Word of the Day: Esoteric
Earlier this year I experienced an esoteric acupuncture session for the first time. Esoteric acupuncture incorporates wisdom from Traditional Chinese Medicine, sacred geometry, and meditative visualization. I have received and enjoyed traditional acupuncture many times and was excited to experience a different form of this ancient healing technique.
Esoteric acupuncture is intended to balance energy in the whole person, including body, mind, heart, and spirit. My session was very visual, like a meditative journey, and the guidance I received during the session was clear. I left feeling optimistic, grounded, and well balanced.
I hear the word esoteric come up in study of different spiritual practices or healing modalities. Today let’s explore the true meaning of esoteric through etymology.
esoteric (adjective) : intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest
From the 1650s esoteric was defined as “secret; intended to be communicated only to the initiated; profound.” The root of esoteric is the Greek word esoterikos meaning “belonging to an inner circle” and esotero meaning “more within.” The PIE root is *en- meaning “in.”
The word esoteric was classically applied to describe some of Aristotle’s writings. Writing that was intended for a wide audience, often the less technical writings, were labeled as exoteric, meaning that they are likely to be understood by the general public. Aristotle’s esoteric writings were the more technical scientific and philosophical writings that were intended for use within his school.
Esoteric is often used to describe teachings from other ancient mystery schools as well. Another example is Pythagoreanism. Students of Pythagoreanism progressed through various levels of training and learning. Pythagoreans had to be initiated into these different levels of training. Lessons were kept secret and passed to the initiates orally.
This oral transmission of knowledge to initiates is similar to the way teachings were passed down in the Druid tradition. Druids fostered community and connection to each other, to nature, and to the spiritual world through oral tradition. They emphasized not only the wisdom shared in oral tradition but also connection to that wisdom, fostered through memory and intuitive understanding of the oral stories.
While they may seem exclusive, in the sense that some are excluded, mystery schools are esoteric because they aim to foster deeper understanding. Wisdom comes in stages — one must not only study for knowledge, but gain experience that leads to a broader understanding of the concepts studied. This requires a dedication beyond surface level knowledge.
Schools of spiritual wisdom often involved lifestyle commitments in addition to study. The Essenes followed a simple, raw vegetarian diet. Pythagoreans followed strict dietary guidelines as well. Ceremonies that supported spiritual experiences were just as important as study of science and mathematics. Esoteric teachings often accompany a holistic approach to learning.
Esoteric wisdom is communicated only to initiates to foster deep connection and understanding of the topics. One can casually study many topics and only scratch the surface of each. Esoteric students are meant to dive deeper. To know, feel, and experience teachings through intentional levels of study.
The root meaning of esoteric is “in.” If you are drawn to esoteric subjects, you are encouraged to be fully immersed “in” the teaching. Learn it, experience it, and live it.
