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[PAGE 1] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
BY
MAX HEINDEL
[1865-1919]
A SERIES OF ESSAYS ON
PRACTICAL MYSTICISM
THE ROSICRUCIAN FELLOWSHIP
INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
MT. ECCLESIA
P.O. BOX 713
OCEANSIDE, CALIFORNIA, 92054 U.S.A.
[PAGE 3] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
FORWARD
The contents of this book are among the last writings of Max Heindel, the
mystic. They contain some of his deepest thoughts, and are the result of
years of research and occult investigation. He, too, could say as did
Parsifal: "Through error and through suffering I came, through many failures
and through countless woes." At last he was given the living water with
which he was able to quench the spiritual thirst of many souls. He also de-
veloped to their depths pity and love, and could feel the heart throbs of
suffering humanity.
Strong souls are usually endowed with great energy and impulse, and
through these very forces, they forge to the front ranks though they often
suffer much. As a result they are filled with compassion for others. The
writer of these lessons sacrificed his physical body on the altar of ser-
vice.
In writing the books and monthly lessons of the Fellowship, in his lec-
tures and class work, and in the arduous pioneer work of establishing Head-
quarters within the short span of ten years, Max Heindel accomplished more
than many who are blessed with perfect health could have accomplished in a
lifetime. His first book, his masterpiece, " The Rosicrucian Cosmo-
[PAGE 4] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
Conception," was written under the direct guidance of the Elder Brothers of
the Rose Cross. It carries a vital message to the world. It satisfies not
alone the intellect, but also the heart. His "Freemasonry and Catholicism,"
has found its way into many Masonic libraries. The occultist has received
much from the book entitled, "The Web of Destiny," which is a mine of mysti-
cal knowledge and helpful occult truths. It is also a guide to the investi-
gator, establishing danger signals for the venturesome ones who wish to take
heaven by storm. To the science of astrology he has given more in a few
years than has previously been discovered for centuries. His two valuable
works, "Simplified Scientific Astrology" and "The Message of the Stars,"
deal largely with the spiritual and medical aspects of astrology. The lat-
ter gives methods of diagnosis and healing which form a valuable addition to
the works of other authors, both ancient and modern. These books may be
found in the libraries of many doctors of the old school.
In "Gleanings of a Mystic" are found twenty-four lessons which were for-
merly sent out to students. It is the wish of the writer of this introduc-
tion that these lessons may carry a message of love and cheer to the
soul-hungry reader and hope to the disconsolate one.
Augusta Foss Heindel
[PAGE 5] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter I.
Initiation: What It Is and Is Not--Part I. 7
Chapter II
Initiation: What It Is and Is Not--Part II. 14
Chapter III.
The Sacrament of Communion--Part I. 21
Chapter IV.
The Sacrament of Communion--Part II. 28
Chapter V.
The Sacrament of Baptism. 37
Chapter VI.
The Sacrament of Marriage 46
Chapter VII.
The Unpardonable Sin and Lost Souls. 54
Chapter VIII.
The Immaculate Conception. 61
Chapter IX.
The Coming Christ. 69
Chapter X.
The Coming Age. 77
Chapter XI.
Meat and Drink as Factors of Evolution. 85
[PAGE 6] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
Chapter XII.
A Living Sacrifice. 94
Chapter XIII.
Magic, White and Black. 101
Chapter XIV.
Our Invisible Government. 108
Chapter XV.
Practical Precepts for Practical People. 114
Chapter XVI.
Sound, Silence, and Soul Growth. 121
Chapter XVII.
The "Mysterium Magnum" of the Rose Cross 130
Chapter XVIII.
Stumbling Blocks 138
Chapter XIX.
The Lock of Upliftment. 147
Chapter XX.
The Cosmic Meaning of Easter--Part I. 153
Chapter XXI.
The Cosmic Meaning of Easter--Part II. 160
Chapter XXII.
The Newborn Christ. 167
Chapter XXIII.
Why I am a Rosicrucian. 173
Chapter XXIV.
The Object of the Rosicrucian Fellowship. 180
[PAGE 7] INITIATION: WHAT IT IS AND IS NOT
CHAPTER I
INITIATION: WHAT IT IS AND IS NOT
PART I
IT IS NO rare occurrence to receive questions relating to Initiation, and
we are also frequently asked to state whether this order or that society is
genuine, and whether the initiations they offer to all comers who have the
price are BONA FIDE. For that reason it seems necessary to write a treatise
on the subject so that students of the Rosicrucian Fellowship may have an
official statement for reference and guidance in the future.
In the first place let it be clearly understood that we consider it repre-
hensible to express condemnation of any society or order, no matter what it
practices. It may be perfectly sincere and honest ACCORDING TO ITS LIGHT.
We do not believe that we rise in the opinion of discriminating men and
women by speaking in disparaging terms of others; neither are we laboring
under the delusion that WE have all the truth and the other societies are
plunged in Egyptian darkness. We reiterate what we have often said before,
[PAGE 8] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
that all religions have been given to mankind by the Recording Angels, who
know the spiritual requirements of each class, nation, and race, and have
the intelligence to give each a form of worship perfectly suited to its par-
ticular need; that thus Hinduism is suited to the Hindu, Mohammedanism to
the Arab, and the Christian religion to those born in the Western Hemi-
sphere.
The Mystery Schools of each religion furnish to the more advanced members
of the race or nation embracing its higher teaching, which IF LIVED, ad-
vances them into a higher sphere of spirituality than their brethren. But
as the religion of the backward races is of a lower order than the religion
of the pioneers, the Christian nations, so also the MYSTERY TEACHING OF THE
EAST IS MORE ELEMENTARY THAN THAT OF THE WEST, and the Hindu or Chinese Ini-
tiate is on a correspondingly lower rung of the ladder of attainment than
the Western Mystic. Please ponder this well so that you may not fall a vic-
tim to misguided people who try to persuade others that the Christian reli-
gion is crude compared with oriental cults. Ever westward in the wake of
the shining sun, the light of the world, has gone the star of empire, and is
it not reasonable to suppose that the spiritual light has kept pace with
civilization, or even preceded it as thought precedes action? We hold that
such is the case, that the Christian religion is the loftiest yet given to
man, and that to repudiate the Christian religion, esoteric or exoteric, for
any of the older systems is analogous to preferring the older textbooks of
[PAGE 9] INITIATION: WHAT IT IS AND IS NOT
science to the newer ones which embrace discoveries to date.
Neither are the practices of Eastern aspirants to the higher life to be
imitated by Westerners; we refer particularly to the breathing exercises.
They are both beneficial and necessary to the unfoldment of the Hindu, but
it is otherwise with the Western aspirant. To him it is dangerous to prac-
tice breathing exercises for soul unfoldment; they will even prove subver-
sive of soul growth, and they are, moreover, absolutely unnecessary. The
reason is this:
During involution the threefold spirit has become gradually incrusted in
a threefold body. In the Atlantean Epoch man was at the nadir of material-
ity. We are just now rounding the lowest point on the arc of involution,
and starting upward on the arc of evolution. At this point, then, all man-
kind is immured in this earthly prison house to such a degree that spiritual
vibrations are almost killed. This is, of course, particularly true of the
backward races and the lower classes in the Western world. The atoms in
such backward race bodies are vibrating at an exceedingly low rate, and when
in the course of time one of these people develops to a point where it is
possible to further him upon the path of attainment, it is necessary to
raise this vibratory pitch of the atom so that the vital body, which is the
medium of occult growth, may to a certain extent be liberated from the dead-
ening forces of the physical atom. This result is attained by means of
[PAGE 10] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
breathing exercises, which in time accelerate the vibration of the atom, and
allow the spiritual growth necessary to the individual to take place.
These exercises may also be used by a great number of people in the West-
ern world, particularly those who are not at all concerned about their
spiritual advancement. But even among those who desire soul growth there
are many who are not yet at the point where the atoms of their bodies have
evolved to such a pitch of vibration that acceleration beyond the usual mea-
sure would injure them. Here the breathing exercises would do no harm; but
if given to a person who is really at the point where he can enter the path
of advancement ordinarily mapped out for the Hindu's precocious brothers and
sisters in the West, in other words, when he is nearly ready for Initiation
and when he would be benefited BY SPIRITUAL EXERCISES, then the case is far
otherwise.
During the aeons which we have spent in evolution since the time when we
were in Hindu bodies, our atoms have accelerated their vibratory pitch enor-
mously, and as said in the case of one who is really nearly ready for Ini-
tiation, the pitch of vibration is higher than that of the average man or
woman. Therefore he does not need breathing exercises to ACCELERATE this
pitch, but certain spiritual exercises suited to him individually which will
advance him on the proper path. If such a person at this critical period
[PAGE 11] INITIATION: WHAT IT IS AND IS NOT
meets some one who ignorantly or unscrupulously gives him breathing exer-
cises, and if he follows the instructions accurately in the hope of GETTING
QUICK RESULTS, he will get them quickly but in a manner he has not looked
for, since the vibratory rate of the atoms in his body will in a very short
time become accelerated to such a pitch that it will seem to him as if he
were walking on air; then also an improper cleavage of the vital body may
take place, and either consumption or insanity follows. Now please put this
down where it will burn itself into your consciousness in letters of fire:
INITIATION IS A SPIRITUAL PROCESS, AND SPIRITUAL PROGRESS CANNOT BE ACCOM-
PLISHED BY PHYSICAL MEANS, BUT ONLY BY SPIRITUAL EXERCISES.
There are many orders in the West which profess to INITIATE ANYONE WHO
HAS THE PRICE. Some of these orders have names closely resembling our own,
and we are constantly asked by students whether they are affiliated with us.
In order to settle this once and for all, please note that the Rosicrucian
Fellowship has constantly taught that NO SPIRITUAL GIFT MAY EVER BE TRADED
FOR MONEY. If you bear this in mind, you may know we have no connection
with any order which demands money for the transference of spiritual power.
He who has something to give of a truly spiritual nature will not barter it
for money. I received a particular injunction to this effect from the Elder
Brothers in the Rosicrucian Temple, when they told me to go to the English
speaking world as their messenger, a claim I do not expect you to believe
[PAGE 12] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
SAVE AS YOU SEE IT JUSTIFIED BY FRUITS.
Now, however, about Initiation: What it is? Is it ceremony as claimed by
these other orders? If so, any order can certainly invent ceremonies of a
more or less elaborate kind. They may by flowing robes and clashing swords
appeal to the emotions; they may appeal to the sense of wonder and awe by
rattling chains and by deep sounding gongs, and thus produce in their mem-
bers an "OCCULT FEELING." Many revel in the adventures and experiences of
the hero in "The Brother of the Third Degree," thinking that this is surely
Initiation, but I tell you that it is very far from being the case. NO CE-
REMONY CAN EVER GIVE TO ANY ONE THAT INWARD EXPERIENCE which constitutes I-
nitiation, no matter how much is charged or how fearful the oaths, how awful
or beautiful the ceremony, or how gorgeous the robes, any more than passing
through a ceremony can convert a sinner and make him a saint, for conversion
is to the exoteric religionist exactly what Initiation is in the higher mys-
ticism. Please consider this point thoroughly, and you will have the key to
the problem.
Do you think that any one could go to a person of depraved character and
agree to convert him for a certain sum and carry out his part of the agree-
ment? Surely you know that no amount of money could bring about that change
in a man's character. Ask a true convert where he got his religion and how
he got it. One may tell you that he received it upon the road as he was
[PAGE 13] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
walking along; another says that the light and the change came to him in the
solitude of his room; another that the LIGHT STRUCK him as it struck Paul
upon the road to Damascus, and forced him to change. Every one has a dif-
ferent experience, and the outward manifestation of that inward experience
is that IT CHANGES THE MAN'S WHOLE LIFE from the very least to the very
greatest aspect.
So it is with Initiation; it is an inward experience, entirely SEPARATE
AND APART FROM ANY CEREMONIAL WHATEVER, and therefore it is an absolute im-
possibility that any one could sell it to any one else. Initiation changes
a man's whole life. It gives him a confidence that he never possessed be-
fore. It clothes him with a mantle of authority that never can be taken
from him. No matter what the circumstances in life, it sheds a light upon
his whole being that is simply wonderful. Nor can any ceremony effect such
a change. We therefore hold that anyone who offers initiation into an oc-
cult order by ceremonials to everyone who has the price, brands himself as
an imposter. For the true teacher, if he were approached by an aspirant
with an offer of money for spiritual attainment, would answer indignantly in
the words used by Peter to Simon the sorcerer, who offered him money for
spiritual powers: "Thy silver perish with thee."
[PAGE 14] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
CHAPTER II
INITIATION: WHAT IT IS AND IS NOT
PART II
TO OBTAIN a better understanding of what constitutes Initiation and what
the prerequisites are, let the student fix firmly in his mind the fact that
humanity as a whole is slowly progressing upon the path of evolution, thus
very slowly, almost inperceptibly, attaining higher and higher states of
consciousness. The path of evolution is a spiral when we regard it from the
physical side only, but a lemniscate when viewed in both its physical and
spiritual phases. (See the diagram of chemical caduceus in THE ROSICRUCIAN
COSMO-CONCEPTION, page 410.) In the lemniscate, or figure 8, there are two
circles which converge to a central point, which circles may be taken to
symbolize the immortal spirit, the evolving ego. One of the circles signi-
fies its life in the physical world from birth to death. During this span
of time it sows a seed by every act and should reap in return a certain
amount of experience. But as we may sow seed in the field and lose return
on that which falls on stony ground, among thorns, et cetera, so also may
the seed of opportunity be wasted because of neglect to till the soil and
[PAGE 15] INITIATION: WHAT IT IS AND IS NOT
the life will then be barren of fruit. Conversely, as diligence and care
in cultivation increase the productive power of garden seed enormously, so
earnest application to the business of life--improvement of opportunities to
learn life's lessons and extract from our environment the experience it
holds--brings added opportunities; and at the end of the life-day the ego
finds itself at the door of death laden with the richest fruits of life.
The objective work of physical existence over, the race run, and the day
of action spent, the ego enters upon the subjective work of assimilation ac-
complished during its sojourn in the invisible worlds, which it traverses
during the period from death to birth, symbolized by the other ring of the
lemniscate. As the method of accomplishment this assimilation has been most
minutely described in various parts of our literature, it is needless to re-
peat it here. Suffice it to say that at the time when an ego arrives at
thecentral point in the lemniscate, which divides the physical from the psy-
chic worlds and which we call the gate of birth or death according to
whether the ego is entering or leaving the realm where we, ourselves, happen
to be at the time, it has with it an aggregate of faculties or talents ac-
quired in all its previous lives, which it may then put to usury or bury
during the coming life-day as it sees fit; but upon the use it makes of what
it has, depends the amount of soul growth it makes.
[PAGE 16] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
If for many lives it caters mainly to the lower nature, which lives to
eat, drink and be merry, or if it dreams its life away in metaphysical
speculations upon nature and God, sedulously abstaining from all unnecessary
action, it is gradually passed and left behind by the more active and
progressive. Great companies of these idlers form what we know as "backward
races"; while the active, alert, and wide-awake who improve a larger per-
centage of their opportunities, are the pioneers. Contrary to the commonly
accepted idea, this applies also to those engaged in industrial work. Their
money-getting is only an incident, an incentive, and entirely apart from
this phase their work is as spiritual as or even more so than that of those
who spend their time in prayer to the prejudice of useful work.
From what has been said, it will be clear that the method of soul growth
as accomplished by the process of evolution requires ACTION in the physical
life, followed in the post-mortem state by a RUMINATING PROCESS, during
which the lessons of life are extracted and thoroughly incorporated into the
consciousness of the ego, though the experiences themselves are
forgotten--as we forget our labor in learning the multiplication table,
though the faculty of using it remains.
This exceedingly slow and tedious process is perfectly suited to the
needs of the masses; but there are some who habitually exhaust the experi-
ences commonly given, thus requiring and meriting a larger scope for their
[PAGE 17] INITIATION: WHAT IT IS AND IS NOT
energies. Difference of temperament is responsible for their division into
two classes.
One class, led by their devotion to Christ, simply follow the dictates of
the heart in their work of live for their fellows--beautiful characters,
beacon lights of love in a suffering world, never actuated by selfish mo-
tives, always ready to forego personal comfort to aid others. Such were the
saints; they worked as they prayed; they never shirked in either direction.
Nor are they dead today. The earth would be a barren wilderness in spite of
all its civilization did not their beautiful feet circle it on errands of
mercy, were not the lives of sufferers made brighter by the light of hope
which radiates from their beautiful faces. Had they but the knowledge pos-
sessed by the other class they would indeed outdistance all in the race for
the Kingdom.
Mind is the predominating feature of the other class. In order to aid it
in its efforts toward attainment, mystery schools were early established
wherein the world drama was played to give the aspiring soul while he was
entranced, answers to the questions of the origin and destiny of humanity.
When awakened, he was instructed in the sacred science of how to climb
higher by following the method of nature--which is meditating upon the expe-
rience, and incorporating the essential moral to make thereby commensurate
soul growth; also with this important feature, that whereas in the ordinary
[PAGE 18] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
course of things a whole life is devoted to sowing and a whole post-mortem
existence to ruminating and incorporating the soul substance, this cycle of
a thousand years, more or less, may be reduced to a day, as held by the mys-
tic maxim, "A day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day."
To be explicit, whatever work has been done during a single day, if rumi-
nated over at night before crossing the neutral point between waking and
sleeping, may thus be incorporated into the consciousness of the spirit as
usable soul power. When that exercise is faithfully performed, the sins of
each day thus reviewed are actually blotted out, and the man commences each
day as if it were a new life, with the added soul power gained in all the
preceding days of his probationary life.
But!--yes, there is a great big BUT; NATURE IS NOT TO BE CHEATED; God is
not to be mocked. "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." Let
no one think that the mere perfunctory review of the happenings of a day
with perhaps the light-hearted admission of, "I wish I had not done that,"
when reviewing a scene where he did something palpably wrong, will save him
from the wrath to come. When we pass out of the body into purgatory at
death and the panorama of our past life unfolds in reverse order to show us
first the effects and then the causes which produced them, we feel in inten-
sified measure the pain we gave others; and unless we perform our exercises
[PAGE 19] INITIATION: WHAT IT IS AND IS NOT
in a similar manner SO THAT WE LIVE EACH EVENING OUR HELL as merited that
day, acutely sensible of every pang we have inflicted, it will avail noth-
ing. We must also endeavor to feel in the same intense manner, gratitude
for kindness received from others, and approbation on account of the good we
ourselves have done.
Only thus are we really living the post-mortem existence and advancing
scientifically towards the goal of Initiation. The greatest danger of the
aspirant upon this path is that he may become enmeshed in the snare of ego-
tism, and his only safeguard is to cultivate the faculties of faith, devo-
tion, and an all-embracing sympathy. It is difficult, but it can be done,
and when it has been accomplished the man or woman becomes a wonderful power
for good in the world.
Now, if the student has pondered the preceding argument well, he has
probably grasped the analogy between the LONG CYCLE of evolution and the
short CYCLES or steps used upon the path of preparation. It should be quite
clear that no one can do this post-mortem work for him and transmit to him
the resulting soul growth. You think it preposterous when a priesthood of-
fers to shorten the sojourn of a soul in purgatory. How, then, can you be-
lieve that anyone else can--no matter what the consideration--obviate the
necessity of a number of purgatorial existences for your benefit and trans-
mit to you at once the usable soul power you would have acquired had you
[PAGE 20] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
pursued the ordinary course of life to the day you are ready for Initiation?
Yet this is what the offer to initiate a person not yet upon the threshold
means. You must have the soul power requisite for Initiation or no one can
initiate you. If you have it, you are upon the threshold by your own ef-
forts, beholden to no one, and may demand Initiation as a right which none
would dare dispute or withhold. If you have it not and could buy it, it
would be cheap at twenty-five million dollars, and the man who offers it for
twenty-five dollars is as ridiculous as his dupe. Please remember that if
anyone offers to initiate you into an occult order, no matter if he calls it
"Rosicrucian" or by any other name, his demand of an initiation fee at once
stamps him as an imposter; explanations ot the effect that the fee is used
to purchase regalia, et cetera, are only added evidence of the fraudulent
nature of the order for it is said, "Initiation is most emphatically not an
outward ceremony, but an inward experience." I may further add that the
Elder Brothers of the Rose Cross in the Mystic Temple where I received the
Light made it a condition that their SACRED SCIENCE MUST NEVER BE PUT IN THE
BALANCE AGAINST A COIN. Freely had I received, and freely was I required to
give. This injunction I have obeyed, both in spirit and to the letter, as
all know who have had dealings with the Rosicrucian Fellowship.
[PAGE 21] THE SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION
CHAPTER III
THE SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION
PART I
TO OBTAIN a thorough understanding of the deep and far-reaching sig-
nificance of the manner in which the Sacrament of Communion was instituted,
it is necessary to consider the evolution of our planet and of composite
man, also the chemistry of foods and their influence on humanity. For the
sake of lucidity we will briefly recapitulate the Rosicrucian teachings on
the various points involved. They have been given at length in the
ROSICRUCIAN COSMO-CONCEPTION and our other works.
The Virgin Spirits, which are now mankind, commenced their pilgrimage
through matter in the dawn of time, that by the friction of concrete exist-
ence their latent powers might be transmuted to kinetic energy as usable
soul power. Three successive veils of increasingly dense matter were ac-
quired by the involving spirits during the Saturn, Sun and Moon Periods.
Thus each spirit was separated from all other spirits, and the consciousness
which could not penetrate the prison wall of matter and communicate with
others was forced to turn inwards, and in so doing it discovered--ITSELF.
[PAGE 22] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
Thus self-consciousness was attained.
A further crystallization of the before mentioned veils took place in the
Earth Period during the Polarian, Hyperborean, and Lemurain Epochs. In the
Atlantean Epoch, the mind was added as a focusing point between the spirit
and body, completing the constitution of composite man, who was then
equipped to conquer the world and generate soul power by endeavor and expe-
rience, each having free will and choice except as limited by the laws of
nature and his own previous acts.
During the time man-in-the-making was thus evolving, great creative Hier-
archies guided his every step. Absolutely nothing was left to chance. Even
the food he ate was chosen for him so that he might obtain the appropriate
material wherewith to build the various vehicles of consciousness necessary
to accomplish the process of soul growth. The Bible mentions the various
stages, though it misplaces Nimrod, making him to symbolize the Atlantean
kings who lived BEFORE the Flood.
In the Polarian Epoch pure mineral matter became a constituent part of
man; thus ADAM was made of earth, that is, so far as his dense body was
concerned.
In the Hyperborean Epoch the vital body was added, and thus his constitu-
tion became plantlike, and CAIN, the man of that time, lived on the fruits
[PAGE 23] THE SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION
of the soil.
The Lemurian Epoch saw the evolution of a desire body, which made man
like the present animals. Then milk, the product of living animals, was
added to human diet. ABEL was a shepherd, but it is nowhere stated that he
killed an animal.
At that time mankind lived innocently and peacefully in the misty atmo-
sphere which enveloped the earth during the latter part of the Lemurian Ep-
och, as described in the chapter on "Baptism" Men were then like children
under the care of a common father, until the mind was given to all in the
beginning of Atlantis. Thought activity breaks down tissue which must be
replaced; the lower and more material the thought, the greater the havoc and
the more pressing the need for albumen wherewith to make quick repairs.
Hence necessity, the mother of invention, inaugurated the loathsome practice
of flesh eating, and so long as we continue to think along purely business
or material lines we shall have to go on using our stomachs as receptacles
for the decaying corpses of our murdered animal victims. Yet we shall see
later that flesh food has enabled us to make the wonderful material progress
achieved in the Western World, while the vegetarian Hindus and Chinese have
remained in an almost savage state. It seems sad to contemplate that they
will be forced to follow in our steps and shed the blood of our fellow crea-
tures when we shall have outgrown the barbarous practice as we have ceased
[PAGE 24] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
cannibalism.
The more spiritual we grow, the more our thoughts will harmonize with the
rhythm of our body, and the less albumen will be needed to build tissue.
Consequently, a vegetable diet will suffice our needs. Pythagoras advised
abstinence from legumes to ADVANCED scholars because they are rich in albu-
men and apt to revive lower appetites. Let not every student who reads this
rashly conclude to eliminate legumes from his diet. Most of us are not yet
ready for such extremes; we would not even advise all students to abstain
entirely from meat. The change should come from within. It may be safely
stated, however, that most people eat entirely too much meat for their good;
but this is in a certain sense a digression, so we will revert to the fur-
ther evolution of humanity in so far as it has a bearing upon the Sacrament
of Communion.
In due time the dense mist which enveloped the earth cooled, condensed,
and flooded the various basins. The atmosphere cleared, and concurrently
with this atmospheric change a physiological adaptation in man took place.
The gill clefts which had enabled him to breathe in the dense water-laden
air (and which are seen in the human foetus to this day) gradually atro-
phied, and their function was taken over by the lungs, the pure air passing
to and from them through the larynx. This allowed the spirit, hitherto
[PAGE 25] THE SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION
penned up within the veil of flesh, to express itself in word and act.
There in the middle of Atlantis the sun first shone upon MAN as we know
him; there he was FIRST BORN into the world. Until then he had been under
the absolute control of great spiritual Hierarchies, mute, without voice or
choice in matters pertaining to his education, as a child is now under the
control of its parents.
But one day when he finally emerged from the dense atmosphere of
Atlantis; when he first beheld the mountains silhouetted in clear, sharp
contours against the azure vault of heaven; when he first saw the beauties
of moor and meadow, the moving creatures, birds in the air, and his fellow
man; when his vision was undimmed by the partial obscuration of the mist
which had previously hampered perception; above all, when he perceived HIM-
SELF as SEPARATE and APART FROM ALL OTHERS, there burst from his lips the
glorious triumphant cry, "I AM."
At that point he had acquired faculties which equipped him to enter the
school of experience, the phenomenal world, as a free agent to learn the
lessons of life, untrammeled save by the LAWS OF NATURE, which are his safe-
guards, and the reaction of his own previous acts, which become DESTINY.
The diet containing an excess of albumen from the flesh wherewith he
gorged himself, taxed his liver beyond the capacity and clogged the system,
making him morose, sullen, and brutish. He was fast losing the spiritual
[PAGE 26] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
sight which revealed to him the guardian angels whom he trusted, and he say
only the FORMS of animals and men. The spirits with whom he had lived in
love and brotherhood during early Atlantis were obscured by the veil of
flesh. It was all so strange, and he FEARED them.
Therefore it became necessary to give him a NEW FOOD that could aid his
spirit to overpower the highly individualized molecules of flesh (as ex-
plained in the ROSICRUCIAN COSMO-CONCEPTION, chapter on Assimilation, p.
457), brace it for battle with the world, and spur it on to self-assertion.
As our visible bodies composed of chemical compounds can thrive only upon
chemical aliment, so it requires spirit to act upon spirit to aid in break-
ing up the heavy proteid and in stimulating the drooping human spirit.
