The initiatory teaching on the two hemispheres of East and West is connected by the duty to acknowledge oneself, not only as an ephemeral physical entity, but also as an expression of eternal energy.

A fundamental principle of the secret Doctrines, in fact, is that part of the conscience remains in the material caducity, because it is a reflection of the divine image.

The will to regain conscience of that spiritual reflection is the prelude to the work of inner mutation called “Initiation”.

V.I.T.R.I.O.L. V isita (visiting) I nteriora T errae (the inner land, the unconscious, the personal infernal) R ectificando (correcting) I nvenies (you will find) O ccultum L apidem (the hidden stone, your true essence). This is the description of the postulate on the initiatory metamorphosis that we find in the Work in White of the spiritual Alchemist.

Masonry talks about the reconstruction of the inner Temple and the transmutation of metals; therefore the “duty” to refine feelings, material ideas, passions, desires.

But this “duty” is difficult to put into practice, because the influence of the profane culture is still strong and makes it difficult to follow the inner method. Besides it has few applications but in some cases, which highlight the distinction between initiation and exoterical initiation. This difference is clear in the following passage.

« ... the Mysteries are not revealed through exterior information, but thanks to the process of refining occurring in the mental energy of the disciple, which makes him able to acknowledge what is hidden. A mechanism of revelation makes him aware of the existence of channels of inner activities that move irradiating and magnetic energies. It is a prerogative of the initiate to own and use these instruments, because it is him who created them through many cycles of incarnation…»

Athos A. Altomonte