Filename: RC1043.TXT
Source: "The Rosicrucian Christianity Lectures" by Max Heindel

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                                 LECTURE TEN:

                    ASTROLOGY: ITS SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS

   In  modern times the Science of Astrology has come to be regarded  as  an
exploded fallacy,  and,  like the clairvoyant, the astrologer is looked upon
as a charlatan, and not without reason; for such advertisements as are found
in almost any paper offering to cast a horoscope telling one's fortune  from
the  cradle to the grave for the magnificent sum of ten cents or even for  a
postage stamp are enough to give a certain justification for the appellation
"fakir,"  and  this  lecture is given to show another  side,  not  popularly
known,  to  this ancient and misjudged science;  to show its  uses  and  its
limitations.

   There are two kinds of astrology and two kinds of astrologers:  those who
do  not  even cast a horoscope for their patrons but only ask the  month  of
birth,  which information tells them what sign the Sun was in at the time of
the person's birth.  Then they copy from a book or have a set of twelve mim-
eographed forms telling the person's "fortune."

   It  is  evident  to any reasoning mind that there are  more  than  twelve
classes of people in the world,  and according to that method there would be
a  similarity of line if the case of every twelfth person,  whereas we  know
that  no  two persons have the same experience; that every life is different

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from all others, and any method that does not make such a difference must be
false upon the face of it.

   The ten-cent astrologer is a good business man.   His mimeographed "READ-
ING,"  stationery and postage do not cost more than two cents,  so he has  a
profit  of  eight cents for every horoscope (?).   Commercially that  is  an
enormous profit, but it fades into insignificance before the fact that every
time the astrologer (?) gets an order he gets the name of a fool, and he has
a regular "follow up"  system whereby he notifies his customers from time to
time  that  certain very important developments are due to take place  in  a
near future which he will reveal for a dollar.  He will work his victim sys-
tematically  until at last experience has taught him how worthless  are  the
prognostications  he receives,  and then such people cry down  astrology  as
fraud or folly.

   The scientific method demands first, MONTH, DAY,  AND YEAR,  from the ap-
plicant, because it takes into consideration all of the nine heavenly bodies
in  the  solar system,  and it knows that they have at that time  a  certain
relative position to one another.   That same position will not occur  again
until a sidereal year has passed,  and that is 25,868 of our ordinary  years
in length,  so that if a child is born today it would take 25,868 years  be-
fore another child could be born with the same horoscope.   But even that is
not  enough,  for it is estimated that a child is born  every  second;  that
would give 86,400 whose experience in life would be alike if only the day of
birth  were taken into consideration.   Therefore the scientific  astrologer
demands both the HOUR and PLACE or birth in addition to the DAY, MONTH,  AND
YEAR,  for  there  are  seldom two people born in the same place at the same

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hour  and minute;  even twins come from twenty minutes to a number of  hours
apart, and that makes a great difference.  Where they are born from the same
sac and alike, they will have been born when the same zodiacal sign was ris-
ing in the East, for that is an important factor in giving form to the body,
but where they are born from separate envelopes and dissimilar,  calculation
will bring out the fact that the end of one sign was rising at the birth  of
one, and the beginning of the next when the second was delivered, or,  where
there are several hours between, there may be more signs between, for as the
Earth turns on its axis through the day, a new sign rises every two hours at
the equator, but nearer the pole some signs are passed quicker on account of
the inclination of the Earth's axis,  so that at times there may be  several
signs between the birth of twins,  which would make their lives very differ-
ent.

   When, however, it happens that two children are born in THE SAME PLACE AT
THE SAME TIME, there is also a marked similarity in their lives.   There are
such cases on record.  One instance will suffice:  A Mr. Samuel Hemmings was
born in the same parish in London, at the same hour and near the same minute
as  King  George  the Third,  June 4, 1738.   He went into  business  as  an
ironmonger on the same day the King was crowned; he was married the same day
as his majesty, died on the same day, and also other events in the two lives
resembled each other.  The difference in station precluded both being kings,
but on the same day when one became the monarch of a kingdom, the other also
became an independent business man.

   Astronomy  stands in about the same relation to astrology as  anatomy  to
physiology.  Anatomy  gives  the dry facts as to the location and the struc-

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ture  of the constituent organs of the body,  and astronomy gives  like  dry
data  with  regard  to the heavenly bodies.   But,  as it  is  reserved  for
physiology  to enunciate the utility of the different organic parts  of  the
body,  which alone makes such knowledge of value,  so it is the part of  as-
trology  to explain the significance of the changing relative  positions  of
the heavenly bodies in regard to the actions of mankind.

   It  will  need no argument to prove that the chemical  condition  of  the
Earth's  atmosphere is different in the morning from what it is at  noon  or
evening.   We also see the changes produced in the different seasons, and we
recognize that these changes are due to the Sun's changed position.  We also
recognize the effect of the Moon on the tides, etc.  These bodies move fast,
yet  are constantly producing changes in the atmospheric conditions  of  the
Earth;  and  in these days of wireless telegraphy it should not be  hard  to
conceive that the other heavenly bodies also produce an effect.   As we have
already seen, these changes are so numerous that the same chemical condition
could not occur except at intervals of 25,868 years.   Thus we see that  the
electrostatic  condition of the atmosphere at the moment a child  draws  its
first  breath would give to each atom of the little sensitive body AN  INDI-
VIDUAL STAMP.  It is as if we were charging a new electric battery,  and any
change in the atmospheric condition will affect that brain differently  from
all others, for its original stamp varied from all others.

