Handling Grief

Pain and suffering are maladies that have plagued humanity for many ages. Pain is something we are confronted and how we deal with that pain, can help to define our Character. Suffering, on the other hand, is as much an effect of pain as pain is the effect of a previous cause.

If you were in an accident and it led to your being hospitalized, there would be pain, but the subsequent suffering could be mitigated by how well the physicians and hospital staff and you deal with the injuries. If handled properly, the pain would go away and the suffering could be held to a minimum.

Sometimes, illnesses or injuries, are so overwhelming that pain and suffering are recurring to the person. Trying to manage such pain and trying to limit the amount of personal suffering can almost become a full time job.

The injury that leaves no visible mark but cause widespread suffering is personal loss. It is the unwanted gift that keeps on taking. Taking our time, our emotions, our happiness.

While we may not experience physical pain from loss, we do, experience emotional suffering from loss and this can be so intense that physical pain would almost seem like a welcome change in relation to this intense feeling.

Personal loss of our loved ones, however, is not a 2-way street. The individual who passes away, is freed from the bonds of mortality. and ascends to the spirit world. There may have been pain at one time for them, but that has long since passed and there is no suffering for them.

For those left behind, they remain to pick up the pieces after someone they cared deeply about, has left their physical lives. They must slog through the day to day life, trying to fill a void that really cannot be filled.

If we could feel, even for a moment, what our loved ones experience where they are now, we would know no suffering only happiness. We would know, in that moment, that there is no reason, to grieving beyond what is a normal period of mourning.

That in knowing their better state, we could move out of our depression and honor them more appropriately by living life to its fullest.

This does not mean we cannot feel sadness and mourn, if these emotions are in you, the best way to move past them is to allow to express themselves and once expressed, let them go.

Grief is not the enemy, because it is normal. Unreasoning grief and suffering, on the other hand, is the enemy because it is not helpful. It only adds to the suffering, making things worse.

If our grief is born out of loss of loved ones, then we need to think "Is this what my loved ones would want me to be experiencing right now? If positions were reversed, would I want others to experience what I am experiencing right now?" The answer would be obvious.

We can handle the pain of grief, but we do not have to accept the suffering caused when we allow this emotion to flow but we refuse to let it go.

Approaching Aten

While there have been individuals and groups over the ages who have sought Aten, not all of them sought Aten through His chosen mediator: Akhnaten. The reason we direct all people who love and seek Aten to the presence of Akhnaten is because the only way to approach Aten is through Akhnaten.

You cannot embrace a Supernova, not without being incinerated in the process. From our vantage point, we see the life giving rays of Aten. If for some reason, we were in close proximity of Aten, we would be unable to withstand the sheer power and force of the presence of Aten.

The only way a person can approach Aten is to approach the Servant of Aten: Akhnaten. Through Him we know the Will of Aten, through Him, we take refuge in the Compassion of Aten. Through Him, we are brought to the presence of Aten in safety and in peace.

Through Akhnaten, we never need to speculate about what Aten is, or what He wants of us, it is always very, very clear.

Approaching Aten is only made possible for us through the compassion of Akhnaten.

Atenism is hope for all people

Orthodox Atenism reaches out to those whom society has turned away. Whether it is lepers, the homeless, the mentally, emotionally or physically challenged, those suffering with incurable diseases and any other instance where people cry out to a world that no longer cares - Aten and Akhnaten cares so very deeply. There are no words to describe how just much they care!

Atenism offers those who have given up hope, the hope they long for, that Aten loves them, and their serenity and joy is only a heartbeat away.

Atenism is for all people.

Take refuge in Aten through His Son Akhnaten.

Orthodox Atenist View on War

The main tenet of Atenism is "Love God and Do No Harm". War seems, on the outset, to be the antithesis of this sentiment. Many people who demonstrate for the end of war do so with the best of intentions, if not the clearest of foresight.

Atenism believes in the fullest understanding of "To Do No Harm" which is not unilateral pacifism as some believe, but what is the wisest course of action to eliminate evil, and bring an end to cruelty and suffering in the world.

In a malevolent and violent world that seeks to subjugate the innocent and that takes great joy at the suffering of all life, there is a need for a corrective process of military action in such cases. Never to create further suffering of the innocent but to bring an end to the machinations of the wicked. In a world that embraces evil, military action is a necessity to save the very lives of the innocent. It is dependent on who is waging war and if their motives are pure. If not, then such militarism is deemed evil and a blight on humanity.

Question: Is Atenism sun worship?

