Before seeking to understand what Esoteric Christianity is, it is fundamental to clearly understand the meaning of the word esotericism. Derived from the Greek "esôterikos," which means "internal" or "inner," the term refers to knowledge that connects to or originates from the essence of our being, commonly called the "Inner Self."
It is important to highlight that there is a paronymous word of Greek origin, but with an opposite meaning, called "exoteric." While "exotericism" refers to external, public, and accessible knowledge for all, "esotericism," besides addressing internal knowledge as previously mentioned, also encompasses wisdom reserved for those willing to delve deeper into the mysteries of existence and nature.
Esotericism, broadly, encompasses a set of knowledge and practices of a mystical and transcendental nature. Its followers seek to understand and experience the deeper dimensions of existence, exploring the connection between the material and spiritual worlds, and striving for self-knowledge and personal improvement.
The areas of study within esotericism encompass a variety of disciplines such as alchemy, hermeticism, and Kabbalah, among others. Additionally, practices like concentration, visualization, meditation, contemplation, and introspection are also explored by practitioners. These fields often intertwine, and followers seek to integrate different traditions and perspectives to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of the universe and the inner self.
In summary, the term "esoteric" refers to the idea of something reserved, internal, and profound, both in the literal and symbolic sense, suggesting a quest for deeper and hidden truths beyond the superficiality of common knowledge.
Based on what has already been explained, we can define Esoteric Christianity as the dimension of the Christian tradition dedicated to the study of mysteries, ancient wisdom, and methods of spiritual realization intended for those with a vocation to deepen their understanding of existence and spirituality. This esoteric dimension remains, to this day, faithful to the fundamental principles and guidelines of so-called primitive Christianity, as taught by Yeshua (Jesus Christ) and Yohannan (John the Evangelist).
Over the centuries, fragments of esoteric Christian wisdom have been spread through various paths to preserve the knowledge. This segment of Christian mysticism manifested in brotherhoods such as the Knights Templar (12th to 14th centuries), the "Friends of God" (Der Gottesfreund, 14th to 16th centuries), the Fedeli D'Amore (13th to 15th centuries), as well as in the origins of Rosicrucian movements (14th and 15th centuries), among several other paths.
It is a minority segment, as it does not address the masses or proselytize and is not structured in churches, despite most of these currents having their own ceremonies and rituals, in addition to those shared with the general Christian tradition.
In esoteric Christian schools, there are no priests or even hierarchy among the "brothers." Some schools usually consist of one or more instructors, but they do not administer any type of sacrament.
The only recognized sacrament is the so-called initiation, which may not occur within the schools, but according to Christian esotericists, is a spiritual process. Jesus, as well as Yohannan, offer their disciples "the mysteries of the three baptisms," which are actually three great initiations that occur on the spiritual plane, the first being the baptism of water, the second the baptism of fire, and the third the baptism of the spirit (pneuma). Not all initiations would happen in the same incarnation, with occasionally an "exceptional" child being born with a much higher-than-average spiritual development who had been initiated in previous lives.
Today, we find basically two types of public approaches to Esoteric Christianity. The first approach is based on a historical perspective, which tries to uncover the gnosis through the study of texts about the person, teachings, and gifts of Christ. This Christic gnosis manifested in particular, although unevenly, in writings such as those of Clement of Alexandria; Origen; Dionysius the Areopagite; Scotus Erigena; Meister Eckhart, Nicholas of Cusa; Jakob Böhme; Angelus Silesius, among others.
It is very common to find works that are content with merely making comparisons between parts of the Bible and sacred texts of other traditions or philosophical texts.
The second approach sees Esoteric Christianity as an amalgamation of the initiatory currents of hermeticism, alchemy, Kabbalah, magic, and other mystical streams with Christian teachings. This Christianized cosmological or alchemical esotericism was essentially vocational, as neither science nor art can be imposed on everyone.
However, there is another approach, of which the vast majority is unaware, one that leaves aside historical or literary considerations and focuses on the practical and theoretical teachings transmitted by Christ over 20 centuries ago and propagated by Yohannan (John the Evangelist) throughout the centuries, reaching us today.
From this angle, Esoteric Christianity should be understood as an expression of the Universal Truth in its pure and simple form, the metaphysical and spiritual truth that only finds its realization as it is expressed or manifested in the world by those who follow this path.
The authenticity of its teachings is demonstrated by the ability to realistically provide an elevation of consciousness as well as positive and significant changes in the lives of its practitioners.
Using the above approach, Metanoia, an Esoteric Circle dedicated to perpetuating and spreading Esoteric Christianity, strives to present the most practical and direct aspects of Christian mysticism without neglecting the philosophical aspect that guides this path.
