me mum ucriides
m e A M M O uctofie$ Raymund Andrea Grand Master Emeritus of Great Britain
© 1991 Grand Lodge of the English Language Jurisdiction, AMORC, Inc.
First Paperbound Edition, 1991 Copyright 1991 By Grand Lodge of the English Language Jurisdiction, AMORC, Inc.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of the publisher.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ABOUT THE BOOK . . . Raymund Andrea
July 21, 1882 - July 22, 1975 This special edition of the lectures of Raymund Andrea is a transcription of original conclave lectures tape recorded in Frater Andrea's home in Bristol, England, from 1954 to 1968 by Past Grand Master Robert E. Daniels and has been used by the Las Vegas Pronaos members as supplementary study material. Las Vegas Pronaos has generously donated this material to the Grand Lodge of the English Language Jurisdiction, AMORC, for the benefit of its members. Frater Andrea said about himself, "You will find me in my books." Most students of the Order know him through his currently published works, The Technique of the Master. The Technique of the Disciple, and The Mvstic Path. In reviewing The Andrea Lectures, the student will discover the practical, yet mystical, impact of Andrea's presentation and recognize him as an exponent of the highest ideals of the Rosicrucian Order. Our Grand Lodge is pleased to share this generally unavailable work with students of mysticism and to contribute to the dissemination of the wisdom and practical insight of one of the greatest Rosicrucian philosophers, contemplatives, and mystics of our time.
LECTURES PRESENTED BY RAYMUND ANDREA
GRAND MASTER EMERITUS OF SREAT BRITAIN
HUMILITY - 1954
..THE WAY OF THE HEART - 1955
....THE SECOND ADVENT OF CHRIST - 195S
2 2 .... HONORABLE SKEPTICS - 1SE7
3 1 .... THE ESOTERIC ASPECT OF CHAPTERS - 1558
3 9 .... THE WORDS OF A MASTER - 195S
4 7 .... THE CONFLICT DF OPPOSITES - 1960
5 5 .... LIVERPOOL ADDRESS - 1964
8 1 .... THE CHAPTER'S PURPOSE - 1965
S 3 .... JAKDE BOEHME - 1966
7 5 .... A CONCLAVE - 1968
8 3 .... A LETTER FROM A MEMBER - 1963
8 9 .... THOMAS A KEMPIS
97. .. ..ROSICRUCIAN CODE NUMBER
10
BY RAYMUND ANDREA 1354
Our
members will be familiar with the excellent Rosicrucisn
Code of L i f e t which
is
gravity and dignity all may
be
an
given
in
the
Manual*
has
a
its own, and while some of its rules
ideal to be aimed at, rather than an easy daily
achievement,
yet to have the Code
only
en
prove
constantly
master
I want to quote one of these rules to you. great
in
mind
can
inspiration and promote a silent molding of
the character after the pattern of the
all
It
utterances
Rosicrucian.
It is simple,
as
are, but of far reaching importance.
Here then is Rule Number Eleven of the Code;
"Flaunt
nor
y our attainment
not
boast
of
You may be a your Rosicruc i an knowledge a R * _ the brotherhood, osicrucian as a member of but as a Rosie ruci an in know ledge and the greatest a nd
highest am ong
power,
us is
but a
child of the s tudi es and unw orthy of Rosicrucisn recogniti o n . a Master, but
Proclaim
yourself,
BS a Rosicruc ian
not as
student
and
ever a student eterna1l y ."
The teaching of this rule is clearly humility
in
sense,
It would be a
and
here
Is
an
application
of it.
mistake,
after having taken a few grades of
to
b
set
our
the
reel
teachings,
price upon ourselves* because we are conscious of
possessing a body of unusual instruction which seems to mark us out very definitely from those
around
us, whatever
personal value and attainments of the latter may be.
the
We may
find complacence in the thought that we now stand apart from others
because
we
have embarked upon a course of esoteric
training which promises initiations into knowledge and power
which
will
fellow men.
confer
upon
us
distinct
Yet nothing will so mark
advantages over our a
m a n ’s
inferiority
rather than superiority in even entertaining this thought of an
esoteric
triumph over others*
The world is always with
us, and we have much to do to adjust come
in
to
to
it.
But
when
we
the Inner Place and look at ourselves from the
Btandpoint of higher planes, humility is the only thing that profits us and helps us to see ourselves right
perspective.
And
if
there
and
is
anything
particular rule I have quoted drives home, pected
others
it is
in
a
that this the
unex
conciseness with which it emphasizes the simple fact
that,
whether we ©re early in the grades or well advanced in
them,
we have nothing to boast of regarding the knowledge we
have obtained through our study of them.
This rule demands much from us, more or our
temperament
and
particular
mental
think it will prove more searching to grades
less
background,
those
than to those in the advanced ones.
tion is that having, through several years meditation
and
active
according
in
the
to
but I early
For the assump of
thought
end
work and become assured of personal
participation in the aura of the Order throughout the world, we shall share too in the mind and light of the master minds who inspire it, and that consciousness hes its own power silent enforcement of such a rule as this one.
of
I do not say
we cannot then make mistakes or fail of our ideals, but I do say
we
shall
be
acutely
conscious them.
of I
our mistakes and
failures,
and hasten to redeem
am
sure
member's
sound mental development and wide sympathies would
feel disposed,
on reaching the deeply esoteric
for
of
instance,
test
for
new
instruction,
the ninth grade to regard his standing in
the knowledge of the Brotherhood as personal
the
its
right
anything but a
usage
and
feel
responsibility in his Bttitude towards others.
supreme a special
I
Feel, t he re for e, that
this
those in the earlier grades. they
had
Why?
Because,
For one
thing,
not yet been tried by the inner Fire of ascension
of consciousness* grades
rule has special meaning For
That
is
precisely
why
have lost interest and fallen out.
some
in
these
They were, after
all, but on the neophyte psth and so found,
in their estima
tion, nothing very startling or profound in
their
studies*
They had not yet passed more interior thresholds of instruc tion
nor
entered
into their testing vibration.
But those
who have so passed some of these thresholds and awakened wider vibrational ence
the
fire.
areas of consciousness,
inevitably experi
reactions of that advancement.
They are tried by
What does that mean?
the man
is
himself
unknowingly
stimulated
to
to
It means that everything within increased
his
tension.
own trial,
He
brings
and if he has not
that mental stability and sympathy I mentioned, then one the
first
rule.
to
things
he is prone to do is to sin against this
He will arrogate
to
himself
knowledges
and
power
which he does not possess and are far beyond his reach. admiration
of
The
and applause of others will mean far more to him
than healing a bruised heart or a tormented mind.
I believe the reaction to that even
if
swift
and
unrelenting,
at the time invisible and unknown for the judge is
the man himself, that,
is
simple
and he cannot escape his own
as
this rule appears,
sentence.
So
there is underlying it,
in respect for it, or in indifference to it, the hidden fire of esoteric teaching pointing to e the
true
path
or
student's
ascension
his decline and fall from it.
speak of punishment, but there is far more subtle from
o n e ’s
conscious
I do not resulting
and willful failure in the things of
the inner life than in ones failure to reach a goal in dane we
things, have,
in
on
for,
in
the
other,
mun
the one case, we betray the knowledge circumstances
quite
control may have proved too difficult for us.
beyond
our
Now
e
word
receive.
on
cannot
Concurrences famous
have
overlooked.
the
monographs you
thought
That
is
in them c o n s i s t i n g of q u o t a t i o n s
thinkers
of
the
as R o s i cruci a n s , but
known
of
There is one outstanding feature of the monographs
which you
of
chsracteristic
b
and
meditation,
the
o p e ni n g
from the works
past, not only those who were
all whose
of
them, men
names
are
of
profound
foremost in the
world of literature as instructors Bnd benefactors of
their
fellow men.
The
significance
of
this err ay of great names is, that we
recogni ze and acknowledge upon
t h o u g h t , that
the
world's
great
We
claim
them
as
our
pioneers
% p r 1* vi• 1ege
the
of
with
the
added
archives
of
the
these pregna nt quotations we have a stream
In
of potent thought, actively
many
de epe r and more esoteric knowledge which
has been vouch saf ed to us from the secret Brotherhood.
of
own because we belong to
We have the same ideal s in view but
them.
of
pi a tform of instruction and bene-
this
faction we sta nd side by si de with those nations,
heritage
stimulate
inspiration our
minds
and
counsel
and
calculated
inviting
us
to
to think
empyreally and so prepare oursel ves for such mission in life as the cosmic powers may decree for future
cycle, for
the
us
essence
very
in of
this
We are ever students,
in
a
all our esoteric
training in the grades is that of preparation. rule.
or
wh ich means now and
Remember the in
future
cycles.
The
very first quotation in the first mandamus monograph is
a most apt one from Francis Bacon.
It is, in a way, a
com
ment upon the rule we have considered, for it chows how dif ferent students view their studies, their manner of approach to
them,
and
how
few
hold fast to the highest purpose in
them--which is to employ their enlightenment for the use and benefit of man.
It reminds
us
of
the
rule, because
the
greatest
error
knowledge, little
of
many
is to mistake the ultimate end of
and the rule admonishes us, not because
or
we
have
much Rosicrucian knowledge to boast about it, as
if we had attained,
whereas compared
with
the
masters
of
Rosicrucian science we are nothing but students.
The
rule
certainly
does
not
flatter
us
nor
does
the
quotation for the quotation reminds us of at least six kinds of students:
respectively,
those who seek the knowledge out of curiosity, those who seek it f or mental entertainment, those who acqui re it for the sake of reputation, those who grasp it for triumph and contention, others for money, those whom the it
with
and lastly,
rule
humility,
emphatically ever
declares
should
seek
as students of the highest ideal
and for the use and benefit of mankind*
It is in the last category that we should selves
to be*
acknowledge
And to point the truth of this emphasis upon
continuous studentship we have but to recall how know
our
little
we
comparatively and how far short we come in our service
to others or whst we wish to do and achieve in perfect
counsel
or
the
way
of
in ameliorating opposing circumstance,
but that is no reason for depreciating our present abilities and powers of execution in whatever direction they listed.
Rather,
we
undue
fact, should
en
should demand from ourselves the utmost
possible from the knowledge we possess any
are
claims
but
without
making
to others as to what we can achieve.
the basic law of our deliberately
studies
is
involved
here.
In We
bring ourselves to points of crisis on
the path and cultivate climaxes of inner tension which
will
act as an evocative power upon the Inner Self and secure its response.
If
we
do not demand much from ourselves,
little
will
be
given.
This
is only saying that we should try to
rise to the occasion when the demand Is put to us, and once
we
are
launched upon the path, we are all capable of
more than we realize. been
when
accumulated
A reserve of strength and wisdom
and
a
response
will
come
if
has
we have
confidence in it.
We may then perceive from these few thoughts upon merely one rule and one quotation from the work in our hands awaits
our
deepest
reflection
and
use.
thoughts are both hidden and revealed in plainest
language,
and
the
The
prove
and
by applying our minds sincerely end
of the Rosicrucian knowledge will will
much
greatest
simplest
humbly to the study of the monographs themselves,
studentship
how
be
the wisdom
assimilated,
and
our
a real preparation for association
with the Master Minds of the Brotherhood.
THE WAY OF THE HEART
BY RAYMUND ANDREA f955
To
members
the adv anced grades the names of several
in
among them that of the
the Masters will be f amiliar,
of
Master
From what we have read about h im he is a man of very
Moria. striking
of utterance
noted
greet person al power, with a style
of
appearance,
for
sentent i o u s n e s s , insight
its
and
and he is cr edited with the fo llowing cryptic words:
wisdom,
"To behold with the Eyes of the Heart; with the world;
to listen
Ears of the Heart, to the roar of the
to peer into the future with the compre
hension of the Heart; tions of the past,
to remember the accumula
through the Heart;
thus must
one impetuously advance upon the Path of Ascent."
In
my contact with members in the past,
I have been acutely
aware that the approach of some to their almost
entirely
a
mental
one.
I
studies
know
that
temperament will strongly influence the kind of student mental
will
make
to
his work*
hBs
been
individual approach
a
Some are almost entirely
in approach while others are
mainly
emotional.
The
best results do not come from either the purely mental or an emotional
attitude.
Few
combine
both
in
a
harmonious
development but no serious student will progress far on Path
without
coming
introvert of the valuable
head
experience.
useful development, he
to
realize
is If
to
close
there
must
that
also
is
to
the to
be
simply
door be
upon
the en most
a balanced and
recognize
the
singular
virtue in being an extrovert of the heart.
We
have
always
compassion.
thought
of
the
Masters
Indeed, they are often called
as being men of the
Masters
of
a Compassion.
This
and Christ,
applies, of
course, mainly to the Buddha
and as the Masters ere acknowledged disciples of
these two greet ones, we cannot think of them other than men of compassion which means, that knowledge
and wisdom,
Now this I
all
their
in
the
first
sentence
They
beheld truly with the eyes of the mind.
clearly and rightly. detached,
that
concentrated
Buddha and Christ; feeding
I have
they
their
sense
to
from of
thBt
nothing
appeared away
and
to
true
that
itself, under teaches
a
many
the
the
that
increased
sharp lesson;
Way
own
of
say
to them all against
that
of
Compassion
tempo
of
chosen
their
and
in trying to direction.
way for years until
life
aspiration,
for life is very far from being an
if it has been ignored,
painful and revealing will come and "Eyes
so
Sooner or later, the heart of life
demands recognition and,
the
seemed
power and efficiency
go
affair of the head only.
with
way
me to be looking away from
achieve personal supremacy in their is
their
They were focused on the mental plane,
that was necessary.
It
the
is just what was not evident in some of the members
They were very satisfied that they could see
except
of
"To behold with the Eyes of the Heart.
mentioned.
cold,
extensive
an all-inclusive love is also theirs.
This is plainly evidenced quotation;
with
the
Heart.1'
towards a balanced development;
experiences
compel them
to
behold
That is the first step
and why should this
not
be
so?
Soul
culture, progress on tha Path, the search after deeper
knowledge and understanding of Self, the
same
research. thought
category
as
scientific,
does
not
artistic
fall or
within literary
This kind of research may be pursued without or
achievement.
reference
other
than
any
to personal culture and
It is part and parcel of the ambitious life of
millions of men aiming at legitimate success in
the
world,
but
mystical
development
is not the ambition of millions.
It is the aim of the few and it has far more stringent rules to
comply
with!
The
first
of
which
personal end unique service to others. serve
others
Heart," are
unless
we
is
equipment
for
We cannot adequately
behold them with the "Eyes of the
We Bhall never understand or help them truly if
simply
introverts of the head.
we
The secrets of men ere
not in their heads but in their hearts, and it is
there
we
have to look for them, feel them and know them.
Now, the
next
statement in the quotation;
"listen with the
Ears of the Heart to the roar of the world," the
world is continually in our ears.
to
interpret
it
does
the
incessant
participate in and silent
hour
of
the
cause
like
and
with
humanity!
clamor mean for the millions who it?
What
a
contrast
one
and
the
turn
ourselves,
hushed
with
other, towards
retirement.
the
those
who
view
the
we need an inspired thinking and a
in the midst of the turmoil.
concentrated toil,
Karma
and while our special
live compassion for the multitudes who make possible
listen
meditation of the monk in his retreat, the
interest may naturally silence
But to
ourselves
mystic and the solitary in their conditions
our
Do not
the burden of responsibility,
own
lives
overlook the the anxious
efforts for adjustment of these multitudes who maintain sound
foundation
civilized life.
and
harmonious
it.
the
working of our so-called
Try to realize its manifold functioning and
interpret it in the terms of the h e a r t ’s in
of
with the "Ears of the Heart" opens a
door to closer identification of What
roar
We are so accustomed
to it that we take little notice of it. try
The
We are a part of it —
stresses
involved
even when we try to ovoid it
but the true mystic can never ignore it without deep loss to himself*
In the words of the Scripture:
He dare not ignore the beauty and obscurity of those other Divine fragments which
are struggling side by
side with him and form the race to which he belongs.
I
need
not
say that the Mysti c Nay does not become easier
through this willful descent int o the heart and sensing life from that sensitive center. burden to our Journey! al
life
it.
No
indeed, rather
it
adds
a
But if w e have a call to the mystic-
must be ready to c omply with the conditions of
we
It is our own choice!
Many on the Path have refused to
accept this indication of the he art as their
teacher.
They
have realized that to do so woul d stiffen the way of ascent, They
have
feared
the
of increased sensitivity
penalties
which they knew it would bring. .♦ «• sensitivity in perfection by
Yet
the
virtue
Master of
has
this
accepting these
condi t i ons all along the Way, and it seems to me that if one really has a call to the Way he must discount the
cost
and
be gratefu 1 for the rare opportunity of an incarnation*
These
thoughts lead us to the next statement;
"to peer into
the future with the comprehension of the H e a r t / ’ master
This is
thought and envisages a far reach of the Path.
a
Only
an illuminated heart can exercise that high prerogative, nor should we attempt to exercise it before the time! whether from ambition or presumption, and lead ourselves, culture
we shall make mistakes
others,
astray,
Even
the
of the heart for an incarnation may not confer this
prerogative, the
and possibly
If we do,
evolving
and it is well that this may be so, for to Karma
awaiting
us
and
others
see
requires
a
balanced development of mind end hsart which is all too rare on the Path.
How many of us, seeing the shadows on the Path
ahead or the surrender of self to portal,
would
yet
go
forward
be with
demanded inflexible
purpose and not be checked by the voice of is
at
a will
personality?
high and It
amazing what some aspirants think they should be able to
do after a few years of study of the Way!
It was a
failing
of some highly intellectual men connected in the early years
with the Theosophical movement in India* privileges
for
which
they
were
They demanded high
unready
exercising a wise humility and patience
and and
instead of being
quite
unprepared to peer into the future with the comprehension of the
heart
--
seance room,
they
had
recourse
to spiritualism and the
as if that byway of doubtful repute could
make
them as wise as their Masters!
,fTo
remember
Heart-’1 with
the
accumulatione
of
the
At first sight I thought we were
this
statement
than
with
that
past through the on
on
safer
ground
the future,
clearly the reference here is to the Karma of former
but
cycles
-- not merely the present one -- and we see at once how very rare
will
be
those who can review the broad sweep of past
lives and see how they have fashioned the men know
it
they
I
is common enough for aspirants to feel pretty sure
about their past incarnations,
basing their conclusions upon
certain features and attainments in their present must
are,
cycle.
I
confess that I have always been sceptical when meeting
with those who
have
storied
As in the case of peering into the future,
past.
the
greatest
think a [like) well balanced envisaging
the
past.
assurance
development
There
will
be
about
is
necessary
much
awaiting
aspirant inscribed in that record of thought and past
times
which,
and
action
I in
the of
destined to come to fruition now and later
if prematurely known, might destroy his peace of mind
and the steadiness of his immediate as
their
regarding
thought
that
guidance,
will
progress.
