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This bit of prose I collected from the essay by tomekeeper from the library of knowledge. So I prepose it to this forum, as I have noticed this trend. Those keeping information as pearls of wisdom to be locked away in symbolism and code. What are the views of those who read and understand such?
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"And at that time the Ascended One came among us,
and sang to the wise elders his mind's true chorus:

'Here we stand atop the world,
Complete with knowledge and wings unfurled.

We tarry here at the utmost heights,
There is nothing to stop us -- and now we take flight!

Away from the queer folk awrap in their lore,
Away, away, from those things we abhor.

We've taken the time and have learned all our verse.
Away from the mindless we now shall rehearse.

What say you, elders? Afar to the blue?
Where shall we go, and what shall we do?

To run from the rabble with all of our wits?
To gather the worthy and make then our split?'

The wisdom of elders then shone like a star,
for now they knew surely he had not come so far.

They thought of his song and responded in turn,
a simple made phrase to rebuke his ill spurn.

'Where shall we go, and what shall we do?
The wise do not know, and neither do you.

From dust you have risen, so to dust once more!
You hate the unlearned who once were your core!

Forsake not the lesser, e'en lesser they are,
For though now you shine, you once were as char.

Return to the common, and help those who seek.
Though now you are strong, you once were quite weak.'

And taken aback the Seraph now thought,
'I am glorious now, where once I was not!

Back to the 'simple' I now shall return,
and return all the favours received while I learned.

The least I may do is to pay them all back,
and guide kindly the low, and those who now lack.

The sharp and the dull, in measure I aid,
I once was as both -- this is fact, not a shame.

The wise speak now truly -- to help all I must,
For though I am high now I once too was dust!

Who am I to judge who is worthy or not?
To make such a judgment my head must be hot.

Too full of vain pride I would be now to boast,
as once too I new-learned things common to most'"


--"Song of the Seraph"

By all means make copies. it is from the Library of knowledge archive.

But yes. That is the point. Those souls who have gone through the trials and have become masters of their trades and hate those who don't understand the basics, and have yet to go through the trials.

There is a difference between "holding back information" and only giving what is required when it is required. The true teacher will give their student the required knowledge as the student becomes capable of understanding it. That doesn't necessarily mean they are displaying elitism, rather, a concern for the welfare of their student. All the more so in the study of esoterica, where knowledge may be power, but may also be inherantly dangerous. Moderation is not such a bad thing, for the student. Restraint, depending on your path, may be a requirement of proceeding. Hunger for knowledge, while an appropriate attitude in a good student, may also reveal other aspects, such as thirst for power or conquest, which may not be so desirable. So... I say the truth behinds this depends on the path, and on the master and their attitude.

I think that was really interesting. It sounded kinda familiar in a way.

That was very interesting, at first I thought it was speaking of god and angels and stuff, how they had come to the world and learned all that they could and looked down upon those who knew nothing, but now I think it could mean that the people that have learned all they can about certain things look down upon others that don't know these things, and in the end realised that they to were once 'as low as dust' and decide not to pass judgement upon others.

I agree with Drakontion on this.

would add that 'quests' for knowledge, which are based on honesty do get results.

the journey towards knowledge is a common philisophical one, echoed in most major groups of thought. this is simply a chorus of this quest

The elitism mentioned can be an issue, not only in specific quests for knowledge, but also in life, in general. Things such as music 'scenes' or the gothic lifestyle, for example. Those with more knowledge and experience shun the 'noobs' and form their own exclusive groups, rather than taking them under their wings and showing them the way.

However, whether in learning or in life, it's not so much that the elitists are hiding the information, as it is that they are simply not making it more available. That is to say, they are too busy enjoying their 'enlightenment' to waste their time with some know-nothing, wannabe, plebes.

To muddy the waters even further, there are the 'coffee shop intellectuals'. These are attention-starved individuals who have very little in the way of real knowledge, but make up for it by pulling it out of their asses. They then present this as some deep, philosophical thought in order to gain recognition among their peers. Their misinformation makes it even harder for the less knowledgeable to complete their studies, and makes them seem like fools among the real experts.