No. Aten is the One God of the Universe. Transcendent, Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent. Aten is beyond the bounds of human conception or understanding on any level. The only way in which humanity can even come close to a basic understanding of Aten is through symbolic representation. The image of the sun above our world is not just a sun but it represents life and sustenance. All life on our planet is sustained by the life giving rays of the sun and without the sun, life on this planet would cease to exist. But this is a symbol for the life giving power and care in which Aten gives all life on this world, it does not mean Aten is the sun. If this were so, we would have to ask, why only this sun? and not the countless other suns in the universe, what about the other worlds in the Omniverse (the collection of all universes and planes of reality), doesn't Aten watch over them as well? The answer is "Of course". Aten creates and sustains all things. It is that, for us, we are centered on life in the here and now. Aten is with us always and sustains us in each and every moment.

Whether it be the physical sun in the sky, or an artistic representation of the sun and the life giving rays, these are gifts given to humanity so that we may try to comprehend that which is incomprehensible.

Sun worship, as in viewing the physical orb of the sun as a sentient god would be paganism just like if a person were to bestow godhood to the moon, or a planets or a cloud, a mountain, a rock, tree or shrub.

Question: I have never heard Atenism. Is it made up?

No. The reality of Atenism can be found in the ancient records of the Middle Kingdom of Egypt. Orthodox Atenism is this same religion in the modern day. All its material, that is not the stuff of ancient records is either produced by, and sanctioned by Akhnaten Himself. Meaning Atenism is as far away from being fabricated as you can get.

Simply put: No other religion in existence can claim to be governed by the exact same person who established that religion - except Orthodox Atenism.

Is Atenism a cult?

No. To elaborate on this answer, we should spell out what the term "cult" actually means. The word cult has two meanings:

The word is an abbreviation of the word "culture" and means the beliefs of a community of like minded individuals. By this standard, every religion is a community of like minded individual who believe the same things and would, by this definition, describe them as a "cult".

The word is a derogatory term used to describe disreputable and dangerous religious groups that use manipulation and intimidation to trick individuals into joining them. In some instance, these groups do not allow their members to contact family and some have ended in fatal consequences.

If, what is meant in the question, was the first definition, then the answer would have been "Yes" since all world religions would fit in this category. If what is meant is the second definition, then the answer is an emphatically and unequivocal "NO". Orthodox Atenism is a world religion that only has the welfare of its fellow brothers and sisters in mind. It does not use manipulation, intimidation or trickery to reach seekers, nor does it have any intention for taking advantage of these persons by trying to acquire their money. (There are tithes but these are part of the faith and individuals who research the faith are never committed to give anything they do not wish to or what they simply cannot afford.) Our faith would encourage its members to stay in close ties with their loved ones and would never encourage them to disassociate with family and friends, and as far as the final part of the definition that is a horrific concept and one that Atenists have no understanding or association with.

Atenism is about "Loving God and doing No Harm" the very definition of these destructive cults is in opposition to the principles of Atenism because all they seem to cause is harm, to the seeker or to their families and friends.

Is Atenism another Internet religion?

No. Atenism began 4000 years ago in Amarna, Helioplis in Egypt. Atenism has existed in its pristine form in the Horizon of Light since that time and has only been returned to the world of man, by the blessing of Aten and the direction of Akhnaten.

The Internet is simply of modern day medium, just like scrolls, papyrus, books, letter, audio or video recordings and so on. It is a tool that can be used or misused, the fact that so many people take it for granted that what they see online regarding religion is the product of fevered imaginations and are less than honest and may be little more than bored individuals fabricating Internet religions because they simply have nothing better to do, is a sad statement about these individuals, but has no bearing on real religions that use this medium for real communication among worshippers and seekers.

Precepts for Living the Atenist Religion

1. God is One and Akhnaten is the teacher of mankind in which he has appointed as lord of the earth.

2. The things which Aten does cannot be fully comprehended by humankind.

3. Do not bring terror among fellow humans; God is opposed to such things.

4. The daily bread is provided by Aten.

5. When you labour in the field God provides you with sustenance.

6. If you wish to be a perfect individual make your children pleasing to Aten.

7. God loves those who are obedient; disobedience is detested by God.

8. Truly a good child is the gift of Aten.

9. God magnifies his name throughout the earth each day.

10. The house of God abominates false speech. Pray with a loving heart, the words of which are hidden. He will do what is needful for you, he will hear your petitions and will accept your oblations if you approach him in purity.

11. It is your God who gives you existence.

12. Aten is the judge of the truth.

13. When you make an offering to Aten beware of offering what he abominates.

14. Observe with your eye his plans. Devote thyself to singing praises to his name. He gives souls to hundreds of thousands of forms. Aten magnifies those who magnify him.

