Daughter of Isis, Lilian Nirupa [books to get back into reading .txt] 📗

royal lineage against the Theban priests’ ambitious and the Nubian ways. Lizla felt grateful for Mother and silently asked Isis to protect her family.
When the ceremony was completed, the students returned to their classes. In the distance Lizla noticed Mikos entering the Temple of Healing, which was the School of Medicine. Ra-Ta went back to the Amon-Ra Temple, and Lizla and her new classmates surrounded Ishtar-la.
The sun rays were powerful even in the early morning, and in spite of the protective shade of the trees, students, teachers and visitors were grateful to obtain refuge from the desert heat. The Temple of Love’s new construction was indeed beautiful.
Ishtar-la’s private classroom, where they would hold classes with her disciples, was up on a small hill covered with trees and flowers. A small pond was behind a grove of palm trees and benches had been built around it; classes could be given indoors or outdoors, as weather and curriculum dictated.
Ishtar-la led her special group of direct disciples through a long corridor that ended up in the large auditorium. There were assembled all the students of the different classes: Anatomy, Art, Music, Weaving, Nursery, and Cooking.
Ishtar-la addressed the whole assembly and welcomed them to the new Temple of Love. She was surprised at the diversity of the group. She had not personally requested half of them, but as the pressure of priests, nobles, and other powerful people kept on mounting, she had allowed for new concessions to expand the curriculum and the audience. The Temple of Isis was famous for its beauty classes and many a young noble girl from Upper and Lower Egypt, Palestine, Greece, Crete, Caledonia, Nubian and Hittite lands were attracted to the school. She was both scared and grateful at the same time. Maybe this was indeed larger than she expected. Her fame had spread before they even started.
Her classes had been private in her own palace before then. What if she failed? “It is not up to you alone,” her inner voice reassured her. “Bless them and let them start.” So she did; she introduced the teachers, showed a map of the compound, discussed the rules of discipline and the time table for the whole school, and disbanded the assembly to go to their respective classes.
Lizla and Lakshmi stood quietly behind her. Ishtar-la turned around and smiled at her special disciples. She smiled and embraced each one of them. Alas, that gesture of tenderness would be the last for many days to come, she realized. Her position as teacher and school headmistress precluded any special gestures to any disciple. Immediately, talking in a stately and voice, she announced to the disciples, “Let us begin.”
The group stood up silently and followed Ishtar-la to their appointed classroom. Ishtar-led her group through a candlelit corridor that was sumptuously painted with pictures of Isis, Osiris, Ishtar, Horus and other Gods and Goddesses of their different spiritual traditions.
Lizla was surprised about that and a little alarmed. What was she getting into? Wasn’t this the Isis Temple? And this exalted lady had a reserved reputation in Pharaoh’s court, but she was still a foreigner.
Ishtar-la arrived at her classroom and ordered her attendants to arrange the cushions on chairs in a semi-circle. The teacher’s desk was on a higher stand and a large board covered with fine linens had some pictures that filtered dimly through. The sunlight was diffused in marvelous pink and soft blue colors through the stained glass windows.
Ishtar-la asked her disciples to sit down and with a warm smile said: “First of all, let us get to know each other. Please one by one, introduce yourselves, your family situation, country of origin, religion and main reason for seeking the wisdom of the Temple of Love training.”
The disciples were a bit taken aback. Ishtar-la said, “Any volunteers to go first?”
Lizla’s natural leadership overcame her resistance. She raised her hand. “I will start, and please, here in the classroom can we please dispense with our titles, just first names?” Ishtar-la nodded in agreement. Lizla continued. “My name is Lizla; I am the daughter of Ramses IX who was killed in battle 4 years ago.” Ishtar-la took a deep breath, as that was the battle where her own beloved husband had been killed trying to protect Pharaoh, but she held her peace. “I am of marrying age, but also in line for the throne of Egypt,” Lizla continued. “Most of the decisions about my education and traveling are arranged by my parents and teachers. I am eager to learn and would follow any training that does not interfere with my duty or religion.”
Lizla’s strong stance brought a suppressed cry of disbelief from Gemeti and Suma, a quiet smile from Annouk-Aimee and a look of quiet admiration from Lakshmi.
Ishtar-la answered with a quiet nod. “Next to the right, please.”
Gemeti answered. “My name is Gemeti; I was born in Babylon from a family descended of royal lineage. My father is the Ambassador of Babylon in Egypt. My parents decide on my education, my destiny and my marriage. I am currently betrothed to a diplomat, so I am assuming court royal duties and female wisdom are in my future,” she added with a smile.
Suma continued. “I am Gemeti’s twin sister; I am also betrothed to a high official in court.”
Annouk-Aimee was next. “My name is Annouk-Aimee; I came here to Egypt to further my education and to provide family support for my brothers Diogenes and Mikos. I was born in Greece.”
Finally, Lakshmi introduced herself: “My name is Lakshmi, which is the name of the Indian Goddess of Fortune. My parents decided to educate me in Egypt to learn the ways of wealth and to support my parents and my future husband in their sacred duties. I am a Brahmini (a female Brahmin).”
Ishtar-la noticed with quiet and sympathetic amusement, the different forms of pride that each one of these initial introductions was revealing. Then she added, “Thank you very much. As for me, my name is Ishtar-la, I was born in Babylon. My father was first cousin to the Babylonian King so I was naturally selected to become one of his Queen’s favorite attendants. I met my husband in Babylon; he was a minor prince of Egypt who came to offer a pact of alliance to my King from the Pharaoh. But we both fell in love and I was allowed to marry him and followed him to Memphis.”
Ishtar-la’s devotion to her late husband and his and her new country, were obvious in the strange shine in her eyes. Tears were showing and the hearts of her new disciples melted with romantic inspirations. Ishtar-la recovered herself quickly, and facing all of them, she stood up.
“Now my dear ladies, what is your first impression of this class? What do you think will be our greatest goal and also our greatest challenge?”
Lizla saw the opportunity to voice her concern, so she immediately raised her hand. “Well for one, we are all from different backgrounds, traditions and religions.” She took a deep breath and continued. “Isn’t education, including love, taught differently for each one of us?” Lizla’s eyes were not defiant, but her zeal was obvious in her speech.
Ishtar-la was glad to see her demonstrate her leadership in such a courageous and polished mood. “She will make a great Egyptian queen some day,” Ishtar-la thought to herself, “and I will be proud of her, I am sure.” Then she looked at the other girls who were uncomfortably squirming in their seats in nervous expectation.
Lakshmi volunteered to answer. “Well, in my country we have over 500 languages and many religions, but the basic truths tend to be common; that is why we preach tolerance.” She said that firmly but not too aggressively. Ishtar-la liked her second disciple too. This was going to be an interesting class.
Annouk-Aimee ventured, “Well, ever since I came here, I have been exposed to the strange methods and beliefs of the Egyptian people. It makes me feel homesick sometimes and a bit constrained. In my country everything questioned and debated. But we also value learning. I have learned a lot so far and I look forward to be improved by your wisdom.” She felt sympathy for Ishtar-la’s position as a teacher of such a privileged group of strong ladies.
Ishtar-la took a deep breath and said quietly, “Thank you for being so frank. You are indeed right in your perceptions but also need some expansion. That is what true learning is all about. Regarding religion and education, no one can take that away from you. All forms of loyalty to your true Gods will bring you closer to heaven and that is independent of belief type. The true values of faith, commitment, discipline, valor, humility, patience and all the virtues that make a woman priceless are exalted in all traditions. But the most important things, you will find out, are not our differences, but our similarities. You will take several classes in medicine, beauty, astronomy, astrology, flower arrangement, weaving and other related feminine arts. You may not need them all, but in your positions as rulers or wives of rulers and offices of the court, you need the information about how to manage and evaluate services and situations. Above all, being a woman is the foundation of the family structure. Our future kings learn to fight and hunt in their fathers’ chariots. They learn how to understand their hearts and souls in their mothers’ eyes.”


Chapter 14 – Anatomy of the Ka Lesson
Ishtar-la asked the students to open the papyrus books they had received before the class started. Each one of the paper boxes was adorned with a cross of life and the Temple of Love seal. The box was marked: Class I Anatomy of the Ka and the Flow of the Prana.

Taking the cover of the Teacher’s Copy, which had the same engraving in golden hieroglyphics, Ishtar-la asked her pupils: “Do you know what this title means?”

Both Lizla and Lakshmi raised their hands, almost in unison.

Ishtar-la turned to Lizla first and said, “Well!”

Lizla said confidently, “The Ka is our own inner personal soul; the Prana is its energy. I am assuming we are going to learn how this flow works. I have experienced it in meditation, but have no idea of what happens, just the feeling of it.” Lizla stopped and looked around timidly. She had the tendency to do that. She would get all fired up on some new idea, and then realize she had found the wrong audience. “Bad for a future Queen,” she said inwardly to herself. So she kept quiet, looking at the floor.

But her teacher did not share Lizla’s concern. She was happy to have advanced disciples, so she said: “Excellent, this is a great introduction, because, yes, we will learn both the theory and the practical application of the teachings. And thank you for being forward with your personal experience.” Then addressing the class as a group, she added, “All of you have been selected for your future key positions of leadership. This is powerful, sacred knowledge that is not given lightly, and very rarely to women. So please, be aware that you can speak freely here in this group. You all have sworn a vow of secrecy about these sacred teachings. So we are all in a safe place to learn and to share.”

Turning to Lakshmi, the teacher gave her a signal to speak.

“Well, my father is my teacher and Guru. Some of his teachings are secret too, but the experience that Lizla describes is also part of our philosophy in India. I have learned to meditate and understand Prana as the vital force that animates the psychic body. Is that what you call the Ka, in Egypt?”