Highlights of the Eighth Degree Lessons

    Dr. Earlyne had given nearly forty years to writing the first seven Degrees, rewriting them, and then rewriting them again — all this along with her other efforts on behalf of Astarians around the world. Through her magnificent efforts the Astara Degree Lessons have received worldwide recognition. It was decided that Dr. Robert would undertake the responsibility of writing the Eighth Degree so that Dr. Earlyne could give more attention to writing books, making videos, and, of course, continuing her healing.

    She had made available an appreciable amount of already written material which Dr. Robert uses from time to time. Other material will be that which he is inspired, or directed by the Teachers, to offer you. It is the result of meditation, inspiration, direction and research. Occasionally a subject will be the same as in a previous Lesson, but we’ll explore it from a different view of the Path we’re walking together.

    You’ll probably note differences in teaching style between this and the first seven Degrees. But the thrust will still be the metaphysical, mystical, and esoteric. And the purpose will still be to help you in your personal journey.

Lesson 1, The Journey Absolute, and Lesson 2, The Unity of Life: Discover what the absolute is. Examine your beliefs and define what you believe in. Find out what is so important about unity. Learn about the vibrational fields within the unity and ways to open the unity consciousness.

Lesson 3, Communion with the Deity, and Lesson 4, Initiation — Pathway to Enlightenment: You explore the nature of and ways of interacting with the Supreme Being. Examine the nature of God and see how it coincides with your nature. Investigate the various types of communion with the Infinite, receive suggestions about ways you can affect them, and how they might benefit you and your life.

Lessons 4, 5 and 6, Initiation — Pathway to Enlightenment, Parts I, II and III: A three-part Lesson study of an age-old mystical practice that is widespread today in more ways than you may realize. See the purpose of initiation, its varieties and its methods, and see how they originated in the Mystery Schools but still function in your life today. Relive initiation episodes you may have experienced in the long ago. Explore the initiation practices of various religions, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism and Christianity. In addition, learn about the initiation of baptism and the cross. Take the initiation self-test to find out if any of your life’s experiences have been initiations.

Lesson 7, Free Will vs. Destiny: Determine if you really have free will or does something or someone else control your life’s outcome? Learn the differences between free will, destiny, predestination, fate and chance. Create your own philosophical formula. Find out if you can change your destiny.

Lessons 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, Egyptian Mysticism, Parts I, II, III, IV and V: In this five-part series, take a flight back in consciousness to the “place of light” where you may share in the “great and majestic glory” of another time and space. Ancient Egypt was the center of a universal vortex which drew in to its enlightened minds the philosophical roots of today’s spirituality — no matter the religion or denomination. Walk the ground where everything was holy. Touch the symbols and feel the atmosphere of the place where philosophy was king and spirituality was queen. Discover the ancient wisdom basics which are usable today. Learn the spiritual healing methods from long ago which you can use for health and longevity. Examine the remarkable similarities between ancient festivals and today’s celebrations, and the suggestions on how to use them for spiritual advancement. In addition, you will be introduced to the story of God and the emissary, Hermes.

Lesson 13, Hermes Trismegistus — Emissary of the Divine, and Lesson 14, The Birth Bardo: Reveals Hermes as the Egyptian counterpart of the Christian Jesus and other avatars. His teachings of the secret sermon on the mount, the twelve tormentors, the way of regeneration, the seven basic and eternal principles, and other ancient spiritual ideas, provide you with a new and inspiring basis of life. The Birth Bardo, is an introduction to a mystical concept that has never been discussed in esoteric literature. The Lesson offers a point of view regarding the moment a fetus becomes a living entity, the parental energies involved in the process, how parents and child share the birth process, how the spirit assumes control of the forming body. The Lesson offers a Birth Bardo Ritual which may be read to assist the birth process (or an audio tape is available with Dr. Robert and Sita voicing the words of the Ritual).

Lesson 15, Mysteries of Fire and Air, and Lesson 16, Mysteries of Water and Earth: The elements in which you live in their spiritual and psychic content, are too frequently taken for granted. Explore them in an esoteric context which relates you to them in a profound way. Investigate the mysteries of fire, air, earth and water. Both Lessons include the element of Azoth, a component of still higher vibratory nature. All these elements possess higher spiritual, ethical and vibrational counterparts far more meaningful than normally realized. Learn about Fire, the celestial life creator; Air, the godly birth of higher consciousness; Water, the divine cleanser; Earth, the womb of growth; and Azoth, the transformational power. The Lessons include special sections presenting you with meditational methods for  attuning yourself to each of the elements — a practice for improving your daily life on every level. Additional material pursues the mystical concepts of the four original universal ages and the five experiential initiations.

Lesson 17, Mysteries of the Eucharist, and Lesson 18, Agape — Love Feast of the Higher Consciousness: Explore the eucharist’s potential as a conveyor of higher life energy, making it much more than a mere symbolic reference to the Christ presence. The practice, for those who wish to make it so, becomes “a spiritual device leading to greater personal understanding and spiritual attainment.” The Eucharist is a process of making the many life energies one in their expression and manifestation. The Lesson tells how the great Mystery Drama changes you and your relationship to the higher life. Additional information describes Agape, the original love feast, as more than a casual dinner with friends. The Agape traditionally followed the Eucharist. It may be experienced now in the same way, or as an event on its own, transforming social togetherness into a spiritual experience. The Agape continues the Eucharist process — not satisfying hungers of the body, but transporting your consciousness to a greater realization of the spirit.

Lessons 19 and 20, Ancient North American Mystery Schools, Parts I and II: Explores the similarities, helps you hear the mystical echoes of other lands and times, and offers you opportunities to duplicate the essence of North American teachings in your own meditations.

Lessons 21 and 22, Chinese Mysticism, Parts I and II: You will learn of the ancient science of Li and the importance of the dragon and tiger symbols. Find out what messages can be found in the sun, moon and stars. Learn about yang and yin. Explore the three great religions found in China — Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism.

    Although this is the last of the Eighth Degree Lessons, Robert and Sita are currently working on the Ninth Degree. Check your Voice of Astara brochure or Astara’s web site at www.astara.org for additional information on Lesson updates.

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