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diff --git a/29855-0.txt b/29855-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b3863ee --- /dev/null +++ b/29855-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,5735 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Rosicrucian Mysteries by Max Heindel + + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no +restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under +the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or +online at http://www.gutenberg.org/license + + + +Title: The Rosicrucian Mysteries + +Author: Max Heindel + +Release Date: August 30, 2009 [Ebook #29855] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ROSICRUCIAN MYSTERIES*** + + + + + + The + + Rosicrucian Mysteries + + An Elementary Exposition of + + Their Secret Teachings + + By + + Max Heindel + +Author of: The Rosicrucian Cosmo Conception, The Rosicrucian Philosophy in + Questions and Answers, The Rosicrucian Interpretation of Christianity, + Rays from the Rose Cross, etc. + + Third Edition + + Rosicrucian Fellowship + + Oceanside, California + + London + + L. N. Fowler, 7 Imperial Arcade + + Ludgate Circus. E. C. + + + + + +CONTENTS + + +Chapter I. The Order of Rosicrucians and the Rosicrucian Fellowship +Chapter II. The Problem of Life and Its Solution +Chapter III. The Visible and the Invisible World +Chapter IV. The Constitution of Man +Chapter V. Life and Death +Mt. Ecclesia +Index + + + + + + +CHAPTER I. THE ORDER OF ROSICRUCIANS AND THE ROSICRUCIAN FELLOWSHIP + + +Our Message And Mission + +_A Sane Mind_ + +_A Soft Heart_ + +_A Sound Body_ + +Before entering upon an explanation of the teachings of the Rosicrucians, +it may be well to say a word about them and about the place they hold in +the evolution of humanity. + +For reasons to be given later these teachings advocate the dualistic view; +they hold that man is a spirit enfolding all the powers of God as the seed +enfolds the plant, and that these powers are being slowly unfolded by a +series of existences in a gradually improving earthy body; also that this +process of development has been performed under the guidance of exalted +beings who are yet ordering our steps, though in a decreasing measure, as +we gradually acquire intellect and will. These exalted Beings, though +unseen to the physical eyes, are nevertheless potent factors in all +affairs of life, and give to the various groups of humanity lessons which +will most efficiently promote the growth of their spiritual powers. In +fact, the earth may be likened to a vast training school in which there +are pupils of varying age and ability as we find it in one of our own +schools. There are the savages, living and worshipping under most +primitive conditions, seeing in stick or stone a God. Then, as man +progresses onwards and upwards in the scale of civilization, we find a +higher and higher conception of Deity, which has flowered here in our +Western World in the beautiful Christian religion that now furnishes our +spiritual inspiration and incentive to improve. + +These various religions have been given to each group of humanity by the +exalted beings whom we know in the Christian religion as the Recording +Angels, whose wonderful prevision enable them to view the trend of even so +unstable a quantity as the human mind, and thus they are enabled to +determine what steps are necessary to lead our enfoldment along the lines +congruous to the highest universal good. + +When we study the history of the ancient nations we shall find that at +about six hundred years B. C. a great spiritual wave had its inception on +the Eastern shores of the Pacific Ocean where the great Confucian Religion +accelerated the progress of the Chinese nation, then also the Religion of +the Buddha commenced to win its millions of adherents in India, and still +further West we have the lofty philosophy of Pythagoras. Each system was +suited to the needs of the particular people to whom it was sent. Then +came the period of the Sceptics, in Greece, and later, traveling westward +the same spiritual wave is manifested as the Christian religion of the +so-called “Dark Ages” when the dogma of a dominant church compelled belief +from the whole of Western Europe. + +It is a law in the universe that a wave of spiritual awakening is always +followed by a period of doubting materialism, each phase is necessary in +order that the spirit may receive equal development of heart and intellect +without being carried too far in either direction. The Great Beings +aforementioned, Who care for our progress, always take steps to safeguard +humanity against that danger, and when they foresaw the wave of +materialism which commenced in the sixteenth century with the birth of our +modern Science, they took steps to protect the West as they had formerly +safeguarded the East against the Sceptics who were held in check by the +Mystery schools. + +In the thirteenth century there appeared in central Europe a great +spiritual teacher whose symbolical name was + +Christian Rosenkreuz. +or +Christian Rose Cross. + +who founded the mysterious Order of the Rosy Cross, concerning which so +many speculations have been made and so little has become known to the +world at large, for it is the Mystery school of the West and is only open +to those who have attained the stage of spiritual unfoldment necessary to +be initiated in its secrets concerning the Science of Life and Being. + +If we are so far developed that we are able to leave our dense physical +body and take a soul flight into interplanetary space we shall find that +the ultimate physical atom is spherical in shape like our earth; it is a +ball. When we take a number of balls of even size and group them around +one, it will take just twelve balls to hide a thirteenth within. Thus the +twelve visible and the one hidden are numbers revealing a cosmic +relationship and as all Mystery Orders are based upon cosmic lines, they +are composed of twelve members gathered around a thirteenth who is the +invisible _head_. + +There are seven colors in the spectrum: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, +indigo and violet. But between the violet and the red there are still +other five colors which are invisible to the physical eye but reveal +themselves to the spiritual sight. In every Mystery Order there are also +seven brothers who at times go out into the world and there perform +whatever work may be necessary to advance the people among whom they +serve, but five are never seen outside the temple. They work with and +teach those alone who have passed through certain stages of spiritual +unfoldment and are able to visit the temple in their spiritual bodies; a +feat taught in the first initiation which usually takes place outside the +temple as it is not convenient for all to visit that place physically. + +Let not the reader imagine that this initiation makes the pupil a +Rosicrucian, it does not, any more than admission to a High School makes a +boy a member of the faculty. Nor does he become a Rosicrucian even after +having passed through all the nine degrees of this or any other Mystery +School. The Rosicrucians are Hierophants of the lesser Mysteries, and +beyond them there are still schools wherein Greater Mysteries are taught. +Those who have advanced through the lesser Mysteries and have become +pupils of the Greater Mysteries are called Adepts, but even they have not +reached the exalted standpoint of the twelve Brothers of the Rosicrucian +Order or the Hierophants of any other lesser Mystery School any more than +the freshman at college has attained to the knowledge and position of a +teacher in the High school from which he has just graduated. + +A later work will deal with initiation, but we may say here that the door +of a genuine Mystery School is not unlocked by a golden key, but is only +opened as a reward for meritorious service to humanity and any one who +advertises himself as a Rosicrucian or makes a charge for tuition, by +either of those acts shows himself to be a charlatan. The true pupil of +any Mystery School is far too modest to advertise the fact, he will scorn +all titles or honors from men, he will have no regard for riches save the +riches of love given to him by those whom it becomes his privilege to help +and teach. + +In the centuries that have gone by since the Rosicrucian Order was first +formed they have worked quietly and secretly, aiming to mould the thought +of Western Europe through the works of Paracelsus, Boehme, Bacon, +Shakespeare, Fludd and others. Each night at midnight when the physical +activities of the day are at their lowest ebb, and the spiritual impulse +at its highest flood tide, they have sent out from their temple +soul-stirring vibrations to counteract materialism and to further the +development of soul powers. To their activities we owe the gradual +spiritualization of our once so materialistic science. + +With the commencement of the twentieth century a further step was taken. +It was realized that something must be done to make religion scientific as +well as to make science religious, in order that they may ultimately +blend; for at the present time heart and intellect are divorced. The heart +instinctively feels the truth of religious teachings concerning such +wonderful mysteries as the Immaculate Conception (the Mystic Birth), the +Crucifixion (the Mystic Death), the cleansing blood, the atonement, and +other doctrines of the Church, which the intellect refuses to believe, as +they are incapable of demonstration, and seemingly at war with natural +law. Material advancement may be furthered when intellect is dominant and +the longings of the heart unsatisfied, but soul growth will be retarded +until the heart also receives satisfaction. + +In order to give the world a teaching so blended that it will satisfy both +the mind and heart, a messenger must be found and instructed. Certain +unusual qualifications were necessary, and the first one chosen failed to +pass a certain test after several years had been spent to prepare him for +the work to be done. + +It is well said that there is a time to sow, and a time to reap, and that +there are certain times for all the works of life, and in accordance with +this law of periodicity each impulse in spiritual uplift must also be +undertaken at an appropriate time to be successful. The first and sixth +decades of each century are particularly propitious to commence the +promulgation of new spiritual teachings. Therefore the Rosicrucians were +much concerned at this failure, for only five years were left of the first +decade of the twentieth century. + +Their second choice of a messenger fell upon the present writer, though he +knew it not at the time, and by shaping circumstances about him they made +it possible for him to begin a period of preparation for the work they +desired him to do. Three years later, when he had gone to Germany, also +because of circumstances shaped by the invisible Brotherhood, and was on +the verge of despair at the discovery that the light which was the object +of his quest, was only a jack-o-lantern, the Brothers of the Rosicrucian +Order applied the test to see whether he would be a faithful messenger and +give the teachings they desired to entrust to him, to the world. And when +he had passed the trial they gave him the monumental solution of the +problem of existence first published in “_The Rosicrucian Cosmo +Conception_” in November, 1909, more than a year before the expiration of +the first decade of the twentieth century. This book marked a new era in +so-called “occult” literature, and the many editions which have since been +published, as well as the thousands of letters which continue to come to +the author, are speaking testimonies to the fact that people are finding +in this teaching a satisfaction they have long sought elsewhere in vain. + +The Rosicrucians teach that all great religions have been given to the +people among whom they are found, by Divine Intelligences who designed +each system of worship to suit the needs of the race or nation to whom it +was given. A primitive people cannot respond to a lofty and sublime +religion, and _vice versa_. What helps one race would hinder another, and +in pursuance of the same policy there has been devised a system of +soul-unfoldment suited specially to the Western people, who are racially +and temperamentally unfit to undergo the discipline of the Eastern school, +which was designed for the more backward Hindoos. + +THE ROSICRUCIAN FELLOWSHIP + +For the purpose of promulgating the Rosicrucian teachings in the Western +World, the Rosicrucian Fellowship was founded in 1909. It is the herald of +the Aquarian Age, when the Sun by its precessional passage through the +constellation Aquarius will bring out all the intellectual and spiritual +potencies in man which are symbolized by that sign. As heat from a fire +warms all objects within the sphere of its radiations, so also the +Aquarian ray will raise the earth’s vibrations to a pitch we are as yet +unable to comprehend, though we have demonstrations of the _material_ +workings of this force in the inventions which have revolutionized life +within the memory of the present generation. We have wondered at the +X-ray, which sees through the human body, but each one has a sense latent +which when evolved will enable him to see through any number of bodies or +to any distance. We marvel at the telephone conversations across the +continent of America, but each has within a latent sense of speech and +hearing that is far more acute; we are surprised at the exploits of ships +under sea and in the sky, but we are all capable of passage under water or +through the sky; nay, more, we may pass unscathed through the solid rock +and the raging fire, if we know how, and lightning itself is slow compared +to the speed with which we may travel. This sounds like a fairy tale +today, as did Jules Verne’s stories a generation ago, but the Aquarian Age +will witness the realization of these dreams, and ever so much more that +we still do not even dream of. Such faculties will then be the possessions +of large numbers of people who will have gradually evolved them as +previously the ability to walk, speak, hear, and see, were developed. + +Therein lies a great danger, for, obviously, anyone endowed with such +faculties may use them to the greatest detriment of the world at large, +unless restrained by a spirit of unselfishness and an all-embracing +altruism. Therefore religion is needed today as never before, to foster +love and fellow-feeling among humanity so that it may be prepared to use +the great gifts in store for it wisely and well. This need of religion is +specially felt in a certain class where the ether is more loosely knit to +the physical atoms than in the majority, and on that account they are now +beginning to sense the Aquarian vibrations. + +This class is again divided in two groups. In one the intellect is +dominant, and the people in that class therefore seek to grasp the +spiritual mysteries out of curiosity from the viewpoint of cold reason. +They pursue the path of knowledge for the sake of knowledge, considering +that an end in itself. The idea that knowledge is of value only when put +to practical constructive use does not seem to have presented itself to +them. This class we may call _occultists_. + +The other group does not care for knowledge, but feels an inner urge +God-ward, and pursues the path of devotion to the high ideal set before +them in Christ, doing the deeds that He did as far their flesh will +permit, and this in time results in an interior illumination which brings +with it all the knowledge obtained by the other class, and much more. This +class we may describe as _mystics_. + +Certain dangers confront each of the two groups. If the occultist obtains +illumination and evolves within himself the latent spiritual faculties, he +may use them for the furtherance of his personal objects, to the great +detriment of his fellow-men. That is black magic, and the punishment which +it _automatically_ calls down upon the head of the perpetrator is so awful +that it is best to draw the veil over it. The mystic may also err because +of ignorance, and fall into the meshes of nature’s law, but being actuated +by love, his mistakes will never be very serious, and as he grows in grace +the soundless voice within his heart will speak more distinctly to teach +him the way. + +The Rosicrucian Fellowship endeavors to prepare the world in general, and +the sensitives of the two groups in particular, for the awakening of the +latent powers in man, so that all may be guided safely through the +danger-zone and be as well fitted as possible to use these new faculties. +Effort is made to blend the love without which Paul declared a knowledge +of all mysteries worthless, with a mystic knowledge rooted and grounded in +love, so that the pupils of this school may become _living_ exponents of +this blended soul-science of the Western Wisdom School, and gradually +educate humanity at large in the virtues necessary to make the possession +of higher powers safe. + +_Note_:— + +_Pages 19 to 26 inclusive, describing Mt. Ecclesia, have been transferred +to the back of the book._ (Transcriber’s Note: They are pages 191 through +200.) + + + + + +CHAPTER II. THE PROBLEM OF LIFE AND ITS SOLUTION + + +THE PROBLEM OF LIFE. + +Among all the vicissitudes of life, which vary in each individual’s +experience, there is one event which sooner or later comes to +everyone—Death! No matter what our station in life, whether the life lived +has been a laudable one or the reverse, whether great achievements have +marked our path among men, whether health or sickness have been our lot, +whether we have been famous and surrounded by a host of admiring friends +or have wandered unknown through the years of our life, at some time there +comes a moment when we stand alone before the portal of death and are +forced to take the leap into the dark. + +The thought of this leap and of what lies beyond must inevitably force +itself upon every thinking person. In the years of youth and health, when +the bark of our life sails upon seas of prosperity, when all appears +beautiful and bright, we may put the thought behind us, but there will +surely come a time in the life of every thinking person when the problem +of life and death forces itself upon his consciousness and refuses to be +set aside. Neither will it help him to accept the ready made solution of +anyone else without thought and in blind belief, for this is a basic +problem which every one must solve for himself or herself in order to +obtain satisfaction. + +Upon the Eastern edge of the Desert of Sahara there stands the +world-famous Sphinx with its inscrutable face turned toward the East, ever +greeting the sun as its rising rays herald the newborn day. It was said in +the Greek myth that it was the wont of this monster to ask a riddle of +each traveler. She devoured those who could not answer, but when Oedipus +solved the riddle she destroyed herself. + +The riddle which she asked of men was the riddle of life and death, a +query which is as relevant today as ever, and which each one must answer +or be devoured in the jaws of death. But when once a person has found the +solution to the problem, it will appear that in reality there is no death, +that what appears so, is but a change from one state of _existence_ to +another. Thus, for the man who finds the true solution to the riddle of +life, the sphinx of death has ceased to exist, and he can lift his voice +in the triumphant cry “Oh death where is thy sting, oh grave where is thy +victory.” + +Various theories of life have been advocated to solve this problem of +life. We may divide them into two classes, namely _the monistic theory_, +which holds that all the facts of life can be explained by reference to +this visible world wherein we live, and _the dualistic theory_, which +refers part of the phenomenon of life to another world which is now +invisible to us. + +Raphael in his famous painting “the School of Athens” has most aptly +pictured to us the attitude of these two schools of thought. We see upon +that marvelous painting a Greek Court such as those wherein philosophers +were once wont to congregate. Upon the various steps which lead into the +building a large number of men are engaged in deep conversation, but in +the center at the top of the steps stand two figures, supposedly of Plato +and Aristotle, one pointing upwards, the other towards the earth, each +looking the other in the face, mutely, but with deeply concentrated will. +Each seeking to convince the other that his attitude is right for each +bears the conviction in his heart. One holds that he is of the earth +earthy, that he has come from the dust and that thereto he will return, +the other firmly advocates the position that there is a higher something +which has always existed and will continue regardless of whether the body +wherein it now dwells holds together or not. + +The question who is right is still an open one with the majority of +mankind. Millions of tons of paper and printer’s ink have been used in +futile attempts to settle it by argument, but it will always remain open +to all who have not solved the riddle themselves, for it is a basic +problem, a part of the life experience of every human being to settle that +question, and therefore no one can give us the solution ready made for our +acceptance. All that can be done by those who have really solved the +problem, is to show to others the line along which they have found the +solution, and thus direct the inquirer how he also may arrive at a +conclusion. + +That is the aim of this little book; not to offer a solution to the +problem of life to be taken blindly, on faith in the author’s ability of +investigation. The teachings herein set forth are those handed down by the +Great Western Mystery School of the Rosicrucian Order and are the result +of the concurrent testimony of a long line of trained Seers given to the +author and supplemented by his own independent investigation of the realms +traversed by the spirit in its cyclic path from the invisible world to +this plane of existence and back again. + +Nevertheless, the student is warned that the writer may have misunderstood +some of the teachings and that despite the greatest care he may have taken +a wrong view of that which he believes to have seen in the invisible world +where the possibilities of making a mistake are legion. Here in the world +which we view about us the forms are stable and do not easily change, but +in the world around us which is perceptible only by the spiritual sight, +we may say that there is in reality no form, but that all is life. At +least the forms are so changeable that the metamorphosis recounted in +fairy stories is discounted there to an amazing degree, and therefore we +have the surprising revelations of mediums and other untrained +clairvoyants who, though they may be perfectly honest, are deceived by +illusions of _form_ which is evanescent, because they are incapable of +viewing the _life_ that is the permanent basis of that form. + +We must learn to see in this world. The new-born babe has no conception of +distance and will reach for things far, far beyond its grasp until it has +learned to gauge its capacity. A blind man who acquires the faculty of +sight, or has it restored by an operation, will at first be inclined to +close his eyes when moving from place to place, and declare that it is +easier to walk by feeling than by sight; that is because he has not +learned to use his newly acquired faculty. Similarly the man whose +spiritual vision has been newly opened requires to be trained, in fact he +is in much greater need thereof than the babe and the blind man already +mentioned. Denied that training he would be like a new-born babe placed in +a nursery where the walls are lined with mirrors of different convex and +concave curvatures, which would distort its own shape and the forms of its +attendants. If allowed to grow up in such surroundings and unable to see +the real shapes of itself and its nurses it would naturally believe that +it saw many different and distorted shapes where in reality the mirrors +were responsible for the illusion. Were the persons concerned in such an +experiment and the child taken out of the illusory surroundings, it would +be incapable of recognizing them until the matter had been properly +explained. There are similar dangers of illusion to those who have +developed spiritual sight, until they have been trained to discount the +refraction and to view the _life_ which is permanent and stable, +disregarding the _form_ which is evanescent and changeable. The danger of +getting things out of focus always remains however and is so subtle that +the writer feels an imperative duty to warn his readers to take all +statements concerning the unseen world with the proverbial grain of salt, +for he has no intention to deceive. He is therefore inclined rather to +magnify than to minimize his limitations and would advise the student to +accept nothing from the author’s pen without reasoning it out for himself. +Thus, if he is deceived, he will be self-deceived and the author is +blameless. + +_Three Theories of Life._ + +Only three noteworthy theories have been offered as solutions to the +riddle of existence and in order that the reader may be able to make the +important choice between them, we will state briefly what they are and +give some of the arguments which lead us to advocate the doctrine of +Rebirth as the method which favors soul-growth and the ultimate attainment +of perfection, thus offering the best solution to the problem of life. + +1) THE MATERIALISTIC THEORY _teaches that life is but a short journey from +the cradle to the grave, that there is no higher intelligence in the +universe than man; that his mind is produced by certain correlations of +matter and that therefore death, and dissolution of the body terminate +existence._ + +There was a day when the arguments of Materialistic philosophers seemed +convincing, but as science advances it discovers more and more that there +is a spiritual side to the universe. That life and consciousness may exist +without being able to give us a sign, has been amply proven in the cases +where a person who was entranced and thought dead for days has suddenly +awakened and told all that had taken place around the body. Such eminent +scientists as Sir Oliver Lodge, Camille Flammarion, Lombroso and other men +of highest intelligence and scientific training, have unequivocally stated +as the result of their investigations, that the intelligence which we call +man survives death of the body and lives on in our midst as independently +of whether we see them or not as light and color exist all about the blind +man regardless of the fact that he does not perceive them. These +scientists have reached their conclusion after years of careful +investigation. They have found that the so-called dead can, and under +certain circumstances do, communicate with us in such a manner that +mistake is out of the question. We maintain that their testimony is worth +more than the argument of materialism to the contrary, for it is based +upon years of careful investigation, it is in harmony with such well +established laws as _the law of conservation of matter_ and _the law of +conservation of energy_. Mind is a form of energy, and immune from +destruction as claimed by the materialist. Therefore we disbar the +materialistic theory as unsound, because out of harmony with the laws of +nature and with well established facts. + +2) THE THEORY OF THEOLOGY _claims that just prior to each birth a soul is +created by God and enters into the world where it lives for a time varying +from a few minutes to a few score of years; that at the end of this short +span of life it returns through the portal of death to the invisible +beyond, where it remains forever in a condition of happiness or misery +according to the deeds done in the body during the few years it lived +here_. + +Plato insisted upon the necessity of a clear definition of terms as a +basis of argument and we contend that that is as necessary in discussing +the problem of life from the Bible point of view as in arguments from the +platonic standpoint. According to the Bible man is a composite being +consisting of body, soul and spirit. The two latter are usually taken to +be synonymous, but we insist that they are not interchangeable and present +the following to support our dictum. + +All things are in a state of vibration. Vibrations from objects in our +surroundings are constantly impinging upon us and carry to our senses a +cognition of the external world. The vibrations in the ether act upon our +eyes so that we see, and vibrations in the air transmit sounds to the ear. + +We also breathe the ether which is charged with pictures of our +surroundings and the sounds in our environment, so that by means of the +breath we receive at each moment of our life, _internally_ an accurate +picture of our external surroundings. + +That is a scientific proposition. Science does not explain what becomes of +these vibrations however, but according to the Rosicrucian Mystery +teaching they are transmitted to the blood, and then etched upon a little +atom in the heart as automatically as a moving picture is imprinted upon +the sensitized film, and a record of sounds is engraven upon the +phonographic disc. This breath-record starts with the first breath of the +newborn babe and ends only with the last gasp of the dying man, and “soul” +is a product of the breath. Genesis also shows the connection between +breath and soul in the words: “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of +the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man +became a living soul” (The same word: _nephesh_, is translated breath and +soul in the above quotation.) + +In the post mortem existence the breath-record is disposed of. The good +acts of life produce feelings of pleasure and the intensity of attraction +incorporates them into the spirit as soul-power. _Thus the breath-records +of our good acts are the soul which is saved_, for by the union with the +spirit they become immortal. As they accumulate life after life, we become +more soulful and they are thus also the basis of soulgrowth. + +The record of our evil acts is also derived from our breath in the moments +when they were committed. The pain and suffering they bring cause the +spirit to expel the breath-record from its being in Purgatory. As that +cannot exist independently of the life-giving spirit, the breath-record of +our sins disintegrates upon expurgation, and thus we see that “the soul +that sinneth, it shall die.” The memory of the suffering incidental to +expurgation however, remains with the spirit as _conscience_, to deter +from repetition of the same evil in later lives. + +Thus both our good and evil acts are recorded through the agency of the +breath, which is therefore the basis of the soul, but while the +breath-record of good acts amalgamates with the spirit and lives on +forever as an immortal soul, the breath-record of evil deeds is +disintegrated; it is the soul that sinneth and dies. + +While the Bible teaches that immortality of the soul is conditional upon +well-doing, it makes no distinction in respect of the spirit. The +statement is clear and emphatic that when ... “The silver cord be loosed +... then shall the dust return to the earth as it was and the spirit shall +return to God who gave it.” + +Thus the Bible teaches that the body is made of dust and returns thereto, +that a part of the soul generated in the breath is perishable, but that +the spirit survives bodily death and persists forever. Therefore a “lost +soul” in the common acceptance of that term is not a Bible teaching, for +the spirit is uncreate and eternal as God Himself, and therefore the +orthodox theory cannot be true. + +3) THE THEORY OF REBIRTHS _which teaches that each spirit is an integral +part of God, that it enfolds all divine possibilities as the acorn enfolds +the oak; that by means of many existences in an earthy body of gradually +__ improving texture its latent powers are being slowly unfolded and +become available as dynamic energy; that none can be lost but that all +will ultimately attain to perfection and reunion with God, each bringing +with it the accumulated experience which is the fruitage of its pilgrimage +through matter._ + +Or, as we may poetically express it: + +WE ARE ETERNAL. + + + On whistling stormcloud; on Zephyrus wing, + The Spirit-choir loud the World-anthems sing + Hark! Lis’t to their voice “we have passed through death’s door + There’s no