Here
again,
knowledge of the future,
we may repose in the
the
whom
not
Cosmic lift
Powers, to
we
look
for
the veil and reveal that which we
have not won the right and strength to know
and
face
with
courage and compassion*
Why
do
I
say
compassion
statement of the quotation,
on
coming
..."thus
to
must
this, the final one
impetuously
advance
upon
the
Path
points to what we need present.
of to
Ascent”? culture
Primarily because it
for,
in
the
immediate
The word "impetuously" arrests my attention in the
quotation. The towering presence and rather severe aspect of the
Master
"MM
Peremptory
in
’’impetuously” would not
gives speech
special and
suitably
use
it
as
significance
swift
in
expresses a
word
to the word.
action,
the
word
his powerful will, but I
of
guidance
to
aspirants
generally.
To advance impetuously, with a strong background
of
development,
mature
after, aside
which knows itself,
sees before and
can stand against all odds, can rightly b
11
obstacles
discipline
from
and
life
demand
for
and Karma;
wise procedure for the very few.
self
judge, thrust the
surely this can only be a It would only be a fitting
procedure for a close Bnd accepted disciple of to
whom
the
strongest
the
Master,
whole teaching in this quotation was familiar
and practically demonstreble;
for
ourselves
we
shall
be
safer on humbler ground.
That is why I mention compassion; stage
of
right
development
aspirant when a deep attitude
divine
him
before
compassion
needful for an pervades
towards
a
goal
unsympathetic.
It is not an
the
they cannot see.
If
anyone
It is far
too
circumscribed
thinks he will attain these
and
mental
The heart,
is the center of life, and no matter how high
he may have ascended in the realm of fact he descend
know
The mind alone can
passing years will disillusion him.
not the brain,
toll
fighting for they scarcely
graces of the inner man through logical exercise and acumen,
his
the awakened heart comes to that point of
never meet them face to face. and
and
The years must have taken their hard
long-range vision of lives, what,
possible
toward the world of human existence.
easy attainment! with
and
for there is an attainable
will
have
wash his feet in the Blood of the Heart.
to That
in itself will revolutionize his manner of approach to life,
but he should not wait for this to be forced upon him, as it certainly
will
be
if
he
petitions
for advancement.
should try day by day to measure and judge
all
all
He will only see
people through the Fire of the Heart,
things
He
things as they B r e , and evoke from others what is by
the
magnetic
radiation of the heart.
depths of experience we have sounded, and
compassionate
obtain
from
heart, will
those
who
have
be this
them,
According to the
through the
in
end
the
awakened
response
we shall
latent
experience
in
themselves and only need the right stimulus to express it.
I
am
saying
think;
nothing
new!
We know the books that make us
the books that move and
different
class.
stimulate
belong
the
Fire
of
and evokes the best we know in thought and action?
make this contrast designedly because we live in a fic
to
We know the people who make us think;
many do you know whose vibration kindles Heart
us
period,
is
in
the
No matter
ascendant
discount-*at a dead end.
what
its
value,
far
So true is this that
from
it,
is
it
concerned
that
the
discoveries
scientists shall not bring ruin present heart, fear
way
of
life.
But
end
the
Not
It
is
and exploits of the upon
its
the awakened and compassionate
to which the Master refers,
is the offspring
not
of
but of a spiritual consciousness which places its hope
is
the
intent
within-
Spirit.
And
what we are pledged to, and whatever the future in
the hands of science may bring, we must keep ears
not
general
man.
destruction
in an ascendancy to the high altitudes of this
in
showing a similar concern at the
absence of interest in the life of a spiritual only
I
and spirituality is st a
public shows a profound fear at the advance of science. but
the
scienti
some respects its influence is a sinister one. The mind, heart,
how
when science is reaching its high altitudes and
its influence is worldwide.
the
a
upon
the
our
eyes
and
revelation which can come only from
We must interrogate the heart in all things and use
the
mind
to execute with understanding and compassion what
the heart reveals.
This is what the Master enjoins, and
in
trying to give it practical effect in our daily contact with others,
we
safely,
impetuously, advance on the Path of Ascent
power many.
of
shall
reach
a point of attainment where we may and
our
service will be vastly increased to the profit of
THE SECOND ADVENT OF CHRIST
BY RAYMUND ANDREA 195B
A
second
advent
of Christ is a matter of special
and much speculation among students of mysticism. ulation concerns school
two
different
schools
of
The spec
thought*
One
is a Western school which holds that the Christ will
not appear again on the physical plane but only far
interest
as
the etheric or psychic plane,
seems to be that of maintains
an
Eastern
descend
so
A contrary assertion
school
of
thought
which
that the Christ will appear on the physical plBne
again among men at a
propitious,
but
at
present,
a
quite
unascertainable epoch.
Obviously,
declarations
matter would be especially
this nature upon so momentous a
of
expected
interest
to
mystical
when two schools of occult insight and authority
are opposed as to the manner of the coming. our
any
while the truth of which
proof?
Not
one
belong to the intangible, and
What should
be
attitude toward individu al and independent declarations
of this kind, have
students,
clearly
point
we
of criticism,
cannot
possibly
I think, for they
are beyond personal
investigation
to an ev ent undoubtedly very far off in
the future.
We are all familiar with the many findings and prophesies of science upon various material
plane.
We
matters have
which seen
concern
and
life
constantly
objective realization of these prophesies.
on
the
see
the
Many of them are
startling and almost unbelievable when made but a few ago.
Then
suddenly,
when
we
had
years
forgotten about them,
a
promised discovery has been made, a new power has been born, a fresh altitude has been achieved,
and it becomes a fact of
our use in daily life.
But
we
are
upon different ground when declarations of the
kind mentioned ere made. nature
This is
far
of a scientific procedure.
ed in the knowledge of futurity.
from
being
of
the
We are not deeply skill There is no instrument
in
the hand of man whereby he CBn foresee and guarantee in time such
a
happening
during a future evolution of humanity as
the coming of an exalted being from high spiritual
existence.
But
as
science
evolution of exceptional and unknown through
cosmic can
levels
of
foreshadow the
powers
and
cooperation with the laws of nature,
processes
and we are now
so accustomed to these eventuating within the limit of a few short years that we scarcely question any so
such
prophesies,
it seems to me we should not dismiss occult declarations
of a possible coming of Christ in with
emphatic disbelief,
a
critical
attitude
or
but regard the possibility with an
open mind even though they differ as to the
manner
of
his
appearance.
Now
the
substance
Df
coming is that it will ified tical
end
unknown.
these declarations about the second happen at some
that
instances
of
unquestionable
a
psychic
have studied the life of St. Theresa,
character.
actual
several her
own
presence of Christ with her.
occasions, words,
living image, she
describes
if
what
of
had
Christ.
see is an image,
not a dead man but the living
Christ/'
of on In
it is a And
with such words as she can find the radiance
which accompanied the visions. d a z z l e s , but
I
will
She sBid that,
she was granted 3 vision
"For
Those
for example,
find therein several acknowledged visions which she the
unspec
the presence of Christ now has been a matter
of personal experience and of who
time
But those who are conversant with mys
literature can point to
veracity
future
"It is not
b
radiance
which
a soft whiteness and an infused radiance which
without wearying the eyes, causes them the greatest delight. Nor
are
they
wearied by the brightness which they see,
in
seeing this divine beauty,"
Or to take another instance nearer to our
own
time
and
b
writer whose works are known to many of us; I refer to M*C., who
wrote
"Light on the Path" at the dictation of a Master
and other refers
inspired
to
writings.
In
one
of
her
books,
a massacre of Jews in Russia in 1905, when,
she in a
vision of the Hall of Learning in which stood a great altar, the Christ stands on the alter Light
and
Radiance,
his
steps,
hands
throngs of souls as they pass.
a
superb
uplifted
in
that
contact
They
one
removing from it
be
lightly
dis
point to a fact of psychic experience, vouch
safed in the one case to a saintly woman was
one
all memory of the agony of its martyrdom.
These are testimonies of value and cannot missed.
of
blessing the
Now and again, he draws
to him end presses it with a close embrace, by
figure
long
devotion
whose
whole
life
to living the Christ's life and of
inward conversation with Christ, and the other to a woman of well known occult aspirations and
who,
used
the world one of its most
by
a
Master
to
give
to
in
due
course,
was
remarkable devotional manuals, "Light on the Path".
There is no ground for doubting these testimonies. known to all classes of aspirants end accepted ence , and
there
are
with
which
I
quoted
are
the
two
schools
a
possible coming at some future time,
declara
of thought,
although of considerable interest, yet pointing as to
rever
more testimonies of this nature which
could be cited from other sources, so that the two tions
They are
they
do
which seem to be
in a totally different category from these testimonies.
For
in these testimonies we have
the
coming
of
Christ
is
b
kind of
assurance
that
not a far-off divine event which may
occur during this century or in
some
later
one, dependent
upon certain conditions of evolution of humanity as a whole, but
that
the
Christ
is here and now, a divine and guiding
and helping presence and only awaiting recognition.
I recall that in the past there was some criticism here
Bnd
there that our teachings made little mention of Christ*
But
what
is
the
Rosicrucian
science
itself
but a system of
preparation to contact higher cosmic levels of consciousness which may at anytime, very
presence
of
in some particular cases,
Christ
lead to
the
on the etheric or psychic plane.
What do our grades point to and gradually lead to but to increasing
inner
perceptiveness
higher vibrational
and
psychic contact with
levels of cosmic existence?
The advanced grades seek to consummate the special technique whereby the upon
his
individual
within the
sphere
Compassion.
And
initiate,
permissive
of
the
influence
remember
if
we
that
serve
and
the
discounted,
of
inspiration
Christ, for
with
a
contingent as always
of
bring himself
the
Masters
of
the Masters themselves are sharing
his
life.
serve to the best of our knowledge to the
end that we may be worthy guidance
studies
Karma, may
known to be disciples of the Christ and Therefore,
an
any
the
of
special
and
individual
those masters who themselves
criticism
on
this
point
may
be
it
reveals
a lack of understanding and of
If, as one of these
schools
maintains,
our eim.
necessarily evolution, higher
e
greet
has
to happen in the direction end quality of human but preparation in the direction of a larger
consciousness,
before
the
affect his mission in the world,
Christ
can
appear
then I think it is
that such a preparation will be of long duration. scant
deal
enough
signs of his presence anywhere.
the lapse of nearly a century,
and and
obvious There are
Today, after
during which the Masters have
been
written
the subject
and spoken of in occult and mystical circles, is
proclamation, through
still
of
one
for
if
it
were
made
general
public
and was obtained
so-
Mystically
and
we are on a pretty low scale of evolution.
On the other hand, coming
from
even among the intellectuals,
credence
spiritually,
far
if, as the
other
school
maintains,
the
Christ will be* not on the physical plane but on
the etheric level of consciousness, there is another opinion which may be considered as having weight this: plane
and
that the coming may well be, in a way, but
value-
It
is
on the physical
through the medium of highly developed disciples
of the Christ who will carry out His mission among men under His inspiration.
I speak with no authority on this subject,
but if contrary statements are made upon it in very emphatic terms,
we have the right to consider both points of view and
express an opinion about them. of view cannot
be
It is clear that both points
accepted.
One, that
Christ
will
come
again among men on a physical plane, the other, that He will never
take
again a human form or descend below the etheric
level of consciousness. other
assertion,
work in view of
b
I fail to see how cannot
have
That whether we accept one
or
that does not alter in the least our AMORC coming of either description.
any
of
constantly
us in
aspiring mind
the
to
Master-contact
greatest
of Cosmic
Masters who functions at the highest point of evolution whose
influence
is
therefore
place of the highest down to Moreover,
in
the
and
transmitted from the secret
lever
a
suffering
humanity.
the Rosicrucian library, there ere two remark
able volumes written by Or. Spencer Lewis on the Masters and His teachings.
Therefore,
Master
of
for any one to ask us
what we think of Christ and what place He has in our work is a
plain confession of ignorance.
end of the Path,
If Christ traveled to the
which embraces the whole of Cosmic
wisdom,
so and
we
are -taking the first serious steps on that path, we
might ask what the critics know of this way and if they have taken any steps along it.
Indeed, this is the cardinal failing of ex oteric ity
today.
It
is
Christian-
proud of its confessi on of faith in the
historical Jesus, but for profound belief in and of
an
path
esoteric
Christ,
to the vi sion of the living
leading
And it is just here that
we have to look elsewhere.
by focusing attention u pon either thought
mentioned
acceptance
of
the
schools
two
of
as relating to a second coming of Christ
that a result not fully anticipated
may
happen,
It
would
tend t o lead many to place their faith and hope in what such a coming would do for t h e m , instead of thinking in wardly and se rio us 1y
they can and should do for themse Ives to be
what
worthy of i t and being ready to participate
it .
in
To
be
deeply conc erned or curiously interested about the coming of a
world Ms ster, yet do nothing in the way of self study and
preparation in order to recognize and be competent to assist Him in His mission to mankind subst i tute for discipleship.
should
He
come,
is
a
poor
And I venture to say that this
generati on is unworthy of Him and would not recognize Him if He
It
came,
life.
is
polarized
in and hypnotized by objective
It will pay any price for
multiplying
the
fascina-
tions and interests and rewar ds of that life.
Is
it not then logical
thought
it
wise
seclude
themselves
and
to conclude that if the Master© have necessary,
bodily
from
for
various
reasons, to
the hearts of men nor ere
likely to appear openly among men until much of the world
Karma
has
been
liquidated?
Far less likely is it,
that the Christ, the greatest of Masters, relatively near future to a which
regards
mystical
world
present
will appear in any
steeped
in
materialism
askance the comparatively few devoted to the
life and the discipline
it
entails.
The
chances
are, that if not harried into exile, He would be hanged as a revolutionary and a nuisance and an avowed enemy to our much vaunted
way
of
life.
This
appeal
focusing of interest upon far-off and come,
ie
distracting
and
to
the
future, this
uncertain
unrewarding*
There
before our eyes Bnd our feet that warrants the mind
and
hand.
firmly stood; hour
and
events is
to
enough
interest
of
And this is where Rosicrucians have always
in the present,
endeavoring
to
facing
the
the
problems
of
the
best of their knowledge and
vision to show others something of the significance
of
the
burden of the cross of life resting heavily upon them.
But
the lifting of that burden must be their own serious task.
So
much
of
escapism. without
what is called the religious life is a form of
It
is
Bn
escape
from
self-discipline.
Yet,
that discipline there is no progress on the path of
evolution,
which is the purpose of our incarnation.
is this that the Master,
who inspired
the
works
So true of
M.C.,
stated bluntly that religion holds a man back from the path. Only
those
who
are
on the path will recognize and accept
that simple but profound truth.
has
no
need of church or creeds nor will ever be bound by them,
be
cause
they
concepts,
are
The advancing soul
seen to be fetters Bnd limitations,
mental
which imprison the spirit of man.
The purpose of the fir st advent of Christ was
expressly
to
free the spirit of man through self-disci pline to enter into the truth of the way. ic
The church has not taught the esoter-
way to Christhood.
tute for it. will first.
prove
And I be lieve that a second advent to
of
Christ
be fa r more dynamic and disrupting than the
For we have re ached a critical po int in general evo-
lution during powers
Creeds are merely a soothing substi-
are
the being
pa st
hundred
sc ientifically
experiment and applied wholly
to
years,
and
such
unusual
devel oped through mental materi al
ends,
that
the
descent
of
an
unprecedented stimulating energy,
expected to accompany a
cosmic
Christ, would
as may be
shatter
the
idols end images which men worship and demonstrate fully the supremacy of the spiritual life.
A coming t oday may mean exile or death, but not t h e n » for it is
reasonable
to
think that the Christ would then have at
his disposal the dynamic potency of a multitude of disciples who will have taken the stages of the path, nize
the
encouraging and stimulating one. us
recog
Christ and be pledged to fulfill his mission,
nothino will be able to withstand them.
for
who will
to
persist
This thought
It gives
is an
mm
abundant
and
reason
on the path we know, for the time will
come when we shall be called to direct cooperation with
the
cosmic
and
intention.
And
everything
we
have
endured
suffered will be forgotten in the mastery we shall to offer in the fulfillment of that intention.
be
able
THE HONORABLE SCEPTICS
BY RAYMUND ANOREA
1957
Many
who
national
have
written
hard things about the drift in our
life since the war, have been thought unduly pessi
mistic by those who have chosen to shut their But
shutting
eyes
to
it.
ones eyes to facts, which responsible writers
and critics have not hesitated again and again to declare no uncertain terms,
does not obliterate the facts.
in
They are
far too widely known to be ignored or forgotten.
Recently, this
a former headmaster of a school
in
Scotland
to say: "A sick civilization is throwing up five types
of young people— the lawless* the listless, sensation addicts,
the angry young
sceptics.
one
No
appeared
questioned the statement.
men, to
quickly
to
more
the pleasure and
and
have
the
honorable
contradicted
exciting
or
shoulders
comforting
and
news.
statement was a grave indictment of a large section boasted
civilization.
first four prevalent
types, are
The
no
prevalence
impartial
of
observer
could
they that no decent individual
subject to their degrading
was
chiefly
honorable sceptics. ironically
or
in
commendable
interested
appreciation
qualities
Well,
if
this or that philosophy
the
of
our
deny.
So
can very well
in
the
fifth
Whether the term fh o n o r a b l e ? of the type,
and
writer has said that the avowed uncertainties.
But
or
less
influence.
Persons who are honorable we usually have
turned
the well marked
avoid them, and if he could he would still be more
I
or
The majority of those who read it
would presumably have shrugged their
But
had
the or
respect
are sceptic
sceptic belief
type, the was
I cannot say. because
of good report. is
used
only
sure
they One of
declares openly that
leaves
him
uncertain,
affords
no
foundation
to build on, there is more hope for
him in the future than for either types.
It
the
Some of the
is a sceptic.
w o r l d ’s
have been
the
other
mentioned
not a crime or a defect of character that an
is
individual
of
characters
have been declared sceptics.
literature
thinkers
great
of
understanding
deep
and
in They
extensive
knowledge and have plunged the depths of more philosophy and science than we can boast D f .
I
recall that a well known mysti c, in some of his fantasies
on Karmic Law, pointed the curiou s fact that some
of
characters and writers ha d spent nearly the whole of
famous
their lives in advocating this or that philosophy or of
belief,
reason
for
this
hidden
system
spent their late st years in repudiating all
end
they had hitherto believed
Karma,
these
up
was, to
promulgated.
and
The
apparent
according to him, that some phase of time , suddenly
that
emerged
into
consciousness from the past and s wept them helplessly into a current
of
or non-belie f, directly opposed to that
belief,
which they hed formerly held and upon which their reputation was founded. avowed
considered
No doubt they were
sceptics, but
they
honorable ones*
were
these were sceptics at the top,
thereafter
as
However,
a nd we are thinking now of a
different type at the bottom.
