It seems that the time has passed when progress was thought to require severing ties with the past, which was seen as hindering that same progress. After tumultuous and difficult experiences in the past few centuries, it has been established that it is a misconception to equate material and technological progress with spiritual and moral progress. Moreover, in these crisis-ridden times in which we live, there are increasingly voices speaking out about the dark side of contemporary high technology and modern scientific achievements. Therefore, there is an interesting surge of interest in the mythical, supernatural, and everything that transcends mere material existence. However, many prominent cultural anthropologists have warned that the absence of myths or interest in what surpasses our physical and sensory limitations is not the main difference between us modern people and the ancient ones whose preoccupations were different from ours. In fact, one of the main characteristics of the modern world is the disappearance of initiation, which had a decisive role and significance for all aspects of life in the Traditional societies.
Living cosmos
The novelty that the modern world introduced into human existence is that contemporary man lives in a radically desacralized cosmos. The experience of the sacred and its expression was considered by ancient man to be the key to his own existence. Existence in the cosmos was never exhausted in and of itself, but was purposeful and meaningful. In other words, neither man nor the cosmos live just to survive, and then end their lives in dust and nothingness. It was believed that human existence was a kind of journey in which man seeks his hidden essence. In the religious systems of the old world, this was described through mythology, as well as in ancient philosophy through the maxim “Know Thyself”. It was believed that the cosmos is a great living being (macrocosm) that intertwines destiny with the microcosm, i.e. man. Both the cosmos and man are immersed in existence that is multidimensional. Of several possible levels of existence, only some are accessible. And to our senses, which are according to ancient traditions – the least important. This by no means implies that they are unimportant, but rather that their role is secondary and accompanying in relation to other dimensions that transcend our current consciousness. These other dimensions were called sacred, spiritual, and in the light of the discoveries of depth psychology, we now call them archetypal. In fact, these dimensions are filled with what is essential and meaningful, and represent reality in the true sense of the word. That is why ancient man strives to live in a sacred way because that is a life filled with purpose. Sacred simultaneously means reality, eternity, and effectiveness. It is precisely these qualities of the sacred that point to expanded possibilities of human expression as well as to their other preoccupations, beyond the struggle for mere survival. Consequently, the visible, material universe acquires a new meaning: it is a manifestation of “something other”, a reality that is not of this world, but can be expressed in this world and understood and lived by man. Therefore, the sacred and the profane are unified. Sum and complement become complementary, and only together they enable a human being to live a complete life in which a person is not reduced to just one dimension of themselves.
Initiation and myth
All traditional societies possessed a complex and elaborated mythology. Mythology represented their understanding of the world, the way in which the cosmos was described, and the position of humans in it.
Through many archetypal images and symbols, it was shown how the cosmos originated, what its essence is, and in what way human beings exist in it. This is actually a history, but more of a psychological nature. It primarily concerns the human psyche and spirit and serves as a pattern for the establishment of cultural and social institutions. Myth is the history of everything significant that has happened since the creation of the world, all the events that have contributed to the creation of the human being as they are today. Unlike contemporary history, mythology is much more than a sparse and dry objective information: myth encompasses all aspects of a human being, not just reason. Through the si Mbole, the language of the unspeakable, man can connect with the beyond, with what he currently does not know, but is crucial for his existence.
Mythology is sacred history, so it should be carefully preserved and transmitted to future generations. If it is lost, man is in danger of losing contact with his own essence, and in that case, he does not qualitatively differ from an animal. Since myths are not directed at man’s analytical and rational cognitive abilities, it is necessary for them to stir his inner self with a special procedure and free it from banality, peripheral and insignificant matters. The role of myth consists in awakening spiritual potentials in man, in breaking his shells that prevent his inward vision and seeing things as they truly are in their essence. If one experiences and enlivens the myth, man becomes part of a higher reality. However, in order for this to truly happen, a transition of consciousness from the profane to the sacred is necessary. Such a transition is made possible through initiation.
