Table of Contents
Initiates of the Flame by Manly P. Hall
Read by: Adam Hanin
Originally published: 1922 by The Philosophical Research Society
Updated Edition: 1934
Preface
The Initiates of the Flame was the author’s first literary effort. Even though the book was out of print for years, a persistent demand for its republication has led to its re-release. The new edition features updated illustrations and editorial revisions. Twelve years have passed since the book was first published, and the author’s research on mystical symbolism has expanded considerably. However, no changes have been made to the original viewpoints expressed in the work. The essay explores the ancient mystery of fire, a symbol of the divine, which exists in all things. Robert Fludd, a 17th-century Rosicrucian mystic, described fire as consisting of three parts: physical, astral, and spiritual, representing different aspects of life and existence.
Introduction
There are individuals, much like the priests of ancient temples, who continue to watch over the sacred fires that burn on the altar of humanity. These Purified Ones have renounced worldly life to protect the Flame, representing the spiritual essence within humanity, which lies hidden beneath the ruins of man’s fallen temple.
The mysteries of ancient civilizations may seem to have perished, but the core spiritual principles they upheld cannot be extinguished.
Nations have risen and fallen throughout history as the sacred Flame was either nurtured or abandoned. When humanity loses sight of its spiritual purpose, degeneracy, greed, and fear take hold, leading to the collapse of once-great civilizations.
The Flame of life, however, cannot die. It rests and waits for the right conditions to arise once more, leading to the rise of new nations centered around it.
The Fire Upon the Altar
Since ancient times, fire has played a central role in religious ceremonies. Altar fires were guarded with great care by priests and priestesses in numerous cultures, symbolizing the divine presence.
Among the followers of Zoroaster, fire was worshipped as a manifestation of the great Fire God, Ormuzd. In alchemical and Masonic traditions, the cube altar upon which the altar fire burns represents the spiritual purification process within individuals. The ever-burning flame signifies the eternal presence of the divine within.
In these traditions, sacrifices on altars are symbolic of offering one’s lower instincts and desires to be purified by the spiritual Flame. Masonic symbols such as the incense burner and the Symbol of Mortality also reflect this ongoing spiritual transformation.
The true light of understanding, often hidden, can shine forth from a balanced mind and a purified body, guiding individuals through life’s challenges.
The Sacred City of Shamballa
Shamballa, a sacred city in the Gobi Desert, is believed to be the spiritual headquarters of the Great White Brotherhood, a group of enlightened beings who guide humanity.
The city’s legend parallels other sacred places in different religious traditions, such as Valhalla in Norse mythology or Mount Olympus in Greek religion.
The Great White Brotherhood, like the gods of these ancient traditions, work behind the scenes to direct the course of human affairs. The city of Shamballa symbolizes the highest spiritual consciousness and the ultimate goal of the soul’s pilgrimage.
The journey to Shamballa is depicted as a spiritual quest where the aspirant must pass through various trials, purifying the lower aspects of their being until they reach the heights of divine understanding.
The Mystery of the Alchemist
Alchemy, an ancient practice shrouded in mystery, represents the soul’s journey towards spiritual transformation. Medieval alchemists, working in secrecy, sought to understand nature’s mysteries. Their symbolic work of turning base metals into gold mirrored the spiritual process of transmuting human character into something divine.
The Philosopher’s Stone, a legendary substance believed to grant immortality, is a metaphor for the enlightened soul that has harmonized body, mind, and spirit.
The spiritual alchemist purifies the lower elements of the self and raises them to a higher plane, transforming the base qualities into spiritual gold. This inner work is a reflection of the larger cosmic processes at play in the universe.
The Egyptian Initiate
In ancient Egypt, the Pharaohs were not only kings but also high priests who embodied the spiritual ideals of their time.
The serpent on the Pharaoh’s crown symbolized the raised kundalini energy, representing spiritual mastery. The initiation rites in the temples of Egypt were designed to awaken this divine power within the individual.
Egypt, once a land of great spiritual knowledge, eventually fell into decadence as its people and rulers lost their connection to the sacred Flame.
Yet, the spiritual legacy of the ancient Egyptian Priest-Kings endures, carried forward by those who continue to walk the path of initiation.
The Ark of the Covenant
The Ark, a sacred symbol in many ancient cultures, represents the spiritual wisdom carried by the faithful throughout history.
Over time, nations have risen and fallen based on their adherence to spiritual principles.
The Ark is a reminder that the preservation of sacred knowledge is essential for the survival of any civilization. Today, the Ark symbolizes the individual’s quest to align with their higher spiritual nature.
Knights of the Holy Grail
The legends of the Holy Grail and King Arthur’s knights are allegories of the soul’s spiritual journey. The Grail, said to be the cup used by Christ at the Last Supper, symbolizes the quest for spiritual enlightenment.
The knights’ battles against dragons and ogres represent the inner struggle to overcome lower nature and attain purity. The Grail Cup signifies the creative life force and the eventual transformation of the body into spirit through spiritual development.
The Mystery of the Pyramid
The Great Pyramid of Egypt symbolizes the composite nature of man. Like the pyramid, which is built from many individual stones, the human being is composed of many different elements.
The pyramid’s inner chambers represent different aspects of the human body and spirit, with the King’s Chamber symbolizing the brain, the seat of higher consciousness. The missing capstone of the pyramid represents the lost spiritual crown that humanity must work to reclaim through inner transformation.
The Sphinx, standing guard near the pyramid, symbolizes the challenge of mastering the lower animal nature before entering the higher spiritual realms. The Sphinx and the pyramid together represent the eternal journey of the soul towards enlightenment.
