| There are numerous definitions of master. | | | | research and much study of the words of the |
| However, the word is said to come from | | | | Masters, along with input from knowledge of the |
| 'magister', which is a teacher and expounder as | | | | ancient wisdom. This is not presented as dogma - |
| well as an applier of the law (magistrate). Master | | | | everyone is encouraged to find their own Truth. |
| also signifies achievement - mastery. | | | | Nevertheless, there have been disagreements and |
| From the Occult Glossary: A Master is one who | | | | splits in these organisations leading to some |
| has his higher principles awakened and lives in | | | | significant differences in the material presented. |
| them; and ordinary men do not. | | | | New Age: |
| Ascended Master: The term 'Ascended Masters' | | | | Ascended Masters are enlightened spiritual beings |
| refers to those souls who after many incarnations | | | | who once lived on the earth just like we do. Over |
| and life experiences, have mastered the lessons | | | | the course of many lifetimes of devotion and |
| of the physical realm and then ascend - return to | | | | striving, they fulfilled their mission and reason for |
| higher consciousness of thought and light. They | | | | being - their divine plan - and ascended back to |
| have chosen to serve planet Earth in its ascension | | | | their divine source, reuniting with spirit. They once |
| process as mass consciousness evolves to its | | | | had physical bodies like we wear; they now dwell |
| nature state of being. | | | | in the heaven world, or spiritual environment, and |
| Introduction | | | | have bodies of light. |
| We will consider this subject under the two | | | | They come from every era, culture and religion, |
| viewpoints of organised Religion and New Age. | | | | and they are united in what is called the 'Great |
| Religion | | | | White Brotherhood'. The term White has nothing |
| As a generalisation, Religions tend to be | | | | to do with race but refers to the tremendous |
| conservative with concentrated dogma | | | | white light that surrounds their forms. |
| surrounding one Master. New Age beliefs are | | | | When an ascended being is entirely free of |
| wide-ranging and inclusive of just about any | | | | negative karma, he can chose where he would |
| imaginable theory. Lack of knowledge leads those | | | | wish to serve. He may choose to continue |
| with psychic abilities to misinterpret visions and | | | | evolving with the earth or to move on to other |
| channelled messages from the inner planes. There | | | | worlds. Many ascended masters choose to stay |
| is a lot of information out there. The occult | | | | connected with souls on earth to guide them on |
| sciences - as in the Theosophical Society - have a | | | | the path of soul development and in transcending |
| careful and pragmatic approach to the mysteries | | | | self. |
| of life. Their answers are the result of long | | | | |