Now the headmaster of analysis
of
the
famous
our sick civilization,
our society very astutely but
would
s c h o o l , in
his
summary
had not only weighed up also
have
had
ample
opportunity of observing these types during his professional life, for
it
is
common
current
of scepticism
student
life
today.
knowledge
running
in
that there is a strong school
and
The orthodox religious teaching which
obtains in practically all of the educational whether
professed
by
university
many
institutions,
or few has, to a great extent,
lost its influence in student life.
It is
not
that
these
sceptics
are
ignorant
of
the
philosophies
beliefs of traditional systems of thought* quite
the
reverse,
for
the
really
It may
general well
be
promising individuals
among them have well-digested knowledge of them
and
these
and
find
completely unsatisfying and leading to no certainty of
fullness of life or incentive have
reached
their
to
decision
worthwhile
honorably
action.
They
during their most
promising years and ended in a philosophy of
their
own:
a
philosophy of doubt.
It
may
be
said
that
this
is no business of ours, but a
Rosicrucian cannot adopt that attitude. ignorant
should
not
be
or turn aside from anything which so deeply lowers
the standard of understand
it
the
instance,
social
and
relation to it.
tion.
We
order-
observe
where
We
should
we
study
ourselves
stand in
We know that the Rosicrucian teachings,
have profound meaning and an
Skeptics
young or old may,
un-decaying
branches
of
for
founda
if their mind extends its
investigation so far, regard it offhand as just one innumerable
Bnd
magical
and
of
the
supernatural belief
which periodically descend upon us from afar, flourish for a day and are forgotten.
We like others have failed to reach the in
its student life.
approach to it. formidable
in
the confirmed skeptic
can
his
matter how
own
misguided we may think him to be.
opinion,
no
to
us.
An
approach
has
to
strong an appeal that his armour of trated
indictment of ourselves. of
approach
to
e
voluntarily
be made to him with so doubt
shall
and lose its deceptive invulnerability*
method of approach will do this.
be
He will not condescend to
change his opinions or swerve from his pBth and come
generation
We have not found an effective way of
Moreover,
influence
younger
be
pene
No ordinary
This is far from being
an
Nobody else either has found 8 way
it, neither
society,
cult, movement
or
institution.
The
responsible
agent
is
evolution
which brooks no interference with its august this
is
a
progressive
lews.
Whether
or regressive aim of evolution has
been much a matter of speculation. submerged
itself
We are too involved
in it to take a detached and unbiased view of it.
The young skeptic then is declared to be one of the cuous
ingredients
of
our
notorious
Church and dogmata leave him cold. after their utopias, philosophers,
sick
speculating
through
like
the
derision-
so
As for the doubtful
if a pathetic one,
As
the
personal
supernaturalists
them.
Perhaps
suffering will do
outlook
It certainly would require more much
experience in
time.
of
because the term of life set for us here
up with the destiny of the world,
they
demands
it.
our destiny being bound
suffering is and
and it will
be
will
these
who will have the hardest lessons to learn.
no escape in caring for nothing lighthearted
and
be
influence in human life on its way to inner
awakening and spiritual vision, types
life
to face, whether physical or mental or
belief or non-belief,
compelling
much
Suffering
both,
the
a
many will consider
sometime
our
of
is also a very interesting one.
will
Whatever
have
and
and peculiarly an
mental
other four mentioned types,
them as beyond redemption. redeem
upon the
these Bre merely a
as they,
T herefore, the
skeptic,
to
The
contradicting one another and hovering
tnentel gymnastic for him.
object of
straining
contempt.
centuries
on the confines of skepticism themselves,
s p i r i t u a l i s t s , none
conspi
civilization.
The idealists,
are regarded with
inscrutable universe,
for
and
adventure, nor
is
skeptic at the other end of the
but
regarding
there scale.
any
four
There is
life
as
a
escape for the
Knowledgeable
and
commendable in character as he may well be, he will feel the pressure of life in a more acute degree. an
un-inspiring inner percuity,
He will experience
a persisting frustration of
mind
end consciousness of being outside the precincts of en
assurance of soul and spiritual guidance which ere an present
solace
end
directive
ever
in the lives of their wiser
fellow men.
It is well to be cognizant of these phases of racial tion
in
the midst of which we live.
we are practically helpless to aware
that, as
barrier
I know very well that
change
after
them*
are
well
of
evolutionary
the skeptic becomes more and more in evidence and in
increasing
number.
Moreover,
subtle ways the social but
We
barrier between the various
classes are falling away under the impetus trends,
evolu
actually
the
life-
this
skepticism
Ostensibly,
effects
we may ignore
in it,
influence of this thought form material
izing a philosophy of doubt is an
unseen
obstacle
in
the
path of our own aspiration and development.
In
the
closing
of
the
ranks
of
humanity,
isolated in a department of influence of its tal
to
forms, its
and recoiling only upon itself.
it cannot be
own
Like other thought
it has attractive power and draws weaker
orbit.
It
has
a
that
law
minds
into
group power which is not in harmony
with cosmic law but in opposition to ignores
detrimen
or
it, and
the
man
who
willfully opposes its good intention
stultifies his soul life
and
invites
forms
of
suffering
decreed for his redemption.
The
fact
that
we
are
helpless
evolutionary abnormalities, spiritual culture, understanding
in
the
face
of
which ere a menace to higher and
is the strongest
and criticizing them.
reason
for
observing,
If our civilization is
sick, we as Rosicrucians should be the first to realize through
psychorretric
sensitiveness
and
professionally indicated to us, we should interrogated
these
it,
long before it is have
sensed
it,
and discussed it and be well posted as to what
is
causing
its
sickness.
The
early Bosicrucians did not
have to be informed of the evils of their the
first
to
time*
They
were
detect them through their science end expose
them, and they were the first to be damned for doing so* their time the Rosicrucian path was a trail of fire,
In path
b
of scorching revelation with persecution on each side of it. Where is that path today?
It
should
be
indicated to those outside our ranks that we
are not so occupied in saving our own souls that we shut our eyes to what actually is outside and pass by the skeptic the
other
side
as
if
he never existed.
oftener than we think and we should at with
He confronts us
least
confront
him
new enlightenment which may induce him to reflect more
seriously snd endeavor to view his life in and banish the philosophies and beliefs failed
him*
We
scientific
and
b
different light
which
have
really
must assure ourselves that skepticism does
not mean ignorance.
It often means that the influence of
a
intellectual trend of our time has captured
the imagination and submerged all interest in the ity
on
possibil
of contact with the higher levels of consciousness,
any tendency on our pert to regard the skeptic or any
and
other
thinker as unworthy or inferior because of contrast with our particular
way
of
life
would prove conclusively that the
imperishable wisdom of Christ and illuminist
who
has
gone
Buddha,
and
every
other
before us and far beyond us, has
lost its true significance for us*
However irrelevant this particular theme may appear it
has
to
be,
a value in focusing attention upon one of the signs
of the times.
There is a challenge in it, however little we
can do objectively about it*
We know the value
trated
any
thought
force
upon
specific
of
subject
concen in any
particular direction,
and we can add to the potency
Rosicrucian
form we have created through the years
thought
of
the
and thereby increase its attractive power in many mysterious and
unknown ways.
a new impulse conscious
to
It can open many closed doors and impart many
knowledge.
a
closed
mind
quite
beyond
That is the only assurance we have in
the Order in Facing problems of others outside in the at
large.
What
our
cannot
world
be effected directly and with sure
results we may help to be done from the
oosmic
level
from
which the forces of good operate and whose one purpose is to assist the upward evolution of man.
Our
thought, therefore,
of the skepticism of our time leads
us back to the thought of the value of our own can
studies
and
promote a new resolve to make them more effective*
Our
purpose is not simply to repeat the work and attainment of a past year but rather to feel what
has been achieved,
certain
dissatisfaction
inciting to fresh ideas and methods
of research and application and drawing forth abilities
in
the
with
older
still
latent
members and inspiring the younger
ones to a deeper sense of responsibility in sharing in united
effort
and,
in conclusion,
never forgetting that in
thought and meditation, regarding our own inner with
all seriousness,
advancement from year because
some
who
lawless,
or
listless,
men, or even skeptics. disease time. if
of
the
development
and only s o , can we register definite to
will
belong to a sixth type
year.
I
lay
stress
upon
has
not nor
mentioned*
They
pleasure addicts,
They will be tinged
will
not
or angry young with
a
common
these,
studied and challenged and found no solution to
the
the
challenge of any type.
deeper
much
life
the
more
through
through thought and meditation, be skillful in sounding of
So
mind
we,
tones
meditation.
his
should
basic
and
be
age; an easy way to obtain much in a short
his perplexities and if he has sharpened thinking
this
come to us in the near future will
Even the skeptic will be more preferable than
he
this
and be able to meet the
THE ESOTERIC ASPECT OF CHAPTERS
BY RAYMUND ANDREA 1958
We
are
proud
reason. build
of
the
Francis
Bacon Chapter and for good
It has been our privilege to form it up,
but it did not destroy our
1947, a
Lake,
The war scattered
our
abroad and checked their activities for cooperative
endeavor, In
and
in one of the most difficult and testing times
imaginable from every point of view, members
it, nourish
purpose
end
resolve.
few enthusiastic members associated with Frater
end the Chapter was inaugurated.
made since then you know,
The progress it
has
and highest praise is due to those
who have brought it to its present influential standing.
I
want to refer now to a more esoteric aspect of Chapter or
group life. the
I suggest that sincere and
Chapter,
when
once
been set up among its
dedicated
not
being
together should
of
members, should
fulfilled
its
come
to
in
a steadfast rhythm of activity has attract
within
sphere hierarchical power hitherto uncontacted, is
work
simply
members.
by
Its purpose
periodical
Something
living
its
meetings
end
dynamic
life within it as an anticipated result of
the united mental,
emotional and spiritual aspiration of its
uni t s .
I have often referred to establish term,
within
but it
is
a
group.
also
and to action.
felt
a
expression
certain on
the
rhythm
it
is
desirable
to
written
and
one
wsy
to
measured, harmonious physical,
this
epoken
In a Chapter it should be seen end
emotional
and
and
and
that
is
balanced
mental planes
towards attunement with the inner spiritual self. only
to
This is particularly a musical
applicable
language in
the
There
is
through ever deeper
knowledge Df oneself and no less of those with whom we
have
to work out our destiny in this cycle.
Now
one
of the outstanding characteristics of Chapter life
should consist in a purpose
deliberate
elimination
of
individual
in the interest of the group organism.
I know that
all will not be ready for this step of preparedness, for entails
and
demands
far more than appears at first sight.
It may be asking too much of the theless, that
it
younger
aspirant.
Never
it can be said as an example and for encouragement,
the more advanced ones do not feel it a hardship nor a
great self sacrifice nor have they loss
a
in this matter of adjustment.
feeling
of
personal
Quite the contrary, and
in fact in real
inner development,
us, and
this is so, we may be sure that the peculiar
where
it should lie far
fire of long probation has eliminated any
behind
counting
of
the
cost in a worldly sense.
To
work
efficiently
in
a
corporate
certain degree of self e f f a c e m e n t ,
capacity
demands a
To work under stipulated
conditions for mastership in the future is not an easy for
the
personality.
ficulty,
Some
meet
here their greatest dif
but once a powerful harmonious rhythm is felt with
in the group,
its influence will be effective in helping the
less advanced to align themselves with it, be
role
but
there
must
a central rhythmic radiation among its chief members, to
provide the necessary and stable sonal
factors
Chapter,
but
guidance
of
Sometimes
under
the
surging
vibration
b
therein, the
instruction given and the dominant tone of the hindering
factors
gradually
lose
and an alignment of purpose is achieved.
Corporate
group life always demands readjustment.
Personal
activities have to be subordinated to the life of the soul.
per
have been strongly in evidence Dn entering
group as a whole, these ground,
stimulus.
This
does
group
not call for any killing of the ambitious
life
of
the
mind.
The
ambitious
mind
is
an asset and
becomes of greater use when the strain end stress of ing
to
express
only
individually
desir
is transmuted into the
inclusive expression of the group.
I am looking at our Chapter life from quite a serious angle. For the individual member, it.
We
it has an element of
paradox
in
want him to be expressive to the fullest degree but
for the group, not for himself, and this means, thBt in some respects,
he will have to stop short of some things he could
do or would have done and become quiescent
end
subject
to
the group purpose.
In
group functioning these individual adjustments will have
to be made even if sometimes not group
altogether
relinquishment
of
individual
opinions» possibly
unfsmiliar conditions by its units in order effectiveness
of
its united action.
this is not questioned. or
relaxed
and
ultimately
views,
acceptance to
insure
what
a
adjusted towards one center of
member
may
sanctum,
what
private life
and
himself
his knowledge,
and
the
in, tensed
I submit that the same
cess should not be questioned in the life of a Chapter. matter
of
The reasonableness of
All the lines are drawn
clear knowledge and procedure.
no
A
of intellectuals assembled for concerted action would
undoubtedly require some modification of some
acceptable.
feel
pro For
about himself in his
opinion
he
may
have
of
when he comes to associate with
his fellow aspirants in the name of advancement and service, he must
be
assert, but
prepared to
All the groups, happy
to
modify
that
assessment,
not
to
adjust himself to the larger group purpose. whatever their character,
adjustment
and
of
temporary
undergo periods of
maladjustment.
Both
should be accepted with equanimity and an understanding that lessens
are
being learned and assimilated and valuable e x
perience gained ss in no other way.
The
influence
of
the
center
will
reach
the
periphery.
The important thing is
that the central radiation of the group
should
be
strong,
steady and exemplary*
I
said
that
a
member
should
be
asessment of himself when he enters have
in
practice,
but
in
with
his
many
abeyance.
life as they will, exponent
Chapter
of
a student of
schools
life.
I
A member may be of
thought
and
Chapter life whBt he hss assimilated
from those sources should not be in
upon
mind one particular modification*
presumably acquainted
kept
prepared to modify his
Let
them
for good.
ostensively
asserted
influence his private way of In the Chapter,
he is
not
theosophy or anthroposophy or Buddhism, Rosicrucianism
but
with
well
defined
an
He is
lines
of
thought and action to be considered and used.
Prior or
tD
entering upon group work,
the aspirant pursues more
less s strictly individual path of development under the
guidance of miscellaneous instruction he may have contacted. There has hitherto been no necessity for the more impersonal procedure which a group demands. brings
into
it
the
mature
nature of an organized mental useful service*
It
is
sufficient
if
he
results of his studies in the and emotional
life directed to
He should not feel that he has authority to
impose any extraneous views absorbed from those studies upon the instruction and procedure of the Chapter*
I will quote from a letter I received from bears precisely upon this subject. highly,
Eastern
a
male
writings and teachings,
hypnosis
students,
which
Rosicrucianism a pharisaical
is
in
particular,
dangerous
both
which
He says that he esteems, but it is the undue
emphasis on them which is distressing since it some
member
an to
produces
esoteric
in
mental
themselves
and
and renders a Convocation little better than farce.
Those are strong words
from
e
group
member but not from the Francis Bacon Chapter.
They illust
rate whBt I am suggesting that a member should avoid. obvious
It is
that he is a Rosicrucian student or he would not be
in the Chapter at all, and his aim should be to himself
into
its life and purpose.
incorporate
The central and estab
lished rhythm of the Chapter cannot be expected to alter its tempo and accommodate lenging
rhythm
acquiescence, Chapter
itself
to
in its units.
any
imperfect
for them.
chal
It is they who must exercise
a receptivity and understanding
provides
or
of
what
the
For if they elect to hold fast
to their own views and procedures,
corporate action is at an
end.
still, within
They remain valuable
individual
spheres,
units
their
own
but so far as they are concerned, there
is no real cD-partnership with the group.
I have no wish to depreciate any of the systems mentioned, student. the
I
am
not
I
have
given
plainly
Chapter,
shows
and
the possible
disharmony and just criticism likely to ensue in.
thought
discrediting them in the eyes of any
I only sey they do not belong to the
quotation
brought
of
if
they
are
It is not well to emphasize the possibility of
negative results in group combinations.
They are
mentioned
rather to strengthen the r e s d v e of those who participate in them,
to spare no effort to prepare themselves to accept the
conditions,
at their own free will,
which must be imposed by
authority upon the behavior within them.
If some negative results are sometimes recorded, indicate
want
of
insight on the part of those responsible
for the election of units in material,
suitable
and
a
group.
valuable
in
It
assistance
to
insure
a
case
of
respects,
being
discipline
with
success but sometimes failing
temporally to carry the tension involved come
is
many
given an opportunity to prove itself under every
it does not
in
in are actuated by a spirit of service;
it.
Many
who
others just as
surely
look
For
special
privileges
from Master contact.
While the few are not concerned about the immediate of
service,
beginning. surprise
the
many
look
at
rewards
it
experience
if
no
individual
to
group
importance.
in
an
aspirant
and
therefore
not
some should retreat even after acceptance of
conditions
imposed
upon
them, for
modern
life
has
the importance of personality and individual power
beyond anything hitherto known, sometimes
swept
into
personality,
so
and a sensitive aspirant
fully
conscious
of.
Yet
the
pathetically strong to hold its own because
of the pressure of the demands of everyday life and must
is
the vortex of this compelling influ
ence to an extent he is not
stance,
the
is the greatest test that can be conceived
of true impersonality surprising
from
the declaration that the emphasis in this work
Nevertheless,
stressed
these
Those who are esoterioally ready
is shifted abruptly from
the
for
rewards
lose
circum
ground
when
it passes within the group
connection
that
some
rhythm.
It is in
this
individuals
in
the
past have failed.
who
were
promising
They have failed in
all kinds of groups,
for the increased power which comes
an
group
aspirant
under
discipline is sometimes a direct
challenge to him to misuse it or to hold it chiefly
for
personal
personality challenge,
itself on
achievement.
which
will
the contrary,
for
its
give
It
own interests.
not
come
from
right and wrong, nor
from
the
integrity,
does
nor
yet
attainment
or
from
this
use
power
to
It the
The only inhibition against the
a s p ira nt’s
inward
the ordinary moral code of aloofness
of
intellectual
from a cowardly fear of losing prestige
in the eye of authority. of
immunity
its nature is to foster it.
this arises at the central heart of life.
exclusively
There is nothing in the
has the strongest incentive to seek and limit
to
It is a fiat of the s o u l ’s
spiral
before the Master has called it to share the
grace of His presence.
Indeed, this
discipline
within
the
group
has a value in
preparation which complements the instruction he receives in it.
If approached in ell seriousness and
ing, he
can
with
understand
help to fashion an instrument for the M a s t e r ^
use when He elects to call ©n initiate for special Hence
the
necessity
unique opportunity mental
for a whole-hearted acceptance of the
of
Chapter
affiliation
from
a
clear
appreciation Df the demands which it must enjoin and
then anticipation of the opposing individual this
service.
group
combination
will
inevitably
factors
which
disclose and his
insight must reconcile.
It is much, spirit
if an aspirant has through the years learned,
and
in
truth, the
effacement.
