What Is Initiation in MSIA?
"To be an initiate of the Traveler is to devote yourself to the God within you, to Spirit, and to returning to your home, the Soul realm, from which you originally came before you incarnated onto this earth." - John-Roger
Students in MSIA can be initiated through the Mystical Traveler Consciousness into the Sound Current, the audible stream of energy that comes from the heart of God. The levels of initiation in MSIA correspond to levels of consciousness both within and outside of each person: astral (relating to the imagination), causal
(relating to the emotions), mental
(relating to the mind), etheric
(relating to the unconscious), and Soul (who we truly are). There are also initiations above the Soul level.
The astral initiation happens in the "night travel" (dream state) after a person has in some way come in contact with the Mystical Traveler; it is not anchored physically at that time. For the four other initiations, the person meets with an initiator and is given an initiation "tone"
(the name of Divinity on that realm), which the initiate chants during spiritual exercises. These initiation tones are charged with spiritual energy by the Traveler Consciousness for each person individually, and the Traveler assists the student in clearing enough karma on one level to be initiated into the next level. For the levels of initiation above the Soul level, no initiation tone is given physically.
Studying Towards Initiation
Before being initiated into the causal realm, a person needs to have studied the MSIA Soul Awareness Discourses for at least two years and to have sent a letter to the Traveler that they are studying towards initiation. Sending the letter is a way of bringing their inner commitment into the physical world and lining up all their levels of consciousness in support of their decision. In other words, it helps them make sure they really want to do it.
Preparing for Initiation
During the initial two years of study in MSIA, the Traveler works with the person spiritually to help them clear karma and to prepare them for initiation.
Discourses and spiritual exercises
(s.e.'s) are two of the main ways the Traveler works with people in MSIA. It is a good idea to take time each day for spiritual attunement through s.e.'s and to do them often during the first two years of study in MSIA. Building a strong habit of doing spiritual exercises and spending time with the Spirit within can do much to help a person build a firm foundation and prepare a place for the tone that is given at the time of initiation.
The use of consciousness-altering, "recreational" drugs is incompatible with a person's spiritual study in MSIA. If a person is studying towards initiation, they will need to be free of drug use at least six months before applying, and they need to be clear of any recreational drug use after receiving the initiation.
For More Information on Initiation in MSIA: Initiation--Molding the Golden Chalice. The key seminar about studying towards initiation and being an initiate. How Do You See the Face of God?. About the process of initiation, the initiate's responsibilities, and the initiate's relationship to the Traveler. The Sound Current: The Road Home. A terrific overview of MSIA and initiation. There is also information about studying towards initiation in the first Soul Awareness Discourse. Soul Awareness Discourses are the primary way to study the teachings of MSIA.
For more information about initiation, we highly recommend these Seminars, which can be purchased in the MSIA store: