Ma’at Center Explained
For a kiosk of learning to sustain itself in the
absence of wide appeal or its own commercial interest is not foreign to the
mind or experience of the mystic. Like
the spirit of a child, a tradition with an invaluable contribution to human
knowledge that must traverse a desert of indifference to arrive at a new home
carries an appeal that whispers of its genius, even to those unwilling to make
an effort to understand it.
Some years ago, there stood a small Eckankar center in
Evidently, the society's transmission was sufficiently
significant to the fostering powers that its local outreach survived for
decades, despite a scarcity of participants.
This fact seemed promising yet, of course, mysterious. Perhaps some inscrutably stylish gentleman of
great means who valued its excellence had undertaken to assure the survival of
work more vital than it was popular.
One evening, at an hour when the public was invited, I
ventured there. In attendance was a
representative who welcomed me and responded to my questions. He was young, apparently intelligent and
sincere, if not remarkably advanced. The
questions I posed for which he had no answer, he cheerfully offered to take up
with more knowledgeable of his brethren.
The time spent seemed pleasant enough; though, not really knowing what I
might do for them nor they for me, I never
returned. I did trust that certain
revelations would eventually surface as a result of my investigation, but with
little clear anticipation as to what form they might take.
A curator of priceless artifacts, especially religious
ones, endeavors to maintain them in the most pristine condition possible. Likewise, Lord Thoth's role has always been
that of keeping the record straight for those who truly need an honest,
accurate picture of some aspect of
A laboratory of clerical magick depends on an
initiatic structure to protect its resources from dispersion, and to avoid
inflaming the politically minded of rival faiths. In antiquity, basic spiritual training went on
in what might be described as family-based community covens. As an Egyptian temple is an advanced
workshop, there has never been a time when a non-member could really be
guaranteed access to the observations of an insider with regard to its functions
or particular beliefs.
So, although many votaries and clergy of Egyptian
cults have made themselves available to answer questions in this age, the ideal
edifice for sharing with the public is the Ma'at Center. Such a place is where the modern temple's fun
happens. The central fixture is a
reserve library of books and other media that are too obscure, rare, or costly
to be widely circulated among the laity.
Beyond this, whatever accommodations for making the old ways enjoyable
are a consideration between membership and guests. Thus, the sponsor and the director of a Ma'at
Center look for the proper degree of ability and conscience in the other. This honorable relationship of patronage is
essentially the same as between Egyptian king and high priest of a temple in
ancient times: one of excellent
trustworthiness.
Empathic people are often beckoned to various aspects
of the Great Work, and thus need a haven where vital information on special
life skills can be secured. In