inner Master yet. Once “accepted” the aspirant becomes disciple. The Initiate will never consider him as “his own” but as a disciple of the «initiatory Principle».

In spiritual ethics when from one side the «Bread of Knowledge» is offered and from the other side is accepted, a pact of initiatory solidarity that is originated by a reciprocal recognition starts. Therefore a guide that has been recognized by an aspirant can, on his turn, recognize him as a disciple on the path of the trials (probation) and reply to his appeal to share the responsibility of his own initiatory progress.

To accept a disciple means to share the mistakes, even considerable ones, that could derive by hurried and incautious actions or enthusiastic attitude. It also means to share the karmic return of the abuses the neophyte could commit with the knowledge he has.

Therefore, even if the teaching is fundamental, an attentive mind, a disciplined tongue and a fine but discreet sight are the main contributions that every good pupil can give to his advancement.

When a pupil is accepted what is mostly highlighted is not the commitment undertaken by the «warrantor» (the guide) in front of the initiatory Community, but the joy of the whole «Brotherhood» for the rebirth to a common life of a new “cell” of active energy.

The «Bread» is the symbol of the nourishment that will strengthen the soul in the domain of matter, whilst the «Cup» in which the liquid has been poured represents the material form of man. More precisely, the heart, where the path of Initiation starts.

Bread is the symbolical form used to represent the spiritual Teaching. On the other hand, Wine, which from a common jug is poured into the individual cup offered to the neophyte, is the emblem of the spirit that from the universal container is transferred into the individual container of man. Wine, in fact, is a liquid as dense as man's substance and at the same time volatile just like his spirit.

A guide doesn't give anything personal to the disciple but he transmits to him only the principles of the Initiation that he received himself. For this reason the talent of a guide is in the ability to communicate certain realities, not easy for inexperienced minds, through images thought and given in words, in such a form that they look pleasant and amusing.

The Teaching is transmitted by aggregation of different initiatory qualities , like those that differentiate the Initiate from the disciple. The difference of ability and quality can be overcome through a spirit of mutual solidarity and recognition. It is the feeling of living beings, souls and spirits of the same source of which we all recognize the imprint in ourselves.

Fraternally

Athos A. Altomonte