True Heir of
the Knights Templar Through
the Vision of the Grail
After 1000 years of hidden presence the Grail was once again granted to Cosmic Mother's
Servant/Messenger ("Sermes"), an absolutely unique event. The latter taking the
lead in announcing A New Era in which a first step towards a truly spiritual civilization
is being made. See: "Vision of the
Grail"
Through Revelation of "The
Lady"/"Notre Dame" (Cosmic Mother)
She has been the hidden Source behind all Templar efforts. Most modern "Templar"
groups have not understood this. In our case, reconnecting to the Origin, however, is THE
proof of true succession. Her Divine Interference took place in 1977. She is the Cauldron
of Abundance, the Source of Cosmic Regeneration. Through "death" (of the ego)
and rebirth (of the True Self) the Reborn are taking the lead in renewing the world. PS.
The Black Madonna is the manifestation of the Cosmic Mother. She is the
"shortcut" to pre-christian Mother Worship. See: "Threefold
Realization", "Turn On",
"Black Madonna's"
Through "Courtly Love"
The Reborn acknowledge the Eternal Feminine (JW Goethe) as a prime principle. Therefore,
what was once crushed by the Church, namely "Courtly Love" (Eleanor of
Aquitaine) and the Troubadours will be honoured and restored, once again. It may vary from
"Mother Tantra" practice to female leadership on all levels of society. Taking
the lead, to the Sermes his wife MeiMei is a manifestation of the Goddess*. He urges every
man to follow this example e.g. honoring their own wife, beloved. See: "Wise Women", "Europe
Motherland", "The Mosuo Model"
* See: "MeiMei's
Dream"
The Spiritual Warrior Branch of the
Tradition of Green Men & Wise Women
The Reborn, like the Templars try to restore the Original Tradition of Ongoing
Transformation of Self and Society. It is a spiritual Order, linking itself not only to
the past, but to related organizations worldwide, as well, like "Green Sufi's"
(followers of Al Khidr), Maitreya Buddha, devotees of the Virgin and Her Son Quetzalcoatl
(Mexico) and many others. PS. "Bahomet" the severed head and object of
veneration of the Templars, was part of the Tradition of the Green Men ("Dying and
Resurrecting Gods"). See: "Transformatorium"
(Training of Green Men & Wise Women)
Through Initiation into the deepest Mystery
of Life
The heritage of the Templars has been transmitted to a living Teacher e.g.
Messenger. He is the only one to whom the Cosmic Mother has revealed "Her Original
Face". It is an invitation to all (potential) hopefuls to the world, those who deep
down feel the calling to Cosmic Service. Candidates first go through a period of
noviciate, after which they start their spiritual training. Completed successfully, they
become initiated into the Secret of the Origin of All, giving them the ability of becoming
spiritual Teachers themselves. See also: "Great
Night"
Through their Mission: Cosmic Mother
"Healing the Planet"
The Reborn acknowledge the Ego-Catastrophe as the core problem of humanity. Therefore,
their Mission consists of guiding people Back Home, to the Cosmic Mother. As
"Emptiness beyond Emptiness" She is the only One Who is able to destroy the ego.
After which She is giving birth to the Inner Light, the Divine Nature of every human
being. Subsequently, Green Men & Wise Women are taking the lead in becoming part of
the Whole: "Heaven, earth and the (new) community", once again, step by step
extending it to "Healing the Planet". See: "Healing
the Planet"
The Reborn
Order
The Reborn Order is a new spiritual nobility
("sangha") in which women and men are absolutely equal. It will develop its own
unique spirit. It has its links with all mystical traditions, with spiritual knighthood
(including men and women), as well as monasticism and women's, ecology and communitarian
movements. It comes at a moment in which society is in a transition from extreme
individualism, disintegration and the destruction of nature towards a new community,
wholeness and the saving of the earth. Especially those who are prepared to "die to
the old" - if you don't die voluntarily you will die involuntarily - could play a
major role in regenerating the culture. Members of the Reborn Order are a.o. taking refuge
in the Great Mother, committing themselves to the Transformation of Self & Society,
the "protection of the Holy Grail" and its moral law, helping the
weak and oppressed, while guiding people on the spiritual Path. Guided by the Mother, an
ongoing contribution is made by the members to the wellbeing of all sentient and
non-sentient beings. They do this through teaching students, aimed at Spiritual Service, Health Service, Community Service
and Earth Service and Earth. Moreover, as leaders of the
CultureRenewalMovement they aim at realizing the Seven Steps of the Transformation of Self
& Society.*
* A New Economy, A New
Health Care, A New Tradition (Spirituality, Psychology), A New Society, A New Woman/Man, A
New Education and A New Earth.
In matriarchal times the worship of Mother and
Son/Daughter stood central in society. The Son was born out of the Mother, while becoming
Her lover/successor as soon as he became adult. Usually, the Mother was known as a Goddess
or/and as a Queen, the Son/Daughter being Her executive in the form of king/queenship.
However, he/she was not a king/queen as we know him/her, but one who had to take care of
fertility and the optimal course of the seasons. Hence, in autumn the king had to die,
went to the underworld in order to be reborn in spring. There was thus a hierarchy between
Mother and Son. This can be confirmed by spiritual Realization, in which Light is born out
of Darkness. Once this hierarchy is acknowledged one may come to understand, that the
masculine principle has to be inferred from the feminine*. In spiritual terms this means,
that the ego has to serve the Self. The ones who understood this were the knights e.g. the
troubadours in the Middle Ages. It is the secret behind the Knights Templar and the Grail.
As protectors of the Temple of Solomon, they came to know the mystery behind it. This was
nothing less than the "Womb of Astarte", as the Holy of Holiest was called by
initiates. This Vessel was taken to the West in great secrecy and popped up soon after in
the various legends of the "Grail".
* Not to be confused with the concrete
male/female relationship, which of course should be equal.
"Our Lady, who was there at
the beginning of our religion, in Her,
and in Her Honor shall be, if it pleases God, the end
of our lives and the end of our religion, whenever it
shall please God that they end"
Daily prayer of the Knights Templar
We live in a time in which the world is desperately
searching for wholeness. This will only be brought about, if the alienated (masculine)
ego, acknowledges its True Home: the Cosmic Womb, from which all life is coming into
existence and to which everything is returning. The mission of today is twofold: dying to
the old and become reborn, while subsequently fitting in in the web of life - Heaven,
earth and the (new) community - once again. Which means, that inevitably, mankind has to
turn from a masculine towards a feminine world view, in which everything is
interconnected. Hence, humanity is at a crossroad. If it pursues its road of alienation,
selfishness and exploitation, the world will soon cease to exist. What we need, are people
who went through a transformation process, which eventually brings them to serving the
Whole. Hence, reconnecting to our ancestors makes sense. However, while in former days the
"quest of the hero" was only the privilege of the "chosen ones", today
mankind as a whole has to follow the spiritual path. J.Campbell has called this the
process of separation, initiation and return. The first means "dying to the
old", the second "to wake up" (illumination) and the third "coming
back" in order to share the treasures with the community, e.g. teach the world. The
Reborn Order is an initiative to promote exactly that. Its members are serving the Great
Mother, obeying Her Law of the universe, while spreading Her message of the Grail*.
* See the chapters "The Grail" and "Autobiography".
Eco-Templars: Guardians of the Grail
The Reborn Order includes people of all backgrounds -
culture, religion, race, age and gender - who are dedicated to the Great Mother as the
all-embracing Void, the Matrix of life and as the universal Unity in diversity. Through
the Mother, all religions - Indigenous peoples, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Taoism, New
Age, Hinduism and Judaism - belong to one family. Everyone who acknowledges the Great
Mother as the Ultimate Reality from which everything else originates, may find a new home
here without the need of leaving the old*. This "interreligious aspect" is
something we consciously promote. What practically binds our members is the Vow, through
which they commit themselves to "Restoring the unity with your Self, your body(mind)
and nature, with your fellow human beings, while surrendering to the Great Mother".
As discussed earlier, awakening and selflessness are two sides of the same coin. The
latter being the criterion for the former! This is a far from permanent condition though
and "setbacks" occur frequently. Hence the necessity of practicing selflessness
in our daily lives. Because everything and everybody is intimately connected, you cannot
be happy without others being the same. The purpose is sharing A Joyous Life**.
* Almost all great religions revere (aspects of)
the Great Mother in some form or another. Generally, they - Kuan Yin, the Madonna, Matri
Devi, Taoist Mother, the African MotherGoddess, Amaterasu etc. - are much more
"popular" than their male counterparts. By the way, in the Reborn Order it is
confirmed that there is only One God, being the Lightbody of the Mother.
** The first concept of the Reborn Order
originated in 1999 already. It might be interesting to see the development it had
undergone until this very day. See: Het
Verlichte Handelen, chapter 2.2. (In Dutch).
