Bridging the Exoteric and Esoteric

“This work of the introverted mind and the discovery of it makes one exhibited as taking place darkly and amid subterranean gloom.”

-W.L. Wilmshurst, The Meaning of Masonry

What do you think of when you hear the word “esoteric”? For some, it may conjure negative connotations or even dark and nefarious forces. Others, may have an interest or attraction to it and others still may have no reaction at all. Mainstream religion tends to shun talk of the esoteric, labeling it as something to be avoided at all costs.

Definiton of the word strips a lot of the mystery from it. The American Heritage Dictionary defines esoteric as “Intended for or understood by only a small group, especially one with specialized knowledge or interests.” This definition is a far cry from the pejorative terms used by mainstream institutions. The irony is lost on them that by demonizing the term, they are admitting ignorance to the subject in question. If esoteric refers to a knowledge “understood by only a small group”, they are admitting they are not in that group and therefore ignorant of it. To make any value statement about an area in which you have no knowledge is the epitome of ignorance and hubris. How can you label something you do not understand is the big question. Yet, that is what happens far too often in mainstream religion, science and academia.

The opposite of esoteric is the term “exoteric”. The previously mentioned dictionary defines exoteric as “Not confined to an inner circle of disciples or initiates, comprehensible or suitable for the public.” Exoteric refers to the perspective and understanding of the majority.

Here we have a dichotomy. The understanding of the many vs. the understanding of the few. Therefore, the terms in discussion are intrinsically and explicitly descriptive of depth, not value or morality.

This dichotomy is easily illustrated with everyday professions. A plumber has knowledge and insights which is not known to the public majority, but only an initiated few. Their knowledge is esoteric. Even if some individuals have knowledge of certain plumbing systems, there is always a deeper, more specialized perspective of the licensed and experienced tradesman. Does this mean plumbing work is mysterious or nefarious? The knowledge of plumbing may never incite interest in the public, until a problem arises in their home. Then, the esoteric expertise of a licensed plumber is warranted, welcomed and appreciated.

       The nature of what is understood by many vs. what is understood by few parallels the depth of a subject. It’s easy to know a little about a lot, as most people do with many different areas. To plumb the depths of any subject matter is not a quick endeavor. Most areas of study worth the effort can occupy ones entire lifetime as many scientists and professors do. Human beings simply do not have the time or energy in their lives to be experts on every subject. Most individuals are not experts on any subject. Hence, we live in a society where we rely on “experts” for advice and services.

       When we have a need in an area that we do not have a lot of knowledge, the mood of soul we feel when we approach the subject is one of fear and worry. Fear, because we do not have the proper predisposition and tools to identify and understand the things we are confronted with. Worry, because we cannot be sure that we can handle and adequately deal with the issue ourselves. This is the hero’s journey. The path into the unknown is not undertaken lightly because of the intrinsic dangers lurking therein. Anytime we venture into unknown territory, we are taking risk upon ourselves and maybe those around us.

       Dealing with people in our lives, there is also much known and unknown. We may meet an individual for the first time and “know” quite a bit about them - their height, weight, hair and eye color, likes and dislikes for example. But, is that really “knowing” them in the way we usually mean when we say we “know” someone? Is it just sense perception that’s important? Really getting to know an individual can take years or even decades because what we consider the real person is not the surface level information, but the inner nature of a person - their esoteric nature. Think about the fact of how many people actually know your inner, true nature. A persons inner nature can truly be described as esoteric. The point is that the cover cannot be considered a true representation of the entire book. So to, the exoteric surface level understanding of our world cannot compare to a deeper, more meaningful esoteric understanding.

       Throughout the centuries the dichotomy of the known vs. the unknown, the exoteric vs. the esoteric has been brilliantly symbolized by the Sun and the Moon. As symbols, the Sun and Moon express infinite meaning but, for this subject, the Sun symbolizes the known and outward consciousness (exoteric) and the Moon, the unknown and inward consciousness (esoteric).

       Why are these symbols so proper? From our human perspective, what we are most sure about is that which we can perceive with our 5 senses. Much of our existence is based on what we can see, hear, taste, smell and touch. Those are the things we are most comfortable with. Those are the things that are least mysterious to us. The less mysterious something is, the less risk there is of danger to us. It is a warning system built into our DNA. Humans are designed to operate in daytime when our senses are most helpful to us and retire when the Sun goes down and our senses are diminished.

       It has been said that during the day, the Gods sleep. As humans, our consciousness during the day is more concerned with the sense world. It occupies most of our time and energy. Daytime is for fulfilling our physical needs, working, playing and learning. Our senses are alive and stimulated to the orchestra of sense phenomena constantly at play around us and the veil rises. The curtain separating the holy of holies from the profane world is drawn and we are spiritually asleep.

       As the sun sets and our physical needs are met for the day, our consciousness starts to turn inward. Our inner needs start to present themselves. Our nature shifts from awake, active and aware to passive, reminiscent and melancholy. As our outer environment affects our outer life, so does our inner environment affect our inner life. If we are chaotic, empty and unhappy inside, nighttime can be depressing as we are confronted with the inner workings of ourselves. During the day, these forces - or Gods - are suppressed and hidden behind the veil. As our focus shifts the Gods awaken and demand our attention. When the sense orchestra ceases we are left to wrestle with the dragons inside of us.

      The Moon, as a symbol in this context, represents conscious turned inward and by extension, esoteric philosophy. Nighttime and literal darkness creates a mood of soul in humans which is nervous, fearful and cautious. When we do not have clear sense perceptions, the possibility and danger rises significantly and our warning systems are on full alert. Likewise, when we see something we don’t understand, our natural inclination is fear. We simply don’t know yet if the thing will harm us or not. Fear, when unchecked and turned outward can turn into hate. We cannot afford to live in a way that we turn everything we don’t understand into hate.

       The unknown is humans greatest fear. Imagery and symbolism associated with darkness and the unknown necessarily induces the same mood of soul - that of fear and unease. Certain symbols and shapes are considered by some to be intrinsically evil. But, for most of them, it’s because the meaning is unknown and their inner warning system is alerting them to potential danger.

       Our own inner nature is so overwhelming and difficult to confront, most humans are too afraid to look. In many fables and stories, this is illustrated by characters using magic mirrors to see into the future or into another location. When we look into a proverbial mirror and see ourselves for what we really are, we are able to see the past, present and future of our lives. We able to see the “Gods” of our unseen, inner world that influence us. If we have the courage to take on this challenge, the reward is that we will be able to wrestle our future away from forces of the past and recreate ourselves in Gods image. If we can defeat the dragons of our inner nature, there is a treasure of gold waiting to be claimed.

       Why is it so important to confront the inner, unseen world? Any change we wish to make to our current condition - inner or outer - has to initiate from the inside and radiate outward. Our inability and stubbornness to confront these forces causes an untold amount of fear and hate in the world. When we pray “thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven”, we are praying for The Word to penetrate into us and our world and mold it according to the Divine plan. This is not an outer endeavor as many want to believe, but an inner endeavor. An endeavor that we can actively participate in, if we have the courage.

      As the Sun and Moon complement each other instead of compete with each other, so should exoteric and esoteric philosophy complement each other to provide for us a fuller understanding of our world. The world of esoteric philosophy is indeed set “among subterranean gloom”. But it is also the path to illumination if we have the courage to be honest with ourselves, humble to that which we do not understand and brave enough to step into a hero’s journey.

        “The day (new consciousness) dawns and the shadows (old mentality) flee away.”

- W.L. Wilmshurst, The Meaning of Masonry