Glossary of Spiritual and Religious Words

S

Sababhath

The directive intelligence formed by Sabaoth, by the Army of the Voice.

Sabaoth

(Hebrew צבאות “tsebha’oth”): An army or host, from Saba, “to go to war.” See Isa. 1.9; Rom. 9.29; James 5.4; translated in the Bible as “Lord of Hosts” or “Almighty.”

Sabbath

or Shabbat (Hebrew שבת) A deep mystery in the Judeo-Christian tradition related to the most holy science of creation, unknown to the uninitiated but celebrated in the weekly holy day (holi-day). In Kabbalah, the mystery of the sephirah Binah. Sabbath is also related to the ancient Saturnalia, a ritual feast. The essence of the Sabbath is sexual purity.

"Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day [is] the sabbath of the LORD thy God: [in it] thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that [is] within thy gates: For [in] six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them [is], and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it." - Exodus 20

"Remember the Shabbat day, to keep it holy" (Shemot 20:8). This is the secret of the Holy Covenant, which is Yesod, for in this Covenant lie all the sources of the limbs of the body, and it comprises everything. In the same manner, the Shabbat day includes all the Torah, all of its secrets originate in it. And he who keeps the Shabbat is considered as one who keeps the whole Torah." - Zohar

Sacred Order of Tibet

The genuine depository of the royal treasury of Aryabarta. Formed by 201 members, with its major rank formed by 72 Brahmans. The ancient organization is led by Bhagavan Aclaiva.

Sacrifice

One of the three primary factors of any genuine mystical or religious teaching, the other two being Birth and Death.

In Hebrew, "sacrifice" is קרבן and comes from קרב meaning to "come close or draw near to God."

"The one lamb (Heb. keves) you shall offer in the morning, and the other lamb you shall offer towards evening" (Shemot 29:39 and Bemidbar 28:4). And about the secrets (Heb. Kavshi) of the Merciful One, the sages have taught: 'Why do you probe into the secrets of the Merciful One?', the meaning of which is: Matters that are of the mysteries of the world, let them be concealed under your dress. Just as clothes cover the body, so also must the secrets of the Torah be kept covered up, and this applies even more to the secret of the sacrifices, which are like a wife drawing near to her husband, which is what a sacrifice is called 'KORBAN', from the same root as the word kirvah, meaning nearness." - Zohar

"Jesus answered and said unto them, Well hath Isaiah prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 
Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 
For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. 
And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own traditions. For Moses said, Honor thy father and thy mother; and, Whosoever curse father or mother, let him die the (second) death: 
But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Korban [קרבן], that is to say, a gift (offering), by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. 
And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; 
Making the word of God of none effect through your traditions, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye. - Mark 7

Sagittarius

(November 23rd to December 21st) The ninth sign of the zodiac. Ruled by Jupiter and related to the sign of fire.

“The natives of Sagittarius are extremely passionate. The natives of Sagittarius become angry easily and forgive easily. The natives of Sagittarius are magnanimous and generous. The natives of Sagittarius always love adventures and operate inns; everything that is grandiose and gigantic attracts them. The natives of Sagittarius are tenacious and contenders; when people think that they have overcome them, they reappear on the battlefield of life, full of courage and valor. The natives of Sagittarius have a great disposition for philosophy.”  - Samael Aun Weor, The Manual of Practical Magic

Sahaja Maithuna

(Sanskrit) Sahaja, “natural.” Maithuna, “sacramental intercourse”

Sahu

(Egyptian) The Egyptian Sahu is the same as the Greek To Soma Heliakon, the Hebrew Merkabah; it is the Physical, Astral, Mental and Causal Solar Bodies as a whole.

Salt

“Salt [in Alchemy] is the Spirit. Salt is contained within the sacred sperm and it is sublimated with transmutation.” - From the lecture “Archeus”

Samadhi

(Sanskrit) Literally means “union” or “combination,” although in context it can have a dizzying number of meanings (see below). Its Tibetan equivalent means “adhering to that which is profound and definitive,” or ting nge dzin, meaning “To hold unwaveringly, so there is no movement.” Related terms include satori, ecstasy, manteia, etc. Samadhi is a state of consciousness. There are many levels of Samadhi.

