The summary of ‘KHPR 003: Dr. Michael Aquino, Founder of the Temple of Set’

The video features Dr. Michael Aquino, founder of the Temple of Set, discussing his journey from conventional religion to establishing the Temple in 1975. Themes explore self-awareness, consciousness, ritual practices for introspection, and the transformative effects of experiencing rituals firsthand. The Temple aims to help individuals unlock their inner potential and emphasize self-realization. Concepts like Set, individual consciousness, and empowerment are highlighted, focusing on personal exploration and self-discovery rather than seeking dominance or power. The Temple's inclusivity and multicultural approach to understanding Set across various cultures are discussed, debunking the misconception that joining the Temple of Set is necessary for self-awareness, as this concept is inherent in all individuals. The Temple serves as a tool for exploring and understanding self-awareness, with an emphasis on personal quest, altruism, and embracing conscious existence.

00:00:00

In this segment of the video, Magister Robert Adams introduces Dr. Michael Aquino, the founder of the Temple of Set. Dr. Aquino explains that his curiosity led him to delve into philosophy and the occult to understand the phenomena of existence and human significance. He shares his journey from losing faith in conventional religion to becoming interested in Anton LaVey’s Church of Satan in 1968, where he felt LaVey may have insight into the mysteries of humanity. Dr. Aquino’s quest for answers eventually led him to establish the Temple of Set in 1975.

00:05:00

In this part of the video, the speaker discusses the common thread in religions and traditions involving forbidden doors or knowledge guarded by figures like Satan. They talk about their interest in the Church of Satan, which initially focused on colorful antics and social criticism but evolved into a more serious and introspective exploration of the self and consciousness. The Church of Satan’s rituals were aimed at activating a deeper level of consciousness and connecting with a metaphysical presence, referred to as the powers of darkness. The speaker emphasizes the need to experience these rituals firsthand to truly understand their transformative effects.

00:10:00

In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses the concept of greater black magic and the process of rituals in their practice. They describe the transformation and focus that occurs during rituals, highlighting the external versus internal personas. The speaker mentions Anton LaVey’s shifting focus from the metaphysical to a more social aspect in the Church of Satan, leading to a split within the group in 1975. The decision was made to leave the Church of Satan and potentially establish a reformed version. Personal workings and questions about the future direction were explored, with a sense of loyalty and affection towards Anton LaVey evident among the members.

00:15:00

In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses their experience with channeling the book of coming forth by night, describing a heightened sense of awareness and connection to a consciousness beyond their own. They explain that the process of writing the book felt like a passive participation, akin to Michelangelo carving a statue from marble. The speaker reflects on the word “kefir” from the book, which symbolizes a powerful key that transcends human limitations and expands one’s perception beyond the physical realm. The speaker expresses their initial bewilderment at the experience and the profound shift it brought from their previous beliefs as a Satanist. Friends who reviewed the text acknowledged its authenticity and profound nature.

00:20:00

In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses personal experiences in meditation and ritual and questions how to determine if these experiences are relevant to others. They describe how the Temple of Set was created to explore and apply these concepts beyond individual experiences. The Temple had around 25-30 members initially, aiming to take principles from their experiences with Set to a broader audience. The speaker emphasizes that their understanding of Set went beyond traditional Egyptology and was more rooted in direct experiences and authorizations from a higher being. They relate this concept to the idea of individual self-consciousness and the collective connection between consciousnesses. Set is seen as a foundational principle linked to personal uniqueness and self-consciousness, not a literal being to contact like making a phone call.

00:25:00

In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses the material universe and how it contains matter, energy, and harmony, leading to the reliability of existence and consistency in science. The concept of God is explored as the sum total of everything that keeps the universe functioning in place with a strong sense of universal integrity. Blasphemy against this universal principle is seen as disrupting the natural order, exemplified by creating a nuclear bomb. The idea of opposition, represented by Set against the Netters, is highlighted as the ability to apprehend God comes from being different and separate from the whole concept.

00:30:00

In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses how individuals can manipulate consciousness to become like gods or mess with God’s creation irresponsibly. They mention the concept of individual consciousness and reaching a state of oneness with a higher source through energy dialing. This process is described as a potent form of black magic, leading to a supernatural ecstasy of creativity. The Temple of Set aims to help individuals unlock their inner potential rather than worship ancient gods. The message is that self-realization and deification are inherent in all conscious beings, not limited to members of the Temple of Set. The speaker emphasizes that individuals need to explore beyond their usual stimulus-response existence to tap into this potential.

00:35:00

In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses how individuals may feel restricted or taught that their value is merely based on physical stimuli and responses; however, the speaker argues that there is much more to our existence. They emphasize the idea of self-awareness and immortality of consciousness, extending beyond physical lifetimes. The concept of “kefir,” translating to “to come into being,” is highlighted as a way to achieve self-transformation and project change into the world. The Temple of Set is described as a space for individuals on a quest of self-exploration to come together, share common interests, and compare notes on their individual journeys.

00:40:00

In this segment of the video, it is discussed how individuals have unique sensations and experiences that are challenging to fully communicate but can be shared partially to refine understanding. The group dynamics of working together or in a ceremony are compared to bringing stars together, each person doing their own thing while experiencing cross-transference. The importance of maintaining mental coherence, ethical behavior, and stability to avoid chaotic consequences is highlighted. An example is given of someone using drugs inappropriately leading to detrimental outcomes. The need for grounding, stability, and discernment in operating within both metaphysical and physical realms is emphasized, including interacting with ordinary society while maintaining a deeper understanding.

00:45:00

In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses the metaphysical realm of consciousness that is not bounded by reality, touching on the concept of empowerment and elevation of one’s consciousness. The speaker mentions the example of the movie Forbidden Planet to illustrate the artificial boosting of human intelligence and the accompanying dangers of ego inflation and subconscious monsters. They caution against the potential pitfalls of pursuing black magic and initiation, emphasizing the need for careful application of such practices to avoid negative consequences, such as megalomania. The speaker acknowledges the historical failures of attempts to elevate human beings to godlike status and stresses that the Temple of Set focuses on personal exploration and self-discovery rather than social control or creating a utopian society. A personal quest into the mysteries of the soul is highlighted as the primary goal, with an emphasis on discovering and realizing one’s divine potential rather than seeking dominance or power.

00:50:00

In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses how the process of attaining wisdom and altruism is vital in the Temple of Set, emphasizing the appreciation of conscious existence. They delve into the flexibility of Set worship, not limited to just Egyptian culture but found in various cultures worldwide. The concept of Set is viewed as universal across different mythologies, reinforcing its authenticity. The Temple has expanded its understanding to embrace multiculturalism and acknowledges the presence of similar principles in diverse cultures. The speaker concludes by suggesting that the essence of Set can be found across human existence, even in remote cultures like Eskimos.

00:55:00

In this segment, the speaker addresses the misconception that joining the Temple of Set or becoming a Satanist is necessary to access self-awareness. He clarifies that this inherent sense of self-awareness is within everyone and not exclusive to the temple. The temple serves as a tool for exploring and understanding this concept but does not claim sole ownership or control over it. The speaker emphasizes that individuals have the right to this self-awareness simply by existing. They do not require initiation or acceptance from any specific organization. The interview concludes with the expectation that the conversation will spark interest in the temple and dispel myths surrounding their beliefs and practices.