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[from ftp://ftp.dragon.org/pub/pfcase/archives/ ] According to Steve Cranmer's excellent FAQ on The Golden Dawn: * Builders of the Adytum (B.O.T.A.) 5101-05 North Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90042 TEL (800)255-0041 [Established 1922 as an "outer vehicle of the inner school," probably descended from the original (Chicago) Thoth-Hermes Temple. See Paul Foster Case's _True_and_Invisible_Rosicrucian_Order_, and his other books. Free brochure available. Correspondence course. For the first year or so, one pays $10/month, and obtains a self-initiation ritual, seven weeks of instruction on "Hermetic Philosophy," then about a year of Tarot instruction. The Tarot material is highly recommended.] ======================================================================== and from: Keith Tannler, Regional Councilor [of BOTA] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Subject: GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR B.O.T.A. STUDY GROUPS 1. To attain standing as an official B.O.T.A. study group, a group must show that: (a) It is committed to the teachings of B.O.T.A. (b) It desires to abide by the principles embodied in those teachings. (c) It is willing to conform to these guidelines. (d) And it will cheerfully accept and carry out specific instruc tions given by the Regional Councilor. 2. Primary purposes of the group: First and foremost, to encourage the development of fraternal love and harmony. To be a source of strength and encouragement for members on the Path of Return. To provide an opportunity to interact with others who share the same spiritual teachings and practices, mutually benefiting from the education group work offers. To foster the development of consciousness as set forth in the B.O.T.A. curriculum. To help incorporate the principles of Ageless Wisdom in everyday life. To enjoy together the operation of the One Will in all the circum stances of our lives. To provide an open door to the Mysteries to all who genuinely seek them. To be a support for new members of B.O.T.A. rather than a meeting place for self-presumed "advanced" members further in the course work. 3. Financial support: No set fees or charges shall be made. If the group needs to pay or share rent and/or utilities, or make any other expenditures appropriate, then the group participants should share the expenses through voluntary contributions. No members shall benefit whatsoever from any other member of the group. 4. Who may attend: All guests should be welcomed with love and respect. Because study group discussions are centered on the B.O.T.A. teachings, those who attend regularly should be encouraged, but NEVER pressured, to become members of B.O.T.A., thus making the curriculum available to them. 5. Meeting place: It is helpful to have one consistent meeting place where there can be a build-up of positive, meditative energies. A single, impartial meeting place such as a rented room, hall, etc...) is preferable. If this is not possible, then meetings may be held temporarily at the home of a member. 6. Date and time of meetings: A consistent, regular meeting time should be established. Meetings may occur weekly, twice a month, or monthly, depending on the needs and desires of the members. The important point is that the meetings should always take place on the same day of the week and at the same time, thus establishing a rhythmic cycle. 7. Meeting format: A format should be set by group consensus. The following are basic suggestions that have proVed to be of great value and efficiency in group work: (a) In order to attune the group to higher levels of Spiritual Energies, the beginning of each meeting should include an appropriately paced and thoughtful recitation of the Pattern on the Trestleboard. (b) The B.O.T.A. Tarot Keys and Tree of Life should be systemati cally used as aids to visualization, since they work directly on the subconsciousness of each group member, and are an invaluable support for meditation. (c) The members of the group should be encouraged to paint a set of Tarot Keys, thereby gaining a greater advantage in collective imaging. (d) Each meeting should have a central focus, chosen by the group co-ordinator and the members, within the frame work given in #8 below. (e) All members should be encouraged to participate in the discussion, and gently reminded to remain on the subject. Written papers and well-prepared talks are always desirable. (f) Meditations should be silent. Guided meditations should be given by Ministers or authorized members only. The use of B.O.T.A. Tarot Keys and the Tree of Life is always of great help; a reading from the Book of Tokens is also appropriate. (g) A period of socializing provides an opportunity for members of the group to interact and share on a more personal level. (h) The experience of other current and previous study group co- ordinators should be shared, providing a rich variety of format possibilities. Your Regional Councilor is able to put you in touch with them. 8. Content of discussions: Presentations and discussions are to be based on the first seven courses of the B.O.T.A. curriculum (Seven Steps through the Tree of Life), and the material available in the B.O.T.A. catalog. These lessons are the basic building blocks of the Esoteric Wisdom, and are inexhaustible in their impact and information. However, these lessons, as well as other material from the B.O.T.A. catalog, should not be read at the meetings. The emphasis should always be put on accurate determination of the Principles involved. Discussions should center on the exploration, verification and application of these Principles in daily life, as they are understood by the individual, through study and meditation. The goal the group is to create altogether an atmosphere which will allow all individuals to interact and contribute at their own level of development and understanding, on how to apply the Principles of the Work as explained in the lessons. Subsequent B.O.T.A. lessons are to be used only for private study, because their use in the group could not benefit those who are just beginning their studies, and would add to a sense of "separateness" between them and members receiving earlier lessons. As mentioned above, the lessons comprising Seven Steps through the Tree of Life include more than enough material for any aspirant, whether a life long member or a beginner in B.O.T.A. Study group discussions should be held on a level at which a new-comer finds applicable knowledge. Permanent growth is only accomplished step by step. 9. Cautions: (a) Psychic activity: Psychic phenomena may occur in individuals who have the genetic disposition for it, but it should be seen as a side effect in the process of the transmutation and purification of the personality. However, encouraging psychic activity almost always results in stultifying one's growth, and actually causing harm. Emphasis on this phase of development detracts from the main purposes and goals of the group, and diminishes its effectiveness. Discussion, stimulation or demonstration of psychic activities, powers or phenomenon are not allowed (for example; mediumship, aura reading, divination, "channeling" etc...). (b) Discussion of Individual problems and spiritual experiences: This should be limited to determining the principles involved. An individual is responsible for solutions and actions in his/her own life, and only this person can solve his/her problems - with the help of the Higher Self, of course. The group should not become a psychotherapy session, the only exception being the therapeutic side-effects created by fraternal love, harmony and support shared within the group. (c) Personal privacy: Names and addresses of group members or individuals should not be divulged without the consent of the members. Similarly, interviews and/or audio-visual sessions are not allowed during meetings. (d) Soliciting: Study group meetings cannot be used for business or personal promotion, even during social interchange after the meetings. Study groups are not places where services or materials of any kind are sold for profit. (e) Mixed teachings: The focus of group work must be kept on the principles set forth in the B.O.T.A. lessons. Care should be taken to regularly recall that the group is a B.O.T.A. study group. (f) Intellectual and emotional expressions within the group should be monitored by the study group co-ordinator in order to avoid uncontrolled outbursts of personal or collective emotions, and unbalanced intellectual emphasis that lacks andy normal quality of heart or soul. 10. Record keeping: There should be some basic form of record keeping. This might include the names of participating members, a record of attendance, course of study, etc... Basic records of expenses and income should also be kept. 11. Continuity in the Work: As in Pronaos, an assistant co-ordinator should be trained, so that the regular study group co-ordinator can be substituted for or replaced as need be. In order to give group leaders a deeper understanding of the purpose and format of a study group, here are some excerpts from Ann Davies personal correspondence to B.O.T.A. study groups: "Each week, one class member will prepare a five minute talk on the Tarot Key of the evening, giving personal experiences, problems, aids, insights, etc... which that particular Key has brought. No member will be forced to take such an assignment. Acceptance of the assignment will be on a voluntary basis. Some members are to shy to participate on verbal levels at first, and we feel that time will help to melt away such feelings of insecurity." "Following the five minute talk, all members will enter into open discussion of the particular Tarot Key of the evening, sharing whatever their hearts or questioning urge them to share. This will develop a group spirit of mutual love and understanding, as problems are participated in together, in fraternal love and acceptance." "The above procedure is expected to train leaders of B.O.T.A. Many potentials remain undeveloped for lack of opportunities to uncover hidden talents." "Always remember, dear ones, that the discussion part of your meetings is aimed at giving you a free flow of expression and sharing, one with the other. Every human soul is unique. No two human beings can possibly see life from the same point of view, for each of us is a particular way that God experiences the myriad miracles of experience. Each of us, therefore, will see in a Tarot Key that which is our own unique contribution. For this reason, none of us must attempt the slightest criticism or correction of a fellow aspirants's presentation in the five minute talks given by each of the members. The talks and the general discussion are for the purpose of sharing! Of trying to understand each other! Of learning how to accept each other in the fullest measure! Please, keep this ever utmost in your minds and hearts, and thus will you encourage each other to be willing to share the unique treasures and contribu tions which a fellow Aspirant is endeavoring to give. Thus will each and every one of you be encouraged to give fuller outer expression coming from your inner awarenesses." EOF
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