When The Student is Ready: The Master Will Enter, His Name is Manly P. Hall

When The Student is Ready: The Master Will Enter, His Name is Manly P. Hall

By Fahim A. Knight-EL

When the student is ready, the master will surely enter; his name is Manly Palmer Hall (1901-1990), it’s imperative that this writer let his readers know right off the back that my analyzing and assessing Manly P. Hall’s book “The Secret Teachings of All Ages” is no indication that I consider myself now prepared and ready for the Teacher. Moreover, I do not think myself or many others have proven themselves ready and worthy to receive these mystical lessons that the master teacher Dr. Manly P. Hall had awaited so patiently to impart to us adepts; that which will deliver humanity from unfound dogmas, stereotypes, misconceptions, religious ignorance, cultural bias, etc. Ultimately bringing us all to the understanding that humanity is one—we have more cultural similarities as described in these ancient mysteries, but we have often been led to focus on the label and not the substance and have ignored the science of etymology and epistemology. Therefore, we have settled for branch knowledge over root knowledge and this alone have hindered our ability to truly become enlightened. (Reference: Gerald Massey: “A Book of the Beginnings”).

Hall stated: “I have not attempted to twist the original writings to substantiate preconceived notions, nor have I distorted doctrines in any effort to reconcile the irreconcilable differences present in the various systems of religio-philosophic thought. The entire theory of the book is diametrically opposed to the modern method of thinking, for it is concerned with subjects openly ridiculed by the sophist of the twentieth century. Its true purpose is to introduce the mind of the reader to a hypothesis of living wholly beyond the pale of materialistic theology, philosophy, or science.” (Reference: Manly P. Hall; “The Secret teachings of All Ages” pg. 5).

Let me try to set the stage for this article and give my readers a little background information to how this article or blog came about. I had heard different lecturers over many years who were not part of mainstream academia and who had embraced alternative views of history; they would often quote or reference Dr, Manly P. Hall’s book titled, "The Secret Teachings of All Ages" in which those lecturers time and again pricked my conscious and perhaps even more, my subconscious and it initially stirred a surface level curiosity about the man and his ideas. Hall stated: “To live in the world without becoming aware of the meaning of the world is like wandering about in a great library without touching the books. It has always seemed to me that symbolism should be restored to the structure of world education. The young are no longer invited to seek the hidden truths, dynamic and eternal, locked within the shapes and behavior of living beings.” (Reference: Manly P. Hall; Secret Teachings of All Ages” pg 4.).

This writer had actually purchased the book about twenty years ago, and at the outset, my first examination of the book, was that it appeared to complex and comprehensive, and no doubt, at that time beyond my intellectual maturation and spiritual development. It was really above my attention span in which much of the philosophical theories, I found difficult to comprehend. The knowledge contained within "The Secret Teachings of All Ages" was rather to complex for me to absorb at that stage in my intellectual development. However, I would later find out that to truly understand and to grasp Dr. Manly P. Hall's work, one needed to have had a serious prerequisite of readings in the esoteric, Freemasonic thought and occult sciences, as well as some understanding of many more philosophical schools of thought. (Reference: Edgar J. Ridley; “Symbolism Revisited: Notes on the Symptomatic Thought Process”).

Nevertheless, I am a firm believer that knowledge is often dispensed in degrees and we as human beings are brought into certain realizations relative to knowledge at our own space and time. This process truly can not be accelerated or decelerated, although in the Western culture we have a lack of patience for allowing things to evolve within its own time and space. This writer twenty years ago just was not mentally ready and/or prepared to take on Manly P. Hall and "The Secret Teachings of All Ages." I shelved the book in the back of my library (out of sight, out of mind) for a very long period of time, but from time-to-time I would pull it and casually flip through the pages, but never giving it a serious evaluation or assessment. (Reference: Hilton Hotema; “Awaken the World Within).

Henry L. Drake who wrote the Foreword to Manly P. Hall’s book “The Secret Teaching of All Ages stated: “Adeptship is the state of complete spiritual maturity so far as this is possible to a member of the human family. Deficient in nothing necessary to a life of wisdom, the adept is sufficient to his own needs and capable of determining that course of personal action most likely to contribute to enlightenment. The adepts foreshadow the state of mankind when it will have attained the full release of its faculties and its powers. The adept is, therefore, the truly evolved of our species. Accordingly, the adepts, considered together as the citizens of an invisible empire of the philosophic elect, constitute the heroic elder brothers, the custodians and protectors of humanity. As the interpreters of the Mysteries, they are the true educators and illuminators. As the redeemed, the servants ­of Divine purpose, they comprise a powerful, creative and directive force in the world.” (Reference: Manly P. Hall—Foreword by Henry L. Drake; “The Secret Teachings of All Ages” pg. 2).