"Blest is the happy man, who
knows the mysteries the Gods ordain,
and sanctifies his life, joins soul with soul in mystic unity. And,
by due ritual made pure, enters the ecstacy of mountain
solitudes. Who observes the mystic rites, made lawful
by the Great Mother. Who crowns his head with ivy,
and shakes his wand in worship of Dionysos"
Euripides
Eco-Templars
The Order unites all mystical traditions of the world.
Mysticism - Godrealization - is the common foundation of religion. Mystics of all
traditions experience the same Essence, they speak the same language. They include
Eckhart, Teresa of Avila, Ruusbroec, Suso, Meera, Kabir, Rumi, Catharina of Siena,
Milarepa, Dogen, Shinran Shonin and countless others. Now that we have entrance to the
traditions of the world, the existing "contemplational" Orders have to give up
their subordinance to their particular religion. In many cases this could be their rescue.
Take the Carmel for instance. This is a wonderful mystical Order based on the teachings of
e.g. John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila. The inspiration of these two mystics is
timeless. However, because the Order sticks to its institutional Catholic framework it is
decaying together with its Church. It deserves better though. The only way is opening up
to the world's universal traditions. Hence, the founding of the Reborn Order as a
universal community. The training of a Reborn - Top Training - is including several stages
of initiation, all being open and accessible to everyone. There is no such thing like
"secret knowledge". Moreover, every potential member is voluntarily joining the
Order as a novice ("Greenie"), very much like practices in Buddhism. No
persuasion is exercised. Every member is free to leave the Order at any time. There are
several initiations. The most fundamental one is the teaching about the Great Mother, Her
Law of the Universe and Her Message (The Grail). The second step* includes awakening,
personal integration, the unity with Heaven and earth, the breakthrough of the Light ,
while taking refuge in the Great Mother, while the third step consists of committing
yourself.
* The Universal
Way
The Eco-Templers have their Origin in ancient times. In
those times the world was centered around the Cosmic Mother. She was the Mother of the
vegetation, the animals and human beings. In Sumeria and later on in Canaan Her "Tree
of Life" symbolized Heaven and Earth. MotherGoddess Asherah was worshipped in groves,
in particular as the Pole (later Maypole!). This identification with nature was later
"delegated" to men. They became the "Vegetation Gods" (Green Men!).
These Gods didn't exist out of their own, but were considered "Son/Lovers" of
the Great Mother. "Son" because he was born out of Her, "Lover",
because he continuously returned to Her. In Her Name the God/King ruled over Her Kingdom.
Very often he was portrayed as "shepherd" over his people, an image that later
was transferred to Christ. Now this mythological whole made its way to Western Europe.
First through the Phoenicians, later introduced by Romans, Celts, traders of all kinds
and.....Templars. The latter returned from the Near East, very much impressed by the
Mother and Son myth. To them the "Lady" was the central object of worship,
extending its influence f.i. to the Gothic Era (cathedrals were called "Notre
Dame"). Not surprisingly thus, that from the 6-9th century on Black Madonna's (direct
manifestation of the Cosmic Mother) were "found" in TREES, often
"discovered" by shepherd boys ("Sons!"). In many cases the Madonna
explicitly demanded to stay on the spot they were found, often giving instruction to build
a chapel for worship. The Church showed little respect to Her wishes, and clerics/monks
(ordered by the hierarchy) took the statues to the local church. In many cases the Church
had such a fear for the Madonna an Her (farmer) worshippers, that they locked Her up in
big bunkerlike basilika's (Loreto, Einsiedeln, Montserrat, Tindari, Guadalupe etc. etc.),
guarded by the clergy, everything against Her Will! The Eco-Templers - out of burning
devotion towards the Cosmic Mother - find their origination around these events. They have
vowed to restore the Original Order, in which the world is once again revering the Mother
as the Origin of all. They are Her guards and warriors, who commit themselves to
eco-spirituality. The symbol of the latter are the Eco-Temples*, Her sacred centers. In
these chaotic times the Eco-Templers promote, develop and defend all initiatives, that
strive to restore "Heaven, earth and the (new) community".