15. Leave the angry man in the hands of God; Aten knows how to requite him.

16. Do not carry away the servant of God for the benefit of another.

17. Always take heed to the Lord of the Universe.

18. Though a man steers the boat, it is the Lord who is the pilot.

19. Truth is the great bearer of Aten's throne.

20. Seat yourself in the hands of God.

21. A man prepares the straw for his building, but God is his architect. It is he who throws down, it is he who builds up daily. It is he who makes a man to arrive in the Other World where he is safe in the hands of God.

22. The love of God, praised and adored be he, is more than the respect of the chief.

THE GREAT HYMN

Your appearing is beautiful
in the horizon of heaven,

The Living Aten, the beginning of life;
you rise in the horizon of the east,
you fill every land with your beauty.

You are very beautiful, brilliant
and exalted above earth.

Your beams encompass all lands
which you have made.

You are the sun, you set their bounds,
You bind them with your love.

You are afar off, but your beams are upon the land;
you are on high, but the day passes with your going.

You rest in the western horizon of heaven,
and the land is in darkness like the dead.

They lie in their houses, their heads are covered,

Their breath is shut up, and eye sees not to eye;

Their things are taken, even from under their heads, and they know it not.

Every lion comes forth from his den,
and all the serpents then bite;
the night shines with its lights,
the land lies in silence;
for he who made them is in his horizon.

The land brightens,
for you rise in the horizon,
shining as the Aten in the day;
the darkness flees,
for you give your beams,

Both lands are rejoicing every day.

Men awake and stand upon their feet,
for you lift them up;
they bathe their limbs,
they clothe themselves,
they lift their heads in adoration of your rising,
throughout the land they do their labours.

The cattle all rest in their pastures,
where grow the trees and herbs;
the birds fly in their haunts,
their wings adoring your ka,
all the flocks leap upon their feet,
the small birds live when you rise upon them.

The ships go forth north and south,
for every way opens at your rising.

The fishes in the river swim up to greet you,
your beams are within the depth of the great sea.

You created conception in women,
making the issue of mankind;
you make the son to live in the body of his mother,
you quiet him that he should not mourn,
nursing him in the body,
giving the spirit that all his growth may live.

When he comes forth on the day of his birth,
you open his mouth to speak,
you do what he needs.

The small bird in the egg, sounding within the shell,
you give to it breath within the egg,
to give life to that which you make.

It gathers itself to break forth from the egg,
it comes from the egg, and chirps with all its might,
it runs on its feet, when it has come forth.

How many are the things which you have made!

You created the land by your will, you alone,
with peoples, herds and flocks,
everything on the face of the earth that
walks on its feet,
everything in the air that flies with its wings.

In the hills from Syria to Kush,
and the plain of Egypt,
you give to every one his place,
you frame their lives,
to every one his belongings,
reckoning his length of days;

Their tongues are diverse in their speech,
their natures in the colour of their skin.

As the divider you divide the strange peoples.

When you have made the Nile beneath the earth,
you bring it according to your will
to make the people to live:

Even as you have formed them unto yourself,
you are throughout their Lord,
even in their weakness.

O Lord of the land that rises for them.

Aten of the day,
revered by every distant land,
you make their life,
you placed a Nile in heaven
that it may rain upon them,
that it may make waters upon the hills
like the great sea,
watering their fields amongst their cities.

How excellent are your ways!

O Lord of eternity,
the Nile in Heaven is for the strange people,
and all wild beasts that go upon their feet.

The Nile that comes from below the earth
is for the land of Egypt,
that it may nourish every field.

You shine and they live by you.

You make the seasons of the year
to create all your works;
the winter making them cool,
the summer giving warmth.

You make the far-off heaven,
that you may rise in it,
that you may see all that you made
when you were alone.

Rising in your forms as the living Aten,
shining afar off and returning.

The villages, the cities, and the tribes,
on the road and the river,
all eyes see you before them,
you are the Aten of the day over all the land.

You are in my heart,
there is none who knows you,
excepting your son Akhnaten;
you cause that he should have understanding,
in your ways and in your might.

The land is in your hand,
even as you have made them;
You shine and they live,
and when you set they die;
for by you the people live,
they look on your excellencies until your setting;
they lay down all their labours
when you set in the west,
and when you rise, they grow.

....... * .......

Since the day that you laid the
foundations of the earth,
you raised them up for your son
who came forth from your substance,
the king of Egypt, living in Truth,
lord of both lands, Akhnaten,
son of the sun, living in Truth, Akhenaten,
great in his duration;
Nefer'neferu'Aten
Nefer'iti, living and flourishing
for ever eternally.

Based on the translation of Griffith,
as quoted by Sir Flinders Petrie in
A History of Egypt (1899), Vol. 2, pp. 215-218.

More hymns are available on the Temple of Aten website. Click here to discuss the Hymns.

