Udja
“The end and aim of all these toils and labors is the attainment and the knowledge of the First and Chief Being, who alone is the object of the understanding of the mind; and this knowledge the goddess invites us to seek after, as being near and dwelling continually with her. And this also is what the very name of her temple promiseth to us, that is to say, the knowledge and understanding of the eternal and self-existent Being…”

Very interesting that this particular verse was going to be part of my extended comments this week related to the question of “DEVOTION”. In the teaching of the temple of Aset sometimes people ask where is devotion? Seems like it is all wisdom and dispassion and meditation?

There are two main aspects of devotion presented in the Temple of Aset teaching:
1- “dwelling continually with her.” –DEVOTION TO ASET as an aspirant to the human become teacher and goddess
2- DEVOTION TO THAT “Chief Being” that the Goddess is devoted to.
Most people think of devotion as an expression of love but in a sentimental manifestation where people profess love and singing love songs or pledge loving caring, etc.
When one is devoted to something that means:
along with affection and fondness towards the object, devotion also means:
religious observance and piety towards the object,
as well as also meaning:
interest and dedication towards the object,
commitment,
dedication,
attentiveness,
constancy,
commitment,
steadfastness,
attachment,
and with fullness of religious feeling, consecration, sanctification, blessing, hallowing.

But these are dedicated (attachment ) towards Neter, the first and Chief {Supreme} Being; towards Ra dedication means dispassion and detachment and even disdain for what he represents as not being the higher reality of existence.
So devotion should be understood in this context and this as being complementary to the wisdom and meditation practice of the Temple of Aset meditation system.
Some of these issues are covered in the 2007 Neterian Conference follow-up series “Temple of aset lecture highlights featuring story of Ra and Aset Disciplines of Plutarch 12-2007”
This series should be considered as part of the Temple of Aset curriculum and we may perhaps consider adding this as a follow-up teaching here.

HTP