It
cannot
to instill maturity
be taught.
it into the heart. in
the
and
beauty
from
here
and
self
kind
of
after long and patient vigils deeply,
an ever-present consciousness of
what life means to striving and worthy souls. seen
a
It is really life having been lived incarnations,
of
Even occultism can fail
It flowers
the man himself,
of many kinds. through
nobility
in
They
can
be
there along the paths of life Bnd endeavor,
men who have passed their
treasures
stream
recognition and never seeking it.
of
time
without
of
thought
into
They recognize a power within them not their own which
the
must
be given back to the world in forms of beauty and utility to ennoble
and
educate
whomsoever
worthy of note for us in this creator
and
abdication,
is
refer to
is
his
complete which
akin
esoteric
to
And of
what is the
dedication
constrains
in disregard of ell personal
something the
will.
characteristic
the divine necessity
give himself,
It
server
they
true and
him
to
considerations.
this that I have in mind when I
aspect
of
Chapter
life, that
it
should attract within Its sphere hierarchical power hitherto un-contected•
The
aspirant
should cultivate a sensitivity
to what the combined group power to which he has access
con
produce within him*
And if I may conclude upon
0
high point for consideration,
I
would say this: we are qualifying for Master recognition and cooperation,
and
we
should
know
have that intimate association terms
which
it
demands
Chapter can provide cosmic
forces
tion possible,
a
of
vehicle
and direction,
that we cannot expect to
until us. for
we
The the
comply
with
the
corporate life of a manifestation
of
which will make that associa
but only after the voices of self have passed
into the silence*
THE WORDS OF A MASTER
BY RAYMUND ANDREA 1959
I begin with the words of a Master: tTDoes a man know when he performs his best action? words
has
which of Perhaps
had his
actually
most
thoughts
such
development,
the
What person can tell which of his influence?
has
knowledge
What person can tell
reached
the
the
sphere?
would cut down the striving toward
for it might stir up pride.
reaches
highest
higher
Thought
sometimes
spheres end remains near the
altar ."
I
think
these
encouragement.
words I
am
carry sure
contact and especially in justified.
I
know
I
a
message
judgment our
have
to
us
of
of ourselves in daily
Chapter
work
suggested
a
is
far
high
an
ideal
of
that
nature
is
what
from
ideal
ourselves in our work, but we should not overlook that
great
for
the
fact
we envisaged,
condition of realized attunement to be hoped for, not to expected
to
be attained forthwith.
derogatory sense, but
with
a be
I do not say this in a
as if too much cannot be expected
of
us,
the thought in mind that fulfillments on the Path
are slow and halting within
our
conception
of
time.
How
would they be regarded within the timeless conception of the Cosmic?
The
answer
appears
to
be
suggested
in
the
quotat i o n .
A research study in a Chapter was referred effort of the member who mode it. quite
original
labeled
and and
as
b
small
But s small effort can be
and very interesting and inspiring to many.
We are so bogged down by life around us, right
to
wrong,
good
accepted
and by
standard of judgement for
ill, values the
all
senses
with conceptions of and
non-values,
and
the
mind as a
things, that
the
high
and
clear
insight
of
the soul does not get a chance to reveel
the silent truth shining beyond them.
There is a divinity within u s , but we are human beings a
peculiar
weight
of
Karma
or
past
history
which
constantly urging us to adjust to the present time.
what
should
incline
is
That is
a fact of much importance and the circumstances of us
with
each
of
us to consider it seriously and observe
it means to us.
We often
refer
much
too
freely
to
Kariti3 as a term which defines the general trend of life, but we
forget
that
it has fashioned us down to our fingertips
and cast the lines for t o m o r r o w . without path
our asking or expecting
How much good comes to
us
it and how much towards our
just as unexpectedly and un-wished for and for which we
see no justification?
This two-way activity is very noticeable aspirants,
no
less
so,
lives of those who Without
this
take
often no
much thought
puzzle,
low beings.
more
the
lives
so, than
for
higher
as
life would
be
of
in the culture.
acceptance of the hidden side of life,
past working into the present, hensible
in
an
of the
incompre
it actually _i_s to millions of our fel
Dne wonders
sometimes
how, without
a
stable
assurance and understand!ng of the facts of our incarnation, they
maintain
a
grip upon existence at all.
I think they
survive mainly through the common humanity and help of those around them until at some point, through the and
discipline
of the cycles,
first
stages
of The Way.
they are driven inward.
find
themselves
do
upon
Life without fails them and
This would appear to
be
happening
at the present point of history to an unprecedented We
urge
they are brought to seek the
deeper truths of life and ultimately the
reacting
degree*
not, nor shall we, observe large sections of society
accepting offhand the truths of the Path instance,
of Karma and reincarnation.
-
the
facts,
for
But
what
we
do
observe
is that because of the swift and
startling advance of scientific discovery likely
to entail in the near future,
and
what
it
is
together with the keen
desire for knowledges of all kinds of culture on the part of increasing numbers,
especially among
years,
and more vitally important than anything
and further,
else, the
quickening
pulse,
shall
intention in the evolution of the rapidly
prepared
for
the
many
in
we say, races.
their
early
of hierarchical
Ground
is
being
advent of greater souls of high
caliber who will demonstrate the truth of the Path in a which will compel attention. of
evolution
of
the
And observe this:
way
if the pulse
general mind is being pushed rapidly
forward to wider understanding and more inclusive
purposes,
we may be certain that the cosmic pulse is accelerating also and
causing
it, and
what
we
sense
is
the
decree
and
outworking of cosmic purpose.
We ourselves, this
purpose
effect
to
and
it.
noticeable ly
in our Rosicrucian studies, are
The
doing
visible
witnesses
to
we can to give greater
results
may
be
scarcely
in the busy life around us, but it is esoterical-
aligned
with
the cosmic purpose,
better judge the value of it. and
what
are
and later on we shall
Generally
speaking,
interest
attainment in the esoteric realm are little in evidence
today,
but the Masters exist; they
discern the trend of events, cross
purposes
wishes, shows
with
one
in royal conquest,
know
their
plan;
they
and if the nations are still at another
over
their
and even where they
rights and are
not, it
scant interest in the culture of the higher faculties
of man, or even do not believe in their existence, dedicated in the main as competitive physical thereby
they
race
space* thwarted.
are
to
sensuous
attractions
end
a
for mental domination and the conquest of Nevertheless, If
it
is
the
Masters1
plan
is
not
said that the trend of world
events could be a part of the plan--in other words, what
is
must
be and all is well--then there is nothing the individ
ual can do about it. nations
I incline to
statesmen,
plan--the
scientists--is
and difficulties.
than
science.
Science, which can be
cast
plan
politi
so
often
far
less
valuable,
bo
has
for
is
diBmetrica11y
well
consider neverthe
anxiety and
opposed
to
the
humanity which legislates for universal
individual security and perfect trust.
It also
may
instance, today.
be
said
written
Indeed?
sufferings and cure,
of
that
over
the
the
words
of
a
Master,
world are
"The
moral
and
spiritual
more important and need help
more than science needs aid from us in
any
field
I do not think Masters make mistakes when
they make prophetic statements of that nature. prophetic
for
fifty years ago have no application
Listen to them:
discovery.”
are
of
the people for whom they legislate*
I think that
Masters’
plan
over humanity an atmosphere of fear,
distrust.
of
The
the answer to all problems
proved
informed
love,
view.
Leaving aside the politicians and states
men , who moreover can be
less
different
can be so unspiritual and therefore shortsighted as
to think that their own little cians,
a
and
they were written.
These
words
they are more pertinent today than when For if
all
the
so-called
leaders
of
humanity and rocket-minded scientists focused their energies in
a
combined
effort upon lifting the moral and spiritual
sufferings of the through
a
wor1d--inf initely
marked
decline
greater
as
they
are
during the present c e n t u r y - t h e
plan of the Masters would stand revealed,
known and
brought
to fulfillment,
because they would then be worthy of it, but
the plan waits.
The nations have by-passed it, thinking— if
they His
think
about
Masters
is
hallucinations
it at all--that the plan of a Christ and worthy
of
a
to
take
Swedenborg,
its to
place whom
among
the
the presence of
Christ and the spiritual world were as familiar as the world around him.
Looking
at
world picture in all its somber colors,
the
have s duty not to
be
discouraged
by
and threatening it may appear,
bewi 1 dering
For
it.
the
mul tiply with
the years because the m ind of man is in
This is our K a r m a , here
All
man.
the
befo re
us
our selves,
now, written
end
more
within
and demanding att ention and interpretation. we turn the
Without b eing unduly introspective, upon
less,
should we be not to be diverted from our aim and
determine d
and
find
They do not grow
the ascen dant instead of the spirit of
purpose.
We
implicated in the midst of increasing
Karmically
problems of states and individuals. They
more
the more certain
we are th et what little we can do is needed in it. ourselves
patiently
and without bias,
searchlight
being under no
illusi on as to what we are, what we beli eve and what we do -
It
we
is
can
an easy task nor can i t be e swift one.
not
quiet sea rching of the heart and mind in prescribed
A
moments
It is imperative on _ • quotation I gave wa s to encourage us in
is far fr om being a selfish occupation, the
P a t h , and
it.
When we think sometimes that
from
the
little
so
it, we have no criterion in this,
good
results
If we could see our
own light as the Masters to whom we aspi re
can
see
it, we
should often be surprised at the kind and extent of the good we have done when there is h o ostensible proof of it.
Now the assurance which this Master quotation gives us, that our thought and action often produce greater results than we are conscious of, can also be taken as a subtle directive to us.
It
can
take
SEEK MORE LIGHT. It
should
be
the character of a personal exhortation: We should not really need this
the central aim of our life on the Path,
attainment of more inner persistent
directive.
effort
to
light.
It
could
urge
us
to
the a
bring about a fusion of the light of
the mind with the light of the inner spiritual self which is ever present and awaiting recognition. point the way.
Our mystical studies
At
the
same
time,
advice with a kind
I of
should
be
warning.
inclined to qualify this
It
ie
very
natural
that
search of this kind can be pursued with too much enthusiasm. We
must
not
forget
reaction,
end
if
reaction
upon
that
the
the
action
action
life
of
on
this
Path produces
is
tense, so
will
the
aspirant.
It is not for
nothing that Masters of the Path aspirants to learn how to wait;
have
so
often
be
the
counseled
to set a time limit for this *
or
that attainment can be very disappointing*
no
sudden leaps into the region of miracles.
soul-destroying year or next,
There can be There are
no
examinations set, which must be passed this
or the pupil will be sent down.
I do not
say
that results almost miraculous are not sometimes accomplish ed,
our
quotation
suggests
they are, but it is not at all
certain that we shall be conscious of them or of
the
value
of them*
We
so
itself
often
speak
wisdom
of
there spontaneously experience
once
better than we know.
Bet
is of great significance.
attained
us.
and
It means,
the
present
comes
forth
that out of
the
and past cycles of life, the
latent,
light*filled
which others have drawn forth intuitione 11y from
I will give you a concrete instance of this,
A
member
confided to me a lifelong type of mental aberration he
had which often made him fear for his sanity. time that all appreciation
he of
for this purpose. wrote
That in
needed
was
borderline
b
clear
conditions.
I felt at the
understanding
I sent him a book
Later, when I had forgotten the
case, he
me that he had waited all his life for that book.
you wonder that I have so often paramount
need
for
stressed
and
in
writings
Do our
deeper understanding and compassion in
touching other lives?
The real
Rosicrucian,
worthy
of
that
ancient
title, can
never be content with platitudes and the superficielities of
life. Way
The lives of those he is privileged to contact on the must
kindle the deep fire of the heart end inspire him
to an intimate sharing in a human need. process
by
persistently
looking
self, the presiding soul,
upward
periods
from that vantage point of withdrawal, into
higher
to the spiritual
of
meditation
powers
can
bestow
upon
us
and
entering gradually at
sphere of soundless contemplation,
b
this
which overshadows and inspires the
coordinated personality during
will
We can hasten
deeper
in which the and
mystical
insi oht *
It
would be a mist ake to think of the early Bosicrucians as They were far m ore
merely men of actio n. were
cont emplatives.
. expert
their
power.
objective
From
life
contemplative
life
so
the
They
unseen
the
and
source
aligned
completely
of
Their the
with
that the ordinary accepted standards of
speech and action w ere often of, before
an
was
That
that.
they derive d their vision,
that
was
lived
They
unknown life of inn er communion.
than
ignored , lost
entirely
il lumination
and
directi on
sight
of the inward
light and inspirati on of the soul*
It is little wonder that they were men with
their
contemporaries
in
in
thought
direct
and expression and
sometimes had to pay dearly for their spiritual but
conflict
ascendancy,
contemplatives they were first and men of unique speech
and action af te rwa rds . disjointed,
distracted
That is what is needed and
superficially
active
Never before so much as now do we need
to
beyond
babel
the
frontiers
of
the
sorry
today
retreat
in
a
world. within,
of contesting
tongues and the all-absorbing adventures of would-be masters of outer space to the infinite spaces of the wise silence of the s o u l , where reside the first end in carnation.
last
secrets
of
our
Let
us
then
discard the idee that we meet together merely
For the pleasure of social level
of
a
united-heart
intercourse and seek
the
deeper
contact, which shall throw light
upon the profound issues and meaning oF our incarnation enable
and
us to bring to others a breath of vision and a power
of service which are the aim and end of the Path.
b 11
our
culture
on
THE CONFLICT DF OPPOSITES
BY RAYMUND ANDREA 1950
The
Greek philosopher,
Heraclitus,
a ceaseless conflict of opposites. father
of
all."
I
do
painfully
know
had
no
for
doubt
continuous
"War," he said, tfis
between
and remember themHeraclitus,
applicability
a
nations,
from
opposites, nore
early
the
as
we
It has for us, and
far
more
intimate
and
to the opposition and struggle of
forces within man on his journey through life, for, itself
bs
not interpret this term "war" as
applicable to the insane conflicts too
regarded the universe
years
to
late
is
not
I do not know what else it is.
if
life
a conflict of
I think that
the
you study your own life with insight and impartiality,
you will find this conflict of the opposites operating right through
it.
You
will find that it has confronted you with
unending problems of adjustment, best you believe life,
and
evolution.
there
in, know, is
Moreover,
a constant challenge to the
and can do.
It
is
the
law
of
no escape from it at this point of our if we expect life
to
bear
fruit
in
good works, nothing less than the conflict of opposites will produce them.
The
young
aspirant,
setting
early anticipation on the Path, judgment too favorably.
out in the warm enthusiasm of may not regard this mature a
He will not be inclined to view his
new venture in a search for more knowledge than he would devotion to a science,
in any other way,
an art or to
commerce,
85 just another interest in a different direction, even as a possible shortcut to a kind of "su perman".
Now
one
thing
which
is
undoubtedly
responsible
aspirant assuming this attitude towards hie studies number
of
for an is
the
books being published under arresting titles and
purporting
to
teach
some marvelous new system of develop
ment.
He cannot be expected to take the
books
at
measure
of
these
e glance which the experience of a mature student
enables him to do.
A great artist said, "Man cannot be taught to compose or invent,
but
he
can become a good copyist," and most of the
books of the present-time cults replicas
of
are
but
half a dozen originals,
the mind of God and which can never
poorly
disguised
which came direct from be
added
to
little minds who lust after recognition and fame. hint
to
the
faculties, late
young
aspirant
to
sharpen
that he may learn to discern
that
far
from
all
those
who
by
his
early
critical
rather
cry loudly,
only
on
instance,
the
modern
Buddhism,
and many other systems of
original
standard
expositions
thought
me,
on
YogB,
alongside
the
to
chart
new
and
to the promised land. The occult press reminds
to compare small
novels
need
and techniques to note from
whence the moderns derive the incentive paths
books
than
"Master, One
place, for
busy
This is a
Master," have entered within His auric influence.
short
to
the
art
things of
which were Poe and Doyle,
with
large,
detection,
of
the
glut
of
the original masters of
whom none have
improved
upon
Dr
equalled since they wrote.
But
once
the
literature, will
aspirant
is
bearing upon some
aware
of this modern trend in
aspects
of
his
studies,
he
do well to become 8 severe critic of what is presented
to him and refuse to be misled by these deceptive lights and look to the masters of his science who have because
they
have
trodden
guidance of those proficients,
Bnd
shown
understood it.
the
Under the
he will soon realize that the
Mystic Way is not a flower garden bedecked with roses, charm the sense and make the journey to the mountain pleasant
dream. He
way
which top
a
will find that life can play havoc with
dreams. Cross
He will find that life can be and should become the of
Christ in action.
Until he does realize that,
he
is but dreaming.
It is not my wish to damp t he enthusiasm but
e nthusiasm.
let it be a rational
are not contradictions, closer
can
the
aspirant,
Reason and aspiration
exist
together, end
development.
He
will
that,
com e
to
appreciate
Why should this be
ally,
unfoldment
esoteric
along a straight line.
the
view
It
return
again
and again,
little
wiser
on
each
is
so?
Because
fundament-
never an uneventful progress
ever
proceeds
in
spirals.
aspirant
sp iral
through
perfectly
mundane It is up
to ©chie ve all he can upon each spiral
He will not do th is by
the way.
We
a pparently to where we were, but a
experiences which force the truth of life upon us. the
of
on the Path is a ceaseless conflict
"Life
of opposites."
to
the
association the sounder and surer will be his
their
Heraclitus
the y
of
seizing
upon
and
of
giving
allegiance to every book th at promises to give him an unprelift into a revel ation of the facts of the univer-
cedented sal
intention.
It
is
surprising
interpret
how
many
writers
to
lucidly
the minds of the Masters for us and put us right.
Until we are able to interpret a little drop these masqueraders by the wayside, in
profess
for
ourselves
and
our advancement lies
facing the circumstances which have placed us just where
we are and which hold the secret of our individual progress. It is astonishing how many Bspirants place their whole faith in this or that called teacher,
in this new cult
and
that,
but it is not astonishing to find them after a few months or years just in
the
sought the
bs
irrationally enthusiastic in another direction
expectancy that, in the beginning.
living
at last, they have found what they It is the circumstances
of
life,
intimately the present hour, which teaches what
we
are made of, what we can do and striving to do it, which
reveals the s o u l fs deeper life*
If I were asked whet is the cause subsequent aspirant, meaning
disillusionment
often
I would say he has of
Heraclitus
of this
and
noted in the life of the
not
in
waywardness
comprehended
the
deeper
his statement that, "War is the
father of a 11.,f
It is a statement he is likely to question,
but is it true?
When people today are asking for a world at
peace,
that
the idea
encouraging
presides
had
neither
exoterical1y , but esoterical1y , we really need more
of
it.
are to grow,
have
is
it,
has
We
all
of
it
pBlatable.
over
enough
Indeed,
nor
war
been said that we need crises in life if we
and if the aspirant is not aware of any in
life,
he should precipitate them.
which
sounds very discomforting.
That is another statement Nevertheless,
it is true*
He who never has to face difficulties and trials, to his strength impartiality, the
of
his
character, his
insight,
challenges
foresight
and
may be sure that he is not in training to face
issues B n d take up the kind of charge a Master would be
likely to place upon
him.
aspirant
carries the marks of
to
become
indelibly in him.