This writer also learned that certain books can not just be read and had to be studied there is a distinguishable differences relative to these two processes and "The Secret Teachings of All Ages" was one of those type books and masterpieces that required an intense study process over just reading. This book also will force the serous minded scholars to examine Hall’s work even closer by cross referencing other sources he refers to in his documentation and scrutinizing the research which to properly understand or further validate his philosophical contentions as being worthy of scholarly consideration. It is not that Hall offered anything new in the realm of the mysteries because much of what he gave us had originated in Kemet (Ancient Egypt) and Cush (ancient Ethiopia) as lessons that were taught by the Sages, Gurus and Mystics of these two illuminating society and others have written about these things long before Manly P. Hall. (Reference: Gerald Massey: “Ancient Egypt the Light of the World”).

However, Hall, perhaps through a tedious intellectual process compiled and analyzed and put forth an incomparable comparative study of the world’s systems of myths, religion, customs, folkways, rituals, symbolism, etc., and for this he stands out as one of the greatest philosophers of our time. Hall must have been a serious spiritual being besides just being an intellectual and a Free Thinker to allow himself to become a vessel of truth, delving into the ancient mystery systems which to interpret them, as well as to decipher and teach the veiled lessons. He was not entrapped by “isms” nor did he allow religion or a system of belief to confine his thinking, but understood best that ideals are universal in scope. This writer was equally shocked and surprised to discover that Manly P. Hall was only twenty-eight (28) years of age when he completed this masterpiece and was unlettered. I had assumed that this body of work represented a lifetime study of many years of research and documentation; this alone speaks volumes of perhaps the type of mind that Dr. Hall must have had. (Reference: Jacob Boehme; “Concerning the Three Principles of the Divine Essence).

Kemet (Ancient Egypt) seemed to have fascinated this twentieth century philosopher because it had such an advanced culture, which evolved along side the Blue and White Nile River where these people flourished in all areas of human cultural progress. The pyramids still stands as proof positive that perhaps 20,000 years ago based on the architecture and mathematical precision that these ancient people had mastered a higher science of physics, geometry, astronomy and engineering techniques that are still unmatched in 2009. (Reference: Josef A.A. Ben Jochannon; “The Black man of the Nile and his Family”).

Perhaps Dr. Manly P. Hall was led to tap into a source of human energy and excellence that is undeniable that by far has left all of humanity baffled. The Greeks, Romans, Phoenicians, Turks, Arabs, British, etc., all have left their colonial imprint on Kemet (Egypt), but neither conquering culture have ever left with more than they received. How did the Ancient people of Kemet construct these magnificent temples, edifices and perhaps they were meant to be much more than mere burial chambers as they are described in the ancient coffin text? They laid the first stone in midair and maybe this was a form of asto-physics and superior to anything we know in the west. All I can say is open the book and allow the master to come in (your mind) and teach you. (Reference: Anthony T. Browder: “Nile Valley Contribution to Civilization”).

I believe that I had originally purchased the book from a rare book curator and publisher named Kessinger Publishing Company located in the mid-west in a little town named Kila, Montana. Kissinger was a 32 degree Mason who found a serious market in specializing in republishing rare and old out of print books that dealt with Freemasonry, occult, esoteric, and Gnostic, etc. This writer purchased many rare books from Mr. Kessinger and I believe one of those books was "The Secret Teachings of All Ages" which was either originally published in 1928 and/or endorsed by the Philosophical Research Society, Inc. Los Angles California an organizational entity founded by Hall in 1934. (Reference: Hilton Hotema; “Man’s Higher Consciousness”).

The edition that this writer purchased was labeled as the Diamond Jubilee Edition and it was subtitled, "An Encyclopedia Outline of Masonic, Hermetic, Qabbalistic and Rosicrucian Symbolic Philosophy Being An Interpretation of the Secret Teachings Concealed Within The Rituals, Allegories and Mysteries of All Ages" Then on second hand, I may have even published the book from a publishing house named American West Publishers; Carson City, Nevada; this entity also published books that would be deemed "conspiracy" theory materials.

The study of knowledge is an eternal journey that requires a lot of personal sacrifices and you can rest to sure, that this journey will take the seeker down many paths—spiritually, historically, socially, culturally, psychological, etc., in which each step will only turnover more evidence of what the seeker will eventually come to realize that the investigation for truth is infinite (which there is nothing new under the sun) and the search for knowledge has no boundaries or limitations. Manly P. Hall had reached this objective conclusion over eighty years ago and this is why it was easy for him to detach himself emotionally from these delicate topics, but allowed the historical evidence and facts of his findings do the talking for him. (Reference: H.P. Blavatsky; “Isis Unveiled”).

Hall stated: “I have studied the fragmentary writings of the ancients sufficiently to realize that dogmatic utterances concerning their tenets are worse than foolhardy. Traditionalism is the curse of modern philosophy, particularly that of the European schools. While many of the statements contained in this treatise may appear at first wildly fantastic, I have sincerely endeavored to refrain from haphazard metaphysical speculation, presenting the materials as far as possible in the spirit rather than the letter of the original authors. By assuming responsibility only for the mistakes which may appear herein, I hope to escape the accusation of plagiarism which has been directed against nearly every writer on the subject of mystical philosophy.” (Reference: Manly P. Hall; “The Secret Teachings of All Ages” pg 5).

The Ancients had evolved far beyond the material world because they knew the physical world had finite limitations and the lessons it provided perhaps pointed to the metaphysical, but very few or only a select few (Akhenaton, Buddha, Confucius, Zoroaster, Pythagoras, etc.) were willing to break off from tradition and explore the esoteric, Gnostic, occult, etc., lessons and they came to the same realization and conclusion, that the search for ultimate truths can only be attained by going into the inner philosophical chambers which is often shrouded in mystical and mythical allegory (it is the message behind the symbol that these enlightened ones were able to fully interpret and this is what differentiated them as Messengers—spiritual vessels given unto humanity) there lies the true message and meaning that allows you to tap into the human spirit and view the soul as the embodiment of all there is relative to the human essence. (Reference: H.P. Blavatsky; “The Secret Doctrine: The Synthesis of Science, Religion and Philosophy).

Drake stated: “Those who do not understand the spiritual sciences question their use of the unusual symbols, myths, and figures employed to conceal the essential teaching. Let it be remembered that these "clouds" were no part of the original doctrine, but were made necessary by intolerance and bigotry. The use of indirect communication was based entirely upon considerations. To remain unknown was the best way to prevent a repetition of the disaster which occurred to the Knights Templar. The “veils” which concealed the arcane of the Mysteries were not employed to cover ignorance, but to protect wisdom, and in Europe it was protected for a thousand years."

"The secrets of the Mysteries are obviously metaphysical, philosophical and esoteric relate to processes taking place within the fields of the human psyche during the practice of the spiritual disciplines. Discipleship ends in the attainment of an inner capacity suitable for the realization of the esoteric tradition. The disciplines, by expanding consciousness, give the initiate practical mastery over that which is learned and constant awareness as to the proper use of higher learning." (Reference: Manly P. Hall—Foreword by Henry L. Drake; “The Secret Teachings of All Ages” pg. 2).

The Human physical anatomy (mind, body and spirit) is a micro-reflection of the heavenly bodies correlated further to the inner mysteries and man was left to explain this phenomena by charting the sun, moon and stars (no one did this better than the Dogons of West Africa they had mastered Sirius A and Sirius B and the Kemites were equally competent in the area of study) which led them into astrology understanding the twelve (12) Zodiac Signs: Aries, Taurus Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Scorpio, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn Aquarius, and Pisces,—fire, water, earth and air encompassed the Zodiac signs each setting of the moon and sun depicts how the tide ebbs and flow; yet simultaneously our entrance into the physical world is set in the stars (symbolic of the spiritual world), in particular our birth day (or earth day), month, year and which moon we were in, will ultimate effect and shape our human mental and social personality. (Reference: Dr. C. W. Roback; “The Mysteries of Astrology and the Wonders of Magic”).

Man corrupted these ancient mythos by trying to define time and space in accordance to the Lunar, Gregorian and Julian time charts—these systems of measuring time were imperfect. The celestial plain has always given us more questions than answers, but at the same time, it has always intrigued us to go further in our quest and to make every attempt to make sense out of the unseen power and forces. The unseen powers and/or that which effects us on the earthly terrain is the most sought after mystery. The science of the solar system and the Zodiac, as well as the science of astronomy—the lining up of the heavenly bodies has always impacted and factored into human nature. Some would argue that this school of thought is an exact science and I would agree, but that it still remains as one of the least known mysteries—our physical connection to the universal order of things and the numerical and alphabetical codes that works outside of our DNA structures and possess more determining imprint on who we are as spiritual beings, which still remains as one of the unsolved mysteries. Reference: Albert Churchward; “Signs and Symbols of Primordial Man”).

This writer for many years has tried to get into the mind of a Manly P. Hall; perhaps one of the most brilliant occultist and philosophers of all times and a master teacher (delivered over 8,000 lectures in a 70 year period)—who delved deeper into the hidden mysteries than any other scholar and he is constantly quoted and cited by Freemasonic thinkers, metaphysical intellectuals, Gnostics, New Age thinkers, esoteric travelers, etc. Hall used all the available data and he was not fearful of going after the unconventional data in which he gravitated towards the ancient wisdom and knowledge that has often been discarded by western scholars. Western man has always had a tendency to compartmentalize knowledge and view it from a linear perspective which to categorize what would be considered scientific and empirical (that which can be counted and measured relative to the scientific method) which to deem certain research as being scholarly or non-scholarly. (Reference: Godfrey Higgins; “Anacalypsis - The Saitic Isis: Languages, Nations and Religions).

Drake stated: “if these sacred academies imparted only scientific, intellectual, ethical doctrines somewhat in advance of their time, they could produce only scholars. The initiates of the esoteric tradition were never regarded merely as brilliant intellectuals. From white-walled Memphis to rock-hewn Ellora, they were honored as practicing a higher dimension of essential knowledge. History preserves the records of numerous persons, living in different times and in various places, who have exhibited a knowledge and skill which cannot be explained according to present standards of erudition. We cannot ignore the testimonies of such learned men as Pythagoras, Buddha, and Plotinus. Many of the noblest members of our race have expressed their profound admiration for the esoteric institutions flourishing in their own times. Not to recognize the esoteric sciences is to disregard most that has contributed to the advancement and improvement of the human state during the last five thousand years. There being a divine order of learning superior to mundane knowledge, and its being available—time is most appropriate for the further restoration of this sacred tradition." ." (Reference: Manly P. Hall—Foreword by Henry L. Drake; “The Secret Teachings of All Ages” pg. 2).

I am quite sure Dr. Manly P. Hall's body of work has had many pundits and critics over the years, but I know as his present day critics will continue rise, I am even more than confident, that his work will continue to stand up under philosophical scrutiny. His investigations and having the scholarly desire to know, led him to delve into some aspects of research which at time would have been considered taboo—magic, secret society, astrology, anthropology, religion, Freemasonry, symbolism, New Age, art, biology, architecture, Egyptology, cryptogram, philosophy, sociology, ancient studies, mysteries, mythology, mystic sciences, social science, paleontology, spirituality, ancient medicine, human anatomy, zoology, etc. These studies led to the compilation of a huge volume of esoteric, metaphysical, occult and Gnostic knowledge in the assemblage of one book titled, "The Secret Teachings of All Ages". The book consist of forty-five (45) chapters and over 1,970 pages of research that covers Kemet (Egypt), India, China, Pacific Isles, Asia, Africa (note Egypt is Africa), Australia, America, Native America, Persia, the people of Central and South America, etc., it represents world history and the story of civilization. (Reference: James George Frazer; “The Golden Bough: The Study of Magic and Religion”).

Hall had written a number of books, but none is more celebrated than the “The Secret Teachings of All Ages.” For example, he authored: ““America's Assignment with Destiny,” “Arhats of Buddhism,” “Initiates of Greece & Rome,” “Light of the Vedas” “Masonic Orders of Fraternity,” “Mystics of Islam,” “Orders of the Great Work – Alchemy,” “Orders of the Quest – Holy Grail,” “Orders of Universal Reformation - Utopias Sages of China,” “Adventures in Understanding,” “Buddhism & Psychotherapy,” “Codex Rosae Crucis - D.O.M.A,” “Dionysian Artificers,” “First Principles of Philosophy,” “Freemasonry of the Ancient Egyptians,” “Guru, By His Disciple,” “Healing: The Divine Art,” “Lectures on Ancient Philosophy,” “Lost Keys of Freemasonry," "Man, Grand Symbol of the Mysteries,” “Mystical Christ,” “Old Testament Wisdom Pathways of Philosophy,” “The Phoenix,” “Questions & Answers,” “Sages & Seers,” “Secret Destiny of America," "Self-Unfoldment by Disciplines of Realization,” “Twelve World Teachers,” “Ways of the Lonely Ones,” “Words to the Wise,” etc.

What did Manly P. Hall realize that most of humanity has yet to understand about this delicate station we call life? He come to understand that there are planetary vibrations which creates balance and every force or motion has a direct and equal opposite reaction that is defined by the laws of physics (motion and order) and from this phenomena cultures sprung up in which some even had the ability to defy the laws of the universe giving us a glimpse into the mind of the Creator (God is man and man is God). (Reference: Yogi Ramacharaka; “The Philosophies and Religions of India”).

