Through the ages of the world, different orders, organizations, religious sects, and philosophical communities have pondered the meaning and the place of the universe. These concepts eventually gave rise to the scientific method and the examination of all creation around us. Where some of the original scientists of the world sought to understand the great work of the cosmos, others began investigating the physical and mechanical components of reality that would eventually be known as science.

Mysticism and Esotericism are not the fanciful puffs of smoke and mirrors that many scientists would point the finger to blame for thousands of years of war and superstition. Mysticism is much more complex and involves the personal journey, shared journey, and a very examined path of practices to get results. If there is a method by which to cause your brain to react and have the alpha frequencies consistently, and we notice that those frequencies of the brain cause a feeling of calmness and serenity, then we can say that those methods can help us achieve these feelings.

Esotericism is the study of topics and practices that were intended for a select few of initiated persons of a group or teaching. For our purposes, esotericism is the advancement of the personal scope of knowledge in the universe through the mystical, alchemical, or magical paths of initiation. Examination of the personal experience and its comparative analysis to others’ experiences is a large part of esotericism, as well as analysis of various paths.

Mindfulness

For the last several decades, research on mindfulness training has breached the boundaries of the psychological community. The practices mentioned above, as well as the various techniques practiced worldwide including Integrative Body-Mind Training (IBMT), are being used with great effect upon addiction, anger management, self-regulation, and treating disorders such as depression. In the Knights Regnum, we make use of a guided, visualization technique, as well as IBMT, to assist in developing consistent goal behaviors.

The body of research available on the efficacy of contemplative practice is wide and deep.

The Path of the Exalted

Originally, this term was used in a tabletop role play game called Dungeons & Dragons. It was used to define the path of those who strove to do the most good in the universe by not allowing dogma, ethics, or any other sense of societal contract get in the way of doing good. That which is good is that which benefits everyone, and not just the one. If we take away from another in order to provide benefit to any, it is not the most good that can be done.

The Path of the Exalted should not replace your personal religious or spiritual practices, but in all ways should amplify your understanding of the universe and your place within it. If nothing else, it is a wonderful examination, through degrees of initiation, of the symbols of the ancient world.

The Knights Regnum walk not just the “middle path,” as many alchemists, but we walk all three paths of Severity, Mercy, and Wisdom through Equilibrium. This is a pattern revealed in many initiatory societies, such as freemasonry, rosicrucianism, and various gnostic traditions. Our teachings of Light, Life, and Eternity are situated around these pillars in the following ways.

The Mysteries of Light

These are fundamentally grounded upon Charity, Relief, and Hope. In our activities as a fraternity, we focus upon charity – giving without expectation of reward; we focus upon Relief – allowing others to lean upon us for support, and assisting in their needs where we are capable; and we focus upon Hope – raising up the spirits and hearts of those around so that they can better evaluate and examine their own existence through the lens of self-actualization and evolution of the mind.

We do this whether or not we are at the local level or the digital level. One such example of digital charity can be examined through the fraternal actions yearly for our in-game currency gifts for various competitions, scholarships, and weekly donation of gear and crafting materials in the World of Warcraft gaming community.

We attribute these mysteries to the Pillar of Mercy.

The Mysteries of Life

Where there is life, there is struggle. Where there is existence, there is sufferance. The mysteries of Life are Valor, Virtue, and Truth. Valor is that noble practice of refusing to retreat against all odds, and surrendering only to the noble spirit of unity. Virtue is the personal adherence to the One Law of the Universe, which is learned through the mystery of Charity. Truth is personal – it is not fact. Each person identifies Truth for their own existence and likely through dozens of psychological filters that have been adopted through a life of struggle.

As a chivalric order, we face the mysteries of Life head on through training for physical combat, or in the digital realms by combating demons and undead. These specific enemies represent parts of our unconscious that we have not yet come to terms with – a representation of purifying and gaining virtue.

We attribute these mysteries to the Pillar of Severity.

The Mystery of Eternity

The final teaching of the Regnum is that of Faith and its dark and evil counterpart: Blind Faith. In the Regnum we ask for everyone to examine their Faith personally. Whatever you believe in, believe in strongly! But examine it to ensure that every part of it is part of you. If a part of your faith doesn’t feel right, change something – yourself or your faith.

Whatever path of your faith, it is your path. No two paths will ever be the same, and thus you must balance yourself in your own life through your own choices spiritually and religiously.

We attribute these mysteries to the Middle Pillar.

If you have the itch to learn more about the universe, try some of these books and compare them to what you already “know.”

—Esoteric Christianity by Anne Besant

—Secret Teachings of all Ages by Manly P. Hall

—Tao te Ching by Lao Tzu

—The Art of War by Sun Tzu

—God’s Debris by Scott Adams

Meditation Guide | Elemental Visualizations