Initiation like.a bridge between the profane and the sacred
Initiation represents a series of rituals and oral teachings that lead to a profound and genuine change in the one undergoing initiation. It corresponds to a deep change in the way of existence; at the end of the initiation trials, the neophyte lives a completely different life than before: they have become “another”. The word initiation itself comes from the Latin word initiare, which means to introduce into something or to start something. Originally, it means entering a process that marks a psychological transition from one, lower state of being to a higher one. The ancients believed that through initiation, the soul ascends and approaches its origin, as evidenced by the myths of any culture and civilization. Initiation introduces the neophyte to the world of spiritual values, the sacred. Therefore, this is not about teaching in the modern sense of the word. Initiation is a special pedagogical process, but its purpose is not the acquisition of knowledge; it is actually a process of spiritual renewal and has an impact on the entire human being. The neophyte becomes worthy of sacred instruction. Anja only after spiritual preparation. He cannot be value-neutral in the knowledge he has acquired, as is the case with modern education where it is not important whether the knowledge a student has acquired causes changes in his inner self. Because everything a novice learns about the world and human existence does not constitute “knowledge” in the sense we attribute to it today; it is not just a collection of facts that can be endlessly corrected and changed, in fact improvised. In this context, the world is a divine work and therefore sacrosanct in its very essence. Therefore, after a long and arduous preparation, those who will be initiated are allowed insight into sacred knowledge. Teachers teach them diligently and extensively, then go through a series of trials, in order to finally gain the right to access secret ceremonies, or rather – encounter the sacred.
Every initiation actually means the “death” of the old self and the rebirth of the new; “death” signifies the end of one way of existence filled with ignorance of the essential and the possibility for a This existence closer to true reality. Initiation represents an irreversible experience that always unfolds according to the same psychological script composed of three consecutive stages: life, death, and resurrection. The initiatory death is necessary for the beginning of the spiritual life. The initiatory death is often symbolized by darkness, cosmic night, Earth’s womb, hut, the womb of a monster. All these images denote a return to a latent state, not complete annihilation of being (how modern man often imagines death). The images and symbols of ritual death are actually linked to the creation of an embryo, with emergence, they already indicate the preparation of a new life. The role of initiatory death refers to what follows after such death: the birth of a renewed being.
Initiatory path
In ancient times, man was seen as a being participating in the dynamic cosmos that is constantly in motion. Everything that the cosmos encompasses travels somewhere, and together with the cosmos, the human being travels. In the mythical age, human being Travel was identified with the journey of human consciousness, which constantly oscillates between lower and higher dimensions of existence. Every myth, which also represents an initiation pattern, speaks of this struggle of consciousness to free itself from the limitations of the material world, but only through the trials of that same material world in which we are inevitably immersed. The myth of the Egyptian god Osiris contains a typical initiation scenario and path. Osiris was killed and dismembered by his brother Set, and pieces of his body were scattered all over Egypt. Osiris’ wife, the goddess Isis, managed to reassemble his body with the help of magic and the god Anubis, making it immortal. This myth, through archetypal images, points to the position of a human being in the cosmos and the essence of initiation itself. A human being who only lives to survive can never be a complete human being in the true sense of the word. In order to connect all its multiple aspects, insight into true reality is necessary. However, such an insight is not achieved easily, as it requires immense effort and determination. A special insight is impossible without a certain detachment from the transient world. As previously mentioned, initiation myths describe this with a dramatic tone; it always involves disintegration, fragmentation, dispersion, devouring by a monster, entering darkness, descending into the abyss. Regardless of the tone and manner, the message is very clear and direct: every true change is accompanied by turmoil and a chaotic, crisis state. It is impossible to reach higher levels of consciousness and true human nature without changing our view of the world and perspective on things. In alchemy, this is called the “dark night of the soul,” symbolized by the destruction of the existing in order to build something new. The old man, full of ignorance and shortcomings, must die in order for the new, true man to be born. In the language of initiation, a man is reborn as someone different, more subtle and wiser. Osiris had to endure many trials and die in order to be able to resurrect – renewed and immortal. His son Horus will have to repeat all of this later. But it will serve as a model for every Egyptian. Through the myth of Demeter and Kore, as well as through Orphic and Samothracian mysteries, this scenario will serve as a model for the entire ancient world, and through the cycle of Arthurian myths and legends of the Holy Grail, it will be connected to Christianity and spread to medieval Europe.
