Tau Dositheos

Spiritual Background

I have been actively pursuing esoteric studies since 1985. My primary areas of research and praxis include:

Gnosticism - in both its historic (Persian, Egyptian, Hebrew, Greek, Christian, etc.) and contemporary (French Gnostic, Thelemic, Neognostic, etc.) manifestations. On August 8th, 2007, I received ordination to Holy Orders as “Subdeacon, Deacon, Exorcist and Priest” from Bishop T. Allen Greenfield at Consecration Rock, Mt. Arabia. Then, on March 22, 2008, I received episcopal consecration through T. Allen Greenfield with Tau Naamah and Tau HRMShT co-consecrating. For a list of the Gnostic and Apostolic successions I received at my ordination and consecration, go here. I continue to serve as Bishop to my local community. I am an advocate of the spirit of free communion. I welcome and encourage open dialog between all forms of Gnostic and Apostolic communities.

Shaivism - or, that which is derived from Siva. In 1985 I began bhakti yoga with Lord Siva. This lasted many years, and to a certain extent is ongoing. This has since expanded into bhakti yoga with Kali (starting in 1998) and Ganesha (starting in 2005). Shaivite Tantrik practice has also provided a rewarding ground for working with mantra, meditation, puja, and various forms of yoga.

Enochian - "angelic magic" of Dr. John Dee and Sir Edward Kelly. The original Dee and Kelly workings were done between the years 1581 and 1587. Enochian magic was then essentially ignored for about 300 years. With the birth of the "Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn" circa 1887, it came back into use. One of the students of the Golden Dawn (and now well known occultist), Aleister Crowley, further explored aspects of Enochian magic, particularly the 30 Aires or Aethyrs (see Liber 418 "The Vision and the Voice"). I spent 15 years working with the Golden Dawn\Crowley adaptations of Enochian with great success. More recently, corresponding with a shift in my personal spiritual work, I began to research more fully the primary source texts of Dr. Dee and Sir Edward Kelly. I have also begun research on the possible connection between the 91 parts of earth as listed in Dee's Liber Scientiae Terrestris Auxilii & Victoria and correspondences to the points chauds (hot points).

Shamanism - the primordial roots of magic. It can arguably be said that magical praxis originated with the shamans of Siberia, Mongolia, Africa, and both the Americas. At a young age, I learned how to ride the Horse Drum to the Cosmic Tree that links the Three Worlds. Brother Snake has taught me Wisdom and Healing. Brother Vulture has taught me Purification and Release. Brother Bear has taught me Strength and Persistence. More recently, I have heard whispers from Brother Owl, and am beginning a new journey.

Hermeticism - a philosophical and esoteric discipline, with roots going back to some of the earliest civilizations of ancient history, such as Mesopotamia and Egypt. Much of Hermeticism is based on the teachings of such works as the Emerald Tablet of Hermes, and the Corpus Hermeticum.

Vajrayana - the "diamond vehicle", also sometimes, the "thunderbolt vehicle". In the Tibetan Schools, this includes sutra level, mahayana level, and tantra level teachings. This path is said to be able to lead one to the attainment of full enlightenment and complete liberation in a single lifetime. Yet this path requires depth of understanding with the teachings, a working knowledge of the practices, and the invaluable guidance of one's Lama to be of best result. In 2002, while in meditative contemplation of the Heart Sutra, I experienced a mind-transmission from H.H. Penam Rinpoche. The mind-transmission led to further study of the dharma. I have never met Penam Rinpoche in person, but shortly after the experience, I learned about Dorje Ling Buddhist Center and began attending Green Tara Puja. I later attended teachings given by Kempo Choejor (whose root lama is Penam Rinpoche). The teachings were on bodhicitta and also on rangtong\shentong (emptiness of self and emptiness of other). Dorje Ling is a Jonang Temple of Vajrayana. They also teach Kalachakra Tantra. I have also visited Drepung Loseling Institute, a Gelug buddhist center. On April 21, 2007, I received a Vajrasattva empowerment from Kyabje Sharpa Choeje Rinpoche. The empowerment is for meditation and recitation of solitary Vajrasattva. The ceremony also included taking refuge and taking the bodhisattva vows. Kyabje Sharpa Choeje Rinpoche was very kind in offering this empowerment. Vajrasattva practice is often done as a preliminary practice when entering tantrik level teachings. It is a purification practice. The bodhisattva vows, in particular, have become instrumental for me since receiving this empowerment.

Alchemy - the science of transmuting base metals into Gold. Also, for discovering the Elixir of Life, the Universal Medicine and the Stone of the Wise. Alchemy is an often-misunderstood science. It is a highly technical subject which over time has developed a symbolic language all its own. One should be well versed and have spent a considerable amount of time in contemplation of the teachings before one assumes a correct understanding thereof. A great online resource for the subject is The Alchemy Website maintained by Adam McLean.

Vodoun - the Mysteries of Africa. In autumn of 2000, the path was cleared by Ogun. By the next year I cultivated my first direct personal contact with the lwa by doing service for Papa Legba. Papa was kind enough to open the gate and in came Baron La Croix, and the whole host of guede lwa. More recently, connections are being formed with Damballah and with various simbi lwa. Vodoun is often done, both individually and communally, for healing, divinatory, and transformative purposes.

Qabalah - the received tradition. I began study of the Hebrew Qabalah in 1989. A few years later, I included research into both the Greek and English Qabalah as well. I have learned various techniques from each of these schools. I am fairly conversant with many of the classic texts and practices of traditional Hebrew Qabalah, as well as later forms of Qabalah such as that taught in the Hermetic schools, and also with the English Qabalah through the works of Frater Achad and the QBLH.

Rosicrucianism - the Invisible College. For further information read the Fama Fraternitatis, the Confessio Fraternitatis, and the Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz.