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WHAT’S NEW

With the intent to study and find out about the nature of newness

And apply it to OUR WORK

 

A synopsis of

A Rosicrucian Fellowship Centennial Talk

By Richard K

            Using the Rosicrucian philosophy, we may speak of two different types of newness.  The first is at the spirit end of the spirit-matter pole.  We learn that the Life Spirit is by its very nature new, perpetually and eternally new: New life.

            The only difference between the Rosicrucian Philosophy now and 100 years ago is Max Heindel.  The reason that the Rosicrucian Fellowship was so attractive with ever more members coming to it was — Max Heindel.  This was not because of the personality of Max Heindel, however; but because he, as a Christian initiate, had experienced the love of Christ in the Life Spirit.  That experience could be repeated every time he and others could, in prayer, reach into Life Spirit for healing power.

When that healing power from Life Spirit is transformed into etheric healing panacea, the LOVE of the Life Spirit has an extremely powerful attractive force; this was activated through the principle of attraction, and it attracted many people to our work.  Heindel averred that to the degree that we are successful in our healing devotions we will automatically draw people to our work.  He also stated that when Christ came into the vital body of Jesus it became possible for any human in a vital body to bring down Life Spirit and transduce it into healing substance in the ethers.

Doing so gives us the opportunity to regain the ability to take light from the Sun and bring it into the vital body (an ability that we lost when we became animal-like instead of plant-like).  Now we must do this in a higher way because it means taking the higher light of Life Spirit and reflectively projecting it into new, fresh, very-powerful, etheric stuff. When we do this, we are actually creating the New Jerusalem, the new etheric Globe E of the 4th revolution of the Earth Period.

A very strong emphasis was placed on forming healing prayer groups to pray long and hard and deep to accomplish these ends.  If even only a few were mildly successful in doing this it would be very attractive for our organization as well as renewing.

The second way of finding newness is by going to the other end of the spirit-matter pole into Cosmic Root Substance, which is the source of new beings.  Currently we are working with the mineral kingdom which is congealed out of Cosmic Root Substance. The newness in this is that we, along with other beings, are actually bringing new, unprecedented beings into existence in the very slow process of evolution.  Obviously this is an extremely slow and difficult process. Cosmic Root Substance has the potential of an infinity of “sparks” that can become new spirit if differentiated and eventually spiritualized and absorbed into the Universal Spirit.  All uplifting or resurrecting work is of this nature.

From that, it follows that the works of Max Heindel represent a body of knowledge: The body of Lazarus, Lazarus being Christian Rosenkreutz.  Raising that body draws others into the work using the Tom Sawyer technique.

We don’t need a new Rosicrucian Cosmo-Conception, but what we do need is to do what Max Heindel urged us to do in almost every one of his lessons.  That is: go into the principles of the lessons of the Cosmo, and flesh out the skeleton he gave to us.  He stated that there is a superabundance of material available to us if we only take the initiative and do the work. A new skeleton is not necessary, only new flesh for the skeleton we have been given.

We have failed, and we have been more like buzzards picking at the bones instead of resurrecting the body of Lazarus when there has been almost unlimited life and a full body available to us if we only take what is offered and work with it. Initiation is not necessary for this work, only intuition, thought, and careful checking of our findings in the spirit of “try the spirits and find them wanting.”

[Editor’s note:  In paraphrasing some things may not be exactly as originally stated.]

Tags: cosmic root substance, Lazarus, life spirit, Max Heindel, microcosm, newness

The Power of Love

A Rosicrucian Fellowship Centennial Talk

By Myriam Pelnado

           

            

Love is the greatest gift that can exist inside a person. It is so powerful that it extends to individuals, families, groups and nations. Its real greatness manifests in everyday situations. One who expresses Love, shares his joy, interests, knowledge, humor, and all things that live within him. As soon as a person acts against Love, it affects his consciousness, and his light dims, and he knows it. When Christ blessed the fishes, He broke the spirit of isolation thru His universalism. When we understand our relationship with the Cosmos, we transcend our separatist activities.

            All things in manifestation are products of Love. In the Bible we are told that God is a consuming fire: For the LORD your God is a consuming fire Dt. 4:24, and, God is Love, in I John 4:7.  Also, in our Temple Service that God is Light. Life is a mission and as such should be a continuous growing in Christ. All power-releasing energies of service, sacrifice, and Love come from the Christ. If we submit to His Divine Love, we begin to dismantle the old temple, and we become lights in the road for every person in our sphere, no matter what race, color, or status; we start to build a new temple with numerous acts of Love and service. The more we express divine Love, the greater our joy, blessing and enthusiasm, because our spiritual work is a synchronized unfolding with the Divine Plan. As we purify our vehicles, we expand our consciousness and we function in higher planes of our being. As a consequence, we receive more energy from the Christ and we then transmit more of this energy to others as examples of the light of Christ.