Why, the
disciple
He has not been called
b 11
a
I
want
the
this, written battle-scarred
warrior without good reason.
If
we can read the signs rightly, we shell always find them
stamped,
by the fire of the soul
do not know all they signify. but
deeply
think,
itself upon him, even if we
Yet if we
not
worst
look,
we shall come to realize what they mean.
War on the three planes of endeavor has done its
merely
its
beat
to make the mature disciple what he is. We shall
find that all along the way he has been faced with one sis after another, spiral
and
cri
and if he had not surmounted spiral after
under the accumulating tension of these crises, with
his own wounded hands,
he would never
stand
where
he
is.
You
will
pardon
my
earnestness, but I cannot regard this
pursuit of higher culture, to which we have consciously deliberately sense,
called
ourselves,
in
any
other
more and more a part of it. profoundly
a
serious
warning
hand
to
Is it not like a
upon the heart,
become
firm
and
demanding from us care,
and right action in dealing with It, when
we see what utter chaos thousands make of it? are
us
thing, an obligation laid upon us to be
laid
conscientiousness,
compels
Is not this multifarious life a
careful how we meet and use it?
That
is
why
Bpart from it and yet have to work with and for it.
Here we have the conflict of opposites in its aspect,
a
two-way
momentum
most
of
will
have
it, and this continuous effort at right adjustment
impresses upon us a further truth, whether
crucial
of the life of the serious and
espiring soul and of the life of the world which none
In
it is something different and apart from the whole of
life around us yet at the same time
we
way.
and
we
know
Literally,
ourselves,
it or not, face to face with those higher
beings who have prompted cooperation.
that we bring
and
guided
us
to
secure
their
For what purpose?
as
we
shall
later realize,
to inscribe the life
of the cross in our members with unrelenting
compassion, to
the
the
end
that
we
radiate
unconsciously
co-active
influence of all the soul has known and suffered through the cycles during its ascent which
will
to
their
presence,
an
influence
unerringly reach and change the lives of others
with whom we associate, even in the ordinary ways of life.
It will be understood that I do not discountenance the value of books and teachings of the right kind, has
to
live
these out experimentally on
life and in all his athlete
in
but
members.
demonstration,
we
When
we
cannot
the
b 11
see fail
unique discipline of body and mind the years
aspirant
the planes of a
first-class
to realize the have
demanded
of him. tion
It is the same with a master artist,
and
one-pointed application have brought them through
all the crises incidental There
complete devo
to
a
perfection
of
technique#
has been no short cut, no neglect of detail, no shar
ing of difficulty and responjsibi 1 ity , but a ready plete
and
com
acceptance of life and circumstance to the one end of
the mastery sought.
It may b e thought that I am suggesting what few can give, le vel , for
am viewi ng our aim and purpose from a high u 11imate
which
amuse
millions
the
of the sw ift years has to be faced,
opportunities of a c ycle are seen to be time
is rapidly pas sing,
until
the dawn of the New of
beyond
reach?
m ovement
Thought
in
Britain
done to create a new world? e
century,
we
Since at
the
li braries of literature on mind
power have become th e property of millions.
half
The
if it has not already passed, when
century,
the
a
Bnd the final
simply reading about the path is of major importance.
beginning
what
satisfaction can there be in flitting through life
playing with the toy s reckoning
I
Wi th
b 11
How much has it
this
reading
after
b e hard put to it, to show any
should
very prolific results from it, esoterically speaking.
It is something, but it is not enough, to say must
be
there, hidden
that
results
from u s , in the background of life.
That really satisfies nobody nor helps anybody, and to those who do not like this argument, see
I would say,
will
soon
it demonstrated by the real students Df this generation
now coming to the front; found
silent, self-styled saints who
have
God
within the confines of their societies, who are expecting the appearance of a prove
them.
are
in some of the so-called esoteric societies of today,
the s e 1f-righteous ones who
to
they
their
to
themselves,
well
misty-eyed theorists Christ in their midst
own theories correct end work miracles for
These and such as these,
the keen and demanding young
minds
now
questioning and seeking Light,
end of the queue. frontiers hands,
to
They will push back
liberation
revealing a
path
of
will leave et the
for
themselves
the
the soul with their own eager
which
only
genius
has
had
the
courage to tread hitherto*
Swift
once
said, "There never appear more than five or six
men of genius in an age, but if they were united could
not
stand
before
them.'1
Well,
if
half
illuminated spirits burst upon Britain with the Light the
of
of
that
men.
Aspirants,
and
not
the greet
In
resplendent
only
they, would
need
today
is
for
They would realize that
self-discovery, e
focusing
to tap the resources of the soul.
one
of
our advanced grades,
time when each seeker alone. and
dozen
b
it is the individual who counts, not the weak
conformist who runs with the crowd.
inward,
world
the Cosmic around them, something would happen in
minds
realize
the
One must,
cannot
who
it is said,
travels
the
’’There comes a
Path
must
travel
sooner or later, work alone in development
depend
upon
teacher,
Master,
friend
or lodge
companion to assist as in the lower grades of study,” means
that
up
to that point the aspirant has been shown a
way of experimental for
initiation
This
approach,
into
and thereafter
must
look
a higher realm of contact with forces
and insight through his awakened his own individual
he
and
dedicated
way will be revealed to him.
mind, when That is the
time of testing,
and he who has been leaning upon others and
depending
their help all the way will not easily meet
upon
that test.
lonely
ones.
There are steps on the Path which we must take alone,
and we
should
Our greatest struggles are always
not
fear
them.
We have the testimony of others to
this fact and the voice of the ancient prophet confirms MI
have
trodden
the
wine press alone and,
there was none with m e / 1
it,
of the people,
I
began
on
a
note of conflict within man,
this same note of conflict, demonstrable,
for
because it
onto
the
been
powers.
operative
in
his
it.
interrogate
to decide.
himself,
It
life, but
compels
leave his decisions to others.
and
to
gets
he is faced
now
him
It
has
he becomes reflect, to
It is of no use for him to He must make his own
and take the consequences of them.
temper of mind,
he
law of opposites and inner war.
acutely conscious of
ions
Directly
Path in purpose and aspiration,
with this universal always
inescapable
every seeker who pledges himself irrevoc
ably as a servant of the cosmic well
is
I conclude on
decis
If he hes not that
he will move along with the
crowd
and
get
nowhere.
The Path demands that temper of mind,
aspirant
will sacrifice much for it and not feel the conse
quences.
Me will find
the
circumstances
and the true
will
come
full
circle under the set and inflexible will.
The early spirals
of
Let them do their
the way are often the most difficult.
worst;
and still
further, cruel
presence
Yet
a
little
while,
a
of
the
a new force,
past.
The
mind will receive a new
a recognition from
which will reveal
the
M a s t e r ’s
own
life in its true perspective and
dissipate all doubt of the truth of the way and how to in i t .
little
and the light of the soul will be released from its
bondage
impetus,
persist.
walk
BY RAYMUND ANDREA 1964
Pythagoras this, For
Chapter
is
to
be
congratulated on initiating
the first combined rally to be held in some
years,
as
you
know,
endeavor to extend our work bringing
the
service, every
of
Since the
by
increasing
last
the idea has grown
rapidly
description are rampant,
First of all,
until
now,
some smart things,
of
many good and some very bad, tendency
of
the
time,
to
extension is
why do we associate in
and science,
them?
together
to
which has said
inform
So
ourselves
in
Chapters,
we
Study
should
be
element also in the private life of a member,
but he enters a different atmosphere responsibility
our
in matters which are
beyond the scope of science and religion. essential
and
is also behind the times as we soon
come to realize in our teachings. study
groups
want something which the orthodox religions and
philosophies cannot supply, done
the
groups and work in and extend them.
not everything. we
Groups are
compelled
when we consider our work in the Chapters,
Because
and
all kinds of groups on cooperative labors and
associate in
an
membership
war, which
but they do indicate the strong
But
country.
we have been engaged in the
various Chapters into prominence.
dominant today. formation
this
when
and
incurs
sn
added
he becomes a unit in a group organism,
such as a Chapter.
One of the main requirements of group activity is the eli mi nation of individual purpose in the interest of You
may not like the term,
whole.
but the fact is, that in working
together in a cooperative capacity, individual an act of
the
there is demanded of the
self-effacement.
You
cannot
be
b
11
yourself when you cooperate with other students for a chosen
end.
There
is
usually
good
a
deal
in
the
mental and
emotional life which has to s ubmerge if you want harmony and progress-
There must be a ce rtain quiescence
silence in the individual
and
interior
if the group aura is to be rightly
The his tory of Chapter life has proved
formed and function.
only too often that the rever se has been the case. uals
come in to assert themselves,
have
extreme value of their own pe rsonality, necessa ry
elimination has been Chapter,
for
in
Individ-
to demonstrate the
and their subsequent
the
interests
of
the group aura is of fundamental significance.
It can be disorganized and it s influence curtailed at ♦
through the presence of inhar monious units
The
f,
•
in it.
themselves
unreservedly
•
only some th e
to
of
the
esoteric
members aspect
give
of
its
If increased knowle dge of one's self and of the
activities.
path is desired,
Chapter life mu st be
taken
seriously.
not enough to belong to a Ch ap t e r , the question Beyon d
can you contribute to it? teaching
once,
hindrance to the sue cessful working of a Chapter
chief
in the past hes been this:
is
the
therein,
you
be
should
with
Y ou
others.
actual
able
and
inward contribution of insight communication
the
to
It
is, what
and
factual
bring your own
discovery
into
need to be well
direct
informed,
and every member should make it his business to acquire wide and useful studies
information
in
the
upon
bearing
Order, even
all
aspects
of
his
with a view to augmenting and
extending them.
That is why I say extension in numbers The
question
for
you
is, what
esoteric influence there? knowledge
in
your
technique of service, some
measure
of
is
is the
In imparting
discussions,
your
not
pattern
your own
your own power of healing
comfort
and
everything.
own
of your acquired
inspirational and
giving
assistance to others in the
Chapter who may need these far more
than
you
realize,
and
await your approach to them. Indeed, that is almost the main virtue
of
group
cooperation.
If
it is not a dynamic and
dedicated concentration of the faculties of your inmost self within the Chapter, influence
if you
©imply
end
go, and
your
is not felt there in any beneficent way, you miss
the aim of the
true
service,
means
which
Rosicrucian
field of
ideal, for
the
hand
of
an expression of your whole personal
ity, should be called into use
To
come
and
find
its
own
special
operation.
be a good listener is well, but that does not make you a
Rosicrucian.
You must make way for the spirit
and
expression
way
that
it
along
of
creation
the lines of your gift but in such e
harmonizes
with
your
group
associates*
Instances in the various occult groups are too well known to be
overlooked of individuals in them who,
good intentions and conscious of which
all
the
in spite of their
multiplied
in the groups have access,
power
to
forget that power and
extended knowledge are for their use but to corporate
ends,
not simply for personal prestige.
For
service
is
the
Bt
heart of our activities.
easily said,
but wise cooperation,
is
matter.
another
That
yourself in a Chapter. various
Karmic
is
tD
The diversity of
limitations
it
effective,
why I said you cannot be all
and
types
in
it, the
possibilities under which
these types have to live end express, interest
render
That is
demand not
only
your
but deep insight and understanding if you would be
of any use to them beyond merely social contact.
They
have
prejudices and predilections, which national characteristics end
praise
foster
others difficult* opposite, qualities
and accentuate,
and make adjustments to
Some ere pronounced extroverts,
and it takes time and patience and
differences,
realize
to
their
them to full expression in the Chapter.
others the
observe
these
value and bring
That is the special
responsibility
of the officers.
From them,
a more specific
understanding is to be expected of the selected units in the Chapter in order to promote among them and make of
the
combined
them
aware
influence and helpfulness of their fellow
members.
You will observe that I place much responsibility officers
and
other representatives
in
upon
the
Chapter for direct
b
personal helpfulness and service to the members in it. so because I think it has often been if
there
considered
members
sufficient
is concentration upon the actual teaching
while the important factor of frore intimate has
been
overlooked
or
thst
arise
in
the
neglected*
It
behind
problems.
comprehension
but
emotional
depth
receptiveness
to
consideration,
and
and
need very
and
wrestling
sympathetic
are
with has been
grasp
of
teachings but little concern
about the troubled soul Intellectual
given,
contact
considered sufficient if there is an intellectual problems
I do
quite
often,
with
those
is a valuable asset, understanding
and
another matter for your
more
important.
It
is
a
revelation to see how much the heart craves for your insight and
loving appreciation,
statment of problems. this
kind
of
the Chapter, have
You
if it has been of reel a
degree
sympathetically,
need
heart
Your chief aim should
personal service to others,
cultivated
sense,
far more than your cleverness in
the
awakened
of
be
to
render
for your work in
esoteric
value, should
sensitivity enabling you to
the inner lives of your fellow inspirational
which
can
sense
and
reveal
conditioning
the
lives of members,
men.
quality of mind and what
is
within
and
and that means to bring
into effective use the telepathic and psychometric faculties of the soul which should be familiar to you
in
the
latest
stages of your studies.
It
is
not
the
intellect
which
should
be
of paramount
interest in a Chapter, aspiring todBy. end
soul.
It
it is the life of the in-dwelling and
is
easy
to be well informed and clever
Factual knowledge confront© us everywhere,
on the sir, but the soul is missing.
of the new members feel, turns them to between
a
us.
books
That is what many
and the inadequacy of the intellect
Therefore,
purely
in
I
mark
intellectual
a
great
technique
difference
of approach and
application and a compassionate emotional identification service.
You
need
in
in
your Chapter life the love of those
who are waiting to express it, for the
understanding
love,
which emanates from the heart of group life, can mean a real expansion there
of
consciousness.
is, here
un-expressed
and
and
waiting
penetrating light of it, will
there,
You a
to
initiated
need
rich reveal
to
recognize that
content itself,
consciousness,
invite it to disclose itself.
in
humanity,
and only the thrown
upon
BY RAYMUND ANDREA 1965
We now regard our rally as a unique event here and one which has
qualities
and
elsewhere which
a
robust
mark
it
thoroughness not to be found an
bs
occasion
of
exceptional
importance.
Only
a
few
years ago, we were visualizing and feeling our
way to a new type of convention and interchange with
members
from
far
and
enthusiasm and coloring well y e a r ’s rally for instance, features
given
by
near,
which
is
the
past.
officers, can
produced
most
be
when
done
and the will for success and the
purpose of highest service are fully expressed. most
deeply
interested officers
Last
with its variety of well prepared
competent
perfected
contact
would give it an
in advance of
excellent results and demonstrated what preparation
of
That
which
me about the rally was the devoted
labor of
the
responsible,
revealed
in
all
the
features
of it, and their sincere cooperation in making the
event an outstanding one.
There was a particular facto r which I
realized
had
int o consideration whe n making this recording.
taken
to
be
It was
this : our Chapter does not s tand where it did at the time of former
rallies.
outlook,
in
efficiency,
has
It
confident and
in
grown
in
pe rsonal
attract ive
character, action,
influence,
in
in
all-round
ail of which not
only reacts within the Chapt er upon all taking part but
it
has
become
memore ble
in
the
mental
minds
in
it,
of visiting
officers from various parts of the country.
It has not only
gone rapidly ahead of its fo rmer capacities,
it has now
self-conscious
the
momentum whi ch is shared by the whole of the
staff of officers.
New
this is an ideal we had in mind from the beginning.
has now materialized, come
from
merely
cooperation, ideal
but this kind of development does
desiring
understanding
shall
be
a marked
success.
responsible
and
realized.
grown with their task,
It a
comes from purposeful
determinetion
They
have
than
felt
concrete action of the
that
the
The stature of the officers has
are
more
ever
capable
before
minds
with
larger views relating to the purposes of the whole.
not
and this alone has made their efforts
There
office
it.
It
taking
new ideas and Chapter
as
a
the enthusiasm and the ability for senior
officers
and
given
whole
heartedly their cooperation to them.
In
preparing
the
have kept in mind strictly
many different features of our rally, we b
two-fold balanced
Rosicrucian
aspects
The serious
Bim.
of our teaching, as given in
the Chapter throughout the year,
and
also
the
entertaining character of such an occasion. seek
to
focus
Chapter for
for
their
the
and
visitors
stimulation
social
and
In this way, we
the main purpose of the
and
encouragement
end
to
stress the importance of the social aspect which will Invite a
closer
personal
cooperation
contact
between
them and insure their
in ell the C h a p t e r Ts activities.
A further factor which we in the Chapter are fully alive is
this:
the increasing influence of television in dissemi
nating knowledge of the most varied afforded conduct, this.
by
experts
relating
kinds, the
Much
there
is
to
gained
but we know
making is, that in the general
information all share alike, views
held
on
from
be deplored and decried, that
our
with the many the enlightenment referred to,
personal
information
to most aspects of life and
and the consequent enlightenment
from the same source,
am
to
issuing share
and the point I
increase of knowledge and
and this
the
members
all
is
bound
to
modify
trend and conduct of present
daily
life.
It
visibly
affects
members who imbibe the scientific
the and
views
of the young
cultural
and
other
information relayed for them with a positiveness and note of finality which admits of no interrogation or criticism.
To
most
of
corrective,
this,
our
teachings
can
provide
a
decided
and wherever the views are expressed by
members
as a kind of challenge to what the monographs teach, be
our
business
to meet this challenge and to expound and
expand those views by a kind
sound
psychological
and
mystical
approach-
This
think will
increase among new members today because
passive
acceptance
of challenge is to be expected,
know
that
and I
of
even
mentioned.
given
understanding
of
self
would revolutionize
What
which
with the emphasis of authority by those who have
no sympathy with the interior and psychic
partially
But
the preliminary teachings of our early
grades completely undermine many views and statements are
the
of so much that is relayed to them with
that complete assurance and finality I have we
it will
and
the
life
thinking
approach
to
the
which we offer and which of
the
misinformed
or
informed members.
do we envisage for the young members attending this or
other Chapters: Rosicrucian
a life
of
definite
guidance.
We
can
eager recruits, discipline
for
willing
active,
still. well
aspirants
its many stages. hierarchy
Its
aware
who
regard
qualify
them
under
under
the
hierarchy
entire personnel of
and
directly
of
the
as a group of a
self-imposed
positions of authority as real service,
we may be assured that standing
to
usefulness
Masters
is
for not
is alert and vitally interested
in
all
are seeking and following the Path in any of They are all
within
the
vision
of
the
and will receive help Bnd guidance if they demand
it and resolve through
meditetion
and
service
to
their lives to the rhythm and aims of the heirarchy.
attune
It
is
an
illusion
humble efforts,
if
they think that their faithful end
at whatever stage they may be, can count for
little because the higher reaches of beyond them.
The humblest aspirant,
service, may
be
hierarchy, an
of
path
appear
far
because of hie life and
exceptional promise in the eyes of the
and a few years of special effort will bring
enlarged
consciousness
recognition.
