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In the distant past, the Esoteric Science or the science of the inner self, was the only concern of man; since self-knowledge was the sole knowledge he yearned for and worked hard to attain. Man became aware of this yearning to know the secrets of the self ever since he became self-conscious. The intensity of feeling would wax or wane depending on the culture and civilization of the particular period. Yet, the nature of that feeling never changed, and the yearning never abandoned the human soul.
Man, in that distant past, had the intuitive or spontaneous realization that through the knowledge of the self he would gain knowledge of nature and the universe, and eventually of his Creator. Nevertheless, man in general did not keep to that path of inner development long; he deviated gradually by dint of adverse conditions, or because of clinging to the material world… and he lost the opportunity to attain self-knowledge, the loftiest and most comprehensive knowledge which joins the knowledge of Matter and Spirit as one.
Realizing his inability to know himself, due to giving up the right humane path, man started to seek knowledge outside himself. He sought the knowledge which his senses would procure. He turned to the study of nature and matter, of stars, planets and space. This marked the outset of straying from the right path which had nearly conducted him to the objective of his existence. Man’s consequent indulgence in materialistic desires and physical lusts only served to imprison his mind and to keep it from proceeding towards the depths of his being.
Despite his absorption with material knowledge, man kept feeling the necessity of knowing himself, and the importance of delving into the unknown secrets of his being. He knew that no mundane science could fathom the depth of his self… and that everything orbited around himself. Yet, man himself was far off from understanding himself. He was preoccupied with understanding matter, and the composition of matter… until he got himself caught in its fake appearances, and submitted to its shackles and temptations… assuming that knowledge of matter is the one and true knowledge!
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