Sabian Activities
In the Sabian Assembly, there are about as many Sabian
activities as there are members. The reason for this is simple, yet, significant.
An underlying tenet of the Sabian philosophy fostering healthy physical,
emotional and mental living is to be involved in life, never withdraw
from life. The activities naturally divide themselves into group activities
and individual activities. This article discusses some of these.
Group Activities
At the heart of these activities are the weekly "lesson sets."
Dr. Marc Edmund Jones, the founder of the Sabian Assembly, was both erudite
and prolific. He wrote practical commentaries on the major works of the
ancient philosophers, on the Old and New Testament and on various aspects
of psychology. These are typically in the format of twenty-six chapters
of three-pages each. Members receive one "Bible" and one "Philosophy"
lesson each week (these words are in quotes because there are a variety
of topics under these designations). We read these privately, then meet
once a week with our local group to discuss our insights on the current
lesson. There are enough of these lesson sets to last twenty years
before they repeat.
These weekly study meetings begin with a brief healing ritual
in which we remember the needs of those who ask to be held in consciousness.
Although brief, the healing ritual is at the heart of Sabian work.
It puts us in quiet touch with the needs of self and provides a silent
ministry of service to others. These weekly, round-robin meetings last
about two hours and end with "cake and coffee."
Once a month we meet at the time of the full moon to join in consciousness
with others all over the globe who dedicate this time to the ideals of
world service. The meeting lasts about one-half hour and leaves an
ever fresh and lasting impression on those who attend.
From a financial perspective, the Sabian Assembly is a very low overhead
group. What we do to maintain the ongoing of our group is done on a voluntary
basis (like editing and mailing the weekly lessons).
The Assembly has two yearly gatherings: once in the winter and once in
the summer. The winter conference is the smaller of the two and has been
held, for the last twenty-seven years at the home of one of the members.
It takes place over a weekend and is "engineered" on the spot. People come
with different topics and volunteer to be put on the day's program. We
have never wanted for presenters. You might guess that fellowship is high
on the agenda!
The summer conference is held in various US cities. Members from all over
the world attend. The presentations are more formal than those at
the winter conference. There are a variety of activities including
"talent night." Getting together with old friends is a major part of the
gathering.
Individual Activities
Members of the Sabian Assembly are highly creative and individualistic.
There seems to be talent and skills everywhere. We are encouraged to develop
our talents either vocationally or avocationally. The following list
describes just a few of these.
Arts and Crafts
Some of our members are professional artists, musicians, and writers.
Others develop their artistic talents avocationally. We bring our creations
to the summer conference and "show" or present them on talent night.
Astrology
About half the Sabian membership has an interest in astrology. Some
are practicing, professional astrologers, others learn Sabian Astrology
and use this skill as a self-help tool.
Philosophy
Another portion of the membership leans more toward the philosophical
content of the Sabian material. There is a rich field for inquiry
here. Of special note, the medieval philosopher ibn Gabirol should be mentioned.
Dr. Jones was especially influenced by the cabalistic structuring of Gabirol's
major work, The Fountain of Life. From this Jones developed a tool
he called the philosophical magic square.
Religion
The Sabian Assembly is a not a religious organization. It has no
affiliation with any particular belief system. Religious affiliation
is encouraged but as an entirely private matter. Needless to say, many
of the group are devoutly religious while many others are skeptics or agnostic.
I mention this here, under individual activities, because some of our membership
take Sabian principles and work them back into their own belief systems.
We study the Christian Bible as part of the lesson sets but the approach
to these is always from an ethical and moral viewpoint as these have been
inculcated into western culture.
Sabian Symbols
This is a special activity in that the Sabian Symbols are very popular
with the public at large. It is, in effect, a symbolic astrology, and
a rich source for daily guidance. One of our members is preparing a text
on the symbols.
Tarot
There is a strong emphasis in the Assembly on developing the more intuitive
side of our nature. This is facilitated by study of the Tarot.
Many work with the major and minor arcana of the popular Tarot technique.
Others use the Sabian Tarot. This is a method developed
by Dr. Jones utilizing an ordinary deck of playing cards. Choosing
one or the other technique is a matter of temperament and relatively unimportant.
The goal is the same—developing the more intuitive side of our nature.
Another of our members is preparing a text based on the Sabian Tarot.
The Interchange
Yet another activity that has been greatly facilitated by the Internet
and e-mail is the Interchange Chapter. Periodic correspondence is
sent to others in the Interchange Chapter focusing on what is known as
"The Screen of Prophecy." This is a unique Sabian technique
whereby each individual sums up current events, lesson teaching, and
personal life experience into a central theme, as this theme seems to be
working in his or her personal life at the moment. This discipline
serves to bring the seemingly unconnected kaleidoscope of life circumstances
to meaningful pertinence in our everyday lives.
Conclusion
Dr. Jones said many times that his goal was not to teach people what
to think, but how to think. There are no "thou must believe" injunctions
in the Sabian Assembly. People who join our high adventure are encouraged
to think for themselves and, just as importantly, to make a contribution
to their fellows using whatever skills may be theirs.