1. History. Similar Examples
World history is the biography of great people.
Thomas Carlyle
1.1. Personality Development
Throughout history, the most significant achievements in human history (empires, spiritual and chivalric orders, Ancient Rome, Sparta, Byzantium, others) have been characterized by a high level of state organization, a significant role for the spiritual dimension in society, and a high level of personnel training, where the development of honest, loyal, highly effective, and highly motivated individuals was given top priority.
To achieve this goal, three main tasks were almost always addressed:
- Task 1. A clear spiritual and moral standard was defined—in effect, a model of the ideal person (a strong, dignified, and noble individual).
- Task 2. Half of the instructional time was devoted to programs aimed at character development (honor, faith, ethics, manners, strong personal qualities, etc.).
- Task 3. All other factors affecting the final result were standardized: rules of conduct, relationships, traditions, etc.
These challenges have been addressed many times throughout history, and they are among the key challenges that must be addressed in the society of the future. The activities of the author’s scientific and educational center, “The System of Academician M.Y. Mianiee,” are dedicated to addressing the full range of these very challenges.
Mianiy M.Y. “Manifesto” (excerpts)
“The following are the main lessons of history. They represent the best aspects of history, which we must revive.
- The Height of a Civilization’s Glory. Key Criteria:
• Longevity—hundreds of years of flourishing and prosperity (under various rulers).
• Major contributions to the development of humanity in various spheres of life.
• Outstanding figures and events that serve as examples in the writing of history. - States, empires, and organizations that reached the greatest heights in history:
• Ancient Greece (Athens, Sparta: 8 centuries of glory, the finest warriors, a golden age of philosophy, art, etc.);
• The Roman Empire (500 years of greatness, law, military prowess, traditions, etc.);
• Religious and chivalric orders (nearly 1,000 years of valor and struggle; at their peak, they were comparable in power to the empires of that time);
• The Russian Empire (300 years of prosperity);
• Others - This is how they achieved their Golden Age and Greatness:
3.1. The combination of all key success factors:
• A moral standard (based on a particular teaching)—what is worthy and what is unworthy. Everything else is judged in accordance with this standard.
• Just Government. The Foundation: Service. Outstanding Individuals.
• Qualified Personnel — Character Development. The Foundation: Service, Honor, Glory.
• A Just Law — Conformity to a Moral Standard.
• Healthy Relationships — a purposeful process of development.
• A noble tradition—to bring people together, “to celebrate the best and the finest, and to expose and condemn vice.”
3.2. Requirements for character development common to all great states and empires:
• Training begins at ages 5–7; the average duration of training is 20 years or more.
• Character Development — the foundation of education: the meaning of life, personal qualities, self-management, ethical behavior, the arts (dance, singing, etc.), physical education, etc.
• Other sciences.
• Thanks to this training, strong, noble people were forged—people capable of establishing and defending great states, empires, and orders. - Knighthood throughout history (especially within spiritual-chivalric orders) represents the pinnacle of personal development: an entire life devoted to service, outstanding personal qualities (in accordance with the Code), and comprehensive training (appropriate to the rank of Warrior, Officer, or Ruler).
- When drawing on history in the process of character development, we must adhere to the principle: “Revive and multiply all that is best”: Honor, Valor, Nobility, Strength of Spirit, and much more. Mistakes (fanaticism, spiritual emptiness, imbalances, etc.) must no longer be tolerated.
- To this end, taking into account modern requirements, we must address challenges that have already been resolved throughout history:
• develop a Moral Standard,
• develop methodologies and programs for the formation of:
· worthy rulers;
· worthy individuals (the elite and citizens);
· Worthy Laws;
· Worthy Relationships;
· Worthy traditions.
“All that is best has already happened many times throughout history, as evidenced by hundreds of worthy examples. And we are confident that this challenge can be met, that ‘reviving and building upon all that is best’ is both possible and necessary!”
1.2. Esotericism
1. By “esotericism,” we mean the science of:
• how the human soul, the Subtle Worlds, and all that exists are structured in detail from the perspective of their energetic composition and the informational processes occurring within them;
• how all of this works, what energetic, karmic, spiritual, and other laws govern it, what is “right” and “wrong” from the perspective of the Higher Powers, and how the laws of Cause and Effect (Karma) operate,
• what potential God has instilled in human beings and in this world; what is the purpose of humanity and our society, our Universe, etc.;
• how (through development techniques, etc.) one can achieve the best possible results.
2. From this perspective, esotericism—as a means of communicating with the Subtle World and a tool for unlocking the greatest possible inner strength—has always existed. It was precisely esoteric individuals—who, for one reason or another, possessed the gift of communicating with the Subtle World—who became the founders of the world’s major teachings and religions, as well as apostles and prophets. At the same time, in religion, esoteric knowledge (the detailed structure of the Subtle Worlds, among other things) is most often presented in a highly simplified form. For example, Christianity states that the soul is the most important thing for a person, but there is no description of how it is structured. In Hinduism and Buddhism, the structure of the soul is detailed down to the level of the chakras, but there is also no detailed description of the internal structure of the chakras themselves.
In most esoteric texts, however—including the best-known ones, such as the *Yoga Sutras of Patanjali* and the *Rigveda*—esoteric knowledge is presented in a coded form that is understandable to the initiated but incomprehensible to others. For example: “Concentration on the power of an elephant yields corresponding power” (Patanjali’s *Yoga Sutras*). An ordinary person understands that one must focus one’s attention on a real elephant. The initiate, however, understands that this is not a real elephant, but rather a symbol associated with the Muladhara chakra. Concentrating on this symbol activates the corresponding energy systems, which provide the necessary strength. How to do this correctly, and under what conditions it works—that’s a whole other story.
3. In the past, esoteric knowledge was passed on only to those students in whom the Teacher had confidence. They had to possess the necessary degree of devotion to the Path of Light, sufficient purity (free from evil), an appropriate level of development (the ability to understand and use this knowledge for good), and have completed all the necessary stages of training and testing.
It is precisely esoteric knowledge—both in the past and in the present—that has given and continues to give people the corresponding abilities and powers: the gift of vision and communication with the Subtle World (which allows one to understand the causes of problems, heal people, and change their destinies with the help of Higher Powers); incredible physical abilities (the “miracles” demonstrated by yogis, Buddhists, and monks), etc.
At the same time, practices such as meditation, energy work, self-restraint, self-control, heartfelt prayer, and others are increasingly becoming the norm for most successful people.
Esotericism has always existed, continues to exist, and benefits people even today. But, by and large, most people’s understanding of this field—including that of leading coaches—remains rudimentary: lacking a detailed description of the structure of the Soul and the Subtle Realms, a clear definition of Good and Evil, levels of development, Spiritual Laws, and much more.
Therefore, our goal is to create a new Teaching, one that systematizes all existing knowledge and presents it in greater detail, enabling it to be applied far more effectively. At the same time, it is logical and natural that in the future, the elite of society will consist of people with awakened extrasensory abilities—those capable of managing their energy, who have succeeded in unlocking their inner strength, and who have received the full protection of the gods.
1.3. History. Our Attitude Toward It
“History is written by the victors”—that is precisely why every government (in most countries around the world, and the CIS countries are no exception) rewrites it to suit its own interests—glorifying itself and denigrating its rivals.
That is precisely why, after studying history in high school, we do not marvel at the outstanding achievements of the past or the greatness of the human spirit, which soared to incredible heights. We do not value spirituality as the foundation for the formation of states from disparate tribes, as the foundation of traditions, laws, and moral values, or as the foundation for most of the outstanding achievements of the past.
Many people believe that they are living at the pinnacle of civilization, that our society has reached perfection. This is only partially true—from the perspective of scientific and technological progress. From the perspective of spiritual and physical development, however, in most cases this represents a terrifying decline:
• Compared to ancient Greek and Roman sculptures, perhaps only one person in 10,000 looks decent;
• Obesity has become a national disease in many countries;
• Nine out of ten high school graduates are unfit for military service, etc.
By and large, people of the past (during history’s better periods, of course) didn’t know what despondency or depression were; they didn’t lie, cheat, or betray one another. From the oath of the Knights Templar: “In the presence of three enemies, I will not flee, but will fight them if they are infidels…” The Knights of the Order of Saint Lazarus (which consisted mainly of lepers) fought without helmets, giving thanks to God, striking terror into their enemies—including with their faces, disfigured by the disease. At the same time, like monks, they cared for the sick and provided other forms of assistance to people.
The best of history—it is essential to know it and understand the reasons behind its greatness, successes, and victories. We must love history, admire it, and take pride in the outstanding examples of the past. This provides the foundation for a fire in the heart and a passionate faith—including faith in oneself as the heir to all that is best—and in one’s own bright future. But if a person sees only evil, weakness, and vice in the past, then he becomes the heir to precisely that—evil, weakness, and vice.
Of course, there have been dark chapters in history, and if a person’s goal is to be wise and spiritual, then the unpleasant chapters of history should help them draw the right conclusions. Namely: through what mistakes, weaknesses, and vices, and through what violations of Spiritual Laws, does evil infiltrate a person, an organization, or society, and how does it destroy them from within? So that one may never allow this to happen within oneself or in one’s own destiny. Preferably, of course, in one’s own country as well.
Therefore, our goal is to foster precisely this attitude toward history—that is, to understand history from the perspective of the development of spiritual processes. We must value, respect, and celebrate all that is best and the best of people, and draw strength from all that is best. Evil, weakness, and vice in all their manifestations—we must understand, alleviate, and eliminate them. We must not be puppets of vices and problems, nor must we be “Ivans who have forgotten their kin”—estranged from all that is bright and best in our history.
From the book by M.Y. Mianii, *The Spirit of Chivalry: Book 3—The Order, The Brotherhood* ( forthcoming)
“… There is harmony between love and awe, just as there is between enmity and contempt; therefore, people, paying due respect to his nobility of spirit, the refinement of his manners, and the high honor bestowed upon the knight, … will come to love him and tremble before him; and then, along with love , mercy and goodwill will return to the world, and along with awe , truth and justice will return.
To the noble and mighty Knight a heart is given so that his noble spirit may find a home within him, so that there may be room in him for compassion and empathy, for help and care, so that he might turn his gaze toward those who look to knights with hope, expecting from them help, protection, and attention to their concerns.
Deprived of Faith cannot possess good character, for only faith allows him to see God and His Creation with the eye of his mind, and only faith instills in him hope, love, devotion, and a willingness to serve the truth.
Hope nurtures memories of God during during the battle, which brings victory in battles, for the knights hope and trust in God’s power rather than in their own strength and weapons.
Deprived of Love , a knight will be cruel and merciless; but since cruelty and mercilessness are alien to the nature of chivalry, a knight ought to be merciful.
Wisdom — is a virtue that helps us discern Good and Evil, endowing us with the knowledge that allows us to love Good and avoid Evil.