The Second World Parliament of Religions Chicago 1993
With the passing of time comes hindsight, the ability to review the past. For me, being a delegate at the World Parliament of Religions still stands out as the single most significant experience of my life so far. The second Parliament met to mark the centennial of the first Parliament of the World's Religions which was held on the shore of Lake Michigan, Chicago in 1893 as part of the World’s Columbian Exposition, The documented history of this makes fascinating reading. Please take time to search the Internet. There are lots of web sites with relevant infomation.
In 1993 the parliament included six thousand delegates. The many faces of pagasnism were represented by the Covenant of the Goddess, Earthspirit, Circle Sanctuary and the Fellowship of Isis. The inclusion of pagan groups was controversial at the outset and by midweek the Greek Orthodox delegation had withdrawn but apart from this single incident a wonderful feeling of unity prevailed throughout. I was a delegate for The Fellowship of Isis and in keeping with the sacred traditions of Egypt, a Mystery Drama was enacted. To describe this simply as a play is totally inadequate, so I will take the liberty of quoting a section from my book, 'The Elements of The Egyptian Wisdom.'
Impersonating the Gods
'It is difficult to explain to anyone who has no experience of this peculiar magical rite, which is known as the assumption of a god-form what effect this operation has on the operator and on those working with him.'
C.R.F. Seymour, The Forgotten Mage
We may wonder what could be secret about a play, a simple piece of drama. Sacred drama is not so far from the European inheritance. Mediaeval mystery plays brought great Biblical themes to the populace. The Egyptians too were well aware of the educative function of drama. However they were also aware of another more subtle function namely, its power to initiate. The two functions have become separate as part of the great divide between the secular and the sacred. Sacred drama has evolved into church ritual, by comparison a pale imitation of the Egyptian prototype. Profane drama has evolved into varied and sometimes nefarious forms. However even profane drama has the power to move the emotions and create a change of perspective which is the key to all acts of initiation.
 The Egyptians offered both levels of dramatic enactment. The public witnessed and indeed participated in dramas which re-enacted their own mythology. These open dramas were the exoteric rites. The priesthood performed more intense, more complex versions of the same stories for themselves. These were the esoteric rites. The function of these rites was to enable the candidate to encounter the presence of the Neter at increasingly more intense levels. In a civilisation dominated by themes of duality, it is no surprise to find inner and outer rite, public and private ceremony. 
The esoteric and exoteric rites may have told the same story at a different level. Yet a gulf lay between these two presentations. The populist rites were attended and orchestrated by the priesthood. Such spectacles like great music, theatre or religious assembly doubtless had an emotional and uplifting effect. This was enough. The priestly rite, enacted by a small class of specialised personnel who acted as impersonators of the gods, was a revelation of a cosmic principle. Such ceremony was sharply focused, its effect was calculated and specific. These rites expressed the Egyptian understanding of worship, iau the dynamic relationship between initiate and Neter. 
This relationship was built up gradually through three phases; recognition, identification and assimilation. The first stage recognition, was achieved through entry into the symbolism of a particular cult. The second stage, identification was established through participation in the dramatic enactments. The impersonator of the god took on the qualities of the god. The Horus priest embodied Horus, the priest of Osiris was Osiris, the priestess of Hathor was Hathor herself. Identifying with the cult divinity is not a matter of acting but of absorbing the qualities attributed to the divinity. It cannot be achieved intellectually. Analytical thinking always produces a gulf between the individual and the thought. Identification is achieved only through total absorption, it is a union generated by the heart. Taking on the identity of the Neter is not a totally lost art. It is clear that Seymour was speaking from experience when he wrote, ‘the whole of these magical rituals and rites derived from their effectiveness from the ability of the officiating priest or priestess to identify himself with the god (goddess) being personified.’ He saw this ancient practice made real.
The third and final stage, assimilation occurred through total symbiosis between the human participant and the Neter. This was a state of mystical union. Total identification carried the participant towards what Seymour calls the ‘direct contact with the numen’ and ‘the central mystery of initiation.’ It was the mystical experience, the heart of the mysteries. Such things cannot be discussed, not from coyness or reticence, but because there are no useful words. We have come a full circle. The starting point was the initiatory recognition, the culmination was the mystical absorption into the Neter; thus iau was achieved.’
My memory reminds me that the state of mystical union between the oracular priestess and the Netert Aset was achieved and made palpable.
The Oracle Of Isis
words given at the World Parliament
Beloved Family, Sons and Daughters of the Divine One. Happy am I that you call upon me even at this eleventh hour. For know that this is truly the eleventh hour for your world. I implore you to answer to the call to action from the heart. Look first to the past. For the past and future are one. The injustices, miseries, cruelties and oppression of nation upon nation have scarred and divided the human family. Hold up the mirror to the collected reflection of you all. Gaze deeply and see what you will see. When you have looked upon the consequences of past actions and deeds, seek forgiveness one from another. Seek forgiveness nation from nation. Seek forgiveness from the Earth, for you are all at fault. Hardest of all beloved, be prepared to forgive those who have wounded you deepest. Begin the work of reconciliation and forgiveness with a good heart and Divine Grace will be bestowed upon your labours. You cannot carry the burdens of the past; ego, violence, cruelty, oppression, lust, power, hatred and injustice into the future. These may not pass through the portal. All must be reconciled here by you.
The door to your common future is open. Beyond it shines a light so brilliant and dazzling that none have seen its full glory and splendour. The light will lead you. Let it be shared by all, it belongs to all for you are all Divine. Extend the hand of love across race, creed, colour. Cross all barriers. Let nothing divide that which is already whole. Come, cross the Great Waters to your future. It is your destiny to arrive. There is a blessing on all who serve.
 References for the World Parliament are plentiful I hope that you will follow some of the links here generaly on the net.
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