In Yoga (Sanskrit), Samadhi is the pinnacle of the steps of yoga. In the state of Samadhi, one is free of the limitations of the terrestrial bonds and can commune directly with the spiritual archetypes. Hinduism mentions many types of Samadhi: Jada Samadhi, Chaitanya Samadhi, Asamprajnata Samadhi, Nirvikalpa Samadhi, etc.

"There are seven Sadhanas of Yoga, namely Sat-Karma, Asana, Mudra, Pratyahara, Pranayama, Dhyana and Samadhi, which are cleansing of the body, seat postures for Yoga purposes, the abstraction of the senses from their objects, breath-control, meditation, and ecstasy which is of two kinds—imperfect (Savikalpa) in which dualism is not wholly overcome, and perfect (Nirvikalpa) which is complete Monistic experience–the realisation of the Truth of the Mahavakya AHAM BRAHMASMI—a knowledge in the sense of realisation which, it is to be observed, does not produce Liberation (Moksha) but is Liberation itself. The Samadhi of Laya Yoga is said to be Savikalpa Samadhi and that of complete Raja Yoga is said to be Nirvikalpa Samadhi. The first four processes are physical, last three mental and supramental. By these seven processes respectively certain qualities are gained, namely, purity (Sodhana), firmness and strength (Dridhata), fortitude (Sthirata), steadiness (Dhairya), lightness (Laghava), realisation (Pratyaksha) and detachment leading to Liberation (Nirliptatva)." - Swami Sivananda, Kundalini Yoga

In the west, the term is used to describe an ecstatic state of consciousness in which the Essence escapes the painful limitations of the mind (the “I”) and therefore experiences what is real: the Being, the Great Reality.

"Ecstasy is not a nebulous state, but a transcendental state of wonderment, which is associated with perfect mental clarity." - Samael Aun Weor, The Elimination of Satan's Tail

In the Buddhist sutras and tantras the term Samadhi has a much broader application whose precise interpretation depends upon which school and teaching is using it.

One Sanskrit dictionary provides the following meanings for Samadhi: 1. Collecting, composing, concentrating. 2. Profound or abstract meditation, concentration of mind on one object, perfect absorption of thought into the one object of meditation, i.e., the Supreme Spirit (the 8th and last stage of Yoga). 3. Intentness, concentration (in general), fixing of thoughts. 4. Penance, religious obligation, devotion (to penance) 5. Bringing together, concentration, combination, collection. 6. Reconciliation, settling or composing differences. 7. Silence. 8. Agreement, assent, promise. 9. Requital. 10. Completion, accomplishment. 11. Perseverance in extreme difficulties. 12. Attempting impossibilities. 13. Laying up corn (in times of famine), storing grain. 14. A tomb. 15. The joint of the neck; a particular position of the neck. 16. (In rhetoric) A figure of speech. 17. One of the ten gunas or merits of style. 18. A religious vow or self-imposed restraint. 19. Support, upholding.

Samael

(Hebrew סםאל) A great Archangel who has been assisting humanity for ages. He has been known by many names throughout our history, but he is perhaps best known as Ares, Mars, the God of War. His war is always a spiritual one, the war against the corruption of the human mind. Knowing this helps the reader understand why the writings and teachings of Samael Aun Weor are so direct and so potent.

Samael (Ares) is the great cosmic Intelligence which is responsible for the spiritual development of this current humanity, which has long been known as the “Aryan” (from Ares) race. (Unfortunately, this term “Aryan Race” has been corrupted by many ignorant people.) Therefore, he needed his terrestrial part to work here in the physical world on behalf of humanity.

His son, the bodhisattva Samael Aun Weor, fell into disgrace for many centuries, and committed many mistakes. Due to this, the esotericists of past ages knew him as a great demon. Subsequently, the bodhisattva was brought to realize his mistakes, and he worked very hard to rectify them. Now, Samael, the inner Being, has his son standing upright once more, and he was able to deliver his teachings to humanity.