Death; rejoice! life lives evermore.” + + We are, have always been, will ever be. + We are a portion of Eternity + Older than Creation, a part of One Great Whole, + Is each Individual and immortal Soul. + + On Time’s whirring loom our garments we’ve wrought + Eternally weave we on network of Thought, + Our kin and our country, by Mind brought to birth, + Were patterned in heaven ere molded on earth. + + We have shone in the Jewel and danced on the Wave, + We have sparkled in Fire defying the grave; + Through shapes everchanging, in size, kind and name + Our individual essence still is the same. + + And when we have reached to the highest of all, + The gradations of growth our minds shall recall + So that link by link we may join them together + And trace step by step the way we reached thither. + + Thus in time we shall know, if only we do + What lifts, ennobles, is right and true. + With kindness to all; with malice to none, + That in and through us God’s will may be done. + + +We venture to make the assertion that there is but one sin: _Ignorance_ +and but one salvation: _Applied Knowledge_. Even the wisest among us know +but little of what may be learned, however, and no one has attained to +perfection, or can attain in one single short life, but we note that +everywhere in nature slow persistent unfoldment makes for higher and +higher development of every thing and we call this process evolution. + +One of the chief characteristics of evolution lies in the fact that it +manifests in alternating periods of activity and rest. The busy summer, +when all things upon earth are exerting themselves to bring forth, is +followed by the rest and inactivity of winter. The busy day alternates +with the quiet of night. The ebb of the ocean is succeeded by the +flood-tide. Thus, as all other things move in cycles, the life that +expresses itself here upon earth for a few years is not to be thought of +as ended when death has been reached, but as surely as the sun rises in +the morning after having set at night, will the life that was ended by the +death of one body be taken up again in a new vehicle and in a different +environment. + +This earth may in fact be likened to a school to which we return life +after life to learn new lessons, as our children go to school day after +day to increase their knowledge. The child sleeps through the night which +intervenes between two days at school and the spirit also has its rest +from active life between death and a new birth. There are also different +classes in this world-school which correspond to the various grades from +kindergarten to college. In the lower classes we find spirits who have +gone to the school of life but a few times, they are savages now, but in +time they will become wiser and better than we are, and we ourselves shall +progress in future lives to spiritual heights of which we cannot even +conceive at the present. If we apply ourselves to learn the lessons of +life, we shall of course advance much faster in the school of life than if +we dilly-dally and idle our time away. This, on the same principle which +governs in one of our own institutions of learning. + +We are not here then, by the caprice of God. He has not placed one in +clover and another in a desert nor has He given one a healthy body so that +he may live at ease from pain and sickness, while He placed another in +poor circumstances with never a rest from pain. But what we are, we are, +on account of our own diligence or negligence, and what we shall be in the +future depends upon what we will to be and not upon Divine caprice or upon +inexorable fate. No matter what the circumstances, it lies with us to +master them, or to be mastered, as we will. Sir Edwin Arnold puts the +teaching most beautifully in his “Light of Asia.” + + + “The Books say well, my Brothers! each man’s life + The outcome of his former living is; + The bygone wrongs bring forth sorrows and woes + The bygone right breeds bliss. + + Each has such lordship as the loftiest ones + Nay for with powers around, above, below + As with all flesh and whatsoever lives + _Act_ maketh joy or woe. + + Who toiled a slave may come anew a prince + For gentle worthiness and merit won; + Who ruled a king may wander earth in rags + For things done or undone.” + + +Or, as an unknown poet says: + + + “One ship sails East and another sails West + With the self same winds that blow. + ’Tis the set of the sail, and not the gale, + Which determines the way they go. + + As the winds of the sea are the ways of fate + As we voyage along through life. + ’Tis the act of the soul, which determines the goal + And not the calm or the strife.” + + +When we wish to engage someone to undertake a certain mission we choose +some one whom we think particularly fitted to fulfill the requirements and +we must suppose that a Divine Being would use at least as much common +sense, and not choose anyone to go his errand who was not fitted therefor. +So when we read in the Bible that Samson was foreordained to be the slayer +of the Philistines and that Jeremiah was predestined to be a prophet, it +is but logical to suppose that they must have been particularly suited to +such occupation. John the Baptist also, was born to be a herald of the +coming Savior and to preach the kingdom of God which is to take the place +of the kingdom of men. + +Had these people had no previous training, how could they have developed +such a fitness to fulfill their various missions, and if they had been +fitted, how else could they have received their training if not in earlier +lives? + +The Jews believed in the Doctrine of Rebirth or they would not have asked +John the Baptist if he were Elijah, as recorded in the first chapter of +John. The Apostles of Christ also held the belief as we may see from the +incident recorded in the sixteenth chapter of Matthew where the Christ +asked them the question: “Whom do men say that I the Son of Man am?” The +Apostles replied: “Some say that Thou art John the Baptist; some, Elias; +and others Jeremias or one of the Prophets.” Upon this occasion the Christ +tacitly assented to the teaching of Rebirth because He did not correct the +disciples as would have been His plain duty in His capacity as teacher, +when the pupils entertained a mistaken idea. + +But to Nicodemus He said unequivocally: “Except a man be born again, he +cannot see the kingdom of God” and in the eleventh chapter of Matthew, the +fourteenth verse, He said, speaking of John the Baptist: “_this __ is +Elijah_,” in the seventeenth chapter of Matthew, the twelfth verse, He +said: “Elijah has come already and they knew him not, but have done to him +whatsoever they listed, ... then the disciples understood that he spoke to +them of John the Baptist.” + +Thus we maintain that the Doctrine of Rebirth offers the only solution to +the problem of life which is in harmony with the laws of nature, which +answers the ethical requirements of the case and permits us to love God +without blinding our reason to the inequalities of life and the varying +circumstances which give to a few the ease and comfort, the health and +wealth, which are denied to the many. + +The theory of Heredity advanced by Materialists applies only to the +_form_, for as a carpenter uses material from a certain pile of lumber to +build a house in which he afterwards lives, so does the spirit take the +substance wherewith to build its house from the parents. The carpenter +cannot build a house of hard wood from spruce lumber and the spirit also +must build a body which is like those from which the material was taken, +but the theory of Heredity does not apply upon the moral plane, for it is +a notorious fact, that in the rogues galleries of America and Europe there +is no case where both father and son are represented. Thus the sons of +criminals, though they have the tendencies to crime, keep out of the +clutches of the law. Neither will Heredity hold good upon the plane of the +intellect, for many cases may be cited where a genius and an idiot spring +from the same stock. The great Cuvier, whose brain was of about the same +weight, as Daniel Webster’s, and whose intellect was as great, had five +children who all died of paresis, the brother of Alexander the Great was +an idiot, and thus we hold that another solution must be found to account +for the facts of life. + +The law of Rebirth coupled with its companion law, the law of Causation +does that. When we die after one life, we return to earth later, under +circumstances determined by the manner in which we lived before. The +gambler is drawn to pool parlors and race tracks to associate with others +of like taste, the musician is attracted to the concert halls and music +studios, by congenial spirits, and the returning Ego also carries with it +its likes and dislikes which cause it to seek parents among the class to +which it belongs. + +But then someone will point to cases where we find people of entirely +opposite tastes living lives of torture, because grouped in the same +family, and forced by circumstances to stay there contrary to their wills. +But that does not vitiate the law in the slightest, in each life we +contract certain obligations which cannot then be fulfilled. Perhaps we +have run away from a duty such as the care of an invalid relative and have +met death without coming to a realization of our mistake. That relative +upon the other hand may have suffered severely from our neglect, and have +stored up a bitterness against us before death terminates the suffering. +Death and the subsequent removal to another environment does not pay our +debts in this life, any more than the removal from the city where we now +live to another place will pay the debts we have contracted prior to our +removal. It is therefore quite possible that the two who have injured each +other as described, may find themselves members of the same family. Then, +whether they remember the past grudge or not, the old enmity will assert +itself and cause them to hate anew until the consequent discomfort forces +them to tolerate each other, and perhaps later they may learn to love +where they hated. + +The question also arises in the mind of inquirers: If we have been here +before why do we not remember? And the answer is, that while most people +are not aware of how their previous existences were spent, there are +others who have a very distinct recollection of previous lives. A friend +of the writer’s for instance, when living in France, one day started to +read to her son about a certain city where they were then going upon a +bicycle tour, and the boy exclaimed: you do not need to tell me about that +mother. I know that city, I lived there and was killed! He then commenced +to describe the city and also a certain bridge. Later he took his mother +to that bridge and showed her the spot where he had met death centuries +before. Another friend travelling in Ireland saw a scene which she +recognized and she also described to the party the scene around the bend +of the road which she had never seen in this life, so it must have been a +memory from a previous life. Numerous other instances could be given where +such minor flashes of memory reveal to us glimpses from a past life. The +verified case in which a little three year old girl in Santa Barbara +described her life and death has been given in the Rosicrucian Cosmo +Conception. It is perhaps the most conclusive evidence as it hinges on the +veracity of a child too young to have learned deception. + +This theory of life does not rest upon speculation however, it is one of +the first facts of life demonstrated to the pupil of a Mystery school. He +is taught to watch a child in the act of dying, also, to watch it in the +invisible world from day to day, until it comes to a new birth a year or +two later. Then he knows with absolute certainty that we return to earth +to reap in a future life what we now sow. + +The reason for taking a child to watch in preference to an adult, is, that +the child is reborn very quickly, for its short life on earth has borne +but few fruits and these are soon assimilated, while the adult who has +lived a long life, and had much experience remains in the invisible worlds +for centuries, so that the pupil could not watch him from death to +rebirth. The cause of infant mortality will be explained later, here we +merely desire to emphasize the fact that it is within the range of +possibilities of every one without exception to become able to know at +first hand that which is here taught. + +The average interval between two earth-lives is about a thousand years. It +is determined by the movement of the sun known to astronomers as +_precession of the equinox_, by which the sun moves through one of the +signs of the Zodiac in about 2100 years. During that time the conditions +upon earth have changed so much that the spirit will find entirely new +experiences here, and therefore it returns. + +The Great Leaders of evolution always obtain the maximum benefit from each +condition designed by them, and as the experiences in the same social +conditions are very different in the case of a man from what they are for +a woman, the human spirit takes birth twice during the 2100 years measured +by the precession of the equinox as already explained, it is born once as +a man and another time as a woman. Such is the rule, but it is subject to +whatever modifications may be necessary to facilitate reaping what the +spirit has sown, as required under the law of Causation which works hand +in hand with the law of Rebirth. Thus, at times a spirit may be brought to +birth long ere the thousand years have expired, in order to fulfill a +certain mission, or it may be detained in the invisible worlds after the +time when it should have come to birth according to the strict +requirements of a blind law. The laws of nature are not that however. They +are Great Intelligences who always subordinate minor considerations to +higher ends, and under their beneficent guidance we are constantly +progressing from life to life under conditions exactly suited to each +individual, until in time we shall attain to a higher evolution and become +Supermen. + +Oliver Wendell Holmes has so beautifully voiced that aspiration and its +consummation in the lines: + + + “Build thee more stately mansions Oh! 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 thy outgrown shell by life’s unresting sea.” + + + + + +CHAPTER III. THE VISIBLE AND THE INVISIBLE WORLD + + +_The Chemical Region._ + +If one who is capable of consciously using his spiritual body with the +same facility that we now use our physical vehicles should glide away from +the earth into interplanetary space, the earth and the various other +planets of our solar system would appear to him to be composed of three +kinds of matter, roughly speaking. The densest matter, which is our +visible earth, would appear to him as being the center of the ball as the +yolk is in the center of an egg. Around that nucleus he would observe a +finer grade of matter similarly disposed in relation to the central mass, +as the white of the egg is disposed outside the yolk. Upon a little closer +investigation he would also discover that this second kind of substance +permeates the solid earth to the very center, even as the blood percolates +through the more solid parts of our flesh. Outside both of these mingling +layers of matter he would observe a still finer, third layer corresponding +to the shell of the egg, except that this third layer is the finest most +subtile of the three grades of matter, and that it inter-penetrates both +of the two inner layers. + +As already said, the central mass, spiritually seen, is our visible world, +composed of solids, liquids and gases. They constitute the earth, its +atmosphere, and also the ether, of which physical science speaks +hypothetically as permeating the atomic substance of all chemical +elements. The second layer of matter is called the Desire World and the +outermost layer is called the World of Thought. + +A little reflection upon the subject will make clear that just such a +constitution is necessary to account for facts of life as we see them. All +forms in the world about us are built from chemical substances: solids, +liquids and gases, but in so far that they do move, these forms obey a +separate and distinct impulse, and when this impelling energy leaves, the +form becomes inert. The steam engine rotates under the impetus of an +invisible gas called steam. Before steam filled its cylinder, the engine +stood still, and when the impelling force is shut off its motion again +ceases. The dynamo rotates under the still more subtile influence of an +electric current which may also cause the click of a telegraph instrument +or the ring of an electric bell, but the dynamo ceases its swift whirl and +the persistent ring of the electric bell becomes mute when the invisible +electricity is switched off. The form of the bird, the animal and the +human being also cease their motion when the inner force which we call +_life_ has winged its invisible way. + +All forms are impelled into motion by desire:—the bird and the animal roam +land and air in their desire to secure food and shelter, or for the +purpose of breeding, man is also moved by these desires, but has in +addition other and higher incentives to spur him to effort, among them is +desire for rapidity of motion which led him to construct the steam engine +and other devices that move in obedience to _his_ desire. + +If there were no iron in the mountains man could not build machines. If +there were no clay in the soil, the bony structure of the skeleton would +be an impossibility, and if there were no Physical World at all, with its +solids, liquids and gases, this dense body of ours could never have come +into existence. Reasoning along similar lines it must be at once apparent +that if there were no Desire World composed of desire-stuff, we should +have no way of forming feelings, emotions and desires. A planet composed +of the materials we perceive with our _physical_ eyes and of no other +substances, might be the home of plants which grow unconsciously, but have +no desires to cause them to move. The human and animal kingdoms however, +would be impossibilities. + +Furthermore, there is in the world a vast number of things, from the +simplest and most crude instruments, to the most intricate and cunning +devices which have been constructed by the hand of man. These reveal the +fact of man’s thought and ingenuity. Thought must have a source as well as +_form_ and _feeling_. We saw that it was necessary to have the requisite +material in order to build a steam engine or a body and we reasoned from +the fact that in order to obtain material to express _desire_ there must +also be a world composed of desire stuff. Carrying our argument to its +logical conclusion, we also hold that unless a World of Thought provides a +reservoir of mind stuff upon which we may draw, it would be impossible for +us to think and invent the things which we see in even the lowest +civilization. + +Thus it will be clear that the division of a planet into worlds is not +based on fanciful metaphysical speculation, but is logically necessary in +the economy of nature. Therefore it must be taken into consideration by +any one who would study and aim to understand the inner nature of things. +When we see the street cars moving along our streets, it does not explain +to say that the motor is driven by electricity of so many amperes at so +many volts. These names only add to our confusion until we have thoroughly +studied the science of electricity and then we shall find that the mystery +deepens, for while the street car belongs to the world of _inert form_ +perceptible to our vision, the electric current which moves it is +indigenous to the realm of _force_, the invisible Desire World, and the +thought which created and guides it, comes from the still more subtile +World of Thought which is the home world of the human spirit, the Ego. + +It may be objected that this line of argument makes a simple matter +exceedingly intricate, but a little reflection will soon show the fallacy +of such a contention. Viewed superficially any of the sciences seem +extremely simple; anatomically we may divide the body into flesh and bone, +chemically we may make the simple divisions between solid, liquid and gas, +but to thoroughly master the science of anatomy it is necessary to spend +years in close application and learn to know all the little nerves, the +ligaments which bind articulations between various parts of the bony +structure, to study the several kinds of tissue and their disposition in +our system where they form the bones, muscles, glands, etc., which in the +aggregate we know as the human body. To properly understand the science of +chemistry we must study the valence of the atom which determines the power +of combination of the various elements, together with other niceties, such +as atomic weight, density, etc. New wonders are constantly opening up to +the most experienced chemist, who understands best the immensity of his +chosen science. + +The youngest lawyer, fresh from law school knows more about the most +intricate cases, in his own estimation, than the judges upon the Supreme +Court bench who spend long hours, weeks and months, seriously deliberating +over their decisions. But those who, without having studied, think they +understand and are fitted to discourse upon the greatest of all sciences, +the science of Life and Being, make a greater mistake. After years of +patient study, of holy life spent in close application, a man is +oftentimes perplexed at the immensity of the subject he studies. He finds +it to be so vast in both the direction of the great and small that it +baffles description, that language fails, and that the tongue must remain +mute. Therefore we hold, (and we speak from knowledge gained through years +of close study and investigation), that the finer distinctions which we +have made, and shall make, are not at all arbitrary, but absolutely +necessary as are divisions and distinctions made in anatomy or chemistry. + +No form in the physical world has feeling in the true sense of that word. +It is the indwelling life which feels, as we may readily see from the fact +that a body which responded to the slightest touch while instinct with +life, exhibits no sensation whatever even when cut to pieces after the +life has fled. Demonstrations have been made by scientists, particularly +by Professor Bose of Calcutta, to show that there is feeling in dead +animal tissue and even in tin and other metal, but we maintain that the +diagrams which seem to support his contentions in reality demonstrate only +a response to impacts similar to the rebound of a rubber ball, and that +must not be confused with such feelings as _love_, _hate_, _sympathy_ and +_aversion_. Goethe also, in his novel “Elective Affinities,” +(Wahlverwandtschaft), brings out some beautiful illustrations wherein he +makes it seem as if atoms loved and hated, from the fact that some +elements combine readily while other substances refuse to amalgamate, a +phenomenon produced by the different rates of speed at which various +elements vibrate and an unequal inclination of their axes. Only where +there is sentient life can there be feelings of pleasure and pain, sorrow +or joy. + +_The Etheric Region._ + +In addition to the solids, liquids and gases which compose the _Chemical +Region_ of the Physical World there is also a finer grade of matter called +Ether, which permeates the atomic structure of the earth and its +atmosphere substantially as science teaches. Scientists have never seen, +nor have they weighed, measured or analyzed this substance, but they infer +that it must exist in order to account for transmission of light and +various other phenomena. If it were possible for us to live in a room from +which the air had been exhausted we might speak at the top of our voices, +we might ring the largest bell or we might even discharge a cannon close +to our ear and we should hear no sound, for air is the medium which +transmits sound vibrations to the tympanum of our ear, and that would be +lacking. But if an electric light were lighted, we should at once perceive +its rays; it would illumine the room despite the lack of air. Hence there +must be a substance, capable of being set into vibration, between the +electric light and our eyes. That medium scientists call ether, but it is +so subtile that no instrument has been devised whereby it may be measured +or analyzed and therefore the scientists are without much information +concerning it, though forced to postulate its existence. + +We do not seek to belittle the achievements of modern scientists, we have +the greatest admiration for them and we entertain high expectations of +what ambitions they may yet realize, but we perceive a limitation in the +fact, that all discoveries of the past have been made by the invention of +wonderful instruments applied in a most ingenious manner to solve +seemingly insoluble and baffling problems. The strength of science lies +vested in its instruments, for the scientist may say to anyone: Go, +procure a number of glasses ground in a certain manner, insert them in a +tube, direct that tube toward a certain point in the sky where now nothing +appears to your naked eye. You will then see a beautiful star called +Uranus. If his directions are followed, anyone is _quickly and without +preparation_, able to demonstrate for himself the truth of the scientist’s +assertion. But while the instruments of science are its tower of strength +they also mark the end of its field of investigation, for it is impossible +to contact the spirit world with _physical_ instruments, so the research +of occultists begins where the physical scientist finds his limit and are +carried on by _spiritual_ means. + +These investigations are as thorough and as reliable as researches by +material scientists, but not as easily demonstrable to the general public. +Spiritual powers lie dormant within every human being, and when awakened, +they compensate for both telescope and microscope, they enable their +possessor to investigate, _instanter_, things beyond the veil of matter, +but they are only developed by a patient application and continuance in +well doing extended over years, and few are they who have faith to start +upon the path to attainment or perseverance to go through with the ordeal. +Therefore the occultist’s assertions are not generally credited. + +We can readily see that long probation must precede attainment, for a +person equipped with spiritual sight is able to penetrate walls of houses +as easily as we walk through the atmosphere, able to read at will the +innermost thoughts of those about him; if not actuated by the most pure +and unselfish motives, he would be a scourge to humanity. Therefore that +power is safeguarded as we would withhold the dynamite bomb from an +anarchist and from the well-intentioned but ignorant person, or, as we +withhold match and powder barrel from a child. + +In the hands of an experienced engineer the dynamite bomb may be used to +open a highway of commerce, and an intelligent farmer may use gunpowder to +good account in clearing his field of tree-stumps, but in the hands of an +ill-intentioned criminal or ignorant child an explosive may wreck much +property and end many lives. The force is the same, but used differently, +according to the ability or intention of the user, it may produce results +of a diametrically opposite nature. So it is also with spiritual powers, +there is a time-lock upon them, as upon a bank safe, which keeps out all +until they have earned the privilege and the time is ripe for its +exercise. + +As already said, the ether is physical matter and responsive to the same +laws which govern other physical substances upon this plane of existence. +Therefore it requires but a slight extension of _physical_ sight to see +ether, (which is disposed in four grades of density), the blue haze seen +in mountain canyons is in fact ether of the kind known to occult +investigators as “_chemical ether_.” Many people who see this ether, are +unaware that they are possessed of a faculty not enjoyed by all. Others, +who have developed spiritual sight are not endowed with etheric vision, a +fact which seems an anomaly until the subject of clairvoyance is +thoroughly understood. + +The reason is, that as ether is physical matter, etheric sight depends +upon the sensitiveness of the optic nerve while spiritual sight is +acquired by developing latent vibratory powers in two little organs +situated in the brain: the Pituitary body and the Pineal gland. +Nearsighted people even, may have etheric vision. Though unable to read +the print in a book, they may be able to “see through a wall,” owing to +the fact that their optic nerve responds more rapidly to fine than to +coarse vibrations. + +When anyone views an object with etheric sight he sees _through_ that +object in a manner similar to the way an x-ray penetrates opaque +substances. If he looks at a sewing machine, he will perceive, first an +outer casing; then, the works within, and behind both, the casing furthest +away from him. + +If he has developed the grade of spiritual vision which opens the Desire +World to him and he looks at the same object, he will see it both inside +and out. If he looks closely, he will perceive every little atom spinning +upon its axis and no part or particle will be excluded from his +perception. + +But if his spiritual sight has been developed in such a measure that he is +capable of viewing the sewing machine with the vision peculiar to the +World of Thought, he will behold a cavity where he had previously seen the +form. + +Things seen with etheric vision are very much alike in color, they are +nearly reddish-blue, purple or violet, according to the density of the +ether, but when we view any object with the spiritual sight pertaining to +the Desire World, it scintillates and coruscates in a thousand ever +changing colors so indescribably beautiful that they can only be compared +to living fire, and the writer therefore calls this grade of vision _color +sight_, but when the spiritual vision of the World of Thought is the +medium of perception, the seer finds that in addition to still more +beautiful colors, there issues from the cavity described a constant flow +of a certain harmonious _tone_. Thus this world wherein we now consciously +live and which we perceive by means of our physical senses is preeminently +the world of _form_, the Desire World is particularly the world of _color_ +and the World of Thought is the realm of _tone_. + +Because of the relative proximity or distance of these worlds, a statue, a +_form_, withstands the ravages of time for millenniums, but the _colors_ +upon a painting fade in far shorter time, for they come from the Desire +World, and _music_ which is native to the World furthest removed from us, +the World of Thought, is like a will-o-the-wisp which none may catch or +hold, it is gone again as soon as it has made its appearance. But there is +in color and music a compensation for this increasing evanescence. + +The statue is cold and dead as the mineral of which it is composed and has +attractions for but few though its _form is_ a tangible reality. + +The forms upon a painting are illusory yet they express _life_, on account +of the _color_ which has come from a region where nothing is inert and +lifeless. Therefore the painting is enjoyed by many. + +Music is intangible and ephemeral, but it comes from the home world of the +spirit and though so fleeting it is recognized by the spirit as a +_soul-speech_ fresh from the celestial realms, an echo from the home +whence we are now exiled, and therefore it touches a cord in our being, +regardless of whether we realize the true cause or not. + +Thus we see that there are various grades of spiritual sight, each suited +to the superphysical realm which it opens to our perception: Etheric +vision, color vision and tonal vision. + +The occult investigator finds that ether is of four kinds, or grades of +density: + +The Chemical Ether, +The Life Ether, +The Light Ether, +The Reflecting Ether. + +_The Chemical Ether_ is the avenue of expression for forces promoting +assimilation, growth and the maintenance of form. + +_The Life Ether_ is the vantage ground of forces active in propagation, or +the building of new forms. + +_The Light Ether_ transmits the motive power of the sun along the various +nerves of _living_ bodies and makes motion possible. + +_The Reflecting Ether_ receives an impression of all that is, lives and +moves. It also records each change, in a similar manner as the film upon a +moving picture machine. In this record