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Levels of
Involvement in the Order: Spiritual Garbs and Symbols
(Associates, after 3 months,
and members of the Order, after their committed time, are
free to lessen or increase their involvement by sending another
application at the new level they wish to participate.)
(Gatherings of Friends,
Associates and Members are periodically held for ceremonies of
presentations of garb and symbols, as well as, to share
Spirituality and to meet members “in the real.”)
A. Friend of
the Order: One wants to be spiritually and psychologically
supported in his/her unique spiritual journey and feels a soul
affinity to the values of the Order, but is not interested in any
current commitment as described at the other levels. Friends want
to access “The Mystic Heart” Notes. Once an application is
accepted it is good for a lifetime.
B. Associate
of the Order: One wants to be spiritually and psychologically
supported in his/her unique spiritual journey and wants to
identify with many, if not all, of the Order’s values. One is
willing to commit to 15 mins. of spiritual or contemplative
practice of one’s own choosing each day. The associate also
commits to 1 day a week of vegetarianism as described in the
Values of the Order. .The associate wants to access the “Mystic
Heart” Notes. Once the associate application is accepted it is
good for a lifetime.
Symbol: A
simple cotton crème / white wrap or prayer shawl, to be
worn for daily spiritual practice and gatherings, is given
in ceremony. The shawl is only for private occasions or order
gatherings. The shawl can be worn around the neck and draped in
the front surrounding the heart.
C. Member of
the Order: One Year Commitment: One commits to living out all the
values of the order for one year, along with doing a spiritual
practice of one’s own choosing for ½ hr. a day. The vegetarian
practice is for 2 days a week. The member of the Order
participates in the Mystic Heart Forum as described on the
website and also receives “The Mystic Heart” Notes for
inspiration and action. An application for a one year commitment
to the Order can be sent after 3 months as an Associate. The one
year commitment can be renewed yearly as many times as one
chooses.
Symbol:
A
simple crème/white cotton garb is given in ceremony. Wearing the
garb with the wrap in public is according to one’s own choosing
as a committed member.
D. Member of
the Order: Three Year Commitment: One commits to living out all
the values of the order for three years, along with doing a
contemplative practice of one’s own choosing 1 hr. a day and
practicing vegetarianism 3 days a week. One participates in the
Mystic Heart Forum and also receives “The Mystic Heart” Notes.
This three
year commitment can be renewed as many times as a person chooses.
One can send application after 3 months as an associate or after
being a one year committed member.
Symbol: A
simple cotton waist tie with ONE knot made on the cord during the
ceremony is given. The tie can be worn around the waist around
the neck, draped down in the front surrounding the heart. The One
Knot symbolizes the ONE HEART THAT ties the Mystic’s heart to all
the hearts of Humanity and symbolizes ONE DIVINE REALITY THAT IS
PRESENT in one’s own soul, in many spiritual practices and in the
divine creation in the entire universe. Beads with a Heart
attached to them is presented in ceremony. The shawl, the garb
and the waist tie is worn in public according to one’s own
choosing.
E. Life
Commitment to the Order of Divinity: One commits for life to
living out the values of the Order, along with a daily 1 hr.
contemplative practice every day of his/her life. One commits to
at least 3 days of Vegetarianism every week for life. Wearing the
garb, shawl, waist tie, or ring in public is according to one’s
own choosing.
Symbol: A
ring with hands (symbol of actions of the Spirit: Power), a heart
(symbol of unconditional love for the Divine Self in oneself and
all of Humanity) and a crown (symbol of Wisdom and Creativity) is
given in ceremony.
Community
Living in the Order of Divinity:
If any
members decide to live in physical community together, the
following communal supports are present:
**1 or 2
meals are shared weekly, along with 2 spiritual gathering for
spiritual support and for building community relationships.
**Common
rooms are kept for the use of the community for sharing and quiet
availability for contemplation and prayer. Therefore, all audio
and visual technology of one’s individual interests are used only
in one’s individual rooms.
** The Common
room where an altar is presented is decorated only with earth and
universal spiritual symbols or pictures that are not identified
with any one particular path this is done in order to convey an
atmosphere in the center of peace and contemplation.
**An altar is
always present in the common Spirit-oriented area.
Wearing of the Order of
Divinity Garb in Public:
Wearing the
garb in public is a sincere and heartfelt commitment to represent
the Divine Reality publicly. Because of this, the garb, when worn
publicly, is worn only in and of itself without anything
additions to it, so that it is an unmistakable clear
representation of a spiritual order. White/crème colored coats
and sweaters and/ or leggings are added seasonally as needed. The
garb is worn plain, in public places, without any other spiritual
symbols or decorations placed upon it. One may wear unique
personal spiritual symbols with the garb in private or at order
gatherings. Wearing the garb plain in public, however, assures
that one’s own unique spiritual symbol is NOT IDENTIFIED with the
Order as a whole.
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