The emergence from flooded Atlantis, the liberation of humanity from the
absolute rulership of visible superhuman guardians, their placement under
THE LAW OF CONSEQUENCE AND THE LAWS OF NATURE, and THE GIFT OF WINE are de-
scribed in the stories of Noah and Moses, which are different accounts of
the same event.
Both Noah and Moses led their followers through the water. Moses calls
heaven and earth to witness that he has placed before them the blessing and
the curse, exhorts them to choose the good or take the consequences of their
actions; then he leaves them.
[PAGE 27] THE SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION
The phenomenon of the rainbow requires that the sun be near the horizon,
the nearer the better; also a clear atmosphere, and a dark rain cloud in the
opposite quarter of the heavens. When under such conditions an observer
stands with back to the sun, drops as a rainbow. In early Atlantean times
when a warm, moist fog through which the sun appeared as one of our arc
lamps on a foggy day, the phenomenon of the rainbow was an impossibility.
It could not have made its appearance until the mist had condensed to rain,
flooded the basins of the earth, and Noah, which thus points TO THE LAW OF
ALTERNATING CYCLES that brings day and night, summer and winter, in
unvarying sequence, and to which man is subject in the present age.
Noah cultivated the vine and provided a spirit to stimulate man. Thus,
equipped with a composite constitution, a composite diet appropriate
thereto, and divine laws to guide them, mankind were left to their own de-
vices in the battle of life.
[PAGE 28] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
CHAPTER IV
THE SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION
"IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME."
PART II
"THE LORD JESUS, the same night in which he was betrayed took bread; and
when he had given thanks, he brake it and said, Take, eat; This is MY body,
which is broken for you. This do in remembrance of me. After the same man-
ner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the New
Testament in MY blood. This do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of
me. For as often as ye eat This bread, and drink This cup, ye do shew the
Lord's death till he come. Wherefore, whosoever shall eat This bread, and
drink This cup of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood
of the Lord . . . . For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and
drinketh damnation to himself . . . . For this cause many are weak and
sickly among you, and many sleep."--I Cor 11:23-30.
In the foregoing passages there is a deeply hidden esoteric meaning which
is particularly obscured in the English translation, but in the German,
Latin and Greek, the student still has a hint as to what was really intended
[PAGE 29] THE SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION
by that last parting injunction of the Savior to His disciples. Before ex-
amining This phase of the subject, let us first consider the words, "in re-
membrance of me." We shall then perhaps be in better condition to under-
stand what is meant by the "cup" and the "bread."
Suppose a man from a distant country comes into our midst and travels
about from place to place. Everywhere he will see small communities gather-
ing around the Table of the Lord to celebrate This most sacred of all Chris-
tian rites, and should he ask why, he would be told that they do This in re-
membrance of One who lived a life nobler than any other has lived upon This
earth; One who was kindness and love personified; One who was the servant of
all, regardless of gain or loss to self. Should This stranger then compare
the attitude of these religious communities on Sunday at the celebration of
This rite, with their civic lives during the remainder of the week, what
would he see?
Every one among us goes out into the world to fight the battle of exist-
ence. Under the law of necessity we forget the love which should be the
ruling factor in Christian lives. Every man's hand is against his brother.
Every one strives for position, wealth, and power that goes with these at-
tributes. We forget on Monday what we reverently remembered on Sunday, and
all the world is poor in consequence. We also make a distinction between
[PAGE 30] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
the bread and wine which we drink at the so-called "Lord's Table," and the
food of which we partake during the intervals between attendance at
Communion. But there is no warrant in the Scriptures for any such distinc-
tion, as anyone may see, even in the English version, by leaving out the
words printed in italics which have been inserted by the translators to give
what they thought was the sense of a passage. On the contrary, we are told
that whether we eat or drink, or whatever we do, all should be done to the
glory of God. Our every act should be a prayer. The perfunctory "grace" at
meals is in reality a blasphemy, and the silent thought of gratitude to the
Giver of daily bread is far to be preferred. When we remember at each meal
that it has been drawn from the substance of the earth, which is the body of
the indwelling Christ Spirit, we can properly understand how that body is
being broken for us daily, and we can appreciate the loving kindness which
prompted Him thus to give Himself for us; for let us also remember that
there is not a moment, day or night, that He is not suffering because bound
to earth. When we thus eat and thus realize the true situation, we are in-
deed declaring to ourselves the death of the Lord, whose spirit is groaning
and travailing, waiting for the day of liberation when there shall be no
need of such a dense environment as we now require.
But there is another, a greater and more wonderful mystery hidden in
[PAGE 31] THE SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION
these words of the Christ. Richard Wagner, with the rare intuition of the
master musician, sensed This idea when he sat in meditation by the Zurich
Sea on a Good Friday, and there flashed into his mind the thought, "What
connection is there between the death of the Savior and the millions of
seeds sprouting forth from the earth at this time of the year?" If we
meditate upon that life which is annually poured out in the spring, we wee
it as something gigantic and awe-inspiring; a flood of life which transforms
the glove from one of frozen death to rejuvenated life in a short space of
time; and the life which thus diffuses itself in the budding of millions and
millions of plants is the life of the Earth Spirit.
From that come both the wheat and the grape. They are the body and blood
of the imprisoned Earth Spirit, given to sustain mankind during the present
phase of its evolution. We repudiate the contention of people who claim
that the world owes them a living, regardless of their own efforts and with-
out MATERIAL responsibility on their part, but we nevertheless insist that
there is a SPIRITUAL responsibility connected with the bread and wine given
at the Lord's Supper; IT MUST BE EATEN WORTHILY, OTHERWISE, UNDER PAIN OF
ILL HEALTH AND EVEN DEATH. This from the ordinary manner of reading would
seem far-fetched, but when we bring the light of esotericism to bear, exam-
ine other translations of the Bible, and look at conditions in the world as
[PAGE 32] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
we find them today, we shall see that it is not so far-fetched after all.
To begin with, we must go back to the time when man lived under the
guardianship of the angels, unconsciously building the body which he now
uses. That was in ancient Lemuria. A brain was needed for the evolution of
thought, and a larynx for verbal expression of the same. Therefore, half of
the creative force was turned upwards and used by man to form these organs.
Thus mankind became single-sexed and was forced to seek a complement when it
was necessary to create a new body to serve as an instrument in a higher
phase of evolution.
While the act of love was consummated under the wise guardianship of the
angels, man's existence was free from sorrow, pain and death. But when, un-
der the tutelage of the Lucifer Spirits, he ate of the Tree of Knowledge and
perpetuated the race without regard for interplanetary lines of force, he
transgressed the law, and the bodies thus formed crystallized unduly, and
became subject to death in a much more perceptible manner than had hitherto
been the case. Thus he was forced to create new bodies more frequently as
the span of life in them shortened. Celestial warders of the creative force
drove him from the garden of LOVE into the wilderness of the world, and he
was made responsible for his actions under the cosmic LAW which governs the
universe. Thus for ages he struggled on, seeking to work out his own salva-
tion, and the earth in consequence crystallized more and more.
[PAGE 33] THE SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION
Divine hierarchies, the Christ Spirit included, worked upon the earth
from without as the group spirit guides the animals under tis protectorate;
but as Paul truly says, none could be justified under the law, for under the
law all sinned, and all must die. There is in the old covenant no hope be-
yond the present, save a foreshadowing of ONE WHO IS TO COME and restore
righteousness. Thus John tells us that the LAW was given by Moses, and GRACE
came by the Lord Jesus Christ. But WHAT IS GRACE? Can grace work contrary
to the law and abrogate it entirely? Certainly not. The laws of God are
steadfast and sure, or the universe would become chaos. The law of gravity
keeps our houses in position relative to other houses, so that when we leave
them we may know of a surety that we shall find them in the same place upon
returning. Likewise all other departments in the universe are subject to
immutable laws.
As LAW, APART FROM LOVE, GAVE BIRTH TO SIN, SO THE CHILD OF LAW, TEMPERED
WITH LOVE, IS GRACE. Take an example from our concrete social conditions:
We have laws which decree a certain penalty for a specified offense, and
when the law is carried out, we call it JUSTICE. But long experience is be-
ginning to teach us that justice, pure and simple, is like the Colchian
dragon's teeth, and breeds strife and struggle in increasing measure. The
criminal, so-called, remains criminal and becomes more and more hardened
[PAGE 34] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
under the ministrations of law; but when the milder regime of the present
day allows one who has transgressed to go under suspended sentence, then HE
IS UNDER GRACE and not under law. Thus, also the Christian, who aims to
follow in the Master's steps, is emancipated from the law of sin by grace,
provided he foresake the path of sin.
It was the sin of our progenitors in ancient Lemuria that THEY SCATTERED
THEIR SEED regardless of law and without love. But it is the privilege of
the Christian to redeem himself by purity of life in remembrance of the
Lord. John says, "His seed remaineth in him," and This is the hidden mean-
ing of the bread and wine. In the English version we read simply: "This is
the CUP of the New Testament," but in the German the word for cup is
"Kelch," and in the Latin, "Calix," both meaning the outer covering of the
seed pod of the flower. In the Greek we have a still more subtle meaning,
not conveyed in other languages, in the word "poterion," a meaning which
will be evident when we consider the etymology of the word "pot." This at
once gives us the same idea as the chalice or calix--a receptacle; and the
Latin "POTARE" (to drink) also shows that the "cup" is a receptacle capable
of holding a fluid. Our English words "potent" and "impotent" meaning to
possess or to lack virile strength, further show the meaning of this Greek
[PAGE 35] THE SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION
word, which foreshadows the evolution from man to superman.
We have already lived through a mineral, plant and an animal-like exist-
ence before becoming human as we are today, and beyond us lie still further
evolutions where we shall approach the Divine more and more. It will be
readily conceded that it is our animal passions which restrain us upon the
path if attainment; the lower nature is constantly warring against the
higher self. At least in those who have experienced a spiritual awakening,
a war is being fought silently within, and is all the more bitter for being
suppressed. Goethe with masterly art voiced that sentiment in the words of
Faust, the aspiring soul, speaking to his more materialistic friend, Wagner:
"Thou by one sole impulse art possessed,
Unconscious of the other still remain.
Two souls, alas, are housed within my breast,
And struggle there for undivided reign.
One, to the earth with passionate desire,
And closely clinging organs still adheres;
Above the mists the other doth aspire
With sacred ardor unto purer spheres."
It was the knowledge of this absolute necessity of chastity (save when
procreation is the object) upon the part of those who have had a spiritual
awakening which dictated the words of Christ, and the Apostle Paul stated
[PAGE 36] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
an esoteric truth when he said that THOSE WHO PARTOOK OF THE COMMUNION WITH-
OUT LIVING THE LIFE WERE IN DANGER OF SICKNESS AND DEATH. For just as under
a spiritual tutelage, purity of life may elevate the disciple wonderfully,
so also unchastity has a much stronger effect upon his more sensitized bod-
ies than upon those who are yet under the law, and have not become partakers
of grace by the cup of the New Covenant.
[PAGE 37] THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
CHAPTER V
THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
HAVING studied the esoteric significance of our Christian festivals, such
as Christmas and Easter, and having also studied the doctrine of the Im-
maculate Conception, it may be well now to devote attention to the inner
meaning of the sacraments of the church which are administered to the indi-
vidual in all Christian lands from the cradle to the grave, and are with him
at all important points in his life journey.
As soon as he has entered upon the journey of life, the church admits him
into its fold by the rite of BAPTISM which is conferred upon him at a time
when he himself is irresponsible; later, when his mentality has been some-
what developed, he ratifies that contract and is admitted to COMMUNION,
where BREAD is broken and WINE is sipped in memory of the Founder of our
faith. Still further upon life's journey comes the sacrament of MARRIAGE;
and at last when the race has been run and the spirit again withdraws to God
who gave it, the earth body is consigned to the dust, whence it was derived,
[PAGE 38] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
accompanied by the blessings of the church.
In our Protestant times the spirit of protest is rampant in the extreme,
and dissenters everywhere raise their voices in rebellion against the fan-
cied arrogance of the priesthood and deprecate the sacraments as mere mum-
mery. On account of that attitude of mind these functions have become of
little or no effect in the life of the community; dissensions have arisen
even among churchmen themselves, and sect after sect has divorced itself
from the original apostolic congregation.
Despite all protests the various doctrines and sacraments of the church
are, nevertheless, the very keystones in the arch of evolution, for they in-
culcate morals of the loftiest nature; and even materialistic scientist,
such as Huxley, have admitted that while self-protection brings about "the
survival of the fittest" in the animal kingdom and is therefore the basis of
animal evolution, self-sacrifice is the fostering principle of human ad-
vancement. When that is the case among mere mortals, we may well believe
that it must be so to a still greater extent in the Divine Author of our be-
ing.
Among animals might is right, but we recognize that the weak have a claim
to the protection of the strong. The butterfly lays its eggs on the under-
side of a green leaf and goes off without another care for their well-being.
In mammals the MOTHER instinct is strongly developed, and we see the
[PAGE 39] THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
the lioness caring for her cubs and ready to defend them with her life; but
not until the kingdom is reached does the FATHER commence to share fully in
the responsibility as a parent. Among savages the care of the young practi-
cally ends with the higher we ascend in civilization the longer the young
receive care from their parents, and the more stress is laid upon mental
rather than from the physical point of vantage; for the further we proceed
along the path of development the more we shall experience the power of mind
over matter. By the more and more prolonged self-sacrifice of parents, the
race is becoming more delicate, but what we lose in material ruggedness we
gain in spiritual perceptibility.
As this faculty grows stronger and more developed, the craving of the
spirit immured in This earthly body voices itself more loudly in a demand
for understanding of the spiritual side of development. Wallace and Darwin,
Haxley and Spencer, pointed out how evolution of FORM is accomplished in na-
ture; Earnest Haeckel attempted to solve the riddle of the universe, but no
one of them could satisfactorily explain away the DIVINE AUTHOR of what we
see. The great goddess, NATURAL SELECTION, is being forsaken by one after
another of her devotees as the years go by. Even Haeckel, the arch materi-
alist, in his last years showed an almost hysterical anxiety to make a place
[PAGE 40] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
for God in his system, and the day will come in a not far distant future
when science will have become as thoroughly religious as religion itself.
The church, on the other hand, though still extremely conservative is never-
theless slowly abandoning its autocratic dogmatism and becoming more scien-
tific in its explanations. Thus in time we shall see the union of science
and religion as it existed in the ancient mystery temples, and when that
point has been reached, THE DOCTRINES AND SACRAMENTS of the church will be
found to REST UPON IMMUTABLE COSMIC LAWS OF NO LESS IMPORTANCE THAN THE LAW
OF GRAVITY which maintains the marching orbs in their paths around the sun.
As the points of the equinoxes and solstices are turning points in the cy-
clic path of a planet, marked by festivals such Christmas and Easter, so
birth into the physical world, admission to the church, to the state of mat-
rimony, and finally the exit from physical life, are points in the cyclic
path of the human spirit around its central source--God, which are marked by
the sacraments of BAPTISM, COMMUNION, MARRIAGE, and THE LAST BLESSING.
We will now consider the rite of baptism. Much has been said by dissent-
ers, against the practice of taking an INFANT INTO CHURCH AND PROMISING FOR
IT A RELIGIOUS LIFE. Heated arguments concerning SPRINKLING VERSUS PLUNGING
have resulted in division of churches. If we wish to obtain the true idea
of baptism, we must revert to the early history of the human race as re-
corded in the Memory of Nature. All that has ever happened is indelibly
[PAGE 41] THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
pictured in the ether as a moving picture is imprinted upon a sensitized
film, which picture can be reproduced upon a screen at any moment. The
picutes in the Memory of Nature may be viewed by the trained seer, even
though millions of years have elapsed since the scenes there portrayed were
enacted in life.
When we consult that unimpeachable record it appears that there was a
time when that which is now our earth came out of chaos, dark and unformed,
as the Bible states. The currents developed in This misty mass by spiritual
agencies, generated HEAT, and the mass ignited at the time when we are told
that God said, "Let there be light." The heat of the fiery mass and the
cold space surrounding it generated MOISTURE; the fire mist became sur-
rounded by water which boiled, and steam was projected into the atmosphere;
thus "God divided the waters . . . . from the waters . . . . "--the dense
water which was nearest the fire mist from the steam (which is water in sus-
pension), as stated in the Bible.
When water contained sediment is boiled over and over it deposits scale,
and similarly the water surrounding our planet finally formed a crust around
the fiery core. The Bible further informs us that a MIST went up from the
ground, AND WE MAY WELL CONCEIVE how the moisture was gradually evaporated
from our planet in those early days.
[PAGE 42] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
Ancient myths are usually regarded as superstitions nowadays, but in re-
ality each of them contains a great spiritual truth in pictorial symbols.
These fantastic stories were given to infant humanity to teach them moral
lessons which their newborn intellects were note yet fitted to receive.
They were taught by myths--much as we teach our children by picture books
and fables--lessons beyond their intellectual comprehension.
One of the greatest of these folk stories is "THE RING OF THE NIEBELUNG,"
which tells of a wonderful treasure hidden under the waters of the Rhine.
It was a lump of gold in its natural state. Placed upon a high rock, it il-
luminated the entire submarine scenery where water nymphs sported about in-
nocently in gladsome frolic. But one of the Neibelungs, imbued with greed,
stole the treasure, carried it out of the water, and fled. It was impos-
sible for him, however, to shape it until he had forsworn love. Then he
fashioned it into a ring which gave him power over all the treasures of
earth, but at the same time it inaugurated dissension and strife. For its
sake, friend betrayed friend, brother slew brother, and everywhere it caused
oppression, sorrow, sin and death, until it was at last restored to the wa-
tery element and the earth was consumed in flames. But later there arose,
like the new phoenix from the ashes of the old bird, a new heaven and a new
earth where righteousness were re-established.
[PAGE 43] THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
That old folk story gives a wonderful picture of human evolution. The
name NIEBELUNGEN is derived from the German words, NIEBEL (which means
mist), and UNGEN (which means children). Thus the word NIEBELUNGEN means
CHILDREN OF THE MIST, and it refers back to the time when humanity lived in
the foggy atmosphere surrounding our earth at the stage n its development
previously mentioned. There infant humanity lived in one vast brotherhood,
innocent of all evil as the babe of today, and illuminated by the Universal
Spirit symbolized as the Rhinegold which shed its light upon the water
nymphs of our story. But in time the earth cooled more and more; the fog
condensed and flooded depressions upon the surface of the earth with water;
the atmosphere cleared; the eyes of man were opened and he perceived himself
as a separate ego. Then the Universal Spirit of LOVE and SOLIDARITY was su-
perseded by egotism and self-seeking.
That was the rape of the Rhinegold, and sorrow, sin, strife, treachery,
and murder have taken the place of the childlike love which existed among
humanity in that primal state when they dwelt in the watery atmosphere of
long ago. Gradually This tendency is becoming more and more marked, and the
curse of selfishness grows more and more apparent. "Man's inhumanity to
man" hangs like a funeral pall over the earth, and must inevitably bring
about destruction of existing conditions. The whole creation is groaning
[PAGE 44] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
and travailing, waiting for the day of redemption, and the Western Religion
strikes the keynote of the way to attainment when it exhorts us to love our
neighbor as we love ourselves; for then egotism will be abrogated for uni-
versal brotherhood and love.
Therefore, when a person is admitted to the church, which is a SPIRITUAL
institution where love and brotherhood are the mainsprings of action, it is
appropriate to carry him UNDER THE WATERS of baptism in symbol of the beau-
tiful condition of childlike innocence and love which prevailed when mankind
dwelt UNDER THE MIST in that bygone period. At that time the eyes of infant
man had not yet been opened to the MATERIAL advantages of This world. The
little child which is brought into the church has not yet become aware of
the allurements of life either, and others obligate themselves to guide it
to lead a holy life according to the best of their ability, because experi-
ence gained since the Flood has taught us that the broad way of the world is
strewn with pain, sorrow, and disappointment; that only by following the
straight and narrow way can we escape death and enter into life everlasting.
Thus we see that there is a wonderfully deep, mystic significance behind
the sacrament of baptism; that it is to remind us of the blessings attendant
upon those who are members of a BROTHERHOOD where self-seeking is put into
the background and where SERVICE to others is the keynote and mainspring of
[PAGE 45] THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
action. While we are in the world, he is the greatest who can most success-
fully dominate others. In the church we have Christ's definition, "HE WHO
WOULD BE THE GREATEST AMONG YOU, LET HIM BE THE SERVANT OF ALL."
[PAGE 46] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
CHAPTER VI
THE SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE
WHEN STRIPPED of nonessentials the argument of the orthodox Christian re-
ligion may be said to be as follows:
First, that tempted by the devil, our first parents sinned and were ex-
iled form their previous state of celestial bliss, placed under the law,
made subject to death, and became incapable of escaping by their own ef-
forts.
Second, that God so loved the world that He gave Christ, His only begot-
ten Son, for its redemption and to establish the kingdom of heaven. Thus
death will finally be swallowed up in immortality.
This simple creed has provoked the smiles of atheists, and of the purely
intellectual who have studied transcendental philosophies with their nice-
ties of logic and argument; and even of some among those who study the West-
ern Mystery Teaching.
Such an attitude of mind is entirely gratuitous. We might know that the
divine leaders of mankind would not allow millions to continue in error for
millennia. When the Western Mystery Teaching is stripped of its exceedingly
[PAGE 47] THE SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE
illuminating explanations and detailed descriptions, when its basic teach-
ings are stated, they are found to be in exact agreement with the orthodox
Christian teachings.
There was a time when mankind lived in a sinless state; when sorrow,
pain, and death were unknown. Neither is the PERSONAL TEMPTER of Christian-
ity a myth, for the Lucifer Spirits may very well be said to be fallen an-
gels, and their temptation of man resulted in focusing his consciousness
upon the material phase of existence where he is under the law of de-
crepitude and death. Also it is truly the mission of Christ to aid mankind
by elevating them to a more ethereal state where dissolution will no longer
be necessary to free them from vehicles that have grown too hard and set for
further use. For This is indeed a "body of death," where only the smallest
quantity of material is really alive, as part of its bulk is nutrient matter
that has not yet been assimilated, another large part is already on its way
to elimination, and only between these two poles may be found the material
which is thoroughly quickened by the spirit.
We have in other chapters considered the sacraments of baptism and com-
munion, sacraments that have to do particularly with the spirit. We will
now seek to understand the deeper side of the sacrament of marriage, which
has to do particularly with the body. Like the other sacraments the insti-
tution of marriage had its beginning and will also have its end. The com-
mencement was described by the Christ when He said, "Have ye not read that
[PAGE 48] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
He which made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said:
For This cause shall a man leave his father and mother and cleave to his
wife; and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain,
but one flesh." Matt. 19:4-6. He also indicated the end of marriage when
he said: "In the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage,
but are as the angels of God in heaven." Matt. 22:30
In This light the logic of the teaching is apparent, for MARRIAGE became
necessary in order that BIRTH might provide new instruments to take the
place of those which had been ruptured by DEATH; and when death has once
been swallowed up in immortality and there is no need of providing new in-
struments, marriage also will be unnecessary.
Science with admirable audacity has sought to solve the mystery of fecun-
dation, and has told us how invagination takes place in the walls of the
ovary; how the little ovum is formed in the seclusion of its dark cavity;
how it emerges therefrom and enters the Fallopian tube; is pierced by the
spermatozoon of the male, and the nucleus of a human body is complete. We
are thus supposed to be "at the fount and origin of life!" But life has
neither beginning nor end, and what science mistakenly considers the foun-
tain of life is really the source of death, as all that comes from the womb
[PAGE 49] THE SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE
is destined sooner or later to reach the tomb. The MARRIAGE feast which
prepares for BIRTH, at the same time provides food for the insatiable jaws
of DEATH, and so long as marriage is necessary to generation and birth, dis-
integration and death must inevitably result. Therefore, it is of prime im-
portance to know the history of marriage, the laws and agencies involved,
the duration of This institution, and how it may be transcended.
When we obtained our vital bodies in Hyperborea, the sun, moon and earth
were still united, and the solar-lunar forces permeated each being in even
measure so that all were able to perpetuate their kind by buds and spores as
do certain plants of today. The efforts of the vital body to soften the
dense vehicle and keep it alive were not then interfered with, and was these
primal, plantlike bodies lived for ages. But man was then unconscious and
stationary like a plant; he made no effort or exertion. The addition of a
desire body furnished incentive and desire, and consciousness resulted from
the war between the vital body, which builds, and the desire body, which de-
stroys the dense body.
Thus dissolution became only a question of time, particularly as the con-
structive energy of the vital body was also necessarily divided, one part or
pole being used in the vital functions of the body, the other to replace a
vehicle lost by death. But as the two poles of a magnet or dynamo are re-
[PAGE 50] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
quisite to manifestation, so also two single-sexed beings became necessary
for generation; thus marriage and birth were necessarily inaugurated to off-
set the effect of death. DEATH, THEN, IS THE PRICE WE PAY FOR CONSCIOUSNESS
IN THE PRESENT WORLD; marriage and repeated births are our weapons against
the king of terrors until our constitution shall change and we become as
angels.
Please mark that it is not stated that we are to become angels, but that
we are to become AS ANGELS. For the angels are the humanity of the Moon Pe-
riod; they belong to an entirely different stream of evolution, as different
as are human spirits from those of our present animals. Paul states in his
letter to the Hebrews that man was made FOR A LITTLE WHILE inferior to the
angels; he descended lower into the scale of materiality during the Earth
Period, while the angels have never inhabited a globe denser than ether.
This substance is the direct avenue of all life forces, and when man has
once become as the angels and has learned to build his body of ether,
naturally there will be no death and no need of marriage to bring about
birth.
But looking at marriage from another point of view, looking upon it as a
union of souls rather than as a union of the sexes, we contact the wonderful
mystery of Love. Union of the sexes might serve to perpetuate the race, of
course, but the true marriage is a companionship of souls also, which
[PAGE 51] THE SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE
altogether transcends sex. Yet those really able to meet upon that lofty
plane of spiritual intimacy gladly offer their bodies as living sacrifices
upon the altar of LOVE OF THE UNBORN, to woo a waiting spirit into an im-
maculately conceived body. Thus humanity may be saved from the reign of
death.
This is readily apparent as soon as we consider the gentle action of the
vital body and contrast it with that of the desire body in a fit of temper,
where it is said that a man has "lost control" of himself. Under such con-
ditions the muscles become tense, and nervous energy is expended at a sui-
cidal rate, so that after such an outbreak the body may sometimes be pros-
trated for weeks. The hardest labor brings no such fatigue as a fit of
temper; likewise a child conceived in passion under the crystallizing ten-
dencies of the desire nature is naturally short-lived, and it si a regret-
table fact that LENGTH OF LIFE is nowadays almost a misnomer; in view of the
appalling infant mortality it ought to be called BREVITY OF EXISTENCE.
The building tendencies of the vital body, which is the vehicle of love,
are not so easily watched, but observation proves that contentment lengthens
life of any one who cultivates this quality, and we may safely reason that a
child conceived under conditions of harmony and love stands a better chance
of life than one conceived under conditions of anger, inebriety, and pas-
sion.
