Study on Hierarchy

part 3

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In part one and two of our study on hierarchy, we built upon our observations that we find in the natural world, and in particular the human body. Within these natural hierarchies we see, generally, 3 levels that have associated duties and tasks that are carried out. Further we noted that those 3 levels must work harmoniously one with the other as they are dependent upon one another. In short, no one level is more important than any other.

We also noted in our previous study that we need to broaden our thinking in order to consider not just a bottom up material approach, but to also pay attention to a top down approach as well. Specifically, we need to address the possibility that matter, atoms and molecules in themselves, are not always the starting point for all our explanations for the reality that is around us. Indeed, matter is not the only thing that exists within our creation. After all, where did this matter come from in the first place? Where does the first thought or the first emotion come from? This immediately forces us to consider that must be, or might be, a directing agent as well as an intermediary factor, that are invisible to our senses and being, and which are acting on the physical realm.

Taking an example, when we consider a human being as a whole, we find a ternary expression in our body. That is, the head, chest and abdomen. In the abdomen, the digestive system provides energy for the other two levels - the chest and brain. The digestive system is therefore an essential factor for the maintenance of whole. The chest, which is associated with the heart and circulatory system, ensures that the energy provided by the abdomen is delivered along with oxygen from the lungs, to the brain and every other cell in the body. In short, each of the three levels are necessary for the harmonious working of the body. We conclude that no level in the hierarchy can be considered superior to or inferior to the other from the perspective of necessity. But of course, each level has its particular role and carries out tasks specific to that level. We must also consider the hierarchy of necessity.

We find in our head a brain which corresponds analogically to our spirit, the thing that allows us to think. The brain is composed of a very fine material that is more sensitive than that of the rest of the body. This brain is the directing factor and as such, it comes first in our hierarchy. At the other extreme of the body, our digestive system is made up of a much less sensitive material and hierarchically acts as the factor that executes the directions of the brain. The digestive system is therefore the executive function. The stomach has as its purpose the digesting and processing of food in order to nourishes all the cells of the whole body. It is third our hierarchy as it is seemingly more subordinate. The intermediary factor is associated with the nervous system which sends the directives of the brain to the body to be executed. This intermediary factor also returns the sense data or impressions in the body, back up the hierarchy to the brain.

The construction of both the brain and stomach have their own particular wisdom. The brain is a complete mystery to us and even the mechanism of digestion and the conversion of food into energy is still not fully understood by science. To repeat once again, the brain and digestive system are equally necessary and inseparable parts of the body. Likewise, the intermediate nervous system, which comes second level in our hierarchy, is also essential for the smooth running of the body.

There is an equality in both the construction and participation of these three levels in this hierarchy, but the brain comes first in the hierarchy as it has a much greater number of tasks to manage when compared to, for instance, the digestive system. We note that the digestive system is only working intermittently while our brain is in constant activity even during deep sleep. For instance, it is maintaining the beating of the heart, our breathing and so on. So, we can say that as we climb up the hierarchical levels, each level accumulates a greater number of duties and obligations.

In part 3 we will consider the application of hierarchy within social organisations and the definition that we are using in the Order for hierarchy.

Before we focus on hierarchy as applied within humanity, we can state that hierarchy is the arrangement of items:- objects, names, values, categories, etc., represented as being above or below one another, or categorised as being at the same level in the hierarchy. Hierarchy is a word taken from Greek - ιεραρχία - and means the "rule of a high priest" or the "leader of sacred rites".

When we compare a natural to a social hierarchy, we also find within society three basic forms of social power. That is, the ecclesiastical, political (which includes labour relations) and the military. We note here that the political form covers a vast area within our society and there are a large number of courses on management and business organisation that are teaching a wide range of different theories on this subject.

We should not forget however, that such courses have their own particular perspective in that they focus on employee work efficiency and are mainly concerned with maximising profit. As adherents, we need to be careful that we do not take onboard such approaches as we can end up seeing human interactions purely from the view of profit rather than, at least, consider matters from the inverse point of view. This is because as someone rises up the hierarchy, their duties and obligations are reduced. Additionally, as one rises up those hierarchy the benefits and monetary gain increases.

