Well, actually keeping secrets from one another in [u:ca54e98986]any[/u:ca54e98986] relationship is asking for all sorts of trouble. And one would have to ask why this is being done. Were my wife and I to keep secrets from one another, it would be clear that we were having one of the first failings of any solid relationship; communications. Without clear, open and honest communications, any relationship is doomed.
One of the reasons I think the New Warrors like to keep this secret is that if anyone knew what goes on over the weekend they would:
A: Start laughing. Reading the manual out of the context of “What was done.” Or that, I was struck with how farcical it really seems. For example:
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King/Elder
Empowering Intent: Each initiate basks for a moment in the light as he descends into darkness. As each man directly confronts the ultimate questions of life he gets a brief vision of a higher purpose (sacred king & mission) before he continues the descent into chaos and blackness.
Energy Embodied: The blessing, fatherly, loving and gracious king.
Materials:
___ White headband
___ Candles
Timing: Early in the greeting. Somewhere between challenger and the contraband room.
Notes to the King/Elder: Make real statements of inquiry, light questions. This permits more room to not answer, as many men will not have any answer. We want at this point for initiates to "hear" and hold the question. You may be surprised by the deep (perhaps archetypal) recognition men display when they feel these questions. You may see or feel them jump, jolt or startle.
Preparation: A ritual elder serving as the symbolic "king" dresses in black except for a white headband. You stand or sit in a dark room or outside in nature with a candles placed so as to illuminate both your eyes and the initiates eyes. Do not take full ashes on your face.
Process: Escort leads initiate to King/Elder and says: "Knock on that door." or "See that man."
King/Elder says, "Enter" or "Step forward"
Initiate enters and sees dimly the figure of an elder. Gently and firmly invite the initiate to step forward until you can easily see each others eyes.
(Example: "Take another step closer".) Establish clear eye contact.
King internally, silently blesses the man before him. (Blessing: feel your belly soft and send a prayer.)
King/Elder says: "Tell me your last name." Even if he has passed table one and has his number, ask his name. This will keep the elder contact personal and help jar him momentarily out of his descent thereby getting his attention for the questions. Listen for his name. Example: Smith or Jones
King/Elder says: "Smith, tell me (dramatic pause) your life mission."
Note: Be sure to say "Life" mission. Even if a man does not have one he knows what that means.
Stay in eye contact and accept whatever the initiate says. (15 seconds) Count slowly 15 seconds, Stay in the quiet void, keep blessing him as he struggles and struggles in the question.
Initiates will likely stumble, or give a surface level answer. Some will clearly state a mission or make one up and some will say "I don't have one."
Accept whatever he says. And say "Thank You." (pause)
King/Elder says: "Smith tell me, (pause) Who do you serve?"
Initiate will likely stumble again with an answer. Some will have some version of his inner king, some will say god, some may say "myself" and some may not know. (15 seconds) Stay in eye contact and accept whatever he says.
King/Elder says: "Thank you" (perhaps a small bow) and points "Knock on that door." or Points to the escort, "Return to that man".
Escort then takes him to next step of the descent.
Having not experienced this – it was not done during the weekend I went on – It could be read as something from a college initiation, and we all know who silly those area. I mean, ashes on your face, sitting lighted by a candle. All of this preceded and followed by being shoved around from place to place by an ‘escort’.
Or B: See the process as one not too different than that of brainwashing. For example:
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Empowering Intent: Initiates surrender some more of the security of their outside world.
Begin stripping initiates of personal items.
Energy Embodied: Direct and matter-of fact.
Materials:
___ Zip lock bags
___ 3x5 cards
___ Marker
Preparation: Make a list of contraband items (see #1 below) in black marker.
Post list on wall where it can be easily seen by initiates.
1. Memorize and state clearly to each initiate as he steps forward, "Put all jewelry, keys, money, electrical devices, sacred objects, tobacco, weapons, drugs, time pieces, and food in this bag."
Note: Some centers have the man put all medications, prescription and over the counter, in a separate baggie. This bag gets another 3x5 card with the man's number in red.
Note: Some centers treat tobacco as a medicine and put it in this second bag too.
Hand him the bag(s).
2. If initiate says anything, repeat #1.
3. Write initiate's number on 3x5" card ? put in bag ? seal bag. Hand bag to initiate. He will carry bag into contraband room.
4. Say "Stand over there" and point to the spot or "See that man" point to an escort.
Note: sacred objects has been added to cover wedding rings, crosses, medicine pouches, etc.
First off, taking things away from someone as empowering? Hmm. Hard to understand that one.
Secondly, part of brainwashing as a process is to remove the persons identity and relationship to things they have.
People like to be in on secrets. It makes them feel special. They know something no one else does. Often times someone will come forward and tell a secret, and then the truth is out in the open.
But, if a couple - hetrosexual or homosexual - are keeping secrets from one another, that, IMHO is the spark of things going wrong.
I agree Ginah, that this secrecy puts the MKP in a bad light. Anyway, some of us know what goes on during the weekend; some of us have read the manual or a summary of it and have some research on what this group does.
Bringing the light of day into the darkness of a group that truly lives in a shadow. A shadow of secrecy.