Eleazar Institute — An Introduction to Martinesism
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Exerpts can be found here.

What is the Eleazar Institute?

The Eleazar Institute is a school of Martinesism. Its primary focus is to transmit in its purest form the doctrine formulated by Martines de Pasqually, and the Chevaliers Maçons Elus Coëns de l'Univers amongst which, in particular, Louis Claude de Saint-Martin and Jean-Baptiste Willermoz.

Serge Caillet founded the Eleazar Institute on August 11th 1990, under Robert Amadou’s patronage.
It is neither a cult nor an initiatic order, and is open to all those who are interested in learning and furthering their understanding of the teachings of Martines de Pasqually and Louis Claude de Saint Martin, and more generally of Christian theosophy.

The ultimate goal of the Eleazar Institute is to provide a tool for spiritual growth, with the patronage of major theosophists that have profoundly contributed to the progress of many students for two and a half centuries. As such, the EI is one vehicle of that Tradition.

The Course

The Eleazar Institute course is written by Serge Caillet in French, and translated into English.
The first cycle is an introduction to Martinesism, the system Martines de Pasqually taught his disciples in the Ordre de Chevaliers Maçons Elus Coëns de l'Univers (Order of Mason Knights Elect Coens of the Universe).
The second cycle focuses on the manifestations of what Martines calls the spirit of Hely (or Rhely) through biblical characters such as Adam, Seth or Enoch, which ultimately, is the Christ.
The third cycle focuses on the works of Louis Claude de Saint Martin and Jacob Boehme.
The fourth cycle focuses on the secret traditions of the apostles and Church Fathers.

In addition to the written courses, Serge Caillet organises seminars to deepen particular points of the lessons in each cycle with the students. These are held in France, usually in Paris and Marseilles.

The Pedagogy

Each lesson covers a particular topic, e.g. numerical symbolism, cosmogony, etc. At the end of each lesson, a list of suggested readings is provided. However, especially for those who are not fluent enough in French, those suggested readings might be hard to find. For instance, the main book that presents Martines de Pasqually’s system, the Treatise on the reintegration of beings is hard to find in English, although a new translation has now been made available. However, the lessons provide ample translations of the important passages. Furthermore, I aim to present and discuss important sections of the Treatise in the blog section of this web site.

In the same way that Serge offers to follow each Francophone student individually, I offer that possibility to the English-speaking students, and am happy to act as a relay between them and Serge when needed. The personalised support is provided by proposing a short study of a topic chosen specially for the student. The student’s paper is then commented by myself and returned to the student. Thus, the rhythm of study is set by the student.

Whether students choose to be followed individually or not throughout their studies, each one must complete their cycle with a final dissertation on a subject agreed upon between the student, Serge Caillet and I, before moving on to the next cycle.

Lesson topics

First cycle:
1. Martinism (excerpts).
2. Numbers (excerpts).
3. God and the triple and quatriple divine essence
4. The divine immensity and the emancipation of the first spirits
5. The prevarication of the first spirits and the supercelestial immensity
6. The central fire axis and the three spirituous essences
7. The celestial immensity and the seven planetary circles
8. The terrestrial general body and its first inhabitants
9. The emanation of man and his mission
10. The prevarication and the fall of Adam

Second cycle:
11. Hely, the doubly strong spirit
12. The reconciliation of Adam and Eve
13. Cain and Abel
14. Seth and Enoch
15. Noa and the flood
16. Of the posterity of Noa to Abraham
17. Moses and Joshua
18. Solomon and the Temple
19. Zorobabel and the reconstruction of the Temple
20. Christ, "man God and divine"

(The third and fourth cycles are in preparation.)

How does one get started?

The easiest way, and cheapest obviously, to immerse yourself in the martinesist Tradition is to explore the blog, read the references in the resources section, and follow the links provided therein.

To gain the most direct and thorough access to prime—often unpublished—material, you will find nothing more comprehensive than the Eleazar Institute course. Especially if you are not fluent in French. If you would like to inquire further just send me an email detailing your interests and as much relevant background as you judge useful.