In my opinion, elitism is a terrible thing, but one which is hard to avoid. After all, I would much rather have a conversation with a close friend who shares my interests and experiences, than my five year old niece, who still plays with dolls. Conversely, my niece would prefer to spend time with another little girl who understands the logistics of a 'tea party' (which confounds me entirely).

The important thing however, is that while we would both favour our own pursuits, both I and my niece are willing to teach and to learn from each other, rather than resorting to exclusion, as a true elitist would.

Is it elitism or is it just that there is a divide between those that understand and those that don’t? Let’s face it, people no matter what culture or society will gravitate to those that understand them and their ideas. So if we naturally connect with those that we are similar to, then isn’t it a judgement call of those that are dissimilar that it is elitist?

What I am trying to express is that if someone were to go from not understanding, to growing into the knowledge would they not also then fit in? They may not agree, or have the same methods, but they would have better understanding of the whole social scheme.

Yes, but at the same time, they would have the *given* need to return someone else to standing to pay back favor, assuming that one ascribes to such thought. However this is only going to fail as a thought if the role of the advocate is played.

This would be in regards to the nature of one who has gone from nothing, to something, then holds it against the nothings that they know nothing instead of helping them get to a place of something.

Elitism is a trait innate to mortal man... knowledge is power and man craves power above all...

Unless such knowledge were to endanger those around the novice, I wouldn't believe it proper to withhold information or learning on the basis of someone 'not being ready'.

My opinion is to give all the knowledge you can, with warnings about how to use it if necessary and if they (through greed or impatience to use it) destroy themselves then that is their own fault. The transverse being that if you WITHHOLD knowledge (appointing yourself judge of who is and isn't 'ready') and that lack of knowledge undoes them, it IS your fault.

First off, I don’t think the point behind the passage is about elitism and the decisions of who should know what. It sounds like they are talking about the arrogance those who see themselves as knowledgeable seem to adopt, and how that arrogance only shows their ignorance. Basically the “elders” are tearing the Seraphim down off his high horse.
As for my thoughts on the subject, knowledge should never just be given out. It breeds abuse of said knowledge, and leaves no room for growth. Instead, one should give another the ability to find the knowledge themselves. This may sound terrible, but a wonderful example would be how Dumbledore never told Harry anything. He let Harry learn everything on his own, “laying out the breadcrumbs” so to speak.
Knowledge earned is more greatly appreciated and gives the student a platform to grow from. Knowledge given only gives one a sense of power; it gives the student a sense of elitism, making him feel superior to those around him. Knowledge earned gives one a sense of understanding.

I agree that the song is about reminding a seraphim that he too was once weak and uninformed but the thread's very title is a 'trend towards elitism' and it implies that there is concern of those in the 'know' and positions of elder power not sharing their knowledge.

I have to disagree with those that think knowledge itself is a bad thing or given too freely. There is a very slippery slope when one seeks to take the patrician role and make judgments and decisions about what the rest of us deserve to know or can handle.

Surely we'd like to live in an open society and that translates to our studies and our mystic societies as well yes? Should we rail when the governments of the world act in secret and refuse to tell us what we feel is our right but then keep our initiates in the dark about what they feel they should know? I know that governments often take the stand that it is "acting in our best interests" when they keep secrets. Do we want to take that same role of 'self-righteous guardian of knowledge'?

Do you genuinely think that you know what's best for everyone? Enough to decide what they are allowed to know and what should merely be hinted at for them to track down and find on their own?

One final note...Dumbledore in his desire for Harry Potter to 'learn things himself' and thus earn his knowledge...very nearly could have caused Harry's death a number of times when simply answering his questions might have made it easier (and verily less dangerous) to accomplish the right thing. It just wouldn't have made as good a story. Still (in the real world) ...if my life were in danger, the last thing I'd want is some self-righteous old codger giving me indirect and vague half-answers to my questions of survival.

good point... but if Dumbledore had simply answered Harry's question, Harry wouldn't have really learned the lessons he needed to learn in order to do what he needed to do...
We all decide every day what it is we share with others and what it is we with hold. Everyone may talk how they think we should all be allowed to know everything when the truth is there are just some things that are better off not being known. It's simply just a judgment call we all make every single day at any given moment. Better knowledge be with held or given when it is truly for the greater good than for one's own selfish reasons. In the end, it's always just a judgment call we all live with. If you can't live with a decision, then don't make the decision.