* Link1, Link2, Link3
The founding of a Spiritual Order cannot be seen
without understanding the times in which we live. The latter being characterized by
(rapid) disintegration on all levels of society. Something few people will deny. It is
comparable with the decline of the Roman Empire and the subsequent Dark Ages. At that time
the entire classical culture collapsed. It was only through the effort of Irish (Celtic)
monks, that European tradition could be saved. During several centuries they
enthusiastically translated everything that seemed valuable, especially Greek and Latin
works. The current situation is much worse, though. Not only the survival of the culture,
but that of the entire planet is at stake. Because the value-system has broken down, we
have to go back to the Source in order to become renewed. For that we have to go beyond
the inflated patriarchal beginnings. The surprise is, that before those times, people had
a totally different orientation to life. To them the Ultimate was a Cosmic Womb, giving
birth to all life, while taking it back again. This Consciousness was universal. However,
findings of the Original Great Mother have predominantly found in Europe (f.i.
"Venus" of Willendorf, 27.000 years ago). The various tumuli or passage tombs
symbolize the Dark Womb of rebirth and renewal (Newgrange, Ireland, 5000 years ago, older
than the pyramids). Later, the centre of the culture moved to the Middle East. Here the
agrarian revolution took place. People got a new understanding of death, rebirth and the
interrelationship of all phenomena.
Eco-Templers (comparable to the Bodhisattva's in
Buddhism) symbolize the promise of the "Green Man", the archetype of the archaic
Vegetation God on the one hand and the MotherGoddess on the other. In order to be in
harmony with nature the vegetation god identified himself with the cycle of birth and
death, the "Law of the Universe" of the Great Mother. F.i. the Green Man used to
be the Son/Lover of the matriarchal Queen, the latter representing the Great Mother. Every
autumn the hero sacrificed himself for the sake of prosperity and survival of its people,
went into the underworld (winter) in order to be reborn in spring. Subsequently, this
theme was the core of the initiation practices of the (pre)Celtic people (taken from the
Middle East to Ireland). F.i. the Celtic MotherGodess Cerridwin symbolized the
"Cauldron of Ever Flowing Life". Hellenistic mystery religions focussed on
"death and rebirth" practices, as well, until Christianity took over. Christ can
thus be considered as the Christian version of the Green Man, something repeatedly
stressed by Hildegard von Bingen, for instance. The power of this symbol is underlined by
the revival of the Green Man in the Middle Ages - as a "foliage face" in
countless churches and cathedrals - in particular in England, France and Germany.
Nowadays, the archetype of the Green Man and Wise Woman* is emerging at a time, in which
restoring the harmony with the earth has become an acute necessity. It is a call from the
deepest layers of the collective unconsciousness, addressed to every human being -
especially men - to rediscover their original nature. The latter should drop their
obsession with the mind and its achievements, in order to start serving the Whole.
* "The Green Man signifies irrepressible
life. Once he has come into your awareness, you will find him speaking to you wherever you
go. He is an image from the depth of prehistory: he appears and seems to die and then
comes again after long forgetting at many periods in the past two thousands years. In his
origins he is much older than our Christian era. In all his appearances he is an image of
renewal and rebirth, and it is my aim in this book* to show that his reappearance today in
art and as a symbol of environmental movements is of the profoundest significance for
humanity."
W.Anderson "Green Man", 1990
HarperCollins
* The revival of Wise Woman as an image of
the Original Great Mother is a.o. reflected in Ireland by the "Sheela-Na-Gig",
images of a "hag" with exposed vulva, symbol of the destructive aspect of the
Cosmic Womb (comparable to Kali in Hinduism).
As mentioned above, a monastic initiative like ours is
the logic response to a chaotic age. It reflects the efforts of the Irish monks, 1500
years ago. They were the First Wave (to save the culture). We consider ourselves as their
"successors", the Second Wave (to heal the planet), so to speak*. The advantages
of an Order may be clear. First of all, it serves the purpose of "kicking the
habit". Decades of dependencies/conditioning of all kinds have created a collective
self-addiction from which only a few manage to escape. Without a reliable support system,
transformation seems to be almost impossible. The advantage of a monastery is manifold. It
symbolizes "unity in diversity". Contrary to other community experiments,
monasteries have a Centre, to which all members are dedicated. In our case this Centre is
the Great Mother. To Her we return, from Her we depart. She is the Source of Insight, Love
and Strength. Secondly, through daily life in the Community (and living according to the
"rule" or guidelines) our lives will become a reflection of the Law of the
Universe, once again. By being in harmony with the "Cosmos", infinite grace will
be bestowed upon us. Constant regeneration will be our share. Moreover, our monasteries
will be a refuge - Centres of the Cyclone - in which spiritual life will be promoted,
protected and extended. Something being in the interest of the entire culture. Last but
not least, our initiative serves a global aim. The unique thing about it is, that our
monastic life is both inward and outward. The empowerment, that we receive from
(continuously) returning to the Source, is translated into compassion with all
"living and non-living beings". Our ultimate goal is "Healing
the Planet".