"I ended up transforming myself into a fallen angel. Many egos resurged within my mind and I became transformed into a true devil. Now, in this present existence, I comprehend the necessity of eliminating my egos, the necessity of performing the Great Work of the Father. Therefore, this is why today I am here speaking to you all, with my hand placed on my heart. Samael Aun Weor is my true name as a Bodhisattva. Samael is the name of my Monad! - Samael Aun Weor

Learn more: The Name Samael

Samael Aun Weor

(Hebrew סםאל און ואור)

"Samael Aun Weor is the authentic name of a flame of the great blaze, before whom I must prostrate myself. Samael Aun Weor means “Will of God...” - Samael Aun Weor, The Zodiacal Course

"His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood; and his name is called The Word of God.” - Revelation 19:12-13

"The name of my Real Being is hidden within the name “Word of God” because the Bible is highly symbolic. God is represented with the monosyllable “Aun” or “Aum.” Word or Verb is within “Weor,” which is pronounced Veor, so the W is the V sound. This W together with the remaining three letters (e-r-o) of Verb and Word form “Weor.” Thus, we have the name Aun Weor (Aum Weor, Aum Word, God Word) hidden within the phrase “Word of God.” - Samael Aun Weor, The Revolution of Beelzebub

Learn more: The Name Samael Aun Weor

Samael Sabaoth

(Hebrew סםאל צבאות) In Hebrew, the Army of the Voice, the Logos, the Host, or Creative Hostess of the Elohim, receives the name of צבאות Sabaoth or Tzabaoth. Samael Sabaoth is the name of the army or diverse forces of Samael.

Every star is the center of gravity of a particular Logos, a Sabaoth, an Intelligent Host of Creative Forces that manifest within all Kingdoms of Nature. Samael Sabaoth in the human body governs the divine vital essence, principle or substance or animating divine fiery force within sex (Scorpio), this is why it is stated that Samael is the seducing fiery serpent of Eden (Yesod, sex). When the human being fornicates, when the human being becomes enslaved by his own concupiscence (sinning against the Holy Spirit), then (within the fornicator) the fire of Samael becomes the primeval atomic angelic force that rebels against the Divine Forces (the Holy Spirit); then, this creative sexual fire through fornication creates Kain, the "Red Dragon," the Angel of Death. The Talmud states that "the Angel of Death and Satan are the same" (the same sexual principle or creative fire that crystallized in Klipoth, Hell, by means of fornication). Samael Sabaoth in Aries is the Warrior, the Knight equal to Michael, the slayer of his own shadow, Satan (the sexual creative fire crystallized in Klipoth, Hell) as well as St. George, who is also a Dragon Slayer. We must alchemically comprehend the Seven Centers of the Human Machine, since the fire of Samael is directly related with the Fifth Center, the Sexual Center. The Seven Centers are connected to the spinal medulla; the Fifth, the Sexual Center, is directly related with the transformation of the Scorpio creative sexual fires of Samael, the Fifth Spirit before the Throne of God (the central nervous system).

Samaya

(Sanskrit. Tibetan: dam tshig) 1. A pledge or commitment of spiritual practice. 2. Appears in Tibetan scriptures at the end of a chapter, as an oath that the preceding statements are true.

Samech

The fifteenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet, it symbolizes the cycle of eternity within the cosmic womb, vulva, or volva (from Latin volvere, “to turn, twist or roll”) where the continuous revolving Light of the Ain Soph is located. Christus-Lucifer originates infinite cosmic possibilities. Samech is the letter that represents the Ouroboros, the eternal cyclical action of the Light-Life-Fire-Wisdom of the Ain Soph; these revolutions of the light of the Absolute manifests as innumerable cycles of death and rebirth at all levels in the universe.

Its Kabbalistic value is 60.

Samjana

(Sanskrit, "perception") The third skandha, related to the evaluation of the sensations brought by the second skandha.

Samsara

(Sanskrit; Tibetan khorwa) Cyclic, conditioned existence whose defining characteristic is suffering. It is contrasted with nirvana.

