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Discipline of the secret

P1020412

   (Loughcrew - Sliabh na Cailleach - Cairn T)

 

There has existed from ancient times a “discipline of the secret” from the Latin, disciplina arcane which was and is necessary to preserve and proclaim the dynamic presence of the work.

Disciplina Arcani (German Arcandisciplin) is a theological term used to express the custom which existed in the early Church by which knowledge of the intimate mysteries were carefully kept from the uninitiated and were only gradually revealed to those undergoing instruction. The origin of the custom in Christianity can be traced to Matthew 7:6 “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.” In apostolic times St. Paul vouches for the practice in I Corinthians 3: 1–3 “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat; for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?" See also Hebrews V. 12–14 “But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

One of the earliest for witnesses for the custom seems to be Tertullian Apologetium (Apology)VII : Omnibus mysteriis silenti fides adhibetur. In his ‘notebook jottings’ Mr Macdonald places an addendum to the recorded words of Christ, “It may, perhaps be permissible to cast a very small pearl, just to test the amount of swinishness.” The Alexander Technique, As I SEE IT. Mouritz 2015. p.23