mediums and psychometrists may read +the past, upon the same principle as, under proper conditions, moving +pictures are reproduced time and again. + +We have been speaking of ether as an avenue of _forces_, a word which +conveys no meaning to the average mind, because force is invisible. But to +an occult investigator the forces are not merely names such as steam, +electricity, etc. He finds them to be intelligent beings of varying +grades, both sub and superhuman. What we call “laws of nature,” are great +intelligences which guide more elemental beings in accordance with certain +rules designed to further their evolution. + +In the Middle Ages, when many people were still endowed with a remnant of +_negative_ clairvoyance, they spoke of Gnomes and Elves or Fairies, which +roamed about the mountains and forests. These were the _earth_ spirits. +They also told of the Undine or _water_-sprite, which inhabited rivers and +streams, of Sylphs which were said to dwell in the mists above moat and +moor, as air spirits, but not much was said of the Salamanders, as they +are, fire spirits, and therefore not so easily detected, or so readily +accessible to the majority of people. + +The old folk stories are now regarded as superstitions, but as a matter of +fact, one endowed with etheric vision may yet perceive the little gnomes +building green chlorophyll into the leaves of plants and giving to flowers +the multiplicity of delicate tints which delight our eyes. + +Scientists have attempted time and again to offer an adequate explanation +of the phenomenon of wind and storm but have failed signally, nor can they +succeed while they seek a mechanical solution to what is really a +manifestation of life. Could they see the hosts of sylphs winging their +way hither and thither, they would _know_ who and what is responsible for +the fickleness of the wind; could they watch a storm at sea from the +etheric view-point they would perceive that the saying “the war of the +elements” is not an empty phrase, for the heaving sea is truly then a +battlefield of sylphs and undines and the howling tempest is the war cry +of spirits in the air. + +Also the salamanders are found everywhere and no fire is lighted without +their help, but they are mostly active underground. They are responsible +for explosions and volcanic eruptions. + +The classes of beings which we have mentioned are still sub-human, but +will all at some time reach a stage in evolution corresponding to the +human, though under different circumstances from those under which we +evolve. But at present the wonderful intelligences we speak of as the laws +of nature, marshall the armies of less evolved entities mentioned. + +To arrive at a better understanding of what these various beings are, and +their relation to us, we may take an illustration: Let us suppose that a +mechanic is making an engine, and meanwhile a dog is watching him. It +_sees_ the man at his labor, and how he uses various tools to shape his +materials, also how, from the crude iron, steel, brass and other metals +the engine slowly takes shape. The dog is a being from a lower evolution +and does not comprehend the purpose of the mechanic but it _sees_ both the +workman, his labor and the result thereof, which manifests as an engine. + +Let us now suppose that the dog were able to see the materials which +slowly change their shape, assemble and become an engine but that it is +unable to perceive the workman and to see the work he does. The dog would +then be in the same relation to the mechanic as we are to the great +intelligences we call laws of nature, and their assistants, the nature +spirits, for we behold the manifestations of their work as _force_ moving +matter in various ways but always under immutable conditions. + +In the ether we may also observe the angels, whose densest body is made of +that material, as our dense body is formed of gases, liquids and solids. +These beings are one step beyond the human stage, as we are a degree in +advance of the animal evolution. We have never been animals like our +present fauna, however, but at a previous stage in the development of our +planet we had an animal-like constitution. Then the angels were human, +though they have never possessed a dense body such as ours, nor ever +functioned in any material denser than ether. At some time, in a future +condition, the earth will again become ethereal. Then man will be _like_ +the angels. Therefore the Bible tells us that man was made _a little +while_ lower than the angels (Paul’s letter to the Hebrews, second +chapter, seventh verse; _see marginal reading_.) + +As ether is the avenue of vital, creative forces, and as angels are such +expert builders of ether, we may readily understand that they are +eminently fitted to be warders of the propagative forces in plant, animal +and man. All through the Bible we find them thus engaged: Two _angels_ +came to Abraham and announced the birth of Isaac, they _promised_ a child +to the man who had obeyed God. Later _these same angels_ destroyed Sodom +for _abuse of the creative force_. _Angels_ foretold _to the parents_ of +Samuel and Samson, the birth of these giants of brain and brawn. To +Elizabeth came the _angel_ (not archangel) Gabriel and announced the birth +of John, later he appeared also to Mary with the message that she was +chosen to bear Jesus. + +_The Desire World._ + +When spiritual sight is developed so that it becomes possible to behold +the Desire World, many wonders confront the newcomer, for conditions are +so widely different from what they are here, that a description must sound +quite as incredible as a fairy tale to anyone who has not himself seen +them. Many cannot even believe that such a world exists, and that other +people can see that which is invisible to them, yet some people are blind +to the beauties of this world which we see. A man who was born blind, may +say to us: I know that this world exists, I can hear, I can smell, I can +taste and above all I can feel but when you speak of light and of color, +they are nonexistent to me. You say that you _see_ these things, I cannot +believe it for I cannot _see_ myself. You say that light and color are all +about me, but none of the senses at my command reveal them to me and I do +not believe that the sense you call _sight_ exists. I think you suffer +from hallucinations. We might sympathize very sincerely with the poor man +who is thus afflicted, but his scepticism, reasonings and objections and +sneers notwithstanding we would be obliged to maintain that we perceive +light and color. + +The man whose spiritual sight has been awakened is in a similar position +with respect to those who do not perceive the Desire World of which he +speaks. If the blind man acquires the faculty of sight by an operation, +his eyes are opened and he will be compelled to assert the existence of +light and color which he formerly denied, and when spiritual sight is +acquired by anyone, he also perceives for himself the facts related by +others. Neither is it an argument against the existence of spiritual +realms that seers are at variance in their descriptions of conditions in +the invisible world. We need but to look into books on travel, and compare +stories brought home by explorers of China, India or Africa and we shall +find them differing widely and often contradictory, because each traveler +saw things from his own standpoint, under other conditions than those met +by his brother authors, and we maintain that the man who has read most +widely these varying tales concerning a certain Country _and wrestled with +the contradictions of narrators_, will have a more comprehensive idea of +the country or people of whom he has read, than the man who has only read +one story assented to by all the authors. Similarly, the varying stories +of visitors to the Desire World are of value, because giving a fuller +view, and more rounded, than if all had seen things from the same angle. + +In this world matter and force are widely different. The chief +characteristic of matter here is _inertia_: the tendency to remain at rest +until acted upon by a force which sets it in motion. In the Desire World, +on the contrary, force and matter are almost indistinguishable one from +the other. We might almost describe desire-stuff as force-matter, for it +is in incessant motion, responsive to the slightest _feeling_ of a vast +multitude of beings which populate this wonderful world in nature. We +often speak of the “teeming millions” of China and India, even of our vast +cities, London, New York, Paris or Chicago, we consider them overcrowded +in the extreme, yet even the densest population of any spot upon earth is +sparsely inhabited compared with the crowded conditions of the Desire +World. No inconvenience is felt by any of the denizens of that realm, +however, for, while in this world two things cannot occupy the same space +at the same time, it is different there. A number of people and things may +exist _in the same place at the same time_ and be engaged in most diverse +activities, regardless of what others are doing, such is the wonderful +elasticity of desire stuff. As an illustration we may mention a case where +the writer while attending religious service, plainly perceived at the +altar certain beings interested in furthering that service and working to +achieve that end. At the same time there drifted through the room and the +altar, a table at which four persons were engaged in playing cards. They +were as oblivious to the existence of the beings engaged in furthering our +religious service, as though these did not exist. + +The Desire World is the abode of those who have died, for some time +subsequent to that event, and we may mention in the above connection that +the so-called “dead” very often stay for a long while among their still +living friends. Unseen by their relatives they go about the familiar +rooms. At first they are often unaware of the condition mentioned: “that +two persons may be in the same place at the same time,” and when they seat +themselves in a chair or at the table, a living relative may take the +supposedly vacant seat. The man we mistakenly call dead will at first +hurry out of his seat to escape being sat upon, but he soon learns that +being sat upon does not hurt him in his altered condition, and that he may +remain in his chair regardless of the fact that his living relative is +also sitting there. + +In the lower regions of the Desire World the whole body of each being may +be seen, but in the highest regions only the head seems to remain. +Raphael, who like many other people in the middle ages was gifted with a +so-called _second sight_, pictured that condition for us in his Sistine +Madonna, now in the Dresden Art Gallery, where Madonna and the +Christ-child are represented as floating in a golden atmosphere and +surrounded by a host of genie-heads: conditions which the occult +investigator knows to be in harmony with actual facts. + +Among the entities who are, so to speak, “_native_” to that realm of +nature, none are perhaps better known to the Christian world than the +Archangels. These exalted Beings were human at a time in the earth’s +history when we were yet plant-like. Since then we have advanced two +steps: through the animal and to the human stage of development. The +present Archangels have also made two steps in progression; one, in which +they were similar to what the angels are now, and another step which made +them what we call Archangels. + +Their densest body, though differing from ours in shape, and made of +desire stuff, is used by them as a vehicle of consciousness in the same +manner that we use our body. They are expert manipulators of forces in the +Desire World, and these forces, as we shall see, move all the world to +action. Therefore the Archangels work with humanity _industrially_ and +_politically_ as arbitrators of the destiny of peoples and nations. The +Angels may be said to be _family_-spirits whose mission is to unite a few +spirits as members of a family, and cement them with ties of blood and +love of kin, while the Archangels may be called race and national spirits, +as they unite whole nations by patriotism or love of home and country. +They are responsible for the rise and fall of nations, they give war or +peace, victory or defeat as it serves the best interests of the people +they rule. This we may see, for instance, from the book of Daniel, where +the Archangel Michael (not to be confounded with the Michael, who is +ambassador from the sun to the earth), is called the prince of the +children of Israel. Another Archangel tells Daniel, (in the tenth chapter) +that he intends to fight the prince of Persia by means of the Greeks. + +There are varying grades of intelligence among human beings, some are +qualified to hold high and lofty positions entirely beyond the ability of +others. So it is also among higher beings, not all Archangels are fitted +to govern a nation and rule the destiny of a race, people or tribe, some +are not fitted to rule human beings at all, but as the animals also have a +desire nature these lower grades of Archangels govern the animals as +group-spirits and evolve to higher capacity thereby. + +The work of the race spirits is readily observable in the people it +governs. The lower in the scale of evolution the people, the more they +show a certain racial likeness. That is due to the work of the race +spirit. One national spirit is responsible for the swarthy complexion +common to Italians, for instance, while another causes the Scandinavians +to be blond. In the more advanced types of humanity there is a wider +divergence from the common type, due to the individualized Ego, which thus +expresses in form and feature its own particular idiosyncrasies. Among the +lower types of humanity such as Mongolians, native African Negroes and +South Sea Islanders, the resemblance of individuals in each tribe makes it +almost impossible for civilized Westerners to distinguish between them. +Among animals, where the separate spirit is not individualized and +self-conscious, the resemblance is not only much more marked physically +but extends even to traits and characteristics. We may write the biography +of a man, for the experiences of each varies from that of others and his +acts are different, but we cannot write the biography of an animal for +members of each tribe all act alike under similar circumstances. If we +desire to know the facts about Edward VII, it would profit us nothing to +study the life of the Prince-Consort, his father, or of George V, his son, +as both would be entirely different from Edward. In order to find out what +manner of man he was, we must study his own individual life. If, on the +other hand, we wish to know the characteristics of beavers, we may observe +any individual of the tribe, and when we have studied its idiosyncrasies, +we shall know the traits of the whole tribe of beavers. What we call +“instinct,” is in reality the dictates of group-spirits which govern +separate individuals of its tribe telepathically, as it were. + +The ancient Egyptians knew of these animal group spirits and sketched many +of them, in a crude way, upon their temples and tombs. Such figures with a +human body and an animal head actually live in the desire world. They may +be spoken to, and will be found much more intelligent than the average +human being. + +That statement brings up another peculiarity of conditions in the Desire +World in respect of language. Here in this World human speech is so +diversified that there are countries where people who live only a few +miles apart speak a dialect so different that they understand each other +with great difficulty, and each nation has its own language that varies +altogether from the speech of other peoples. + +In the lower Regions of the Desire World, there is the same diversity of +tongues as on earth, and the so-called “dead” of one nation find it +impossible to converse with those who lived in another country. Hence +linguistic accomplishments are of great value to the “Invisible Helpers”, +of whom we shall hear later, as their sphere of usefulness is enormously +extended by that ability. + +Even apart from difference of language our mode of speech is exceedingly +productive of misunderstandings. The same words often convey most opposite +ideas to different minds. If we speak of a “body of water”, one person may +think we mean a lake of small dimensions, the thoughts of another may be +directed to the great American Lakes and a third person’s thoughts may be +turned towards the Atlantic or Pacific Oceans. If we speak of a “light”, +one may think of a gas-light, another of an electric Arc-lamp, or if we +say “red”, one person may think we mean a delicate shade of pink and +another gets the idea of crimson. The misunderstandings of what words mean +goes even farther, as illustrated in the following. + +The writer once opened a reading room in a large city where he lectured, +and invited his audience to make use thereof. Among those who availed +themselves of the opportunity was a gentleman who had for many years been +a veritable “metaphysical tramp,” roaming from lecture to lecture, hearing +the teachings of everybody and practicing nothing. Like the Athenians on +Mars’ Hill, he was always looking for something “new,” particularly in the +line of phenomena, and his mind was in that seething chaotic state which +is one of the most prominent symptoms of “mental indigestion.” + +Having attended a number of our lectures he knew from the program that: +“The lecturer does not give readings, or cast horoscopes _for pay_.” But +seeing on the door of the newly opened reading room, the legend: “Free +Reading Room,” his erratic mind at once jumped to the conclusion that +although we were opposed to telling fortunes for pay, we were now going to +give free readings of the future in the Free Reading Room. He was much +disappointed that we did not intend to tell fortunes, either gratis or for +a consideration, and we changed our sign to “Free Library” in order to +obviate a repetition of the error. + +In the higher Regions of the Desire World the confusion of tongues gives +place to a universal mode of expression which absolutely prevents +misunderstandings of our meaning. There each of our thoughts takes a +definite form and color perceptible to all, and this thought-symbol emits +a certain tone, which is not a word, but it conveys our meaning to the one +we address no matter what language he spoke on earth. + +To arrive at an understanding of how such a universal language becomes +possible and is at once comprehended by all, without preparation, we may +take as an illustration the manner in which a musician reads music. A +German or a Polish composer may write an opera. Each has his own peculiar +terminology and expresses it in his own language. When that opera is to be +played by an Italian band master, or by a Spanish or American musician, it +need not be translated, the notes and symbols upon the page are a +universally understood language of symbols which is intelligible to +musicians of no matter what nationality. Similarly with figures, the +German counts: ein, zwei, drei; the Frenchman says: un, deux, trois, and +in English we use the words: one, two, three, but the figures: 1, 2, 3, +though differently spoken, are intelligible to all and mean the same. +There is no possibility of misunderstanding in the cases of either music +or figures. Thus it is also with the universal language peculiar to the +higher Regions of the Desire World and the still more subtile realms in +nature, it is intelligible to all, an exact mode of expression. + +Returning to our description of the entities commonly met with in the +lower Desire World, we may note that other systems of religion than the +Egyptian, already mentioned, have spoken of various classes of beings +native to these realms. The Zoroastrian Religion, for instance, mentions +_Seven Ameshaspends_ and the Izzards as having dominion over certain days +in the month and certain months in the year. The Christian religion speaks +of Seven Spirits before the Throne, which are the same beings the Persians +called Ameshaspends. Each of them rules over two months in the year while +the seventh: Michael, the highest, is their leader, for he is ambassador +from the sun to the earth, the others are ambassadors from the planets. +The Catholic religion with its abundant occult information takes most +notice of these “_star-angels_” and knows considerable about their +influence upon the affairs of the earth. + +The Ameshaspends, however, do not inhabit the lower Regions of the Desire +World but influence the Izzards. According to the old Persian legend these +beings are divisible into one group of twenty-eight classes, and another +group of three classes. Each of these classes has dominion over, or takes +the lead of all the other classes on one certain day of the month. They +regulate the weather conditions on that day and work with animal and man +in particular. At least the twenty-eight classes do that, the other group +of three classes has nothing to do with animals, because they have only +twenty-eight pair of spinal nerves, while human beings have thirty-one. +Thus animals are attuned to the lunar month of twenty-eight days, while +man is correlated to the solar month of thirty or thirty-one days. The +ancient Persians were astronomers but not physiologists, they had no means +of knowing the different nervous constitution of animal and man, but they +saw clairvoyantly these superphysical beings, they noted and recorded +their work with animal and men and our own anatomical investigations may +show us the reason for these divisions of the classes of Izzards recorded +in that ancient system of philosophy. + +Still another class of beings should be mentioned: those who have entered +the Desire World through the gate of death and are now hidden from our +physical vision. These so-called “dead” are in fact much more alive than +any of us, who are tied to a dense body and subject to all its +limitations, who are forced to slowly drag this clog along with us at the +rate of a few miles an hour, who must expend such an enormous amount of +energy upon propelling that vehicle that we are easily and quickly tired, +even when in the best of health and who are often confined to a bed, +sometimes for years, by the indisposition of this heavy mortal coil. But +when that is once shed and the freed spirit can again function in its +spiritual body, sickness is an unknown condition and distance is +annihilated, or at least practically so, for though it was necessary for +the Savior to liken the freed spirit to the wind which blows where it +listeth, that simile gives but a poor description of what actually takes +place in soul flights. Time is nonexistent there, as we shall presently +explain, so the writer has never been able to time himself, but has on +several occasions timed others when he was in the physical body and they +speeding through space upon a certain errand. Distances such as from the +Pacific Coast to Europe, the delivery of a short message there and the +return to the body has been accomplished in slightly less than one minute. +Therefore our assertion, that those whom we call dead are in reality much +more alive than we, is well founded in facts. + +We spoke of the dense body in which we now live, as a “clog” and a +“fetter.” It must not be inferred, however, that we sympathize with the +attitude of certain people who, when they have learned with what ease +soul-flights are accomplished, go about bemoaning the fact that they are +now imprisoned. They are constantly thinking of, and longing for, the day +when they shall be able to leave this mortal coil behind and fly away in +their spiritual body. Such an attitude of mind is decidedly mistaken, the +great and wise beings who are invisible leaders of our evolution have not +placed us here to no purpose. Valuable lessons are to be learned in this +visible world wherein we dwell, that cannot be learned in any other realm +of nature, and the very conditions of density and inertia whereof such +people complain, are factors which make it possible to acquire the +knowledge this world is designed to give. This fact was so amply +illustrated in a recent experience of the writer:—A friend had been +studying occultism for a number of years but had not studied astrology. + +Last year she became aroused to the importance of this branch of study as +a key to self knowledge and a means of understanding the natures of +others, also of developing the compassion for their errors, so necessary +in the cultivation of love of one’s neighbor. Love of our neighbor the +Savior enjoined upon us as the Supreme Commandment which is the +fulfillment of all laws, and as Astrology teaches us to _bear_ and +_forbear_, it helps as nothing else can in the development of the supreme +virtue. She therefore joined one of the classes started in Los Angeles by +the writer, but a sudden illness quickly ended in death and thus +terminated her study of the subject in the physical body, ere it was well +begun. + +Upon one of many occasions when she visited the writer subsequent to her +release from the body, she deplored the fact that it seemed so difficult +to make headway in her study of astrology. The writer advised continued +attendance at the classes, and suggested that she could surely get someone +“on the other side” to help her study. + +At this she exclaimed impatiently: “Oh yes! of course I attend the +classes, I have done so right along; I have also found a friend who helps +me here. But you cannot imagine how difficult it is to concentrate here +upon mathematical calculations and the judgment of a horoscope or in fact +upon any subject here, where every little thought-current takes you miles +away from your study. I used to think it difficult to concentrate when I +had a physical body, but it is not a circumstance to the obstacles which +face the student here.” + +The physical body was an anchor to her, and it is that to all of us. Being +dense, it is also to a great extent impervious to disturbing influences +from which the more subtle spiritual bodies do not shield us. It enables +us to bring our ideas to a logical conclusion with far less effort at +concentration than is necessary in that realm where all is in such +incessant and turbulent motion. Thus we are gradually developing the +faculty of holding our thoughts to a center by existence in this world, +and we should value our opportunities here, rather than deplore the +limitations which help in one direction more than they fetter in another. +In fact, we should never deplore any condition, each has its lesson. If we +try to learn what that lesson is and to assimilate the experience which +may be extracted therefrom, we are wiser than those who waste time in vain +regrets. + +We said there is no time in the Desire World, and the reader will readily +understand that such must be the case from the fact, already mentioned, +that nothing there is opaque. + +In this world the rotation of the opaque earth upon its axis is +responsible for the alternating conditions of day and night. We call it +Day—when the spot where we live is turned towards the sun and its rays +illumine our environment, but when our home is turned away from the sun +and its rays obstructed by the opaque earth we term the resulting +darkness: Night. The passage of the earth in its orbit around the sun +produces the seasons and the year, which are our divisions of time. But in +the Desire World where all is light there is but one long day. The spirit +is not there fettered by a heavy physical body, so it does not need sleep +and existence is unbroken. Spiritual substances are not subject to +contraction and expansion such as arise here from heat and cold, hence +summer and winter are also non-existent. Thus there is nothing to +differentiate one moment from another in respect of the conditions of +light and darkness, summer and winter, which mark time for us. Therefore, +while the so-called “dead” may have a very accurate memory of time as +regards the life they lived here in the body, they are usually unable to +tell anything about the chronological relation of events which have +happened to them in the Desire World, and it is a very common thing to +find that they do not even know how many years have elapsed since they +passed out from this plane of existence. Only students of the Stellar +Science are able to calculate the passage of time after their demise. + +When the occult investigator wishes to study an event in the past history +of man, he may most readily call up the picture from _the memory of +nature_, but if he desires to fix the time of the incident, he will be +obliged to count backwards by the motion of the heavenly bodies. For that +purpose he generally uses the measure provided by the sun’s precession: +Each year the sun crosses the earth’s equator about the twenty-first of +March. Then day and night are of even length, therefore this is called the +Vernal equinox. But on account of a certain wabbling motion of the earth’s +axis, the sun does not cross over at the same place in the Zodiac, it +reaches the equator a little too early, it _precedes_, year by year it +moves _backwards_ a little. At the time of the birth of Christ, for +instance, the Vernal Equinox was in about seven degrees of the Zodiacal +sign Aries. During the two thousand years which intervene between that +event and the present time, the sun has moved _backwards_ about +twenty-seven degrees, so that it is now in about ten degrees of the sign +Pisces. It moves around the whole circle of the Zodiac in about 25,868 +years. The occult investigator may therefore count back the number of +signs, or whole circles, which the sun has _preceded_ between the present +day and the time of the event he is investigating. Thus he has by the use +of the heavenly time keepers a very approximately correct measure of time +even though he is in the Desire World and that is another reason for +studying the Stellar Science. + +_The World of Thought._ + +When we have attained the spiritual development necessary to consciously +enter the World of Thought and leave the Desire World, which is the realm +of light and color, we pass through a condition which the occult +investigator calls The Great Silence. + +As previously stated, the higher Regions of the Desire World exhibit the +marked peculiarity of blending form and sound, but when one passes through +the Great Silence, all the world seems to disappear and the spirit has the +feeling of floating in an ocean of intense light, utterly alone, yet +absolutely fearless, since unimbued with a sense of its form or sound, nor +past or future, but all is one eternal NOW. There seems to be neither +pleasure nor pain and yet there is no absence of feeling but it all seems +to center in the one idea:—“_I am_”! The human Ego stands face to face +with itself as it were, and for the time being all else is shut out. This +is the experience of anyone who passes that breach between the Desire +World and the World of Thought, whether involuntarily, in the course of an +ordinary cyclic pilgrimage of the soul, which we shall later elucidate +when speaking of the post-mortem existence, or by an act of the will, as +in the case of the trained occult investigator, all have the same +experience in transition. + + ------------------------------------- + +There are two main divisions in the Physical World: the Chemical Region +and the Etheric Region. The World of Thought also has two great +subdivisions: The Region of concrete Thought and the Region of abstract +Thought. + +As we specialize the material of the Physical World and shape into a dense +body, and as we form the force-matter of the Desire World into a desire +body, so do we appropriate a certain amount of mindstuff from the Region +of concrete Thought; but we, as spirits, clothe ourselves in +spirit-substance from the Region of abstract Thought and thereby we become +individual, separate Egos. + +_The Region of Concrete Thought._ + +The Region of concrete Thought is neither shadowy nor illusory. It is the +acme of reality and this world which we mistakenly regard as the only +verity, is but an evanescent replica of that Region. + +A little reflection will show the reasonableness of this statement and +prove our contention that all we see here is really crystallized thought. +Our houses, our machinery, our chairs and tables, all that has been made +by the hand of man is the embodiment of a thought. As the juices in the +soft body of the snail gradually crystallize into the hard and flinty +shell which it carries upon its back and which hides it, so everything +used in our