Samskara

(Sanskrit संस्कार) Saṃskāra literally means "that which has been put together" and "that which puts together." In Hinduism, samskara can refers either to a series of ritual initiations (Sanskar) or more importantly, to formations in the mind, impressions, consequences.

"Vritti (whirlpool, thought-wave) arises in the mind-ocean. It operates for sometime. Then it sinks below the threshold of normal consciousness. From the surface of the conscious mind wherein it was uppermost for some time, it sinks down deep into the region of the subconscious mind (Chitta). There, it continues to be a subliminal action and becomes a Samskara (impression). A conscious action-whether cognitive, affective or conative-assumes a potential and hidden (Sukshma and Avyakta) form just below the threshold of consciousness. This is termed a Samskara." - Swami Sivananda, Mind - Its Mysteries and Control

"Those who have not eliminated the Abhayan Samskara, the innate fear, will flee from the Ninth Sphere by telling to others that the work in the forge of the Cyclops (sex) is worthless." - Samael Aun Weor, Tarot & Kabbalah; Cosmic Teachings of a Lama

In Buddhism, samskara is the the fourth skandha and the second link in the twelve Nidanas, the chain of dependent origination.

Samson

(Hebrew שמשון) A character of renowned strength who features prominently in the Old Testament. He symbolizes the strength of the solar fires (Ens Virtutis in the head) from the waters of sex (Ens Seminis). Samson in Hebrew is pronounced Shemshon, and comes from:

• שמש Shemesh = The Sun

• און Aun or On = sexual strength, virility

In the light of Gnostic Kabbalah, Samson is read as follows: The two letters "Shin - Fire" are the two fires, Ida and Pingala, Ob and Od, Yin and Yan that give the strength, the might of "El Shaddai" that emerges from the sexual waters (the letter "Mem" between the two "Shins") in the sexual act!

Samyama

"The word Samyama is used in Yogic literature to denote the triple process of concentration, meditation, and Samadhi practiced at one and the same time." - Swami Sivananda, Practical Lessons in Yoga

Sanat Kumara

(Sanskrit, literally "the ever youthful")

"...a venerable Elder mentioned in very ancient religions. He is one of the Four Thrones of which the Bible speaks. Three are gone and only he remains. He grasps the rod of Aaron, the scepter of the kings. He is ineffable and is related with Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas, the three Gunas that are in equilibrium. Sanat Kumara gives the esoteric initiation of the Astral Solar Body." - Samael Aun Weor, Tarot and Kabbalah

"Sanat Kumara, the founder of the Great College of Initiates of the White Lodge, is another living Christ." - Samael Aun Weor, The Perfect Matrimony

"Let us remember Sanat Kumara, the Ancient of Days, the great immolate, the founder of the College of Initiates of the great White Lodge. This adept lives in the Gobi desert in an isolated oasis. The body of this great Being is more than 18 million years old. With him, in the same oasis, live a group of adepts with immortal Lemurian bodies. All these adepts travel through the superior dimensions of space with their physical bodies. They have the power to tele-transport themselves with their physical bodies through the fourth or fifth dimensions. They all exercise power over the Angels of Death. They are the adepts of the mysteries of life and death. They have all had to work with the Great Arcanum." - Samael Aun Weor, Beyond Death (The Book of the Dead)

Sanctity

Sacredness or holiness. While we have anger, lust, envy, pride and all the other moral defects, we are not sanctified. To acheive sanctity we must eliminate our psychological defects.

"To speak of sanctity in these times is something very difficult because the world is full of stupidly sanctimonious persons who presume to be saints." - Samael Aun Weor, The Esoteric Treatise of Hermetic Astrology

Sanctum Regnum

(Latin) “The Holy Kingdom.”

Sangha

(Sanskrit) A spiritual community. The third of the Three Jewels (Tri-ratna). The outer meaning refers to a community of like-minded aspirants. The inner meaning refers to initiates who have acquired some degree of realization and awakening: the conscious circle of humanity.

Sannyasin

(or Samnyasin; Sanskrit, literally "he who has cast aside") A renunciate.