[PAGE 52] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
According to Genesis it was said to the woman, "In sorrow shalt thou bear
children," and it has always been a sore puzzle to Bible commentators what
logical connection there may be between eating of fruit and the pains of
parturition. But when we understand the chaste references of the Bible to
the act of generation, the connection is readily perceived. While the in-
sensitive Negro or Indian mother may bear her child and shortly afterward
resume her labors in the field, the western woman, more acutely sensitive
and of high-strung nervous temperament, is year by year finding it more dif-
ficult to go through the ordeal of motherhood, though aided by the best and
most skilled scientific help.
The contributory reasons are various: In the first place, while we are
exceedingly careful in selecting our horses and cattle for breeding, while
we insist upon pedigree for the animals in order that we may bring out the
very best strain of stock upon our farms, we exercise no such care with re-
spect to the selection of a father and mother for our children. We mate
upon impulse and regret it at our leisure, aided by laws which make it all
to easy to enter or leave the sacred bonds of matrimony. The words pro-
nounced by minister or judge are taken to be a license for unlimited indul-
gence, as if any man-made law could license the contravention of the law of
[PAGE 53] THE SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE
God. While animals mate only at a certain time of the year and the mother
is undisturbed during the period of pregnancy, this is not true of the human
race.
In view of these facts is it to be wondered at that we find such a dread
of maternity, and is it not time that we seek to remedy the matter by a more
sane relation between marriage partners? Astrology will reveal the temper
and tendencies of each human being; it will enable two people to blend their
characters in such a manner that a love live may be lived, and it will indi-
cate the periods when interplanetary lines of force are most nearly condu-
cive to painless parturition. Thus it will enable us to draw from the bosom
of nature, children of love, capable of living long lives in good health.
Finally the day will come when these bodies will have been made so perfect
in their ethereal purity that they may last throughout the coming Age, and
thus make marriage superfluous.
But if we can love now when we see one another "through a glass darkly,"
through the mask of personality and the veil of misunderstanding , we may be
sure that the love of soul for soul, purged of passion in the furnace of
sorrow, will be our brightest gem in heaven as its shadow is on earth.
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[PAGE 54] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
CHAPTER VII
THE UNPARDONABLE SIN AND LOST SOULS
SOME OF OUR students have been exercised about the unpardonable sin, and
as this subject has a certain connection with the subject of marriage, one
being a sacrilege and the other a sacrament, it might be well to elucidate
the matter from a different point of view than has been formerly taken in
our literature.
First let us see what is meant by a sacrament, and why the rites of bap-
tism, communion, marriage, and extreme unction are properly so called; then
we shall be in a position to understand what sacrilege is and why it is
unpardonable.
The Rosicrucians teach, only with more detail, the same doctrine that
Paul preached in the 15th Chapter of 1st Corinthians, starting at the
thirty-fifth verse, that in addition to the body of flesh and blood we have
a soul body, SOMA PSUCHICON (mistranslated "natural" body) and a spiritual
body; that each of these bodies is grown from a different SEED atom and that
there are THREE stages of unfoldment for Adam, or man. The first Adam was
[PAGE 55] THE UNPARDONABLE SIN
taken from the ground and was without sentient life. Soul was added to the
SECOND ADAM; thus he had life within, a leaven laboring to elevate the clod
to God. When the potential of the soul extracted from the physical body has
been raised to the spiritual, the LAST ADAM will become a life GIVING
spirit, capable of transmitting the life impulse to others directly as flame
from one candle can be communicated to many without diminishing the magni-
tude of the original light.
In the meantime the germ for our early body had to be properly placed in
fruitful soil to grow a suitable vehicle, and generative organs were pro-
vided from the beginning to accomplish this purpose. It is stated in Gen-
esis 1:27 that Elohim created them MALE and FEMALE. The Hebrew words are
"SACRE VA N'CABAH." THESE ARE NAMES OF THE SEX ORGANS. Literally trans-
lated, SACR means "bearer of the germ." Thus marriage is a sacr-ament, for
it opens the way for transmission of a physical seed atom from the father to
the mother, and tends to preserve the race against the ravages of death.
Baptism as a SACRament signifies the germinal urge of the soul for the
higher life. Holy Communion, in which we partake of bread (made from the
SEED of chaste plants), and of wine (the cup symbolizing the passionless
SEE-pod), points to the age to come, and age wherein it will be unnecessary
to TRANSMIT the seed through a father and mother , but where we may feed di-
rectly upon cosmic life and thus conquer death. Finally, extreme unction is
[PAGE 56] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
the SACRament which marks the loosening of the silver cord, and the extrac-
tion of the sacred germ, freeing it until it shall again be planted in
another N'CABAH, or mother.
As the seed and ovum are the root and basis of racial development, it is
easy to see that no sin can be more serious than that which abuses the cre-
ative function, for by that SACR-ilege we stunt future generations and
transgress against the Holy Spirit, Jehovah, who is warder of the creative
lunar forces. His angels herald births, as in the cases of Isaac, John the
Baptist, and Jesus. When he wanted to reward his most faithful follower, he
promised to make his seed as numerous as the sands on the seashore. He also
meted out a most terrible punishment to the Sodomites who committed
SACR-ilege by misdirecting the seed. He even visits the sins of the fathers
upon the children to the third and fourth generations, for under his regime
LAW reigns supreme. Man has not yet evolved to the point where he can re-
spond to LOVE. He requires from his enemies an eye for an eye, and with the
same measure that he metes, it is meted unto him.
Though this seems very cruel to us who are each day evolving more and
more the faculties of love and mercy, we must remember that this retributive
justice relates purely to the physical body, which is under the laws of Na-
ture just as much as any other chemical composition in the universe. When
[PAGE 57] THE UNPARDONABLE SIN
abuses have weakened it, it is incapable of fulfilling its mission and meet-
ing our demands in any respect, just as is the case with any other machinery
which we have made from materials around us. There are no miracles such as
would be required to generate a sound and healthy body from parents who have
transgressed the laws of nature by their abuses; therefore but when time and
care have restored the necessary strength and vigor, the body will again
perform its functions in a normal and healthy manner.
Thus we understand that under the law there is no mercy, for mercy is
dictated by love. Therefore, it was perfectly in consonance with cosmic or-
der when CHRIST, THE LORD OF LOVE, said that all things would be forgiven to
men which they did against Him, as LOVE is the reigning feature in His king-
dom; but whatsoever was done contrary to the LAW of Jehovah must meet its
full retribution. We cannot be sufficiently thankful for the wonderful re-
ligion which He gave us, particularly if we compare it with those under
which less evolved peoples are now struggling. Take the Buddhists, for in-
stance; grand and beautiful though their leader was, he saw only SORROW, a
constant struggle against the law of nature. He aimed to teach his follow-
ers to transcend that condition by perfect obedience such as that whereby we
have conquered the laws of electricity and other forces in nature. The
[PAGE 58] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
Buddhist sees nothing but the cold and merciless law; on the other hand, we
of the Western World have before our eyes from the cradle to the grave a
beautiful picture of One who said, "Come unto me all ye that labor and are
heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
But it may be asked, "What about LOST SOULS; are they a figment of the
imagination also?" To this question may be answered, "yes", although it
needs some qualification. We shall best understand the case if we go back
into the history of mankind and view the experiences of some who have trans-
gressed , for they will furnish us an example of what may happen. In order
to establish the point properly we shall reiterate a few of the Rosicrucian
teachings regarding the genesis of the earth and of man upon it. Three
great stages of unfoldment have preceded the present Earth Period. THE FA-
THER is the highest Initiate of the Saturn Period, inhabiting particularly
the Spiritual Sun. THE SON, the cosmic Christ, is the highest initiate of
the Sun period, inhabiting the Central Sun and guiding the planets in their
orbits by a ray from Himself, which becomes the indwelling spirit of each
planet when it has been sufficiently ripened to contain such a great Intel-
ligence. Jehovah, the HOLY SPIRIT, is the highest Initiate of the Moon Pe-
riod and dwelling in the physical, visible sun. He is regent of the various
moons thrown off by the different planets for the purpose of giving beings
who have fallen behind in the march of evolution more rigid discipline under
[PAGE 59] THE UNPARDONABLE SIN
a firmer law, to awaken them and spur them on in the proper direction if
possible.
When we look into space, we perceive that some planets have a number of
moons and others have none; but as there are laggards in any large company,
and as moons are required to aid these stragglers to retrieve their lost es-
tate if possible, we may be sure that these planets which have no moons now
have had them in the past. Those Great Beings of whom the ROSICRUCIAN
COSMO-CONCEPTION speaks as "Lords of Venus" and "Lords of Mercury" were, in
fact, stragglers from those two planets. In the dim distant past they in-
habited moons which encircled their respective planets, and were successful
in retrieving their loss in a large measure under the discipline given them
there. Later they received the opportunity to serve to secure a return to
the home planet whence they had been exiled. They were LOST under the LAW,
but REDEEMED BY LOVE; and thus we may infer that opportunities for service
will also bring to other beings, who may become "lost" the opportunity to
retrieve the past.
Since it may puzzle the student as to what becomes of the moons upon
which such beings dwell for a time, we may say that the solar system is to
regarded as the body of the Great Spirit whom we call God, and as any growth
caused by an abnormal process pains us when it occurs in our body, so also
[PAGE 60] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
such crystallizations as moons are sources of discomfort to that Great Be-
ing. Furthermore, as our own systems endeavor to eliminate such abnor-
malities as growths, so also the universe endeavors to expel moons which
have served their purpose. While the beings who have been exiled to a moon
are there, the Planetary Spirit of the primary planet by his care for these
beings, hold the moon in its orbit, and we speak of his love for them as the
Law of Attraction; but when they have returned to the parent planet, the
Planetary Spirit has no further interest in their cinder-like habitation.
Then slowly the orbit of the vacated moon widens, it commences to disinte-
grate, and it is finally expelled into interstellar space. The asteroids
are remnants of moons which once encircled Venus and Mercury. There are
also other seeming moons and lunar fragments in our solar system, but the
ROSICRUCIAN COSMO-CONCEPTION does not concern itself with them as they are
outside the pale of evolution.
[PAGE 61] THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
CHAPTER VIII
THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
THE PERIODICAL ebb and flow of the material and spiritual forces which
invest the earth are the invisible causes of the physical, moral, and mental
activities upon our globe.
According to the hermatic axiom, "As above so below," a similar activity
must take place in man, who is but a minor edition of Mother Nature.
The animals have twenty-eight pairs of spinal nerves and are now in their
Moon stage, perfectly attuned to the twenty-eight days in which the moon
passes around the zodiac. In their wild state the group spirit regulates
their mating. Therefore there is no overflow with them. Man, on the other
hand, is in a transition stage; he is too far progressed for the lunar vi-
brations for he has thirty-one pairs of spinal nerves. But he is not yet
attuned to the solar month of thirty-one days, and he mates at all times of
the year; hence the periodical flow in woman, which under proper conditions
is utilized to form part of the body of a child more perfect than its par-
ents. Similarly, the periodical flow in mankind becomes the sinew and
[PAGE 62] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
backbone of racial advancement; and the periodical flow of the earth's
spiritual forces, which occurs at Christmas, results in birth of Saviors who
from time to time give renewed impetus to the spiritual advancement of the
human race.
There are two parts to our Bible, the Old and the New Testaments. After
briefly reciting how the world came into being, the former tells the story
of the "Fall" In view of what has been written in our literature we under-
stand the Fall to have been occasioned by man's impulsive and ignorant use
of the sex forces at times when the interplanetary rays were inimical to
conception of the purest and best vehicles. Thus man became gradually im-
prisoned in a dense body crystallized by sinful passion and consequently an
imperfect vehicle, subject to pain and death.
Then commenced the pilgrimage through matter, and for millennia we have
been living in this hard and flinty shell of body, which obscures the light
of heaven from the spirit within. The spirit is like a diamond in its rough
coat, and the celestial lapidaries, the Recording Angels, are constantly en-
deavoring to remove the coating so that the spirit may shine through the ve-
hicle which it ensouls.
When the lapidary holds a diamond to the grindstone, the diamond emits a
screech like a cry of pain and the opaque covering is removed; but gradually
by many successive applications to the grindstone the rough diamond may
[PAGE 63] THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
become a gem of transcendent beauty and purity. Similarly, the celestial
beings in charge of our evolution hold us closely to the grindstone of expe-
rience. Pain and suffering result, which awaken the spirit sleeping within.
The man hitherto content with material pursuits, indulgent discontent which
impels him to seek the higher life.
The gratification of that aspiration, however, is not usually accom-
plished without a severe struggle upon the part of the lower nature. It was
while wrestling thus that Paul exclaimed with all the anguish of a devout
aspiring heart: "Oh wretched man that I am * * * * The good that I would, I
do not; but the evil which I would not, that I do * * * * I delight in the
law of God after the inward man; but I see another law in my members warring
against the law of my mind and bringing it into captivity to the law of sin
which is in my members." (Rom. 7:19-24)
When the flower is crushed, its scent is liberated and fills the sur-
roundings with grateful fragrance, delighting all who are fortunate enough
to be near. Crushing blows of fate may overwhelm a man or woman who has
reached the stage of efflorescene; they will but serve to bring out the
sweetness of the nature and enhance the beauty of the soul till it shines
with an effulgence that marks the wearer as with a halo. Then he is upon
the path of Initiation. He is taught how unbridled use of sex regardless of
[PAGE 64] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
the stellar rays has imprisoned him in the body, how it fetters him, and how
by the proper use of that same force in harmony with the stars he may
gradually improve and etherealize his body and finally attain liberation
from concrete existence.
A shipwright cannot build a staunch oak ship from spruce lumber; " men do
not gather grapes of thorns;" like always begets like, and an incoming ego
of a passionate nature is drawn to parents of like nature, where its body is
conceived upon the impulse of the moment in a gust of passion.
The soul who has tasted the cup of sorrow incident to the abuse of the
creative force and has drunk to the dregs the bitterness thereof, will
gradually seek parents of less and less passionate natures, until at length
it attains to Initiation.
Having been taught in the process of Initiation the influence of the
stellar rays upon parturition, the next body provided will be generated by
Initiate parents without passion, under the constellation most favorable to
the work which the ego contemplates. Therefore the Gospels (which are for-
mulae of Initiation) commence with the account of the immaculate conception
and end with the crucifixion, both wonderful ideas to which we must some
time attain, for each of us is a Christ-in-the-making, and will sometime
pass through both the mystic birth and the mystic death adumbrated in the
Gospels. By knowledge we may hasten the day, intelligently co-operating
[PAGE 65] THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
instead of as now often stupidly frustrating through ignorance the ends of
spiritual development.
In connection with the immaculate conception misunderstandings prevail at
every point; the perpetual virginity of the mother even after the birth to
other children; the lowly station of Joseph, the supposed foster-father,
etc. We will briefly view them in the light of facts as revealed in the
Memory of Nature:
In some parts of Europe people of the higher classes are addressed as
"wellborn," or even as "highwellborn," meaning that they are the offspring
of cultured parents in high station. Such people usually look down with
scorn upon those in modest positions. We have nothing against the expres-
sion "wellborn;" we would that every child were well born, born to parents
of high moral standing no matter what their station in life. There is a
virginity of soul that is independent of the state of the body, a purity of
mind which will carry its possessor through the act of generation without
the taint of passion and enable the mother to carry the unborn child under
her heart in sexless love.
Previous to the time of Christ that would have been impossible. In the
earlier stages of man's career upon earth quantity was desirable and quality
a minor consideration, hence the command was given to "go forth, be fruit-
ful, and multiply." Besides, it was necessary that man should temporarily
forget his spiritual nature and concrete his energies upon material
[PAGE 66] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
conditions. Indulgence of the sex passion furthers that object, and the de-
sire nature was given full sway. Polygamy flourished, and the larger the
number of their children, the more a man and a woman were honored, while
barrenness was looked upon as the greatest possible affliction.
In other directions the desire nature was being curbed by God-given laws,
and obedience to divine commands was enforced by swift punishment of the
transgressor, such as war, pestilence or famine. Rewards for dutiful obser-
vance of the mandates of the law were not wanting either; the "righteous"
man's children, his cattle and crops were numerous; he was victorious over
his enemies and the cup of his happiness was full.
Later when the earth had been sufficiently peopled after the Atlantean
Flood, polygamy became gradually more and more obsolete, with the result
that the quality of the bodies improved, and at the time of Christ the de-
sire nature had become so far amenable to control in the case of the more
advanced among humanity that the act of generation could be performed with-
out passion, out of pure love, so that the child could be immaculately con-
ceived.
Such were the parents of Jesus. Joseph is said to have been a carpenter,
but he was not a worker in wood. He was a "builder" in a higher sense. God
is the Grand Architect of the universe. Under Him are many builders of
[PAGE 67] THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
varying degrees of spiritual splendor, down even to those whom we know as
Freemasons. All are engaged in building a temple without sound of hammer,
and Joseph was no exception.
It is sometimes asked why Initiates are always men. They are not; in the
lower degrees there are many women, but when an Initiate is able to choose
his sex he usually takes the positive masculine body, as the life which
brought him to Initiation has spiritualized his vital body and made it
positive under all conditions, so that he has then an instrument of the
highest efficiency.
There are times, however, when the exigencies of a case require a female
body, such as, for instance, providing a body of the highest type to receive
an ego of superlatively high degree. Then a high Initiate may take a female
body and go through the experience of maternity again, after perhaps having
eschewed it for several lives, as was the case with the beautiful character
we know as Mary of Bethlehem.
In conclusion, then, let us remember the points brought out, that we are
all Christs-in-the-making; that sometime we must cultivate characters so
spotless that we may be worthy to inhabit bodies that are immaculately con-
ceived; and the sooner we commence to purify our minds of passionate
thoughts, the sooner we shall attain. In the final analysis it only depends
upon the earnestness of our purpose, the strength of our wills. Conditions
are such now that we can live pure lives whether married or single, and
[PAGE 68] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
cold, sister-and-brother relationships are not necessary either.
Is the life of absolute purity beyond some of us yet? Be not discour-
aged; Rome was not built in a day. Keep on aspiring though you fail again
and again, for the only real failure consists in ceasing to try.
So may God strengthen your aspirations to purity.
[PAGE 69] THE COMING CHRIST
CHAPTER IX
THE COMING CHRIST
WE HAVE previously seen how infant humanity in Atlantis lived in unity
under direct guidance of divine leaders, and how they were eventually
brought out of the water into a clear atmosphere where the separateness of
each individual from all others became obvious at once.
"God is Light"--the Light which became life in man. It was dim and
achromatically diffused in the misty atmosphere of early Atlantis, as color-
less as the air on a densely foggy day in the present age, hence the unity
of all beings who lived in that light. But when man rose above the waters,
when he emerged into the aire where the godly manifestation, Light, was re-
fracted in multitudinous hues, this variously colored light was differently
absorbed by each. Thus diversity was inaugurated, when mankind went through
the mighty arch of the rainbow with its variegated and beautiful colors.
That bow may therefore be considered an entrance gate to "the promised
land," the world as now constituted. Here the light of God is no longer an
[PAGE 70] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
insipid single tint as in early Atlantis. The present dazzling play of
color tells us that THE WATCHWORD OF THE PRESENT AGE IS SEGREGATION, and
therefore so long as we remain in the present condition under the law of al-
ternating cycles, where summer and winter, ebb and flow, succeed each other
in unbroken sequence, so long as God's bow stands in the sky, an emblem of
diversity, it is yet the day of the kingdoms of men, and the kingdom of God
is held in abeyance.
Nevertheless, as surely as the Edenic conditions upon the fire girt is-
lands of ancient Lemuria ended in separation into sexes, each expressing one
element of the creative fire, and making the union of man and woman as nec-
essary to the generation of a body as is the union of hydrogen and oxygen to
the production of water; and as surely as emergence from the watery atmo-
sphere of Atlantis into the airy environment of ARYANA, the world of today,
promoted further segregation into separate nations and individuals, who war
and prey upon one another (because the sharply differentiated forms which
they behold blind them to the inalienable unity of each soul with all oth-
ers); just as certainly will this world condition give place to a "new
heaven and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness."
In early Atlantis we lived in the deepest basins of the earth where the
mist was densest; we breathed by means of gills and would have been unable
to live in an atmosphere such as we have now. In the course of time desire
[PAGE 71] THE COMING CHRIST
to explore beyond caused the invention of airships, which were propelled by
the expansive force of sprouting grain. The "ark" story is a perverted
remembrance of that fact. Those ships actually did founder upon mountain
tops where the atmosphere was too rare to sustain them. Today our ships
float upon the element in which the Atlantean ships were at one time im-
mersed. We have now contrived various means of propulsion able to carry us
over the highlands of the earth which we occupy at present, and are commenc-
ing to reach out into the atmosphere to conquer that element as we have sub-
jected the waters; and as surely as our Atlantean ancestors made a highway
of the watery element which they breathed AND THEN ROSE ABOVE IT TO LIVE IN
A NEW ELEMENT, just as certainly shall we conquer the air and then rise
above it into the newly discovered element which we call ether.
Thus each age has its own peculiar conditions and laws; the beings who
evolve have a physiological constitution suited to the environment of that
age, but are dominated by the nature forces then prevailing until they learn
to conform to them. Then these forces become most valuable servants, as for
instance, steam and electricity, which we have partially harnessed. The law
of gravity still holds us in its powerful grip, although by mechanical means
we are trying to escape into the new element. We shall at a not distant
[PAGE 72] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
time attain to mastery of the air, but as the ships of the Atlanteans foun-
dered upon the mountains of the earth because their buoyancy was insuffi-
cient to enable them to rise higher in the light mist of those altitudes,
and because respiration was difficult, so also will the increasing rarity of
our present atmosphere prevent us from entering the "new heaven and the new
earth," which are to be the scene of the New Dispensation.
Before we can reach that state, physiological as well as moral and
spiritual changes must take place. The Greek text of the new New Testament
does not leave us in doubt as to this, though lack of knowledge of the mys-
tery teachings prevented the translators from bringing it out in the English
version. Did we but believe the Bible even as we have it, we should be
spared many delusions and much uneasiness concerning the time of this.
Whole sects have disposed of their belongings in anticipation of the advent
of Christ or even as God, have married, raised families, and died, leaving
their sons, who were supposed to be Christs, to fight for the kingdom. A
temporal government was forced to banish one of these militant "Christs" to
an island of the Mediterranean, and another to an Asiatic city where he is
now under military supervision. Nor is there any sign that the future will
[PAGE 73] THE COMING CHRIST
lack similar claimants; rather, the sacrilegious imposture is spreading.
WE MAY REST ASSURED THAT THE DIVINE LEADERS OF EVOLUTION MADE NO MISTAKE
WHEN THEY GAVE THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION TO THE WESTERN WORLD-- THE MOST AD-
VANCED TEACHING TO THE MOST PRECOCIOUS AMONG MANKIND. It may therefore be
regarded as a detriment when an organization undertakes to graft a Hindu re-
ligion (which is excellent for the people to whom it was divinely given)
upon our people. The imported Hindu breathing exercises have certainly sent
may people to insane asylums.
If we believe Christ's words: "My kingdom is not of this world,"
(KOSMOS, the Greek word used for "world" meaning " order of things" rather
than our planet, the earth, which is called GAEA), we shall know better than
to look for Christ today.
"Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God." any more than the
gill-breathing creature of early Atlantean times was fit to live under the
natural conditions prevailing in the present age where "the resurrection,
does not say as in the English translation, "There is a natural body and
there is a spiritual body." I Cor. 15:44. He affirms that there is a "SOMA
PSUCHICON," a soul body, and tells in the preceding verses how this is gen-
erated from a "SEED" in the same way as explained in the Rosicrucian teach-
ings. The Bible affirms that our bodies are corruptible. (It also teaches
[PAGE 74] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
that one organ, the heart, is an exception. This has reference to the seed
atom in the heart. Ps. 22:26) Therefore our bodies must be changed before
Christ can come.
If these things were believed, few would run after impostors, and the
latter would have their labors for their pains. But Western papers unfortu-
nately give notoriety to such schemers, though regarding them as a joke as
well they may, for it would be preposterous to believe that the great and
wise Being who guides evolution could be so shortsighted as not to know that
the Western World would never accept the scion of what it regards as a
semi-barbaric race for its Savior.
When preparations were made 2000 years ago, for the embodiment of the
Savior of the world, Galilee was the Mecca for roving spirits. Thither
flocked people from Asia, Africa, Greece, Italy, and all other parts of the
world of that day. Conditions there were exceptionally congenial and at-
tractive so that, as declared by various scholars who have investigated the
matter, Galilee was as cosmopolitan as Rome itself. It was, in fact, the
"melting pot' of that day. Among others, Joseph and Mary, the parents of
Jesus, had emigrated from Judea to Nazareth in Galilee before the advent of
their firstborn, and the body generated in that environment was different
from the ordinary Jewish race body.
It is an incontrovertible fact that environment plays a great part in
[PAGE 75] THE COMING CHRIST
evolution. We have today upon earth THREE GREAT RACES. One, the Negro, has
hair which is FLAT in section, and the head is long, narrow and FLATTENED on
the sides. The orbit of the eye is also long and narrow. The Negroes are
descendants of the Lemurain Race.
The Mongols and kindred peoples have ROUND heads. Their hair is round in
section, and orbits of their eyes are also round. They are the remnants of
the Atlantean Race.
The ARYAN RACE have oval hair, oval skulls, and oval orbits of the eyes,
these features being especially pronounced in the Anglo-Saxons, who are the
flower of the race at present.
In America, the Mecca of nations today, these various races are of course
represented. Here is the "melting pot" in which they are being amalgamated.
It has been ascertained that there is a difference in children belonging to
the same family. The SKULLS OF YOUNGER CHILDREN BORN IN AMERICA ARE MORE
NEARLY OVAL THAN THE HEADS OF THEIR OLDER BROTHERS AND SISTERS BORN ABROAD.
From this fact and from others which need not be mentioned here, it is
evident that a new race is being born on the American continent; and reason-
ing from the known fact that the Christ came from the most cosmopolitan part
of the civilized world of 2000 years ago, it would be but logical to expect
that if a new embodiment were sought for that exalted Being, His body would
[PAGE 76] THE COMING CHRIST
more likely be taken from the new race than from an ancient one. Otherwise,
if there is virtue in obtaining a Savior from the older races, why not get a
Bushman or a Hottentot?
But we may be sure that though impostors deceive for a time, they are
found out sooner or later, and their plans come to naught. Meanwhile, pro-
gression continues to bring us nearer the Aquarian Age, and A TEACHER IS
COMING to give the Christian Religion impetus in a new direction.
[PAGE 77] THE COMING AGE
CHAPTER X
THE COMING AGE
WHEN WE speak of the "Coming Age," of the "New Heaven and the New Earth"
mentioned in the Bible, and also of the "Aquarian Age," the differences may
not be quite clear in the minds of our students. Confusion of terms is one
of the most fertile seed grounds of fallacy, and the Rosicrucian teachings
aim to avoid it by a particularly definite nomenclature. Sometimes an extra
effort seems necessary to disperse the haze engendered by current cloudy
conceptions of others as sincere as the present writer, but not so fortunate
in having access to the incomparable Western Wisdom Teachings.