civilization is a concretion of invisible, intangible +mind-stuff. The thought of James Watt in time congealed into a steam +engine and revolutionized the world. Edison’s thought was condensed into +an electric generator which has turned night to day, and had it not been +for the thought of Morse and Marconi, the telegraph would not have +annihilated distance as it does today. An earthquake may wreck a city and +demolish the lighting plant and telegraph station, but the thoughts of +Watt, Edison and Morse remain, and upon the basis of their indestructible +ideas new machinery may be constructed and operations resumed. Thus +thoughts are more permanent than things. + +The sensitive ear of the musician detects a certain musical note in every +city which is different from that of another city. He hears in each little +brook a new melody, and to him the sound of wind in the treetops of +different forests give a varying sound. In the Desire World we noted the +existence of forms similar to the shapes of things here, also that +seemingly _sound proceeds from form_, but in the Region of concrete +Thought it is different, for while each form occupies and obscures a +certain space here, form is nonexistent when viewed from the standpoint of +the Region of concrete Thought. Where the form was, a transparent, vacuous +space is observable. _From that empty void comes a sound_ which is the +“keynote” that _creates_ and maintains the _form_ whence it _appears_ to +come, as the almost invisible core of a gas-flame is the source of the +light we perceive. + +Sound from a vacuum cannot be heard in the Physical World, but the harmony +which proceeds from the vacuous cavity of a celestial _archetype_ is “the +voice of the silence,” and it becomes audible when all earthly sounds have +ceased. Elijah heard it not while the storm was raging; nor was it in +evidence during the turbulence of the earthquake, nor in the crackling and +roaring fire, but when the destructive and inharmonious sounds of this +world had melted into silence, “the still small voice” issued its commands +to save Elijah’s life. + +That “keynote” is a direct manifestation of the Higher Self which uses it +to impress and govern the Personality it has created. But alas, part of +its life has been infused into the material side of its being, which has +thus obtained a certain will of its own and only too often are the two +sides of our nature at war. + +At last there comes a time when the spirit is too weary to strive with the +recalcitrant flesh, when “the voice of the silence” ceases. + +The earthly nourishment we may seek to give, will not avail to sustain a +form when this harmonious sound, this “word from heaven” no longer +reverberates through the empty void of the celestial archetype, for “man +lives not by bread alone,” but by the WORD, and the last sound-vibration +of the “keynote” is the death-knell of the physical body. + +In this world we are compelled to investigate and to study a thing before +we know about it, and although the facilities for gaining information are +in some respects much greater in the Desire World, a certain amount of +investigation is necessary nevertheless to acquire knowledge. In the World +of Thought, on the contrary, it is different. When we wish to know about +any certain thing there, and we turn our attention thereto, then that +thing speaks to us, as it were. The sound it emits at once gives us a most +luminous comprehension of every phase of its nature. We attain to a +realization of its past history; the whole story of its unfoldment is laid +bare and we seem to have lived through all of those experiences together +with the thing we are investigating. + +Were it not for one enormous difficulty, the story thus obtained would be +exceedingly valuable. But all this information, this life-picture, flows +in upon us with an enormous rapidity in a moment, in the twinkling of an +eye, so that it has neither beginning nor end, for, as said, in the World +of Thought, all is one great NOW, Time does not exist. + +Therefore, when we want to use the archetypal information in the Physical +World, we must disentangle and arrange it in chronological order with +beginning and ending before it becomes intelligible to beings living in a +realm where Time is a prime factor. That rearrangement is a most difficult +task as all words are coined with relation to the three dimensions of +space and the evanescent unit of time, the fleeting moment, hence much of +that information remains unavailable. + +Among the denizens of this Region of concrete Thought we may note +particularly two classes. One is called the powers of darkness by Paul and +the mystic investigator of the Western World knows them as Lords of Mind. +They were human at the time when the earth was in a condition of darkness +such as worlds in the making go through before they become luminous and +reach the firemist-stage. At that time we were in our mineral evolution. +That is to say: The Human Spirit which has now awakened was encrusted in +the ball of mindstuff, which was then the earth. At that time the present +Human Spirits were as much asleep as is the life which ensouls our +minerals of today, and as we are working with the mineral chemical +constituents of the earth, molding them into houses, railways, +steam-boats, chairs, etc, etc., so those beings, who are now Lords of +Mind, worked with us when we were mineral-like. They have since advanced +three steps, through stages similar to that of the Angels and Archangels, +before they attained their present position and became creative +intelligences. They are expert builders of mind stuff, as we are builders +of the present mineral substances and therefore they have given us +necessary help to acquire a mind which is the highest development of the +human being. + +According to the foregoing explanation it seems to be an anomaly when Paul +speaks of them as evil and exhorts us to withstand them. The difficulty +disappears, however, when we understand that good and evil are but +relative qualities. An illustration will make the point clear:—Let us +suppose that an expert organ builder has constructed a wonderful organ, a +masterpiece. Then he has followed his vocation in the proper manner, and +is therefore to be commended for the good which he has done. But if he is +not satisfied to leave well enough alone, if he refuses to give up his +product to the musician who understands how to play upon the instrument; +if he intrudes his presence into the concert hall, he is out of place and +to be censured as evil. Similarly the Lords of Mind did the greatest +possible service to humanity when they helped us to acquire our mind, but +many subtle thought influences come from them, and are to be resisted, as +Paul very properly emphasizes. + +The other class of beings which must be mentioned are called Archetypal +Forces by the Western School of occultism. They direct the energies of the +creative Archetypes native to this realm. They are a composite class of +beings of many different grades of intelligences, and there is one stage +in the cyclic journey of the Human Spirit when that also labors in, and is +part of, that great host of beings. For the Human Spirit is also destined +to become a great creative intelligence at some future time, and if there +were no school wherein it could gradually learn to create, it would not be +able to advance, for nothing in nature is done suddenly. An acorn planted +in the soil does not become a majestic oak over night, but many years of +slow, persistent growth are required before it attains to the stature of a +giant of the forest. A man does not become an Angel by the mere fact of +dying and entering a new world any more than an animal advances to be a +man by the same process. But in time all that lives, mounts the ladder of +Being from the clod to the God. There is no limitation possible to the +spirit, and so at various stages in its unfoldment the Human Spirit works +with the other nature forces, according to the stage of intelligence which +it has attained. It creates, changes and remodels the earth upon which it +is to live. Thus, under the great law of cause and effect, which we +observe in every realm of nature, it reaps upon earth what it has sown in +heaven, and vice versa. It grows slowly but persistently and advances +continually. + +_The Region of Abstract Thought._ + +Various religious systems have been given to humanity at different times, +each suited to meet the spiritual needs of the people among whom it was +promulgated, and, coming from the same divine source:—God, all religions +exhibit similar fundamentals or first principles. + +All systems teach that there was a time when _darkness_ reigned supreme. +Everything which we now perceive was then non-existent. Earth, sky and the +heavenly bodies were uncreate, so were the multitudinous forms which live +and move upon the various planets.—All, all, was yet in a fluidic +condition and the Universal Spirit brooded _quiescent_ in limitless Space +as the One Existence. + +The Greeks called that condition of homogeneity _Chaos_, and the state of +orderly segregation which we now see; the marching orbs which illumine the +vaulted canopy of heaven, the stately procession of planets around a +central light, the majestic sun; the unbroken sequence of the seasons and +the unvarying alternation of tidal ebb and flow;—all this aggregate of +systematic order, was called _Cosmos_, and was supposed to have proceeded +from Chaos. + +The Christian Mystic obtains a deeper comprehension when he opens his +Bible and ponders the first five verses of that brightest gem of all +spiritual lore: the Gospel of St. John. + +As he reverently opens his aspiring heart to acquire understanding of +those sublime mystical teachings he transcends the form-side of nature, +comprising various realms of which we have been speaking, and finds +himself “in the spirit,” as did the prophets in olden times. He is then in +the Region of abstract Thought and sees the eternal verities which also +Paul beheld in this, the third, heaven. + +For those among us who are unable to obtain knowledge save by reasoning +upon the matter, however, it will be necessary to examine the fundamental +meaning of words used by St. John to clothe his wonderful teaching, which +was originally given in the Greek language, a much simpler matter than is +commonly supposed, for Greek words have been freely introduced into our +modern languages, particularly in scientific terms, and we shall show how +this ancient teaching is supported by the latest discoveries of modern +science. + +The opening verse of the gospel of St. John is as follows: “In the +_beginning_ was the _Word_, and the _Word_ was with _God_, and the _Word_ +was _God_.” We will examine the words: “beginning,” “Word” and “God.” We +may also note that in the Greek version the concluding sentence reads: +“and God was the Word,” a difference which makes a great distinction. + +It is an axiomatic truth that “out of nothing, nothing comes,” and it has +often been asserted by scoffers that the Bible teaches generation “from +nothing.” We readily agree that _translations_ into the modern languages +promulgate this erroneous doctrine, but we have shown in _The Rosicrucian +Cosmo Conception_ (chapter on “the Occult Analysis of Genesis”), that the +Hebrew text speaks of an _ever-existing essence_, as the basis whence all +forms, the earth and the heavenly lights included, were first created, and +John also gives the same teaching. + +The Greek word _arche_, in the opening sentence of the gospel of St. John +has been translated _the beginning_, and it may be said to have that +meaning, but it also has other valid interpretations, vastly more +significant of the idea John wished to convey. It means:—an elementary +condition,—a chief source,—a first principle,—primordial matter. + +There was a time when science insisted that the elements were immutable, +that is to say, that an atom of iron had been an atom of iron since the +earth was formed and would so remain to the end of time. The Alchemists +were sneered at as fanciful dreamers or madmen, but since Professor J. J. +Thomson’s discovery of the electron, the atomic theory of matter, is no +longer tenable. The principle of radio-activity has later vindicated the +Alchemists. Science and the Bible agree in teaching, that all that is, has +been formed from one homogeneous substance. + +It is that basic principle which John called _arche_:—primordial +matter,—and the dictionary defines Archeology as: “the science of the +origin (_arche_) of things.” Masons style God the “Grand Architect,” for +the Greek word tektos means builder, and God is the Chief Builder +(_tektos_) of _arche_: the primordial virgin matter which is also the +chief source of all things. + +Thus we see that when the opening sentence of St. John’s gospel is +properly translated, our Christian Religion teaches that once a virgin +substance enfolded the divine Thinker:—God. + +That is the identical condition which the earlier Greeks called Chaos. A +little thought will make it evident that we are not arbitrary in finding +fault with the translation of the gospel, for it is self-evident that a +word cannot be the beginning, a thought must precede the word, and a +thinker must originate thought before it can be expressed as a word. + +When properly translated the teaching of John fully embodies that idea, +for the Greek term _logos_ means both the reasonable thought,—(we also say +Logic),—and the word which expresses this (logical) thought. + + + 1) _In the primordial substance was thought, and the thought was + with God And God was the word_, + + 2) THAT, [The Word], _also was with God in the primal state_. + + +Later the divine WORD; the Creative Fiat, reverberates through space and +segregates the homogeneous virgin substance into separate forms. + + + 3) _Every thing has come into existence because of that prime + fact_, [The Word of God], _and no thing exists apart from that + fact._ + + 4) _In that was Life._ + + +In the alphabet we have a few elementary sounds from which words may be +constructed. They are basic elements of expression, as bricks, iron and +lumber are raw materials of architecture, or as a few notes are component +parts of music. + +But a heap of bricks, iron and lumber, is not a house, neither is a +jumbled mass of notes music, nor can we call a haphazard arrangement of +alphabetical sounds a word. + +These raw materials are prime necessities in construction of architecture, +music, literature or poetry, but the contour of the finished product and +the purpose it will serve depends upon the arrangement of the raw +materials, which is subject to the constructor’s design. Building +materials may be formed to prison or palace; notes may be arranged as +fanfare or funeral dirge; words may be indited to inspire passion or +peace, all according to the will of the designer. So also the majestic +rhythm of the Word of God has wrought the primal substance: _arche_, into +the multitudinous forms which comprise the phenomenal world, according to +His will. + +Did the reader ever stop to consider the wonderful power of a human word. +Coming to us in the sweet accents of love, it may lure us from paths of +rectitude to shameful ignominy and wreck our life with sorrow and remorse, +or it may spur us on in noblest efforts to acquire glory and honor, here +or hereafter. According to the inflection of the voice a word may strike +terror into the bravest heart or lull a timid child to peaceful slumber. +The word of an agitator may rouse the passions of a mob and impel it to +awful bloodshed, as in the French Revolution, where dictatorial mandates +of mob-rule killed and exiled at pleasure, or, the strain of “Home, Sweet +Home” may cement the setting of a family-circle beyond possibility of +rupture. + +Right words are true and therefore free, they are never bound or fettered +by time or space, they go to the farthest corners of the earth, and when +the lips that spoke them first have long since mouldered in the grave, +other voices take up with unwearying enthusiasm their message of life and +love, as for instance the mystical “Come unto me” which has sounded from +unnumbered tongues and brought oceans of balm to troubled hearts. + +Words of Peace have been victorious, where war would have meant defeat, +and no talent is more to be desired than ability to always say the right +word at the auspicious time. + +Considering thus the immense power and potency of the human word, we may +perhaps dimly apprehend the potential magnitude of the Word of God, the +Creative Fiat, when as a mighty dynamic force it first reverberated +through space and commenced to form primordial matter into worlds, as +sound from a violin bow moulds sand into geometrical figures. Moreover, +_the Word of God still sounds_ to sustain the marching orbs and impel them +onwards in their circle paths, the Creative Word continues to produce +forms of gradually increasing efficiency, as media expressing life and +consciousness. The harmonious enunciation of consecutive syllables in the +Divine Creative Word mark successive stages in evolution of the world and +man. When the last syllable has been spoken and the complete word has +sounded, we shall have reached perfection as human beings. Then Time will +be at an end, and with the last vibration of the Word of God, the worlds +will be resolved into their original elements. Our life will then be “hid +with Christ in God,” till the Cosmic Night:—Chaos,—is over, and we wake to +do “greater things” in a “new heaven and a new earth.” + +According to the general idea Chaos and Cosmos are superlative antitheses +of each other. Chaos being regarded as a past condition of confusion and +disorder which has long since been entirely superseded by cosmic order +which now prevails. + +As a matter of fact, Chaos is the seed-ground of Cosmos, the basis of all +progress, for thence come all IDEAS which later materialize as Railways, +Steamboats, Telephones, etc. + +We speak of “thoughts as being conceived by the mind,” but as both father +and mother are necessary in the generation of a child, so also there must +be both _idea_ and _mind_ before a _thought_ can be conceived. As semen +germinated in the positive male organ is projected into the negative +uterus at conception, so ideas are generated by a positive Human Ego in +the spirit-substance of the Region of abstract Thought. This idea is +projected upon the receptive mind, and a conception takes place. Then, as +the spermatozoic nucleus draws upon the maternal body for material to +shape a body appropriate to its individual expression, so does each idea +clothe itself in a peculiar form of mindstuff. It is then a thought, as +visible to the inner vision of composite man, as a child is to its parent. + +Thus we see that ideas are embryonic thoughts, nuclei of spirit-substance +from the Region of abstract Thought. Improperly conceived in a diseased +mind they become vagaries and delusions, but when gestated in a sound mind +and formed into rational thoughts they are the basis of all material, +moral and mental progress, and the closer our touch with Chaos, the better +will be our Cosmos, for in that realm of abstract realities truth is not +obscured by matter, it is self-evident. + +Pilate was asked “what is Truth,” but no answer is recorded. We are +incapable of cognizing truth in the abstract while we live in the +phenomenal world, for the inherent nature of matter is illusion and +delusion, and we are constantly making allowances and corrections whether +we are conscious of the fact or not. The sunbeam which proceeds for 90 +millions of miles in a straight line, is refracted or bent as soon as it +strikes our dense atmosphere, and according to the angle of its +refraction, it _appears_ to have one color or another. The straightest +stick appears crooked when partly immersed in water, and the truths which +are so self-evident in the Higher worlds are likewise obscured, refracted +or twisted out of all semblance under the illusory conditions of this +material world. + +“The truth shall set you free,” said Christ, and the more we turn our +aspirations from material acquisitiveness and seek to lay up treasure +above, the more we aim to rise, the oftener we “get in the spirit,” the +more readily we “shall know truth” and reach liberation from the fetter of +flesh which binds us to a limited environment, and attain to a sphere of +greater usefulness. + +Study of philosophy and science has a tendency to further perception of +truth, and as science has progressed it has gradually receded from its +erstwhile crude materialism. The day is not far off when it will be more +reverently religious than the church itself. Mathematics is said to be +“dry,” for it doesn’t stir the emotions. When it is taught that “the sum +of the angles of a triangle is 180 degrees,” the dictum is at once +accepted, because its truth is self-evident and no feeling is involved in +the matter. But when a doctrine such as the Immaculate Conception is +promulgated and our emotions are stirred, bloody war, or heated argument, +may result, and still leave the matter in doubt. Pythagoras demanded that +his pupils study mathematics, because he knew the elevating effect of +raising their minds above the sphere of feeling, where it is subject to +delusion, and elevating it towards the Region of abstract Thought which is +the prime reality. + +In this place we are dealing with worlds in particular, and will therefore +defer comment upon the remainder of the first 5 verses of St. John’s +gospel: + + + “_And Life became Light in man,_ + 5) _and Light shines in Darkness._” + + +We have now seen that the earth is composed of three worlds which +interpenetrate one another so that it is perfectly true when Christ said +that “heaven is within you” or, the translation should rather have been +_among you_. We have also seen that of these three realms two are +subdivided. It has also been explained that each division serves a great +purpose in the unfoldment of various forms of life which dwell in each of +these worlds, and we may note in conclusion, that the lower regions of the +Desire World constitute what the Catholic religion calls _Purgatory_, a +place where the evil of a past life is transmuted to good, usable by the +spirit as conscience in later lives. The higher regions of the Desire +World are the _first Heaven_ where all the good a man has done is +assimilated by the spirit as _soul_ power. The Region of concrete Thought +is the _second Heaven_, where, as already said, the spirit prepares its +future environment on earth, and the Region of abstract Thought is the +_third Heaven_, but as Paul said, it is scarcely lawful to speak about +that. + +Some will ask: is there then no hell?—No! _The mercy of God_ tends as +greatly towards the principle of GOOD as “_the inhumanity of man_” towards +cruelty, so that he would consign his brother men to flames of hell during +eternity for the puerile mistakes committed during a few years, or perhaps +for a slight difference in belief. The writer has heard of a minister who +wished to impress his “flock” with the reality of an eternity of hell +flames, and to demonstrate the fallacy of a heretical notion entertained +by some of his parishioners that when sinners come to hell they burn to +ashes and that is the end. + +He took with him an alcohol lamp and some asbestos into the pulpit and +told his audience that God would turn their souls into a substance +resembling asbestos. He showed them that though the asbestos were heated +red hot it did not decompose into ashes. Fortunately the day of the hell +preacher has gone by, and if we believe the Bible which says that “in God +we live and move and have our being,” we can readily understand that _a +lost soul would be an impossibility_, for were one single soul lost, then +logically a part of God Himself would be lost. No matter what our color, +our race or our creed, we are all equally the children of God and in our +various ways we shall obtain satisfaction. Let us therefore rather look to +Christ and forget Creed. + + + _Creed or Christ?_ + + No man loves God who hates his kind, + Who tramples on his Brother’s heart and soul. + Who seeks to shackle, cloud or fog the mind + By fears of Hell has not perceived our goal. + + God-sent are all religions blest; + And Christ, the Way, the Truth and Life, + To give the heavy-laden rest, + And peace from Sorrow, Sin and Strife. + + At his request the Universal Spirit came + _To all the churches_, not to one alone. + On Pentecostal morn a tongue of flame + Round _each_ apostle as a halo shone. + + Since then, as vultures ravenous with greed, + We oft have battled for an empty name, + And sought by Dogma, Edict, Creed, + To send each other to the flame. + + Is Christ then divided? Was Cephas or Paul + Nailed to the deathly tree? + If not—then why these divisions at all? + Christ’s love doth embrace you and me. + + His pure sweet love is not confined + By creeds which segregate and raise a wall; + His love enfolds, embraces _Humankind_ + No matter what ourselves or Him we call. + + Then why not take Him at His word? + Why hold to creeds which tear apart? + But one thing matters, be it heard, + That brother-love fill every heart. + + There is but one thing that the world has need to know; + There is but one balm for all our human woe + There is but one way that leads to heaven above; + That way is human sympathy and love. + + + + + +CHAPTER IV. THE CONSTITUTION OF MAN + + +Our chapter head, “the constitution of man,” may surprise a reader who has +not previously studied the Mystery teachings, or he may imagine that we +intend to give an anatomical dissertation, but such is not our intention. +We have spoken of the earth upon which we live as being composed of +several invisible realms in addition to the world we perceive by means of +our senses. We have also spoken of man as being correlated to these +various divisions in nature, and a little thought upon the subject will +quickly convince us that in order to function upon the various planes of +existence described, it is necessary that a man should have a body +composed of their substance, or at least have specialized for his own use, +some of the material of each of these worlds. + +We have said that finer matter, called desire stuff and mind stuff, +permeates our atmosphere and the solid earth, even as blood percolates +through all parts of our flesh. But that is not a sufficient explanation +to account for all facts of life. If that were all, then minerals, which +are interpenetrated by the world of thought and the world of desire, would +have thoughts and desires as well as man. This is not the case, so +something more than mere interpenetration must be requisite to acquire the +faculties of thought and feeling. + +We know that in order to function in this world, to live as a physical +being among other like beings, we must have a physical body all our own, +built of the chemical constituents of this visible world. When we lose it +at death, it profits us nothing that the world is full of just the very +chemicals needed to build such a body. We cannot then specialize them, and +therefore we are invisible to all others. Similarly, if we did not possess +a special body made of ether, we should be unable to grow and to +propagate. That is the case with the mineral. Had we no separate +individual desire body, we should be unable to feel desires and emotions, +there would be no incentive to move from one place to another. We should +then be stationary as plants, and did we not possess a mind, we should be +incapable of thought, and act upon impulse and instinct as animals. + +Some one may of course object to this last statement, and contend that +animals do think. So far as our domesticated animals are concerned that is +partially true, but it is not quite in the same way that we think and +reason. The difference may perhaps best be understood if we take an +illustration from the electrical field. When an electric current _of high +voltage_ is passed through a coiled copper wire, and another wire is +placed in the center of the coils, that wire will become charged with +electricity _of a lower voltage_. So also the animal, when brought within +the sphere of human thoughts, evolves a mental activity of a lower order. + +Paul, in his writings, also mentions _the natural body_ and the _spiritual +body_ while the man himself is a spirit inhabiting those vehicles. We will +briefly note the constitution of the various bodies of man invisible to +the physical sight but as objective to spiritual sight as the dense body +to ordinary vision. + +_The Vital Body._ + +That body of ours which is composed of ether is called the “_vital body_” +in Western Mystery Schools, for, as we have already seen, ether is the +avenue of ingress for vital force from the sun and the field of agencies +in nature which promote such vital activities as assimilation, growth and +propagation. + +This vehicle is an exact counterpart of our visible body, molecule for +molecule, and organ for organ, with one exception, which we shall note +later. But it is slightly larger, extending about one and one-half inches +beyond the periphery of our dense vehicle. + +The spleen is the entrance gate of forces which vitalize the body. In the +etheric counterpart of that organ solar energy is transmuted to vital +fluid of a pale rose color. From thence it spreads all over the nervous +system, and after having been used in the body it radiates in streams, +much as bristles protrude from a porcupine. + +The rays of the sun are transmitted either directly, or reflected by way +of the planets and the moon. The rays directly from the sun give spiritual +illumination, the rays received by way of the planets produce +intelligence, morality, and soul growth, but the rays reflected by way of +the moon make for physical growth, as seen in the case of plants which +grow differently when planted in the light of the moon from what is the +case when they are planted when the moon is dark. There is also a +difference in plants sown when the moon is in barren and fruitful signs of +the Zodiac. + +The solar ray is absorbed by the human spirit which has its seat in the +center of the forehead, the stellar ray is absorbed by the brain and +spinal cord, and the lunar ray enters our system through the spleen. + +The solar, stellar and lunar rays are three-colored, and in the lunar ray +which supplies our vital force, the blue beam is the life of The Father, +which causes germination, the yellow beam is the life of The Son, which is +the active principle in nutrition and growth, and the red beam is the life +of the Holy Spirit, which stimulates to action, dissipating the energy +stored by the yellow force. This principle is particularly active in +generation. + +The various kingdoms absorb this life-force differently, according to +their constitution. Animals have only 28 pairs of spinal nerves. They are +keyed to the lunar month of 28 days and therefore dependent upon a +Groupspirit for an infusion of stellar rays necessary to produce +consciousness. They are altogether incapable of absorbing the direct ray +of the sun. + +Man is in a transition stage, he has 31 pairs of spinal nerves which keys +him to the solar month, but the nerves in the so-called +cauda-equina—literally horse-tail—, at the end of our spinal cord, are +still too undeveloped to act as avenues for the spiritual ray of the sun. +In proportion as we draw our creative force upward by spiritual thought we +develop these nerves and awaken dormant faculties of the spirit. But it is +dangerous to attempt that development except under guidance of a qualified +teacher, and the reader is earnestly warned not to use any method +published in books, or sold, for their practice usually leads to dementia. +The safe method is never sold for money or any earthly consideration +however large or small; it is always freely given as a reward of merit. +“Ask and ye shall receive, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be +opened”, said the Christ. If our life is a prayer for illumination, the +search will not be uncertain, nor the knock without response. + +When solar energy has been transmuted in the spleen it traverses the whole +nervous system of the body glowing with a most beautiful color of a +delicate rosy hue. It answers the same purpose as electricity in a +telegraph system. We may string wires between cities, erect telegraph +stations, install receivers and transmitters. We may even have operators +ready at the keys, but until electric fluid is turned into our wires, the +telegraph keys will refuse to click. So also in the body, the human spirit +is operator, and from the