Emin is a little known cult; however, it is very popular in certain circles.  We first became aware of the group due to its popularity in Israel.  Emin is a mixture of New Age beliefs and practices, and some traditional western occultism.  In addition to Israel, it is to be found in Europe and the U.S.

Overview

Names:   Emin, the Eminent Way, The Emin Society, The Way, Templates, Template Network, Foundation for Human Development, Earth School, University of Life, Faculty of Colours
Founder:  Raymond Armin
Date of Founding:  1972
Country of Origin:  United Kingdom
Influences:  Alchemy, Rosicrucianism, the Occult, Gurdjieff
Scripture or Authoritative Source: The writings, video and audio recordings of Armin—called the Archives
Groups and Organizations:  Emin Foundation, the Church of the Emin Coils (Florida), Ma’ale Tzviya kibbutz (Israel), the Template Network, the Template Foundation, Blue Rose Wellness, Ruby Care Foundation, Topaz, Feminenza, Palette M charity, Gemrod Foundation, the Acropolis
Membership:  Several thousand worldwide

Summary of Beliefs

God:  A generic view of God; all religions accepted as valid.  Ultimate reality exists as a duality; and is also triadic, with a threeness to the deity.
Jesus: Some acknowledgement of Him, but only as one of many spiritual teachers.
Salvation: This consists of personal development through the practice of Emin principles.
Sin:  The focus is on personal development, rather than moral behavior.  However, Emin’s assertion of a person’s potential to transform and develop themselves obviously denies the idea of original sin and depravity.
Scriptures: The Bible is sometimes used, but Armin’s writings are authoritative.
Afterlife: After death, our astral body travels into space, before coming back again. Through Emin one can achieve an advanced status and no longer need to reincarnate.
Truth: An eclectic approach to truth and religion.

History and Overview

Raymond Armin was born in London in 1924.  His original name was Schirtenlieb, which he changed to Armin.  He was a student of various esoteric and occult schools of thought.  In the 1960’s he and his son John started a school for esoteric studies in London.  He gathered a group of followers around him, which evolved into the Emin Society in 1972.  Emin is apparently a shortened form of an earlier group name, the Eminent Way.  (Although some now claim that the name is Arabic and means “faithful one.”)  Names changes are common.  Armin was called Leo within the group, his wife Violet became Ruth, and his son Orman.   Taking new Emin names is a standard practice in the movement.  Armin lived in Florida, USA for a brief time before returning to the U.K.  Later he and his returned to the U.S. There he lived in a mansion and in great luxury, funded by the money donated by followers.  He died in Florida in 2002.  Many compare him to L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology, in both his beliefs and lifestyle.

Emin basically considers itself a philosophical system rather than a religion.  However, it definitely has its own theology, cosmology and anthropology.  The fundamental teachings of Emin assert that there are certain natural laws in the universe.  These laws are evidenced in patterns, called templates.  Through study and understanding these templates, any person can undergo personal transformation and further their own evolutionary development.  Great emphasis is placed on the individual’s ability to improve and transform themselves.

Much of the appeal of Emin stems from its emphasis on personal development.  Through the various groups that make up the movement, they stress the potential of the individual to grow and evolve.  On the surface they appear to offer a generic self-help, do-it-yourself pop psychology of personal growth.  Their approach to personal development involves tapping into the latent potential we have within us.  This includes developing great mental powers.  They use meditation, dance, chanting, singing and other techniques as part of their practice.  However, underlying these beliefs and techniques are occult teachings and practices.

They believe that the entire world is poised for dramatic changes.  They see this as a natural part of cosmic evolution.  They believe they have the ability to effect this change through their programs.  They also stress the importance of both male and female genders in effecting worldwide change.  Their women’s program, Fiminenza, deals with the power of feminine to change individuals and the world.  Further, Armin/Leo claimed contact with extraterrestrials, from whom he learned some of his teachings.  One alien contact was named Toir.  From these sources Armin learned that humans came into being through aliens having sex with apes, and then man evolved from this.  Based on their strong emphasis on evolution, it is not surprising to discover that they believe the Emin are more highly advanced than other humans.  Most people on earth are unfit to fit into the larger galactic society.  Extraterrestrials are now beaming energy to the earth, preparing members of the Emin to survive a coming worldwide holocaust, which they call The Event.

As is common with many New Age and occult groups. There is a complex cosmology and theology.  Emin teaches that the earth is surrounded by the Astral Light, which has seven levels or layers.   The cosmos, earth and humanity are also organized in a system of patterns or cycles.  These patterns are called templates.  Natural templates include the yearly seasons and the DNA molecule.  Everything is derived from the supreme Template of Creation.  Identifying the templates relevant to our advancement is important.  Within these templates are “stations” which make up a grid.  Learning to advance and work through these stations (also called essences) is part of the evolutionary process which humanity is required to undertake.

The occult practices of members of the movement are abundant.  They train people to read auras and develop clairvoyant abilities.  They practice various forms of divination, including reading Tarot cards, astrology, numerology, and palmistry.  The Emin has their own unique Tarot Deck, called the Tarot of the Frown Strong, or Emin Tarot.  They practice a form of physical exercise called Electrobics, which is very similar to Tai Chi.  They stress the importance of various colors and numbers.  They are fascinated by psychic and spiritual energies, which they believe are evident all around us, if we develop the potential to see them.

When Armin was alive, Emin was focused on him and certain groups he founded.  Now Emin is more of a movement than a group.  Various groups are active in Great Britain, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Norway, the United States, Canada, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, France, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, the Congo and elsewhere.  They are very popular in Israel, and even operate a kibbutz there.