It will seem strange to people when I say that prehistoric Egypt was Christian many thousands of years before the birth of Christ, that is to say, that its religion was composed of the same principles and ideas that constitute true Christianity. - George Gurdjieff

It is not uncommon for esoteric teachings to borrow from known myths and legends and rework them to suit their culture. The parallel themes and imagery--such as climbing mountains, surviving floods, overcoming barriers, struggling against antagonists, communicating with gods and goddesses, creation, death, and rebirth—protected the inner meaning, so although many religions appear to conflict with one another in their outward message and form, the inner message remained constant. Each subsequent esoteric school would recognize the inner meaning and use it in their new formulation of the quest for Divine Presence.

Traces of esoteric school traditions include: