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Listeners of the Order of Nazorean Essenes |
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The Listeners (Shama) of the Order of O:N:E: are a spiritual family having belief in the ancient
Nazorean Way and faith in Yeshu (Gnostic Jesus), Miriam (Maria), Miryai (Mary Magdalene), and Mani.
Ancient Essenes, Nazoreans and Manichaeans, both married and celibate,
lived in cities, villages, communes and isolated hermitages. Modern Essenes
are welcome to do the same, choosing the lifestyle best suited to their
needs and temperament. Listeners of the Order of Nazorean Essenes are allowed
to set their own agenda for spiritual advancement and to associate with
the Order as little or as much as seems appropriate to them.
Lay members in the
early pre-Christ phase were called by the Aramaic word "Mandai" (Gnostic,
or "Knowing Ones"), by the Aramaic word "Nazorai" (Nazoreans, or
"Knowing Ones", the People of Truth) during the early Christian era, and
by the term Shama, or Listener, or Hearer, during later Manichaean phases.
Al three terms are used interchangeably by the modern Order. They refer
to those initiated into the first 20 of the 50 Gates of Initiation.
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