central station of the brain, nerves ramify, go +through the whole body to all the different muscles. When this vitalizing +fluid of which we are speaking traverses the nervous system, the Ego may +send his commands to the muscles and cause them to move but if the vital +fluid for any reason does not flow into a certain part of the body such as +an arm or a limb, then the spirit is powerless to move that part of the +body and we say that it is paralyzed. + +When we are in health, we specialize solar energy in such great quantities +that we cannot use it all in the body and therefore it radiates through +the pores of our skin in straight streams and serves a similar purpose as +an exhaust fan. That machine drives the foul air out of a room or building +and keeps the atmosphere within pure and sweet. The excessive vital force +which radiates from the body drives out poisonous gases, deleterious +microbes and effete matter thus tending to preserve a healthy condition. +It also prevents armies of disease germs, which swarm about in the +atmosphere, from entering; upon the same principle that a fly cannot wing +its way into a building through the exhaust fan. Thus it serves a most +beneficent purpose even after it has been utilized in our body and is +returning to the free state. + +It is a curious and most astounding sight when one first observes how, +from exposed parts of the body such as hands and face, there suddenly +commences to flow a stream of stars, cubes, pyramids and a variety of +other geometrical forms. The writer has more than once rubbed his eyes +when he first perceived the phenomenon, for it seemed that he must be +suffering from hallucinations. The forms observed are chemical atoms +however, which have served their purpose in the body and are expelled +through the pores. + +When one has eaten a meal, vital fluid is consumed by the body in great +quantities, for it is the cement whereby nature’s forces build our food +into the body. Therefore the radiations are weakest during the period of +digestion. If the meal has been heavy, the outflow is very perceptibly +diminished, and does not then cleanse our body as thoroughly as when the +food has been digested, nor is it as potent in keeping out inimical germs. +Therefore one is most liable to catch cold or other disease by overeating, +a fault which should be avoided by all who wish to keep in good health. + +During ill health the vital body specializes but little solar energy. +Then, for a time, the visible body seems to feed upon the vital body as it +were, so that the vehicle becomes more transparent and attenuated at the +same rate as the visible body exhibits a state of emaciation. The +cleansing odic radiations are almost entirely absent during sickness, +therefore complications set in so easily. + +Though science has not directly observed this vital body of man, it has +upon several occasions postulated the existence of such a vehicle as +necessary to account for facts in life and the radiations have been +observed by a number of scientists at different times and under varying +conditions. Blondlot and Charpentier have called them N-rays after the +city of Nantes where the radiations were observed by these scientists, +others have named them “The Odic fluid”. Scientific investigators who have +conducted researches into psychic phenomena have even photographed it when +it has been extracted through the spleen by materializing spirits. Dr. +Hotz for instance obtained two photographs of a materialization through +the German medium, Minna-Demmler. On one a cloud of ether is seen oozing +out through the left side of the medium, shapeless and without form. The +second picture, taken a few moments later, shows the materialized spirit +standing at the medium’s side. Other photographs obtained by scientists +from the Italian medium Eusapio Palladino show a luminous cloud +over-hanging her left side. + +We said in the beginning of this description that the vital body is an +exact counterpart of the dense body with one exception: it is of the +opposite sex or perhaps we should rather say polarity. As the vital body +nourishes the dense vehicle, we may readily understand that blood is its +highest visible expression, and also that a positively polarized vital +body would generate more blood than a negative one. Woman who is +physically negative has a positive vital body, hence she generates a +surplus of blood which is relieved by the periodical flow. She is also +more prone to tears, which are white bleeding, than man, whose negative +vital body does not generate more blood than he can comfortably take care +of. Therefore it is not necessary for him to have the outlets which +relieve excess of blood in woman. + +_The Desire Body._ + +In addition to the visible body and the vital body we also have a body +made of desire stuff from which we form our feelings and emotions. This +vehicle also impels us to seek sense gratification. But while the two +instruments of which we have already spoken, are well organized, the +desire body appears to spiritual sight as an ovoid cloud extending from +sixteen to twenty inches beyond the physical body. It is above the head +and below the feet so that our dense body sits in the center of this +egg-shaped cloud as the yolk is in the center of an egg. + +The reason for the rudimentary state of this vehicle is, that it has been +added to the human constitution more recently than the bodies previously +mentioned. Evolution of form may be likened to the manner in which the +juices in the snail first condense into flesh and later become a hard +shell. When our present visible body first germinated in the spirit, it +was a thought-form, but gradually it has become denser and more concrete +until it is now a chemical crystallization. The vital body was next +emanated by the spirit as a thought-form and is in the third stage of +concretion which is etheric. The desire body is a still later acquisition. +That also was a thought form at its inception, but has now condensed to +desire stuff, and the mind, which we have only recently received, is still +but a mere cloudy thought form. + +Arms and limbs, ears and eyes are not necessary to use the desire body, +for it can glide through space more swiftly than wind without such means +of locomotion as we require in this visible world. + +When viewed by spiritual sight, it appears that there are in this desire +body a number of whirling vortices. We have already explained that it is a +characteristic of desire stuff to be in constant motion, and from the main +vortex in the region of the liver there is a constant outwelling flow +which radiates towards the periphery of this egg-shaped body and returns +to the center through a number of other vortices. The desire body exhibits +all the colors and shades which we know and a vast number of others which +are indescribable in earthly language. Those colors vary in every person +according to his characteristics and temperament and they also vary from +moment to moment as passing moods, fancies or emotions are experienced by +him. There is however in each one a certain basic color dependent upon the +ruling star at the moment of his birth. The man in whose horoscope Mars is +peculiarly strong usually has a crimson tint in his aura, where Jupiter is +the strongest planet the prevailing tint seems to be a bluish tone, and so +on with the other planets. + +There was a time in the earth’s past history when incrustation was not yet +complete, and human beings of that time lived upon islands here and there, +amid boiling seas. They had not yet evolved eyes or ears, but a little +organ: the pineal gland, which anatomists have called _the third eye_, +protruded through the back of the head and was a _localised organ of +feeling_, which warned the man when he came too near a volcanic crater and +thus enabled him to escape destruction. Since then the cerebral +hemispheres have covered the pineal gland, and instead of a single organ +of feeling, the whole body inside and out is sensitive to impacts, which +of course is a much higher state of development. + +In the desire body every particle is sensitive to vibrations similar to +those which we call sight, sounds and feelings and every particle is in +incessant motion rapidly swirling about so that in the same instant it may +be at the top and bottom of the desire body and impart at all points to +all the other particles a sensation of that which it has experienced thus +every particle of desire stuff in this vehicle of ours will instantly feel +any sensation experienced by any single particle. Therefore the desire +body is of an exceedingly sensitive nature, capable of most intense +feelings and emotions. + +_The Mind._ + +This is the latest acquisition of the human spirit, and in most people who +have not yet accustomed themselves to orderly, consecutive thought, it is +a mere inchoate cloud disposed particularly in the region of the head. +When looking at a person clairvoyantly there appears to be an empty space +in the center of the forehead just above and between the eyebrows. It +looks like the blue part of a gas flame. That is mind stuff which veils +the human spirit, or Ego, and the writer has been told that not even the +most gifted seer can penetrate that veil which is said to have been spoken +of in ancient Egypt as “_the veil of Isis_” which none may lift and live, +for behind that veil is the Holy of Holies, the temple of our body, where +the spirit is to be left secure from all intrusion. + +To those who have not previously studied the deeper philosophies the +question may occur: But why all these divisions; even the Bible speaks +only of soul and body, for most people believe soul and spirit to be +synonymous terms. We can only answer that this division is not arbitrary +but necessary, and founded upon facts in nature. Neither is it correct to +regard the soul and the spirit as synonymous. Paul himself speaks of _the +natural body_ which is composed of physical substances: solids, liquids, +gases and ethers; he mentions _a spiritual body_, which is the vehicle of +the spirit composed of the mind and desire body, and _the spirit itself_, +which is called Ego in Latin or “I” in English. + +That term “I” is an appelation which can only be made by the human spirit +of itself. We may all call a dog, dog; or we may call a table, table, and +any one else may apply the same name to the dog and to the table, but only +a human being can be called “I” and only he himself can apply that most +exclusive of all words, I, for this is the badge of self-consciousness, +the recognition by the human spirit of _itself_ as an entity, separate and +apart from all others. + +Thus we see that the constitution of man is more complex than appears upon +the surface, and we will now proceed to note the effect upon this +multiplex being of various conditions of life. + + + + + +CHAPTER V. LIFE AND DEATH + + +_Invisible Helpers and Mediums._ + +There are two classes of people in the world. In one class the vital and +dense bodies are so firmly cemented that the ethers cannot be extracted +under any circumstances but remain with the dense body at all times and +under all conditions from birth to death. Those people are insensible to +any supersensuous sights or sounds. They are therefore usually exceedingly +sceptic, and believe nothing exists but what _they_ can see. + +There is another class of people in whom the connection between the dense +and the vital bodies is more or less loose, so that the ether of their +vital bodies vibrates at a higher rate than in the first class mentioned. +These people are therefore more or less sensitive to the spiritual world. + +This class of sensitives may again be divided. Some are weak characters, +dominated by the will of others in a _negative_ manner, as mediums, who +are the prey of disembodied spirits desirous of obtaining a physical body +when they have lost their own by death. + +The other class of sensitives are strong _positive_ characters, who act +only from within, according to their own will. They may develop into +trained clairvoyants, and be their own masters instead of slaves of a +disembodied spirit. In some sensitives of both classes it is possible to +extract part of the ether which forms the vital body. When a disembodied +spirit obtains a subject of that nature, it develops the sensitive as _a +materializing medium_. The man who is capable of extracting his own vital +body by an act of will, becomes a citizen of two worlds, independent and +free. Such are usually known as _Invisible Helpers_. There are certain +other abnormal conditions where the vital body and the dense body are +separated totally or in part, for instance if we place our limb in an +uncomfortable position so that circulation of the blood ceases. Then we +may see the etheric limb hanging down below the visible limb as a +stocking. When we restore circulation and the etheric limb seeks to enter +into place, an intense prickly sensation is felt, due to the fact that the +little streams of force, which radiate all through the ether, seek to +permeate the molecules of the limb and stir them into renewed vibration. +When a person is drowning, the vital body also separates from the dense +vehicle and the intense prickly pain incident to resuscitation is also due +to the cause mentioned. + +While we are awake and going about our work in the Physical World, the +desire body and mind both permeate the dense and the vital bodies, and +there is a constant war between the desire nature and the vital body. The +vital body is continually engaged in building up the human organism, while +the impulses of the desire body tend to tire and to break down tissue. +Gradually, in the course of the day, the vital body loses ground before +the onslaughts of the desire body, poisons of decay slowly accumulate and +the flow of vital fluid becomes more and more sluggish, until at length it +is incapable of moving the muscles. The body then feels heavy and drowsy. +At last the vital body collapses, as it were, the little streams of force +which permeate each atom seem to shrivel up, and the Ego is forced to +abandon its body to the restorative powers of sleep. + +When a building has become dilapidated and is to be _restored_ and put in +thorough repair, the tenants must move out to let the workmen have a free +field. So also when the building of a spirit has become unfit for further +use, it must withdraw therefrom. As the desire body caused the damage, it +is a logical conclusion that that also must be removed. Every night when +our body has become tired, the higher vehicles are withdrawn, only the +dense and vital bodies are left upon the bed. + +Then the process of restoration commences and lasts for a longer or a +shorter time according to circumstances. + +At times however, the grip of the desire body upon our denser vehicles is +so strong that it refuses to let go. When it has become so interested in +the proceedings of the day, it continues to ruminate over them after the +collapse of the physical body, and is perhaps only half extracted from +that vehicle. Then it may transmit sights and sounds of the desire world +to the brain. But as the connections are necessarily askew under such +conditions, the most confused dreams result. Furthermore, as the desire +body compels motion, the body is very apt to toss about when the desire +body is not fully extracted, hence the restless sleep which usually +accompanies dreams of a confused nature. + +There are times of course when dreams are prophetic and come true, but +such dreams result only _after_ complete extraction of the desire body, +under circumstances where the spirit has seen some danger perhaps, which +may befall, and then impresses the fact upon the brain _at the moment of +awakening_. + +It also happens that the spirit goes upon a soul flight and omits to +perform its part of the work of restoration, then the body will not be fit +to re-enter in the morning, so it sleeps on. The spirit may thus roam +afield for a number of days, or even weeks, before it again enters its +physical body and assumes the normal routine of alternating waking and +sleep. This condition is called _trance_, and the spirit may remember upon +its return what it has seen and heard in the super-physical realm, or it +may have forgotten, according to the stage of its development and the +depth of the trance condition. When the trance is very light, the spirit +is usually present in the room where its body lies all the time, and upon +its return to the body it will be able to recount to relatives all they +said and did while its body lay unconscious. Where the trance is deeper, +the returning spirit will usually be unconscious of what happened around +its body, but may recount experiences from the invisible world. + +A few years ago a little girl by the name of Florence Bennett in Kankakee, +Illinois, fell into such a trance. She returned to the body every few +days, but stayed within only a few hours each time, and the whole trance +lasted three weeks, more or less. During the returns to her body she told +relatives that in her absence she seemed to be in a place inhabited by all +the people who died. But she stated that none of them spoke about dying +and no one among them seemed to realize that they were dead. Among those +she had seen was a locomotive engineer who had been accidentally killed. +His body was mangled in the accident which caused death. The little girl +perceived him there walking about minus arms, and with lesions upon his +head, all of which is in line with facts usually seen by mystic +investigators. Persons who have been hurt in accidents go about thus, +until they learn that a mere wish to have their body made whole will +supply a new arm or limb, for desire stuff is most quickly and readily +molded by thought. + +_Death._ + +After a longer or shorter time there comes in each life a point where the +experiences which a spirit can gain from its present environment have been +exhausted, and life terminates in death. + +Death may be sudden and seemingly unexpected, as for instance by +earthquake, upon the battle-field, or by accident, as we call it, but in +reality, death is never accidental or unforeseen by Higher Powers. Not a +sparrow falls to the ground without divine Will. There are along life’s +path partings of the way, as it were; on one side the main line of life +continues onward, the other path leads into what we might call a blind +alley. If the man takes that path, it soon ends in death. We are here in +life for the sake of gaining experience and each life has a certain +harvest to reap. If we order our life in such a manner that we gain the +knowledge it is intended we should acquire, we continue in life, and +opportunities of different kinds constantly come our way. But if we +neglect them, and the life goes into paths which are not congruous to our +individual development it would be a waste of time to let us stay in such +environment. Therefore the Great and Wise Beings, Who are behind the scene +of evolution, terminate our life, that we may have a fresh start in a +different sphere of influence. The law of conservation of energy is not +confined to the Physical World, but operates in the spiritual realms also. +There is nothing in life that has not its purpose. We do wrong to rail +against circumstances, no matter how disagreeable, we should rather +endeavor to learn the lessons which are contained therein, that we may +live a long and useful life. Some one may object, and say: You are +inconsistent in your teachings. You say there is really no death, that we +go into a brighter existence, and that we have to learn other lessons +there in a different sphere of usefulness! Why then aim to live a long +life here? + +It is very true that we make these claims, and they are perfectly +consistent with the other assertions just mentioned, but there are lessons +to be learned _here_ which cannot be learned in the other worlds, and we +have to bring up this physical body through the useless years of +childhood, through hot and impulsive youth, to the ripeness of manhood or +womanhood, before it becomes of true spiritual use. The longer we live +after maturity has been attained, when we have commenced to look upon the +serious side of life and started to truly learn lessons which make for +soulgrowth, the more experience we shall gather and the richer our harvest +will be. Then, in a later existence, we shall be so much more advanced, +and capable of taking up tasks that would be impossible with less length +of life and breadth of activity. Besides, it is hard to die for the man in +the prime of life with a wife and growing family whom he loves; with +ambitions of greatness unfulfilled; with hosts of friends about him, and +with interests all centered upon the material plane of existence. It is +sad for the woman whose heart is bound up in home and the little ones she +has reared, to leave them, perhaps without anyone to care for them; to +know that they have to fight their way alone through the early years when +her tender care is needed, and perhaps to see those little ones abused, +and she unable to lift a hand, though her heart may bleed as freely as it +would in earth life. All these things are sad, and _they bind the spirit +to earth_ for a much longer time than ordinarily, they hinder it from +reaping the experiences it should reap upon the other side of death, and +they make it desirable along with other reasons already mentioned to live +a long life before passing onwards. + +The difference between those who pass out at a ripe old age, and one who +leaves this earth in the prime of life, may be illustrated by the manner +in which the seed clings to a fruit in an unripe state. A great deal of +force is necessary to tear the stone from a green peach; it has such a +tenacious hold upon the fruit that shreds of pulp adhere to it when +forcibly removed, so also the spirit clings to the flesh in middle life +and a certain part of its material interest remain and bind it to earth +after death. On the other hand, when a life has been lived to the full, +when the spirit has had time to realize its ambitions or to find out their +futility, when the duties of life have been performed and satisfaction +rests upon the brow of an aged man or woman; or when the life has been +misspent and the pangs of conscience have worked upon the man and shown +him his mistakes; when, in fact, the spirit has learned the lessons of +life, as it must have to come to old age; then it may be likened to the +seed of the ripe fruit which falls out clean, without a vestige of flesh +clinging thereto, at the moment the encasing pulp is opened. Therefore we +say, as before, that though there is a brighter existence in store for +those who have lived well, it is nevertheless best to live a long life and +to live it to the fullest extent possible. + +We also maintain, that no matter what may be the circumstances of a man’s +death, it is not accidental; it has either been brought about by his own +neglect to embrace opportunities of growth, or else life has been lived to +the ultimate possible. There is one exception to that rule, and that is +due to man’s exercise of his divine prerogative of interference. If we +lived according to schedule, if we all assimilated the experiences +designed for our growth by the Creative Powers, we should live to the +ultimate length, but _we ourselves_ usually shorten our lives by not +taking advantage of opportunities, and it also happens that _other men_ +may shorten our lives and cut them off as suddenly as the so-called +accident whereby the divine rulers terminate our life here. In other +words, murder, or fatal accidents brought about _by human __ +carelessness_, are in reality the only termination to life not planned by +invisible leaders of humanity. No one is ever compelled to do murder or +other evil, or there could not come to them a just retribution for their +acts. The Christ said that evil must come but _woe unto him by whom it +cometh_, and to harmonize that with the law of divine justice: “as a man +soweth, so shall he also reap,” _there must at least be absolute free will +in respect to evil acts_. + +There are also cases where a person lives such a full and good life of +such vast benefit to humanity and to himself, that his days are lengthened +beyond the ultimate, as they are shortened by neglect, but such cases are +of course too few to allow of their being dwelt upon at length. + +Where death is not sudden as in the case of accidents, but occurs at home +after an illness, quietly and peacefully, dying persons usually experience +a falling upon them as of a pall of great darkness shortly before +termination of life. Many pass out from the body under that condition, and +do not see the light again until they have entered the super-physical +realms. There are many other cases however, where the darkness lifts +before the final release from the body. Then the dying person views both +worlds at once, and is cognizant of the presence of both dead and living +friends. Under such circumstances it very often happens that a mother sees +some of her children who have gone before, and she will exclaim joyously: +Oh, there is Johnny standing at the foot of my bed; my but hasn’t he +grown! The living relatives may feel shocked and uneasy, thinking the +mother suffering from hallucinations, while in reality she is more +clear-sighted than they; she perceives those who have passed beyond the +veil who have come to greet and help her to make herself at home in the +new world she is entering. + +Each human being is an individual, separate and apart from all others, and +as experiences in the life of each differ from those of all others in the +interval from the cradle to the grave, so we may also reasonably infer +that the experiences of each spirit vary from those of every other spirit +when it passes through the gates of birth and death. We print what +purports to be a _spirit message_ communicated by the late Professor James +of Harvard at the Boston spirit temple, and in which he describes +sensations which he felt when passing through the gate of death. We do not +vouch for its authenticity as we have not investigated the matter +personally. + +Professor James had promised to communicate after death with his friends +in this life, and the whole world of psychic research was and still is on +watch for a word from him. Several mediums have claimed that Professor +James has communicated through them, but the most remarkable are those +given through the Boston spirit temple as follows: + + + “And this is death, only to fall asleep, only to awaken in the + morning and to know that all is well. I am not dead, only arisen. + + ------------------------------------- + + “I only know that I experienced a great shock through my entire + system, as if some mighty bond had been rent asunder. For a moment + I was dazed and lost consciousness. When I awakened I found myself + standing beside the old body which had served me faithfully and + well. To say that I was surprised would only inadequately express + the sensation that thrilled my very being, and I realized that + some wonderful change had taken place. Suddenly I became conscious + that my body was surrounded by many of my friends, and an + uncontrollable desire took possession of me to speak and touch + them that they might know that I still lived. Drawing a little + nearer to that which was so like and yet unlike myself, I + stretched forth my hand and touched them, but they heeded me not.” + + ------------------------------------- + + “Then it was that the full significance of the great change that + had taken place flashed upon my newly awakened senses; then it was + that I realized that an impenetrable barrier separated me from my + loved ones on earth, and that this great change which had taken + place was indeed death. A sense of weariness and longing for rest + took possession of me. I seemed to be transported through space, + and I lost consciousness, to awaken in a land so different and yet + so similar to the one which I had lately left. It was not possible + for me to describe my sensations when I again regained + consciousness and realized that, though dead, I was still alive. + + “When I first became conscious of my new environment I was resting + in a beautiful grove, and was realizing as never before what it + was to be at peace with myself and all the world.” + + ------------------------------------- + + “I know that only with the greatest difficulty shall I be enabled + to express to you my sensations when I fully realized that I had + awakened to a new life. All was still, no sound broke the silence. + Darkness had surrounded me. In fact, I seemed to be enveloped in a + heavy mist, beyond which my gaze could not penetrate. Soon in the + distance I discerned a faint glimmer of light, which slowly + approached me, and then, to my wonder and joy, I beheld the face + of her who had been my guiding star in the early days of my earth + life.” + + +One of the saddest sights witnessed by the seer at a death-bed is the +tortures to which we often subject our dying friends on account of +ignorance of how to care for them in that condition. We have a science of +birth; obstetricians who have been trained for years in their profession +and have developed a wonderful skill, assist the little stranger into this +world. We have also trained nurses attendant upon mother and child, the +ingenuity of brilliant minds is focused upon the problem of how to make +maternity easier, neither pains nor money are spared in these beneficent +efforts for one whom we have never seen, but when the friend of a +lifetime, the man who has served his kind well and nobly in profession, +state, or church, is to leave the scene of his labors for a new field of +activity, when the woman—who has labored to no less good purpose in +bringing up a family to take its part in the world’s work—has to leave +that home and family, when one whom we have loved all our lives is about +to bid us the final farewell, we stand by utterly at a loss how to help; +perhaps we even do the very things most detrimental to the comfort and +welfare of the departing one. + +Probably there is no form of torture more commonly inflicted upon the +dying than that which is caused by administering stimulants. Such potions +have the effect of drawing a departing spirit into its body with the force +of a catapult, to remain and to suffer for sometime longer. Investigators +of conditions beyond have heard many complaints of such treatment. When it +is seen that death must inevitably ensue, let not selfish desire to keep a +departing spirit a little longer prompt us to inflict such tortures upon +it. The death chamber should be a place of the utmost quiet, a place of +peace and of prayer, for at that time, and _for three and one-half days +after the last breath_, the spirit is passing through a Gethsemane and +needs all the assistance that can be given. The value of the life that has +just been passed depends greatly upon conditions which then prevail about +the body; yes even the conditions of its future life are influenced by our +attitude during that time, so that if ever we were our brother’s keeper in +life, we are a thousand times more so at death. + +Post-mortem examinations, embalming and cremation during the period +mentioned, not only disturb the passing spirit mentally, but are +productive of a certain amount of pain, for there is still a slight +connection with the discarded vehicle. If sanitary laws require us to +prevent decomposition while thus keeping the body for cremation, it may be +packed in ice till the three and one-half days have passed. After that +time the spirit will not suffer, no matter what happens to the body. + +_The Panorama of a Past Life._ + +No matter how long we may keep the spirit from passing out however, at +last there will come a time when no stimulant can hold it and the last +breath is drawn. Then the silver cord, of which the Bible speaks, and +which holds the higher and the lower vehicles together, snaps in the heart +and causes that organ to stop. That rupture releases the vital body, and +that with the desire body and mind float above the visible body for from +one to three and one-half days while the spirit is engaged in reviewing +the past life, an exceedingly important part of its post-mortem +experience. Upon that review depends its whole existence from death to a +new birth. + +The question may arise in the student’s mind: How can we review our past +life from the cradle to the grave when we do not even remember what we did +a month ago, and to form a proper basis for our future life, this record +ought to be very accurate, but even