In short, due to our exposure to such teachings, we can end up ignoring and misunderstanding "natural" hierarchical relationships assuming that autocracy is the normal state of affairs. We must come to our own judgment on such matters, as long as we are guided by how creation is organising itself in a "true" hierarchical manner. In brief, I would also note that nature is not baking in any form of financial profit motive.

Let me give a personal example which I hope will reveal to us the differences and a true application of hierarchy that I came across in the Order.

When I was first investigating whether I wanted to be involved with the Order of the Lily and Eagle, I visited the then head of the Attica formation at his home. It was later evening and after a few hours of discussion I eventually came to the question, … "so, how much will all this cost me?" Of course I was expecting this to be a financial cost. In response he said, … "it will only cost you your own time and your own effort."

Now I knew that the Order was running various colleges in rented rooms in Athens, and that Attica was collecting rent from those who attended those colleges. I pointed this out to him, as there was a financial cost involved. After a moments consideration, the General Governor of Attica said, … "the college in question has a total of 15 members plus 2 senior members who are acting as the director and president of that college." "Yes my dear, we have a female and a male leader in every college, to represent the ray of Love and Wisdom."

He continued, … "So, by taking the cost of the monthly rent, and dividing it by 19." I stopped him at that moment and said, … "surely you mean you divide by 17, 15 plus the 2 senior members." "No"" he said, "we divide by 19 as the president and director of each college is providing twice the amount of money towards the rent of the room than do the other 15 members."

After a moment’s pause he said, …"Actually, if any member is unable to pay their portion towards the rent, or can only pay a part, the director and president are making up the difference."

Then he said, "this is an example of properly understood hierarchy."

After a moment thought he said, … "Yes my dear, Attica does not own anything as this would tend to attract people who are only interested and attracted to wealth. We in Attica are mainly interested in helping people to study and apply the teaching of the Marie with the aim of affirming their own true personality."

Here we have one of the reasons why hierarchies are badly and incorrectly expressed in various organisations that we find in society. In other words, the gaining of power and influence through the accumulation of money. We can say it is a hierarchy of money or a hierarchy of power, or simply the lust for money. In such cases, as someone climbs up the hierarchy, they end up neglect their duties as they employ themselves chasing money, power and influence. Accordingly, they transfer all their duties and obligation to their subordinates, apart from those powers that maintain their authority which add to their wealth. In this way, and in most cases, social collectives are based on wrongly understood hierarchy.

At the end of our previous study on Hierarchy, we mentioned that the Order defines hierarchy as a gradual and sacred authority. We will now address this.

Why do we say authority is, or should be, gradual and sacred?

At first glance we might find this definition somewhat divorced from the world around us, but let us first address the meaning of the words used in this definition before we draw any conclusions.

What do we mean by the word authority?

First, we assume that someone who has the authority or a greater authority than someone else, should be placed higher up in a social hierarchy, in what we can call the hierarchy of authority.

In addition, the characteristic of someone who has authority is that they are authentic, in that they are simple being who they are. When we say someone is authentic, we mean that the person is not fake and are not devious or pretending to be something that they are not. They are genuine, trustworthy and you get what you see. They will be reliable, dependable and therefore we considered them to be legitimate. Accordingly, this person will have an authority in part due to their expertise in a particular field, or due to the extent of their particular knowledge, or because they possess this quality that that marks them out to be in charge.

As an example, if we consider a crew that flies an aircraft there will be a first officer or captain who acts as the main pilot. There will also be a co-pilot and a navigator who complete the hierarchy within the cockpit. Overall, the main pilot is the senior officer who is directing all matters in the cockpit, but if the navigator tell the pilot to steer in a particular direction, the pilot then becomes subordinate to the navigator and is then obliged to follow the navigator’s direction. This remains true even if the pilot disagrees. This is because the navigating officer’s expertise is great than the pilot. In other words, the navigator has the authentic and valid expertise in relation to navigation and is therefore given the necessary authority over the senior officer in this situation.

Now, we know that there are many ways for someone to gain power. Authority can be assumed by anyone by reason of their personal physical presence, a bully who is using fear as their main weapon, or due to inheritance due an accident of history. Those who gain or have such power, will often be unscrupulous individuals who will use their power to impose their will on others.

