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In the context of Ancient Greek philosophy, the terms "esoteric" and "exoteric" were sometimes used by scholars not to denote that there was secrecy, but to distinguish two procedures of research and education: the first reserved for teachings that were developed "within the walls" of the philosophical school, among a circle of thinkers ("eso-" indicating what is unseen, as in the classes ...
Esoteric Christianity is a mystical approach to Christianity which features "secret traditions" that require an initiation to learn or understand. [1] The term esoteric was coined in the 17th century and derives from the Greek ἐσωτερικός ( esôterikos , "inner").
The terms esoteric and arcane can also be used to describe the occult, [4] [5] in addition to their meanings unrelated to the supernatural. The term occult sciences was used in the 16th century to refer to astrology, alchemy, and natural magic, which today are considered pseudosciences.
Eastern esotericism, a broad range of religious beliefs and practices originating from the Eastern world, characterized by esoteric, secretive, or occult elements Western esotericism , a wide range of loosely related ideas and movements that developed within Western society
The most esoteric Idrot sections of the classic Zohar make reference to hypostatic male and female Partzufim (Divine Personas) displacing the Sephirot, manifestations of God in particular Anthropomorphic symbolic personalities based on Biblical esoteric exegesis and midrashic narratives. Lurianic Kabbalah places these at the centre of our ...
The esoteric or the inward dimension of tradition, on the other hand, encompasses "not only its spiritual substance, but also its intellectual qualities". Islam, for example, divides its exoteric and esoteric aspects into the Sharia and the Tariqa, respectively. The Kabbalah is considered esoteric in Judaism as opposed to the exoteric ...
Examples that bring difficulty are the use of the occult in modern Japan, in new religious movements such as the Oomoto, or the doctrine of Ruhollah Khomeini in Iran - both situations being asserted to be emic esoteric innovations avowedly opposed to Western thought; [21] [37] [38] or else the emergence of new emic demarcations of esotericism ...
Exoteric Mahayana sutras also contain hidden esoteric meanings which Kūkai discusses in his works. For example, the title of the Lotus Sutra is considered a mantra by Kūkai. Kūkai held that exoteric doctrines were upāyas ("skillful means"), teachings adapted to the needs of beings according to their capacities and time.