Why Study the Mysterious & Esoteric...?
It is unfortunate that, in our modern age, the appreciation of life’s great mysteries (and esoterica) has been forgotten. It was not so for most of human history. Those who profess to seek truth, nowadays, chase after delusions – either of science or fanaticism. They do not seek after that which truly exists.
The task given to the community (or the Shekinah) is to discover the true reality which others have laid aside. Due to the influx of the sciences and technology, metaphysics have all but faded into the background. However, no matter how much some may try to oppose it, the truth cannot be ignored – that there are mystical, mysterious forces which we cannot explain. Science is afraid to admit such outright, although the assumption is built into the Scientific Method. Why even bother to conduct experiments if you do not believe unknown forces are at work in our universe?
In Buddhism, there is an action known as “taking refuge” in which the practitioner dedicates themselves to some force that directs them back to true reality. In Judeo-Christian practices this could be referred to as “taking a vow.” In Book 7 of the Complete Nyingma Tradition (7.I.A.) we read, “Refuge is taken in fear of the round of rebirth… and with the wish for freedom.”
(1) We take refuge in the true reality out of fear of the rounds of rebirth. Our current life, and past lives, are a wheel of constant rebirths which we should fear lest our pain continue. This is what is meant by the first part. (2) Furthermore, we take refuge out of a wish for freedom – freedom from the same wheel of rebirth.
Therefore, it is because of fear and freedom that we seek after the mysteries.
But why, I’m sure you’ll ask, should we fear, and seek freedom, from the rounds of rebirth? Because this world, and our short time here, is a nothing but a delusion – a lie – and from our human perspective we could never hope to comprehend anything other than a small slice of existence. We live, naturally, in a bubble of our own perceptions – which would have been quite different had we been born in a different time or space.
So, then, seek not after delusions and conditional answers – once again – seek after what is true. That would be the mysteries and esoterica. Although from the human perspective, metaphysics is seen as “less real,” it is not so. We know that physics and metaphysics (despite their lack of direct observation) make up the building blocks of reality. Only esoteric answers which have withstood the test of time (thousands of years) are worth pursuing, the recent innovations of human intellect are not so.
When you sit down to study, then, make sure to understand the purpose of your pursuits. Do not use them to contribute to this short lifespan on earth. Everything in this world will soon be as nothing. Contribute to your higher intelligence and connect with your true Self, then you will be rewarded for your efforts (both, in this life and what lies beyond). Do not desire to endure this cruel world, remember these words of Enoch (I En. 42):
“Wisdom could not find a place in which she could dwell;
but a place was found for her in the Heavens.
Then Wisdom went out to dwell with the children of the people,
but she found no dwelling place.
So Wisdom returned to her place
and settled permanently among the angels.”