Sorry for my error about who posted what.
I suppose it's my turn to apologize for apparently not expressing myself clearly enough.
In the Albertus context, I was referring to his
'inner circle' of closer acquaintances, as many people have such circles. It is an issue which includes aspects of a more
personal nature.
This is not to be confused with the
'Inner Circles' of Wisdom and the
natural Hierarchies (and Orbits) of the perceived Universe & Reality.
There has always been the Exoteric for the multitude and the Esoteric for the few. It is the Earth that orbits the Sun and the Moon which orbits Earth.
It only takes a comparison between the Exoteric Bible and the Gnostic Gospels, for example. The Exoteric (OUTER circle) is designed to keep the masses in check under one
'divine' (yet personified & anthropomorphized)
'authority', have them make babies and basically keep them from killing/hurting each other. The Esoteric, on the other hand, tells a
quite different/deeper story. But you go and try to explain to someone the concept of
"making the male like the female and the female like the male" (for example). That should do the trick is assisting one to understand (first hand) the "Inner Circles" of Wisdom.
There are Circles and Orbits everywhere. In nature, in the Celestial Bodies and in people as well. Some circles are more
"inner" than others. Way it goes. Like throwing a stone in the water.
I am more then willing to listen to those wiser them myself.
Just out of curiosity, have you met/heard many such people?
What would you say would be the ratio of
'more wise' to
'less wise' (than yourself) people in your life?
However 'inner circles' can stick their pontificating were the sun does not shine.
Quoth Chemical Moonshine:
The Philosophers have a Garden, wherein the Sun is without ceasing, morning an evening, Day and Night always.
Now, more specifically to the topic of this thread, in my understanding we are entering any perceived reality in a certain
'Orbit', particular to each individual.
Most people are content with learning to handle the tasks and experiences particular to their given
'Orbit', and have close to no actual drive to
'jump orbits' or to
'spiral in' towards Center.
Those who actually take on a spiral, are consciously approaching/entering more
'inner' orbits/circles.
This is a process of Initiation, which is usually triggered both by the innate internal drive/motivation and by factors perceived as 'external'.
The Center, when (not 'if') reached, is the gateway to the next level.
This process happens on its own anyway, naturally but at what may be perceived as a relatively
'slow' pace.
This is one reason I am so fond of referring to Alchemy as a means to
'accelerated evolution'.
So, again,
'where to begin'... We begin in our given orbits/circles. Not everyone enters the same orbit.
Some enter closer, some farther, depending on various factors. Some more
'inner circle', some more
'outer circle' (relatively).
The
'Entry Orbit' is not THE deciding factor for finding The Exit.
Some enter
'farther', and jump more
'orbits'/
'circles' in a lifetime than it takes others who enter
'closer' to jump in many lifetimes.
The Inner Circles of Wisdom do not pontificate. The more common
'inner circles' of the orbit-bound, however, can surely do so, loud and often.