* See: "Transformatorium".
All people are children of the Mother.
Against the background of this most fundamental relationship, in which all are equal
without exception, distinctions can be made with regard to the stage people are in though,
once they have joined the spiritual Path. Thus, at the bottom there are the Friends,
"common people", who still live in their full potentiality, with lots of
inherent promises for the future. Secondly, there are the "Originals". These are
people whose longing for the Origin has been ignited, however, not yet experiencing it to
the fullest. "Green Men" and "Wise Women" include all those, who have
fully restored the "Unity with Heaven and Earth", while committing themselves to
"Healing the Planet". Moreover, there are the Teachers of the Reborn Order,
followed by the "highest in rank": the Servants (of the Mother), fully Realized
Ones. There might be a difference of emphasis between masculinity and femininity. The
former may identify itself with the "death and rebirth" aspect of the Law of the
Universe, while the latter may feel more attracted to the "web of life",
represented by the middle part of the Law of the Universe ("interrelationship").
The relation between the two reflects the "original" role of women and men*.
Women represent "life", while men have to serve it. Considering the patriarchal
brain-washing of men and women today, many may temporarily need to focus on his/her new
orientation in life, before they will actually feel able to commit themselves. That's why
many monastic communities have reserved considerable time for the "novice" to
accomodate. The Reborn Order will promote any development aimed at restoring the original
balance**.
* Obviously, acknowledging the
fact, that each woman and each man has her/his own unique "mixture" of gender
aspects.
** See also MatriTalks e.g. chapter "Women and
men".
Gerald G.May "Addiction &
Grace", 1991 HarperCollins
Christina Grof "The Thirst for Wholeness,
Attachment, Addiction, and the Spiritual Path", 1993 HarperCollins
Eco-Templer
"Recruitment and Career"
(Women and Men)
The aspirant Reborn/Eco-Templer goes
through the entire career ladder of the Original Tradition. It starts with making your
calling known. Its essence consists of a strong longing for going Home in order to become
renewed. It implies giving up your ego. In this first stage you become an "Original",
starting your novice time through joining Han Marie Stiekema at his Hermitage. Your
learning consists of participating in the daily program of Contemplation, Teaching,
Healing, Exercise, Q&A and Sharing. After this initial period the Teacher gives the
green light for joining the Training, aiming at becoming a "Green Man or
Wise Woman". See: "Transformatorium".
The curriculum lasts about three months and consists of Spiritual Service, Health Service,
Community Service and Earth Service, including a Retreat based on the "Universal Way".
One major challenge will be to bring
together Science and (Cosmic/Eco) Spirituality. A first step to full integration has
recently been made: "The Supreme
Design". After concluding the Training successfully, you will work as a
Hopeful to the people, putting into practice the skills you have learned, everything on a
voluntary e.g. donation basis. You may work on your own or as member of a "Healing Community". The
latter functions as a support system, sharing with others three pillars: worship of the
Cosmic Mother, a daily "monastic" schedule and of course the daily service
activities. This period of commitment varies according to the intensity of your efforts.
It could last one to several years. It will be followed by founding e.g. spending some
time in a "Cosmic Mother Healing Shrine".
Once a year all (aspirant) members of the Original Tradition jointly organize a "Universal Mother Council",
where Mother-Loving people of all cultures/religions of the world gather to learn,
exchange, celebrate and share.
After this you may apply for the
highest "job": to become an Eco-Spiritual Teacher of the Original Tradition. If
granted you once again return to Han Marie Stiekema, living with him in his Hermitage
serving the Cosmic Mother. It is a period of intense worship in which you take refuge in
Her "Cycle of Birth and Death", aiming at giving up your ego, while becoming
renewed in such a way, that it becomes your foundation of life. It again may take some
time before the Teacher determines if and when you may enter the final vow, initiation (Great Night) and transmission. If granted the
entire community will joyfully start a big celebration, wishing you all the best on your
path. You have become a "Reborn", member of the "Reborn Order", the crown of the Tradition of the Grail, Courtly
Love, Green Men & Wise Women and the Templars.* Your future job consisting of teaching
and training students the way you have learned it yourself, everything in the Name of the
Cosmic Mother and Her Original Tradition.
* Students from non-western
cultures will be initiated - if they wish so - with the help of their own Deities and
Heros.
Those interested in becoming a novice of the
Reborn Order may contact us
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