Like nature,
many and unpredictable. them
the
but
when
and
an
inner
him
assurance
the revelations of the
of
path
are
They come not when actually seeking
the mind and heart are iriBde ready for them.
This is my word of encouragement outside
will
for
the
young
The
world
will
leave him to his own dreams and aspirations,
aspirant.
give him no such encouragement.
It
and it
is
up to him to take speedy means to materialize them under the watchful care of those ready to help him.
And
what
of
the o lder members and officers who
ourselves,
* serve in
.i • their
Chapter?
I
• various
think
capac ities
of
in
with
them
the
work
admiration
of
the
and
deep
appreciation because of the lab ors and responsibilities they discharge,
accept so willingly and so ably and
sustains
within,
them
in
this
they sense and
suffering
of
tesk? the
know Tha t
humanity*
but
what
Fundamentally and deep
ever-present
is
urges
sorrow
and
the keynote of all their
l a bo rs.
Among
humanity
reaching
there
out
for
bewilderment from unknown
goal
is it
the
a
prevailing
knows
onslaught
of mental
It
application, elone
calls
for
of
achievement.
because we have to live with it. task.
not
courage,
and
our way within a kind
guides us. of
what,
a
chaos,
a
©tumbling, a
opinions
towards
an
We are aware of this,
So much the harder is perseverance
and the influence of our
sustains
mental
and
untiring
hierarchical
In a word,
circumscribed
the
contact
we have to make
circle
of
upward
aspiration.
We
cannot
get
much help from outside it.
have to look upward and think upward end drew more and upon
the
more
inspiration of the hierarchy and its readiness to
respond to us. cooperation
Nor must we forget that we
of
those
who
the
veil
believe
have gone before us.
their work here unfinished and beyond
We
only
to
see
in
the
They left
more
clearly
and to cooperate more understandingly end
helpfully in the greater things they wish to do and to which we are dedicated.
It will be a sorry thought to think that when Knowledge was closed for them here,
the
Book
of
it would not be open for
them to continue their advancement with the greater souls in the
Cosmic
to
whom
they belong*
They have made contacts
which we, within our present limitations* ere unable to make or only at times,
quite unknowingly.
We know that at certain stages of the path we have to travel alone,
but that aloneness is
here.
There
an
Incident
here
hearts,
to
lift
so shall
effectively.
It
some
we
do
here,
fall
us
it
there,
through
upon
as
we
collectively
each
and
more
is a chastening and inspiring thought thBt
what the hierarchical
perplex
all
beings
us
here
have
of the vicissitudes of life.
hold on to that thought and most when life down
We work in
away beyond the veil and we shall know, with our
departed brothers, for
and
sojourn
of the burden of life from human
the doubts and illusions which hinder and will
our
is no aloneness on the other side.
closer association than is possible seek
of
seems
done
We must to
close
us in its many changing moods and challenges our
very faith in unseen help and direction.
Unseen
influences
sleeping;
in
are
moments
ever
with
us, whether
of abstraction,
waking
or
we are well aware of
them, but to interpret the nature and significance
of
them
calls
for
s degree of intuitional eensitivity which has to
be cultured for.
Yet we have gone a good way
towards
this
objective in our studies and especially in our practice* have
We
reached a stage when our combined concentrated thought
affects very strongly those we seek to help in difficulty or illness.
Here we touch the very heart
of
the
Bosicrucian
life.
The
burden
of
sorrow
often descends upon us through this
very act of alleviating the distress remember
the
scripture
which
lifting a little of the lifting
means
that
heavy
we
of
other
refers Karma
to of
souls.
the the
disciples1 world.
his
own
way, and see
That
are actually taking upon ourselves
something of the burden of souls who Bwsit deliverance in
You
by and
reason
of
accept
our
this,
we
each
development end
willingness
to
are
made
the
instruments
of blessing and redemption through our deliber
ate effort but often enough quite unknown to us.
You will not consider these reflections as of a spective studies
character. and
cultivated
arise of
They
are
naturally
and
from
the
very nature of our
the
others.
the
habit
problems
we
listen to teachings of the path.
which
beset
if we merely read or
They have to be transfused
into the blood of the heart and issue forth as the of life.
have
We do not believe with some that we
have done well, and all that is needed,
truth
intro
feeling and seeing below the surface of life
and of applying our findings to ourselves
of
too
realized
Our studies teach us to interrogate life in
all its aspects, then we reverse the process and look inward in silent contemplation and receive the deeper truths
which
only Bwait recognition.
We
shall
come
to
realize more and more the effect of the
spiral process of development which operates in
cur
lives.
This
takes
place
very
through the years* the
much
unknown
to us as we pass on
The foundation having been
truly
laid,
interrogation of life under the guidance of our studies
and the inward contemplation to receive the unfolding of
them,
coupled with the silent passage of time reveal the
changes wrought by our spiral development the
truth
consciousness
that
limited self-hood,
we
most
clearly
in
have outgrown the former, more
hBve a new scale of values and on assured
and confident approach towards all that life decrees for us* The decrees of life bring surprise and change, from
what we expected,
so
different
so often opposed to so much we hoped
for and felt sure of, yet It is much if we are able to all
eventualities
with
insight and composure,
meet
for that is
perhaps the surest sign of real inner advancement.
Our life in the Chapter has brought us a long way early
years
of
self
expanded outlook of
development
mature
of
the
the aspirant to the
consciousness,
where
spirit of self sacrifice asserts its right over us. not regret or refuse this,
from
the
true
We must
no matter what it demands from us
or whst it elects to do with us.
We may not be known of men
in the busy life of the world, but if the sacrificial spirit reigns
in
our heart,
known on the inner against it.
every step of the way is foreseen end
side
and
nothing
can
really
prevail
BY RAYMUND ANDREA ISBS
I have been asked to record a message for your Conclave,
and
the theme I have in mind is suggested by a magisterial admo nition
of the well known mystic Boehme.
the road is world
steepest,
refuses,
thither
things,
thy
steps.
that take thou upon thyself.
will not do, that do thou. all
bend
It is this, "Where
thus
What
the
What the world
Walk contrary to
the
world
in
by the shortest road shalt thou attain to
God .11
There you have,
in four pregnant sentences,
way of the world in a very large Yet,
because
we
are
of
a
majority
mystical
study and meditation to our credit,
a reverse of the of
its
people.
persuasion, with much
we cannot with any sense
of superiority shut ourselves off from it, nor have right
to
do
so.
The
we
any
very fact that we are a part of it,
have to rely upon it, could not exist without it, assures us that, under Karmic decrees, must it.
cultivate
a
we have a
duty
toward
it
love for it, even as we aspire away from
We have chosen the steepest road for our steps,
must
be
and
and
it
steep not simply because of its inherent difficul
ties but because there are prepared
and
to
so
few
comparatively
who
are
make any attempt to ascend above the material
intellectual
planes
of
existence
to
encourage
and
strengthen our hands.
I
do
not
believe
there are more lonely souls in the wide
world than those who bend their steps to take road, day
by
day,
very
world of strange peoples. with
this
in
our
often
steepest
as if they were living in a
Times without number I
members.
events Df everyday life,
the
In
the
have
met
midst of the rush of
they have to seize their place
and
play
their
ears.
part
with
voices
innumerable assailing their
Yet within they are solitary units,
communion
of
For
as
for
any
thought or word of higher understanding, they
might ae well be among the people of an unknown tongue or in a desert solitude, and
I
but that is a fact of the steepest
road,
doubt if there is a mystic of any standing who could
not testify to it>
Well,
if it is a fact and a
decree
accept it and thither bend our steps. for
K a r m a , we
of
have
to
Th ere is no other way
us, and the only thing which can for tify us during this is that not o nly others
almost unique quest of
OLirs
than
have
gone
that
within the veil which
dims
for
ourselves
vision
greater
way bu t that we are known the
mo ment
the
clearest
them and that we have the sur e inner guidance of
of
master minds who kno w all the technicalit ies of The Way the
and
efforts and fru strations encountered in our environment
in our resolve to re ach them,
’’What the Boehme*
world Every
refuses,
take
step he mentions
thou
they
and this one
ourselves
burdens
in
reject or selfishly ignore because
You know the craving for ease
meet
it
everywhere.
responsibility
The
in
modern
life;
indifference and evasion of
in those w ho coul d do and be so
much
is
a
rebuff to the first principles of humane living,
staggering
not to mention the That
says
threaten the ease and leis Lire of their own sense-bound
existence. you
thyself,M
is a hard one,
means that we deliberately take upon life which so many evade,
upon
keen
demand
of
spiritual
of the min d must never infect us.
disease
aspiration, Yet,
I was
told of a member who decl ined to visit another who was dying in hospital because the e tmosphe re of the place would be bad for him.
One would think such a person had never
heard
the life of Christ or wha t Rosie rucianism stands for. are
afraid
of
soiling
of
If we
our hands in lifting the burden of
distress
or
need,
the
need willing
hands
to
scarcely
understand
hour will surely come when we shall have the
compassion
mentality
otherwise, especially if they have tragedies
of
upon
of
those
known
compels
allegiance
and
refusals
and glaring factor of modern life. Master
one?
can think
of
the
But the
hypnotic
influ
of the highest and are
a
common
But when the seership of
Seer sees through it all from afar off, and our
seership should see it too, easy
who
war and witnessed the havoc of them.
noblest of that which the soul demands of us
the
I
anything
world itself is the grand illusion and its ence
us.
We
often
can we expect our path to be
expect
it
to
be
an
and think we have
merited it because the concealed Karma of our lives seems to act against us, but for our future good, the
deeper reasons for it.
it does not spare us, weak
thinking.
see
The admonition is stern enough,
it gives a death blow to negative
Indeed,
the tempered will,
only we cannot
we
and
should need the awakened heart,
and a purposeful soul,
to do
that
which
the world refuses.
The
next step has the same quality of relentlessness in it,
"What the world would not do, that do thou."
It seems to me
that Boehme wrote for our time as well as for must
have
seen
written it. own day.
the need for it then,
his
own.
or he would not have
The man of vision does not write merely for his
His vision sweeps far along the path of evolution.
His inspiration carries him into the very heart of life into the hearts of men. tion
and
knows
that
T h e r e f o r e , he
and
He understands the cycles of evolu what has been will be, until mankind
rises by its own efforts to higher action,
He
does
levels
of
thought
and
not hesitate to impose upon us
this kind of peremptory mandate although it counters abrupt ly the attitude of the world and lays the responsibi1ity and circumstances arising from it upon Boehme
wrote
for
the
strong
us.
It
s o u l , not
is
clear
that
for the weak and
vacillating
one.
One
would think that when he wrote this,
he did so after a lifelong contemplation the
life
of Christ.
certitude,
and
following
of
There is the same austerity, the same
the same ascension of all the powers of the
soul
to the plane of divinity.
Am
I
going
Illusion?" thought
too
far in describing the world as "The Brand
Boehme leaves us in
it was.
no
doubt
as
to
what
he
His admonition is but a brief direction to
the student to make a daily application of it and unveil the illusion for affirmed
himself.
the
same?
Have In
a
not
other
great
authorities
famous spiritual classic of the
East, written centuries ago, we have this; "Know revolving
world is e wheel of delusion,
is like its nave or axis.
By
its
that
and the human heart
continuous
rotation,
produces all this delusion within its circumferenceyour manly exertions, the
center
this
If, by
you could put a stop to this motion in
of your feeling and desires,
you will cause the
revolutions of the great circle of delusion to cease," turns the upside
accepted
down.
It
materialistic reverses
we
ourselves
help
advanced
psychology
world" means how we view world, it.
the
to
That
the
values
The sorry thing B b o u t
world of the it
is
to make "The Brand Illusion."
We
endow it w i t h b e i n g Bnd s u b s t a n c e the
attitude
completely
eternal masquerade Bround ue. thBt
it
in our own
minds, b u t
of today ventures to affirm, the
world, our
attitude
to
as "the the
end can be regarded as our world* our presentation of
But,
entirely character
in
itself
our of
the
acceptance
world or
is
denial
reality or unreality.
indifferent, which
mysticism.
Its
most
formidable
gives
Psychology,
is feeling its way along the frontiers of
the
and it is it
the
therefore,
province
of
problem now confronts it,
since it has to reckon with the spiritual revelations of the ancient East and the mystical West.
Between
the
assertions
of
the
awakening
East and the West there is no conflict,
but
Boehme,
and many others before and after him, are still
the pioneers of thought in the vanguard of spiritual tion,
evolu
and science ie beginning to recognize this.
Boehme's things,
conclusion,
"Walk
contrary
to
the
world in all
thus by the shortest road shslt thou attain to God,"
is the crowning assertion of all pinnacle of the mystical path, it, and
try
to
visualize
and
touches
the
highest
I invite you to reflect upon
just
what
it means.
It would
appear to demand the outright renunciation of the world, Boehme was too far-seeing compliance
with
the spirit of it* living
part
of
the
and
wise
to
advocate
rigid
written word instead of entering into
He knew very well that we are too much
opposing
forces
it become a constant stimulus to rise above them and,
so doing,
exert a beneficent influence in other
admonition
lives.
in His
uroes us to reverse our accustomed attitudes and
assessments of persons world
a
the world and dependent upon it and that a
link of destiny has set us in it, that the of
a
but
and
circumstances
from a new angle of vision.
and
regard
the
He exhorts us to realize
that this phantasmagoria around us weaves a veil of illusion so cleverly that we shall never know it for what it is until thought and action and emotion are brought under the search light of spiritual perception.
It has been said that if we met an adept
in
the
flesh, we
should
be
unable to recognize him.
That may be so, but we
should
be
very
not
differently
after
dense
if
we
did
think
and
meeting him, and our meeting with Boehme
should not leave us quite the same as before we met may
not
feel
him-
We
immediately recognize "The Brand Illusion" in many
of the forms it presents to us, but our cultivated spiritual senses should be s w 1ft to penetrate and un-mask them*
A man can only write whBt he is on this path,
and
the
fact
that Boehme wrote this admonition is testimony to me that he hed experienced what he wrote2
doubt
if we shall,
We have not atteined it, and
as long as we live in the world
bb
it
is, but it is the true mystical path as the Masters know and live it, and our efforts to follow it, however much we short of it,
fall
is all that is expected of us and will bring ue
nearer to them.
A CONCLAVE
BY RAYMUND ANDREA 1968
You
have
very
kindly given my name to your Chapter, and I
taks this opportunity of thanking you For your of
my work in the Order.
appreciation
My mission in that work has been,
not to lay down rules Bnd
principles,
but
to
inspire
and
encourage in pursuing what the training of the PBth requires of u s .
Briefly
defined,
Conclave
b
shared or specialized ourselves, sharing?
a meeting of a group with
interests.
Therefore,
I
personally
like
have
produce
not
merely
in
a
the
seme
world?”
had
to
meet
do
something
worth
we leave it
in
frame of mind as that in which we entered it, has or
merely
Social contacts are all very well,
everyday
without
seeking
for
after something far more serious in
wish
For that is what a Conclave of this
it really been an adventure in spirit contact?
ask
an ordinary club or a literary society but a
nature should do, but if, on its conclusion, the
might
no doubt whet they should be,
deep personal desire and intention to while
we
what ere these specialized interests we should be
and I ask, "Do they together
is
a
social
and they can be
them, but we should be
and
profitable.
Everyone
this Conclave should be fully aware that we shall obtain
little on the path of higher culture without a live persist ency and strenuous research, soul
will
only
dedicated purpose,
reveal
because the hidden life of
itself
and in a Conclave,
one thing and be of one purpose. be of secondary importancemade
a concentrated and
we should be intent on
The social
aspect
should
I am persuaded that it is often
of first importance to many,
activities,
before
the
I am not decrying social
but they should have a very subordinate place in
the minds of the members.
I have been prompted to these comments since it was recently put
to
me by a responsible officer that much Df our effort
in group life is directed to rather
than
to
events
and
occasions
one-pointed Rosicrucian activities.
seems to be justification mounting
social
for
this
view
judging
There by
the
interest in these occasions and the noticeable en
thusiastic anticipation shown when they are
publicized.
We
shall little impress the present or the future in this way!
We may well recall the lives of the early Rosicrucians if we want an example of how they approached the life of the Path. The earnestness, all
they
seriousness and dignity which characterized
did and wrote is a flaming challenge to our time,
and in the sessions of a infuse
we
should
endeavor
at least something of the same spirit*
be mutual and
Conclave
interrogation,
purpose
of
the
deep understanding
There should
of
the
nature
studies officially promulgated,
revealing among yourselves of various aspects of selves.
to
and a
your inner
A door should be thrown open to the inner self
and
an endeavor made for a deeper communion Df soul with soul.
This
nation
of
ours was, not so very long ago,
most insular of nations. crack
the
shell
It took
two
of our insularity,
shattering
been
washed
in
the
of
blood of its heart.
should be enough to make us consider whether, late day, the
to
the
nation
That memory
even
at
this
we can fathom the depth of thet remarkable rule in
scripture,
"Before
ence of the Master, the
wars
and that only happened
under the hard blows of fate after the feet had
one of the
heart,"
It
the
soul
can
stand
in the p r e s
its feet must be washed in the blood is
of
a rule that a fresh aspirant might
quickly pass over and try to forget.
He will think its tone
ominous and forbidding.
b
his
Yet, this is
rule
inscribed
in
own heart which will bar his way to the highest commun
ion until
it becomes a fact in his own experience*
What
is
more,
it
will
bar
the
way
of those beyond the status of
aspirant until they come to know themselves very and
understand
what
psychologically,
life
has
done
in this respect:
girds people closer fell
blood
did
disa ppointment,
a
great
suffering and fear
Barriers
together,
us
of
long
standing
and there ensued a great sharing of interests on
away,
from the lowest to the highest,
every hand, rooted
and is doing to them
and why.
Yet, that shedding of the nati o n ts service
thoroughly
insularity,
str ongly
which
and
deeply
marked this nation,
We need only look around us today
wiped out.
the
to
was
note
how
far and in what ways this dras tic change has penetrated. has
come,
symbolically,
throu gh
the
compulsory and later,
the spontaneous outpouring of the blood of may
doubt
the
heart.
You
fail to see th e application of this, but the
or
change from insularity to a sh aring of interests, scale, meant
It
a
on a
vast
destined rele ase in diverse degrees from an
individual bondage.
We know what that release has done for a large percentage of people.
It has freed them from much but not elevated
It
lowered their standard and their value. They are no
has
example to the earnest aspirant. almost rest.
That
fact
Where there is neither even
toleration,
sympathy
that
declare our ideal and purpose.
is
nor
knew
war struck us. through
the
what
wbs
it
now
understanding,
But we,
looking to the inner Many of
us
did
coming before the first phase of the
We had already shed much of studies of year© of research.
and progress further on that. say
is
no invitation to us to
life, should not have needed that release. we
itself
enough to make us retain our insularity and shun the
scarcely
not,
in
them.
our
insularity
We have to rest
I have said it before,
with renewed emphasis:
and
I
we shall receive no en
couragement from outside, neither from government,
church or
society.
So
much
the
more
imperative is it that we find
encouragement within ourselves.
