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Ascended mastersin a number of movements in thetheosophicaltradition[1]are held to be spirituallyenlightenedbeings who in pastincarnationswere ordinary humans, but who have undergone a series of spiritual transformations originally called initiations.
Bothmahatmaandascended masterare terms used in the Ascended Master Teachings. The concept of an ascended master is based on thetheosophicalconcept of the Mahatma or Masters of the Ancient Wisdom. However, Mahatmas and ascended masters are believed by some to differ in certain respects.
According to the Ascended Master Teachings, a "Master of Light", "Healer" or "Spiritual Master" is a divine human being who has taken the Fifth Initiation and is thereby capable of dwelling in a 5th dimension. The teachings hold that an "ascended master" is a human being who has taken the Sixth Initiation, also referred to as Ascension,[2]and is thereby believed to be capable of dwelling in a 6th dimension.
The termascended masterwas first used byBaird T. Spaldingin 1924 in his series of books,Life and Teachings of the Masters of the Far East(DeVorss and Co.).Godfre Ray King(Guy Ballard) further popularized this concept of spiritual masters who had once lived on the earth in his bookUnveiled Mysteries.[3][third-party source needed]
Definition
editAdherents of the ascended master Teachings hold that the beliefs surrounding ascended masters were partially released by theTheosophical Societybeginning in 1875, byC.W. LeadbeaterandAlice A. Bailey,and began to have more detailed public release in the 1930s by the ascended masters throughGuy Ballardin theI AM Activity.[4]However, theosophists maintain that the concept of an ascended master is an exaggeration and corruption of the more modest theosophical concept of "Master of the Ancient Wisdom".[5]
Guy Ballard said his workUnveiled Mysterieswas dictated to him by the ascended masterSt. Germain.[3][6]Other Ascended Master Teachings are contained inThe Bridge to Freedom(1951),[7]Mark ProphetandElizabeth Clare Prophet's The Summit Lighthouse (1958) (reorganized as theChurch Universal and Triumphantin 1975),[8]The Temple of The Presence (1995),[9]The Hearts Center (2005), theI AM University(2004), and various other organizations such asThe White Eagle Lodge(1936) and theAquarian Christine Church Universal(2006).[10][11]
Peter Mt. Shasta, who claims to be channeling the ascended master Saint Germain, has been releasing the ancient teachings in a more modern and simplified form, emphasizing the teaching that the masters can work with those who have an open heart and the desire to benefit humanity.[12]
Beliefs about ascended masters
editThe termascended masterwas first introduced in 1934 byGuy Ballardwith the publication ofUnveiled Mysteries,a book which he said was dictated to him by the ascended masterSt. Germain.[13][14]Other Ascended Master Teachings are contained inThe Bridge to Freedom(1951),[15]The Summit Lighthouse(1958) (known also as TheChurch Universal and Triumphant),[16]TheAetherius Society(1955),[17]The Temple of The Presence (1995),[9]the I AM University (2004), theWhite Eagle Lodge(1936) and the Aquarian Christine Church Universal, Inc. (2006).[18][19]
In Ascended Master Teachings there is also mention of Serapis Bey, a being who was incarnated as a high priest in one of the "Temples of the Sacred Fire" onAtlantis,and who migrated toEgyptat the time of the destruction of Atlantis.[20]It is also believed that he was incarnated as the EgyptianPharaohAmenhotep III(who constructed theTemple of Luxorto the godAmon)[21]and also asLeonidas,the King ofSparta,[22]who was killed in 480 BC defending the pass ofThermopylaeagainst the invasion ofancient Greeceby EmperorXerxes Iof thePersian Empire.