the best memory is faulty? When we +understand the difference between the conscious and sub-conscious memory +and the manner in which the latter operates, the difficulty vanishes. This +difference and the manner in which the sub-conscious memory keeps an +accurate record of our life experiences may be best understood by an +illustration, as follows: When we go into a field and view the surrounding +landscape, vibrations in the ether carry to us a picture of everything +within the range of our vision. It is as sad as it is true however, that +“we have eyes and see not,” as the Savior said. These vibrations impinge +upon the retina of our eyes, even to the very smallest details, but they +usually do not penetrate to our consciousness, and therefore are not +remembered. Even the most powerful impressions fade in course of time so +that we cannot call them back at will when they are stored in our +conscious memory. + +When a photographer goes afield _with his camera_ the results which he +obtains are different. The ether vibrations emanating from all things upon +which his camera is focused, transmit to the sensitive plate an impression +of the landscape true to the minutest detail, and, mark this well, this +true and accurate picture is in no wise dependent upon whether the +photographer is observant or not. It will remain upon the plate and may be +reproduced under proper conditions. Such is the subconscious memory, and +it is generated automatically by each of us during every moment of time, +independently of our volition, in the following manner. + +From the first breath which we draw after birth to our last dying gasp, we +inspire air which is charged with pictures of our surroundings, and the +same ether which carries that picture to the retina of our eye, is inhaled +into our lungs where it enters the blood. Thus it reaches the heart in due +time. In the left ventricle of that organ, near the apex, there is one +little atom which is particularly sensitized, and which remains in the +body all through life. It differs in this respect from all other atoms +which come and go, for it is the particular property of God, and of a +certain spirit. This atom may be called the book of the Recording Angel, +for as the blood passes through the heart, cycle after cycle, the pictures +of our good and evil acts are inscribed thereon to the minutest detail. +This record may be called the sub-conscious memory. It forms the basis of +our future life when reproduced as a panorama just subsequent to death. By +removal of the seed atom—which corresponds to the sensitized plate in a +camera,—the reflecting ether of the vital body serves as a focus, and as +the life unrolls slowly backwards from death to birth the pictures thereof +are etched into the desire body which will be our vehicle during our +sojourn in purgatory and the first heaven where evil is eradicated and +good assimilated, so that in a future life the former may serve as +_conscience_ to withhold the man from repeating mistakes of the past, and +the latter will spur us to greater good. + +A phenomenon similar to the panorama of life usually takes place when a +person is drowning. People who have been resuscitated speak of having seen +their whole life _in a flash_. That is because under such conditions the +vital body also leaves the dense body. Of course there is no rupture of +the silver cord, or life could not be restored. Unconsciousness follows +quickly in drowning, while in the usual post-mortem review the +consciousness continues until the vital body collapses in the same manner +that it does when we go to sleep. Then consciousness ceases for a while +and the panorama is terminated. Therefore also the time occupied by the +panorama varies with different persons, according to whether the vital +body was strong and healthy, or had become thin and emaciated by +protracted illness. The longer the time spent in review, and the more +quiet and peaceful the surroundings, the deeper will be the etching which +is made in the desire body. As already said, that has a most important and +far reaching effect, for then the sufferings which the spirit will realize +in purgatory on account of bad habits and misdeeds will be much more keen +than if there is only a slight impression, and in a future life the still +small voice of conscience will warn so much more insistently against +mistakes which caused sufferings in the past. + +When conditions are such at the time of death that the spirit is disturbed +by outside conditions, for instance the din and turmoil of a battle, the +harrowing conditions of an accident or the hysterical wailings of +relatives, the distraction prevents it from realizing an appropriate depth +in the etching upon the desire body. Consequently its post-mortem +existence becomes vague and insipid, the spirit does not harvest fruits of +experience as it should have done had it passed out of the body in peace +and under normal conditions. It would therefore lack incentive to good in +a future life, and miss the warning against evil which a deep etching of +the panorama of life would have given. Thus its growth would be retarded +in a very marked degree, but the beneficent powers in charge of evolution +take certain steps to compensate for our ignorant treatment of the dying +and other untoward circumstances mentioned. What these steps are, we shall +discuss when considering the life of children in heaven, for the present +let it be sufficient to say that in God’s kingdom every evil is always +transmuted to a greater good though the process may not be at once +apparent. + +_Purgatory._ + +During life the collapse of the vital body at night terminates our view of +the world about us, and causes us to lose ourselves in unconsciousness of +sleep. When the vital body collapses just subsequent to death, and the +panorama of life is terminated, we also lose consciousness for a time +which varies according to the individual. A darkness seems to fall upon +the spirit, then after a while it wakes up and begins dimly to perceive +the light of the other world, but is only gradually accustomed to the +altered conditions. It is an experience similar to that which we have when +coming out of a darkened room into sunlight, which blinds us by its +brilliancy, until the pupils of our eyes have contracted so that they +admit a quantity of light bearable to our organism. + +If under such a condition we turn momentarily from the bright sunlight and +look back into the darkened room, objects there will be much more plain to +our vision than things outside which are illumined by the powerful rays of +the sun. So it is also with the spirit, when it has first been released +from the body it perceives sights, scenes and sounds of the material +world, which it has just left, much more readily than it observes the +sights of the world it is entering. Wordsworth in his Ode to Immortality +noted a similar condition in the case of new-born children, who are all +clairvoyant and much more awake to the spiritual world than to this +present plane of existence. Some lose the spiritual sight very early, +others retain it for a number of years and a few keep it all through life, +but as the birth of a child is a death in the spiritual world and it +retains the spiritual sight for a time, so also death here is a birth upon +the spiritual plane, and the newly dead retain a consciousness of this +world for some time subsequent to demise. + +When one awakes in the Desire World after having passed through +aforementioned experiences, the general feeling seems to be one of relief +from a heavy burden, a feeling perhaps akin to that of a diver encased in +a heavy rubber suit, a weighty brass helmet upon his head, leaden soles +under his feet and heavy weights of lead upon his breast and back, +confined in his operations on the bottom of the ocean by a short length of +air tube, and able only to move clumsily with difficulty. When after the +day’s work such a man is hauled to the surface, and divests himself of his +heavy garments and he moves about with the facility we enjoy here, he must +surely experience a feeling of great relief. Something like that is felt +by the spirit when it has been divested of the mortal coil, and is able to +roam all over the globe instead of being confined to the narrow +environment which bound it upon earth. + +There is also a feeling of relief for those who have been ill. Sickness, +such as we know it, does not exist there. Neither is it necessary to seek +food and shelter, for in that world there is neither heat nor cold. +Nevertheless, there are many in the purgatorial regions who go to all +bothers of housekeeping, eating and drinking just as we do here. George Du +Maurier in his novel “Peter Ibbetson” gives a very good idea of this +condition in the life lived between the hero and the Countess of Towers. +This novel also illustrates splendidly what has been said of the +sub-conscious memory, for Geo. Du Maurier has somewhere, somehow +discovered an easy method which anyone may apply to do what he calls +“dreaming true.” By taking a certain position in going to sleep, it is +possible, after a little practice, to compel the appearance, in a dream, +of any scene _in our past life_ which we desire to live over again. The +book is well worth reading on that account. + +When a fiery nebula has been formed in the sky and commences to revolve, a +little matter in the center where motion is slowest commences to +crystallize. When it has reached a certain density it is caught in the +swirl, and whirled nearer and nearer to the outward extremity of what has, +by that time, become the equator of a revolving globe. Then it is hurled +into space and discarded from the economy of the revolving sun. + +This process is not accomplished automatically as scientists would have us +believe,—an assertion which has been proven in _The Rosicrucian Cosmo +Conception_ and other places in our literature. Herbert Spencer also +rejected the nebular theory because it required a First Cause, which he +denied, though unable to form a better hypothesis of the formation of +solar systems,—but it is accomplished through the activity of a Great +Spirit, which we may call God or by any other name we choose. As above, so +below, says the Hermetic axiom. Man, who is a lesser spirit, also gathers +about himself spirit-substance, which crystallizes into matter and becomes +the visible body which the spiritual sight reveals as placed inside an +aura of finer vehicles. The latter are in constant motion. When the dense +body is born as a child it is extremely soft and flexible. + +Childhood, youth, maturity and old age are but so many different stages of +crystallization, which goes on until at last a point is reached where the +spirit can no longer move the hardened body and it is thrown out from the +spirit as the planet is expelled from the sun. That is death!—the +commencement of a disrobing process which continues in purgatory. The low +evil passions and desires we cultivated during life have crystallized the +desire stuff in such a manner that that also must be expelled. Thus the +spirit is purged of evil under the same law that a sun is purged of the +matter which later forms a planet. If the life lived has been a reasonably +decent one, the process of purgation will not be very strenuous nor will +the evil desires thus expurgated persist for a long time after having been +freed, but they quickly disintegrate. If, on the other hand, an extremely +vile life has been led, the part of the expurgated desire nature may +persist even to the time when the spirit returns to a new birth for +further experience. It will then be attracted to him and haunt him as a +demon, inciting him to evil deeds which he himself abhors. The story of +Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is not a mere fanciful idea of Robert Louis +Stevenson, but is founded upon facts well known to spiritual +investigators. Such cases are extremes of course, but they are +nevertheless possible and we have unfortunately laws which convert such +possibilities to probabilities in the case of a certain class of so-called +criminals. We refer to laws which decree capital punishment as penalty of +murder. + +When a man is dangerous he should of course be restrained, but even apart +from the question of the moral right of a community to take the life of +anyone—which we deny—society by its very act of retaliatory murder defeats +the very end it would serve, for if the vicious murderer is restrained +under whatever discipline is necessary in a prison for a number of years +until his natural death, he will have forgotten his bitterness against his +victim and against society, and when he stands as a free spirit in the +Desire World, he may even by prayer have obtained forgiveness and have +become a good Christian. He will then go on his way rejoicing, and will in +the future life seek to help those whom he hurt here. + +When society retaliates and puts him to a violent death shortly after he +has committed the crime, he is most likely to feel himself as having been +greatly injured, and not without cause. Then such a character will usually +seek to “get even” as he calls it, he will go about for a long time +inciting others to commit murder and other crimes. Then we have an +epidemic of murders in a community, a condition not infrequent. + +The regicide in Servia shocked the Western World by wiping out an entire +royal house in a most shockingly bloody manner, and the Minister of the +Interior was one of the chief conspirators. Later he wrote his memoirs, +and therein he writes that whenever the conspirators had tried to win +anyone as a recruit, they always succeeded when they burned incense. He +did not know why, but simply mentioned it as a curious coincidence. To the +mystic investigator the matter is perfectly clear. We have shown the +necessity of having a vehicle made of the materials of any world wherein +we wish to function. We usually obtain a physical vehicle by going through +the womb, or perhaps in a few special cases from a particularly good +materializing medium, but where it is only necessary to work upon the +brain and influence someone else to act, we need but a vehicle made of +such ether as may be obtained from fumes of many different substances. +Each kind attracts different classes of spirits, and there is no doubt +that the incense burned at meetings where the conspirators were successful +was of a low and sensual order and attracted spirits who had a grudge +against humanity in general and the King of Servia in particular. These +malcontents were unable to injure the King himself, but used a subtle +influence which helped the conspirators in their work. The released +murderer who has a grudge against society on account of his execution, may +enter low gambling saloons where the fumes of liquor and tobacco furnish +ample opportunity for working upon the class of people who congregate in +such places, and the man whose spiritual sight has been developed is often +sadly impressed when he sees the subtle influences to which those who +frequent such places are exposed. It is a fact of course that a man must +be of a low caliber to be influenced by low thoughts, and that it is as +impossible to incite a person of benevolent character to do murder—unless +we put him into a hypnotic sleep—as to make a tuning fork which vibrates +to C sing by striking another attuned to the key of G, but the thoughts of +both living and dead constantly surround us, and no man ever thought out a +high spiritual philosophy under the influence of tobacco fumes or while +imbibing alcoholic stimulants. Were capital punishment, newspaper +notoriety of criminals, the _manufacture_ of liquor and tobacco eliminated +from society, the gun factories would soon cease to advertise and go out +of business along with most of the locksmiths. The police force would +decrease, so would jails and taxes would be correspondingly minimized. + +When a person enters purgatory he is exactly the same person as before he +died. He has just the same appetites, likes and dislikes, sympathies and +antipathies, as before. There is one important difference, however, +namely, that _he has no dense body wherewith to gratify his appetites_. +The drunkard craves drink, in fact, far more than he did in this life, but +has no stomach which can contain liquor and cause chemical combustion +necessary to bring about the state of intoxication in which he delights. +He may and does enter saloons, where he interpolates his body into the +body of a physical drunkard, so that he may obtain his desires at second +hand as it were, he will incite his victim to drink more and more. Yet +there is no true satisfaction. He sees the full glass upon the counter but +his spirit hand is unable to lift it. He suffers tortures of Tantalus +until in time he realizes the impossibility of gratifying his base desire. +Then he is free to go on so far as that vice is concerned. He has been +purged from that evil without intervention of an angry deity or a +conventional devil with hell’s flames and pitchfork to administer +punishment, but under the immutable law that as we sow so shall we reap, +he has suffered exactly according to his vice. If his craving for drink +was of a mild nature, he would scarcely miss the liquor which he cannot +there obtain. If his desires were strong and he simply lived for drink, he +would suffer veritable tortures of hell without need of actual flames. +Thus the pain experienced in eradication of his vice would be exactly +commensurate with the energy he had expended upon contracting the habit, +as the force wherewith a falling stone strikes the earth is proportionate +to the energy expended in hurling it upwards into the air. + +Yet it is not the aim of God to “get even;” _love_ is higher than _law_ +and in His wonderful mercy and solicitude for our welfare He has opened +the way of repentance and reform whereby we may obtain forgiveness of sin, +as taught by the Lord of Love: the Christ. Not indeed contrary to law, for +His laws are immutable, but by application of a higher law, whereby we +accomplish here that which would otherwise be delayed until death had +forced the day of reckoning. The method is as follows: + +In our explanation concerning the sub-conscious memory we noted that a +record of every act, thought and word is transmitted by air and ether into +our lungs, thence to the blood, and finally inscribed upon the tablet of +the heart:—a certain little _seedatom_, which is thus the book of +Recording Angels. It was later explained how this panorama of life is +etched into the desire body and forms the basis of retribution after +death. When we have committed a wrong and our conscience accuses us in +consequence, and this accusation is productive of sincere repentance +_accompanied by reform_, the picture of that wrong act will gradually fade +from the record of our life, so that when we pass out at death it will not +stand accusingly against us. We noted that the panorama of life unwinds +backwards just after death. Later, in the purgatorial life it again passes +before the spiritual vision of the man, who then experiences the exact +feeling of those whom he has wronged. He seems to lose his own identity +for the time being, and assumes the condition of his one time victim, he +experiences all the mental and physical suffering himself which he +inflicted upon others. Thus he learns to be merciful instead of cruel, and +to do right instead of wrong in a future life. But if he awakens to a +thorough realization of a wrong previous to his death, then, as said, the +feeling of sorrow for his victim and the restitution or redress which he +gives of his own free will, make the suffering after death unnecessary, +hence—“his sin is forgiven.” + +The Rosicrucian Mystery teaching gives a scientific method whereby an +aspirant to higher life may purge himself continually, and thus be able to +entirely avoid existence in purgatory. Each night after retiring the pupil +reviews his life during the past day _in reverse order_. He starts to +visualize as clearly as possible the scene which took place just before +retiring. He then endeavors to impartially view his actions in that scene +examining them to see whether he did right or wrong. If the latter, he +endeavors to _feel and realize as __ vividly as possible_ that wrong. For +instance, if he spoke harshly to someone, and upon later consideration +finds it was not merited, he will endeavor to _feel_ exactly as that one +felt whom he wronged and at the very earliest opportunity to apologize for +the hasty expression. Then he will call up the next scene in backward +succession which may perhaps be the supper table. In respect of that scene +he will examine himself as to whether he ate to live, sparingly and of +foods prepared without suffering to other creatures of God, (such as flesh +foods that cannot be obtained without taking life). If he finds that he +allowed his appetite to run away with him and that he ate gluttonously, he +will endeavor to overcome these habits, for to live a clean life we must +have a clean body and no one can live to his highest possibilities while +making his stomach a graveyard for the decaying corpses of murdered +animals. In this respect there occurs to the writer a little poem by Ella +Wheeler Wilcox: + + + “I am the voice of the voiceless; + Through me the dumb shall speak, + Till a deaf world’s ear + Shall be made to hear + The wrongs of the wordless weak. + + The same force formed the sparrow + That fashioned man the king; + The God of the whole + Gave a spark of soul + To furred and feathered thing. + + And I am my brother’s keeper + And I will fight his fight, + And speak the word + For beast and bird + Till the world shall set things right. + + +Thus the pupil will continue to review each scene _in reverse order_ from +night till morning, and to _feel really sorry_ for whatever he has done +amiss. He will not neglect to _feel glad_ either when he comes to a scene +where he has done well, and _the more intensely he can feel, the more +thoroughly he will eradicate the record upon the tablet of the heart and +sharpen his conscience_, so that as time goes on from year to year, he +will find less cause for blame and enhance his soul power enormously. Thus +he will grow in a measure impossible by any less systematic method, and +there will be no necessity for his stay in purgatory after death. + +This evening exercise and another, for the morning, if persistently +performed day by day, will in time awaken the spiritual vision as they +improve life. This matter has, however, been so thoroughly treated in +number 11 of the lecture series: “_Spiritual Sight and Insight; its safe +culture and control_,” that it is unnecessary to dwell upon the matter +further in this place. + +_The First Heaven._ + +In the first heaven, which is located in the higher regions of the Desire +World, the panorama of life again unrolls and reveals every scene where we +aimed to help or benefit others. They were not felt at the time the spirit +was in the lower regions, for higher desires cannot express themselves in +the coarse matter composing the lower regions of the Desire World, but +when the spirit ascends to the first heaven it reaps from each scene all +the good which it expressed in life. It will feel the gratitude poured out +by those whom it helped; if it comes to a scene where itself received a +favor from others _and was grateful_, it will experience the gratitude +anew. The sum of all these feelings is there amalgamated into the spirit +to serve in a future life as incentives to good. + +Thus, the soul is purged from evil in purgatory, and strengthened in good +in the first heaven. In one region the extract of sufferings become +_conscience_ to deter us from doing wrong, in the other region the +quintessence of good is transmuted to _benevolence_ and altruism which are +the basis of all true progress. Moreover, purgatory is far from being a +place of _punishment_, it is perhaps the most beneficent realm in nature, +for _because of purgation we are born innocent_ life after life. The +tendencies to commit the same evil for which we suffered remain with us +and temptations to commit the same wrongs will be placed in our path until +we have consciously overcome the evil here; temptation is not sin, +however, the sin is in yielding. + +Among the inhabitants of the invisible world there is one class which +lives a particularly painful life, sometimes for a great many years, +namely, the suicide who tried to play truant from the school of life. Yet +it is not an angry God or a malevolent devil who administers punishment, +but an immutable law which proportions the sufferings differently to each +individual suicide. + +We learned previously, when considering the World of Thought, that each +form in this visible world has its archetype there,—a vibrating hollow +mold which emits a certain harmonious sound; that sound attracts and forms +physical matter into the shape we behold, much in the same manner as when +we place a little sand upon a glass plate and rub the edge with a violin +bow, the sand is shaped into different geometrical figures which change as +the sound changes. + +The little atom in the heart is the sample and the center around which the +atoms in our body gather. When that is removed at death, the center is +lacking, and although the archetype keeps on vibrating until the limit of +the life has been reached—as also previously explained,—no matter can be +drawn into the hollow shape of the archetype and therefore the suicide +feels a dreadful gnawing pain as if he were hollowed out, a torture which +can only be likened to the pangs of hunger. In his case, the intense +suffering will continue for exactly as many years as he should have lived +in the body. At the expiration of that time, the archetype collapses as it +does when death comes naturally. Then the pain of the suicide ceases, and +he commences his period of purgation as do those who die a natural death. +But the memory of sufferings experienced in consequence of the act of +suicide will remain with him in future lives and deter him from a similar +mistake. + +In the first heaven there is a class who have not had any purgatorial +existence and who lead a particularly joyous life: the children. Our homes +may be saddened almost beyond endurance when the little flower is broken +and the sunshine it brought has gone. But could we see the beautiful +existence which these little ones lead, and did we understand the great +benefits which accrue to a child from its limited stay there, our sorrow +would be at least ameliorated in a great measure, and the wound upon our +heart would heal more quickly. Besides, as nothing else in the world +happens without a cause, so there is also a much deeper cause for infant +mortality than we are usually aware of, and as we awake to the facts of +the case, we shall be able to avoid in future the sorrow incident to loss +of our little ones. + +To understand the case properly we must revert to the experiences of the +dying in the death hour. We remember that the panorama of the past life is +etched upon the desire body during a period varying from a few hours to +three and one-half days, just subsequent to demise. We recall also, that +upon the depth of this etching depends the clearness of the picture, and +that the more vivid this panorama of life, the more intensely will the +spirit suffer in purgatory and feel the joys of heaven; also, that the +greater the suffering in purgatory the stronger the conscience in the next +life. + +It was explained how the horrors of death upon the battlefield, in an +accident or other untoward circumstances would prevent the spirit from +giving all its attention to the panorama of life with the result that +there would be a light etching in the desire body, followed by a vague and +insipid existence in purgatory and the first heaven. It was also stated +that hysterical lamentations in the death chamber would produce the same +effect. + +A spirit which had thus escaped suffering proportionate to its misdeeds, +and which had not experienced the pleasure commensurate with the good it +had done, would not in a future life have as well developed a conscience +as it ought to have, nor would it be as benevolent as it ought to be, and +therefore the life, terminated under conditions over which the spirit had +no control, would be partly wasted. The Great Leaders of humanity +therefore take steps to counteract such a calamity and prevent an +injustice. The spirit is brought to birth, caused to die in childhood, it +re-enters the Desire World and in the first heaven it is taught the +lessons of which it was deprived previously. + +As the first heaven is located in the Desire World,—which is the realm of +light and color,—where matter is shaped most readily by thought, the +little ones are given wonderful toys impossible of construction here. They +are taught to play with _colors which work upon their moral character_ in +exactly the manner each child requires. Anyone who is at all sensitive is +affected by the color of his clothing and surroundings. Some colors have a +depressing effect, while others inspire us with energy, and others again +soothe and comfort us. In the Desire World the effect of colors is much +more intense, they are much more potent factors of good and evil there +than here, and in this color play, the child imbibes unconsciously the +qualities which it did not acquire on account of accident or lamentations +of relatives. Often it also falls to the lot of such relatives to care for +a child in the invisible world, or perhaps to give it birth and see it +die. Thus they receive just retribution for the wrong committed. As wars +cease, and man learns to be more careful of life, and also how to care for +the dying, infant mortality, which now is so appalling, will decrease. + +_The Second Heaven._ + +When both the good and evil of a life has been extracted, the spirit +discards its desire body and ascends to the second heaven. The desire body +then commences to disintegrate as the physical body and the vital body +have done, but it is a peculiarity of desire stuff, that once it has been +formed and inspired with life, it persists for a considerable time. Even +after that life has fled it lives a semi-conscious, independent life. +Sometimes it is drawn by magnetic attraction to relatives of the spirit +whose clothing it was, and at spiritualistic seances these _shells_ +generally impersonate the departed spirit and deceive its relatives. As +the panorama of the past life is etched into the shells they have a memory +of incidents in connection with these relatives, which facilitates the +deception. But as the intelligence has fled, they are of course unable to +give any true counsel, and that accounts for the inane, goody-goody +nonsense of which these things deliver themselves. + +When passing from the first to the second heaven, the spirit experiences +the condition known and described previously as “The Great Silence,” where +it stands utterly alone conscious only of its divinity. When that silence +is broken there floats in upon the spirit celestial harmonies of _the +world of tone_ where the second heaven is located. It seems then to lave +in an ocean of sound and to experience a joy beyond all description and +words, as it nears its heavenly home—for this is the first of the truly +spiritual realms from which the spirit has been exiled during its earth +life and the subsequent post-mortem existence. In the Desire World its +work was _corrective_, but in the World of Thought the human spirit +becomes one with the nature forces and its _creative_ activity begins. + +Under the law of causation we reap exactly what we sow, and it would be +wrong to place one spirit in an environment where there is a scarcity of +the necessities of life, where a scorching sun burns the crop and millions +die from famine, or where the raging flood sweeps away primitive +habitations not built to withstand its ravages, and to bring another +spirit to birth in a land of plenty, with a fertile soil which yields a +maximum of increase with a minimum of labor, where the earth is rich in +minerals that may be used in industry to facilitate transportation of +products of the soil from one point to another. If we were thus placed +without action or acquiescence upon our part, there would be no justice, +but as our post-mortem existence in purgatory and the first heaven is +based upon our moral attitude in this life so our activities in the second +heaven are determined by our mental aspirations and they produce our +future physical environment, for in the second heaven, the spirit becomes +part of the nature forces