Now Marie noted that power takes precedence over morality and said regarding humanity:

"I have watched Humanity and its existence on Earth and in the worlds.
People are the same everywhere, and everywhere they believe the same truth or the same delusion.
They fear power and dominates through power."

Of course, power is a significant factor when we consider who has authority over others, but if we exclude power as hierarchy’s sole characteristic, what remains is reliability, legitimacy and authority, and by extension, authenticity.

If we now consider someone who is not authentic and is acting from a place of power, we very quickly come to the conclusion that this person lacks any authority at all. I am sure you will have plenty of examples of such individuals from your work place and indeed, we have numerous examples from the political realm. Eventually, those who lack competency will always end up losing their authority.

Now according to our definition, this authority is considered to be sacred, or we it is characterized as being sanctified. We do not mean that this is some sort of religious ceremony that the so called leader receives as the overall leader in the hierarchy. No, it is an authority that is derived and mandated from the spiritual or invisible realm.

When this spiritual mandate is expressed in the material realm, such an authority has no possibility of being false, unnatural or fraudulent in any way. A sacred authority is authentic in its very nature, and where it exists, it is by itself able to naturally establish its own authority. I mention is passing, we probably also know individuals who we say are "natural leaders", not because of social position or due to exaggerated promotions, I mean that there are individuals who people naturally turn to for guidance, in an instinctive manner, and not because they have money or money or influence.

What will an authentic power be like when it is imposed by such a person?

This power can only be based on what that person manifests. We can say that such a power will be based on the personal value or their personal worth. By value or worth we do not mean how much money the person has or how rich they are. We are not referring to the hierarchy of wealth. We speak about the mental and emotion worth of that individual. Now if someone has no value or is without worth, they are not authentic, they will have no power or authority as others will not respect them.

In our practical definition of hierarchy, we said that authority is not only sacred but it is also gradual. We have also pointed out that authority of someone is founded the person’s value or worth. This gives a number of signs or virtues that we should expect from a senior member of our hierarchy. In short, we should expect our own hierarchy in the material realm, should be a "true" reflection of the divine hierarchy, just as we expect each individual to express their true personality based upon their Higher Ego, rather than being based on their lower ego.

Moving onto the term gradual authority, this refers to the fact each person is born without a fully formed personality, or indeed, the full development their physical attributes. That is, the baby is in a state of potential. It has the potential to become an athlete or a sage, or indeed, both. It is in this sense we use the term gradual, as someone will gain over time, the necessary skills and moral fortitude to express and manifest their true authority and true worth and true personality. Here I speak about authority mandated by the invisible or spiritual realm.

If we consider a child who is characterised as a prodigy or who has an extreme talent at a young age, the child will still have to make a personal effort in order express and manifest those gifts. As we know, a baby is only able to walk if it makes a continuous effort to first stand up, and then take its first steps.

So, over a period of time an individual gradually develops their skills and their personal worth. I would also add that we would expect that someone who seeks to be in authority, should experience what it is like to be a subordinate simply because it is necessary form them to experienced what it feels like to be on the received end of false authority as opposed to what should be a true one. In this way, someone’s authority can only be established if it is based on their personal effort.

There are many such historical examples of people who were by no means born with any authority whatsoever, but who gained it through the gradual development of the necessary means. In this way, personal worth that ensures authority is gained gradually in an incremental way and of course, varies from person to person due to the law of dissimilarity, and because of the associated level and degree of their spiritual development.

In passing, I note that someone who has the spiritual mandate to be in authority, but who has not managed to manifest their true personality, will not be able to be effective in wielding power and authority. Indeed, they may actually do great harm because the impurities in their being will end up polluting the hierarchy and authority that they have to wield.

We have covered sacred authority that evolves from the individual’s personal worth, which gains the respect of others as this person is natural, straightforward and true. It is sacred because we see that it has been acquired after considerable and painstaking effort and is therefore based on the person’s own effort, and their authority is without any exaggeration. Thus far, we have covered the concept of sacred authority as manifested by someone in accordance with their worth that it has been gained and validated gradually over a period of time.

So, when we use the word gradual, it does not only mean something that is achieved in a slow and steady manner, but is primarily something that is a progressive accumulation and extension of the individual’s capabilities and worth - formed, developed and organised in an ascending manner.