Other beliefs about ascended masters
editBelief in the brotherhood[clarification needed]and the masters is an essential part of the beliefs of various organizations that have continued and expanded the concepts released in the original Saint Germain instruction in the 1930s throughthe "I AM" Activity.Examples of those believed by the ones proposing these teachings to be ascended masters would be the Master Jesus,Confucius,Gautama Buddha,Mary the mother of Jesus,St.Paul of Tarsus(a.k.a.Hilarion),Ashtar Sheran,Sanat Kumara,Melchizedek,Archangel Michael,Metatron,Kwan Yin,St. Germain andKuthumi.[citation needed]
Jesus
editJesus is believed to be one of the Masters of the Ancient Wisdom inTheosophyand is one of the ascended masters in the Ascended Master Teachings. The Master Jesus is regarded by Theosophists as the Master of theSixth Ray.[23]
It is believed by Ascended Master Teachings organizations that the Master Jesus was "Chohan of the Sixth Ray" until December 31, 1959, when, according to Elizabeth Clare Prophet, Lady Master Nada[who?]fully took on the Office in the Spiritual Hierarchy in his place. According to Prophet, Jesus became World Teacher, along with Kuthumi,[who?]on January 1, 1956, succeeding Maitreya, who took the Office of "Planetary Buddha" and "Cosmic Christ".[24]
According to Elizabeth Clare Prophet, Prophet of the Church Universal and Triumphant (the largest Ascended Master Teachings religion), the Master Jesus incarnated twice as the Emperor of Atlantis, once in 33,050 BC and again in 15,000 BC.[25]
According to Alice Bailey, the Master Jesus was previously incarnated asJoshua,the Hebrew military leader in the 13th century BC, andJoshua the High Priestin the sixth century BC.[26]
According to the Ascended Master Teachings,[27][28][29][30]Jesus was also incarnated asJosephof thecoat of many colorsin the 17th century BC/16th century BC (approximately between 1650 BC and 1550 BC), as well asKing David(who livedc. 1037 BCuntil around 970 BC), andElishain the 9th century BC.[31]
Sanat Kumara
editAccording to the post-1900 publications of Theosophy (specifically, the writings ofCharles W. Leadbeater,Alice Bailey, andBenjamin Creme,as well as the Ascended Master Teachings of Guy Ballard, Elizabeth Clare Prophet,Geraldine Innocente,Joshua David Stone,and other Ascended Master Teachings teachers), Sanat Kumara[32][33]is an "advanced being" of the Ninth Initiation (the highest initiation possible on planet Earth) who is regarded as the Lord or Regent ofEarthand ofhumanity,and the head of theSpiritual Hierarchyof Earth who dwells inShamballah.
It is believed by these authors that he is the founder of the Great White Brotherhood, which consists of Masters of the Ancient Wisdom (Fifth Initiation), ascended masters (Sixth Initiation), Chohans andBodhisattvas(Seventh Initiation), Buddhas (Eighth Initiation), and highly spiritually-evolved volunteers from other worlds, who have all joined to advance spiritual evolution on Earth.[34]
Sanat Kumara was mentioned briefly by the theosophistHelena Blavatsky.[35]She claimed he belonged to a group of beings, the "Lords of the Flame", whomChristian traditionhave misunderstood asLuciferand the fallen angels.[36]
Sanat Kumara gained greater prominence when her follower Charles W. Leadbeater wrote that Sanat Kumara was the "King" or Lord of the World, and the head of the Great White Brotherhood of Mahatmas who had revealed the principles of theosophy.[37]
Maitreya
editInitiation
editAccording to C.W. Leadbeater, Initiation is a process by which "we try to develop ourselves not that we may become great and wise, but that we may have the power and knowledge to work for humanity to the best effect."[38]According to Alice Bailey, Initiation is the "process of undergoing an expansion of consciousness"[39]
Periodization
editThe fall of man
editIt is believed that since the "fall of man" during the time of the incarnation of thefourth root race,imperfection, limitations and discord increasingly entered into the world. The memory body is considered to have become known as a "soul", and this temporary personality has taken on the sense of a self that is separated and not connected to God. It is believed that a "Dictation" from Maitreya further clarified this matter through the "Messenger",Geraldine Innocente,on September 27, 1954, when what occurred during the time of the fourth root race was described:
Curiosity, rebellion against holding true to the Divine Pattern and the use of thought and feeling in creation of imperfection, began the building of what you call the 'soul'. It is a consciousness apart from the full Purity of God. The first thought a man had that was imperfect and impure, energized by a secret feeling, was a cause and that, sent out into the atmosphere, created an effect. Like a boomerang, the effect came back into the consciousness and made a record. That record was the beginning of an impression. Energy sent out in a certain manner returned to affect the lifestream who had sent it forth and there began to be created a shadow between the I AM Presence and the human consciousness. Endeavoring to contact the Presence, the individual would find these 'tramp' thoughts and feelings flowing through that line of contact until more and more imperfect was the conscious use of them. Finally, those centers got completely away from the control of the ego and acted independently.[40]
Dawning Golden Age
editStudents of the Ascended Master Teachings believe that this world is destined to again have aGolden Age,a "Heaven on Earth", that will be permanent, unlike previous Golden Ages millions of years ago.[41]
The Great White Brotherhood
editTheGreat White Brotherhood,in belief systems akin to Theosophy, are said to be supernatural beings of great power who spread spiritual teachings through selected humans.[42]The members of the Brotherhood may be known as the Masters of the Ancient Wisdom or the Ascended masters.[42]Various people have said they have received messages from these beings, including most notably Helena Blavatsky (Theosophy),Aleister Crowley(Thelema), Alice Bailey (New Group of World Servers), Guy Ballard ("I AM" Activity), Geraldine Innocente (The Bridge to Freedom),Mark L. Prophet& Elizabeth Clare Prophet (Church Universal and Triumphant) andBenjamin Creme(Share International).[42]
The Masters are collectively called the "Great White Brotherhood" by various theosophists and esotericists. The use of the termwhiterefers to their advanced spirituality (in other words, that they have a white colored aura) and has nothing to do with race. Blavatsky described many of the Masters as ethnicallyTibetanorIndian(Hindu), notEuropean.[43]She did, however, describe them as being from all cultures and races, such as the "Greek gentleman" known asHilarion.[44]
Belief in the Brotherhood and the Masters is an essential part of thesyncretisticteachings of various organizations that have taken the Theosophical philosophical concepts and added their own elements.[45]Examples of those believed to be ascended masters by these organizations are: Jesus, Sanat Kumara, Buddha, Maitreya,Confucius,Lord Lanto(Confucius' historical mentor), Mary the mother of Jesus, Lady Master Nada,Enoch,Kwan Yin,Saint Germain, andKoot Hoomi(Kuthumi), to name but a few.[46]It is believed that all of these put aside any differences they might have had in their Earthly careers, and unite instead to advance the spiritual well-being of humanity.[47]
Dictations
editWithin "The I AM Activity" (founded by Guy Ballard in the early 1930s), claimed contact and cooperation with the ascended masters became a central part of each member's life. Through the Ballards as "messengers", the ascended masters were believed to have regularly communicated with the students of "The I AM Activity". These supposed addresses (known as "Dictations" ) were delivered before gatherings of members in Conclaves held throughout the United States of America, and published in the monthly periodicalThe Voice of The "I AM",and some were collected and reprinted in the "green books" ofThe Saint Germain Series.In all, 3,834 claimed Dictations from the Masters were received through Guy and Edna Ballard. Other "Ascended Master Activities" believed that the ascended masters, cosmic beings, Elohim, and Archangels continued to present a program for both individual development and spiritual transformation in the world.[48]They believe that further instruction from the ascended masters and the rest of the spiritual hierarchy continued through new Dispensations with new Messengers, such as the Bridge to Freedom,[49]the Summit Lighthouse, and the Temple of The Presence.
The Aquarian Church
editThe Aquarian Christine Church Universal, Inc. (ACCU) is a denomination founded in 2006 based onThe Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ,said to be transcribed from theAkashic recordsbyLevi H. Dowling.The Aquarian Christine Church actively promotes Ascended Master Teachings and shares many beliefs in common with the I AM Movement, White Eagle Lodge and New Thought and Theosophical groups. The book "Initiations of the Aquarian Masters: The Theosophy of the Aquarian Gospel" by ACCU founder Jacob L. Watson, expounds on the church's teachings which draw heavily from the writings of A.D.K. Luk (pen-name of Alice Beulah Schutz) (1905–1994), the Saint Germain Series published by the Saint Germain Press (The Saint Germain Foundation), and especially from "The Lost Years of Jesus" compiled by Elizabeth Clare Prophet and published by The Summit Lighthouse.[50]
Criticism
editRené Guénonwrote a detailed critique of Theosophy titledTheosophy: history of a pseudo-religion(1921). In the book Guenon speculated that Blavatsky had acquired all her knowledge naturally from other books not from any supernatural masters. Guenon points out that Blavatsky spent a long time visiting a library at New York where she had easy access to the works ofJacob Boehme,Eliphas Levi,theKabbalahand otherHermetictreatises. Guenon also speculated that Blavatsky had borrowed passages from extracts of theKanjurandTanjur,translated by the eccentric orientalistSándor Kőrösi Csoma,published in 1836 in the twentieth volume of theAsiatic Researchers of Calcutta.[51]
K. Paul Johnsonsuggests in his bookThe Masters Revealed: Madame Blavatsky and Myth of the Great White Brotherhoodthat the Masters that Madam Blavatsky claimed she had personally met are idealizations of certain people she had met during her lifetime.[52]
Robert Todd Carrollin his bookThe skeptic's dictionary(2003) speculates that Blavatsky used trickery into deceiving others into thinking she had paranormal powers. Carroll further speculates that Blavatsky had faked a materialization of a tea cup and saucer as well as written the messages from her masters herself.[53]The article "Talking to the Dead and Other Amusements" byPaul Zweig,New York TimesOctober 5, 1980, also speculates that Madame Blavatsky's revelations were fraudulent.[54]
See also
editCitations
edit- ^"Ascended Master".Encyclopedia.
- ^Partridge, Christopher ed.New Religions: A Guide: New Religious Movements, Sects and Alternative Spiritualities,Oxford University Press, USA, 2004. Describes the Theosophical Society and religious organizations based on a belief in Ascended Masters, such as The I AM Activity, The Bridge to Freedom and The Summit Lighthouse. pp. 330–334.
- ^abKing, Godfre Ray.Unveiled Mysteries.Chicago, Illinois: Saint Germain Press, 1934, p. vii: "The time has arrived, when the Great Wisdom, held and guarded for many centuries in the Far East, is now to come forth in America, at the command of those Great Ascended Masters who direct and protect the evolution of mankind upon this Earth."
- ^King, Godfre Ray.The Magic Presence.Saint Germain Press 1935. page 89, 95
- ^"Mahatmas versus Ascended Masters - Theosophical Society in America".Archived fromthe originalon 2016-03-07.
- ^Saint Germain Foundation.The History of the "I AM" Activity and Saint Germain Foundation.Schaumburg, Illinois: Saint Germain Press, 2003.
- ^The Bridge to Freedom Journal(1951-1961) Reprinted by Ascended Master Teaching Foundation, 1989.
- ^Lewis, James R.Church Universal and Triumphant in Scholarly PerspectiveCenter For Academic Publication 1994.
- ^abWhite Paper - Wesak World Congress 2002.Acropolis Sophia Books & Works 2003
- ^Braden, Charles S.These Also Believe,MacMillan Publishing Company 2000, pp. 257–307.
- ^Watson, Jacob L. "Initiations of the Aquarian Masters: The Theosophy of the Aquarian Gospel" Outskirts Press, 2009.ISBN978-1-4327-4598-1
- ^"Adventures of a Western Mystic: Apprentice to the Masters" (Church of the Seven Rays, 2010)
- ^King, Godfre Ray.Unveiled Mysteries.Chicago, Illinois: Saint Germain Press 1934 page vii: "The time has arrived, when the Great Wisdom, held and guarded for many centuries in the Far East, is now to come forth in America, at the command of those Great Ascended Masters who direct and protect the evolution of mankind upon this Earth."
- ^Saint Germain Foundation.The History of the "I AM" Activity and Saint Germain Foundation.Schaumburg, Illinois: Saint Germain Press 2003
- ^The Bridge to Freedom Journal(1951-1961) Reprinted by Ascended Master Teaching Foundation, 1989
- ^Melton, J. Gordon (1994).Church Universal and Triumphant in Scholarly Perspective.Stanford, Calif.: Center for Academic Publication. pp. 1–2.ISBN978-0-8191-9634-7.
- ^"Ascended Masters & The Spiritual Hierarchy Of Earth".The Aetherius Society.Retrieved2017-08-02.
- ^Braden, Charles S.These Also BelieveMacmillan Publishing Company 2000, pp. 257-307
- ^Watson, Jacob L. "Initiations of the Aquarian Masters: The Theosophy of the Aquarian Gospel" Outskirts Press 2009ISBN978-1-4327-4598-1
- ^Prophet, Mark L. and Elizabeth ClareLords of the Seven Rays.Summit University, Livingston, Montana, USA, 1986, p. 149.
- ^Prophet, Mark L. and Elizabeth ClareLords of the Seven Rays,p. 153.
- ^Prophet, Mark L. and Elizabeth ClareLords of the Seven Rays,p. 150.
- ^Bailey, Alice A,A Treatise on Cosmic Fire(Section Three - Division A - Certain Basic Statements), 1932, Lucis Trust, 1925, p. 1237.
- ^Prophet, Mark L. and Elizabeth ClareLords of the Seven RaysLivingston, Montana: Summit University Press 1986 page 225
- ^Prophet, Elizabeth Clare and Prophet, Mark (as compiled by Annice Booth)The Masters and Their RetreatsCorwin Springs, Montana:2003 Summit University Press Pages 142-143
- ^Bailey, Alice A.Initiation, Human and SolarNew York: Lucis Publishing, 1922, p. 56.