which work upon the earth and change its +climate, flora and fauna. A spirit of an indolent nature, who indulges in +day dreams and metaphysical speculations _here_, is not transformed by +death respecting its mental attitude any more than regarding its moral +propensities. It will dream away time in heaven, glorying in its sights +and sounds. Thus it will neglect to work upon its future country and +return to a barren and arid land. Spirits, on the other hand, whose +material aspirations lead them to desire so-called solid comforts of +hearth and home, who aim to promote great industries and whose mind is +concerned in trade and commerce, will build in heaven a land that will +suit their purpose: fertile, immineralized, with navigable rivers and +sheltered harbors. They will return in time to enjoy upon earth the fruits +of their labors in the second heaven, as they reap the result of their +life upon earth in purgatory and the first heaven. + +_The Third Heaven._ + +In the third heaven most people have very little consciousness for reasons +explained in connection with the Region of Abstract Thought, for there the +third heaven is located. It is therefore more of a place of waiting where +the spirit rests between the time when its labors in the second heaven +have been completed and the time when it again experiences the desire for +rebirth. But from this realm inventors bring down their original ideas; +there the philanthropist obtains the clearest vision of how to realize his +utopian dreams and the spiritual aspirations of the saintly minded are +given renewed impetus. + +In time the desires of the spirit for further experiences draws it back to +rebirth, and the Great Celestial Beings who are known in the Christian +Religion as Recording Angels, assist the spirit to come to birth in the +place best suited to give it the experience necessary to further unfold +its powers and possibilities. + +We have all been here many times and in different families, we have had +relations of varying nature with many different people and usually there +are several families among whom we may seek re-embodiment to work out our +self-generated destiny and reap what we have sown in former life. If there +are no special reasons why we should take birth in any particular family +among certain friends or foes, the spirit is allowed to choose its own +place of birth. Thus it may be said that most of us are in our present +places by our own prenatal choice. + +In order to assist us in making that choice the Recording Angels call up +before the spirit’s vision a panorama in general outlines of each of the +offered lives. This panorama will show what part of our past debts we are +to pay, and what fruits we may be expected to reap in the coming life. + +The spirit is left free to choose between the several lives offered. But +once a choice has been made no evasion is possible during life. We have +free will with regard to the future, but the past “_mature_” destiny we +cannot escape, as shown by the incident recorded in _The Rosicrucian Cosmo +Conception_, where the writer warned a well known Los Angeles lecturer +that if he left his home upon a certain day, he would be injured by a +conveyance, in head, neck, breast and shoulders. The gentleman believed +and intended to heed our warning. Nevertheless he went to Sierra Madre to +lecture upon the fateful day. He was injured in the places stated by a +collision and later explained: “I thought the twenty-eighth was the +twenty-ninth.” + +When the spirit has made its choice, it descends into the second heaven +where it is instructed by the Angels and Archangels how to build an +archetype of the body which it will later inhabit upon earth. Also here we +note the operation of the great law of justice which decrees that we reap +what we sow. If our tastes are coarse and sensual, we shall build an +archetype which will express these qualities; if we are refined and of +aesthetic taste, we shall build an archetype correspondingly refined, but +no one can obtain a better body than he can build. Then, as the architect +who builds a house in which he afterwards lives, will suffer discomfort if +he neglects to properly ventilate it, so also the spirit feels disease in +a poorly constructed body, and as the architect learns to avoid mistakes +and remedy the short-comings of one house when building another, so also +the spirit which suffers from defects in its body, learns in time to build +better and better vehicles. + +In the Region of Concrete Thought, the spirit also draws to itself +materials for a new mind. As a magnet draws iron filings but leaves other +substances alone, so also each spirit draws only the kind of mind-stuff +which it used in its former life, plus that which it has learned to use in +its present post-mortem state. Then it descends into the Desire World +where it gathers material for a new desire body such as will express +appropriately its moral characteristics, and later it attracts a certain +amount of ether which is built into the mold of the archetype constructed +in the second heaven and acts as cement between the solids, liquids and +gaseous material from the bodies of parents which forms the dense physical +body of a child, and in due time the latter is brought to birth. + +_Birth and Child Life._ + +It must not be imagined, however, that when the little body of a child has +been born, the process of birth is completed. The dense physical body has +had the longest evolution, and as a shoemaker who has worked at his trade +for a number of years is more expert than an apprentice and can make +better shoes and _quicker_, so also the spirit which has built many +physical bodies produces them quickly, but the vital body is a later +acquisition of the human being. Therefore we are not so expert in building +that vehicle. Consequently it takes longer to construct that from the +materials not used up in making the lining of the archetype, and the vital +body is not born until the seventh year. Then the period of rapid growth +commences. The desire body is a still later addition of composite man, and +is not brought to birth until the fourteenth year when the desire nature +expresses itself most strongly during so-called “hot” youth, and the mind, +which makes man man, does not come to birth until the twenty-first year. +In law that age is recognized as the earliest time he is fitted to +exercise a franchise. + +This knowledge is of the utmost importance to parents, as a proper +understanding of the development which should take place in each of the +septenary epochs enables the educator to work intelligently with nature +and thus fulfill more thoroughly the trust of a parent than those who are +ignorant of the Rosicrucian Mystery Teaching. We shall therefore devote +the remaining pages to an elucidation of this matter and of the importance +of the knowledge of astrology upon the part of the parent. + +_The Mystery of Light, Color and Consciousness._ + +“God is Light,” says the Bible, and we are unable to conceive of a grander +simile of His Omnipresence, or the mode of His manifestation. Even the +greatest telescopes have failed to reach the boundaries of light, though +they reveal to us stars millions of miles from the earth, and we may well +ask ourselves, as did the Psalmist of old: Whither shall I flee from Thy +Presence? If I ascend into heaven Thou art there, If I make my bed in the +grave (the Hebrew word _sheol_ means _grave_ and not hell), Thou art +there, If I take the wings of morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of +the sea, even there shall thy hand lead me. + +When, in the dawn of Being, _God the Father_ enunciated _The Word_, and +_The Holy Spirit_ moved upon the sea of homogeneous _Virgin Matter_, +primeval _Darkness_ was turned to _Light_. That is therefore the prime +manifestation of Deity, and a study of the principles of Light will reveal +to the mystic intuition a wonderful source of spiritual inspiration. As it +would take us too far afield from our subject we shall not enter into an +elucidation of that theme here, except so far as to give an elementary +idea of how divine Life energizes the human frame and stimulates to +action. + +Truly, God is ONE and undivided, He enfolds within His Being all that is, +as the white light embraces all colors. But He appears three-fold in +manifestation, as the white light is refracted in three primary colors: +Blue, Yellow and Red. Wherever we see these colors they are emblematical +of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. These three primary rays of divine +Life are diffused or radiated through the sun and produce _Life_, +_Consciousness_ and _Form_ upon each of the seven light-bearers, the +planets, which are called “the Seven Spirits before the Throne.” Their +names are: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus. Bode’s +law proves that Neptune does not belong to our solar system and the reader +is referred to “Simplified Scientific Astrology” by the present writer, +for mathematical demonstration of this contention. + +Each of the seven planets receives the light of the sun in a different +measure, according to its proximity to the central orb and the +constitution of its atmosphere, and the beings upon each, according to +their stage of development, have affinity for some of the solar rays. They +absorb the color or colors congruous to them, and reflect the remainder +upon the other planets. This reflected ray bears with it an impulse of the +nature of the beings with which it has been in contact. + +Thus the divine Light and Life comes to each planet, either directly from +the sun, or reflected from its six sister planets, and as the summer +breeze which has been wafted over blooming fields carries upon its silent +invisible wings the blended fragrance of a multitude of flowers, so also +the subtle influences from the garden of God bring to us the commingled +impulses of all the Spirits and in that varicolored light we live and move +and have our being. + +The rays which come directly from the sun are productive of spiritual +illumination, the reflected rays from other planets make for added +consciousness and moral development and the rays reflected by way of the +moon give physical growth. + +But as each planet can only absorb a certain quantity of one or more +colors according to the general stage of evolution there, so each being +upon earth: mineral, plant, animal and man can only absorb and thrive upon +a certain quantity of the various rays projected upon the earth. The +remainder do not affect it or produce sensation, any more than the blind +are conscious of light and color which exist everywhere around them. +Therefore each being is differently affected by the stellar rays and the +science of Astrology a fundamental truth in nature, of enormous benefit in +the attainment of spiritual growth. + +From a horoscopic figure in mystic script we may learn our own strength +and weakness, with the path best suited to our development, or we may see +the tendencies of those friends who come to us as children, and what +traits are dormant in them. Thus we shall know clearly how to discharge +our duty as parents, by repressing evil before it comes to birth and +fostering good, so that it may bring forth most abundantly the spiritual +potencies of the soul committed to our care. + +As we have already said, man returns to earth to reap that which he has +sown in previous lives and to sow anew the seeds which make for future +experience. The stars are the heavenly time keepers which measure the +year, the moon indicates the month when time will be propitious to harvest +or to sow. + +The child is a mystery to us all, we can only know its propensities as +they slowly develop into characteristics, but it is usually too late to +check when evil habits have been formed and the youth is upon the downward +grade. A horoscope cast for the time of birth in a scientific manner shows +the tendencies to good or evil in the child, and if a parent will take +time and trouble necessary to study the science of the stars, he or she +may do the child intrusted to his or her care an inestimable service by +fostering tendencies to good and repressing the evil bent of a child ere +it has crystallized into habit. Do not imagine that a superior +mathematical knowledge is necessary to erect a horoscope. Many construct a +horoscope in such an involved manner, so “fearfully and wonderfully made” +that it is unreadable to themselves or others, while a simple figure easy +of reading may be constructed by anyone who knows how to add and subtract. +This method has been thoroughly elucidated in Simplified Scientific +Astrology which is a complete text book, though small and inexpensive, and +parents who have the welfare of their children thoroughly at heart should +endeavor to learn for themselves, for even though their ability may not +compare with that of a professional astrologer, their intimate knowledge +of the child and their deep interest will more than compensate for such +lack and enable them to see most deeply into the child’s character by +means of its horoscope. + +_Education of Children._ + +Respecting the birth of the various vehicles and the influence which that +has upon life, we may say that during the time from birth to the seventh +year the lines of growth of the physical body are determined, and as it +has been noted that sound is builder both in the great and small, we may +well imagine that rhythm must have an enormous influence upon the growing +and sensitive little child’s organism. The apostle John in the first +chapter of his gospel expresses this idea mystically in the beautiful +words: “In the beginning was the WORD ... and without it was not anything +made that was made ... and the word became flesh;” the word is a rhythmic +sound, which issued from the Creator, reverberated through the universe +and marshaled countless millions of atoms into the multiplex variety of +shapes and forms which we see about us. The mountain, the mayflower, the +mouse and the man are all embodiments of that great Cosmic Word which is +still sounding through the universe and which is still building and ever +building though unheard by our insensitive ears. But though we do not hear +that wonderful celestial sound, we may work upon the little child’s body +by terrestrial music, and though the nursery rhymes are without sense, +they are nevertheless bearers of a wonderful rhythm, and the more a child +is taught to say, sing and repeat them, to dance and to march to them, the +more music is incorporated into a child’s daily life, the stronger and +healthier will be its body in future years. + +There are two mottoes which apply during this period, one to the child and +the other to the parent: _Example_ and _Imitation_. No creature under +heaven is more imitative than a little child, and its conduct in after +years will depend largely upon the example set by its parents during its +early life. It is no use to tell the child “not to mind,” it has no mind +wherewith to discriminate, but follows its natural tendency, as water +flows down a hill, when it imitates. Therefore it behooves every parent to +remember from morning till night that watchful eyes are upon him all the +time waiting but for him to act in order to follow his example. + +It is of the utmost importance that the child’s clothing should be very +loose, particularly the clothing of little boys, as chafing garments often +produce vices which follow a man through life. + +If anyone should attempt to forcibly extract a babe from the protecting +womb of its mother, the outrage would result in death, because the babe +has not yet arrived at a maturity sufficient to endure impacts of the +Physical World. In the three septenary periods which follow birth, the +invisible vehicles are still in the womb of mother nature. If we teach a +child of tender years to memorize, or to think, or if we arouse its +feelings and emotions, we are in fact opening the protecting womb of +nature and the results are equally as disastrous in other respects as a +forced premature birth. Child prodigies usually become men and women of +less than ordinary intelligence. We should not hinder the child from +learning or thinking of _his own volition_, but we should not goad them on +as parents often do to nourish their own pride. + +When the vital body is born at the age of seven a period of growth begins +and a new motto, or relation rather, is established between parent and +child. This may be expressed in the two words _Authority_ and +_Discipleship_. In this period the child is taught certain lessons which +it takes upon faith in the authority of its teachers, whether at home or +at school, and as memory is a faculty of the vital body it can now +memorize what is learned. It is therefore eminently teachable; +particularly because it is unbiased by pre-conceived opinions which +prevent most of us from accepting new views. At the end of this second +period: from about twelve to fourteen, the vital body has been so far +developed that puberty is reached. At the age of fourteen we have the +birth of the desire body, which marks the commencement of self-assertion. +In earlier years the child regards itself more as belonging to a family +and subordinate to the wishes of its parents than after the fourteenth +year. The reason is this: In the throat of the fœtus and the young child +there is a gland called the thymus gland, which is largest before birth, +then gradually diminishes through the years of childhood and finally +disappears at ages which vary according to the characteristics of the +child. Anatomists have been puzzled as to the function of this organ and +have not yet come to any settled conclusion, but it has been suggested +that before development of the red marrow bones, the child is not able to +manufacture its own blood, and that therefore the thymus gland contains an +essence, supplied by the parents, upon which the child may draw during +infancy and childhood, till able to manufacture its own blood. That theory +is approximately true, and as the family blood flows in the child, it +looks upon itself as part of the family and not as an Ego. But the moment +it commences to manufacture its own blood, the Ego asserts itself, it is +no longer Papa’s girl or Mamma’s boy, it has an “I”-dentity of its own. +Then comes the critical age when parents reap what they have sown. The +mind has not yet been born, nothing holds the desire nature in check, and +much, very much, depends upon how the child has been taught in earlier +years and what example the parents have set. At this point in life +self-assertion, the feeling “_I am myself_”, is stronger than at any other +time and therefore authority should give place to _Advice_; the parent +should practice the utmost tolerance, for at no time in life is a human +being as much in need of sympathy as during the seven years from fourteen +to twenty-one when the desire nature is rampant and unchecked. + +It is a crime to inflict corporal punishment upon a child at any age. +Might is never right, and as the stronger, parents should always have +compassion for the weaker. But there is one feature of corporal punishment +which makes it particularly dangerous to apply it to the youth: namely, +that it wakens the passional nature which is already perhaps beyond the +control of a growing boy. + +If we whip a dog, we shall soon break its spirit and transform it into a +cringing cur, and it is deplorable that some parents seem to regard it as +their mission in life to break the spirit of their children with the rule +of the rod. If there is one universal lack among the human race which is +more apparent than any other, it is lack of will, and as parents we may +remedy the evil in a large measure by guiding the wills of our children +along such lines as dictated by our own more mature reason, so that we +help them to grow a backbone instead of a wishbone with which +unfortunately most of us are afflicted. Therefore, never whip a child; +when punishment is necessary, correct by withholding favors or withdrawing +privileges. + +At the twenty-first year the birth of the mind transforms the youth into a +man or a woman fully equipped to commence his own life in the school of +experience. + +Thus we have followed the human spirit around a life cycle from death to +birth and maturity, we have seen how immutable law governs his every step +and how he is ever encompassed by the loving care of the Great and +Glorious Beings who are the ministers of God. The method of his future +development will be explained in a later work which will deal with “The +Christian Mystic Initiation.” + + + + + +MT. ECCLESIA + + +(Transcriber’s Note: This chapter is the series of pages which, earlier, +the author said “had been transferred” to the back of the book.) + +A DESCRIPTION OF THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE ROSICRUCIAN FELLOWSHIP + +Work in the physical world requires physical means of accomplishment; +therefore a tract of land was bought in 1911 in the town of Oceanside, +ninety miles south of Los Angeles, California. _Southern California was +selected because of the abundance of ether in the atmosphere there, and +this spot was found to be particularly favored in that respect._ + +On this commanding site having a wide view of the great Pacific Ocean, of +snow capped mountains and smiling valleys, we began to establish our +headquarters in the latter part of 1911. Soon after this we erected a +sanctuary, the Pro-Ecclesia, where the Rosicrucian Temple Service is held +at appropriate times. The Rose Cross Healing Circle holds its meetings +there to help sufferers, and it is the place appointed for the united +morning and evening devotions of the workers. In the latter half of 1920 +we built an Ecclesia, which is designed to be a Temple of Healing. The +building, a beautiful domed structure, is of steel and reinforced +concrete. It is twelve sided in shape, corresponding to the twelve signs +of the zodiac. At the present writing, January, 1921, the final work upon +it is just being completed. The esoteric work of the Fellowship will be +carried on here. + +We have also built a two-story Administration Building to house the +general office, the book department, the correspondence school in +Christian Mysticism which links Headquarters with students all over the +world, and the editorial offices of our monthly publications, notably the +“_Rosicrucian Fellowship Magazine—Rays from the Rose Cross_.” We have also +an astrological department which conducts a correspondence school. Its +offices are located on the second floor. + +The whole first floor is occupied by a modern printing plant and book +bindery required to furnish the immense amount of literature needed in +this work. In the book department we publish all the standard works and +text books of the Rosicrucian Philosophy written by Max Heindel. We are +now in process of publishing in book form his former lessons to students. + +In October, 1920, a Training School was established for the preparation of +candidates for the lecture field. It is our intention to thereby maintain +a Lecture Bureau, from which we will send our lecturers throughout the +country to disseminate the teachings and carry the message of our +philosophy to the people to a greater extent than has before been +possible. + +A Dining Hall with seating capacity for over one hundred people affords +ample accommodation for workers, students, and patients. The scientific +meatless diet served there preserves or restores health, as required in +each case. Furthermore, it improves the vitality and mentality in an +astonishing degree. A large dormitory, and a number of cottages and tents +provide living quarters for all. + +By the liberal use of water and the expenditure of much labor, Mount +Ecclesia is gradually being transformed into a luxuriant tropical park. +There is a deep spiritual purpose in this attempt to make the visible +centre of the new world movement beautiful, for it fosters in the workers +a poise and peace which are absolutely essential to the proper performance +of their work. Without that they cannot escape being disturbed by the +flood of sorrow and trouble which flows into Headquarters from members all +over the world; without that they cannot continue to put heart into the +letters of help, hope and cheer which continually go out to souls who are +groaning under the burden of sickness, but by bathing their souls in the +beauty of the surroundings, whether consciously or not, they gain in +strength and grow in grace, they become better and better fitted for the +Great Work in the Master’s Vineyard. + +In order to aid those who feel the upward urge, to prepare intelligently +and reverently for the unfoldment of their inner latent spiritual powers, +the Rosicrucian Fellowship maintains two correspondence courses which +furnish instruction to students all over the world. One deals with +_Astrology_, the other with _Christian Mysticism_. + +The Astrology to which we refer is not to be confounded with +fortune-telling; it is a phase of the Mystic Religion, as sublime as the +stars with which it deals, and to the Mystic they are not dead bodies +moving in space in obedience to so-called blind natural law, but they are +the embodiments of “_The Seven Spirits before the Throne_,” mighty +Star-Angels who use their benevolent influences to guide other less +exalted beings, humanity included, upon the path of evolution. + +There is a side of the moon which we never see, but that hidden half is as +potent a factor in creating the ebb and flow, as the part of the moon +which is visible. Similarly, there is an invisible part of man which +exerts a powerful influence in life, and as the tides are measured by the +motion of sun and moon, so also the eventualities of existence are +measured by the circling stars, which may therefore be called “the Clock +of Destiny,” and knowledge of their import is an immense power, for to the +competent Astrologer a horoscope reveals every secret of life. + +Thus, when you have given an astrologer the data of your birth, you have +given him the key to your innermost soul, and there is no secret that he +may not ferret out. This knowledge may be used for good or ill, to help or +hurt, according to the nature of the man. Only a friend should be trusted +with this key to your soul, and it should never be given to anyone base +enough to prostitute a spiritual science for material gain. + +To the medical man Astrology is invaluable in diagnosing diseases and +prescribing a remedy, for it reveals the hidden cause of all ailments, in +a manner that has often perplexed the skeptic and dumbfounded the scoffer. + +The opinion of thousands is of great value, but it does not prove +anything, for thousands may hold an opposite view; occasionally a single +man may be right and the rest of the world wrong, as when Galileo +maintained that the earth moves. Today the whole world has been converted +to the opinion for which he suffered torture, and we assert that, _as man +is a composite being, cures are successful only in proportion as they +remedy defects on the physical, moral and mental planes of Being_. We also +maintain that results may be obtained more easily at certain times when +stellar rays are propitious to healing of a particular disease, or by +treatment with remedies previously prepared under auspicious conditions. + +If you are a parent the horoscope will aid you to detect the evil latent +in your child and teach you how to apply the ounce of prevention. It will +show you the good points also, that you may make a better man or woman of +the soul entrusted to your care. It will reveal systemic weakness and +enable you to guard the health of your child; it will show what talents +are there, and how the life may be lived to a maximum of usefulness. +Therefore, the message of the marching orbs is so important that you +cannot afford to remain ignorant thereof. + +In order to aid those who are willing to help themselves we maintain a +Correspondence Class in Astrology, but make no mistake, we do not teach +fortune-telling; if that is what you are looking for, we have nothing for +you. + +OUR LESSONS ARE SERMONS + +They embody the highest moral and spiritual principles, together with the +loftiest system of ethics, for Astrology is, to us, a phase of religion; +we never look at a horoscope without feeling that we are in a holy +presence, face to face with an immortal soul, and our attitude is one of +prayer for light to guide that soul aright. + +WE DO NOT CAST HOROSCOPES + +Despite all we can say, many people write enclosing money for horoscopes, +forcing us to spend valuable time writing letters of refusal and giving us +the trouble of returning their money. Please do not thus annoy us; it will +avail you nothing. + +THE COURSE IN CHRISTIAN MYSTICISM + +_Christ_ taught the multitude in _parables_, but explained the _mysteries_ +to His disciples. _Paul gave milk_ to the babes, but _meat_ to the strong. + +Max Heindel, the founder and leader of the Rosicrucian Fellowship, +endeavored to follow in their steps and give to interested and devoted +students a _deeper teaching_ than that promulgated in public. + +For that purpose we conduct a correspondence course in _Christian +Mysticism_. The General Secretary may admit applicants to the preliminary +course, but _advancement_ in the deeper degrees depends upon merit. It is +for those alone who have been _tried_, and found true. + +HOW TO APPLY FOR ADMISSION + +Anyone who is not engaged in fortune-telling or similar methods of +commercializing spiritual knowledge will, upon request, receive an +application blank from the General Secretary, Rosicrucian Fellowship. When +this blank is returned properly filled, he may admit the applicant to +instruction in either or both correspondence courses. + +THE COST OF THE COURSE + +There are no fixed fees; no esoteric instruction is ever put in the +balance against coin. At the same time, it cannot be given “_free_,” “_for +nothing_,” for those who work to promulgate it must have the necessities +of life. Type, paper, machinery and postage also cost money, and _unless +you pay your part someone else must pay for you_. + +There are a few who cannot contribute, and who need these teachings as +much or more than those who may take comfort from financial ease or +affluence. If they make their condition known, they will receive as much +attention as the largest contributors, but others are expected to +contribute for their own good as well as for the good of the work. +Remember, _a closed hand that does not give cannot receive_. + + + + + +INDEX + + +Abstract Thought, _see_ Thought, World of, Region of Abstract Thought. + +Action, incentive to, 158. + +Adepts, pupils of schools of the Greater Mysteries, 10. + +Air, charged with pictures of surroundings, 37, 155. + +Alchemy, proved by radio-activity, 108. + +Alcohol, results of using, 166. + +Ambassador from sun, 87. + +Ameshaspends, Seven Spirits before the Throne, 87. + +Angels, densest body of, composed of ether, 73; + expert builders in ether, 74; + family spirits, 80; + guardians of propagative force, 74; + instruct ego in building archetype, 184; + one step beyond human stage, 73. + +Angels, Recording, _see_ Recording angels. + +Animals, dependent upon group spirit for infusion of stellar rays, 124; + keyed to lunar month, 124; + thought processes of, 122. + +Aquarian Age, intellect of, 15. + +Archangels, densest vehicle of, 79; + instruct ego in building archetype, 184; + less evolved become group spirits, 81; + native of Desire World, 79; + race and national spirits, 80; + various grades of, 80; + work with humanity politically and industrially, 80. + +Arche, primordial matter of, 108. + +Archetypal forces direct archetypes, 103. + +Archetype, duration of, 175; + vibratory mold, 175. + +Assimilation, through ether, 123. + +Astrology, estimation of time by, in Desire World, 94; + value of, 190. + +Atom, physical, spherical shape of, 9. + +Atom, seed, _see_ Seed atom. + +Atoms, chemical, expelled through skin, 127. + +Attitude, mental, results of, 181. + +Benevolence, acquired in First Heaven, 174. + +Bennett, Florence, trance of, 141. + +Black magic, punishment of, 17. + +Blood, charged with pictures of surroundings, 155; + relation of, to vital body, 129. + +Blue, in stellar ray, life of the Father, 124, 188. + +Bode’s law and Neptune, 189. + +Body, dense, _see_ Dense body. + desire, _see_ Desire body. + vital, _see_ Vital body. + +Brain, absorption of stellar rays through, 124. + +Breath, record of, 37, 38. + +Capital punishment, menace of, 164. + +Carelessness, power of, to shorten life, 147. + +Causation, law of, attraction of like to like, 48; + determines