The tide of interest in the mystical life has us,
in
the main* all through this century,
one arresting sign that the success
in
edge.
tide
is
the
and there is not
turning.
mind
end
to
Bn
daily
to
urging and
Our com
assimilation and mastery of know
ledges for which they have no love but
only
a
perfunctory
and for which they lack the capability to apply to
any useful purpose. has
worldly
of men more firmly to the temporal.
students
interest
Of
increases
so-called education is defeating itself in pelling
against
all its manifold forms there is much to acknowl
Secular knowledge abounds
enchain
been
forced
the
The release from one kind
mind
of
man
to
another.
His own cleverness has
life
form,
of
take
of
bondage
a hasty refuge in
imprisoned
him, within
b
and he refuses to believe in Bny possibility
of development outside of it.
Our studies lead us in a diff erent
direction.
If
we
shed our insularity in favor of a sharing of interests, should
not
mean
becoming imita tors ori gin al
can
of
one
another,
Nothing
come of merely following, want of
insted d of allowing it to sleep through rededicete
that
a mild sur render of our individuality and
work. Whereas, we pens in group - 1* ve ideas, b bringing out creat
should
have
creative
or
yet that often hapcreati ve
a soul an
think ing,
life within us incarnation. We
ourselves again and again with a resolve
to pursue the harder way to our self discovery. of interests should drive
us
inwards, not
Our sharing
outwards,
Even
the social aspects we engage in should minister to that end* We
might
engage
in a reasonable and healthy introspection
and remembering that we are what Karma has made sober
assessment,
not
us, make
a
an inflated one, of what this equip-
ment and the circumstances in which we are, will
permit
us
to
do.
We
should be willing to be different, somewhat out
of step with the time, and bring our strength to the
inner
self
has
possibilities,
trial,
for
the depths Df which we
have not yet sounded.
Within this self,
we stand as e central
point
between
unceasing movement of two waves of evolution. us
the
One is behind
and comprises the consummation of all our past cycles of
incarnation,
That stretch of hidden past history conditions
us, we have made it end cannot Biter it, although it can modified
to some extent and rearranged by a master hand for
a specialized purpose if the adjusted
admits
of
it.
kind of Karmic content
Therefore,
brought us in body and mind,
or
short,
to
be
whatever our Karma has
in soul and circumstance, we do
well to accept it and determine to build long
be
we have to fulfill
will which can carry us through, not
upon
it.
Whether
its term with a tempered austerely,
but
remem
bering the privilege accorded us; to become a servant of the cosmic
powers,
worthy of the name.
ness in the will,
If there is relentless*
there should be compassion in
the
heart.
Both are needed and demanded for a balanced development, that is always the aim of a disciple of any note. wave
approaches us from the future,
what
life
The other
with all its opportuni
ties of exceptional advancement in expanding if we are awske to them.
and
consciousness,
We stand at a center,
has made us, regretting nothing,
that foundation shall we gain the insight
conscious of
because only on
and
strength
of
will to face higher initiations of consciousness.
Here, he
for example,
well
is a member questioning and lamenting,
might, the
purpose
of the Dark Night of the Soul
which has come down upon him, but he the
burden
trial. is
end
of
as
should
be
glad
that
the incarnations has made him worthy of the
Thrown back upon himself,
he can see himself
come to realize that the darkness
as
he
is but the shadow
eo of
the
Light
testing
which awaits him.
experience
demanding
which
recognition
emerges
and
them, or
ascend
from
the
fulfillment.
ready to meet them and profit overcome
So it is with every other
from
above
We
them, them
silent
pest
shall only be
understand
if
them,
we have drilled
ourselves unremittingly to that end.
I refer to communion of soul with soul because only
can
bo
members hope to really know one another. We shell never know others if we c o n c e n t r a t e mainly upon the acting personifica tion of them in everyday life. requires
this of us.
The peculiar action of Karma
What impresses one is the unexpected
ness of the outworking of Karma in to
its
We need
the
inwardness,
the
our contacts to enable us to sense the phases life
of
experience
should
equip
forward
taking
us
to
sensitiveness,
in
meaning and drift of
place in them.
penetrate
The mystical
behind
the
scenes
obvious to common observation.
immediately
A
pressing
fulfillment in so many strange B n d myster
destined
ious ways.
lives,
member recently touched this point very deeply to me, re
marking that when he contacted another to assist him, quite unable to recall afterwards the many details superficial
analysis
of
character
would
almost entirely occupied with the soul reflecting
itself
within
him.
Those
which
reveal*
life
of
he was
He
the
the
world
and,
under the
maturity
between
of
w b s
other
of us who have been
pursuing these studies for a long time might endeavor this kind of perspective,
a
after
for there is all the difference in
contacting and conversing with m person
cultivated
impressionableness
of
hie
own
soul, entering into a spiritual communion with
him.
Obviously,
for this,
spective.
This
may
we must have spiritual height and seem
per
to be asking much, but if we are
mindful
of
our
studies of years,
noted merely for standing firm but higher
ground.
We
Rosicrucians were, seers and
of
must
to whom we
no mean order.
spiritual
cultivated
never
insight.
we should not wish to be for
passing
onward
to
(forjget, what the earlier
sometimes
refer.
They
were
They hed extraordinary, intuitive It
was
precisely
beceuse
they
and exercised these gifts that they attracted to
themselves the obloquy and
opposition
of
governments
and
authorities
who
would not tolerate these gifts of the gods
among them.
And,
I know of nothing that
awaken
like opposition and obloquy,
todey,
the
would
on
their hearts,
quickly
or something worse
than the advent of a similar company
prophecy
so
of
seers
with
their lips and the luminosity of the spirit in but I think that is a far-off event.
A LETTER FROM A MEMBER
BY RAYMUND ANDREA 19B8
I
want to quote to you from a letter received from a member
of our Order. knows
our
She has been a member for
work
in
this
and
very
many
years,
other countries through her
travels abroad, end therefore is
competent
to
express
opinion about our membership and the work of the Order. says
this;
"Why
does
RosIcrucianism
you
would
to
do.f
But is it my life?
lives given to us for, really? desire, for
of that I am sure.
some
1It is your l i f e 1,
and whet they mean is 'Do what you
like
time, and
want
and
What are our
Not to gratify every wish or
These thoughts have
earnest
She
make so many people
become materi b !istic (because it does!)? somebody said,
an
prayer
subject of whet to do with all
I
haunted
me
and meditation on the
have
tried
to
make
of
myself brought me to your book.”
Now,
a
letter
of
knowledge
and
searching
reply,
that
inner
description,
written from personal
conviction, demands
a
and I am going to make it.
definite
and
There are many
letters we can file and forget but not when they are written in this stringent tone, does
it
occur
and if what this member says is
to you that we ourselves may help to foster
the attitude expressed in this letter? potencies
in
potencies on thought
so,
the the
You know
there
are
individual aura of each of us, and those path
strongly
life cannot be hidden.
declare
themselves-
It travels far and wide.
has telepathic and psychometric qualities.
It is
known
Dur It of
»
men,
influencing
diagnosed by many. studies
them And,
unconsciously* I say
to
you,
It if
is we
seen
and
permit
our
to divert us from the soul life within, thus giving
it an objective and secondary interest in our lives, we have much serious thinking to do*
I
was
interested to note that your present Chapter Master,
at her installation, mystical
Bnd
wished to lay more
Well,
is
that
appreciation
from
members
a
bed sign or a good one?
since,
It has
had
the
field
to
Science has done itself, but
of miracle Bnd terror is slowing down.
has been billowing in upon the shores carrying
the
there had been too much of science of late years.
well of late. reign
upon
esoteric aspects of your work, to which there
was a swift response of they said,
emphasis
all
before
it, until
of
For years,
time
and
it boasted it could run the
is encountering an unseen obstacle it can
knowing it,
the impregnable confines of the spiritual realm*
with
its
things. skies
clever hands In its chagrin,
and
is
see, nor
nor
questioning,
It
neither
It
understand,
It is pausing,
of.
it
specs,
universe, but now hesitation and doubt are troubling it.
dispose
its
confronting,
without
considering whet more it can
do
instead of believing it could do all it may still
even come back,
splutter
up
to
but the answer is not there.
the It
will not find God or the Hierarchies on the rocky fastnesses of the seeking
moon*
It
God
may
so
will
be
objected, tTBut
science
not be disappointed,”
is
Precisely so.
It is seeking power and domination and the glorification men
and
of man.
not
of
would transform the creation of God into the image Meanwhile,
the spirit within man awaits the hour of
s c i e n c e ’s exhaustion and a change of direction.
The domination by science of the modern complete
mind
has
been
so
that few have had the heart to declare against its
boastful, materialistic assurance or the courage to denounce explicitly
its
compelling
power
young minds, and
impious
tendencies
and
influence.
of science has had a hypnotic effect upon
end the governments of the day have
increased
advertisements.
The
it
through
their alluring talks,
The older and experienced members
fogged or sidetracked by these hidden persuasives.
encouraged books and ore
not
They can
strip off the insidious glamor.
The young and inexperienced
minds readily succumb to it.
It
has
been
matter.
I
myself,
MHow
said
was
that.
For me, discipleship is a serious
interested
could
in
thBt
discipleship
subject?"
What
subject
is
seriously
than
that, the
statement
be
other
worthy
of
and
than a serious
being
whole aim of which,
taken
taken
the
stages
of higher evolution,
clear and long-range vision of spiritual who
are
ever
discipleship in student,
who
seeking
wishes
seriously.
to
It
I know
end
spiritual
who
possessed the
a
promise
nothing
what
and of
which
merits
to
man, should
a be
take
the central aim of all our
No matter at what stage we are working
or what aspect of studies is purpose
show
into
be
life
consciousness,
evolve
should
studies on the path.
this
who
development?
s d u I
considered an enlightened more
those
more
is to fit us
for contact and cooperation with those Masters of have
asked
firmly
in
engaging
mind,
of
us, we
so
should
have
preparing ourselves
inwardly to be able to receive impressions and guidance from the hierarchical
level of spiritual consciousness.
I need not remind you thet my correspondent made no specific reference to your Chapter. and
students
in
her
She had contacted many
travels,
and
to
quote her further,
"Chapters disappointed me terribly and nearly drove of the Order."
It seems,
her
is
criticism
of
therefore,
me
out
that the basic cause of
a prevailing tendency to materialism
among the members she has contacted. is
Chapters
If
we
inquire,
fWhat
a Ro sicrucian,1 there are ample authorities to enlighten
us, but I turn to a brief definition in a modern dictionary, and what does it say — to esoteric w i s d o m . 1 wisdom,
fa member of an organization devoted If materialistic science
I have yet to meet with it.
is
esoteric
But,
I
have
not quite Finished with my good c o m espondent.
She had previously written reading,
and
"Lately,
I am haunted by an
self, body,
I
will
to
soul
quote
end
why
I
have
experience, with to
experiences,
thoroughly
Rcsicrucian
in
spirit
seriousness
in
the
outlook,
and the
the
on
in
to
her
whDle
much greater
make of
you for
will taking
age, culture
long years of mystical
having
in
my
think
member
dedicated and
a
I
of
and
of
to
truth,
had
many
psychic
the
inner
life, a
revealing
her
own
matter of spiritual development on the
the
utter
other
lack
in mind and aspiration, impossible.
rededicate
apology
record
work
members she has known,
is
to
Here is a
result
lines From her letter,
service." no
a
devotedness
one hand
Few
the
mind, everything,
discipleship seriously. and
a
as
urge
degree than ever before to realize
me
Well,
of
declaring
the
dedication
materialistic
in so many of our
who have nothing in common with
her,
and with whom harmonious cooperation there
is
a picture,
and a true one,
taken from life not from imagination.
Now,
I would like to quote to you from
a
the
disciple and the Master in Burma,
The Master is teach
ing the disciple how he may hear the God
and
in
reply
to
the Master says this:
will
are
and
"When
passive
internal word and spirit,
being
both
to
the
locked
words
how he may
intellect
and
of the
is winged up and senses
up by Holy abstraction, will
of
be
and
the
then the
revealed
in
That touches us today at its highest and best. That
is discipleship end given in disciples
between
impressions
outward
eternal hearing, seeing and speaking thee,'*
thy
and when thy soul
above that which is temporal, the imagination
unspeakable
the disciple,6 question,
hear,
quiet
dialogue
we
our
grades
of
teaching,
for
are, or should be with full emphasis upon the
esoteric aspect in mind and effort.
It is not an easy path,
and that is why so many shun it, even when they
think
they
are
on
it, but
lip
service is of no value here.
must be paid for it, and it will mean much.
A price
For one
life will not run smoothly, happily and carelessly. bring
the
whole
man to attention,
and how!
times of trial,
times of change and
that
no longer meet the occasion.
was
can
my
correspondent, "I
rededicate my whole self, in
am
body,
It will
There will be
readjustment.
haunted
soul
he
by
and
The
man
He will demand
deeper truth and enter into it, and only when with
thing,
can
an
say,
urge
to
mind, everything,
a much greater degree than ever before to service,” will
you know what discipleship really is.
I have,
on many occasions,
spoken and written strongly about
the general drift in modern life, but never
been
ignorant
influences
in
our
of, or midst;
slow the
let to
work
me
say,
recognize, of
those
I
have
the good who
have
consistently done and are doing their best to be b light and leading to the younger generation. that
Chapter
life, wherever
Rosicrucianism should be a
it
And unfortunate as it is may
legitimate
be, and target
the name of for
pointed
criticism and to the effect that its tendency is to mBke its adherents
materialistic,
lays
a
responsibility
Chapter and others to ascertain the ground cism.
In
your
own
Chapter,
as
[as]
of
upon your
this
before
said,
asserted by members that science has been too much dence.
criti it is
in
evi
If that is so, the influence is that a materialistic
tendency
has
crept
verse of esoteric,
in, which is objectionable and the r e
and
b
further influence must be made that
the inner life, the life of the demanding
expression.
It
is
spirit, for
us
is
not
given
its
to direct attention
dynamically and interests Fundamentally to the inner life as in the higher grade teaching, tists.
That
is
not to the
them.
mystical
of
scien
not the objective of Chapter or the Order,
and if it is made so, then we shall tract
making
or
spiritual
certainly
men or women,
neither
at
we shall repel
As members of a Chapter, and
is
which has a most creditable history
well known here and abroad,
we might ask ourselves,
"Where are we placing the emphasis in life in our Is
it
upon the accumulation of facts,
studies?"
scientific or other
wise, the main object of which is to convert a student a
kind
of
third-class
admire and emulate,
encyclopedia
for
into
the ignorant to
or to have a nimble cleverness of tongue
to give a stereotyped answer about all things to all men, to make our borrowed impression
upon
temporalities, action
of
our
learning
a
fellow men?
the
level
us
of
to
Is it these,
a
sounding
and similar
which we aim at, or is there a place for
to
the
spirit within us to fix our eyes elsewhere,
and put the emphasis upon spiritual enabling
passport
or
vision
and
realities,
view life and our associates from a higher
consciousness,
to
see
their
anxious
need
and
minister to it, fcr this is the true Rosicrucian mission?
Therefore, we
cannot
the final thought I would leave with you is this: do
what
we
like with our lives in the name of
materialism or science without incurring the penalties of an ever-present destiny. silence
The spirit of man waits in
the
wise
for our recognition and our cooperation and, at the
appointed time,
will compel them.
THOMAS A KEMPIS
BY RAYMUND ANDREA
It
is
well
known
that
The
Imitation of Christ has been
translated into more languages than any other book with exception
of
the
Bible.
Within ten years of the author's
death, there hBve been published eighty editions of 1399
the
it.
In
Thomas A Kempis, the writer of it, was admitted into a
Augustinian convent and
there
writing
and
sermons, hymns
monastic
and
biographies.
Christian The
most
he
lived
pious
life,
in
of
secluded
tracts,
of b
life
treating of the
addition
celebrated
Imitation t obviously the work
a
to
his
several
works
is
contemplative, for
The it
breathes of the quietness and peace of the cloister.
With
its combination of simple faith and mysticism,
never ceased to appeal to
b 11
manner of
men
and
it
women
every conceivable religious and mystical persuasion. devotional heart, be
book
makes
an
universal
appeal
as this book has done for several
sure
has of
When a
to the human
centuries,
we
may
that it is the offspring of divine inspiration and
has a profound message and meaning for us.
It is related of Pascal,
that when about to
write, he
used
to kneel down and pray the Infinite Being so to subdue every part
of him unto itself, that when he was thus brought low,
the Divine Force might enter into him. he
By
self
abasement,
prepared himself for the receiving of inspirations. That
is the attitude we must have if we wish to profit Im it a t i o n , then Holiness. before are,
the
a
door
softly
opens
The music of the voice of the altar
falls
upon our ears*
into
from
e
Temple
disciple
The of
kneeling
We forget what we
and listen to a voice of yearning compassion telling us
what we might become, world,
and when we pass out into the strident
we carry the tones of that voice
within
us, and
we
know that it is attuned with the Spirit of Christ.
In
these
days
we
hear very much about the revelations of
psychoanalysis, psychology and psychiatry and methods
of
scientific
other
probings of the sacred precincts of
personality and soul, yet, when all is said and do
we
stand?
We
stand
thinking and consequent conforms
to
the
face
done, where
to face with our own secret
outward
action.
If
our
provide
and
a
complexes
rich
thinking
Law of Christ within us, there is a plain
and lighted way to our action in the world, and inhibitions
allied
source
which
of
haunt
enterprise
the
the
fears,
majority and
for
clinics
and
professors pass away like mist before the rising sun.
We
do
not
think
psychologist,
of
the
author
He
from
has
the
looked
vantage
Imitati on as a
point
of
mortal
man
of
nor has
he
but he is greater than any of
into the heart,
Consciousness of Christ, weakness
The
a psychoanalyst or a psychiatrist,
ever been described as either, them.
of
a
seer,
mind and soul of man illumined
by
the
uncovered every palpable or lurking and
revealed the way to immortal
s e l fh ood .
The rare quality of A Kempis is that he ampled
the
unex
genius of a man possessed with a passion for Christ.
From the first words to the last of pressed
with
the
unrestrained
overwhelmingly possessed with the has
reveals
seen,
lived
and
his
book,
influence
of
presence
of
communed with Christ.
we b
are
man who is Christ, who
The whole book
revolves around the one central theme which absorbs him: man, helpless,
broken,
unreclaimed nature, the
divine
buffeted
and
perplexed
which has turned away from or
presence
within
him, of
man
by
life
of
the
world
and
of
his own forgotten
unredeemed
blinded through absorption in the passing phantasmagoria the
im
and of
of the challenging and sadly
compassionate
figure
of
Christ ever before his vision and
pointing the way which he had trodden in defiance of all the difficulties,
hindrances and treacheries which the Karma
of
the world could set against him.
I
question
whether there is any teaching in any other book
of devotion which so truly epitomizes the pBth of ship
we
bs
entitled, second in
know
it, as
it
is
presented in the Chapter
"Of the K i n g ’s Highway of the Holy Cross,1’ in
book
on the inward life.