- ^I AM Ascended Master Dictation List,Saint Germain Press Inc., 1995, Listing of Ascended Masters by The I AM Activity
- ^Schroeder, Werner.Ascended Masters and Their Retreats,Ascended Master Teaching Foundation, 2004. Listing of those who are believed to be Ascended Masters by The I AM Activity and The Bridge to Freedom
- ^Booth, Annice.The Masters and Their RetreatsSummit Lighthouse Library, June 2003. Listing of those who are believed to be Ascended Masters by The I AM Activity, The Bridge to Freedom, and The Summit Lighthouse
- ^Shearer, Monroe & Carolyn.I AM Adorations, Affirmations & Rhythmic Decrees,Acropolis Sophia Books and Works, 1998. Listing of Ascended Masters by The I AM Activity, The Bridge to Freedom, The Summit Lighthouse, and The Temple of The Presence
- ^Prophet, Elizabeth Clare and Prophet, Mark (as compiled by Annice Booth)The Masters and Their RetreatsCorwin Springs, Montana: Summit University Press, 2003, p. 143.
- ^Sanat Kumaraat ascension-research.org
- ^A Progress Report On Our AscensionArchived2016-03-03 at theWayback Machineat luisprada
- ^Schroeder, Werner.Ascended Masters and Their Retreats,Ascended Master Teaching Foundation 2004. Describes the founding of Shamballah by Sanat Kumara
- ^Blavatsky, Helena Petrovna.The Secret Doctrine: The Synthesis of Science, Religion, and Philosophy,Theosophical Publishing House, 1888. Sanat Kumara - Volume I: pp. 89, 457–458; Volume II: pp. 106, 140, 319, 584.
- ^Blavatsky, Helena Petrovna.The Secret Doctrine: The Synthesis of Science, Religion, and Philosophy,Theosophical Publishing House, 1888. Volume II, pp. 243 ff.
- ^Leadbeater, C.W.The Masters and the Path.Adyar, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1925 (Reprint: Kessinger Publishing, 1997), pp. 296-299.
- ^Leadbeater, Charles W.The Masters and the Path,Adyar, Madras, India, Theosophical Publishing House, 1925, p. 166.
- ^Bailey, Alice A.Initiation, Human and SolarNew York: Lucis Publishing, 1922, p. 12.
- ^The Bridge to Freedom Journal,February 1956 (Reprinted by Ascended Master Teaching Foundation 1989) Purported address from Maitreya on September 27, 1954 "through" Geraldine Innocente
- ^King, Godfre Ray.Unveiled Mysteries.Saint Germain Press 1934. pages 42, 97, 136–137, 142, 167–168, 171–172, 225–226, 228, 236
- ^abcBarrett, David (1996).Sects, 'Cults', and Alternative Religions: A World Survey and Sourcebook.London: Blandford.ISBN0-7137-2567-2.
- ^Sinnett, Alfred Percy.The Occult World.Boston: Colby & Rich, 1882.
- ^Sisson, Marina Cesar.Helena Blavatsky and the Enigma of John King;originally published asInformativo HPB,No. 3, 4 and 5 English translation.
- ^Melton, Gordon J.; Partridge, Christopher.New Religions: A Guide: New Religious Movements, Sects and Alternative Spiritualities,Oxford University Press, 2004.
- ^I AM Ascended Master Dictation List,Saint Germain Press Inc., 1995, Listing of those who are claimed to be Ascended Masters by The I AM Activity
- ^The Great White Brotherhood in the Culture, History and Religion of America.Summit University Press, 1975.
- ^Partridge, Christopher ed.New Religions: A Guide: New Religious Movements, Sects and Alternative SpiritualitiesOxford University Press, USA 2004. Describes the religious organizations based on a belief in the Ascended Master Teachings, such as The I AM Activity, The Bridge to Freedom and The Summit Lighthouse. pages 330–334
- ^The Bridge to Freedom Journal1951 - 1961 Reprinted by Ascended Master Teaching Foundation 1989
- ^Watson, Jacob L. "Initiations of the Aquarian Masters: The Theosophy of the Aquarian Gospel"
- ^Guénon, René (2004).Theosophy: history of a pseudo-religion.Alvin Moore, Jr. and Cecil Bethell (trans.). Sophia Perennis. pp. 82–89.ISBN9780900588808.
- ^Johnson, K. Paul.The Masters Revealed: Madame Blavatsky and Myth of the Great White Brotherhood,Albany, New York: State University of New York Press, 1994.
- ^Carroll, Robert Todd.The skeptic's dictionary,2003, p. 376.
- ^Zweig, Paul. "Talking to the Dead and Other Amusements",The New York Times,5 October 1980.
General and cited references
edit- Braden, Charles S.These Also BelieveMacMillan Publishing Company 1960 (Reprint 2000). The classic study of minority religions in the United States of America.ISBN0-02-514360-3
- Cranston, Sylvia.H. P. B.: The Extraordinary Life & Influence of Helena Blavastsky.G. P. Putnam's Sons 1993ISBN0-9662115-1-0
- Godwin, Joscelyn(1994).The Theosophical Enlightenment.SUNY Press.ISBN0-7914-2152-X
- King, Godfre Ray.Unveiled Mysteries.Saint Germain Press 1934.ISBN1878891006
- King, Godfre Ray.The Magic Presence.Saint Germain Press 1935.ISBN1878891065
- Milanovich, Norma & Shirley McCune.The Light Shall Set You Free.Athena Publishing 1996, 2004.ISBN0962741752Includes "quotes" from numerous Ascended Masters
- Leadbeater, C.W.The Masters and the Path.The Theosophical Publishing House 1925 (Reprint: Kessinger Publishing 1997).ISBN1-56459-686-9
- Hall, Manly P.The Secret Teachings of All Ages"An Encyclopedic Outline of Masonic, Hermetic, Qabbalistic and Rosicrucian Symbolical Philosophy Being an Interpretation of the Secret Teachings Concealed within the Rituals, Allegories and Mysteries of all Ages" H.S. Crocker Company, Inc. 1928 (Reprint: Tarcher 2003)ISBN1-58542-250-9
- Partridge, Christopher ed.New Religions: A Guide: New Religious Movements, Sects and Alternative SpiritualitiesOxford University Press, US 2004. Describes The I AM Activity, The Bridge to Freedom and The Summit Lighthouse.ISBN0195220420
- Partridge, Christopher ed.New Religions: A Guide: New Religious Movements, Sects and Alternative SpiritualitiesOxford University Press, US 2004. Describes the Theosophical Society, The I AM Activity, The Bridge to Freedom and The Summit Lighthouse.ISBN0-19-522042-0
- Saint Germain Foundation.The History of the "I AM" Activity and Saint Germain Foundation.Saint Germain Press 2003ISBN1-878891-99-5
- Saint Germain.I AM Discourses.Saint Germain Press 1935.ISBN1-878891-48-0
- Mt. Shasta, Peter.Apprentice to the Masters: Adventures of Western Mystic, Book IIISBN978-0692570449.
Mt. Shasta, Peter. My Search in Tibet for the Secret Wish-Fulfilling Jewel ISBN 978-0998414317 Mt. Shasta, Peter. Lady Master Pearl, My Teacher ISBN 978-0692356661 Shuddhaanandaa Brahmachari. The Incredible Life of A Himalayan Yogi: The Times, Teachings and Life of Living Shiva, Baba Lokenath Brahmachari, Lokenath Divine Life Mission. 2004. ISBN 81-87207-07-8
Further reading
edit- Campbell, Bruce F.Ancient Wisdom Revived: A History of the Theosophical MovementBerkeley: 1980 University of California PressISBN9780520039681
- Johnson, K. PaulThe Masters Revealed: Madam Blavatsky and Myth of the Great White BrotherhoodAlbany, New York: 1994 State University of New York PressISBN978-0791420645
- Melton, J. GordonEncyclopedia of American Religions5th Edition New York:1996 Gale ResearchISBN0-8103-7714-4ISSN 1066-1212
- Chapter 18 "The Ancient Wisdom Family of Religions" Pages 151–158; see chart on page 154 listingMasters of the Ancient Wisdom;
- Section 18, Pages 717-757 Descriptions of various Ancient Wisdom religious organizations
- Melton, GordonAmerican Religious Creeds(Detroit: Gale, 1988; republished in three volumes, New York: Triumph Books, 1991) See chapter on theAncient Wisdomgroup of religions.ISBN978-0800730147
External links
edit- The Saint Germain Foundation,Original publisher of Ascended Master Teachings beginning in 1934