environment, 48, 180; + flexibility of law of, 52. + +Chaos, (Cosmic night) seed ground of Cosmos, 112; + state of orderly segregation, 105. + +Chemical atoms, expelled through skin, 127. + +Chemical ether, assimilation and growth by, 69; + seen as blue haze, 65. + +Child, post-mortem experiences of, easily investigated, 51; + prodigies, 195. + +Children, clairvoyance of, 160; + danger of mental forcing, 195; + discipline of, 195; + individual blood developed in, 196; + imitativeness of, 194; + proper clothing of, 194; + life of, in First Heaven, 176; + understanding of, through astrology, 192. + +Christ, higher laws taught by, 169; + rebirth taught by, 46. + +Christianity, the flowering of previous religions, 6. + +Clairvoyance of children, 160; + of the dying, 148; + varieties of, 136. + +Clairvoyants, separation of vital body of, 137. + +Clairvoyants, trained, positive powers of, 137. + +Colors, emotional effect produced by, 178. + +Colors, primary, symbolize God, 188. + +Community affected by executions, 165. + +Concentration in Desire World, 91. + +Concrete Thought, _see_ Thought, World of, Region of Concrete Thought. + +Conditions of life related to past action, 43. + +Conscience, assimilated pictures of past experience, 38, 156. + +Consequence, law of, _see_ Causation, law of. + +Conservation, law of, and survival of spirit, 35. + +Cord, Silver, _see_ Silver Cord. + +Corporal punishment, inadvisability of, 197. + +Cosmic night, _see_ Chaos. + +Cosmos, aggregate of systematic order, 105. + +Countries, egos work upon, 180. + +Creation of Cosmos, 188. + +Creative force, develops spinal nerves, 125. + +Creative Hierarchies, aid humanity, 6; + guide man’s evolution, 5, 52; + safeguard man from materialism, 8. + +Criminals, care of, 164; + execution of, a menace, 164. + +Crucifixion, the Mystic Death, 12. + +Crystallization in man’s evolution, 163. + +Dead, care of, 152; + inhabit Desire World, 88; + intense activity of, 89. + +Death, disrobing process of ego, 163; + foreseen by higher powers, 142; + peaceful, helpfulness of, 147; + premature, ill effects of, 145; + problem of, 27; + provides fresh start, 143. + +Debts, binding nature of, 49. + +Demmler, Minna, materializations by, 129. + +Dense body, chemical constituents of, 57; + crystallized spirit substance, 162; + disease of, due to imperfect archetype, 185; + energized by divine life, 188; + improves as spirit progresses, 5; + quality of, dependent upon ego, 184; + most evolved of man’s vehicles, 186. + +Desire, created and guided by thought, 58; + forms impelled into action by, 56. + +Desire body, basic individual color of, 132; + born at fourteenth year, 186; + capable of sense perception, 133; + cause dreams, 139; + circulation in currents, 133; + colors of, 132; + destructive action of, 138; + extends beyond dense body, 130; + gives ability to experience desire and emotion 121, 130, 133; + impels motion, 56, 139; + impels to sense gratification, 130; + main vortex, in the liver, 131; + rapid locomotion of, 131; + recent acquisition of, 130; + shape of, ovoid, 130; + shell of, persists after death, 163, 179; + vortices of, 131; + war of, with vital body, 138; + withdrawal of, in sleep, 138. + +Desire stuff, constant motion of, 77, 131; + elasticity of, 77; + force combined with matter, 77; + modeled by thought, 142; + permeates atmosphere, 120; + persistence of, 179; + responsiveness to feeling, 77. + +Desire World, archangels native to, 79; + dead remain in, varying lengths of time, 78; + difficulty of concentration in, 91; + diversity of tongues in, 83; + effect of colors in, 178; + ego’s corrective work in, 168-170; + estimation of time in, 93; + existence of, makes man’s desires possible, 57; + force and matter closely related in, 77; + form blends into sound in, 95; + head only perceptible in some regions of, 79; + large population of, 77; + seasons non-existent in, 93; + second vehicle of earth, 55; + time non-existent in, 92; + universal mode of expression in, 85; + vision pertaining to, 66; + world of color, 68. + +Earth composed of three interpenetrating worlds, 55, 116; + structure of dense body, obtained from, 57; + training school of, 6, 43; + worked upon, by the disembodied, 104. + +Earth lives, intervals between, 52. + +Earth spirits, fairies and elves, 70. + +Eastern Wisdom, unsuited to Western peoples, 14. + +Ego, _see_ Spirit, threefold. + +Egyptians painted group spirits, 82. + +Electron, discovery of, 107. + +Elves, spirits of mountains, 70. + +Emotions, relation of, to desire body, 186. + +Enmity overcome by its own discomforts, 49. + +Environment, suffering caused by, 49. + +Ether, avenue for solar forces, 70, 74, 123; + nature of, 62; + permeates atomic structure of dense matter, 62. + +Ether, chemical, _see_ Chemical ether. + +Ether, life, _see_ Life ether. + +Ether light, _see_ Light ether. + +Ether, reflecting _see_ Reflecting ether. + +Etheric sight, distinguished from spiritual, 66; + extension of physical, 65; + penetrates opaque substances, 66; + shows all objects same color, 67. + +Ethers, separation of, 136. + +Ever-existing essence, 107. + +Evil and good acts recorded by breath, 38; + destruction of, 39; + transmutation of, to good, 158. + +Evolution, from life to life, 53; + manifests in rest and activity, 42; + of vehicles, manner of, 185; + persistent unfoldment in, 42. + +Fairies, spirits of the mountains, 70. + +Fate, ripe, unavoidability of, 184. + +Faults, correction of, 169. + +Feeling, right, increases conscience, 172. + +First cause, necessity for, 162. + +First hand knowledge, possible to all, 52. + +First Heaven, good of past life reaped in, 173; + good strengthened in, 174; + panorama of life in, 173; + upper regions of Desire World, 173. + +Fluid, vital, cessation of flow of, 138. + +Forgiveness of sin, 164, 169. + +Form, archetypes of, 175; + incapable of feeling, 60. + +Forms, impelled into action by desire, 56. + +Forms, physical, built from chemical substance, 55. + +Free will, existence of, 147; + pertaining to future, 184. + +Generation caused by red ray of Holy Spirit, 124. + +Germination caused by blue ray of Father, 124. + +Gnomes, earth spirits, 70. + +God, immanence of, 187. + +Good amalgamates with spirit, 39; + and evil acts recorded by breath, 38. + +Great Silence between Desire World and World of Thought, 95, 180; + may be entered by acts of will, 96. + +Group spirit, brings stellar influence to animals, 124; + less evolved archangels, 81; + painted by Egyptians, 82. + +Growth, physical, carried on through ether, 123; + caused by yellow rays of Son, 124; + relation of, to moon, 124; + relation of, to vital body, 186. + +Growth, spiritual, must be slow, 103. + +Heaven, among you, 116. + +Heaven, First, _see_ First Heaven. + +Heaven, Second, _see_ Second Heaven. + +Heaven, Third, _see_ Third Heaven. + +Hell, existence of, impossible, 117. + +Helpers, Invisible, _see_ Invisible Helpers. + +Heredity, of the physical only, 47. + +Hierarchies, Creative, _see_ Creative Hierarchies. + +Higher Self dominates lower by keynote, 99. + +Higher senses of man, 16. + +Higher vehicles, permeability of, 138; + withdrawal of, in sleep, 138. + +Holy of Holies, temple of our bodies, 134. + +Hotz, Dr., spirit photographs taken by, 129. + +Humanity, two classes of, 136. + +I, badge of self-consciousness, 135. + +Ideas clothe themselves in mind stuff, 113; + embryonic thoughts, 113; + generated by ego in Region of Abstract Thought, 113; + originate in chaos, 112. + +Ignorance, man’s one sin, 42. + +Illumination, induced by solar rays, 123. + +Immaculate conception, the Mystic Birth, 12. + +Immortality of spirit, 39. + +Incense, evil effects of, 165. + +Incentive, induced by etchings of life panorama, 158. + +Individual auric color, dependent upon ruling planet, 132. + +Infant mortality, causes of, 176-179. + +Intelligence induced by planetary rays, 123. + +Interval between earth lives, 52. + +Invisible Helpers, faculties of, 137; + linguistic abilities, valuable to, 83. + +Izzards, 87. + +James, Professor William, reputed communication from, 149-151. + +Jehovah, _see_ Holy Spirit. + +John, Gospel of, spiritual significance of, 105. + +Jupiter, auric color of, 132. + +Karma, _see_ Causation, law of. + +Keynote, creates and maintains form, 98; + manifestation of Higher Self, 99; + stopping of, terminates life, 100; + Voice of Silence, 99. + +Knowledge, the only salvation, 42. + +Laws of nature, living intelligences, 53. + +Life, dualistic theory of, 29; + lengthened by good deeds, 147; + long, value of, 144, 146; + monistic theory of, 29; + object of, gaining of experience, 142; + shortened by neglected opportunities, 146. + +Life ether, propagation accomplished through medium of, 69. + +Life panorama, backward unfoldment of, 156; + duration of, 153; + importance of, 153, 158; + insufficient, causes infant mortality, 177; + sub-conscious memory, basis of, 154; + terminated by collapse of vital body, 157. + +Light, relation of, to creation, 188. + +Light ether, motion due to, 69; + transmits solar force, 69. + +Likes and dislikes determine environment, 48. + +Liver, main vortex of desire body, 131. + +Logos, Reasonable Thought, 109. + +Love, higher than law, 168; + supreme commandment, 90. + +Lunar ray enters body through spleen, 124.; + induces physical growth, 123, 190.; + three-fold constitution of, 124.. + +Magic, black, punishment of, 17. + +Man, born innocent of sin, 174; + composite being of body, soul, spirit, 36; + desires of, impel to action, 56; + gathers spiritual substance, 162; + Great Beings safeguard, 198; + has evolved from lower forms, 73; + higher vehicles of, 120; + keyed to solar month, 125; + made a little lower than angels, 73; + spinal nerves of undeveloped, 125; + spiritual faculties of, 15. + +Mars, auric color of, 132. + +Materialism and spirituality, necessity of, 7. + +Materialistic theory of life, 34-36. + +Materialization through incense, 165; + through mediums, 129. + +Mathematics, benefit derived from study of, 115. + +Matter, illusory nature of, 114. + +Mediums and negative clairvoyance, 137; + read in reflecting ether, 70. + +Memory of Nature, events recorded in, 94. + +Memory of past lives, 50. + +Memory, sub-conscious, _see_ Sub-conscious memory. + +Metamorphosis in higher worlds, 32. + +Michael, ambassador from sun to earth, 87. + +Michael, archangel, guardian of Jews, 80. + +Mind, born at twenty-first year, 186, 198; + cloudy thought form , 131, 133; + material for, acquired in Region of Concrete Thought, 185; + recent acquisition of, 131. + +Mind, Lords of, expert builders of mind stuff, 102; + help man to acquire mind, 103; + human during dark stage of earth, 101; + Powers of Darkness, 101; + worked with man in mineral stage, 102. + +Mind stuff, permeability of, 120; + veils inner spirit, 134. + +Monistic, theory of life, 29. + +Moon rays, _see_ Lunar rays. + +Morality induced by planetary rays, 123, 190. + +Music in Desire World, 68; + soul-speech of World of Thought, 68. + +Mystery Orders formed on cosmic lines, 9; + seven world workers in, 9. + +N-rays, etheric radiation of, 128. + +Nature, laws of, control nature spirits, 72; + Great Intelligences, 70. + +Nebulae, fiery formation of, 161. + +Nebular theory postulates First Cause, 162. + +Negative development, mediumship allied to, 137. + +Nephesh, 37. + +Neptune outside of our solar system, 189. + +Occult orders, _see_ Mystery orders. + +Odic fluid, _see_ Solar fluid. + +Opportunities, each life contains, 142. + +Over-eating, ill-effects of, 128. + +Painting, related to Desire World, 68. + +Palladino, Eusapio, materializations through, 129. + +Panorama of Life, _see_ Life Panorama. + +Patriotism, inspired by archangels, 80. + +Periodicity, law of, determines time of actions, 13. + +Personality governed by keynote, 99. + +“Peter Ibbettson,” occult information in, 161. + +Physical body, anchor of mind, 92. + +Physical embodiment, value of, 90, 143. + +Pineal gland, localized organ of feeling, 132; + spiritual sight through development of, 66; + third eye, 132. + +Planetary ray, _see_ Stellar ray. + +Planetary spirits, color belonging to, 189; + names of, 189. + +Planets, absorption of solar rays by, 188. + +Post-mortem experiences, usefulness of, 143. + +Powers of Darkness, _see_ Mind, Lords of. + +Powers, spiritual, difficulty of obtaining, 64; + microscopic and telescopic, 64; + possible to all, 64. + +Prayer, forgiveness of sin through, 164. + +Precession of equinoxes, measure of time, 94. + +Predestination of great leaders, 45, 46. + +Primary colors symbolize God, 188. + +Probation, long, necessity for, 64. + +Propagation carried on through life ether, 123. + +Psychometrists read in reflecting ether, 70. + +Puberty, cause of, 196. + +Pituitary body and clairvoyance, 66. + +Punishment, corporal, evils of, 198. + +Purgatory, evil habits corrected in, 167; + evil of past lives transmuted in, 116; + experiences in, based on moral attitude of preceding life, 181; + review of life experiences in, 170. + +Race likeness caused by race spirits, 81. + +Race Spirits, _see_ Archangels. + +Rebirth, law of, alternation of sex in, 52; + believed in, by Jews, 46; + Biblical foundation for doctrine of, 46; + explanation of inequalities, 43, 47; + harmonious with nature’s methods, 47; + intervals between, 52; + preparations for, 185; + special talents of individual, evidence of, 46; + specially adapted to ego’s need, 52; + taught by Christ, 46. + +Recording angels aid ego in choice of environment, 183; + give race religions, 6, 14; + show ego life panorama, 183. + +Red in stellar ray, life of Holy Spirit, 124; + produces form, 188. + +Reflecting ether, impressions of universe recorded in, 69; + mediums and psychometrists read in, 70. + +Regret, time wasted in, 92. + +Reincarnation, _see_ Rebirth. + +Religions, all have origin in God, 104. + +Repentance, benefits received through, 169. + +Restrospection, exercise of, 170-173. + +Ripe fate, unavoidability of, 184. + +Rose Cross, initiates into science of life and being, 8; + Mystery school of the West, 8; + thirteen Brothers of, 9; + thirteenth member, the invisible head, 9; + works to mould public opinion, 11. + +Rosicrucian Fellowship, herald of the Aquarian Age, 15; + purpose and work of, 14-18. + +Rosicrucians, hold doctrine of man’s potential divinity, 5; + hierophants of Lesser Mysteries, 10; + influence of, upon writers of modern times, 11; + midnight service of, 11; + object of, to unite religion and science, 12; + work with evolved humanity, 9. + +Ruling planet, relation of color of, 132. + +Salamanders, fire spirits, 71; + produce volcanic eruptions, 72. + +“School of Athens,” painting of, 29. + +Science discovers spiritual side of universe, 34; + established proofs of spirit survival, 35; + spiritualized by Rosicrucians, 11. + +Sculpture belongs to physical world., 68. + +Second Heaven, ego prepares future environment in, 116; + located in Region of Concrete Thought, 116. + +Seed atom, basis of sub-conscious memory, 156; + etchings of, 37; + sample and center of other dense atoms, 175; + transmits pictures to desire body, 156. + +Sensitives, separation of ethers in vital body of, 136. + +Servia, regicides in, 165. + +Seven Spirits before the Throne, _see_ Planetary Spirits. + +Sex, alternation of, 52. + +Shells, discarded desire bodies, 179; + retain life panorama, 179; + spiritualistic impersonations by, 179. + +Sight, spiritual, accompanies development of pineal gland and pituitary + body, 66; + varieties of, 67. + +Silence, Great, _see_ Great Silence. + +Silence, Voice of, _see_ Voice of the Silence. + +Silver cord holds higher and lower vehicles together, 153; + snapping of, 153. + +Solar fluid, absorption of, by different kingdoms, 124; + aids in digestion, 127; + cleansing power of, 128; + expels disease germs, 127; + muscular movement by means of, 126; + permeates nervous system, 123, 126; + radiates from body, 123; + transformed to rose color, 123, 126. + +Solar rays, direct and indirect, 123; + spiritual illumination from, 123; + three-fold constitution of, 124. + +Soul, differentiated from spirit, 134; + product of breath, 37. + +Soul flights, time non-existent in, 89. + +Soul growth induced by planetary rays, 123. + +Soul power, assimilated from past action, 116; + developed by good action, 38. + +Sound, power of, over matter, 175. + +Spinal cord, absorbs stellar ray, 124. + +Spencer, Herbert, and nebular hypothesis, 162. + +Sphinx, faces east, 28; + riddle of, 28. + +Spirit, threefold (ego) abandons vital body in sleep, 138; + absorbs solar ray, 124; + destined to become creative intelligence, 103; + disembodied, relief of, at leaving body, 161; + distinguished from soul, 134; + drawn to rebirth by desire for experience, 182; + earth-bound, condition of, 144; + encrusted in mind stuff, 101; + free will of, 184; + freedom of, in choosing environment, 183; + has seat in forehead, 124; + immortality of, 39; + improvement in vehicles of, 185; + individualization of, in childhood, 196; + instructed in building archetype, 184; + many earth lives of, 183; + no limitations possible for, 104; + sowing and reaping of, 104; + sufferings of, in purgatory, 163; + uncreate and eternal, 39; + various human relations of, 183; + works with archetypes, 103, 180. + +Spirits, planetary, _see_ Planetary Spirits. + +Spiritual investigations, 63. + +Spiritual powers, _see_ Powers, spiritual. + +Spiritual sight, _see_ Sight, spiritual. + +Spiritual thought, spinal nerves developed by, 125. + +Spirituality followed by materialism, 7. + +Spleen, entrance for solar forces, 123; + transmutation for solar energy in, 123. + +Stellar ray, absorption of, by brain and spinal cord, 124; + animals incapable of absorbing, 124; + induces morality, 123, 190; + threefold nature of, 124. + +Stimulants, effects of, upon dying, 152. + +Storms caused by nature spirits, 71. + +Sub-conscious memory, basis of future life, 156; + consciously utilized, 161; + in seed atom, 155; + retentiveness of, 154. + +Suicide, sufferings of, 174. + +Sun, movements of, 94. + +Superman, evolution of man into, 53. + +Survival after death, established by scientists, 35. + +Sylphs, spirits of mists, 70. + +Tears, white bleeding, 130. + +Temptation, repetition of, 174. + +Theological theory of life, 36-39. + +Third Heaven, few have consciousness in, 182; + in Region of Abstract Thought, 116, 182; + inspiration of philanthropist, 182; + place of awaiting rebirth, 182; + source of inventor’s inspiration, 182. + +Thompson, J. J., discovery of electron by, 107. + +Thought, objects of physical world, crystallized, 97, 131; + result of union, idea and mind stuff, 113. + +Thought, world of, earth’s finest vehicle, 55; + home of spirit, 58; + knowledge gained in, 100; + makes man’s thought possible, 57; + realm of tone, 180; + spirit’s work in, 180; + time non-existent in, 101; + tonal vision pertaining to, 67. + +Thought, World of, Region of Abstract Thought, abstract verities of, 106; + Third Heaven in, 116. + +Thought, World of, Region of Concrete Thought, acme of reality, 97; + mind built in, 185; + physical world replica of, 97; + Second Heaven, 116. + +Thymus Gland, function of, 196. + +Time, end of, 112; + relatively non-existent in higher worlds, 92. + +Tobacco, fumes of, disembodied work through, 166. + +Trance, caused by flight of spirit, 140; + kinds of, 140. + +Truth, freedom by, 114; + self-evident in higher worlds, 114. + +Undines, spirits of water, 70. + +Vehicles, improvements in, 185. + +Veil of Isis, 134. + +Vibration, external, transferred to blood, 37; + universality of, 36. + +Vital body, born at seventh year, 195; + collapse of, in sleep, 138; + composed of ether, 122; + connected with spleen, 123; + disintegration of, stops life panorama, 157; + extends beyond dense vehicle, 123; + in sickness lacks solar rays, 128; + in third stage of evolution, 131; + nourishes dense body, 129; + photographed by scientists, 129; + polarity of, 129; + propagation by, 121; + recuperative work of, 138; + second vehicle acquired by man, 186; + separation of ethers of, 137; + war with desire body, 138; + well organized state of, 130. + +Vital Fluid, _see_ Solar fluid. + +Voice of the Silence, 99. + +Volcanic eruptions produced by salamanders, 72. + +Vortices, whirling, of desire body, 131. + +War causes infant mortality, 177, 179. + +Wave of spirituality inspired great religions, 7. + +Whipping children, evil of, 198. + +Will, lack of, racial defect, 198. + +Wind, changes of, caused by sylphs, 71. + +Word, Creative Fiat, 109. + +Word, creative, and key-note, 100; + God was, 106; + power of, 110, 193; + still sounds in cosmos, 112. + +World, Desire, _see_ Desire World. + +World of Thought, _see_ Thought, World of. + +World, physical, world of form, 68. + +Worlds, higher, difficulty of investigating, 32. + +Yellow in stellar ray, life of Son, 124; + produces consciousness, 188. + +Zoroastrian religion, deities of, 86. + + + + + +ADVERTISEMENTS + + +Rays From the Rose Cross + +_The American Mystic Monthly_ + +A Monthly Magazine of Mystic Light devoted to philosophy, occultism, +mystic masonry, astrology, and healing. + +_Those who desire knowledge and guidance along the Path of the Western +Wisdom Teachings will find this magazine a constant aid._ + +It expounds and supports occult and mystical philosophy in a most +instructive and interesting manner. It carries such special departments +as: + +_Questions and Answers on Mystical Subjects_ +_Editorial Discussion of Current Events_ +_Astrological Readings_ +_Occult Stories_ + +_One of the foremost magazines of its kind in America._ + +Price $2.00 per year in U. S. and Canada. +Other Countries, $2.25. + +_The Rosicrucian Fellowship,_ +_ Mt. Ecclesia_ +_ Oceanside, California._ + +ROSICRUCIAN INTERPRETATION OF CHRISTIANITY + +ANCIENT TRUTHS IN MODERN DRESS + +Price 10c Each, Postfree + +No. 1. The Riddle of Life and Death. + +No. 2. Where Are the Dead? + +No. 3. Spiritual Sight and the Spiritual Worlds. + +No. 4. Sleep, Dreams, Trance, Hypnotism, Mediumship and Insanity. + +No. 5. Death and Life in Purgatory. + +No. 6. Life and Activity in Heaven. + +No. 7. Birth a Fourfold Event. + +No. 8. The Science of Nutrition, Health and Protracted Youth. + +No. 9. The Astronomical Allegories of the Bible. + +No. 10. Astrology; Its Scope and Limitations. + +No. 11. 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Ecclesia_ +_Oceanside, California._ + +CORRESPONDENCE COURSES + +IN + +The Rosicrucian Philosophy and Astrology + +(1) _Rosicrucian Philosophy_: + +Using the _Cosmo-Conception_ by Max Heindel as a textbook, this course of +twelve lessons points to a logical explanation of the origin, evolution, +and future development of mankind, and opens the way to a deeper knowledge +of this great subject. This philosophy seeks to make Christianity a +_living factor in the world_, and to combine the eternal facts of Science, +Art, and Religion. This course is open to all those interested. + +(2) _Astrology_: + +We want to assist you in _helping yourself and others._ This +correspondence course will teach you the importance of astrology as a +phase of religion and a Divine Science. 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This is the latest of their communications. + +Max Heindel was the accredited agent of the Rosicrucian Brotherhood, +commissioned to give the contents of this book to the world. There is no +other book that contains so complete an exposition of the factors that +enter into the creation of the universe and of man and all its statements +are in keeping with the results of scientific research. + +Part I is a treatise on the Visible and the Invisible Worlds, Man and the +Method of Evolution, Rebirth and the Law of Cause and Effect. + +Part II takes up the scheme of Evolution in general and the Evolution of +the Solar System and the Earth in particular. + +Part III treats of Christ and His Mission, Future Development of Man and +Initiation, Esoteric Training and a Safe Method of Acquiring First-hand +Knowledge. + +616 Pages. Cloth Bound. $2.00 Postfree. +_The Rosicrucian Fellowship,_ +_Mt. 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Ecclesia_ +_Oceanside, California._ + +THE WEB OF DESTINY + +HOW MADE AND UNMADE + +BY MAX HEINDEL + +Including + +_The Occult Effect of Our Emotions_ + +_Prayer—A Magic Invocation_ + +_Practical Methods of Achieving Success_ + +This book is based on personal occult investigations by the author, in +which he uncovered many of the inner laws governing man’s hidden springs +of action. + +It gives information regarding the Dweller on the Threshold, which every +aspirant has to meet, usually at an early stage of his progress into the +unseen worlds. It treats of the causes of obsession of men and animals. It +describes how we create our environment and some of the causes of disease, +pointing the way to final emancipation. + +The part devoted to the emotions shows the function of desire, the color +effects of emotion, and the results of worry and remorse. + +Prayer is shown here as a magic invocation by which powerful forces may be +marshalled. It throws much light on the nature of prayer, pointing out +that true prayer is based on scientific principles which will bring +results when rightly applied. + +Written in a simple and narrative style, it offers at the same time +serious instruction and pleasant relaxation. + +175 Pages. Cloth Bound. + +FREEMASONRY AND CATHOLICISM + +BY MAX HEINDEL + +An Esoteric Treatise on the Underlying Facts regarding these two great +Institutions as determined by occult investigation. + +It explains in terms of Mystic Masonry the conflict between the Sons of +Cain and the Sons of Seth, and unravels the allegory dealing with the +building of Solomon’s Temple, the Queen of Sheba, and the Grand Master, +Hiram Abiff. + +If you are interested in the symbols of Masonry, in knowing the source of +these mysteries which have come down to us from past ages, this is the +book you want. + +Only a trained Seer could have read the Akashic Records of the past and +given such a clear explanation of their meaning. + +In addition, read what the author says about the famous Philosopher’s +Stone of the Alchemists, the Path of Initiation, and the Coming Age. + +_This Book Should Be in Every Mason’s Library._ + +98 Pages. Cloth Bound. $1.00 Postfree. + +_The Rosicrucian Fellowship,_ +_ Mt. Ecclesia_ +_ Oceanside, California._ + +GLEANINGS OF A MYSTIC + +BY MAX HEINDEL + +This book is devoted to practical mysticism, bringing out a vast array of +new information and fine points never before presented in this form. The +information contained in this book will be of immense value to the student +and aspirant, enabling them to make swifter progress in both their +spiritual and material development. + +A few chapter headings are appended to give a better idea of the contents: + +_Initiation—What It Is and Is Not._ + +_The Sacraments of Communion, Baptism, and Marriage._ + +_The Coming Christ._ + +_The Coming Age._ + +_Magic, White and Black._ + +_Our Invisible Government._ + +_Practical Precepts for Practical People._ + +_Sound, Silence, and Soul Growth._ + +_The Mysterium Magnum of the Rose Cross._ + +_Stumbling Blocks._ + +_Why I Am a Rosicrucian._ + +196 Pages. Cloth Bound. $2.00 Postpaid. + +THE ROSICRUCIAN PHILOSOPHY + +_IN QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS_ + +BY MAX HEINDEL + +A book of ready reference upon all mystic matters, which ought to be in +the library of every occult student. It comprises the answers to hundreds +of questions asked of Max Heindel on the lecture platform. + +PARTIAL LIST OF SUBJECTS: + +_Life after Death._ + +_Life on Earth._ + +_The Bible Teachings._ + +_Spiritualistic Phenomena._ + +_Clairvoyance._ + +_Astrology._ + +_Animals._ + +176 Pages. Cloth Bound. $2.00 Postpaid. + + ------------------------------------- + +HOW SHALL WE KNOW CHRIST AT HIS COMING? + +BY MAX HEINDEL + +This book tells us that Christ will return in an etheric, not a physical +body. Hence mankind must develop the etheric body to the point where they +can function in it consciously before Christ will return. Then they will +possess the inner spiritual perception by which they will be able to +recognize Him. + +These matters are fully elucidated in this book. + +29 Pages. Paper Bound. 15c Postfree. + +_The Rosicrucian Fellowship,_ +_ Mt. Ecclesia_ +_ Oceanside, California._ + +IN THE LAND OF THE LIVING DEAD + +AN OCCULT STORY + +BY PRENTISS TUCKER + +Among the many post-war books, here is one to interest the soldier, +student, and layman alike. Its appeal is general and lasting in that it +portrays in story form the ever existing conditions on the superphysical +planes. It inclines toward that thing called “The religion of the +trenches,” and will help to open the eyes of many a puzzled participant as +well as of those who lost friends and relatives in the Great War. + +Look at some of the chapter headings: + +_A Visit to the Invisible Planes._ + +_A Sergeant’s Experiences after __“__Passing out.__”_ + +_A Doughboy’s Ideas on Religion._ + +_Helping a Slain Soldier to Comfort His Mother._ + +_A Crisis in Love._ + +168 Pages. Cloth Bound. $1.50 Postpaid. + +THE MYSTICAL INTERPRETATION OF CHRISTMAS + +BY MAX HEINDEL + +This treatise covers the Cosmic Significance of Christmas and the annual +Sacrifice of Christ, traces the astrological interpretation up through the +simplicity of nature worship, and sketches a glorious outlook for the +coming age, which inspires the casual reader to seek more Light. + +Here is a book most attractively bound in heavy mottled paper which, aside +from its merit as a simple gift, is most useful in answering inquiries on +the occult significance of its subject. The world is beginning to ask the +greater meaning of this holy festival; it is well to be informed. + +Heavy Paper Binding. +75 Cents Postpaid. + +EARTHBOUND + +BY AUGUSTA FOSS HEINDEL + +An addition to our Rosicrucian Christianity Series of twenty lectures. +This pamphlet warns against the craze for phenomena, mediumship, and the +ouija board. It cites concrete cases where those who held too closely to +things of this earth were thereby held back in their progress after +leaving the earthy body and passing onward to the unseen realms of being. +It points out how this condition may be avoided; also how some prolong +their stay in the Borderland close to the earth. + +It describes the condition of those who are bound to the lower Desire +World after death by sense affiliation, sorrow, or other causes, showing +clearly their delusions and their activities. + +13 pages. Paper Bound. Price 10c. + +SIMPLIFIED SCIENTIFIC ASTROLOGY + +BY MAX HEINDEL + +_Fifth Edition._ + +WITH MAX HEINDEL’S PORTRAIT + +198 Pages. Cloth Bound. $1.50 Postpaid. + +A complete textbook on the art of erecting a horoscope, making the process +simple and easy for beginners. It also includes a + +Philosophic Encyclopedia + +—and— + +Tables of Planetary Hours + +The Philosophic Encyclopedia fills a long felt want both of beginners and +advanced students for information concerning the underlying reasons for +astrological dicta. It is a mine of knowledge arranged in such a manner as +to be instantly accessible. + +The Tables of Planetary Hours enable one to select the most favorable time +for beginning new enterprises. + +The unparalleled merits of this book have been amply attested by many +thousands of enthusiastic students who have bought the first four +editions. + +No astrological student can afford to be without it. + +MYSTERIES OF THE GREAT OPERAS + +BY MAX HEINDEL + +Faust, Parsifal, The Ring of the Niebelung, Tannhauser, Lohengrin + +Folk Lore and its interpretation through music has much to offer to the +general reader as well as to the musician and occultist. These Myths +conceal many of the hidden truths which are now being translated from +symbol and allegory, and this attractive book is the key to these poetic +tales of evolution, sacrifice, and unfoldment. + +176 Pages. Cloth Bound. $2.00 Postpaid. + + + + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ROSICRUCIAN MYSTERIES*** + + + +CREDITS + + +August 30, 2009 + + Project Gutenberg TEI edition 1 + Produced by Sigal Alon, Fox in the Stars, David King, and the + Online Distributed Proofreading Team at + <http://www.pgdp.net/>. + + + +A WORD FROM PROJECT GUTENBERG + + +This file should be named 29855-0.txt or 29855-0.zip. + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + + + http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/9/8/5/29855/ + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one — the old editions will be +renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one +owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and +you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without permission +and without paying copyright royalties. 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