Mystery cults apparently have access to a potent secret that we all seek.

Man has always sought the purpose of life. In fact, that is the hallmark of being human. We are not content just with food, clothing and shelter. We are not just content with entertainment. We want more. We want to know the point of it all. Why are we here? And more importantly, is there an easier way to get things done?

Those who figured it out felt that not everyone was ready to share what they knew. They feared persecution and misunderstanding if they were liberal with their insights. And so they became secretive, allowing a few select people into their fold. This is how mystery cults came into being.

This term “Mystery cults” is derived from the Latin mysterium and the Greek musteria which basically means a secret rite. Followers of these rites were known as mystics (mystes) because they had access to that which was not known to all. The mystery cult was an extremely exclusive and secret club. Those who belonged to it felt privileged. Those who did not, felt excluded. Those excluded, yearned to be part of it. Or they feared it.

Some people believe Mystery cults bring material prosperity — the followers have access to more wealth, more health and more happiness. Others say the Mystery cults have more to do with spiritual doctrine, a deeper understanding of human psychology and cosmic wisdom.

They perhaps have the sorcerer's stone that turned lead to gold, they had the cornucopia that overflowed with wealth, they had that which could make one immortal, they had that which could make one eternally happy. They had what no one else had. They were closer to the gods. At least that is what was imagined. There is a sense that they possess knowledge that is at once fascinating and frightening.

Those familiar with it feel they are just another form of spiritual/religious practice — following methods that may perhaps be unacceptable in mainstream society. Others feel they are Devil worshippers, associated with anti-social elements, or perhaps a kind of a secret society that orchestrates the events of the world. They do the impossible — build pyramids, build the temple of Solomon, maybe they are the one's who actually split the atom and traveled the moon and Mars, they are the one's who brought down the monarchy and established democracy. Little wonder then that Mystery cults have been the favourite targets of Conspiracy Theorists. Even in ancient world, people who were part of Mystery cults were often persecuted.

In tribal societies, the Shamans (or witch doctors as they are loosely called) were considered guardians and mediums of occult cosmic secrets. They were loners who stayed away from mainstream society and indulged in practices that mainstream society abhorred. As society formed, these sorcerer - sages too organised themselves into cults and secret organisations, allowing few in their midst.

The Greeks had the cult of Orpheus and Dionysus that involved breaking free from the logical world and surrendering to the mystical world through use of trance - inducing music and hallucinogenic drugs. In India, there was Tantra full of esoteric charms and hymns and rites.

It is said that for the Roman authorities, Christianity was a Mystery cult at first. The early Christians, for fear of persecution, met secretly in houses marked with the symbol of the fish, the fish representing the chosen people who were willing to fall into the net of the Fisher King, Jesus Christ.

Later as Christianity became the mainstream religion, followers of nature worship such as the Wicca survived by becoming Mystery cults. The god of Wicca, the horned god, became the Devil of the Church, leaving them open to charges of heresy.

Early scientists like Galileo and Newton also became part of secret societies like the Freemasons because they felt their revolutionary ideas would make them heretics in the eyes of the Church.

Secrecy ensured survival. The Mystery cult communicated their wisdom using metaphor, allegory and symbols. Everything had to be decoded if one wanted to gain access to them. They used language associated with death, rebirth, and one never knew if they were referring to physical rebirth or psychological rebirth or some other mystical magical rebirth. They typically followed many rituals. Each ritual was a rite of passage aimed at creating a shift in consciousness. With each shift, one rose to a higher level. With higher consciousness came higher power and maybe higher responsibility.

Our fascination with Mystery cults and Dan Brown's books perhaps tells us that despite all the gurus and all the religions out there, we still feel that some secret is being kept away from us, secrets that are being used exclusively by a privileged few. And we don't like it.