It has been taught in our literature that four great epochs of unfoldment
preceded the present order of things; that the destiny of the earth, its at-
mospheric conditions, and the laws of nature prevailing in one epoch were as
different from those of the other epochs as was the corresponding
physiological constitution of mankind in one epoch different from those in
he others.
[PAGE 78] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
The bodies of ADM (the name means RED EARTH), the humanity of fiery
Lemuria, were formed of the "dust of the ground," the red, hot, volcanic
mud, and were just suited to their environment. Flesh and blood would have
shriveled up in the terrible heat of that day, and though suited to present
conditions, Paul tells us that they cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. It
is therefore manifest that before a new order of things can be inaugurated,
the physiological constitution of mankind must be radically changed to say
nothing of the spiritual attitude. Aeons will be required to generate the
whole human race and fit them to live in ethereal bodies.
On the other hand, neither does a new environment come into existence in
a moment, but land and people are evolved together from the smallest and
most primitive beginnings. When the mists of Atlantis commenced to settle,
some of our forbears had grown embryonic lungs and were forced to highlands
ages before their compeers. They wandered in "the wilderness" while " the
promised land" was emerging from the lighter fogs, and at the same time
their growing lungs were fitting them to live under present atmospheric con-
ditions.
Two more races were born in the basins of the earth before a succession
of floods drove them to the highlands; the last flood took place at the time
when the sun entered the watery sign Cancer, about ten thousand years ago as
told Plato by the Egyptian priests. Thus we see there is NO SUDDEN change
[PAGE 79] THE COMING AGE
of constitution or environment for the whole human race when a new epoch is
ushered in, but an overlapping of conditions which makes it possible for
most of the race by gradual adjustment to enter the new condition, though
the change may seem sudden to the individual when the preparatory change has
been accomplished unconsciously. The metamorphosis of a tadpole from a
denizen of the watery element to one of the airy gives an analogy of the
past, and the transformation of the caterpillar to a butterfly soaring in
the air is an apt simile of the coming age. When the heavenly time marker
came into Aries by precession, a new cycle commenced, and the "glad tidings"
were preached by Christ. He said by implication that the new heaven and
earth were not ready then when He told His disciples: Whither I go you can-
not NOW follow, but you shall follow afterwards. I go to prepare a place
for you and will come again and receive you.
Later John saw in a vision the new Jerusalem descending from heaven, and
Paul taught the Thessalonians "BY THE WORD OF THE LORD" that those who are
Christ's at His coming shall be caught up IN THE AIR to meet Him and be with
Him FOR THE AGE.
But during this change there are pioneers who enter the kingdom of God
before their brethren. Christ, in Matt. 11:12, said that " the kingdom of
heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force." This is not a
correct translation. It ought to be: The kingdom of the heavens HAS BEEN
[PAGE 80] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
INVADED (BIAXETAI), and invaders seize on her. Men and women have already
learned through holy, helpful lives to lay aside the body of flesh and
blood, either intermittently or permanently, and to walk the skies with
winged feet, intent upon the business of their Lord, clad in the ethereal
"wedding garment" of the new dispensation. This change may be accomplished
through a life of simple helpfulness and prayer as practiced by devoted
Christians, no matter with what church they affiliate, as well as by the
specific exercises given in the Rosicrucian Fellowship. The latter will
prove barren of results, unless accompanied by constant ACTS of love for
LOVE will be the keynote of the coming age as LAW is of the present order.
The intense expression of the former quality increases the phosphorescent
luminosity and density of the ethers in our vital bodies, the fiery streams
sever the tie to the mortal coil, and the man, once BORN OF WATER upon his
emergence from Atlantis, is now born OF THE SPIRIT into the kingdom of God.
The dynamic force of his love has opened a way to the land of love, and in-
describable is the rejoicing among those already there when new invaders ar-
rive, for each new arrival hastens the coming of the Lord and the definite
establishment of the Kingdom.
Among the religiously inclined there is a definite unceasing cry: How
long, O Lord; how long? And despite the emphatic statement of Christ that
the day and hour are unknown, even to Himself, prophets continue to gain
[PAGE 81] THE COMING AGE
credence when they predict His coming on a certain day, though each is dis-
comfited when the day passes without development. The question has also
been mooted among our students, and the present chapter is an attempt to
show the fallacy of looking for the Second Advent in a year or fifty or five
hundred. The Elder Brothers decline to commit themselves further than to
point out what must first be accomplished.
At the time of Christ the sun was in about seven degrees of Aries. Five
hundred years were required to bring the precession to the thirtieth degree
of Pisces. During that time the new church lived through a stage of offen-
sive and defensive violence well justifying the words of Christ: "I came
not to bring peace but a sword." Fourteen hundred years more have elapsed
under the negative influence of PISCES, which has fostered the power of the
church and bound the people by creed and dogma.
In the middle of the last century the sun came within orb of influence of
the scientific sign AQUARIUS, and although it will take about seven hundred
years before the Aquarian Age commences, it is highly instructive to note
what changes the mere touch has wrought in the world. Our limited space
precludes enumeration of the wonderful advances made since then; but it is
not too much to say that science, invention, and resultant industry have
completely changed the world, its social life, and economic conditions. The
[PAGE 82] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
great strides made in means of communication have done much to break down
barriers of race prejudice and prepare us for conditions of Universal Broth-
erhood. Engines of destruction have been made so fearfully efficient that
the militant nations will be forced ere long to "beat their swords into
plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks." THE SWORD HAS HAD ITS
REIGN during the Piscean Age, but SCIENCE WILL RULE in the Aquarian Age.
In the land of the setting sun we may expect to first see the ideal con-
ditions of the Aquarian Age: A blending of religion and science, forming a
religious science and a scientific religion, which will promote the health,
happiness and the enjoyment of life in abundant measure.
SUGAR FOR ALCOHOL
In the chapter elucidating the Law of Assimilation in the ROSICRUCIAN
COSMO-CONCEPTION, we stated that minerals cannot be assimilated because they
lack a vital body, which lack makes it impossible for man to raise their vi-
bratory rate to his own pitch. Plants have a vital body and no
self-consciousness, hence are most easily assimilated and remain with man
longer than cells of animal flesh, which is permeated by a desire body. The
vibratory rate of the latter is high, and much energy is required in as-
similation; its cells also quickly escape and make it necessary for the
flesh eater to forage often.
[PAGE 83] THE COMING AGE
We are aware that alcohol is a "foreign spirit" and a "spirit of decay"
because IT IS GENERATED BY FERMENTATION OUTSIDE the consumer's system. Be-
ing "spirit," it vibrates with such intense rapidity that the human spirit
is incapable of tuning it down and controlling it as food must be, hence me-
tabolism is out of the question. Nay, more, as we cannot reduce its vibra-
tory rate to that of our bodies, this foreign spirit may accelerate their
vibratory pitch and control us as happens in the state of intoxication.
Thus alcohol is a great danger to mankind and one from which we must be
emancipated ere we can realize our divine nature.
A stimulant spirit is necessary while we live on a DIET OF FLESH or
progress would stop, and A FOOD has been provided for the pioneers of the
West that answers all requirements; its name is "sugar." FROM SUGAR THE EGO
ITSELF GENERATES ALCOHOL INSIDE the system by the very processes of me-
tabolism. This product is therefore both food and stimulant, perfectly
keyed to the vibratory pitch of the body. It has all the good qualities of
alcohol in enhanced measure and none of its drawbacks. To perceive properly
the effect of this food, consider the peoples of eastern Europe where little
sugar is consumed. They are slavish; they speak of themselves in terms of
depreciation; the pronoun "I" is always spelled with small letters but "you"
with a capital. England consumes five times as much sugar per capita as
[PAGE 84] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
Russia. In the former we meet a different spirit, the big "I" and the
little "you." In America the candy store becomes a most dangerous rival of
the saloon, for THE MAN WHO EATS SWEETS WILL NOT DRINK, and there is no
surer cure for alcoholism than to induce the sufferer to eat freely of
sweets. The drunkard abhors sugar, however, while his system is under the
sway of the "foreign spirit."
The temperance movement was begun in the land where MOST SUGAR IS CON-
SUMED, and has GENERATED "THE SPIRIT OF SELF-RESPECT."
[PAGE 85] MEAT AND DRINK
CHAPTER XI
MEAT AND DRINK AS FACTORS IN EVOLUTION
IN PREVIOUS chapters we saw how infant humanity was cared for by superhu-
man guardians, provided with appropriate food, led out of danger's way, and
sheltered in all respects until grown to human stature and fit to enter the
school of experience to learn the lessons of life in the phenomenal world.
We saw also how the rainbow points to natural laws peculiar to the present
age, how man was given free will under these laws, and how the spirit of
wine was given to cheer and to stimulate his own timid, fearful spirit, to
nerve it for the war of the world.
In an analogous manner the irresponsible little child who has been
brought under the waters of baptism by its natural guardians is cared for
through the years of childhood while its various vehicles are being orga-
nized. When the parental blood stored in the thymus gland has been ex-
hausted and the child thus emancipated from the parents, it awakens to indi-
viduality, to the feeling of "I AM." It has then been prepared with a
[PAGE 86] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
knowledge of good and evil with which to fight the battle of life; and at
that time the youth is taken to the church and given the bread and wine to
nerve and nourish him spiritually, also as a symbol that henceforth he is a
free agent, only responsible to the laws of God. A blessing or a curse,
this freedom, according to the way it is used.
In early Atlantis mankind was a universal brotherhood of submissive chil-
dren with no incentive to war or strife. Later they were segregated into
nations, and wars inculcated loyalty to kin and country. Each sovereign was
an absolute autocrat with power over life and limb of his subjects, who were
numbered in hundreds of millions, and who yielded ungrudging and slavish
submission, an attitude maintained to the present day among millions of Asi-
atics, who are vegetarians and consequently need no alcohol.
As flesh eating came into vogue, wine became a more and more common bev-
erage. In consequence of flesh eating much material progress was made im-
mediately preceding the advent of Christ, and because of the practice of
drinking wine an increasing number of men asserted themselves as leaders,
with the result that instead of a few large nations such as people Asia,
many small nations were formed in the southwestern portion of Europe and
Asia Minor.
But though the great mass of people who formed these various nations were
ahead of their Asiatic brethren as craftsmen, they continued submissive to
[PAGE 87] MEAT AND DRINK
their rulers and lived as much in their traditions as did the latter.
Christ upbraided them because they gloried in being Abraham's seed. He told
them that "before Abraham was, I AM," that is, the ego has always existed.
It is His mission to emancipate humanity from Law and lead it to LOVE, to
destroy "the kingdoms of men" with all their antagonism to one another, and
to build upon their ruins " the kingdom of God." An illustration will make
the method clear:
If we have a number of brick buildings and desire to amalgamate them into
one large structure, it is necessary to break them down first and free each
brick from the mortar which binds it. Likewise each human being must be
freed from the fetters of family, hence Christ taught, " Unless a man leaves
his father and mother he cannot be my disciple." He must outgrow religious
partisanship and patriotism and learn to say with the much misunderstood and
maligned Thomas Paine: "THE WORLD IS MY COUNTRY, AND TO DO GOOD IS MY RELI-
GION."
Christ did not mean that we are to foresake those who have a claim upon
our help and support, but that we are not to permit the suppression of our
individuality out of deference to family traditions and beliefs.
Consequently He came "not to bring peace, but a sword;" and whereas the
eastern religions discourage the use of wine, CHRIST'S FIRST MIRACLE WAS TO
CHANGE WATER TO WINE. The sword and the wine cup are signature of the
[PAGE 88] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
Christian religion, for by them nations have been broken to pieces and the
individual emancipated. Government by the people, for the people, is a fact
in northwestern Europe, the rulers being that principally in name only.
But the fostering of the martial spirit as prevails in Europe was only a
means to an end. The segregation which it has caused must give place to a
regime of brotherhood such as professed by Paine. A new step was necessary
to bring this about; A NEW FOOD must be found which would act upon the
spirit in such a way as to foster individuality through ASSERTION OF SELF
WITHOUT OPPRESSION OF OTHERS AND WITHOUT LOSS OF SELF-RESPECT. We have
enunciated it as a law that only spirit can act upon spirit, and therefore
that food must be a spirit but differing in other respects from intoxicants.
Before describing this let us see what flesh has done for the evolution
of the world.
We have noted previously that during the Polarian Epoch man had only a
dense body; he was like the present minerals in this respect, and by nature
he was inert and passive.
By absorbing the crystalloids prepared by plants he evolved a vital body
during the Hyperborean Epoch and became plant-like both in constitution and
by nature, for he lived without exertion and as unconsciously as the plants.
Later he extracted milk from the then stationary animals. Desire for
[PAGE 89] MEAT AND DRINK
this more readily digestible food spurred him on to exertion, and gradually
his desire nature was evolved during the Lemurian Epoch. Thus he became
constituted like the present day HERBIVORA. Though possessed of a passional
nature, he was docile and could not be induced to fight save to defend him-
self, his mate, and family. Hunger alone had the power to make him aggres-
sive.
Therefore, when animals began to move and sought to elude this ruthless
parasite, increasing difficulty of obtaining the coveted food aroused his
craving to such an extent that when he had hunted and caught an animal, he
was no longer content to suck its udders dry but commenced to feed upon its
blood and flesh. Thus he became as ferocious as our present day CARNIVORA.
Digestion of flesh food requires much more powerful chemical action and
speedy elimination of the waste than that of a vegetable diet as proved by
chemical analysis of the gastric juices from animals, and by the fact that
the intestines of Herbivora are many times longer than those of a car-
nivorous animal of even size. Carnivora easily become drowsy and averse to
exertion.
When prodded by the pangs of hunger the ferocious wolf does indeed pursue
its prey with unwavering perseverance, and the spring of the crouching king
of beasts overmatches the speed of the wing-footed deer. By ambush the fe-
line family foil the fleetest in their attempts to escape. The cunning of
[PAGE 90] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
the fox is proverbial, and the slinking nocturnal habits of the hyena and
kindred scavengers illustrate the depth of depravity resulting from a diet
of decayed flesh.
The vices generated by flesh eating may be said to be lassitude, feroc-
ity, low cunning, and depravity. We may tame the herbivorous ox and el-
ephant. Their diet makes them docile and stores enormous power which they
obediently use in our service to perform prolonged and arduous labor. The
flesh food required by the constitutional peculiarities of Carnivora makes
them dangerous and incapable of thorough domestication. A cat may scratch
at any moment, and the muzzling ordinances of large cities are ample proof
of the danger of dogs. Besides, energy contained in the diet of Carnivora
is so largely expended in digestion that they are drowsy and unfitted for
sustained labor like the horse or elephant.
The drowsiness following a heavy meal of meat is too well known to re-
quire arguement, and the custom of taking stimulants with food is an out-
growth of the desire to counteract the deadening effect of dead flesh. The
intensified effect of feasting upon FLESH IN AN ADVANCED STATE OF DECAY is
well illustrated in "society," where banquets of game that is "high" are ac-
companied by orgies of the wildest nature and followed by indulgence of the
vilest instincts.
The Westerner who can live upon a clean, sweet, wholesome diet of veg-
etables, cereals and fruit, does not become drowsy from his food; he needs
[PAGE 91] MEAT AND DRINK
no stimulant. THERE ARE NO VEGETARIAN DRUNKARDS. The soothing effects of
vegetable food manifest as finer feelings, which replace the ferocity fos-
tered by flesh food. Many need the mixed diet yet, for the practice of
flesh eating has furthered the progress of the world as nothing else except
perhaps its companion vice--drunkenness; and though we cannot say that they
have been a blessing in disguise, they have at least not been unmitigated
curses, for in the Father's kingdom all seeming evil nevertheless works for
good in some respect, though it may not be apparent upon the surface. We
shall see how presently.
A private corporation, the East India Company, commenced and practically
achieved the subjugation of India with her three hundred million people, for
the English are voracious flesh eaters, while the Hindu's diet fosters do-
cility. But when England fought the flesh eating Boers, Greek met Greek,
and the valor displayed by both sides is a matter of brilliant record.
Courage, physical as well as moral, is a virtue and cowardice a vice. Flesh
has fostered self-assertion and helped us to develop backbone, though unfor-
tunately often at the expense of others who still retain the wishbone. It
has done more as will be illustrated:
As said previously, the crouching cat is forced to employ strategy to
save strength when procuring its prey, so that it may retain sufficient en-
ergy to digest the victim. Thus brain becomes the ally of brawn. In
[PAGE 92] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
ancient Atlantis DESIRE FOR FLESH DEVELOPED THE INGENUITY OF PRIMITIVE MAN
AND LED HIM to trap the elusive denizens of field and forest. The hunter's
snare was among the first LABOR-SAVING DEVICES--which mark the beginning of
the evolution of mind, and of the uncompromising, unflagging struggle of the
meat fed mind for supremacy over matter.
We say "THE MEAT FED MIND," and we reiterate it, because we wish to em-
phasize that it is by the nations which have adopted flesh food that the
most noteworthy progress has been made. The vegetarian Asiatics remain upon
the lower rungs of civilization. The further west we travel, THE MORE THE
CONSUMPTION OF MEAT INCREASES AS DOES THE DISINCLINATION FOR BODILY EXER-
CISE, AND CONSEQUENTLY THE ACTIVITY OF THE MIND IS INCREASED TO A HIGHER AND
HIGHER PITCH IN THE INVENTION OF LABOR-SAVING DEVICES. The American
agriculturists' acres are counted by thousands, and they harvest large crops
with less labor than the peasant of the East who has only a small patch of
ground. The reason is that the poor, plodding grain fed Easterner has only
his hands and his hoe, which he keeps in motion all day and day after day,
while the meat fed, progressive Westerner turns power-driven implements into
his fertile fields and sits down in a comfortable seat to watch them work.
One uses muscle, the other mind.
[PAGE 93] MEAT AND DRINK
Thus the indomitable courage and energy which have transformed the face
of the Western World are virtues directly traceable to flesh food, which
also fosters love of ease and invention of labor-saving devices; while alco-
hol stimulates enterprise in execution of schemes thus hatched to procure
the maximum of comfort with a minimum of labor.
But the spirit of alcohol is obtained by a process of fermentation. It
is a SPIRIT OF DECAY, altogether different from the SPIRIT OF LIFE in man.
This counterfeit spirit lures man on and on, always holding before his vi-
sion the dreams of FUTURE grandeur, and goading him to strenuous efforts of
body and mind in order to attain and obtain. Then when he has achieved and
attained, he awakens to the utter worthlessness of his prize. Possession
soon shatters illusion as to the worth of whatever he may have acquired;
NOTHING THE WORLD HAS TO GIVE CAN FINALLY SATISFY. Then again the lethal
draught drowns disappointment, and the mind conjures up a new illusion.
This he pursues with fresh zeal and high hopes, to meet disappointment again
and again, for lives and lives, until at last he learns that "wine is a
mocker," and that "all is vanity but to serve God and to do His will."
[PAGE 94] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
CHAPTER XII
A LIVING SACRIFICE
VOLUMES, OR RATHER libraries, have been written to explain the nature of
God, but it is probably a universal experience that the more we read of
other people's explanations, the less we understand. There is one descrip-
tion, given by the inspired apostle John when he wrote "GOD IS LIGHT," which
is as illuminating as the others are befogging to the mind. Anyone who
takes this passage for meditation occasionally will find a rich reward wait-
ing, for no matter how many times we take up this subject, our own develop-
ment in the passing years assures us each time a fuller and better under-
standing. Each time we sink ourselves in these three words we lave in a
spiritual fountain of inexhaustible depth, and each succeeding time we sound
more thoroughly the divine depths and draw more closely to our Father in
heaven.
To get in touch with our subject, let us go back in time to get our bear-
ing and the direction of our future line of progress.
[PAGE 95] A LIVING SACRIFICE
The first time our consciousness was directed towards the Light was
shortly after we had become endowed with mind and had entered definitely
upon our evolution as human beings in Atlantis, the land of the mist, deep
down in the basins of the earth, where the warm mist emitted from the cool-
ing earth hung like a dense fog over the land. Then the starry heights of
the universe were never seen, nor could the silvery light of the moon pen-
etrate the dense, foggy atmosphere which hung over that ancient land. Even
the fiery splendor of the sun was almost totally extinguished, for when we
look in the Memory of Nature pertaining to that time, it appears very much
as an arc lamp on a high pole looks to us when it is foggy. It was exceed-
ingly dim, and had an aura of various colors, very similar to those which we
observe around an arc light.
But this light had a fascination. The ancient Atlanteans were taught by
the divine Hierarchs who walked among them, to aspire to the light, and as
the spiritual sight was then already on the wane (even the messengers, or
Elohim, being perceived with difficulty by the majority), they aspired all
the more ardently to the new light, for they feared the darkness of which
they had become conscious through the gift of mind.
Then came the inevitable flood when the mist cooled and condensed. The
atmosphere cleared, and the "CHOSEN PEOPLE" were saved. Those who had
[PAGE 96] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
worked within themselves and learned to build the necessary organs required
to breathe in an atmosphere such as we have today, survived and came to the
light. It was not an arbitrary choice; THE WORK OF THE PAST CONSISTED OF
BODY BUILDING. Those who had only gill clefts, such as the foetus still
uses in its prenatal development, were unfit physiologically to enter the
new era as the foetus would be to be born were it to neglect to build lungs.
It would die as those ancient people died when the rare atmosphere made gill
clefts useless.
Since the day when we came out of ancient Atlantis our bodies have been
practically complete, that is to say, no new vehicles are to be added; but
from that time and from now on THOSE WHO WISH TO FOLLOW THE LIGHT MUST
STRIVE FOR SOUL GROWTH. The bodies which we have crystallized about us must
be dissolved, and the quintessence of experience extracted, which as "soul"
may be amalgamated with the spirit to nourish if from impotence to om-
nipotence. Therefore, the Tabernacle in the Wilderness was given to the an-
cients, and THE LIGHT OF GOD DESCENDED UPON THE ALTAR OF SACRIFICE. This is
of great significance: The ego had just descended into its tabernacle, the
body. We all know the tendency of the primitive instinct towards selfish-
ness, and if we have studied the higher ethics we also know how subversive
of good the indulgence of the egotistic tendency is; therefore, God immedi-
ately placed before mankind the Divine Light upon the Altar of Sacrifice.
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Upon this altar they were forced by dire necessity to offer their cher-
ished possessions for every transgression, God appearing to them as a hard
taskmaster whose displeasure it was dangerous to incur. But still the Light
drew them. They knew then that it was futile to attempt to escape from the
hand of God. They had never heard the words of John, "God is Light," but
they had already learned from the heavens in a measure the meaning of in-
finitude, as measured by the realm of light, for we hear David exclaim:
"Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy pres-
ence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell,
thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the ut-
termost part of the sea, even there shall thy hand lead me and thy might
hand shall hold me. If I say, surely the darkness shall cover me, even the
night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee, but
the night shineth as the day, for the darkness and the light are both alike
to thee."
With every year that passes, with the aid of the greatest telescopes
which the ingenuity and mechanical skill of man have been able to construct
to pierce the depths of space, it becomes more evident that the infinitude
of light teaches us the infinitude of God. When we hear that "men loved
darkness rather than Light because their deed were evil," that also rings
[PAGE 98] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
true to what we unfortunately know as present day facts, and illumines the
nature of God for us; for is it not true that we always feel endangered in
the dark, but that the light gives us a sense of safety which is akin to the
feeling of a child who feels the protecting hand of its father?
To render permanent this condition of being in the Light was the next
step in God's work with us, which culminated in the birth of Christ, who as
the bodily presence of the Father, bore about in Himself that Light, for the
Light came into the world that whosoever should believe in Christ should not
perish, but have everlasting life. He said, "I am the Light of the World."
The altar in the Tabernacle had illustrated the principle of sacrifice as
the medium of regeneration, so Christ said to His disciples: Greater love
hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my
friends. And forthwith He commenced a sacrifice, which, contrary to the ac-
cepted orthodox opinion was not consummated in a few hours of physical suf-
fering upon a material cross, but is as perpetual as were the sacrifices
made upon the altar of the Tabernacle in the Wilderness, for it entails an
annual descent into the earth and an endurance of all that the cramping
earth conditions must mean to such a great spirit.
This must continue till a sufficient number have evolved who can bear the
burden of this dense lump of DARKNESS which we call the earth, and which
[PAGE 99] A LIVING SACRIFICE
hangs as a millstone about the neck of humanity, an impediment to further
spiritual growth. Until we learn to follow "in His steps," we can rise no
higher towards the Light.
It is related that when Leonardo da Vinci had completed his famous paint-
ing "The Last Supper," he asked a friend to look at it and tell him what he
thought of it.
The friend looked at it critically for a few minutes and then said:
"I think you have made a mistake in painting the goblets from which the
apostles drink so ornamental and to resemble gold. People in their posi-
tions would not drink from such expensive vessels."
Da Vinci then drew his brush through the entire set of vessels which had
drawn the criticism of his friend, but he was heartbroken, for he had
painted that picture with his soul rather than with his hands, and he had
prayed over it that it might speak a message to the world. He had put all
the greatness of his art and the whole-hearted devotion of his soul into
that effort to paint a Christ who should speak the word that would lead men
to emulate His deeds.
Can you see Him as He sits there at that festive board, THE EMBODIMENT OF
LIGHT, and speaks those wonderful, mystic words: THIS IS MY BODY, THIS IS
MY BLOOD, GIVEN FOR YOU-- a living sacrifice.
[PAGE 100] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
In the past period of our spiritual career we have been looking for a
Light EXTERIOR to ourselves, but now we have arrived at the point where we
must look for the Christ light within and emulate Him by making of ourselves
"living sacrifices" as He is doing. Let us remember that when the sacrifice
which lies before our door seems pleasant and to our liking, when we seem
able to pick and choose our work in His vineyard and do what pleases us, we
are not making a real sacrifice as He did, nor are we when we are seen of
men and applauded for our benevolence. But when we are ready to follow Him
from that festive board where He was the honored one among friends, into the
garden of Gethsemane WHERE HE WAS ALONE and wrestled with the great problem
before Him while His friends slept, then are we making a living sacrifice.
When we are content to follow "in His steps" to that point of
self-sacrifice where we can say from the bottom of our hearts, "THY WILL,
NOT MINE," then we have surely THE LIGHT WITHIN, and there will never hence-
forth be for us that which we feel as darkness. WE SHALL WALK IN THE LIGHT.
This is our glorious privilege, and the meditation upon the words of the
apostle, "God is Light," will help us to realize this ideal provided we add
to our faith, WORKS, and say by our deeds as did the Christ of da Vinci,
"THIS IS MY BODY AND THIS IS MY BLOOD," a living sacrifice upon the altar of
humanity.
[PAGE 101] MAGIC, WHITE AND BLACK
CHAPTER XIII
MAGIC, WHITE AND BLACK
FROM TIME to time as occasion requires we warn students of the
Rosicrucian Fellowship in our private individual letters not to attend
spirit seances, hypnotic demonstrations, or places where incense is burned
by dabblers in occultism. Black Magic is practiced by both consciously and
unconsciously to an extent that is almost unbelievable. "Malicious animal
magnetism," which is only another name for the Black Force, is responsible
for more failures in business, loss of health, and unhappiness in homes than
most people are aware of. Even the perpetrators of such outrages are, as
said, often unconscious of what harm they have done. Therefore it seems ex-
pedient to devote a chapter to an explanation of some of the laws of magic,
which are the same for the white as for the black. There is only one force,
but it may be used for good or evil; and according to the motive behind it
and the use that is made of it, it becomes either black or white.
It is a scientific axiom that "EX NIHIL, NIHIL FIT" (out of nothing noth-
ing comes). There must be a seed before there can be a flower, but where
[PAGE 102] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
the first seed came from is something which science has failed to explain.
The occultist knows that all things have come from ARCHE, the infinite es-
sence of chaos, used by God, the Grand Architect, for the building of our
universe; and , given the nucleus of anything, the accomplished magician can
draw upon the same essence for a further supply. Christ, for instance, had
some loaves and some fishes; by means of that nucleus He drew upon the pri-
mordial essence of chaos for the rest needed in performing the miracle of
feeding a multitude. A human magician whose power is not so high can more
easily draw upon things which have already materialized out of chaos. He
may take flowers or fruit belonging to some one else, miles or hundreds of
miles away, disintegrate them into their atomic constituents, transport them
through the air, and cause them to assume their regular physical shape in
the the room where he is entertaining friends in order to amaze them. Such
magic is GREY at best, even if he sends sufficient of his coin to pay for
what he has taken away; if he does not, it is Black Magic to thus rob an-
other of his goods. Magic to be white must always be used unselfishly, and
in addition, for a noble purpose--to save a fellow being suffering. The
Christ, when He fed the multitude from chaos, gave as His reason that they
had been with Him for several days and if they had to journey back to their
[PAGE 103] MAGIC, WHITE AND BLACK
homes without physical food they would faint by the wayside and suffer pri-
vation.
God is the Grand Architect of the Universe and the Initiates of the White
Schools are also arche-tektons, builders from the primordial essence in
their beneficent work for humanity. These Invisible Helpers require a
nucleus from the patient's vital body, which is, as students of the
Rosicrucian Fellowship know, given to them in the effluvia from the hand,
which impregnates the paper when the patient makes application for help and
healing. With this nucleus of the patient's vital body they are able to draw
upon virgin matter for whatever they need to restore health by building up
and strengthening the organism.
The Black Magicians are despoilers, actuated by hatred and malice. They
also need a nucleus for their nefarious operations, and this they obtain
most easily from the vital body as spiritualistic or hypnotic seances, where
the sitters relax, put themselves into a negative frame of mind, drop their
jaws, and sink their individualities by other distinctly mediumistic prac-
tices. Even people who do not frequent such places are not immune, for
there are certain products of the vital body which are ignorantly scattered
by all and which may be used effectively by the Black Magicians. Chief in
this category are the hair and fingernails. The Negroes in their voodoo
magic use the placenta for similar evil purposes. One particularly evil
man, whose practices were exposed a decade ago, obtained from boys the vital
[PAGE 104] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
fluid which he used for his demoniac acts. Even so innocent a thing as a
glass of water placed in close proximity to certain parts of the body of the
prospective victim, while the Black Magician converses with him can be made
to absorb a part of the victim's vital body. This will give the Black Magi-
cian the requisite nucleus, or it may be obtained from a piece of the
person's clothing. The same invisible emanation contained in the garment,
which guides the bloodhound upon the track of a certain person, will also
guide the Magician, white or black, to the abode of that person and furnish
the Magician with a key to the person's system whereby the former by help or
hurt according to his inclination.
But there are methods of protecting oneself from inimical influences,
which we shall mention in the latter part of this chapter. We have debated
much whether it were wise or not to call to call the attention of students
to these facts, and have come to the conclusion that it does not help anyone
to imitate the ostrich which sticks its head into a hole in the sand at the
approach of danger. It is better to be enlightened concerning things that
threaten so that we may take whatever precautions are necessary to meet the
emergency. The battle between the good and the evil forces is being waged
with an intensity that no one not engaged in the actual combat can compre-
hend. The Elder Brothers of the Rosicrucians and kindred orders which, we
[PAGE 105] MAGIC, WHITE AND BLACK
may say, in their totality represent the Holy Grail, live on the love and
essence of the unselfish service which they gather and garner as the bees
gather honey, from all who are striving to live the life. This they add to
the lustre of the Holy Grail, which in turn grows more lustrous and radiates
a stronger influence upon all who are spiritually inclined, imbuing them
with greater ardor, zeal and zest in the good work and in fighting the good
fight. Similarly the evil forces of the Black Grail thrive on hate, treach-
ery, cruelty, and every demoniac deed on the calendar of crime. Both the
Black and White Grail forces require a pabulum, the one of good and the
other of evil, for the continuance of their existence and for the power to
fight. Unless they get it, they starve and grow weaker. Hence the relent-
less struggle that is going on between them.
Every midnight the Elder Brothers at their service open their breasts to
attract the darts of hate, envy, malice, and every evil that has been
launched during the past twenty-four hours. First, in order that they may
deprive the Black Grail forces of their food; and secondly, that they may
transmute the evil to good. Then, as the plants gather the inert carbon di-
oxide exhaled by mankind and build their bodies therefrom, so the Brothers
of the Holy Grail transmute the evil within the temple; and as the plants
send out the renovated oxygen so necessary to human life, so the Elder
Brothers return to mankind the transmuted essence of evil as qualms of
[PAGE 106] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
conscience along with the good in order that the world may grow better day
by day.
The Black Brothers, instead of transmuting the evil, infuse a greater dy-
namic energy into it and speed it on its mission in vain endeavors to con-
quer the powers of good. They use for their purposes elementals and other
discarnate entities which, being themselves of a low order, are available
for such vile practices as required. In the ages when men burned animal oil
or candles made from tallow of animals, elementals swarmed around them as
devils or demons, seeking to obsess whoever would offer an occasion. Even
wax tapers offer food for these entities, but the modern paraffin candles,
are uncongenial to them. They still flock around our saloons, slaughter
houses, and similar places where there are passionate animals, and
animal-like men. They also delight in places where incense is burned, for
that offers them an avenue of access, and when the sitters at seances inhale
the odor of the incense they inhale elemental spirits with it, which affect
them according to their characters.
This is where the protection we spoke about before may be used. When we
live lives of purity, when our days are filled with service to God and to
our fellow men, and with thoughts and actions of the highest nobility, then
we create for ourselves the GOLDEN WEDDING GARMENT, which is a radiant force
for good. No evil is able to penetrate this armor for the evil then acts as
[PAGE 107] MAGIC, WHITE AND BLACK
a boomerang and recoils on the one who sent it, bringing to him the evil he
wished us.
But alas, none of us are altogether good. We know only too well the war
between the flesh and the spirit. We cannot hide from ourselves the fact
that like Paul, "the good that we would do, we do not, and the evil that we
would shun, that we do." Far too often our good resolutions come to naught
and we do wrong because it is easier. Therefore we all have the nucleus of
evil within ourselves, which affords the open sesame for the evil forces to
work upon. For that reason it is best for us not unnecessarily to expose
ourselves at places where seanes are held with spirits invisible to us, no
matter how fine their teachings may sound to the unsophisticated. Neither
should we take part even as spectators at hypnotic demonstrations, for there
also a negative attitude lays one liable to the danger of obsession. We
should at all times follow the advice of Paul and put on the whole armor of
God. We should be positive in our fight for the good against the evil and
never let an occasion slip to aid the Elder Brothers by word or deed in the
Great War for spiritual supremacy.
[PAGE 108] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
CHAPTER XIV
OUR INVISIBLE GOVERNMENT
IT IS WELL known to students of the Rosicrucian Philosophy that each spe-
cies of animals is dominated by a group spirit, which is their guardian and
looks after these, its wards, with a view to bringing them along the path of
evolution that is best suited to their development; it does not matter what
the geographical position of these animals is; the lion in the jungles of
Africa is dominated by the same group spirit as is the lion in the cage of a
menagerie in our northern countries. Therefore these animals are alike in
all their principal characteristics; they have the same likes and dislikes
with respect to diet, and they act in an almost identical manner under
similar circumstances. If one wants to study the tribes of lions or the
tribe of tigers, all that is necessary is to study one individual, for it
has neither choice nor prerogative, but acts entirely according to the dic-
tates of the group spirit. The mineral cannot choose whether it will crys-
tallize or not; the rose is bound to bloom; the lion is compelled to prey;
and in each case the activity is dictated entirely by the group spirit.
[PAGE 109] OUR INVISIBLE GOVERNMENT
But man is different; when we want to study him we find that each indi-
vidual is as a species by himself. What one does under any given circum-
stances is no indication of what another may do; "one man's meat is another
man's poison"; each has different likes and dislikes. This is because man
as we see him in the physical world is the expression of an individual
indwelling spirit, seemingly having choice and prerogative.
But as a matter of fact man is not quite as free as he seems; all stu-
dents of human nature have observed that on certain occasions a large number
of people will act as though dominated by one spirit. It is also easy to
see without recourse to occultism that the different nations have certain
physical characteristics. We all know the German, French, English, Italian,
and Spanish types. Each of these nations has characteristics which differ
from those of the other nations, thus indicating that there must be a RACE
SPIRIT at the root of these peculiarities. The occultist who is gifted with
spiritual sight knows that such is the case, and that each nation has a dif-
ferent race spirit which broods as a cloud over the whole country. In it
the people live and move and having their being; it is their guardian and is
constantly working for their development, building up their civilization and
fostering ideals of the highest nature compatible with their capacity for
progress.
[PAGE 110] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
In the Bible we read the JEHOVAH, ELOHIM, who was the race spirit of the
Jews, went before them in a pillar and a cloud, and in the Book of Daniel we
gain considerable insight into the workings of these race spirits. The im-
age seen by Nebuchadnezzar with its head of gold and feet of clay showed
plainly how a civilization built up in the beginning with golden ideals de-
generated more and more until in the latter part of its existence the feet
were of unstable, crumbling clay, and the image was doomed to topple. Thus
all civilizations when started by the different race spirits have great and
golden ideals, but humanity by reason of having some free will and choice
does not follow implicitly the dictates of the race spirits as the animals
follow the commands of the group spirits. Hence in the course of time a na-
tion ceases to rise, and as there can be no standing still in the cosmos, it
begins to degenerate until finally the feet are of clay and it is necessary
to strike a blow to shatter it, THAT ANOTHER CIVILIZATION MAY BE BUILT UP ON
ITS RUINS.
But empires do not fall without a strong physical blow, and therefore an
instrument of the race spirit of a nation is always raised up at the time
when that nation is doomed to fall. In the tenth and eleventh chapters of
Daniel we are given an insight into the workings of the invisible government
of the race spirits, the powers behind the throne. Daniel is much disturbed
in spirit; he fasts, for fully THREE WEEKS, praying for light, and at the
end of that time an arch-angel, a race spirit, appears before him and
[PAGE 111] OUR INVISIBLE GOVERNMENT
addresses him: "Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that thou didst set
thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words
were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of
Persia withstood me ONE AND TWENTY DAYS, but lo, Michael, one of the chief
princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the king of Persia."
After he explains to Daniel what is to happen, he says: "Knowest thou where-
fore I came unto thee? AND NOW WILL I RETURN TO FIGHT WITH THE PRINCE OF
PERSIA: AND WHEN I AM GONE FORTH, LO, THE PRINCE OF GRECIA SHALL COME, and
there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael, your
prince." The archangel also says: "In the first year of Darius the Mede,
even I stood to confirm and to strengthen him."
So when the handwriting is on the wall, some one is raised up to adminis-
ter the blow; it may be a Cyrus, a Darius, an Alexander, a Caesar, a Napo-
leon, or a kaiser. Such a one may think himself a prime mover, a free indi-
vidual acting by his own choice and prerogative, but as a matter of fact he
is only the instrument of the invisible government of the world, the power
behind thrones, the race spirits, who see the necessity of breaking up
civilizations that have outlived their usefulness, so that humanity may get
a new start and evolve under a new and a higher ideal than that which
ensouled it before.
[PAGE 112] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
Christ himself when upon earth, said: "I came not to bring peace, but a
sword," for it was evident to Him that as long as humanity was divided into
races and nations there could be no "peace on earth and good will among
men." Only when the nations have become united in a universal brotherhood
is peace possible. The barriers of nationalism must be done away with, and
to this end the United States of America has been made a melting pot where
all that is best in the old nations is being brought together and amalgam-
ated, so that A NEW RACE WITH HIGHER IDEALS AND FEELINGS OF UNIVERSAL BROTH-
ERHOOD MAY BE BORN FOR THE AQUARIAN AGE. In the meantime the barriers of
nationalism have been partially broken down in Europe by the terrible con-
flict just past. This brings nearer the day of universal amity and the re-
alization of the Brotherhood of Man.
There is also another object to be gained. Of all the terrors to which
mankind is subjected, there is none so great as DEATH, which separates us
from those we love, because we are unable to see them after they have
stepped out of their bodies. But just as surely as the day follows the
night, so will every teardrop wear away some of the scale that now blinds
the eyes of man to the unseen land of the living dead. We have said repeat-
edly and we now reaffirm that one of the greatest blessings which will come
from the war will be the spiritual sight which a great number of people will
evolve. The intense sorrow of millions of people, the longing to see again
[PAGE 113] OUR INVISIBLE GOVERNMENT
the dear ones who have so suddenly and ruthlessly been torn from us, are a
force of incalculable strength and power. Likewise those who have been
snatched by death in the prime of life and who are now in the invisible
world are equally intense in their desires to reunite with those near and
dear to them, so that they may speak the word of comfort and assure them of
their well being. Thus it may be said that two great armies comprising mil-
lions upon millions are tunneling with frantic energy and intensity of pur-
pose through the wall that separates the invisible from the visible. Day by
day this wall or veil is growing thinner, and sooner or later the living and
the living dead will meet in the middle of the tunnel. Before we realize
it, communication will have been established, and we shall find it a common
experience that when our loved ones step out of their worn and sick bodies,
we shall feel neither sorrow nor loss because we shall be able to see them
in their ethereal bodies, moving among us as they used to do. So out of the
great conflict we shall come as victors over death and be able to say: "O
death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?"
[PAGE 114] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
CHAPTER XV
PRACTICAL PRECEPTS FOR PRACTICAL PEOPLE
"IF I WERE to do business on the principles laid down in the Sermon on
the Mount I would be down and out in less than a year," said a critic re-
cently. "Why, the Bible is utterly impracticable under our present economic
conditions; it is impossible to live according to it."
If that is true there is a good reason for the unbelief of the world, but
in a court the accused is always allowed a fair trial, and let us examine
the Bible thoroughly before we judge. What are the specific charges? "Why,
they are countless," answered the critic, "but to mention only a few, let us
take such passages as, 'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the
Kingdom of Heaven;' 'Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth;'
'Take no thought for the morrow, what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink.'
Such ideas point the way to the poorhouse."
"Very well," says the apologist, "let us take the last charge first.
King James' version says: 'No man can serve two masters. Ye cannot serve
[PAGE 115] PRACTICAL PRECEPTS FOR PRACTICAL PEOPLE
God and mammon, therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life,
what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink, nor yet for your body what ye
shall put on. Is not the life more than food and the body than raiment?
Behold the fowls of the air: they sow not, neither do they reap nor gather
into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better
than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stat-
ure? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the
field, how they grow: they toil not, neither do they spin. And yet I say
unto you that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Wherefore, if God so clothe the grasses of the field, which today is and to-
morrow is cast into the oven, shall He not much more clothe you, O ye of
little faith? Therefore take no thought saying, What shall we eat? or, What
shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? for after all these
things do the Gentiles seek; your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need
of all these things. But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righ-
teousness and all these things shall be added unto you.'"
If this is intended to mean that we should wastefully squander all we
have in prodigal or riotous living, then it is of course not only impracti-
cal but demoralizing. Such an interpretation is, however, out of keeping
with the tenor and teaching of the whole Book, and it does not say so. The
Greek word MERIMNON means being overly careful or anxious, and if we read
[PAGE 116] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
the passage with this alteration we shall find that it teaches a different
lesson which is entirely practical. Mammon is the Syriac word for riches,
desired by foolish people. In the preceding paragraph Christ exhorted them
not to become servants or slaves to riches, which they must leave behind
when the silver cord is broken and the spirit returns to God, but seek
rather to live lives of love and service and lay up treasures of good deeds,
which they might take with them into the Kingdom of Heaven. In the mean-
time, He exhorted, be not overly anxious regarding what you shall eat and
drink and clothe yourself with. Why worry? You cannot add a hairbreadth to
your height or a hair to your head by worrying. Worry is the most wasteful
and depleting of all our emotions, and it does no good whatever. Your heav-
enly Father knows you need material things, therefore seek first His kingdom
and righteousness and all else needed will be added. On at least two occa-
sions when multitudes came to Christ in places far from their homes and dis-
tant from towns where refreshment was obtainable, He demonstrated this; He
gave them first the spiritual food they sought and then ministered to their
bodily needs direct from a spiritual source of supply.
Does it work out in these modern days? Surely there have been so many
demonstrations of this that it is not at all necessary to recount any spe-
cial one. When we work and pray, pray and work, and make our lives a living
[PAGE 117] PRACTICAL PRECEPTS FOR PRACTICAL PEOPLE
prayer for opportunities to serve others, then all earthly things will come
of their own accord as we need them, and they will keep coming in larger
measure according to the degree to which they are used in the service of
God. If we regard ourselves only as stewards and custodians of whatever
earthly goods we possess, then we are really "POOR IN SPIRIT" so far as the
evanescent earthly treasures are concerned, but rich in the more lasting
treasures of the Kingdom of Heaven; and if we are not out and out material-
ists, surely this is a practical attitude.
It is not so long ago that "CAVEAT EMPTOR," "Let the buyer beware," was
the slogan of the merchants who sought after earthly treasures and regarded
the buyer as their legitimate prey. When they had sold their wares and re-
ceived the money, it did not matter to them whether the buyer was satisfied
or not. They even prided themselves on selling an inferior article which
would soon wear out, as evident in the short-sighted motto, "The weakness of
the goods is the strength of the trade." But gradually even people who
would scorn the idea of introducing religion into their business are dis-
carding this CAVEAT EMPTOR as a motto, and are unconsciously adopting the
precept of Christ, "HE THAT WOULD BE THE GREATEST AMONG YOU, LET HIM BE THE
SERVANT OF ALL." Everywhere the best business men are insistent in their
claim to patronage on the ground of the service they give to the buyer,
[PAGE 118] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
because it is a policy that pays, and may therefore be classed as another of
the practical precepts of the Bible.
But it sometimes happens that in spite of their desire to serve their
customers, something goes wrong and an angry, dissatisfied customer comes
blustering in, decrying their goods. Under the old shortsighted regime of
CAVEAT EMPTOR the merchant would have merely laughed or thrown the buyer out
of the door. Not so the modern merchant, who takes his Bible into business.
He remembers the wisdom of Solomon that "a soft answer turneth away wrath,"
and the assertion of Christ that "THE MEEK SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH," so he
apologizes for the fault in the goods, offers restitution, and sends the
erstwhile dissatisfied customer away smiling and eager to sing the praises
of the concern that treats him no nicely. Thus by obeying the practical
precepts of the Bible, keeping his temper in meekness, the business man
gains additional customers who come to him in full faith of fair treatment,
and the added profit in sales made to them soon overbalances the loss on
goods which may have caused the dissatisfaction of other customers.
It pays dividends in dollars and cents to keep one's temper and be meek;
it pays greater dividends from the moral and spiritual standpoints. What
better business motto can be found than in Ecclesiastes: "Wisdom is better
than weapons of war. Be not rash in thy mouth, be not hasty in thy speech
[PAGE 119] PRACTICAL PRECEPTS FOR PRACTICAL PEOPLE
to be angry, for anger reseth in the bosom of fools." Tact and diplomacy
are always better than force; as the Good Book says: "If the iron be blunt
we must use more strength, but wisdom is profitable to direct." The line of
least resistance, so long as it is clean and honorable, is always best.
Therefore, "LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, DO GOOD TO THEM THAT DESPITEFULLY USE YOU."
It is good practical business policy to try to reconcile those who do us
harm lest they do more; and it is better for us to get over our ill feeling
than to nurse it, for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap, and
if we sow spite and meanness, we breed and beget in others the same feel-
ings. Furthermore, all these things will apply in private life and in so-
cial intercourse just as in ordinary business. How many quarrels could be
avoided if we cultivated the virtue of meekness in our homes; how much plea-
sure would be gained; how much happiness would come into our lives if in so-
cial and business relations we learned to DO UNTO OTHERS AS WE WOULD THAT
THEY SHOULD DO UNTO US!
There is no need for the great mental strain that so many of us are work-
ing under concerning what we shall eat and what we shall drink. Our Father
in Heaven does own the earth and the fullness thereof; the cattle on a thou-
sand hills are His. If we learn truly to cast our cares upon Him, there is
no doubt that the way out of our difficulties will be provided.
[PAGE 120] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
It is a fact, acknowledged by all authorities who have investigated the
subject, that comparatively few people die from lack of necessities of life,
but a great many die because of overindulgence of the appetites. It is the
practical experience of the writer and numerous others that if we do our
work day by day as it appears before us, faithfully and to the best of our
ability, the wherewithal for the morrow will always be provided. If we go
according to the instruction of the Bible, doing all "as unto the Lord," it
does not matter what line of honest work we follow; we are then at the same
time seeking the Kingdom of God. But if we are only time servers, working
for fear or favor, we cannot expect to succeed in the long run; health,
wealth, and happiness may attend us for a little while, but outside the
solid foundation of the Bible there can be no lasting joy in life and no
real prosperity in business.
[PAGE 121] SOUND, SILENCE, AND SOUL GROWTH
CHAPTER XVI
SOUND, SILENCE, AND SOUL GROWTH
SINCERE STUDENTS of the Science of the Soul are naturally anxious to grow
in grace that they may serve so much better in the Great Work of Human
Upliftment. Being humble and modest they are only too painfully aware of
their shortcomings, and frequently while casting about for means to fa-
cilitate progress they ask themselves, "WHAT HINDERS?" Some, particularly
in bygone ages when life was lived less intensely than now, realized that
the everyday life among ordinary humanity had many drawbacks. To overcome
these and further their soul growth they withdrew from the community to a
monastery or to the mountains where they could give themselves over to the
spiritual life undisturbed.
We know, however, that that is not the way. It is too well established
in the minds of most of our students that if we run away from an experience
today, it will confront us again tomorrow, and that the victor's palm is
earned by overcoming the world, not by running away from it. The environ-
ment in which we have been placed by the Recording Angels was our own choice
[PAGE 122] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
when we were at the turning point of our life cycle in the Third Heaven, we
then being pure spirit unblinded by the matter which now veils our vision.
Hence it is undoubtedly the one that holds lessons needed by us, and we
should make a serious mistake if we tried to escape from it altogether.
But we have received a mind for a definite purpose--to reason about
things and conditions so that we may learn to discriminate between essen-
tials and non-essentials, between that which is designed to hinder for the
purpose of teaching us a virtue by overcoming it, and that which is an out
and out hindrance, which jars our sensibilities and wrecks our nerves with-
out any compensating spiritual gain. It will be of the greatest benefit if
we can learn to differentiate for the conservation of our strength, accept-
ing only that which we must endure for the sake of our spiritual well-being.
We shall then save much energy and having much more zest in profitable di-
rections than now. The details of that problem are different in every life;
however, there are certain general principles which it will benefit us all
to understand and apply to our lives, and among them is the effect of si-
lence and sound on soul growth.
At first blush it may surprise us when the statement is made that sound
and silence are very important factors in soul growth, but when we examine
the matter we shall soon see that it is not a far-fetched notion. Consider
[PAGE 123] SOUND, SILENCE, AND SOUL GROWTH
first the graphic expression, "War is hell," and then call up in imagination
a war scene. The sight is appalling, even more so to those who see it with
the undimmed spiritual vision than to those who are limited to physical
sight, for the latter can at least shut their eyes to it if they want to,
but the whole horror lies heavily upon the heart of the Invisible Helper who
not only hears and sees but FEELS in his own being the anguish and pain of
all the surrounding suffering as Parsifal felt in his heart the wound of
Amfortas, the stricken Grail king; in fact, without that intensely intimate
feeling of oneness with the suffering there could be no healing or help
given. But there is one thing which no one can escape, the terrible noise
of the shells, the deafening roar of the cannon, the vicious spitting of the
machine guns, the groans of the wounded, and the oaths of a certain class
among the participants. We shall need no further arguement to agree that it
is really a "hellish noise" and as subversive of soul growth as possible.
The battle field is the last place anyone with a sane mind would choose for
the purpose of soul growth, though it is not to be forgotten that much of
this has been made by noble deeds of self-sacrifice there; but such results
have been achieved IN SPITE of the condition and not because of it.
On the other hand, consider a church filled with the noble strain of a
Gregorian chant or a Handel oratorio upon which the prayers of the aspiring
[PAGE 124] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
soul wing their way to the Author of our Being. That music may surely be
termed "HEAVENLY" and the church designated as offering an ideal condition
for soul growth, but if we stayed there permanently to the neglect of our
duties we should be failures in spite of the ideal condition.
There remains, therefore, only one safe method for us, namely, to stay in
the din of the battle field of the world, endeavoring to wrest from even the
most unpromising conditions the material of soul growth by unselfish ser-
vice, and at the same time TO BUILD WITHIN OUR OWN INNER SELVES A SANCTUARY
filled with that silent music which sounds ever in the serving soul as a
source of upliftment above all the vicissitudes of earthly existence. Hav-
ing that "living church" WITHIN, being in fact under that condition "LIVING
TEMPLES," we may turn at any moment when our attention is not legitimately
required by temporal affairs to that spiritual house not made with hands and
lave in its harmony. We may do that many times a day and thus restore con-
tinually the harmony that has been disturbed by the discords of terrestrial
intercourse.
How then shall we build that temple and fill it with the heavenly music
we so much desire? What will help and what will hinder? are questions which
call for a practical solution, and we shall try to make the answer as plain
and practical as possible, for this is a very vital matter. The LITTLE
THINGS are particularly important, for the neophyte needs to take even the
[PAGE 125] SOUND, SILENCE, AND SOUL GROWTH
slightest things into account. If we light a match in a strong wind it is
extinguished ere it has gained a fair start, but if the little flame is laid
on a brush heap and given a chance to grow in comparative calm, a rising
wind will fan the flame instead of extinguishing it. Adepts of Great Souls
may remain serene under conditions which would upset the ordinary aspirant,
hence he should use discrimination and not expose himself unnecessarily to
conditions subversive of soul growth; what he needs more than anything is
POISE, and nothing is more inimical to that condition than NOISE.
It is undeniable that our communities are "Bedlams," and that we have a
legitimate right to escape some noises if possible, such as the screeching
made by street cars rounding a curve. We do not need to live on such a cor-
ner to the detriment of our nerves or endeavors at concentration, but if we
have a sick, crying child that requires our attention day and night, it does
not matter how if affects our nerves, we have no right in the sight of God
or man to run away or neglect it in order to concentrate. These things are
perfectly obvious and produce instant assent, but the things that help or
hinder most are, as said, the things that are so small that they escape our
attention entirely. When we now start to enumerate them, they may provoke a
smile of incredulity, but if they are pondered upon and practiced they will
soon win assent, for judged by the formula that "by their fruits ye shall
[PAGE 126] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
know them," they will show results and vindicate our assertion that "Silence
is one of the greatest helps in soul growth," and should therefore be culti-
vated by the aspirant in his home, his personal demeanor, his walk, his hab-
its, and paradoxical as it seems, even his speech.
It is a proof of the benefit of religion that it makes people happy, but
the greatest happiness is usually too deep for outward expression. It fills
our whole being so full that it is almost awesome, and a boisterous manner
never goes together with that true happiness for it is the sign of superfi-
ciality. The loud voice, the coarse laugh, the noisy manner, the hard heels
that sound like sledge hammers, the slamming of doors, and the rattling of
dishes are the signatures of the unregenerate, for they love noise, the more
the merrier, as it stirs their desire bodies. For their purpose church mu-
sic is anathema; a blaring brass band is preferable to any other form of en-
tertainment, and the wilder the dance, the better. But it is otherwise, or
should be, with the aspirant to the higher life.
When the infant Jesus was sought by Herod, with murderous intent, his
only safety lay in flight, and by that expedient were preserved his life and
power to grow and fulfill his mission. Similarly, when the Christ is born
within the aspirant he can best preserve this spiritual life by fleeing from
the environment of the unregenerate where these hindering things are
[PAGE 127] SOUND, SILENCE, AND SOUL GROWTH
practiced, and seek a place among others of kindred ambitions provided he is
free to do so; but if placed in a position of responsibility to a family; it
is his duty to strive to alter conditions by precept and example, par-
ticularly by example, so that in time that refined, subdued atmosphere which
breathes harmony and strength may reign over the whole house. It is not es-
sential to the happiness of children that they be allowed to shout at the
top to their voices or to race pell-mell through the house, slamming doors
and wrecking furniture in their mad race; it is indeed decidedly detrimen-
tal, for it teaches them to disregard the feelings of others in
self-gratification. They will benefit more than mother by being shod with
rubber heels and taught to reserve their romps for outdoors and to play qui-
etly in the house, closing doors easily, and speaking in a moderate tone of
voice such as mother uses.
In childhood we begin to wreck the nerves that bother us in later years,
so if we teach our children the lessons above indicated, we may save them
much trouble in life as well as further our own soul growth now. It may
take years to reform a household of these seemingly unimportant faults and
secure an atmosphere conducive to soul growth, especially if the children
have grown to adult age and resent reforms of that nature, but it is well
worth while. We can and MUST at least cultivate the virtue of silence in
[PAGE 128] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
ourselves, or our own soul growth will be very small. Perhaps if we look at
the matter from its occult point of view in connection with that important
vehicle, THE VITAL BODY, the point of this necessity will be more clear.
We know that the vital body is ever storing up power in the physical body
which is to be used in this "School of Experience," and that during the day
the desire body is constantly dissipating this energy in actions which con-
stitute experience that is eventually transmuted to soul growth. So far so
good, but the desire body has the tendency to run amuck if not held in with
a tight reign. It revels in UNRESTRAINED motion, whistle, sing, jump,
dance, and do all the other unnecessary and undignified things which are so
etrimental to soul growth. While under such a spell of in harmony and dis-
cord the person is dead to the spiritual opportunities in the physical
world, and at night when he leaves his body the process of restoration of
that vehicle consumes so much time that very little, if any, time is left
for work, even if the person has the inclination to think seriously of doing
such work.
Therefore, we ought by all means to flee from noises which we are not
obliged to hear, and cultivate personally the quiet yet kindly demeanor, the
modulated voice, the silent walk, the unobtrusive presence, and all the
other virtues which make for harmony, for then the restorative process is
quickly accomplished and we are free the major part of the night to work in
[PAGE 129] SOUND, SILENCE, AND SOUL GROWTH
the invisible worlds to gain more soul growth. Let us in this attempt at
improvement remember to be undaunted by occasional failures, remembering
Paul's admonition to continue in well-doing with patient persistence.
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[PAGE 130] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
CHAPTER XVII
THE "MYSTERIUM MAGNUM" OF THE ROSE CROSS
Occasionally we get letters from students voicing their regret that they
are alone in the study of the Rosicrucian Philosophy, that their husbands,
wives, children or other relatives are unsympathetic or even antagonistic to
the teachings, despite all efforts of the said student to interest favorably
these friends and thus obtain companionship in their studies, or at least
freedom from their bent. This friction causes them a certain amount of un-
happiness according to their various temperments, and we are asked by these
students to advise them how to overcome the antagonism and convert their
relatives. This we have done by personal letters and have been privileged
to help conditions in not a few homes when our advice has been followed; but
we know that frequently those who suffer most acutely are silent, and we
have therefore decided to devote a little time to a discussion of the sub-
ject.
It is truly said, very truly, that "a little knowledge is a dangerous
thing," and this applies with the same force to the Rosicrucian teachings as
[PAGE 131] THE "MYSTERIUM MAGNUM"
to any other subject. Therefore, the very first step is to find out IF YOU
HAVE ENOUGH KNOWLEDGE to be on the safe side. So let me ask the question:
What is the Rosicrucian teaching which you are so anxious to have others
share and to which they object? Is it the twin laws of "CAUSATION" and "RE-
BIRTH?" They are excellent for explaining a great many problems of life,
and they are a great comfort when the grim reaper appears and robs our home
of some one near and dear. But then you must remember that there are many
who do not feel the need of any explanation whatever. They are constitu-
tionally as unfit to apply it as a deaf mute is to use the telephone. It is
true that we work to better advantage when conscious of the law and its pur-
pose, but let us take comfort from the fact that these laws work for good to
all whether they know it or not, and therefore THIS KNOWLEDGE IS NOT ESSEN-
TIAL. They will suffer no great loss because they do not embrace this doc-
trine, and they may escape the danger incident to the possession of "a
little knowledge."
In India where these truths are known and believed by millions, people
make little effort at material progress because they know that they have
endless time, and what they do not accomplish in this life may wait till the
next or a later life. Many Westerners who have embraced the doctrine of re-
birth have ceased to be useful members of their community by adopting a life
[PAGE 132] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
of indolence, thereby bringing reproach on these so-called higher teachings.
If your friends will have none of this teaching, leave them alone. Making
converts is by no means the essential point of the Rosicrucian teaching.
The Guardian of the Gate will not examine them as to knowledge, and he may
admit some who are entirely ignorant of this matter and shut the door in the
face of others who have devoted their lives to studying, lecturing on, and
teaching these laws.
Then if the doctrines of "Causation" and "Rebirth" are unessential, what
about the COMPLEX CONSTITUTION OF MAN? Surely it is essential to know that
we are not merely this visible body, but have a vital body to charge it with
energy, a desire body to spend this force, a mind to guide our exertions in
channels of reason, and that we are virgin spirits enmeshed in a threefold
veil as egos. Is it not essential to know that the physical body is the ma-
terial counterpart of the Divine Spirit, that the vital body is a replica of
the Life Spirit, and that the desire body is the shadow of the Human Spirit,
the mind forming the link between the threefold spirit and the threefold
body?
No, IT IS NOT ESSENTIAL TO KNOW THESE THINGS. Properly used, this knowl-
edge is an advantage, but it may also be a very decided disadvantage in the
case of those who have only "a little knowledge" in that direction. There
are many such who are always meditating on "the higher self" while entirely
forgetful of the many "lower selves" groaning in misery at their very doors.
[PAGE 133] THE "MYSTERIUM MAGNUM"
There are many who dream day and night of the time when they will take their
daily SOUL FLIGHTS as "invisible helpers" and ease the sufferings of the
sick and sorrowful, yet would not spend a five cent car fare and an hour's
time to bring a poor, friendless soul in a city hospital a flower and a word
of cheer. Again I say that the Guardian of the Gate is more likely to admit
him who did what he could than him who dreamed much and did nothing to help
his suffering fellow man.
If you could get people to study the Rosicrucian teachings about death
and the life after, you would feel it important that they should also know
about the silver cord remaining unbroken for a period approximately three
and one-half days after the spirit has left the body, and that it must be
left undisturbed while the panorama of its past life is being etched into
the desire body to serve as arbiter of its life in the invisible world. You
would like them to know all about the spirit's life in purgatory--how the
evil acts of its life react upon it as pain to create conscience and keep it
from repeating in a later life the acts that cause the suffering. You would
have them know how the good acts of life are transmuted into virtues usable
in later lives as set forth in our philosophy.
You have no doubt been surprised at the assertion that a knowledge of the
great twin laws in unessential. Probably the next assertion that it is
[PAGE 134] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
immaterial whether others learn about the constitution of man as we know it
may have scandalized you; and you will undoubtedly feel shocked to have it
stated that the Rosicrucian teachings concerning death and the passing of
the spirit into the unseen worlds are also comparatively unnecessary to the
purpose we aim to accomplish. It really does not matter whether your
relatives understand or believe in these teachings. So far as your own
passing is concerned, an earnest request that they leave your body quiet and
undisturbed for the proper period will probably be carried out to the let-
ter, for people have an almost superstitious regard for such "last
requests"; and if any of your friends pass over, YOU are there with your
knowledge and can do the right thing for them. So never mind if they refuse
to take up that part of the Rosicrucian teaching.
But the student may say, "If a knowledge of the before mentioned subjects
which seems of such practical value is immaterial to advancement, then it
follows that study of the Periods, Revolutions, World Globes, etc., is en-
tirely so. That disposes of everything taught in the 'COSMO,' and there is
nothing left of the Rosicrucian teaching which we have embraced and to which
we have pinned our faith!
IS NOTHING LEFT? Yes, indeed, ALL IS LEFT, for those things mentioned
are only the husks which you must remove to get at THE MEAT IN THE NUT, the
kernel of it all. You have read the "COSMO" many times perhaps. Maybe you
[PAGE 135] THE "MYSTERIUM MAGNUM"
have studied it and feel proud of your knowledge of the world mystery, but
HAVE YOU EVER READ THE MYSTERY HIDDEN IN EVERY LINE? That is the great and
essential teaching, the one teaching to which your friends will respond, if
you can find it and give it to them. The "COSMO" preaches on every page THE
GOSPEL OF SERVICE.
For our sakes Deity manifested the universe. The great creative Hierar-
chies have all been and some of them still are OUR SERVANTS. The luminous
star angels, whose fiery bodies we see whirling through space, have worked
with us for ages, and in due time Christ came to bring us the spiritual im-
petus needed at that time. It is also significant in the extreme that in
the parable of the last judgment Christ does not say, "Well done, thou great
and erudite PHILOSOPHER, who knoweth the Bible, the Kabala, the "COSMO" and
all the other mysterious literature which reveals the intricate workings of
nature" but He says, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: * * * enter
thou into the joy of thy lord. * * * * For I was an hungered, and you gave
me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; * * * ." Not one single word
about knowledge; THE WHOLE EMPHASIS WAS LAID UPON FAITHFULNESS AND SERVICE.
There is a deep occult reason for this: SERVICE BUILDS THE SOUL BODY,
the glorious wedding garment without which no man can enter into the kingdom
of the heavens, occultly termed "THE NEW GALILEE," and it does not matter
[PAGE 136] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
whether we are aware of what is going on, so long as we accomplish the work.
Moreover, as the luminous soul body grows in and around a person, this light
will teach him or her about the Mysteries without the need of books, and one
who is thus God taught knows more than all the books in the world contain.
In due time the inner vision will be opened and the way to the Temple shown.
If you want to teach your friends, no matter how skeptical they may be, they
will believe you if you preach the gospel of service.
But you must PREACH BY PRACTICE. You must become a servant of men your-
self if you would have them believe in you. If you want them to follow, you
must lead, or they will have the right to question your sincerity. Remem-
ber, "ye are a city upon a hill," and when you make professions they have a
right to judge you by your fruits; therefore SAY LITTLE, SERVE MUCH.
There are many who love to discuss the harmless, peaceful life at dinner,
oblivious of the fact that the red roast on the table and the cigar in the
mouth dull the effect. There are others who make a god of the stomach and
would rather study dietetics than the Bible; they are always ready to but-
tonhole their friends and discourse upon the latest food fad. I knew one
man who was at the head of an esoteric group. His wife was antagonistic to
occultism and the meatless diet. He forced her to cook his vegetables at
[PAGE 137] THE "MYSTERIUM MAGNUM"
home, and told her that if she ever dared to bring meat into HIS kitchen or
contaminate HIS dishes with it, he would pitch her and the dishes into the
street, adding that if she must make a pig of herself she could go and get
flesh food in a restaurant.
IS IT TO BE WONDERED AT THAT SHE JUDGED THE RELIGION BY THE MAN AND WOULD
HAVE NONE OF IT? Surely he was to blame, being "his brother's keeper," and
though this is an extreme case, it makes the lesson more obvious. It is to
the everlasting praise of Mahomet that his wife became his first disciple,
and it speaks volumes for his kindness and consideration in the home. His
is an example we should all do well to follow if we would win our friends to
the higher life, for though all religious systems differ outwardly THE KER-
NEL OF ALL IS LOVE.
[PAGE 138] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
CHAPTER XVIII
STUMBLING BLOCKS
Not infrequently the remark is made by people who have no sympathy with
our aspirations to live the higher life, that it unfits people for the
world's work. Unfortunately it cannot be denied that there is seeming jus-
tification for the assertion, though in reality the very first requisite for
living the higher life involves an obligation to comport oneself irreproach-
ably in dealing with material matters, for unless we are faithful in the
little things, how can we expect to be trusted with greater responsi-
bilities? It has therefore been deemed expedient to devote a lesson to the
discussion of some of the things which act as stumbling blocks in the life
of aspirants.
In the Bible story where the king sent out his servants with invitations
to the feast he had prepared, we are told that his invitations were refused
on various grounds. Each one had material cares, buying, selling, marrying,
therefore they could not attend to the spiritual things, and such people we
may say represent the greater number of humanity today, who are too
[PAGE 139] STUMBLING BLOCKS
engrossed in the cares of the world to devote even a thought to aspiration
in the higher direction. But there are others who become so enthusiastic
upon the first taste of the higher teachings that they are ready to give up
all work in the world, repudiate every obligation, and devote their time to
what they are pleased to call "helping humanity." They will readily admit
that it takes time to learn how to be a watchmaker, a shoemaker, an engi-
neer, or a musician, and they would not for a moment dream of giving up
their present material business to establish themselves as shoemaker, watch-
maker, or music teacher just because they felt enthusiastic about or in-
clined to take up such work. They would know that lacking the proper
preparation and training they would be doomed to failure, and yet they think
that just because they have become enthusiastic over the higher world's work
and devote their time to service similar, even though in a lesser degree, to
that rendered by the Christ in His ministry.
One writes to Headquarters: "I have given up flesh eating, and I long to
live the ascetic life, far from the world's noise that jars upon me. I want
to give my life for humanity." Another says: "I want to live the spiritual
life, but I have a wife who needs my care and support. Do you think I would
be justified in leaving her to help my fellow men?" Still another says: " I
am in a business which is unspiritual; every day I must do things which are
[PAGE 140] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
against my higher nature, but I have a daughter dependent upon me for an
education. What shall I do: continue or give up?" There are of course many
other problems presented to us, but these serve as fair samples, for they
represent a class which is ready to give up the world at the slightest word
of encouragement, and rush off to the hills in the expectation of sprouting
wings immediately. If the people who are in that class have any ties, they
break them without a scruple or a moment's consideration.
Another class still feels some obligation, but could be easily persuaded
to repudiate it in order that they might live what they call " the spiritual
life." It cannot be denied that when people get into this state of mind,
when they lose their ambition to work in the world, when they become shift-
less and neglectful of their duties, they merit the reproach of the commu-
nity.
But as already said such conduct is based upon a misunderstanding of the
higher teachings and is not at all sanctioned by the Bible or the Elder
Brothers.
It is a step in the right direction when a person ceases to feed on flesh
because he feels compassion for the suffering of the animals. There are
many people who abstain from flesh foods for health's sake, but theirs being
selfish motive, the sacrifice carries with it no merit. Where the aspirant
to the higher life is prompted to abstain from flesh food because he
[PAGE 141] STUMBLING BLOCKS
realizes that the refining influence of a meatless diet upon the body will
aid him in his quest by making the body more sensitive to spiritual influ-
ences, there is no real merit either. Truly, the person who abstains from
flesh foods for the sake of health will be much benefited, and the person
who abstains to make his body more sensitive will also get his reward in
that respect, but from the spiritual point of view neither will be very much
better. On the other hand, whoever abstains from flesh food because he re-
alizes that God's life is immanent in every animal just as in himself, that
in the final analysis God feels all suffering felt by the animal, that it is
a divine law, "Thou shalt not kill," and that he must abstain out of compas-
sion, this person is not only benefited in health and by making his body
more sensitive to spiritual impacts, but because of the motive which prompts
him he reaps a reward in soul growth immeasurably more precious than any
other consideration. Therefore we would say by all means abstain from flesh
food, but be sure to do so prompted by the right spiritual motive or it will
not affect your spiritual interests one iota.
When the enthusiast says that he wants to get away from the world and the
noise that jars upon him to live the ascetic life, it is truly a strange
idea of service. The reason why we are here in this world is that we may
gather experience, which is then transmuted into soul growth. If a diamond
in the rough were laid away in a drawer for years and years, it would be no
[PAGE 142] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
different than before, but when it is placed against the gridstone by the
lapidary the harsh grinding process removes the last atom of the rough coat-
ing and brings out the beautiful, luminous gem. Every one of us is a
diamond in the rough, and God, the Great Lapidary, uses the world as a
grindstone which rubs off the rough and ugly coating, allowing our spiritual
selves to shine forth and become luminous. The Christ was a living example
of this. He did not go away from the centers of civilization, but moved
constantly among the suffering and the poor, teaching, healing, and helping
until by the glorious service rendered, His body was made luminous on the
Mount of Transfiguration, and He who had trodden the Way exhorted His fol-
lowers to be "in the world but not of it." That is the great lesson that
every aspirant has to learn.
It is one thing to go out in the mountains where there is no one to con-
tradict or to jar upon our sensibilities and keep our poise there; it is an-
other thing entirely to maintain our spiritual aspirations and keep our bal-
ance in the world where everything jars upon us; but when we stay on this
path, we gain a self-control which is unattainable in any other manner.
However, though we are careful to prepare our food well and to abstain
from flesh eating or any other contaminating OUTWARD influence, though we
want to get away to the mountains to escape the sordid things of city life,
[PAGE 143] STUMBLING BLOCKS
and we want to rid ourselves of every outward thing that may prove a
stumbling block to our progress, still what about the things that come from
WITHIN, the thoughts we have in our minds and our mental food? It will
avail us not one iota of good if we could feed our bodies upon nectar and
ambrosia, the ethereal food of the gods, when the mind is a charnel house, a
habitat of low thoughts, for then we are only as whited sepulchres, beauti-
ful to behold from without but inwardly full of a nauseating stench; and
this mental delinquency can be maintained just as easily and perhaps it is
even more apt to be maintained in the solitude of the mountains or in a
so-called spiritual retreat than in a city where we are busy with the work
of our vocation. It is indeed a true saying that "an idle brain is the
devil's workshop," and the safest way to attain to interior purity and
cleanliness is to keep the mind busy all the time, guiding our desires,
feelings, and emotions toward the practical problems of life, and working,
each one in his own immediate environment, to find the poor and the needy
that he may give them whatever help their cases require and merit. That
class which has not ties of its own may profitably make ties of love and
friendship with those who are loveless and friendless.
Or if it is the care of a relative--wife, daughter, husband, or anyone
else that claims us, let us remember the words of Christ when He said, "Who
[PAGE 144] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
are my mother and my brother?" and answered the question by saying, "Those
who do the will of my Father." This saying has been misconstrued by some to
mean that Christ repudiated His physical relationships for the spiritual,
but it is only necessary to remember that in the last moments of His life on
earth He called to His mother, giving him to her as a son and charging the
disciple to care for His parent. Love is the unifying force in life, and
according to the higher teachings we are required to love our kin, but also
to extend our love natures so that they may also include everyone else. It
is good that we love our own mother and father, but we should also learn to
love other people's mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, for universal
brotherhood can never become a fact so long as our love is confined only to
the family. It must be made all inclusive.
There was one among the disciples of Christ whom He loved especially, and
following His example we also may bestow a particular affection upon certain
ones, though we ought to love everyone and do good even to them that de-
spitefully use us. These are high ideals and difficult of accomplishment at
our present stage of development, but as the mariner steers his ship by a
guiding star and reaches his desired haven though never the star itself, so
also by setting our ideals high we shall live nobler and better lives than
[PAGE 145] STUMBLING BLOCKS
if we do not aspire, and in time and through many births we shall eventually
attain, because the inherent divinity in ourselves makes it imperative.
Finally then, to sum up, it does not really matter where we are placed in
life, whether in a high station or a low. Present environment with its op-
portunities and limitations is such as suits our individual requirements as
determined by our self-made destinies in previous existences. Therefore it
holds for us the lesson we must learn in order to progress properly. If we
have a wife, a daughter, or other family relations to hold us to that envi-
ronment, they must be considered as part of what we have to reckon with, and
by doing our duty to them we learn the required lesson. If they are an-
tagonistic to our belief, if they have no sympathy with our aspirations, if
we have on their account to stay in a business and do things which we are
not pleased with, it is because we must learn something from these things,
and the proper way for the earnest aspirant is to look conditions squarely
in the face with a view to finding out just what it is that is needed. This
may not be an easy matter. It may take weeks, months, or years to solve the
problem, but so long as the aspirant applies himself prayerfully to the
task, he may be sure that the light will shine some day, and then he will
see what is required and why these conditions were imposed upon him. Then
having learned the lesson or found out it purpose, he will if he has the
right spirit prayerfully bear the burden, for he will know that he is upon
[PAGE 146] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
the right road and that it is an absolute certainty that as soon as the les-
son of that environment has been learned a new way will be opened up showing
him the next step upon the path of progress. Thus the "stumbling blocks"
will have been turned into "stepping stones," which would never have hap-
pened if he had run away from them. In this connection we would quote the
beautiful poem.
"Let us not waste our time in longing
For bright but impossible things.
Let us not sit supinely waiting
For the sprouting of angel wings.
Let us not scorn to be rush-lights,
Everyone can't be a star,
But let us fulfill our mission
By shining just where we are.
"There is need of the tiniest candle
As well as the garish sun;
And the humblest deed is ennobled
When it is worthily done.
We may never be called on to brighten
Those darkened regions afar,
So let us fulfill our mission
By shining just where we are."
[PAGE 147] THE LOCK OF UPLIFTMENT
CHAPTER XIX
THE LOCK OF UPLIFTMENT
HAVE YOU ever seen how ships going up a canal or river are lifted from
one level to another? It is a very interesting and instructive process.
First the ship is floated into a small enclosure where the water level is
the same as that of the lower part of the river where the ship has previ-
ously been sailing. Then the gates of the enclosure are shut and the ship
is cut off from the outside world by the high wall of the lock. It cannot
go back to the river without; even the light is dimmed around it, but ABOVE
the moving clouds or the brightest sunshine are seen beckoning. The ship
cannot rise without assistance, and the law of gravity make it impossible
for the water in that part of the river where the ship has been sailing to
float it to a higher level, hence no help may be looked for from that
source.
There are also gates in the upper part of the lock which prevent the wa-
ters on the higher levels from rushing into the lock from above, otherwise
[PAGE 148] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
the inrushing water would flood the lock in a moment and crush the ship ly-
ing at the bottom level because acting in conformity with that same law of
gravitation. It is from ABOVE, nevertheless, that the power must come if
the ship is ever to be lifted to the higher level of the river, and so to do
this safely a SMALL STREAM is conducted to the bottom of the lock, which
lifts the ship VERY SLOWLY AND GRADUALLY BUT SAFELY to the level of the
river above. When that level has been reached, the upper gates may be
opened without danger to the ship, and it may sail forth upon the expansive
bosom of the higher waterway. Then the lock is SLOWLY emptied and the water
it contained added to the water at the lower level, which is thereby raised
even if but slightly. The lock is then ready to raise another vessel.
This is, as said in the beginning, a very interesting and instructive
physical operation, showing how human skill and ingenuity overcome great ob-
stacles by the use of nature's forces. But it is a source of still greater
enlightenment in a spiritual matter of vital importance to all who aspire
and endeavor to live the higher life, for it illustrates the only safe
method whereby man can rise from the temporal to the spiritual world, and it
confutes those false teachers who for personal gain play upon the too ardent
desires of the unripe, and who profess ability to unlock the gates of the
unseen worlds for the consideration of an initiation fee. Our illustration
shows that this is impossible, because the immutable laws of nature forbid.
[PAGE 149] THE LOCK OF UPLIFTMENT
For the purpose of elucidation we may call our river the river of life,
and we as individuals are the ships sailing upon t; the lower river is the
temporal world, and when we have sailed its length and breadth for many
lives, we inevitably come to the lock of upliftment which is placed at the
end. We may for a long time cruise about the entrance and look in, impelled
by an inner urge to enter but drawn by another impulse towards the broad
river of life without. For a long time this lock of upliftment with its
high, bare walls looks forbidding and solitary, while the river of life is
gay with bunting and full of kindred craft gaily cruising about; but when
the inner urge has become sufficiently intense, it imbues us with a determi-
nation not to go back to the river of worldly life. But even at that stage
there are some who falter and fear to shut the gate behind them; they aspire
to ardently at times to the life on the higher level, but it makes them feel
less alone to look back upon the river of worldly life, and sometimes they
stay in this condition for lives, wondering why they do not progress, why
they experience no spiritual downpouring, why there is no uplift in their
lives. Our illustration makes the reason very plain; no matter how hard the
captain might beg, the lock keeper would never think of releasing the stream
[PAGE 150] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
of water from above until the gate had been closed behind the ship, for it
could never lift the ship, for it could never lift the ship an inch under
such conditions but would flow through the open gates to waste in the lower
river. Neither will the guardians of the gates of the higher worlds open
the stream of upliftment for us, no matter how hard we pray, until we have
shut the door to the world behind us, and shut it very tight with respect to
the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, the sins that so easily beset us
and are fostered by us in the careless worldly days. We must shut the door
on them all before we are really in a condition to receive the stream of
upliftment, but once we have thus shut the door and irrevocably set our
faces forward, the downpouring begins, slowly but surely as the stream of
the lock keeper which lifts the vessel.
