Knowledge of Eastern and Hermetic doctrines are necessary prerequisites for esoteric work. We focus on a few works although each one of them leads to many more. But this is no mere academic training with conferences, meetings, interest groups, and so on. Rather, such teachings must be verified in at least two ways.

1. Can the teaching be verified in my own self-consciousness?
2. Is the teaching compatible with what I know about the world?

Thus, book learning is insufficient; one must also have extensive life experience. Whatever may be your opinion of his philosophy, we can agree with Rene Descartes’s decision so engage with the world:

I entirely abandoned the study of letters. Resolving to seek no knowledge other than that of which could be found in myself or else in the great book of the world, I spent the rest of my youth traveling, visiting courts and armies, mixing with people of diverse temperaments and ranks, gathering various experiences, testing myself in the situations which fortune offered me, and at all times reflecting upon whatever came my way to derive some profit from it.

There are three academic degrees. In a Society of Independents, each person decides where he stands. If he overrates himself, he only hurts himself. These are the qualifications for each degree.

Bachelor’s Degree

A bachelor’s degree is earned by completing an overview of spiritual and metaphysical teachings. This is actually a prerequisite for entry, because many people have explored different spiritual paths. When they are ready to focus on one, they are prepared.

Study of the seven liberal arts is a prerequisite.

Master’s Degree

A Master has focused on one teaching and is gradually mastering it. In our case, that teaching is the Hermetic Teaching as understood in the primary spiritual tradition of the West. This involves much more than an intellectual understanding.

Doctor’s Degree

A Doctor has made an original contribution to the Hermetic stream. This requires an active intelligence. For example, recommended topics include Dante, the Arthurian Legends, the Seven Liberal Arts, and Psychology/Psychotherapy.