Types of initiation
In ancient times, there were many types of initiation. In fact, almost all significant philosophers, artists, scientists, as well as politicians, were initiated. Of course, initiation was tailored to each individual, as it was not believed that all human beings were the same or had the same needs. It was important to provide everyone with access to higher levels of existence while respecting the psychological and other differences that exist among people. Initiation was thus a unique kind of pedagogy; those who went through the initiatory path and faced their own nature and deeper dimensions of existence through initiatory trials came closer to themselves and to a higher understanding of existence. Not only to be true to oneself, but also to be a part of the world that surrounds him. As a pedagogical art, initiation connected the understanding of essential things with everyday human activities so that they could be used for the benefit of all. Through various occupations, skills, and arts, people were introduced to the world of spiritual values without neglecting their material existence. Therefore, no one could become a true priest, warrior, craftsman, doctor, judge, poet, architect… without the necessary initiation, regardless of how proficient they were in the technical skills of their profession. Technical skills alone are of course necessary, but they are not enough to radiate spiritual values. Each of these occupations had its own initiation, but regardless of the occupation, all people went through several initiation rituals in their lifetime, in accordance with the sacred calendar. In general, each life was divided into three main periods, between which various initiations took place. During childhood and adolescence, puberty rites or rites of passage took place. They were intended to educate young individuals about sexuality and proper understanding of emotions. Additionally, after overcoming initiation tests, the young man or woman had the right to their place in the community as full-fledged members. Tests of physical endurance, prohibitions on sleeping and eating, obligations of silence, as well as many others, were a guarantee of willpower and spiritual strength. During this initiation, the youth were taught the myths and religion of the community, thus following the initiation path of mythical beings. They had to “die” to childhood in order to be reborn as mature individuals open to the values of the spirit. It was believed that without this initiation, young people could not become mature individuals capable of dealing with life’s difficulties. Without it, they were always somehow immature and emotionally inadequate, in fact, potentially psychologically unstable, regardless of their age.
The next initiation rite intended for all people was meant for adults. Through it, adults, mature people faced the meaning of life and human existence in the universe. Through dance, pantomime, and various ceremonies, they were symbolically introduced to the secrets of life and the importance of life’s trials. Many myths illustrated the human position in the world, as well as the possibilities for the breakthrough of spiritual values. We are familiar with the Eleusinian, Samothracian, and Orphic mysteries, as well as their variations in other cultural circles. These rituals sought to give a higher meaning to human life in the always critical “middle years”. It was believed that without them, human life could not be fulfilled and fruitful, only restricted and empty.
Finally, the last initiation ritual is related to old age. Through this ritual, old people were supposed to learn how to turn their accumulated life experiences into wise preparation for death. Death is an inevitable initiation, it is a necessary transformation of human beings, even if they haven’t gone through the first two initiations.
However, it is crucial that this initiation is The correct understanding of initiation is crucial. In the hymn of Demeter, it lamented those who passed the threshold of life without participating in the mysteries: “Happy is the person among humans who has seen these things on earth during their lifetime! Those who have not experienced the sacred celebrations and have not participated in them do not await the same fate in the dark abode.”
The forgetfulness of initiation in modern times
It is obvious that the modern world no longer recognizes initiation. However, this does not mean that initiation is not necessary for modern man. Many questions about life and death impose themselves today with the same intensity as before. Transience and eternity, meaning and meaninglessness, joy and suffering, fears and hopes, living and dying… all of this still flows through the human being, all of this flows through them, beside them, and sometimes even against them. There is probably no life that has not reached a critical point, deep crises, and anxieties when everything seems wrong, unnecessary, and meaningless. It is precisely in such pivotal moments that modern man has a need for initiation, even even suspecting it. Being initiated, delving deeper into life and being reborn… that is the search for meaning that is an integral part of human nature. The famous psychologist C. G. Jung believed that the meaning of human life is achieved through a series of initiatory trials. These trials do not lead to some utopian well-being and atrophy towards everything except material existence, but towards a life that has its essence.
Of course, the experience of recent times has shown that a human being can lead a meaningful, but also meaningless life. A person can live unaware of their own essence, but such a life is not fully human. Initiation existed in all cultures and civilizations of the past, but today it no longer exists, although there is a need or at least a yearning for it among many people. Ancient sages claimed that initiation helps overcome the critical moment of every human life – death. Perhaps that was precisely the greatest value of initiation: the possibility to accept death as something which is quite natural. Each initiation is actually a certain journey that prepares a person for death and rebirth on higher levels of being.