Atma-Vidya

(Sanskrit) From atma (self) and vidya (conscious knowledge).

"What is fundamental is Atma-Vidya; it includes all of the former sciences (Kabbalah, chiromancy, astrology, occult physiology, scientific cartomancy, etc.,) in their essential aspect and can even use them occasionally; but it only utilizes their quintessential extracts purified of all dross. The golden door of wisdom can transform itself into the wide door and broad path, which leads to destruction, the door of magical arts practiced with egotistical ends. We are in the Age of Kali Yuga, the Iron Age, the Black Age and all the students of occultism are predisposed to becoming lost in the black path. It is astonishing to see the mistaken concept held by the “younger brothers” regarding occultism and the ease with which they believe they can reach the door and cross the threshold of mystery without a great sacrifice. To attain the Atma-Vidya without the Three Factors for the revolution of consciousness is impossible. To attain the Atma-Vidya is impossible without first having attained the Second Birth. To attain the Atma-Vidya is impossible without the death of the pluralized I. To attain the Atma-Vidya is impossible without sacrifice for humanity. It is not the law of evolution that confers the Atma-Vidya upon us. It is not the law of devolution that confers the Atma-Vidya upon us. It is only on the basis of tremendous and frightening Inner Revolutions, that we arrive at the Atma-Vidya." - Samael Aun Weor, The Esoteric Treatise of Hermetic Astrology