Manly P. Hall stated: “Mystical speculations about God, the world, and man occupied the minds of many ­medieval scholars and theologians. They conceived creation itself to be a symbol or a figure through which the Divine Will manifested its purposes and intention—thus by analogy, the world revealed God, and man revealed the world. The human himself was a microcosm—a miniature of the cosmos. After the collapse of the pagan cultural institutions, it was unlawful to teach classical learning or to advance scientific knowledge contrary to the prevailing scholasticism. To avoid persecution and at the same time perpetuate for the benefit of qualified disciples the more advanced formulas of the ancient wisdom, the sacred truths were presented symbolically through the beautiful engraved devices of the emblem writers.”

The ancient masters of Kemet (Egypt) in one sense had evolved to the point that they did not see themselves separate from "God" in fact they accepted and understood that they were "God". This view had very little correlation to western thought; it was not based on a duping or used in an imperialistic manner to create an imbalance in the natural order of things, but just the opposite, it served as a model of human potential. Let me briefly mention the Masonic Order in which Western Freemasonry without doubt, perhaps could not exist without the mythological and the mystic teachings that evolved out of Kemet (Egypt) and the Freemasonic ascension over other schools of thought and Orders is a direct result of someone tapping into occult and esoteric wisdom of Kemet (Egypt). Freemasons borrowed the ancient symbols and have even incorporated the ancient language in their modern Masonic rituals and Manly P. Hall who was a Mason was trying to tell the York Rite and Scottish Rite Masonic bodies that true Masonry is one knowing what is behind the Symbolism. However, sadly many Masons have never heard of Manly P. Hall and they have the ritual, which is liken to have signs and symbols with no substance, but by not studying the likes of Hall; they do have the key to unlocking the veiled inner secrets of Freemasonry (Reference: Albert Pike; “Morals and Dogmas”).

Also, he came to understand that all living things have purpose and most of all he realized the interconnection and the interdependency of what is above, is also beneath, as well as the relativity that Ancient man has always had within the natural order. The Secret Teachings has giving us as scholars and laymen more than a glimpse into a world of that which still little is known because metaphysical science is still somewhat shun. Yet, similar spiritual systems which have been duplicated either at the Creator’s will or perhaps sprung up by having physical contact in which the environment and the power of the universal order of things guided distant peoples and cultures to draw similar conclusions about the solar system, celestial bodies, human nature, regeneration, and even about certain characteristics associated with ancient deities. (Reference: The Three Initiates; “The Kybalion: The Study of the Hermetic Philosophy of Ancient Egypt and Greece”).

James Morgan Pryse stated: "Mythology is the science which treats of the myths that deal with the action of the gods or beings conceived as divine or possessed of divine attributes. The mythology of a people is a collection of myths, which not only describes their gods. but also their religious customs and practices. Among primitive people there are evidence that each tribe or people had a primitive religion and ritual, which was a prescribed form or method for the performance of religious or solemn ceremony. We find this extant with savages of today, who have not come in close contact with civilization. A myth among primitive people was a traditional story told about the creation and nature. The forces and objects of nature were personified, usually as gods, demons, giants and the likes.” (Reference: R.H. Charles; “The Book of Enoch”—translated from the Ethiopic Text in which a sermon on the mount was included in the back of book by James Morgan Pryse).

There is still so much that we do not know or understand and we are still trying to discern about all the ancient secret teachings that have been revealed throughout the ages of time. No matter how much knowledge and wisdom we will acquire along our journey, travels and paths; yet we will always remain an Adept and Neophyte of this vast great school of learning that is shrouded in the mysteries and veiled in the esoteric. Dr. Manly P. Hall dared to go far beyond the symbol, allegory, simile, metaphor, etc., which to guide us into challenging concepts, traditions, customs, rites, rituals, and to accept that there is an origin of antiquity for every practice and thought that each culture embraces and call their own. This student of learning still does not know if he is properly prepared to meet the Teacher. (Reference: James Redfield; “The Celestine Prophecy”).

Fahim A. Knight-EL Chief Researcher for KEEPING IT REAL THINK TANK located in Durham, NC; our mission is to inform African Americans and all people of good will of the pending dangers that lie ahead; as well as decode the symbolisms and reinterpret the hidden meanings behind those who operate as invisible forces, but covertly rules the world. We are of the belief that an enlighten world will be better prepared to throw off the shackles of ignorance and not be willing participants for the slaughter. Our MOTTO is speaking truth to power. Fahim A. Knight-EL can be reached at fahimknight@yahoo.com.

STAY AWAKE UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN,
Fahim A. Knight-EL