From the book
Ancient Mystic Oriental Masonry
R. Swinburne Clymer · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Orientation
At a Glance
- The wordAncient Wisdom is the common spiritual truth the author believes underlies diverse religions and initiatory institutions.
- In Ancient Mystic Oriental MasonryThe author says that the key has never wholly disappeared, even when outward forms decay.
- In this editionWisdom Religion and Ancient Wisdom retain their different wording.
- A place to readM.25: … “shaping character, dissipating ignorance, and inspiring hope. This Ancient Wisdom is the foundation from which (all)” …
Meaning
Ancient Wisdom is the common spiritual truth the author believes underlies diverse religions and initiatory institutions. It functions as a unifying premise of the book.
Use in the book
The author says that the key has never wholly disappeared, even when outward forms decay. The thread-soul image makes religions successive embodiments of a continuing wisdom. Hidden teachers are then assigned the task of adjusting its expression to human development.
Places to read
- Mystic Masonry · Block 25… “shaping character, dissipating ignorance, and inspiring hope. This Ancient Wisdom is the foundation from which (all) Masonry takes its rise. The true Science of Symbolism in time became lost; the Temples” …
- Mystic Masonry · Block 36… “Mysteries. The candidate can become proficient in the Ancient Wisdom if he is willing to do so. Nothing of the Ancient Mysteries will be withheld from those who are willing to” …
- Foundations of Mystic Masonry · Block 66“114. "The Ancient Wisdom Religion is the 'Thread-soul' on which are strung all the various incarnations and encasements of the religious life, adapted to the changing conditions and developments of humanity” …
- Foundations of Mystic Masonry · Block 67… “a portion of the real teaching of the Divine Science — the Science of the Soul — concerning God and man, and the wonderful relationship that exists between the two.”
- Foundations of Mystic Masonry · Block 79“126. Its basis was, and is, unknown to all of those who do not recognize a definitely spiritual guidance in the practical, mental, and moral developments which from time to time” …
In this edition
Wisdom Religion and Ancient Wisdom retain their different wording. The entry groups a concept rather than asserting that every occurrence names one documented organization.
Reading the argument
The philosophical model offers a way to read diversity as related. The historical proposition that particular institutions shared one uninterrupted succession requires further evidence. The book often moves from the first claim to the second through resemblance and secrecy.
Ancient Wisdom
“Ancient Wisdom” — 7 occurrences in 6 text blocks: I.10, 27; M.25, 36; F.66, 78.
Wisdom Religion
“Wisdom Religion” — 4 occurrences in 4 text blocks: I.21; F.66, 78; N.36.
Ancient Wisdom Religion
“Ancient Wisdom Religion” — 2 occurrences in 2 text blocks: F.66, 78.
Divine Science
“Divine Science” — 1 occurrence in 1 text block: F.67.