Per Shu · The House of Shu · Study Circle of the Order
Study Is How the Sky Is Lifted.
In Kemet, Shu is the breath and light-space between Nut, the sky, and Geb, the earth — the Neter who raises the heavens so light can travel. The House of Shu is where seekers do that lifting together: reading Dr. Ben, sitting with Ma'at, and preparing to petition the Craft.
The House takes its name from Shu, the Neter of breath and light-space — the name Grand Master Ajarn Shaman Shu also carries.
Who It Is For
The Door Has No Lock
Anyone 18 or older
The House is open. You need no introduction and no sponsor to sit in it.
No experience required
Come knowing nothing of Kemet. The first week begins at the beginning.
No membership required
You are not petitioning by attending. Many sit a full cycle and never knock.
No cost, ever
The House of Shu is free. Nothing is sold in it and nothing is asked of you.
The Four Props
What the House Holds Up
History
Ta-Seti to Waset — the Nile Valley origins, read from the sources and from the walls themselves.
Ma'at
The 42 Declarations and the Seven Principles, taken one at a time and applied to the week ahead.
Sciences
The Seven Liberal Arts and the sacred geometry that raised the temples.
Craft
Application — building in the world and in the self, so that study becomes work.
Every Session
The Order of Study
- 01
Orientation to the East
Stand, face east, three breaths — Shu is breath.
- 02
One Declaration of Ma'at
Read aloud, then held in silence for a moment.
- 03
The reading and discussion
The week's assigned text, opened by a Keeper and discussed by the circle.
- 04
The Building
One practical work carried into the week.
- 05
Closing
“Orient yourself within yourself. Orient yourself in the world.”
Practical
How the House Meets
- Meeting
- Online, weekly. Every session runs ninety minutes.
- Zoom
- [STUDY_ZOOM_LINK]
- Between sessions
- [COMMUNITY_LINK]
- Led by
- The Grand Master, or a Keeper of the House appointed by him.
- Cost
- None. The House of Shu is free.
The Next Three Sittings
Take a Seat on the Calendar
Consulting the calendar…
Twelve Weeks
The Foundations Cycle
- 01
Orientation: What is the Craft of Amen Ra? Alkebu-lan and Kemet.
ReadingIntroductory notes from the Order; Dr. Ben on the name Alkebu-lan.
What did you believe about ancient Egypt before this week, and where did that belief come from?
- 02
Ta-Seti to Waset: the Nile Valley origins.
ReadingDr. Yosef Ben-Jochannan, Black Man of the Nile and His Family.
Why does the direction the Nile flows change how the story is usually told?
- 03
Ma'at I: Declarations 1–21.
ReadingSpell 125, Papyrus of Ani (Declarations 1–21).
Which of the first twenty-one is hardest for you to say honestly this week?
- 04
Ma'at II: Declarations 22–42 and the Seven Principles.
ReadingSpell 125, Papyrus of Ani (Declarations 22–42).
Where in your daily work do reciprocity and propriety actually cost you something?
- 05
The Neteru: Amen Ra, Ptah, Tehuti, Ausar, Auset, Heru.
ReadingSelected passages on the Neteru from Dr. Ben's works.
What is lost when a Neter is translated as a “god” in the European sense?
- 06
Imhotep and the Per Ankh: the temple as the first school.
ReadingDr. Yosef Ben-Jochannan, Abu Simbel to Ghizeh.
What did the Per Ankh teach that a modern school does not?
- 07
The Ten Virtues of the Mystery System.
ReadingGeorge G. M. James, Stolen Legacy.
Which virtue would your closest associates say you already practice?
- 08
The Seven Liberal Arts in Kemet.
ReadingSelected readings on the temple curriculum.
Which of the seven have you neglected, and what would repairing it require?
- 09
The Grand Lodge of Luxor and the Greek students.
ReadingDr. Yosef Ben-Jochannan, Africa: Mother of Western Civilization.
What is the difference between inheriting a teaching and claiming it?
- 10
From Karnak to Prince Hall: how the Craft traveled.
ReadingOrder notes on the transmission; readings on African Lodge No. 459.
What was preserved in the journey, and what was lost?
- 11
Dr. Ben: his life, his 49 books, his study tours to Kemet.
ReadingSelected lectures and the bibliography of Dr. Ben.
Why did he insist that students see the walls for themselves?
- 12
Preparing to petition: the Oath of Ma'at, the discipline of silence, next steps.
ReadingReview of the 42 Declarations; the Order's petition guidance.
Are you ready to be held to what you have read? Say why.
Cycles run continuously. Enter at any week; complete all twelve.
Reserve a Seat
Join the Next Cycle
Keep a House
Open a House of Shu in Your City
Behind the Walls
The House of Shu Behind the Walls
Brothers and Sisters who are incarcerated may study with us by mail. Write to us and we will send the reading list, printed lesson sheets for the twelve weeks, and a correspondent from the Order who will answer your letters. There is no charge and no requirement to petition.
[PRISON_MINISTRY_ADDRESS]
Sit in the House. Then knock on the door.
The next sitting is being set; reserve a seat and we will write to you. Study here first, and petition only when you are ready to be held to what you have read.
Questions about the House: learn@craftofamenra.com