            The major obstacles against evolution are thoughts, emotions and acts that are contrary to Love. Our greatest challenge is in knowing WHAT to do and HOW to be in control of our thoughts: To be vigilant with positive thoughts, because the darkness that we resist mentally finally gets converted in our enemy.  So, it is a great treasure to learn to be in control of our minds, to exclude activities which are harmful to Love: Gossip produces short circuits in the electric system of the desire body. The desire body becomes gray and obscure. Criticism, a product of envy, gets dressed up in order to be justified. Malice jeopardizes the very survival of humanity.  We need to learn to see each person as a master who helps us in our spiritual development. That’s the importance of transforming our enemies into friends… i.e., to dry the wells of suffering. These are our stepping stones on the road to spiritual things. Fear is generally created by shadows without substance, not by reason. “I am not loved…” ….”I was not good-looking”… and other false assumptions. The golden rule is to let things be. Less Love means less life; more Love, more abundant life.  The greatest crime is violation of Love.  

            The following five virtues ignite the fire of life. The first one, gratitude, is to give thanks for every moment of our lives, for all the things that happen to us; it builds a temple of kindness and compassion in the innermost part of our hearts. We are invited to think about what we need in order to feel grateful. One example of the real effect of gratitude is found in the water crystal, according to the essays of Dr. Mazaru Emoto.

     

     

            The second is charity, to give without waiting for reward and to accept the things that we cannot change. There is something of Judas in us, because we believe in the things of spirit but are attached to material things. The third virtue is joy: it is an attitude of the soul, more than an emotion; it is the substance of the light of love and beauty, radiating colors that repel malevolent forces and build a protective shield.

            The fourth is blessing: anything, no matter how inadequate, bless it.  It could even be a lack of job or money, etc.  Just envision it interpenetrated with the substance of God; the more we are conscious of this substance, the more it will manifest to a higher degree for the benefit of all. Behind every difficulty there is a blessing. 

            And fifth, enthusiasm, a virtue with which we need to be filled so that our aims and aspirations can be reached and we can say with the Christ: Consumatum est!

            To increase the power of love, we have available to us a series of tools. Following are some of them. Freedom: Find ways so that our neighbors express their inner light, love, and beauty in their own way and by their own means. It implies not forcing our will on others, but instead stimulating others to do the things that are part of their vision.  Don´t criticize:  Let the other person blossom forth with his own flowers in his original colors. Instead of criticizing, give positive thoughts and find something you like in that person.  If you find somebody doing what you think is wrong, try finding the positive lesson this person will learn from such an act. Admiration: This is equivalent to watering the garden. Admire the good things of your workmates every day. Sacrifice: Destroy all thoughts, habits, feelings, and ways that do not allow progression toward a more profound joy and comprehension.  Just do a list of your limitations and choose what you can dissolve by using love and beauty; work daily until you reach your goal.  Responsibility: Respond honestly to the question: “Are my acts, words, and feelings increasing the happiness, the light and the health of persons around me?

If, in the end, your enemy is revealing your trespasses, injustices, and weaknesses, he is a hidden friend.

Love him and learn the lesson he is providing for you.

             Remember that there are many perspectives, but only one direction: to manifest the purpose of the Divine, to live lives of sacrifice and love toward every living being. All other roads lead to pain and suffering.

            Life is really a sacred trust and we need to use each moment with wisdom. We don’t wait for rewards in order to believe in ourselves. We have already received and now we must learn to give. Perhaps we will remain empty handed, but our hearts will be full of love. Then that is our life, our present, our now.

            In our Temple Service, we describe Love with the words of Saint Paul:

            Love suffereth long and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not herself, is not puffed up, doth not behave herself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil rejoiceth not in iniquity, but in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, and endureth all things.

            Love never faileth; but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail, and whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away, for now we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part will be done away; for now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face. Now we know in part; but then we shall know even as we are known; and now abideth Faith, Hope, and Love, but the greatest of these is Love.

            Let’s examine some of Paul’s sentences: for example, Love suffereth long.  By its very nature – radiant energy seeking expression on the physical plane necessitates pain and sorrow.  Students in Schools of Philosophy provoke disappointment in their peers, because personalities are not fully dominated by spirit.  Love is kind: love suffers in the right measure before causing injury. It never responds with ingratitude when kindness is given. It never is jealous. It never says spiteful things. It is kind in the fullest meaning of the word.  Love envieth not: It recognizes the real status of the individual and knows that in the real world we all share alike and all drink from the same spiritual fountain, according to our capacity to receive. Love vaunteth not itself: It cannot vaunt because it looks upon the world with eyes of tender compassion, knowing that all must be extracted, absorbed by the Higher Self, and carried on to enrich the universal life; it’s the same for one as for another. Love doth not behave itself unseemly: Love is chastity; it is purity; it is brightness, beauty, serenity, and radiant energy. Love seeketh not its own: Because Divine Love is not for itself. Love is not easily provoked: It never takes offense because it is consecrated to the highest ends. All sharp-tongued attacks and venomous slurs are distorted love. Love thinketh no evil: Because its own essence is pure. The Christ- Love  could not think evil of another because there is no evil within. When we spreak ill of another we betray ourselves. Love rejoices not in iniquity – but rejoices in the truth: Because its purpose is to unfold, to manifest unity in diversity. Love hopeth all things: Despair can never find a place where its noxious poison can lodge if the flame of divine Love burns steadily. And finally, Love never faileth: Because it comes from God and if it fails, it is desire and not Love.