But having left the temporal world with all its deed behind and having
set his face towards the spiritual worlds, the yearning of the aspirant be-
comes more intense. As time passes he feels in increasing measure the void
on both sides of himself. The temporal world and its deeds have dropped
from him as a garment; he may be bodily in that world, performing his du-
ties, but he has lost interest; he is in the world but not of it, and the
spiritual world where he aspires to citizenship seems equally distant. He
is all alone and his whole being cries and writhes in pain, longing for
light.
[PAGE 151] THE LOCK OF UPLIFTMENT
Then comes the turn of the tempter: "I have a school of initiation, and
am able to advance my pupils quickly for a fee," or words to that effect,
but usually more subtle; and who shall blame the poor aspirants who fall be-
fore the wiles of these pretenders? Lucky are they if, as is generally the
case, they are merely put through a ceremonial and given an empty degree,
but occasionally they meet one who has really dabbled in magic and is able
to open the flood gates from the higher level. Then the inrush of spiritual
power shatters the system of the unfortunate dupe as the waters of the river
above would wreck a vessel at the bottom of the lock is an ignorant or mali-
cious person were to open the gates. The vessel must be lifted slowly for
safety's sake, and so must the aspirant to spiritual upliftment; patience
and unwavering persistence in well-doing are absolutely indispensable, and
the door to the pleasures of the world must be kept closed. If that is done
we shall surely and certainly accomplish the ascent to the heights of the
unseen world with all the opportunities for further soul growth there found,
for it is a natural process governed by natural laws, just as is the eleva-
tion of a ship to the higher levels of a river by a system of locks.
But how can I stay in the lock of upliftment and serve my fellow man? If
soul growth comes only by service, how can I gain by isolation? These are
questions that may not unnaturally present themselves to students. To
[PAGE 152] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
answer them we must again emphasize that no one can lift another who is not
himself upon a higher level, not so far above as to be unreachable, but suf-
ficiently close to be within grasp of the reaching hand. There are, alas,
too many who profess the higher teachings but live lives on the level with
ordinary men and women of the world or even below that level. Their profes-
sions make the higher teachings a byword and call down the scorn of scoff-
ers. But those who live the higher teachings have no need to profess them
orally; they are isolated and marked in spite of themselves, and though
handicapped by the misdeeds of the "professors," they do in time win the
respect and confidence of those about them; eventually they call out in
their associates the desire of emulation, they convert them in spite of
themselves, reaping in return for this service a commensurate soul growth.
Now is the time of the year (Christmas) when the crest wave of spiritual
power envelops the world. It culminates at the winter solstice, when the
Christ is reborn into our planet, and though hampered by the present (from
the limited viewpoint) deplorable war conditions, His life given for us may
be most easily drawn upon by the aspirant at this season to further
spiritual growth; therefore all who are desirous of attaining the higher
levels would do well to put forth special efforts in that direction during
the winter season.
[PAGE 153] THE COSMIC MEANING OF EASTER
CHAPTER XX
THE COSMIC MEANING OF EASTER
ON THE MORNING of Good Friday, 1857, Richard Wagner, the master artist of
the nineteenth century, sat on the verandah of a Swiss villa by the Zurich
Sea. The landscape about him was bathed in the most glorious sunshine;
peace and good will seemed to vibrate through nature. All creation was
throbbing with life; the air was laden with the fragrant perfume of budding
pine forests--a grateful balm to a troubled heart or a restless mind.
Then suddenly, as a bolt from an azure sky, there came into Wagner's
deeply mystic soul a remembrance of the ominous significance of that
day--the darkest and most sorrowful in the Christian year. It almost over-
whelmed him with sadness, as he contemplated the contrast. There was such a
marked incongruity between the smiling scene before him, the plainly observ-
able activity of nature, struggling to renewed life after winter's long
sleep, and the death struggle of a tortured Savior upon a cross; between the
full throated chant of life and love issuing from the thousands of little
[PAGE 154] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
feathered choristers in forest, moor and meadow, and the ominous shouts of
hate issuing from an infuriated mob as they jeered and mocked the noblest
ideal the world has ever known; between the wonderful creative energy ex-
erted by nature in spring, and the destructive element in man, which slew
the noblest character that ever graced our earth.
While Wagner meditated thus upon the incongruities of existence, the
question presented itself: Is there any connection between the death of the
Savior upon the cross at Easter, and the vital energy which expresses itself
so prodigally in spring when nature begins the life of a new year?
Though Wagner did not consciously perceive and realize the full sig-
nificance of the connection between the death of the Savior and the rejuve-
nation of nature, he had, nevertheless, unwittingly stumbled upon the key to
one of the most sublime mysteries encountered by the human spirit in its
pilgrimage from clod to God.
In the darkest night of the year, when earth sleeps most soundly in
Boreas' cold embrace, when material activities are at the very lowest ebb, a
wave of spiritual energy carries upon its crest the divine creative "Word
from Heaven" to a MYSTIC BIRTH at Christmas; and as a luminous cloud the
spiritual impulse broods over the world that "knew it not," for it "shines
in the darkness" of winter when nature is paralyzed and speechless.
[PAGE 155] THE COSMIC MEANING OF EASTER
This divine creative "Word" has a message and a mission. It was born to
"save the world," and "to give its life for the world." It must of neces-
sity sacrifice its life in order to accomplish the rejuvenation of nature.
Gradually it BURIES ITSELF IN THE EARTH and commences to infuse its own vi-
tal energy into the millions of seeds which lie dormant in the ground. It
whispers "the word of life" into the ears of beast and bird, until the gos-
pel or good news has been preached to every creature. The sacrifice is
fully consummated by the time the sun crosses its Easter (n) node at the
spring equinox. Then the divine creative Word expires. IT DIES UPON THE
CROSS AT EASTER in a mystical sense, while uttering a last triumphant cry,
"It has been accomplished" (consummatum est).
But as an echo returns to us many times repeated, so also the celestial
song of life is re-echoed from the earth. The whole creation takes up the
anthem. A legion-tongued chorus repeats it over and over. The little seeds
in the bosom of Mother Earth commence to germinate; they burst and sprout in
all directions, and soon a wonderful mosaic of life, a velvety green carpet
embroidered with multicolored flowers, replaces the shroud of immaculate
wintry white. From the furred and feathered tribes "the word of life"
re-echoes as a song of love, impelling them to mate. Generation and multi-
plication are the watchwords everywhere--THE SPIRIT HAS RISEN to more abun-
dant life.
[PAGE 156] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
Thus, mystically, we may note the annual birth, death, and resurrection
of the Savior as the ebb and flow of a spiritual impulse which culminates at
the winter solstice, Christmas, and has egress from the earth shortly after
Easter when the "word" ASCENDS TO HEAVEN" on Whitsunday. But it will not
remain there forever. We are taught that "thence it shall return," "at the
judgement." Thus when the sun descends below the equator through the sign
of the scales in October, when the fruits of the year are harvested,
weighed, and assorted according to their kind, the descent of the spirit of
the new year has its inception. This descent culminates in birth at Christ-
mas.
Man is a miniature of nature. What happens on a large scale in the life
of a planet like our earth, takes place on a smaller scale in the course of
human events. A planet is the body of a wonderfully great and exalted Be-
ing, one of the Seven Spirits before the Throne (of the parent Sun). Man
isalso a spirit and "made in their likeness." As a planet revolves in its
cyclic path around the sun whence it emanated, so also the human spirit
roves in an orbit around its central source--God. Planetary orbits, being
ellipses, have points of closest approach to and extreme deviation from
their solar centers. Likewise the orbit of the human spirit is elliptical.
We are closest to God when our cyclic journey carries us into the celestial
[PAGE 157] THE COSMIC MEANING OF EASTER
sphere of activity--heaven, and we are farthest removed from Him during
earth life. These changes are necessary to our soul growth. As the festi-
vals of the year mark the recurring events of importance in the life of a
Great Spirit, so our births and deaths are events of periodical recurrence.
It is as impossible for the human spirit to remain perpetually in heaven or
upon earth as it is for a planet to stand still in its orbit. The same im-
mutable law of periodicity which determines the unbroken sequence of the
seasons, the alternation of day and night, the tidal ebb and flow, governs
also the progression of the human spirit, both in heaven and upon earth.
From realms of celestial light where we live in freedom, untrammeled by
limitations of time and space, where we vibrate in tune with infinite har-
mony of the spheres, we descend to birth in the physical world where our
spiritual sight is obscured by the mortal coil which binds us to this lim-
ited phase of our existence. We live here awhile; we die and ascend to
heaven, to be reborn and to die again. Each earth life is a chapter in a
serial life story, extremely humble in its beginnings, but increasing in in-
terest and importance as we ascend to higher and higher stations of human
responsibility. No limit is conceivable, for in essence we are divine and
must therefore have the infinite possibilities of God dormant within. When
we have learned all that this world has to teach us, a wider orbit, a larger
[PAGE 158] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
sphere of super-human usefulness, will give scope to our greater capa-
bilities.
"Build thee more stately mansions, O my soul,
As the swift seasons roll!
Leave thy low vaulted past!
Let each new temple, nobler than the last,
Shut thee from heaven with a dome more vast,
Till thou at length art free,
Leaving thine outgrown shell by life's unresting sea."
Thus says Oliver Wendell Holmes, comparing the spiral progression in the
widening coil of a chambered nautilus to the expansion of consciousness
which is the result of soul growth in an evolving human being.
"But what of Christ?" someone will ask. "Don't you believe in Him? You
are discoursing upon Easter, the feast which commemorates the cruel death
and the glorious, triumphant resurrection of the Savior, but you seem to be
alluding to Him more from an allegorical point of view than as an actual
fact."
Certainly we believe in the Christ; we love Him with our whole heart and
soul, but we wish to emphasize the teaching that Christ is the first fruits
of the race. He said that we shall do the things He did, "and greater."
Thus we are Christs-in-the-making.
"Though Christ a thousand times in Bethlehem be born,
And not within thyself, thy soul will be forlorn.
The cross on Golgotha thou lookest to in vain,
Unless within thyself it be set up again."
[PAGE 159] THE COSMIC MEANING OF EASTER
Thus proclaims Angelus Silesius, with true mystic understanding of the
essentials of attainment.
We are too much in the habit of looking to an outside Savior while har-
boring a devil within; but till Christ be formed IN US, as Paul says, we
shall seek in vain, for as it is impossible for us to perceive light and
color, though they be all about us, unless our optic nerve registers their
vibrations, and as we remain unconscious of sound when the tympanum of our
ear is insensitive, so also must we remain blind in the presence of Christ
and deaf to His voice until we arouse our dormant spiritual natures within.
But once these natures have become awakened, they will reveal the Lord of
Love as a prime reality; this on the principle that when a tuning fork is
struck, another of identical pitch will also commence to sing, while tuning
forks of different pitches will remain mute. Therefore the Christ said that
His sheep knew the SOUND of His voice and responded, but the voice of the
stranger they heard not (John 10:5). No matter what our creed, we are all
brethren of Christ, so let us rejoice, the Lord has risen! Let us seek Him
and forget our creeds and other lesser differences.
[PAGE 160] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
CHAPTER XXI
THE COSMIC MEANING OF EASTER
ONCE MORE we have reached the final act in the cosmic drama involving the
descent of the solar Christ Ray into the matter of our earth, which is com-
pleted at the Mystic Birth celebrated at Christmas, and the Mystic Death and
Liberation, which are celebrated shortly after the vernal equinox when the
sun of the new year commences its ascent into the higher spheres of the
northern heavens, having poured out its life to save humanity and give new
life to everything upon earth. At this time of the year a new life, an aug-
mented energy, sweeps with an irresistible force through the veins and ar-
teries of all living beings, inspiring them, instilling new hope, new ambi-
tion, and new life, impelling them to new activities whereby they learn new
lessons in the school of experience. Consciously or unconsciously to the
beneficiaries, this outdwelling energy invigorates everything that has life.
Even the plant responds by an increased circulation of sap, which results in
additional growth of the leaves, flowers, and fruits whereby this class of
[PAGE 161] THE COSMIC MEANING OF EASTER
life is at present expressing itself and evolving to a higher state of con-
sciousness.
But wonderful though these outward physical manifestations are, and glo-
rious though the transformation may be called which changes the earth from a
waste of snow and ice into a beautiful, blooming garden, it sinks into sig-
nificance before the spiritual activities which run side by side therewith.
The salient features of the cosmic drama are identical in point of time with
the material effects of the sun in the four cardinal signs, Aries, Cancer,
Libra and Capricorn, for the most significant events occur at the
equinoctial and solstitial points.
It is really and actually true that "IN God we live and move and have our
being." Outside Him we could have no existence; we live by and through His
life; we move and act by and through His strength; it is His power which
sustains our dwelling place, the forts the universe itself would disinte-
grate. Now we are taught that man was made in the likeness of God, and we
are given to understand that according to the law of analogy we are pos-
sessed of certain powers latent within us which are similar to those we see
so potently expressed in the labor of Deity in the universe. This gives us
a particular interest in the annual cosmic drama involving the death and
resurrection of the sun. The life of the GOD MAN, CHRIST JESUS was moulded
[PAGE 162] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
in conformity with the solar story, and it foreshadows in a similar manner
all that may happen to the MAN GOD of whom this Christ Jesus prophesied when
He said: The works that I do shall ye do also; and greater works shall ye
do; whither I go thou canst not follow me now, but thou shalt follow me af-
terwards.
Nature is the symbolic expression of God. She does nothing in vain or
gratuitously, but there is a purpose behind every thing and every act.
Therefore we should be alert and regard carefully the signs in the heavens
for they have a deep and important meaning concerning our own lives. The
intelligent understanding of their purpose enables us to work so much more
efficiently with God in His wonderful efforts for the emancipation of our
pace from bondage to the laws of nature, and for its liberation into a full
measure of the stature of the sons of God--crowned with glory, honor, and
immortality, and free from the power of sin, sickness, and suffering which
now curtail our lives by reason of our ignorance and nonconformity to the
laws of God. The divine purpose demands this emancipation, but whether it
is to be accomplished by the long tedious process of evolution or by the im-
mensely quicker pathway of Initiation depends upon whether or not we are
willing to lend our cooperation. The majority of mankind go through life
with unseeing eyes and with ears that do not hear. They are engrossed in
their material affairs, buying and selling, working and playing, without an
[PAGE 163] THE COSMIC MEANING OF EASTER
adequate understanding or appreciation of the purpose of existence, and were
it unfolded to them it is scarcely to be expected that they would conform
and co-operate because of the sacrifice it involves.
It is no wonder that the Christ appeals particularly to the poor and that
He emphasizes the difficulty of the rich entering the kingdom of heaven, for
even to this day when humanity has advanced in the school of evolution for
two millenia since His day, we find that the great majority still value
their houses and lands, their pretty hats and gowns, the pleasures of soci-
ety, dances, and dinners more than the treasurers of heaven which are gar-
nered by service and self-sacrifice. Although they may intellectually per-
ceive the beauty of the spiritual life, its desirability fades into
insignificance in their eyes when compared with the sacrifice involved in
attaining. Like the rich young man they would willingly follow Christ were
there no such sacrifice involved. They prefer rather to go away when they
realize that sacrifice is the one condition upon which they may enter dis-
cipleship. So for them Easter is simply a season of joy because it is the
end of winter and the beginning of the summer season with its call of out-
door sports and pleasures.
But for those who have definitely chosen the path of self-sacrifice that
leads to Liberation, Easter is the annual sign given them as evidence of the
cosmic basis of their hopes and aspirations. As Paul properly states in
[PAGE 164] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
that glorious fifteenth chapter of 1st Corinthians, "If Christ be not risen,
then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
"Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified
of God that He raised up Christ, whom He raised not up if so be that the
dead rise not.
"For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised.
"And if Christ be not raised your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
"If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what
advantageth it me if the dead rise not?
"But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of
them that slept."
But in the Easter sun which at the vernal equinox commences to soar into
the northern heavens after having laid down its life for the earth, we have
the cosmic symbol of the verity of resurrection. When taken as a cosmic
fact in connection with the law of analogy that connects the macrocosm with
the microcosm, it is an earnest that some day we shall all attain the cosmic
consciousness and know positively for ourselves by our own experience that
there is no death, but that what seems so is only a transition into a finer
sphere.
[PAGE 165] THE COSMIC MEANING OF EASTER
It is an annual symbol to strengthen our souls in the work of well-doing
that we may grow the golden wedding garment required to make us sons of God
in the highest and holiest sense. It is literally true that unless we walk
in the light as God is in the light, we are not in fellowship; but by making
the sacrifices and rendering the services required of us to aid in the eman-
cipation of our race we are building the soul body of radiant golden light
which is the special substance emanated from and by the Spirit of the Sun,
the Cosmic Christ. When this golden substance has clothed us with suffi-
cient density, then we shall be able to imitate the Easter sun and soar into
the higher spheres.
With these ideals firmly fixed in our minds, Easter time becomes a season
when it is in order to review our life during the preceding year and make
new resolutions for the coming season to serve in furthering our soul
growth. It is a season when the symbol of the ascending sun should lead us
up to a keen realization of the fact that we are but pilgrims and strangers
upon earth, that our real home as spirits is in heaven, and that we ought to
endeavor to learn the lessons in this life school as quickly as is consis-
tent with proper service, so that as Easter Day marks the resurrection and
liberation of the Christ Spirit from the lower realms, so we also may con-
tinually look for the dawn of that day which shall permanently free us from
the meshes of matter, from the body of sin and death, together with our
[PAGE 166] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
brethren in bondage, for no true aspirant would conceive of a liberation
that did not include all who were similarly placed.
This is a gigantic task; the contemplation of it may well daunt the brav-
est heart, and were we alone it could not be accomplished; but the divine
hierarchies who have guided humanity upon the path of evolution from the be-
ginning of our career are still active and working with us from their side-
real worlds, and with their help we shall eventually be able to accomplish
this elevation of humanity as a whole and attain to an individual realiza-
tion of glory, honor, and immortality. Having this great hope within our-
selves, this great mission in the world, let us work as never before to make
ourselves better men and women, so that by our example we may waken in oth-
ers a desire to lead a life that brings liberation.
[PAGE 167] THE NEWBORN CHRIST
CHAPTER XXII
THE NEWBORN CHRIST
IT HAS OFTEN been said in our literature that the sacrifice of Christ
wass not an event which, taking place on Golgotha, was accomplished in a few
hours once and for all time, but that the mystic births and deaths of the
Redeemer are continual cosmic occurrences. We may therefore conclude that
this sacrifice is necessary for our physical and spiritual evolution during
the present phase of our development. As the annual birth of the Christ
Child approaches, it presents a never old, ever new theme for meditation,
from which we may profit by pondering it with a prayer that it may create in
our hearts a new light to guide us upon the path of regeneration.
The inspired apostle gave us a wonderful definition of Deity when he said
that "God is Light," and therefore "light" has been used to illustrate the
nature of the Divine in the Rosicrucian teachings, especially the mystery of
the Trinity in Unity. It is clearly taught in the Holy Scriptures of all
times that God is one and indivisible. At the same time we find that as the
[PAGE 168] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
one white light is refracted into three primary colors, red, yellow, and
blue, so God appears in threefold role during manifestation by the exercise
of the three divine functions of CREATION, PRESERVATION, AND DISSOLUTION.
When He exercises the attribute of CREATION, God appears as Jehovah, the
HOLY SPIRIT; He is the Lord of law and generation and projects the solar
fertilizing principle INDIRECTLY through the lunar satellites of all planets
where it is necessary to furnish bodies for their evolving beings.
When He exercises the attribute of PRESERVATION for the purpose of sus-
taining the bodies generated by Jehovah under the laws of nature, God ap-
pears as the Redeemer, CHRIST, and radiates the principles of love and re-
generation DIRECTLY into any planet where the creatures of Jehovah require
this help to extricate themselves from the meshes of mortality and egotism
in order to attain to altruism and endless life.
When God exercises the divine attribute of DISSOLUTION, He appears as THE
FATHER who calls us back to our heavenly home to assimilate the fruits of
experience and soul growth garnered by us during the day of manifestation.
This Universal Solvent, the ray of the Father, emanates from the Invisible
Spiritual Sun.
These divine processes of creation and birth, preservation and life, and
dissolution, death and return to the Author of our being we see everywhere
[PAGE 169] THE NEWBORN CHRIST
about us, and we recognize the fact that they are activities of the Triune
God in manifestation. But have we ever realized that in the spiritual world
there are no definite events, no static conditions; that the beginning and
the end of all adventures of all ages are present in the eternal "here" and
"now"? From the bosom of the Father there is an everlasting outdwelling of
the essence of things and events, which enters the realms of "time" and
"space." There it gradually crystallizes and becomes inert, necessitating
dissolution that there may be room for other things and other events.
There is no escape from this cosmic law; it applies to everything in the
realm of time and space, the Christ ray included. As the lake which empties
itself into the ocean is replenished when the water that left it has been
evaporated and returns to it as rain, to flow again ceaselessly toward the
sea, so the Spirit of Love is eternally born of the Father, day by day, hour
by hour, endlessly flowing into the solar universe to redeem us in its death
grip. Wave upon wave is thus impelled outward from the sun to all the plan-
ets, giving a rhythmic urge to the evolving creatures there.
And so it is in the very truest and most literal sense A NEWBORN CHRIST
that we hail at each approaching Yule-feast, and Christmas is the most vital
annual event for all humanity whether we realize it or not. It is not
merely a commemoration of the birth of our beloved Elder Brother, Jesus, but
[PAGE 170] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
the advent of the rejuvenating love of life of our Heavenly Father, sent by
Him to redeem the world from the wintry death grip. Without this new infu-
sion of divine life and energy we should soon perish physically, and our
orderly progress would be frustrated so far as our present lines of develop-
ment are concerned. This is a point we should endeavor to realize thor-
oughly in order that we may learn to appreciate Christmas as keenly as we
should.
We may learn a lesson in this respect as in many others from our children
or from reminiscences of our own childhood. How keen were our anticipations
of the approaching feast! How eagerly we waited for the hour when we should
receive the gifts which we knew would be forthcoming from Santa Claus, the
mysterious universal benefactor who brought the toys for the coming year!
How would we have felt had our parents given us the dismembered dolls and
broken drums of yesteryear? It would surely have been felt as an overwhelm-
ing misfortune and would have left a deep sense of broken trust which even
time would have found it difficult to heal; yet it would have been as noth-
ing compared with the cosmic calamity that would befall mankind if our Heav-
enly Father should fail to provide the newborn Christ for our cosmic Christ-
mas gift.
The Christ of last year cannot save us from physical famine any more than
last year's rain can drench the soil again and swell the millions of seeds
[PAGE 171] THE NEWBORN CHRIST
that slumber in the earth awaiting the germinal activities of the Father's
life to begin their growth; the Christ of last year cannot kindle anew in
our hearts the spiritual aspirations which urge us onward in the Quest any
more than last summer's heat can warm us now. The Christ of last year gave
us His love and His life to the last breath without stint or measure; when
He was born into the earth last Christmas, He endued with life the sleeping
seeds which have grown and gratefully filled our granaries with the bread of
physical life; He lavished the love given Him by the Father upon us, and
when He had wholly spent His life, He died at Eastertide to rise again to
the Father, as the river by evaporation rises to the sky.
But endlessly wells the divine love; as a father pities his children, so
does our Heavenly Father pity us, for He knows our physical and spiritual
frailty and dependence. Therefore we are now confidently awaiting the mys-
tic birth of the Christ of another year, laden with new life and love sent
by the Father to preserve us from the physical and spiritual famine which
would ensue were it not for this annual love offering.
Younger souls usually find it difficult to disabuse their minds of the
personality of God, of Christ, and of the Holy Spirit, and some can only
love Jesus, the man. They forget Christ, the Great Spirit, who ushered in a
new era in which the nations established under the regime of Jehovah will be
broken to pieces that the sublime structure of Universal Brotherhood may be
[PAGE 172] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
built upon their ruins. In time all the world will realize that "God is
spirit, to be worshiped in spirit and truth." It is well to love Jesus and
to imitate him; we know of no nobler ideal and none more worthy. Could a
cobler one have been found, Jesus would not have been chosen as a vehicle of
that Great One, the Christ, in whom dwelt the Godhead. We shall therefore
do well to follow "in His steps."
At the same time we shall exalt God in our own consciousness by taking
the word of the Bible that He is spirit, and that we cannot make any like-
nesses which will portray Him for He is like nothing in heaven or on earth.
We can see the physical vehicles of Jehovah circling as satellites around
the various planets; we can also see the sun, which is the visible vehicle
of the Father and the source of all, appears to the greatest of human seers
only as a higher octave of the photosphere of the sun, a ring of violet-blue
luminosity behind the sun. But we do not need to see; we can feel His love,
and that feeling is never so great as at Christmas time when He is giving us
the greatest of all gifts, the Christ of the new year.
[PAGE 173] WHY I AM A ROSICRUCIAN
CHAPTER XXIII
Why I Am A Rosicrucian
Not infrequently we find that some one takes the platform to explain why
he is a Baptist, Methodist, or Christian Scientist, and what his particular
faith may be. We have often been asked by our students for something which
would help make plain to their associates why they had embraced the teach-
ings of the Elder Brothers given through the Rosicrucian Fellowship, in
preference to the faith which they had left. We will, therefore, endeavor
to give a succinct resume of reasons which appeal to us as sufficient, but
students will doubtless find many other reasons equally good or better,
which they may add verbally to what is here said.
It should be made clear in the very beginning that students in the
Rosicrucian Fellowship do not call themselves Rosicrucians. That title ap-
plies alone to the Elder Brothers, who are the hierophants of the Western
Wisdom Teaching. They are as far beyond the greatest living saint in the
spiritual development as that saint is above the lowest fetish worshiper.
[PAGE 174] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
When the bark of our life sails lightly upon smooth summer seas, wafted
along by the fair winds of health and prosperity, when friends are present
on every hand, eager to help us plan pleasures which will increase our en-
joyment of this world's goods, when social favors or political powers come
to us to gratify our every wish in whatever sphere our inclinations seek ex-
pression, then, indeed, we may say and seem justified in saying with our
whole heart and soul: "This world is good enough for me." But when we come
to the end of the smiling sea of success; when the whirlwind of adversity
has blown us upon the rocky shores of disaster, and a wave of suffering
threatens to engulf us; when friends have failed and every human help is as
far off as it is unavailing, then we must look for guidance to the skies as
does the mariner when he steers his ship over the waste of waters.
But when the skipper scans the sky in search of a star whereby to steer
the ship safely, he finds that the whole heavens are in motion. Therefore
to follow almost any one of the myriad of wandering stars visible to the eye
would be disastrous. To meet the requirements the guiding star must be per-
fectly steadfast and immovable, and there is only one such, namely, the
North Star. By its guiding light the mariner may steer in full confidence
and bring his ship to a haven of rest and safety. Likewise one who is look-
ing for a guide which he may trust in days of sorrow and trouble should
[PAGE 175] WHY I AM A ROSICRUCIAN
embrace a religion founded on eternal laws and immutable principles, able to
explain the mystery of life in a logical manner so that his intellect may be
satisfied, and at the same time containing a system of devotion that may
satisfy the heart, so that these twin factors in life may receive equal sat-
isfaction. Only when man has a clear intellectual conception of the scheme
of human development is he in a position to range himself in line therewith.
