Rediscover Ancient Egypt with Tehuti Research Foundation

The Way of Maat

One of the main objectives of Tehuti Research Foundation (under our not-for-profit status) is to facilitate the study and practices of the Egyptian Model of mysticism—commonly known as The Way of Ma-at. Ma-at represents the truth, The Way. In Ancient Egypt, the concept of Ma-at has permeated all Egyptian writings, from the earliest times and throughout Egyptian history. Ma-at encompasses the virtues, goals, and duties that define the acceptable, if not ideal, social interaction and personal behavior. The Ancient Egyptian wisdom has always laid great emphasis on the cultivation of ethical behavior and service to society.

Interested participants in this program should contact us. TRF will subsequently establish regional chapters at the geographical locations of the aspiring participants. Each chapter will be called Zawya (plural Zawya-t), which means A Place For Contemplation.

TRF will choose the lead person for the Zawya and his/her title will be Khadem (meaning Servant of) el-Zawya. Each member of a group is called Ssahheb (f. Ssahheba), meaning companion/friend/fellow.

In the unique Egyptian mystical model, humility of spirit and demeanor are required from all; they are taught not to consider themselves superior to others, but to rank themselves as the poorest, lowest, and most humble of mankind, which actually makes them difficult to spot—they blend into the background.

The members of each group are at various stages of development/progression. Those members who are more advanced act as guides/coaches for the others. There is not a clear line of distinction between clergy and laity like there is in Christendom. Each member is learning, and at the same time is passing on his knowledge to a newer member.

The members of each group continue to perform their duties as citizens. The members must have productive work to support themselves and their dependants. There is no retirement from the world, i.e. no monks or hermits. The Egyptian model emphasizes a balance between living in the world and seeking spiritual experiences.

Women are just as much involved in all activities in the Egyptian mystical model.

Participation at all levels in the fellowship is “preferred”. Frequent absences from group activities without good reason would be considered as a lapsed membership.

Our fellowship is not a cult. Anyone can come and go whenever he/she wants.

The Universality of Egyptian Mysticism

The Egyptian model of mysticism (now known as Sufism) is not attached to (or an offshoot of) islam. As a matter of fact, these mystical principles and practices are contrary to islam. The Egyptian mystical (Sufi) teachings and practices are markedly different from those of Sufis in other countries.

The natural principles and practices of the Egyptian model are as common in the West as in the East. The Egyptian model of mysticism (Sufism) is not a matter of creed and dogma, but rather of a personal charter. Each one of us is a unique individual. There is no one-size-fits-all dogmatic doctrine. The ways to God are like the streams—they all go to one source. All Egyptian thinking is based on this principle—variations on a theme.

The Egyptian model of mysticism is not about the outer world, or a community of believers, or dogma, scriptures, rules, or rituals. The Egyptian model of mysticism consists of ideas and practices that provide the tools for any spiritual seeker to progress along each’s alchemical Path towards “union with the Divine”.

This spiritual Path towards union requires one to engage in the difficult, and sometimes painful (but joyful), commitment to inner and outer purification. The spiritual seeker must gain knowledge of reality/truth, do well in everything, and apply what he/she has learned in the world. It is a philosophy of life, a way of individual behavior in order to achieve the highest morality and internal happiness and peace.

The Objectives of Zawya-t

The goals of The Way of Ma-at Fellowship are to provide their members with the needed tools to achieve: self-development, character (virtue) building, companionship, good counseling, mystical training (spiritual alchemy), and inner experience informed by revelation.

The aspirant, in the Egyptian model, learns to purify his inner self by taming vices and practicing the opposites of such vices in society. Knowledge is gained by both the mind and experience. The inner purification must be completed by practicing good social behavior in the ordinary daily life.

The Egyptian model of mysticism emphasizes that the adherents must be active participants in the society. Members must be involved in society by practicing what they learn. Serving others constitutes an integral aspect of self-development. The individual performance in the society is the true test of his/her success.

Frequency of Meetings

Once a week or every other week, preferably on Thursdays after sunset. If inconvenient, a time during the weekend will be fine.

For Zawya-t in North America, a monthly or bi-monthly meeting will be presided by Khadem Moustafa Gadalla (by telephone, etc).

For Zawya-t outside North America, or in prisons, other arrangements will be made.

Other meetings will be held to observe the cosmic Egyptian holidays, as shown in TRF’s book, Egyptian Mystics: Seekers of the Way. It should be noted that the dates for these holidays, as shown in this book, are for the northern hemisphere. For those living in the southern hemisphere, the same holidays will apply by adding 182 days to the dates shown in the book.

Place of Meetings

Any place where the members of the Zawya agree to meet—private, public.

Materials for Study

TRF’s three books: Egyptian Mystics: Seekers of the Way, Egyptian Cosmology: The Animated Universe, and Egyptian Divinities: The All Who Are the One, must be available to all aspirants. They can be purchased at regular prices from bookstores, Amazon.com, etc., and discounted prices, as blemished/used, from TRF, Amazon.com, or half.com.

For those who cannot afford such expenses, the books, or portions thereof, will be made available to them by TRF.

For non-English speaking aspirants, translated portions of the books will be made available, at nominal (or free of) charge by TRF or the designated Khadem.

For those who cannot read, the Khadem of el-Zawya will communicate the material of study to them.

Nature of Regular Meetings

This will be a combination book club and group therapy, where all members will pre-read certain pages of TRF book(s). In the meeting, each member will get a turn to give his/her thoughts and what they did (or intend to do) in real life, to practice such thoughts/ideas. Lack of participation will result in dismissal from the group.

No (fake) rituals, prayers, etc, are in this program. A Zawya is not a temple.

Topics of Regular Meetings

Khadem Moustafa Gadalla (or his designate) will recommend the portions of books that need to be pre-read by the aspirants, before each meeting. The program will be communicated through the lead person of the Zawya, i.e. the Khadem (Servant of) el-Zawya.

Selections and communicating topics of meetings for restricted groups (in prisons) or outside North America will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Voluntary (and Anonymous) Contributions

The Egyptian Model does not call for a set fee, but for voluntary and anonymous contributions. Members of a Zawya should contribute towards the maintenance and activities of their group as they see fit.