            One last Thought: The most sacred place on Earth is where an old HATE has been transformed to an abiding LOVE.

Tags: charity, joy, Love, sacrifice, Saint Paul, suffering

AN EDITORIAL

Is It Possible For a Church to Have More Than One Life?  Many of us would rather call ourselves a ‘fellowship of spirit’ than a church.

If one searches inwardly for self knowledge, one must also look outward and by comparison achieve a fuller understanding of self.  It is the same with a church.

Although the international association of The Rosicrucian Fellowship of the 21^st century still numbers its members in the thousands around the world, there were, at one count, 49 people attending the centennial re-dedication ceremony on August 8, 2009, exactly enough to clasp hands and form an unbroken circle around the perimeter of the Founder’s Cross, leaving nobody free to hold a camera and take a picture.

You had to be there.

For those who were not, there will be descriptive articles forthcoming, transcriptions of talks, and you can enjoy the event vicariously through the photo album under Photos.  There was much to enjoy.

A first-impression gaze upon arriving surveyed a neat, decorative, white fence defining the frontage and two, new, professionally-painted welcoming signs with attractive graphics on either side of the heavily-used access road.  VISITORS WELCOME.  What a positive change !

But it was the avenue of flags that really caught one’s eye.  One after another of the colorful banners of states and nations lined the entire stretch from the entrance to the Guest House.  They gave a clear message that ALL were welcome.  It didn’t matter where you came from.  They defined the event as international in scope.  What a beautiful panorama.  The HQ administrators can be complimented for their bold hospitality.

Most visitors arrived on Friday and the object on that day was to have fun.  The Mystic Mystery Quest, a sort of treasure hunt, gave everyone a chance to be part of a team, to move around the grounds, get acquainted with the symbols of esoteric Christianity and with each other, and to compete for some nice prizes, mostly books.  There was a roundtable discussion where everyone had a chance to say what was on his mind concerning ways to spread the teachings and another about the astrology of The Rosicrucian Fellowship and its future.

On Saturday, highlights of the anniversary-day celebration included an address at the bell tower by Edgar A, Chairman of the Board.  Edgar said that he had visited the bell earlier in the morning and, “I let the bell talk to me.”  The result was a series of metaphorical reflections followed by bell ringing.  Everyone in attendance eagerly stepped into the tower, grasped the rope, and let the bell toll……… for thee?

Later, with all gathered around the Guest House steps, Jean d officiated at the flag-raising from above the Guest House entrance.  A newly fabricated Rosicrucian Fellowship banner now waves in the Southern California breeze as it identifies the domain of the Rosy Cross.

Nothing was more awesome, more beautiful, nor more symbolic, however, than Vilma D’s elease of 15 white doves into the azure blue sky.  The birds found their freedom as soon as the white wicker box opened.  They quickly ascended and flew toward their home in San Diego, then toward the temple, curving around to give us a beautiful display of glinting white feathers against the blue. And then they were gone.  As everyone savored this wonderful sight, the birds returned, circling again; did they not want to leave?  It is uncertain whether they returned once or twice, spellbound, as we were.

Spirit.  That is a bird.  May it make a nest in your soul.

For a charming story, click on the image.  A church in Wisconsin celebrates its anniversary in August 2009.  “Churches have a habit of splitting — that’s not unusual.  But how many actually come back together?  We are a living example of Christian forgiveness and reconciliation.”

Tags: anniversary, centennial, church, doves, fellowship, spirit

Jean de Galzain explained the fellowship’s concept of esoteric Christianity as declared by the Christian Order of the Rose Cross.

Tags: centennial, north county times, rosicrucian, rosicrucian fellowship esoteric christianity

Tags: centennial, rosicrucian, signonsandiego

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/album.php?aid=2021596&id=1474931120&ref=nf

Tags: album, centennial, centennial emblem, centennial shots, Friends and Events, photo

August 8, 1909 – August 8, 2009

The Rosicrucian Fellowship

Centennial – 100 Years

 

Celebration: Friday thru Sunday – August 7, 8, 9

Mount Ecclesia – Oceanside, California

2222 Mission Avenue

 

Poem by Michael Bruce, circa 1764

He Who for men their Surety stood,
And poured on earth His precious blood,
Pursues in Heaven His mighty plan,
The Savior and the Friend of man.

Though now ascended up on high,
He bends on earth a brother’s eye;
Partaker of the human name,
He knows the frailty of our frame.

Our fellow Sufferer yet retains
A fellow feeling of our pains:
And still remembers in the skies
His tears, His agonies, and cries.

In every pang that rends the heart,
The Man of Sorrows had a part,
He sympathizes with our grief,
And to the sufferer sends relief.

With boldness, therefore, at the throne,
Let us make all our sorrows known;
And ask the aids of heavenly power
To help us in the evil hour.

Tags: centennial, Michael Bruce, Mount Ecclesia, Rosicrucian Fellowship, Temple