When it is made clear to him that this scheme is beneficient and benevolent
in the very highest degree, that all is truly ruled by divine love, then
this understanding will sooner or later call out in him a true devotion and
heartfelt acquiescence which will awaken in him a desire to become a
co-worker with God is the world's work. When seeking souls come to the door
of the church to seek surcease from sorrow, they cannot be satisfied with
the platitudes that it is the will of God that sorrow and suffering have
come to them, that in His divine providence He has seen fit to scourge them,
and that they must take it as an indication that He regards them as His be-
loved children and be satisfied no matter what happens. They cannot see
that Deity does justice when He makes some rich and many poor, a few healthy
and many sickly; and it is only too often in evidence that iniquity is pros-
perous while rectitude is in rags.
[PAGE 176] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
The Rosicrucian Teaching gives clear and logical information concerning
the world and man; it invites questions instead of discouraging them, so
that the seeker after spiritual truth may receive full satisfaction intel-
lectually; and its explanations are as strictly scientific as they are rev-
erently religions. It refers us for information regarding life's problems
to laws that are unchangeable and immutable in their realm of action as the
North Star is in the heavens.
Though the world whirls upon its axis at the rate of one thousand miles
an hour, we stand safely anywhere upon its surface because the principle of
gravity prevents us from being hurled into space by the terrific speed. We
know that the law of gravity is eternal; it will not act today and suspend
action tomorrow. When we enter a hydraulic elevator we rest safely upon a
column of water because that fluid is more incompressible that most solids,
and this property is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Were its ac-
tion suspended for even a few moments, thousands of people would fall to
their death; but it is steadfast and sure, therefore we trust in implicitly.
The law of cause and effect is also immutable; if we throw a stone into
the air, the act is not complete until by gravitation it has returned to
earth. "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap," is the way this
law is expressed in the realm of morals. "The mills of God grind slowly,
but they grind exceedingly small," and once an act has been done, the reac-
tion will come some time, some where, as surely as the stone that was thrown
[PAGE 177] WHY I AM A ROSICRUCIAN
into the air will return to the earth.
But it is manifest that all of the causes that we set going in life do
not ripen in the present existence, and it therefore follows that they must
find their fruition somewhere else at some other time, or the law would be
invalidated, a proposition that would be as absolutely impossible as that
the law of gravitation could be suspended, for either would make chaos out
of cosmos. The Rosicrucian Teachings explain this by a statement that man
is a spirit attending the School of Life for the purpose of unfolding latent
spiritual power, and that for this purpose he lives many lives in earthly
bodies of increasingly finer texture, which enable him to express himself
better and better. In the lower grades of this school of evolution man has
few faculties. Each life-day he comes to school in the morning of child-
hood, and is given lessons to learn, and at night when old and gray the
nurse maid of nature, "Death," puts him to sleep that he may rest from his
labors until the dawn of another life-day, when he is given a new child body
and new lessons. Each day "Experience," the teacher of the school helps him
to learn some of the lessons of life, and gradually he becomes more and more
proficient. Some day he will have learned the entire curriculum of the
school, which includes building of bodies as well as using them.
Thus when we see one who has few faculties, we know that he is a young
[PAGE 178] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
soul who has gone to life's school only a few days; and when we find a beau-
tiful character, we recognize an old soul who has spent much time in master-
ing its lessons. Therefore we do not despair of God's love when we see the
inequalities of life, for we know that in time all will be perfect as our
Father in Heaven is perfect.
The Rosicrucian teachings also take the sting of sorrow out of the great-
est of all trials, the loss of loved ones, even if they have been what is
called wayward or black sheep; for we know that it is an actual fact that IN
GOD WE LIFE AND MOVE AND HAVE OUR BEING; hence, if one single soul were
lost, a part of God would be lost, and such a proposition is absolutely im-
possible. Under the immutable law of cause and effect we are bound to meet
these loved ones some time in the future under other circumstances, and
there the love that binds us together must continue until it has found its
fullest expression. The laws of nature would be violated if a stone thrown
from the earth were to remain suspended in the atmosphere, and under the
same immutable laws those who pass into the higher spheres must return.
Christ said, "Ye must be born again," and "If I go to my Father, I will re-
turn."
But although our reason may reach into the mysteries of life, there is
still a higher stage, actual firsthand knowledge. As a matter of fact the
foregoing propositions are capable of verification by each one, for we all
have a sixth sense latent in our being, which will sometime enable us to
view the spiritual world with the same distinctness as that with which we
[PAGE 179] WHY I AM A ROSICRUCIAN
see the temporal. This sixth sense will be developed by all in the course
of evolution, and there are certain means whereby it may be developed now by
all who care to take the necessary time and trouble to do so. Some have
done this, and they have told us of their travels in the land of the soul.
We believe their testimony concerning that place just as we believe what
people who have traveled in Africa or Australia tell us of those countries.
And just as we say that we know the earth rotates upon its axis and revolves
in its orbit around the sun because we have been thus informed by scientists
who have made the investigations and calculations that establish these
facts, so also we say that we know the dead live, and that whether dead or
alive, in the body or out of it, we are all enfolded in the love of our Fa-
ther in Heaven, without whose Will not the smallest sparrow falls to the
ground, and that He cares for all and orders our steps in harmony with His
plans to develop our spiritual powers to the highest possible degree.
So because of the logical, soul-satisfying philosophy of life given by
the Rosicrucians, we follow their teachings in preference to other systems,
and invite others who wish to share the blessings thereof to investigate.
[PAGE 180] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
CHAPTER XXIV
THE OBJECT OF THE ROSICRUCIAN FELLOWSHIP
The object of the Rosicrucian Fellowship has been clearly stated in our
literature, as have the means whereby it is hoped to attain the end in view,
but in response to requests for a succinct summary we devote this chapter to
that subject.
The world is God's training school. During the past we have learned to
build different vehicles, among other the physical body. By this work we
are promoted from class to class, each with its particular scope of con-
sciousness. We evolved eyes that we might see, ears that we might hear, and
other organs that we might taste, smell, and feel. But not all egos were
promoted at every step. When the mist in the air at the time of Atlantis
condensed and filled the basins of the earth with oceans of water, driving
men to the highlands, many perished by asphyxiation because they had not
evolved lungs. They could not pass through the portal of the rainbow, which
was, so to speak, the entrance gate to the new age with its dry atmospheric
conditions.
[PAGE 181] THE OBJECT OF THE ROSICRUCIAN FELLOWSHIP
Another great world transformation is coming, we know not when; even the
Christ confessed His ignorance of the day and the hour; but He warned us
that the day would come as a thief in the night, and He prophesied that the
conditions in the world would then be similar to those prevailing in the
days of Noah; they were living then in carefree enjoyment of life when sud-
denly the floodgates of heaven were opened, and death and destruction spread
before them.
Christ told us that it is possible to take the kingdom of God by storm
and attain to the consciousness and conditions there prevailing. But Paul
informs us that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; he states
that we have a soul body (SOME PSUCHICON-1 Cor. 15: 44), and that we shall
meet the Lord in the air when He comes. This soul body is therefore as nec-
essary to entrance into the new age of the kingdom of God, as a body
equipped with lungs was to the Atlanteans who desired to enter into the age
in which we are now living. Therefore it is necessary that we make our
calling and election sure by preparing the GOLDEN WEDDING GARMENT, the soul
body, which alone can secure our admission to the mystic marriage.
The multitude is slowly moving in the right direction as led by the dif-
ferent churches, but there is an ever growing class that, so to speak, feels
the wings of the soul body sproating, people who feel an inner urge to take
the kingdom of God by storm. Though unaware of any definite ideal, they
sense a greater truth and more certain light than those which the Church
[PAGE 182] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
radiates; they are tired of parables and long to learn the underlying facts
at the very feet of Christ.
The Rosicrucian Fellowship was started for the purpose of reaching this
class, to show them the way to illumination, to help them build their soul
body and evolve the soul powers which will enable them to enter consciously
into the kingdom of God and obtain first-hand knowledge.
This is a large undertaking, none greater and even under the most favor-
able existing conditions progress must be slow, but if the aspirant will
continue with patient perseverance in well doing, it can be done.
The methods are definite, scientific, and religious; they have been
originated by the Western School of the Rosicrucian Order, and are therefore
specially suited to western people. Sometimes, but very rarely, they bring
results in a short time; generally it requires years and even lives before
the aspirant attains, but the following system will in the end bring all to
their heart's desire.
The Tabernacle in the Wilderness was a symbolic representation of the way
to God, and, as Paul says, held a shadow of better things to come. Every-
thing in it had its spiritual meaning. The table of shewbread gives us an
important lesson germane to our present consideration. Students will remem-
ber that the ancient Israelites were commanded to bring the shewbread to the
[PAGE 183] THE OBJECT OF THE ROSICRUCIAN FELLOWSHIP
tabernacle at stated intervals. The grain from which this was made was
given them by God but they must prepare the soil in which it was to grow,
they must plant and cultivate, they must weed and water, so as to secure the
greatest possible increase; they must harvest and thresh, grind and bake,
ere they had the loaves which they brought to the tabernacle as bread to
shew for their toil. Similarly, God gives to all the grain of opportunity
to serve, but it is our duty to cultivate these opportunities and nurse and
nourish them in the soil of loving kindness so that they may bring a great
increase. We must always bear in mind the words of Christ that He came to
minister and to serve. Therefore anyone aspiring to follow in His steps and
to be great in the kingdom of god must ever be on the lookout for opportuni-
ties to serve his fellows. Each day must be filled as full as possible with
kind and considerate deeds, for they are the warp and woof of which the
golden wedding garment is woven. Without these "works" no amount of prayer,
fasting, or other religious exercise will avail. It is useless to repair to
the temple without this bread to shew that we have really worked in the
Master's service.
The foregoing is also the teaching of the exoteric churches; but the fol-
lowing is the exclusively Rosicrucian scientific teaching and method, based
upon the deepest knowledge of spiritual facts whereby the aspirant is en-
abled to gain the maximum soul growth in each life, so that his spiritual
[PAGE 184] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
advancement is accelerated beyond his very wildest dreams. Therefore this
is the most important spiritual teaching that has been given to man in mod-
ern times, and no one who tries honestly to follow this simple method can
fail to be enormously benefited:
Ether is the medium of transmission light, that which etches a picture on
the photographic film. It permeates the air, and with every breath we draw
from birth to death ether enters our system and etches a picture of our sur-
roundings and actions on a little atom in the heart. Thus each carries with
him a complete record of his life, which is assimilated after death. Ex-
piation of the evil deeds causes paid and anguish in purgatory. These are
thus transmuted to conscience to prevent repetition of the same mistakes in
succeeding lives: the good deeds are transmuted to love and benevolence.
Instead of waiting for this post-mortem transmutation of the shrewbread of
life, the aspirant who desires to take heaven by storm may assimilate the
fruits of each day after retiring and before going to sleep by running over
the deeds done. The events of the day are considered in reverse order so
that that which happened in the evening is taken first, then the happenings
of the afternoon, forenoon, and morning. This is important for it conforms
to the way the life panorama acts after death, taking first the events just
prior to death, last the events of infancy. The object is to show the
[PAGE 185] THE OBJECT OF THE ROSICRUCIAN FELLOWSHIP
effects and then refer them to their antecedent causes.
In this retrospection it will do the aspirant no good to run over the
events of the day and mildly blame himself where he did wrong-he is usually
sure enough to praise himself sufficiently for his good deeds. But he must
remember the altar of burnt offerings where the sacrifices for sin were of-
fered. They were first rubbed with salt and then placed on the altar to be
consumed by a divinely enkindled fire. Anyone knows what an intense pain is
caused when salt is rubbed into a wound, and this rubbing with salt is sym-
bolic of the pain the aspirant must feel for his wrongdoing. Now mark that
it was not permissible to place the sacrifice on the altar until it had thus
rubbed with salt. God would not accept it before, but WHEN IT HAD BEEN
SALTED IT WAS CONSUMED BY A FIRE KINDLED BY GOD HIMSELF.
This tells us that unless we have washed our evil deeds of the day in the
salt of our tears and heartfelt contrition, God will not accept our sacri-
fice of repentance; but when we have really repented, our sins will be
washed away and our recording atom will be clean as the driven snow. With
respect to our good deeds we may remember that there were two little piles
of frankincense of the top of the shew bread. These were offered upon the
altar of incense, where the smoke ascended as a sweet savor to the Lord, so
different from the nauseating stench that went up from the altar where the
[PAGE 186] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
sin offerings were burned. Is it any wonder that God took no delight in the
sacrifice of bulls and calves, but delighted in a contrite heart and repen-
tant spirit?
It is this spiritual aromatic extract of our good deeds that builds our
soul body. By the ordinary natural process it takes about one-third as many
years in our post-mortem existence as we lived in the body, to reap what we
have sowed. But when an aspirant has assimilated the fruits of life by
faithful retrospection at the end of each day, he is free as soon as he
leaves the body and may use the years spent by others in purgatory and the
first heaven as he pleases. Furthermore, as he needs neither food, shelter,
nor sleep, he may spend twenty-four hours a day doing good. Thus he has
practically as many years of service and soul growth after death as the num-
ber of his earth life; and being trained and schooled in this work his at-
tainments are probably greater than could be made in a number of lives in
the ordinary way.
To aid deserving aspirants, still deeper and more definite teachings are
given by the Elder Brothers through the Rosicrucian Fellowship. Students
who feel the inner urge may ask for information concerning these teachings.
[PAGE 187] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
INDEX
Abel, man of Lemuria, 23.
Action, desirability of, 16.
Action, good, required for soul body, 183.
A. D. M., red earth, 78.
Adam, a Polarian, 22.
Airships of Atlantis, 71.
Albumen not needed by spiritual, 24.
Alcohol, action, 83.
Altar of sacrifice, 96.
America, the melting pot, 112.
Angels, humanity of Moon Period 50.
lived in etheric world 50.
trusted guardians, 26
wisely guided man 32.
Anglo-Saxons, pioneers of race, 75.
Animals ruled by group spirits 108.
Aquarian Age, science to rule in 82.
seven hundred years until 81
teacher of 76.
Arche-Tektons, Initiates are 103.
Ark, airship of Atlantis, 71.
Aryan Age, invaders of 80.
Aryana, national segregation of 70.
Assimilation of life experiences 184.
Asteroids, remnants of Moons 60.
Astrology, value of in marriage 53.
Atlantis, destruction of 180.
Atlantean epoch, the nadir of materiality 9.
Atlanteans aspired to light 95
divinely guided 69.
Atlantis, airships of 71.
atmosphere of 69.
man becomes man in 25.
peaceful conditions of 86.
Atmosphere, changes of 180.
Attainment, method of 171.
Baptism, soul's urge for higher life 55.
Bible, only solid foundation 120; two parts of 126.
[PAGE 188] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
Black Brothers, increase evil 106.
Black magic, frequent practice of 101.
golden wedding garment protects against 106.
practices of 103.
Blood hound, follows invisible emanation 104.
Born of water and spirit 80.
Brain gained at sacrifice of creative force 32.
Breathing exercises, danger of 9.
use of 10.
Brotherhood, all members of 44.
"Brother of the Third Degree"--NOT Initiation 12.
Cain, a Hyperborean 23.
Candles, tallow, attract elementals 106.
Causation 177.
Children, training of 127.
Chosen people 95.
Christ, annual coming of 171.
bodily presence of the Father 98.
forgiveness of 57.
Inhabits central sun 58.
man a Christ-in-the-making 158.
mission of 47, 87.
power of 158, 159.
preservation, principle of 168.
sacrifice of 98.
Christ, SEE ALSO Earth Spirit.
Church, doctrines of, keystones of evolution 38.
Civilization, evolution of 111.
Communication with dead 113.
Communion, points to age to come 55.
worthy celebration of 31.
Conscience gained in purgatory 184.
Consciousness result of ware between vital and desire bodies 49.
Conservation of strength 122.
Contentment lengthens life 41.
Contrition, importance of 185.
Conversion and Initiation 12.
inner experience 13.
Converts, making of 132.
Courage 91.
Creations, principle of Jehovah 168.
Creative hierarchies guide man 22.
Crystalloids aid in evolving vital body 88.
[PAGE 189] INDEX
Dead, communication with 113.
Death, care of body after 134.
conquest of 56.
price of consciousness 50.
Dense body, care of after death 134.
crystallized state of 47
raising vibrations of 10.
restoration of in sleep 128.
spiritualization of 74.
under laws of nature 57.
Desire body, control of 128.
destroys dense body 49.
evolution of, in Lemuria 23
reaction of man's acts 25.
Dietetics, albumen not needed by spiritual 24.
legumes not to be rashly eliminated 24.
Diplomacy and force 119.
Dissolution the Father's power 168.
Divine hierarchies work upon man 22.
Divine leaders abolish religious errors 46.
Divine spirit and physical body 132.
Earth conditions cramp humanity 99.
crystallization of due to man 32.
Earth Spirit body and blood 31.
Earth Spirit, SEE ALSO Christ.
Earthly goods, use of 177.
Easter, Christ's liberation 160.
vital, force of 161.
Effort brings opportunities 15.
Ego chooses work of life 64.
Egotism, protection from 19.
Elder Brothers hierophants of western wisdom teaching 173;
high status of 173.
injunction to Max Heindel 11, 20.
not mercenary 20.
transmute evil 105.
Elementals inhaled with incense 106.
Emancipation, God's purpose 162.
Environment chosen by ego 64, 122.
power of 74.
Epochs, changes of 77.
[PAGE 190] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
Ether etches pictures on seed atom 184.
medium of transmission of light 184.
new element 71.
Evolution 177; Evolution of man 35.
spiral path of 14; slow, tedious process 16.
Exercises: Breathing practices 9, 10.
Experience, a grindstone 63.
Extreme unction 56.
Faculties, evolution of 177.
Fall, unchastity 62.
Family, duty to 127.
Father, The, dissolution principle of 168.
highest Initiate of Saturn period 58.
inhabits spiritual sun 58.
Finger nails used in Black Magic 103.
Flesh, difficult to digest, 90.
material progress result of 23, 86, 92.
necessitated by materialism 23.
sins of 90.
Flood, sun in Cancer 78.
Food, significance of 22.
Forgiveness of Christ 57.
Free Will 22.
of Initiate in choice of environment 64.
in Atlantis 25.
Galilee, melting pot 74.
Gill clefts replaced by lungs 24.
Gills of early Atlantis 70.
Blass of water in Black Magic 104.
God, immanence of 161.
Golden wedding garment 165, 185. SEE ALSO Soul Body.
Good Friday 153.
Gospels formulae of Initiation 64.
Grace and forgiveness of sin 34.
Grail, SEE holy Grail.
Group Spirit 108.
Hair used in Black Magic 103.
Healing, Rosicrucian method of 103.
Heaven, Third, turning point of life cycle 122.
Help, practical 133.
Hierarchies, service of 145.
still active 166.
[PAGE 191] INDEX
Hindu breathing exercises 73,
Holy Grail, many orders constitute 105.
two forces of 105.
Holy Spirit SEE Jehovah.
Human spirit and desire body 132.
Humanity, salvation of 160.
slowly progressing 14.
Hyperborea, generation in 49.
Hyperborean epoch, man plantlike in 22.
vital body gained in 22.
Hypnotism, danger of 107.
I am 25, 85, 87.
I as pronoun 83.
Inactivity causes straggling 16.
Incense, Black Forces use 106.
Inequalities, harmonizing of 178.
Initiates, arche-tektons 103.
bodies of, immaculately conceived 64.
choose own life work 64.
purity of 64.
may be women 67.
Initiation, changes life, 13.
confers authority 13.
free 13.
inner experience 12.
money cannot buy 11.
requirements for 20.
spiritual process 11.
spiritualizes vital body 67.
through spiritual exercises 11.
tribulation leads to 63.
Initiation fee, impossibility of 20.
Inner vision opened 136.
Intellectual conception of life 175.
Intensity of feeling 19.
Invisible Helpers require nucleus 103.
Jehovah, creation principle of God, 168.
dwells in physical sun 58.
highest Initiate of Moon Period 58.
race spirit of the Jews 110.
regent of various moons 58.
warder of creative forces 56.
Jesus, race body of 74; noblest ideal 172.
[PAGE 192] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
Judgment, Sun in Libra 156.
Justice of life 175; with mercy 33.
Knowledge, necessity for 131.
Larynx gained at sacrifice of creative force 32.
Law, knowledge of 131.
Law of Consequence given to Atlanteans 26.
Laws of nature and destiny 25.
Legumes not needed by ADVANCED scholars 24.
Lemniscate, meaning of 14.
Lemurian epoch, evolution of desire body in 23.
Life Spirit and vital body 132.
Light Atlanteans aspired to 95
symbol of God 167.
Living church within 124.
Lords of Mercury, stragglers of past 59.
Lords of Venus, stragglers of past 59.
Lord's Supper, SEE communion.
Lost souls 58.
Love endlessly born 169.
keynote of coming age 80.
of soul for soul 53; transcends sex 51.
Lucifer spirits cause body's crystallization 32
Lungs related to spirit's freedom 24.
Man becomes man in Atlantis 25.
mineral-like in Polarian Epoch 88.
Marriage necessitated by disintegration and death 49
sacrament of 55.
transcends sex 51.
Materialism, predominance of 163.
Matter, limitation of causes self-consciousness 22.
Materialization, varieties of 102.
Meat non-permanent as food 82.
Meat eating, SEE Flesh eating.
Michael, race spirit 111.
Milk aid in evolving desire boyd 89.
given in Lemuria 23.
Mind, effect of meat upon 93.
given during Atlantean epoch 22.
given for discrimination 122.
link between spirit and matter 132.
Minerals, assimilation impossible 82.
Moderation in food 136.
Mongols, descendents of Atlanteans 75.
[PAGE 193] INDEX
Moons, discipline stragglers 59.
physical vehicles of Jehovah 172.
tumors of universe 60.
Moses led followers through water 26.
Motive, importance of 101.
Mysteries, soul body teaches 136.
Mystery schools furnish higher teaching 8.
Nationalism must pass 112.
Nations, rise and fall of 110.
Negroes, descendants of Lemurians 75.
New Galilee 135.
New Heaven and new earth, SEE Aquarian Age.
New race 75.
Niebulungen ring 42.
Nimrod, misplaced in Bible 22.
Noah 27.
Noise, evil effects of 125.
stirs desire bodies 126.
Nucleus in magic practices 108.
Orthodoxy, arguments of 46.
Panorama etched into desire body 133.
Passion, crystallizing power of 32.
Periodic flow of earth 62.
Philosophy, hidden meaning in 135.
Physical body, SEE Dense body.
Pioneers the active workers 16.
two classes of 17.
Pisces, creed and dogma of 81.
Planet, body of Great Spirit 156.
evolution of 41.
orbit of 156.
Poise, necessity for 125.
Polarian had only dense body 88.
Polarian epoch, dense body in 22.
mineral-like state of man in 22.
Polygamy 66.
Possession cures desire 93.
Post mortem experience 15.
Post mortem state 16.
Preservation, Christ principle 168.
Progress, impossible to unworthy 150.
13
[PAGE 194] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
Proselyting unnecessary 132.
Providence of God 120.
Purity, redemption of 35.
Race spirits cause racial characteristics 109.
high ideals of 110.
Racial characteristics 109.
Rainbow, advent of 27.
emblem of diversity 70.
entrance to new age 180.
gates to promised land 69.
Rebirth and Causation 132.
Reconciliation, desirability of 119.
Recording angels give religions 7.
Religion, happiness from 126.
Religion given by Recording Angels 7.
suited to nations 8.
Religious errors, not long permitted 46.
Responsibility not to be shirked 127.
Resurrection, Easter Sun symbolizes 163.
Retrospection, good gained by; most important spiritual teaching 184.
importance of 18.
Rhine Gold 42.
Rosicrucian messengers 11.
methods, definite, scientific, religious 182.
Sacrament, Hebrew derivation of 55.
importance of 38.
Sacrifice, evolution result of 97.
soul growth from 165.
Sanctuary, inner 124.
Saints, 17.
Salt, 185.
Science becomes religious 40.
to rule Aquarian Age 82.
Seances, danger of 107.
Seasons symbolize diversity 70.
Self-Sacrifie, advancement from 38.
of Christ 100.
Selfishness bane of race 43.
Separation of sexes 32.
Service builds soul body 135.
essential in life 135.
redemption of stragglers 59.
the policy that pays 118.
[PAGE 195] INDEX
Sexes, separation of 32.
Silence, great help in soul growth 126.
Sin must be expiated 57.
Sixth sense 178.
Sleep, work during, gains soul growth 129.
Solar system body of God 59.
Son, SEE Christ.
Sorrow, keynote of Buddhism 57.
Soul amalgamates with spirit 96.
Soul body 54.
from seed 73.
light of, teaches man 136.
of new age 181.
methods of building 80.
protects against Black Magic 106.
wedding garment of new age 80.
Soul growth dissolves crystallized bodies 96.
helps in 126.
method of 17.
Sound, effect of 124.
Spinal nerves, animal twenty-eight pairs of 61.
man thirty-one pairs of 61.
Spirit orbit of 156.
Spiritual forces, ebb and flow of 61.
Spiritual sight result of war 112.
Spiritual world, time non-existent 169.
Spring and Earth Spirit 31.
Stellar ray 64.
Strength, conservation of 122.
Sugar, beneficial effects of 83
cure of alcoholism by 84.
Sun ascends at Easter 165.
in Cancer, the flood 78.
invisible vehicle of God 172.
visible vehicle of Christ 172.
Tact, value of 119.
Talents of ego 15.
Teacher of New Age 76.
Temple, way to shown 136.
Though breaks down tissue 23.
Time, non-existent in spiritual world 169.
Tolerance for our families 137.
Tree of knowledge 32.
[PAGE 196] GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC
Tribulation prepares for Initiation 63.
Trinity, mystery of 167.
Unfoldment, three states of 55.
Universal solvent 168.
Vegetarianism, advantages of 91.
Vegetarian needs no alcohol 91.
Virgin spirits enmeshed in matter as egos 132.
self-consciousness attained by 22.
Vital body charges body with energy 132.
constructive energy of 49.
evolved by Hyperborean 22, 88.
medium of occult growth 9.
spiritualized by Initiation 67.
stores up power 128.
vehicle of love 51.
War, spiritual aspects of 123.
spiritual intensity of 104.
spiritual sight result of 112.
Water, Noah and Moses led followers through 26.
used in Black Magic 104.
Wedding garment, SEE Soul Body.
Western Initiates more advanced 8.
Western Mystery Teaching Christian 47.
White Magic, unselfish 102.
Wine, given in Atlantis 26.
self-assertion from drinking 86.
stimulates spirit of man 27.
Word, cosmic meaning of 155.
Workers, the pioneers 16.
World, God's training school 180.
World change to come 181.
Worry, evil of 116.
You as pronoun 83.
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