Level 1, Lesson 11A, Reading Assignment, Pages 155-168
1. The daily worship program consists of three worships during the day.
One at dawn, one at noon, and one at sunset.
2. How should an aspirant think about their personal practice, how much importance to assign to it and what should they do about the time to make the threefold observances while at work, at home, around others who follow other traditions, or when nobody knows what they are doing?
An aspirant should understand that their personal practice is a number one priority. Ordering ones life on a practical level allows this to happen. The threefold observance should be practiced with as few distractions as possible. If possible the lunch hour can be changed so that an aspirant goes to lunch after or before the majority does, eating lunch in their car, etc. At home they should also practice with as few distractions as possible. The spiritual practice of any person should be respected even other traditions. If possible an aspirant should practice in private. If they are asked questions they should answer according to the person asking’s capacity to understand.
3. Choose an icon according to your spiritual inclination.
4. Describe the “Hetep Slab”.
A stone slab with male, thigh, and female, duck, symbols carved into the top, along with the symbol of Supreme Peace (Hetep) which consists of a loaf of bread and an offering mat (which was composed of women reeds), and two libation vessels. The top of the table has grooves which channel the libations around the offering towards the front and center of the table and out through the outermost point of the protruding section.
4. You should try not to come into the temple harboring thoughts of anger, hatred, greed, lust, jealousy, envy and so forth.
5. Write a brief essay on how to conduct one’s self in the Temple.
An aspirant should cleanse the body and dress in the special clothes for the Temple. Their speech and their mind should also be clean so that they can be at peace to receive the vibrations in the Temple. Cellphones and beepers should not be brought to the Temple. No sex or meat before coming to the Temple. The aspirant should prostrate before the shrine and greet the preceptor in the proper manner. An aspirant must show respect for the divine self so that the divine self will be accepting of them and assist them in their journey. The aspirant should take the proper posture in the Temple when being seated. They should not be talkative and be introverted and reflective in the Temple. They should interact with their fellow aspirants in a courteous and detached manner showing respect for their fellow aspirants as well as themselves.
6. What is the meaning of the term “Seba”?
Seba means shining star or illuminating preceptor. The preceptor is “male” (Seba) and the initiates are “female” (Sebat). The preceptor, acting in the male aspect, shines illumination on the student who is receptive therefore they are acting in the female aspect. The student will receive illumination from the teacher. The student allows themselves to become “pregnant” with the teachings and gives birth to enlightenment.
7. Name the different ways one can sit in the Temple.
(1) cross legged; (2) lotus posture or half lotus posture; (3) sitting in a chair with legs together and both hands on thighs; (4) sitting on the ground with the legs together to the side or as if you are sitting on a chair; (5) sitting on your knees and your heals.
8. Hygiene of your physical body, mouth/speech, and of your mind are the three main concerns of an initiate.