Therefore, authority should not just be the privilege of a supreme or sovereign ruler at the top of a hierarchy, as the junior or inferior levels will also have their own associated authority.

In passing, we should not forget that any organisation where there is only one individual at the top who is the only one with the authority to make all the decisions, you will then find an organisation that will eventually become barren and destined for destruction.

Regarding the dissimilarity between the hierarchical levels and within one particular level, let us consider an intellectual and wise person who defers to a craftsman who is a master of their art. The authority of the craftsman in their specialised field cannot or should not be questioned, even by a wise person who is ignorant in that field. Conversely, if this craftsman tries to slowly and gradually extend their intellect over a life time, or even several life times, they will probably never acquire the necessary authority or level of wisdom of a sage. This does not mean that someone should not seek out wisdom and improve themselves, for the grade and authority will always be given, even if the level is lower and the incremental steps are reduced in size.

When we examine either natural or social hierarchies, it appears that there is a link with the law of dissimilarity within and between the levels of a hierarchy. That is, we clearly see differences between one level of the hierarchy to another and dissimilarities within any given level.

So, is hierarchy subject to the law of dissimilarity, or due to it? Which comes first? Do physical and social hierarchies negate the equal worth of each personality? I leave you to investigate these questions for yourself. Afterall, an adherent must come to their own conclusions and not be driven the latest fads or theories that the media feeds us. In short, we must all search for the truth, the truth has always been so, and will always be true in the future.

Now within the Order itself, we know that each member has as their personal goal the formation of their own free and independent personality. We might have a large number of individuals who have gathered their own personal worth due to their persistent and gradual effort, and have thus accumulated a certain degree of authority due to their personal merit and worth. But how will the hierarchy of these individuals within the Order be determined? We might even ask whether we actually need to have such an arrangement or organisation at all?

Put simply, we have the issue of the clash of lower egos, with each believing that short be in charge over all others. This shows to us that such individuals have not managed to create their true personality and are driven by their lower desires and passions, and in some cases, their physical preferences and vices.

As Marie put it, the Order is a … "… wholly conventional association of people, with each of one of its component elements is a free and independent, and is isolated among their brethren and must form, according to their inner drive, a personality relative to their character and spiritual evolution." So, our Order is a conventional association of individuals, and each person must find their own place within that hierarchy. In short, we must be a rather severe in our judgement of ourselves.

Unfortunately, we end up with an association which is not a reflection of a true spiritual hierarchy but one that is based on the usual social organisations with all the usual issues and problems that we associated with nepotic and autocratic power. The Order is an initiatic teaching which is based on the logic of Creation. It should not be a philosophical system that is based on the logic of Man. Every time we try to solve problems using our own logic or the logic of Man, we risk going astray.

Before I finish, I would like to clarify the misunderstanding people have regarding the term "sacred". It would be nice to imagine that the word sacred means that the hierarchy of a country’s government or indeed the Order itself, is selected by the finger of God pointing out an individual, or a ritual or ceremony somehow makes an individual spiritually "worthy", nor does it prove one way or the other that the person in question has the necessary worth to carry that authority. Indeed, it would be nice if everything in our life was organised and preordained by God so that, as lazy ones, we do not need to make any effort whatsoever.

Conclusions

We must broaden the way we think about the world and step away from the material point of view that we have today. This is a bottom-up approach which rejects any other opinion that is not wholly material in its nature. We recommend that we must extend our SENS so that we include a top-down thinking which takes into account the possibility a directing spiritual principle. Or put another way, we must expand and develop our SPIRIT.

Based on this, social or collective hierarchies should be based on this idealised or a prototypical spiritual hierarchy. However, most social or collective hierarchies are far from examples that we can find in Nature.

A "true" hierarchy of authority, is based on an individual who has been able to gained and developed, in an incremental and gradual manner, their worth and personality.

Such authority is also understood to be sacred as it is mandated from the invisible, but is confirmed by the personal effort that this person has exhibited to people around them.

As we rise up a hierarchy, a hierarchy of worth, we would expect the duties and obligations to increase. So, although a senior should ed be respected by junior members, a senior should extend a great amount of respect to their juniors. In short, how people are acting within a hierarchy is not just one way.

Feel free to add your own conclusions to this section.

KePu
October 2025