Eastern
devotional
discipleship
in
works, which
colorful
Western
mind,
the
Some, who are well versed depict
the
way
of
language and with a nomenclature
which is far more abstract than applicable in the
disciple
character
to
may on first sight doubt this statement.
I ask them to accept the challenge of it and take this chap ter into the hour of meditation in the attitude of Pascal.
There is no appeal from heaven,
it
is
the
highest estate. read,
the
life
the
tribunal
here
or
in
disciple in its true and
and not one can escape it.
path to his m i n d ’s content,
it into discipleship,
from
of
any
shall
challenge of the cross stands before every disci
the
of this,
to
No matter what books we have read or
ple as b fact to be met, chart
it
major and minor,
mystic by virtue of that,
him, the
word
He
may
divide and subdivide occultist
by
virtue
near to the Master or far
of A Kempis is a two-edged sword which
flashes clean to the heart of the problem of Initiation into Christ.
The Cross of Christ descends bodily upon every soul
of man who is resolved upon that Initiation. use
for
us,
If
es
yet
untried, to
It
is
Df
no
turn aside from this
aspect of the path because we may think it unduly introspec tive,
if not morbid,
some,
the
in presentation.
academically
I
can
ever
the
cross
that
and occultly learned ones, may feel
inclined to do so, but thBt will not dispose If
imagine
of
ha6 been laid upon humanity,
the
fact.
it has in
this
century above ell others, nor could ell the voices end
commotion
of
recognized
the
world
how
fact,
But it will make
laid
all
as
a
major
pein
responsive, of
like a narcotic,
time, uninspired
happened
ative,
and
That has happened in
all, we
we
us
far.
may
no
revolving
inspiration to our
countless
lives.
If
it
the other view
is
imper
an
important
crisis
in
life
which
instead of by slow and easy development.
humdrum,
spiritual
uneventful
w b s
living,
living, very eventful
and
more
settling down uneventful
quietness
in
looking
and
and
making
which
turned
back
in
ourselves?
What
have
mankind in general. stripped
The world crisis,
mankind
will do so,
way
loss, where
do
we gained and what lost?
of
that has not taught it much. same
The
and
it
are
find
is
not
yet
most of its material gain, yet It may elect to
upon the same foundations.
There
we
I speak of
build
those,
a
again
The majority
for they see nothing better, but this
all.
Imitat
back over the years and making an impar
tial assessment of our profit and
satisfy
higher
and continence to the perennial spring of spirit
And,
the
again
of a materialistic environment and less and
ual inspiration and culture such as we find in
ended,
once
in seizing upon
less susceptible to a frame of mind
in
It
not have to wait long for the
Hence,
Between the two wars, mankind
ion.
the
an acceptance or rejection of a peculiar Initiation,
by force,
more
of
face a turning point in evolution where men
have been brought to
to
differ
leave us subdued end u n
of
in
should
of civilization.
that
offers
is
To view it as
bound hand and foot to the relentless
fellowmen*
downfall
the
upon man for his own perfecting.
the
wheel
it
opportunity
a chance stroke of destiny will not carry desden
whether
we regard it, whether we recognize it as a stroke
of common fate or see it cross,
the
as the Cross of Christ or merely worldly misfor
tune is another matter. ence
hide
will
comparatively
not small
minority,
who
interpret the world crisis as a crisis in the
soul of man, and through this crisis in these lives, Christ, it seems to me, will come into his own.
It has been said that purity of heart is to will one That
thing.
most pertinently sums up The Iroitation and its author.
Throughout the book, single
one thing only is willed.
There
is
a
endeavor to mirror in the heart of men the image and
life of Christ in all its beauty.
There
ideal.
is
radiant, poignant
and
unrivaled
not a word of deviation from this august
It is as if the author had ever before him, day real
presence
of
Christ
and
night,
the
in the Temple of the
Heart,
and not for a moment could he release his gaze from a
rapt contemplation of it nor speek but in words
of
fervent
simplicity of the way to full possession of it.
Acquainted as many of us are with many books of a devotional nature,
when
we
turn
reflection upon it,
to
it is astonishing to note how completely
absorbed the author was in single
aspect
The Im itati on and after repeated
his
subject.
of the conduct of man,
retrogression from the Christ ideal, clear
In
is
not
should
of
some
in his approach to or
which has
escaped
touches of austere asceticism,
expect
from
the
retirement, we
find
in
sympathetic failings
understanding
the
pen him
of a
for
e
recluse
warmth, man
in
in
which we monastic
companionship all
his
and
manifold
and weaknesses on The Way which places it in sharp
contrast to the complacent
Eastern
aloofness,
literature.
conscious
How
height
bleak detachment so characteristic of
the
often
does
of attainment, latter,
seem
the the to
or belittle our common and wounded humanity fighting
at odds in a purely worldly environment and impress us a
b
insight of this genius of holiness.
spite
ignore
There
feeling
of
finality
with
and impossibility of achieving the
high goal of endeavor while man is but roan? The
Imitati o n .
The
Not
irresistible magnetism of Christ works
upon the mind like a spiritual
leaven as we read it.
the magnetism of Christ which gripped A Kempis it, and
it
is
It was
he
bs
wrote
this same influence which holds and compels
our allegiance as we meditate it.
Spiritual magnetism in an
inspired writer has this of divinity in it; upward
1b It in
bo
that
it
draws
to itself, directly the heart is touched by it, and,
as A Kempis depicts upon luminous
his
living
canvas
in
full
colors the character of the Great Exemplar,
and
we see
a man lifted up into the high heaven of consciousness by the magnetism of his subject and writing what he must in perfect humility end consuming adoration.
Today our ears are deafened with the rhetoric of a tongues. Christ.
They
not
inquisitorial
They have forgotten Him and
There
is
tions:
power,
name
are
tongues
arraign
thousand arraigning
one
another.
a mBd haste to build quickly upon the old founda
of
it
prestige called
and QBbel,
domination. For
Therefore
really,
is
the
a few short years
after the blood bath of the nations, the fear of man for the ascendancy Bnd domination of his neighbor rises steadily and makes the future as uncertain picture
that
would
through
and what shall
the
years
for
values of life and others like us are
but
a
the
past.
inspire any man.
look for inspiration, striven
bs
It
is
not
a
Whence then shall we we
the of
handful among the nations,
do?
We, who
have
greater and enduring stiffer
persuasions,
but nothing that has
happened has robbed us of our ideal or our hope.
They ere a
part of the texture of soul which neither wars not the rumor of wars can touch.
Indeed, we are far more
convinced
than
ever that these values are the only enduring ones, for after the world holocausts, persistency, within us.
as
they dominate the heart with an abated
silent
witnesses of the presence of Christ
It is upon this foundation that we must continue
to
build.
We
are
not responsible for
the nations nor did we create the gods gods
the masquerades of they
worship.
of the nations ere idols," says the Psalmist.
MA11
That is
a summary judgment, but in this materialistic epoch in which we Find ourselves, when
is it not short of the
truth?
In
fact,
we turn from it for a moment to quiet contemplation of
The Imitation, we wonder
whether
after
all
A
Kempis
is
speaking
to humanity as we know it and whether it is fit to
read it.
We
need
it
are
firm
upon
nations
desperately, but their
thrones.
shaken them from their morbid seats, fellow men and women, unpalatable truth, has
been
by
the
A
Two wars have not
gainsaying
people
ssks
us
our
That is the it.
Christ
of the nations and as
inquisitor
to look at Christ,
b e a u t y , suffering and strength whatever
happens
influence of that life, Him.
the
dismissed
Him
contemptuous finger pointing Him to the door,
e
Kempis
that
of
and it is humanity,
no
summarily dismissed as the grand with
gods
who have kept them there.
but there is
dethroned
the
to
us
as
Christ, we
try
and
to
realize
to radiate the
we shall find the prototype of it in
There is cur inspiration,
reflect
of
to meditate upon the
and our care must be that we
it in a life of devoted service to
which is worth anything in this world.
the
only
ideal
ROSICRUCIAN CODE NUMBER 10
BY RAYMUND ANDREA
The
Rosicrucianfs
Code of Life set out in our Manual is no
doubt familiar to us all. familiar
experience
can
be
real
inward significance is often overlooked
in
so
Yet my
regard
to
many
the application of them.
other
what
are
little fruition in our lives. volume
of
and
forgotten
These rules of the
They can take their
place
called platitudes and so bear As a matter of fact, a
whole
Rosicrucian instruction could be written on this
Code and be a stimulating commentary of and
one
with rules of this nature, that their
Code can easily share this fete. among
is, that
behavior.
Some
direction
of these rules are more penetrating in
character than others. moment of Rule Number
esoteric
I am thinking 1D.
particularly
It is often in my
at
the
mind,
"Attempt no direct reforms in the lives of others. Discover in improve
yourself what
yourself,
needs correction
and
that by the Light of your Life
you may point the way to others."
I
sometimes think that we who are on the Path (and) are apt
to see the faults of others more quickly than by
reason
of
our
studies.
other
people
I sometimes think we are more
prone to attempt the reform of others than
the
keen
prac
tical hard-headed professional Bnd business types we meet in the
city,
contact,
immersed
in
the
affairs and struggles of daily
exercise toward their fellow men.
They usually see
more truly the basic qualities of characters tolerant
Df
the varied behavior,
and
are
more
the personal reactions of
their fellows, then we who assess them from what we consider the higher point of view.
Why is this?
Is it because, through the
kindness
of
good
Karma, with
we
have been privileged to renew links from the past
those
who
development
are
and
devoting
are
themselves
enjoying
happy
to
esoteric
associations
therefore feel themselves much in advance of
the
and
majority,
in this respect* who take no thought for the inner life? this
is
not
the
basic
dangers of the Path* separateness. down
a
cause,
If
it is certainly one of the
It has often been called the heresy of
Yet it should scarcely occur
demarcation
line
to
us
to
set
between ourselves and others who
have not taken any thought for the Path,
We do not know the
potentialities of any human being and what may lie quiescent behind an unassuming exterior we know well* assess people at their face value. mistaken.
Beyond
the
veil
If we do, we
of
un-sounded history of past lives,
We should never should
personality
and if that
be
lies
the
history
were
suddenly revealed to us we should be astonished and humbled.
Regarding
this rule,
it is our first and paramount business
to labor assiduously to know ourselves. to that task. trial
and
There can be no end
It is one of continuous work and
experience.
If
reflection,
we believe that because we have
read a number of books on the teaching of the Path and through
certain
grades
of
pass
instruction we have the key to
self-hood end other lives, experience will catch up with and their
teach
us
varied
better. course,
instrumental
are
technique,
point where we have experiences
Our
to
us
grades, enlightening all along constantly
a
preparation,
an
revealing a way of advancement to a meet
the
and eventualities of life wisely and well.
But
the revelation of self
apply
and
all
its
we
great
know
to
possibilities
lies
beyond that and is subject to the conditions of the Karma of the
past
and cannot be foreseen or unduly hastened*
know this is so, with those who have taken thought Path
and
are
treading
If we
for
the
it, surely it should incline us to
feel charitably towards those
who
cooperate
with
us
and
-those
who
do
not, For
life,
in
either
case,
is
a hard
in
this
work,
school.
Now, speaking of ourselves who are engaged there
is a Factor which can not be overlooked.
justiFy us in acting other than this does
rule
It does not
enjoins, but
it
reveal a reason why many on the path do act in opposi
tion to its teaching and
oFten
go
out
of
their
bluntly and untactfully attempt to reform others*
way
to
Those who
have been working upon themselves for some time esoterically are
bound
to
feel
the
effects
phlegmatic English for instance, and
restraint,
are
more
of
that
with their
the
to undergo considerable change,
quickens,
releases and
contacts
with *
extends
others.
native
Mental
the
them
be
a
suggest,
to
an
matter
vibrational
actions
criticism
are
range
prone
to
of be
consequence
and
an
attempt
alignment with our own thinking.
and
I am
It
eeeme
Reformation rarely comes on
Others have to grow in their
they
to
of personal duty, yet our real duty is to
not to urge or compel.
those terms. have,
is
Etheric stimulation
sure that is often done with the best intentions. to
but
what does not immediately harmonize in others with
our own views is matter for compel
reserve
temperament
swifter and therefore sometimes intolerant. The is, that
The
introverted than extroverted,
under the influence of higher training liable
practice.
own
way
as
we
should be allowed their own conclusions and
testing by experience.
The condition is somewhat similar to what happens students
passing
The
strong stimulation of university life is more than they
can
adjust
to,
school
and
to
young
the university.
comfortably
through
to
some time has to elapse before
they become assimilated to the new climate can
do justice to themselves.
correction in ourselves,
of
thought
and
As to discovering what needs
iF we are
making
headway
in
our
studies, comings. needful
we
should
be
have
long
We
fully
qualifications
conscious
since for
been
of our own short
acquainted
with
advancement, because
we
constantly in mind the lives of those who have been examples
the have
shining
in the mystical life, end it is the latter part of
the rule which claims our
special
attention,
"....that
by
the Light of your Life you may point the way*”
If there is anything we should devoutly pray for, we
be
given
more
Light.
It
is
it is that
amazing to realize what
mistakes we can make through the want of even a little Light upon ourselves. cannot
force
Yet, we must learn to wait for it, we
issues.
All
the
Light
we
need,
guidance we wait for, are present in the higher consciousness,
own
private
life, but
our
life
active service ever involves the lives of is
all
the
reaches
of
and only through meditation Bnd experience do
we become gradually aligned to receive it. our
more
where our chief problem lies,
That pertains to
in the world and in others,
and
that
to throw the Light we have
upon them end understand them.
One cannot go further in this theme without reverting to the thought of impersonality. this
is so,
It will readily be perceived
why
for if the insistent claims and concerns of the
personal self unceasingly hold the field of attention, there is little hope of penetrating lives of others. the
field,
eo
into
At stated times, to speak,
and
understanding
the
it is necessary to vacate
and still the mental and emotional
life and endeavor to rid us of the content and status of an other self with whom we 8re dealing and wish to help. an exercise of psychometric art, and results noticed
when
once
we
have
will
soon
be
learned to be inwardly still,
impersonal end receptive to incoming impressions* hindrance to success in this,
It is
The great
is that the conscious field is
usually crowded with the conditions, happenings and
impres
sions
of
our
own
physical,
There is no opportunity for
emotional
the
and mental selves*
prevailing
conditions
in
another self to be reflected in the mirror of consciousness* We
cannot
really
Light of the soul,
understand
others
In this way, for the
which elone can rightly interpret,
permitted to shine through us and reveal need to know to help them* voices
of
the
In others
is not
what
we
To be still and silence the many
personal self is the only sure way in which
the many voices of other lives can be heard by us Bnd known.
We are not without instruction to assist us in this, grades
of
teaching.
this art through the ideal,
of
course,
person.
following
is
of
such
instruction*
tone
absence
the emotional
life,
be
a
attempted. most
condition,
and the mental caliber of
its fullness and efficiency or otherwise and the
degree of spiritual responsiveness. may
of
I have known this to be done so effectively as
Df
the person,
The
to be able to register the prevailing
to register very accurately the present physical the
our
Many have had considerable success in
conditions of another life at long range in the the
in
comparatively
rare
This kind of
attainment,
diagnosis
but
it
Its success would give one the real key
helpful
service, but
the
basic
can be to
the
requisite is a high
degree of selflessness!
It will be noted how that basic qualification leads us to
the
first
part
of
the
Rule
we
attempting direct reformation in other
ore
considering on
lives.
Having
qualification,
we
should have no desire to do so.
be
of
an
conscious
inhibition
interesting fact that, the
Path, we
reach
against
it.
It
We shall is
a
an
point in inner development when our great
change.
Certain
farmer insistent reactions of the personality fall away. to
that
when we have passed certain crises of
Bttitude towards others undergoes a
seem
back
be as removed from them.
We
They do not urge us into
action as hitherto.
Where there was agitation, now there is
peace.
goal for every aspirant too,
It
Is
the
and we are
willing to let them find their own way with such as
they
may
ask and we can give them.
assistance
We shall no longer
demand that they be and do what we wish but which not
yet qualified ecoterically to be and do.
will be to let such Light as we them.
The
kindly
ourselves
they
Our only wish
have, fall
upon
and effective radiation of our own Light
will prove ultimately the best gift we can make in
the
of master service.
An
way .
ancient Greek philosopher said that all higher education
of the intellect
depends
understand one another. to
are
be
very
a
on
cultivating
substitute
we
are
for
the
thinking
of.
We
have
understand
of greatest importance,
It
is
because
our
lies at the root of all maladjustment
in
one
another,
visible
by
included mentioned,
in
the
real
speculative
the
great
attain**,
perplexities
and
man is invisible to intellect.
He
only
through the illumined mind, by our ascens our
rising
above
what the Greek calls
the intellect*.
if
as if to see ourselves as
differences,
life, for
ion of consciousness, intellect,
as
failure in these two directions
our
ordinary sight and to the becomes
*
But, why should stress
we ere and others as they are were a goal of ment?
only . jto
higher education of the intellect,' "the
be put upon the ability to was
to
yet its meaning underlies the
higher or soul consciousness in man.
this
ability
At first sight that does not appear
profound statement,
rule
our
rationalistic
*the higher education of
And the first stages of sensing
the
that
process
are
of impressions in the way I have
by inward or upward
direction
and
silence,
and
the sensing in service of others is the sureBt way of rising above
the
hampering
veil
of
personality which obstructs
knowledge and understanding of invisible selves.
However,
the
of
Rosicrucian
the
idea
of service, which is the central feature ideal, requires
common-sense perspective.
they
need
others of the their
feet
to
different
responsibility
of
seeking for themselves.
from
in
a
end they can relieve
help another to bear a difficult phase very
placed
They can waste valuable time
help themselves,
necessary and
be
Some have rather a distorted view
of the idea of helping others. which
to
standing
upon
We can and should
of
Karma, which
is
inviting others to place their Karmic
responsibilities upon ourselves. Path who seek to do this,
There are many even on the
because
they
are
aware
of
the
compassion and sympathy of the true server.
I
believe
the
Masters
help aspirants in their individual
trials far more than they are conscious of but that they not
and
cannot
liquidate
the Karma which is theirs.
a s p i r a n t ’s whole development pattern,
and
he
to
be
conditioned
by
a
The
Karmic
himself must so study himself and his life
as to be able tc meet happens
is
do
a
it.
burden,
Masters to whom he aspires,
But ie
the
burden
within
of
it, if
it
the knowledge of the
and it is our duty in their name
to help him to accept it and lighten it for him.
Perhaps the greatest incident
to
our
sorrow
time,
is
of
is
time,
and
peculiarly
the individual and racial Karma
which people have to bear, whether not,
our
they
are
aspirants
or
and to relieve some of the keen pressure of it, nothing so necessary and urgent as a deep understanding of self.
Every step in that direction reveals to us more and more the fears, ties
difficulties and anxieties as well as the
possibili
of those who ore brought within our sphere of contact.
