Level 1 Lesson 4 Video Intro to SN by Dja -conference 2008 part 1
1. What are the important themes?
The glory of the teachings is to be lived and practiced and not just read or idealized about.
The temple of Aset represents a divine space in which we may practice the teachings in the correct format. The temple serves as a place where we can go to refocus on our true nature and the path to attain Nehast.
The story of Djehuty and Hetheru which symbolizes the plight of humanity coming into this world ignorant of their higher nature.
Setjert was a drink given to help calm down Hetheru
Blood + Beer + Mandrake
Blood symbolizes the intoxication with worldly desires. Egoism. I am the body (flesh and bones).
Beer symbolizes the intoxication with wordlly pleasure. Engaging in actions within the world of time and space in an effort to find happiness.
Mandrake symbolizes the Souls of Ra, fullness and the infinity and peace that comes with enlightenment.
Also the point being made that we infuse ourselves with the Mandrake via our own personal spiritual practices.
The fact that we use the term ancient to denote the difference between what was practiced in those times in comparison to the modern Egyptian religions primarily Islam.
Shetaut Neter is not an invented term but is derived from the scriptures themselves and is the oldest written African term for Religion.
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The statement by John Clarke “Africa will not be free until its leaders pray to African Gods and Goddesses without apology” How Sba Dja transformed that into how it applies to us as initiates and that we should go to our personal spaces as well as at the various gatherings and worship with no apologies.
Lord Khepri is the creator of Shetaut Neter.
The Lineage of Shetaut Neter being first from Lord Khepri the creator then passing them to Djehuty, Djehuty codifying them and passing them to Hetheru, Asar, Aset and then through Aset to Heru and we are apart of the lineage as well. The qualifying factor being we are one with the creator. Physical ties fall short and means nothing in the end.
As Neterians our most important myth is The Myth of Asar Aset and Heru.
The Four Great Truths of Shetaut Neter
Pa Neter Ua Ua Neberdjer m Neteru – The Neter (God) is one and alone and manifesting as Neberdjer everywhere and in all things as the Gods and Godesses
An Maat swy Saui Set S Khenem – Lack of righteousness brings fetters to the personality which causes ignorance of the Divine
S Uashu S Nafu n Saui Set – Devotion to the Divine leads to freedom from the fetters of Set
Arit Shedy Rech Ab m Maakheru – Practice of the Shedy disciplines leads to knowing oneself and the Divine. This is called being true of speech.
The four great truths represent the core of our beliefs but also it is a formula for Nehast. It explains the origins of creation, the reason for our ignorance of the Divine and how to gain knowledge of the Divine, Nehast.
The main difference between African and Western Religions is that they’re missing the mystical experience of the Divine.
The pursuit of happiness in the world of time and space is an illusion. Life is not to be lived as if on a roller coaster going up and down and considering this as normal. But through the teachings we are given a way to rise above the trials and tribulations of life and reach Nehast which is the realization of our union with the Divine, Neberdjer.
The shedy disciplines are focused at purifying the four aspects of the personality; emotions – Uashu, intellect – Rech Ab, action – Maat, and will – Ua so that the personality is purified as a whole.
The Tjef Neteru encompasses the four aspects of the shedy disciplines.
2. Explain what impressed you the most in this presentation.
What impressed me the most is when she began talking about worshiping without apologies. It is something that I went through on a personal level when the time came to be proud (lack of a better term) to practice our Kamitan Religion. Definitely not in an arrogant way or not turning into a soap box preacher but being able to speak on my beliefs with more than just conviction but facts that support what i believe in on a relative basis. I think being able to worship with no apologies ties directly into whether or not we truly consider ourselves Neterians and are practicing it or are we just intellectuals or just in it for the cultural aspects but praying to the same Christian God.
