A Filianic Philosophy for Life

Dear Race,
Here it is. I would make the following comments correcting some errors. Madria Olga Lotar was Madrian (not Filianic, as that was a term used later). She was not even the last Madrian Matriarch. As ArchMatrona Georgia E. B. Cobb was taught by her. Madria Olga Lotar was not of the Lux Madriana sect/Order. She was of the other Madrian Order. ArchMadria Pamela Lanides was granted by both ArchMatrona Georgia and a person known as "Source" of the other Madrian Order, full authority to carry forward the other Madrian Order. Known today as the Janite Order of Priestesses (closed priestly Order females only) and Tradition (open to all).
Sister (Sorella) Sophia Ruth


Philosophy of life

Sodalitas Chloes International-Academia Thealogica

The following text appears as it was received. No redaction or modification has been made to Madria Olga's writings. The late Madria Olga Lotar was the last remaining matriarch of the Lux Madriana sect.

For more historic and current documents about Filianism visit gopher://sdf.org:70/1/users/ladywillow/filianic



Following Our Lady's Teachings – a philosophy for life

Madria Olga Lotar

These notes are offered as a guide to, primarily, the Teachings of the Daughter, but also they include guidance on some of the basic codes a Madrian to follow. The Teachings, as well as the Book, and more precisely, the Crystal Tablet, give those who follow the Goddess obediently all guidance necessary for allaspects of our daily lives.
It is the outstanding feature of the holy texts that they are simply put and easy to understand – what the Goddess wishes us to know is is very clear, there is no ambiguity or equivocation. Yet at the same time, it is authoritative guidance; it is an invitation, lovingly expressed, for us to obey, to take up the advice and follow it. We are not dictated to nor hectored, nor threatened. She is the only One Who may command, Who has the true authority in the world, but She speaks to us like the gentle, tender and loving Mother that She is. The Daughter knows we have free will, and this is respected at all times – it is our choice what we take up, what we comprehend, what we adopt into our daily living.
We do need to think deeply on each sentence, to study and contemplte the texts for ourselves, time and time again, and so these notes are given as something to start you on this process. They cannot cover all possibilities and eventualities – that is the joy of living each day in a spiritual way, discovering new vistas and new perspectives. It is up to you, how much you make this your way of life; how much of the stultifying clutter of the materialistic society you are prepared to throw out and replace it with the pure and sweet breath of the Spirit. It will require courage, honour and fortitude – a lifetime´s work for the soul. But this wealth you will be able to take with you after death.

So the key words for the noble life are:-

Humility
Emptied of ego and pride, we are able to let the Spirit fill us. Unassuming, not boasting, when we are empty we may be filled, but when we are full of ourselves in the wrong way, we are not with the Spirit.

Gentleness
Love is gentle, but firm, forgiving but not weak, tender as a mother´s love and unashamed to show itself.

Meekness
Love has no anger, no animosity, no rancour, no violence. We may have great differences with others, seemingly insurmountable chasms between those who shun the ways of gentleness, but we must not turn on them with disgust or contempt or hatred. Mildness is difficult, it is not weak.

Self-discipline Self-control
If we want to be noble, we have to learn to control the mind, the emotions and the body. This also brings about grace and beauty. We need to control our speech – our words should certainly not include profanities, swearing or obscenities. Perhaps you already find these repugnant. They are now commonplace around us and it is difficult to go through one day without having to hear one form at least from one source or another (unless you live like a hermit!).
This merely shows how lowered and degraded our western society has become. It is even considered quite acceptable to use obscene words; for some people it is quite admirable to use „strong language“- it is not demed „foul“ language.

Chastity Purity
This is not concerned with sexual abstinence (only for someone treating a higher path), but it is reminding ourselves that our bodies should not rule us, they should be a temple of the Spirit, that we should not use the physical appetites or „instincts“ to justify giving them free reign, to degrade ourselves or others. The more you are aware of yourself as a soul – „all robed in white, brighter than the sun“ – the less inclined you are to to view the impurity around in society as „normal“.

Dignity
As Inanna tells us this is not the stiff holding of oneself with pride at having status or a role in the world, but a deeper, inner feeling of self-worth and self-love. This core love of oneself as a creature and child of the Goddess means we do not allow others to treat us as less and we can then extend love and respect to others.

Respect Courtesy
We show respect and courtesy with words and attitude. So it is not a superficial politeness which is not based in love. We should have respect not only for those close to us but for everyone we meet by relating to them and treating them with love that is centred in the Spirit, which recognises that each person is a child of the Goddess. Sadly modern society requires us to drop such courtesies as respectful ways of addressing each other, but if we remember the inward attitude we may continue what should be custom.

Generosity
This includes materially giving to charity or to anyone who needs it.
Also hospitality – we may look to other cultures to see wonderful examples of this to inspire us. Then there is the generosity of heart which means being forgiving, giving people the benefit of the doubt and so on.

Now all this is balanced by love of truth-

People are often reluctant to adopt these qualities for fear of being seen weak, ineffectual, naive or easily manipulated.
There is no doubt you will go against the grain of what is around you very often; anyone with principles will do that. But one has to look beyond the momentary to what is lasting and there will always be those who appreciate the good qualities.

Love of Truth
Love of truth gives you strength, fortitude, courage. This is assertiveness at it´s strongest because it is based in the authority of the Spirit, not the false self. It is love of truth that does not stand by cruelty or injustice mutely, that does not let a friend continue on a wrong path unchallenged, that does not comply with one´s conscience tells one is unethical or immoral.

And also balanced by the Golden Mean – this is also known as the middle path between two extremes, so that one quality is not carried to an extreme where it becomes distorted and ceases to be a virtue. We let wisdom guide us in exercising the virtues so that we do not become over-zeallous – how much harm has come about through a wrong zeal, too much passion; righteousness becomes a rigid, intolerant self-righteousness and before we know it we are looking at others with scorn and contempt, pride takes over and all the good is lost. Or else a necessary self-denial turns to asceticism without joy. And the one thing the virtues do give you is joy to overflowing.

Could Sister Sophia Ruth please tell me if Miss Priscilla Langridge was a writer for The Coming Age, alongside Sister Angelina and Sister Alethea. Also if she was Marianne Scarlett at St Bride's, Ireland ?