Pointers for discerning between true messengers
and those who are just out for an ego trip, keeping their followers in the dark.
| Sterling's Preface:
There is a lot to these points. And they become quite
revealing when applied back to J.J.'s group at the keys of knowledge.
My comments enclosed below in [brackets].
Sterling |
Chapter Eleven
Recognizing The Lights
Wednesday, January 26, 2000 3:24 AM
The emotionally based individual has to be particularly aware or he will be
taken in by numerous groups, individuals, and cults who claim to have
revelation and contact with a Master, or Masters. Many of these teachers are,
in reality, merely students of the Ancient Wisdom who have put their own sales
package together garnered from various true revelations and present them as
their own original material. There would be no harm in this if there was no
deceit, but the seeds of deceit breed deceit including self-deception in the
hearts of the students. If some groups were to be believed, you would think
that all the Masters in the Universe were competing for the attention of a
"chosen" few. The Masters do not sit around anxiously awaiting to
contact disciples, but are so busy themselves with their own work that most
advanced disciples are left to their own intuition as much as possible.
In reality, a deceitful esoteric group does not lead an aspirant much
farther along the Path than does a good "born again" Christian
group. I call many of these the "born again esoterists", for many of
them are merely born againers in a fancy environment using complex words. One
may recognize these astral based groups where the following situations often
occur.
(1) A strong central leader who is endlessly extolled by the followers. The
followers mention the name of their leader more than they refer to concepts.
The teacher is more important to them than the teaching. [S.A.
comments: This might seem the case at the keys list regarding J.J., but
the concepts are more important than the teacher, which is good.]
(2) This leader will
either overtly or subtly present the idea that he is in constant communication
with God or the Masters in a way that is beyond the reach of the students.
[S.A. comments: J.J. does present himself as being in
communication with higher sources which none of the students have yet
acquired, but he does teach that they all can acquire this themselves.]
(3)
This leader is the only source of new revelations for the group.
[S.A. comments: This is generally the feeling one gets
at the keys list. Other's present their ideas, but J.J. is the final
authority so far as the trust of the group is concerned. I've not seen
him follow the lead of anyone else, but he is set up as THE teacher of the
classroom.]
(4) Although
they teach openness, freedom, and individuality, if they are exercised outside
the guidelines of the leader they are frowned upon by their peers. There is a
very uncomfortable feeling in the group if anyone disagrees with the leader
and the person is usually thrown out of the organization. [S.A.
comments: This tends to be quite true of the keys list, though there has
not been any throwing out of anyone.]
(5) The group may
recognize past revelations as being true, but often discourages their members
from studying the more recent ones such as those of Alice A. Bailey. These
masterful doctrines would expose the insignificance of their leader therefore,
they are strongly criticized as being full of mistakes and the followers are
told that they are much better off to study the pure revelations through their
leader. [S.A. comments: J.J. does encourage
outside sources, but in my opinion places too much esteem in some
"teachers" who are deeply Satanic, such as Blavatsky.]
(6) The leader is sometimes extolled as a "Master" or God
incarnate. A true teacher does not feel the need to proclaim himself as such
nor would his followers be encouraged to extol his or her virtues. [S.A.
comments: J.J. is not overt in setting forth his calling, though it is
quite obvious what he believes about himself to anyone who pays
attention. See, for example, chapter 9
about One Mighty and Strong. Nevertheless the honor the student's give
him is usually in good taste.]
(7) The
leader lives in wealth and plenty while the followers often are barely eking
out a living and are making the real sacrifices. [S.A.
comments: To his credit, J.J. is a humble liver.]
(8) "By their fruits ye
shall know them." Even though the followers may have learned a fancy
vocabulary they seem to have no more common sense or reasoning powers than the
typical religionists. [S.A. comments: Keysters do
pretty well here.]
(9) The followers automatically disagree with you not
because they are thinking for themselves, but because of what they are
spoon-fed from the group. [S.A. comments:
Keysters do pretty well on this count.]
(10) The group is more concerned with getting you to
believe than it is in doing good works that produce actual visible results.
[S.A. comments: Keysters do pretty well here.]
(12) The followers feel very inferior to their leader usually because he is
some special being. [S.A. comments:
There is a tendency to place J.J. on a lofty pedestal, though he does teach a
oneness. He is presented as being better at oneness than anyone
else. But such is the case with true leaders.]
(13) They are separative and do not work with or cooperate
with other groups, but only want others to cooperate with them. [S.A.
comments: I have not observed any sort of ecumenical effort here, though
J.J. is good about letting people branch off and take initiative without
trying to be in control of these situations. That is commendable..]
(14) Others
have to agree with them 100% or they are seen as agents of darkness. [S.A.
comments: J.J. is very tolerable of disagreement and gentlemanly about
handling peoples qualms and even strong accusations against him.]
(15) The
followers automatically believe everything they are taught without passing it
through a rational thought process. [S.A. comments:
This is probably where the keysters are the best, and where J.J. is to be
commended the most for encouraging private confirmation by the soul.]
On the other hand, the true workers in the light at present often belong to
no organized group for the "woman" is still in the wilderness. Even
though there have been many and great revelations since the early Mormon days
none of them have had as its purpose the establishment of the kingdom of God,
or the return of Excalibur, symbolically. This must accompany the literal
gathering of Lights for the purpose of establishing the physical
externalization of the inward kingdom which is already here.
Any group that does work in the light will be known by some of the
following characteristics: [S.A. comments: The
keysters and J.J. do well in each of the following areas listed.]
(1) While there may be strong and able leaders they will be seeking to
serve and not to be served. Anyone in the group may disagree with them without
being ostracized. Of course, hysterical attacks are appreciated by no one, but
intelligent remarks, even through they disagree, are not to be discouraged.
(2) The leader will not live in great material splendor, but about like the
average group member unless some security measures are necessary.
(3) The
leader recognizes and acknowledges that there are other living people outside
of his group that are motivated and working in harmony with the Christ and His
Masters of Wisdom.
(4) The leader himself is obviously not perfect but a
reasonable example of a disciple and is striving to learn more.
(5) The group
member will be very individualistic and will often adhere to various concepts
and philosophies that are not taught in the group, yet they dedicate
themselves to group purpose.
(6) The group members are not devotional to their
leader and often feel themselves equal to him in many ways and they will talk
more of the teachings than of the group or the leader. They will often be
involved in a long discussion on doctrine and never mention a leader, for the
greatest inspiration is the God within not a god without.
(7) The group will be non-authoritarian and will allow the members the
greatest possible freedom of movement and yet remain intact.
(8) Numerous members of the group will stand out as intelligent teachers
and participants, causing the glory of progress to be spread over the group
rather than one infallible individual.
(9) The group will seek to cooperate and work with other groups on areas of
agreement and will have a world consciousness.
There are currently many Israelites in the wilderness that belong to no
group, but are aware of them. These fit the description of the Stage 3's and
Stage 4's mentioned earlier and these people become almost nauseated with a
highly authoritarian group. However, they often feel a sense of yearning for
others of their kind to associate with and interrelate and would relish the
opportunity to mingle with truly great souls. The literal gathering of Israel
will give him just that opportunity.
