The Pleiadian House of Initiation: A Journey Through the Rooms of the Wisdomkeepers

Unless you’re hiding under a rock, you've probably heard or read that human beings are in the midst of (or at the beginning of, depending on the source) an awakening of consciousness. You might not think so if you consume a lot of mainstream media, but if you look at the bigger picture, you can see it. The Pleiadian House of Initiation is written by an experienced elder in the consciousness movement.

Mary T. Beben uses the metaphor of an inner mansion that we travel to as our awakening progresses. She tells the story of her own travels there, and describes how humanity’s awakening is welcomed by other beings who both guide and observe us. Her main premise is that the work of awakening will be done while we are still embodied, here on Earth, which is contrary to what some teachers posit. “Ascension means that we will have an awareness of the next level while staying grounded on Earth.” Her notion that we are already doing this work, and can become more consciously aware of it, will likely appeal to many readers.

As you can probably tell by now, Beben has written a New Age book, but I don’t consider that a disparaging label. She deftly blends myths and tales from many cultures to flavor her story of awakening. This includes a reverence for the Earth that Beben says extends throughout the Universe. Some might find the tale a bit heavy on the Christian mythology, but given that it is the most common religious paradigm in the U.S., it does make sense. Understanding Beben’s background in Jungian psychology puts her use of a wide variety of metaphors into context, as does her own disclaimer: “It matters not one bit what your name for God is or what faith you may follow; this is a metaphor. Please do not mistake it for a doctrine of a particular religion, or you may not be able to follow the truth concealed and revealed in it.”

One aspect of the book that particularly appeals to me is her emphasis on imagination and creativity. The house, she notes, reveals aspects of itself to each of us in different ways and in varying order. “As we practice the discipline of silence and solitude,” she writes, “always in balance with other activities of work, study, and play, we finely hone the engine of the most powerful force earthlings can know - the creative imagination.” I have certainly found creativity to be intrinsically connected with my own spirituality, and this aspect of Beben's philosophy is where the journey to the Pleiadian house begins.

From there, you’re whisked away on a journey that may mirror and inform your own inner experience - or at least kindle fruitful flights of fancy.

This little book contains profound wisdom, but I don’t mean that we should take its truths literally. It’s far better to let the image of the house inspire you to explore your own inner depths, and discover for yourself what truths hide there, in plain sight.

~review by Nikki Starcat Shields

Author: Mary T. Beben
Bear & Company, 2014
pp.107, $14.00