What makes Atenism different from every other religion?

Atenism stays true to the original intentions of the Faith given to the people of Akhetaten over 4000 years ago. Offering a pure form of monotheism devoid of misunderstanding over what is God's Will, who is or is not allowed to seek the One God of the Universe, or what constitutes the nature of the Godhead.

Where other faiths look to the ancient writings of their traditions and to the subsequent re-tellings and re-envisioning of those faiths by those who would speak upon such subjects at a much later time than when that faith originated, Atenism does not require the capture of the Words of Akhnaten and commentaries to know what He means. We have Akhnaten directing us from the Horizon of Light who speaks and clarifies His Words and is clear regarding the Will of Aten.

Discuss this topic at the Atenist forum

What is Orthodox Atenism?

In modern times, those who define themselves as Atenists may do so for a variety of reasons. To some it may be an homage to the beliefs of ancient Egypt, to others it may be the ideal of a pure form of Monotheism devoid of the many issues that plague other forms of Monotheism or any number of reasons for ascribing oneself an "Atenist" or a follower of "Atenism".

Orthodox Atenism is not one of these groups. Orthodox Atenism is the Belief in Aten, the One God of the Universe. Our faith is governed by two Primary Sources:

The first is the belief in the real and transcendental nature of Akhenaten who founded Atenism in the Middle Kingdom of Egypt over 4000 years ago and who is alive and resides in the Horizon of Light. It is He who guides Orthodox Atenism from the Celestial realms.

This is done through his chosen servants: His Vizier, His Seers and His Renunciates.

Orthodox Atenists believe in the reality of, and the obedience to Akhenaten who leads all those who seek the One God in Truth, to the presence of Aten, the Compassionate God.

Secondly, in regard to ancient written texts, Orthodox Atenism relies solely on the ancient Hymn texts as well as the various related Stellas of Amarna and other areas concerned with the worship and praise of Aten. Along with the Current Direction of Akhenaten Himself on behalf of Aten, it is these texts that show Atenists how to worship Aten in His way, instead of how an individual might wish to "think" or theorize how he or she should worship God.

The Revelatory Light of Aten, pours through the Celestial Realms, is revealed to us by Akhenaten and then reflected in the Hymns and Stella texts and other writings of the Holy Aten Religion.

We refer to ourselves as "Orthodox" because we rely on the Navigation of Akhenaten as He brings us to the presence of Aten. We are also deemed "Orthodox" because we adhere to the ancient texts as being one of the Central sources of faith, knowledge and practice, instead of man's theories.

Orthodox Atenist View on Racism

Atenism has no room for intolerance. All humanity is one family. To view a single person as anything less than a brother or sister, is inexcusable. There is never a cause for the alienation or rejection of anyone because they do not look the way we think they should, or act in ways that we are accustomed to. No one should have to pay the price for someone's ignorance. Racism is a sin and is not acceptable in the eyes of Aten.

All people are one. All races are beautiful and beloved. They are all One Family and how we conduct ourselves among our family members reflect upon us, never upon them. Atenism rejects all forms of intolerance.

Take Refuge in Aten through Akhnaten

Em hotep. This beautiful flash piece was made by a fellow Orthodox Atenist in Tibet. Praise be to Aten and to His Son Akhnaten!


Take refuge in the Son of Aten

Atenists now have an active forum

Dear readers, em hotep!

Atenists now have a forum that's active and it's located here: http://forums.templeofaten.org/

If you are interested in Aten, Atenism, the Orthodox religion of Atenism as it was practiced in ancient times, Akhnaten (Akhnaten, Ikhnaton) stop by and sign up. :)

Was the Boy King a baby daddy?

The Arizona Daily Star says, "Egyptian scientists are carrying out DNA tests on two mummified fetuses found in the tomb of King Tutankhamun to determine whether they are the young pharaoh’s offspring, the antiquities authority said Wednesday."

Read more

I Believe!

Family issues

Em hotep,

People can find views on family issues, along with other modern issues at:

http://www.templeofaten.org/modern-world.php

The Eternal Now

"The Power and the Presence of Aten is always in the moment. in the Eternal Now. The only reason that any of us seem to have some moments in this joy and some moments separate form this joy, is entirely based on the focus of our consciousness.

When we are truly present in the moment, we truly experience Aten. When we are anyplace else except in the moment, we are anyplace other than joy." - By Vizier

Ancient Egyptian boat to be restored

A remote-controlled Japanese camera has made it possible for the public to see the Egyptian Pharaoh's 'solar' boat entombed in Giza.

Inserted through the stone, the camera shows the wooden boat, buried 4,500 years ago next to Giza's Great Pyramid.

Read more about this