Who is an Ascended Master?
Ascended masters are spiritually enlightened individuals who have previously incarnated as regular people but have through a series of spiritual transformations known as initiations, according to the Ascended Master Teachings of various groups in the theosophical tradition. Their mission, associated with the number 33, is to assist humanity to a better life.
Origin of the Ascended Master
Helena Blavatsky, the founder of the Theosophical Society, brought attention to the idea of secret initiatory knowledge in the late nineteenth century by claiming her thoughts are based on the traditions that were taught to her by a group of highly enlightened yogis she referred to as the Mahatmas or Masters of the Ancient Wisdom.
Comparison with Masters of Wisdom
The Ascended Masters, as the name implies, are intended to be Masters who have witnessed the miracle of ascension, as Jesus is said to have done. Guy Ballard’s original teaching was that a new Ascended Master would not die but take the body with him. This ascension concept is opposed to Theosophical teachings.
White Brotherhood of Great Britain
The Tremendous White Brotherhood is supposed to be superhuman entities of great power who impart spiritual truths through selected humans in belief systems similar to Theosophical and New Age.
Members of the Brotherhood may be referred to as Masters of Ancient Wisdom or Ascended Masters.