   There  is in the mind of many people the idea that astrology is  fatalis-
tic;  and while it may so appear, a deeper study will show that this idea is
erroneous; that as all our sorrows and pains are the result of ignorance, so

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knowledge will avert misfortune IF APPLIED in time;  and in order to  under-
stand the scope of our free will we must recognize the fact that the  result
of our past deeds goes through a threefold process of ripening.

   In the first place there are causes which have been allowed to run  their
course unchecked by other acts and have so nearly worked themselves into ef-
fects  that they are like the ball shot from a pistol--they are  beyond  our
power  of interference and must be allowed to run their course for  good  or
ill.   They are called "ripe"  causation in occultism,  and they are clearly
shown in the horoscope when properly cast.  Of course it would do us no good
in  one sense to know them when we cannot avert them,  but sometimes we  may
alter the conditions under which such a ripe cause spends itself,  and  then
there  is the hope.   We see the passing cloud,  we know when it  will  have
spent  its fury,  and that gives us a hope we should not have save  for  the
prognostications of astrology.

   The  second kind of causes is that generated and worked out from  day  to
day;  a sort of "pay as you go transaction."  This kind may often be avoided
or rectified by a knowledge of astrology.   The tendencies are also shown in
the horoscope.

   The third kind of causes is that which we are making but which we  cannot
work  out  now.   That is saved up for adjustment in later  years  or  later
lives.   In  regard to this class we have absolute freedom.   The  horoscope
will aid us by showing the tendencies, so that we may be particularly  care-
ful at critical times, working with all our might to catch the good opportu-
nities and taking extra pains to avoid an evil tendency.

[PAGE 1582]

   To  illustrate the working of the Law of Consequence in relation to  pre-
diction we may cite some cases within our own experience.

   Mr.  L.,  a well known and popular lecturer, had never studied astrology,
but  was interested and was offered tuition.   In order to lend interest  to
the study his own horoscope was used as a basis of instruction,  as he would
thus  be able to check the interpretations of the past and thus arrive at  a
better understanding than if someone else's nativity had been used.   In the
course of the calculations it came out that Mr.  L.  was subject to frequent
accidents.   Previous accidents and happenings were figured out to the  very
day they happened, which impressed Mr. L very much.

   It was further seen that on the 21st of July, 1906,  another accident was
due  and would affect the upper part of the chest,  arms,  and neck  to  the
lower part of the head; also that it would result from a short journey.  Mr.
L. was warned that as the new Moon, occurring on that day, was the factor in
bringing about the event,  he must stay in the house on that day and also on
the  seventh  day  after,  the latter being even  more  dangerous  than  the
original.   He was much impressed and promised to obey the injunction  care-
fully.

   Just previous to the critical time we wrote Mr. L. from Seattle to insure
remembrance of directions and received a letter in reply that he was mindful
and would be careful.

   The  next  communication was from a mutual friend,  stating that  on  the
critical day,  July 28,  Mr.  L. had gone to Sierra Madre in an electric car
and at a railway crossing had come in collision with a train, was hurled out
through  a  window  and  sustained  injuries  in the placed mentioned in the

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prediction; also a lesion to a tendon which had not been seen.

   It was a sore puzzle, of course, to know why Mr.  L.  had disregarded the
injunction,  as he was very much impressed with the reality of  the  danger.
The answer came three months later,  when he was able to write himself.   He
said:  "I thought the 28th was the 29th."  This was plainly a case of "ripe"
causation that could not be avoided.  In other cases people have been warned
of accidents,  have followed instructions and escaped,  and said afterwards:
"But do you really think I would have been hurt if I had not done so?"  That
is  the difficulty!   People do not believe unless they get it knocked  into
them,  as Mr.  L. did.  He wrote:  "These accidents have deepened my respect
for astrology immensely."   But is that the only way we can learn?   If  so,
the more the pity for us.

   It is a true saying that "no man liveth to himself."   We all affect each
other.   That also is shown in the horoscope.   The death of the parents  is
particularly shown in each one's horoscope,  for they are the source of  the
body in which we live,  and often where the birth hour is unknown the profi-
cient astrologer can find it from the great events in life,  particularly if
the father's and mother's death day is given him.  Husband and wife are also
so tied that the great events in the life of one are shown in the  horoscope
of the other.  A case in point came under notice a few years ago when a Mrs.
F. was warned of a danger of rupture of relations between herself and Mr. F.
She  was told that an anticipated journey would be stopped and social  func-
tions suspended.   (They were society people.)  The lady acknowledged having
contemplated  a  journey to Europe, but pooh-poohed the idea of giving it up

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and asked if Mr. F. was in danger of death.  The answer was:  Worse!  But as
it  was a delicate matter and she a stranger,  no more could be  said,  save
that November would be a time of disaster.   The 14th of that month her hus-
band was sentenced to five years in the penitentiary for criminal assault on
a  little girl.   The journey was of course suspended and  social  ostracism
followed.   This  case shows particularly the delicate position of  the  as-
trologer.   Though he may see and is desirous of helping,  conventions debar
him  from  saying outright what he sees.   The before-mentioned case  is  in
point.  Though anxious to avert suffering it was impossible to warn.  There-
fore WE ADVOCATE THE STUDY OF ASTROLOGY BY ALL.

   Not even the best astrologer who is a stranger can see into the lives  of
those  near and dear to us as we an when we have studied astrology,  because
of the insight we have already gained into their characters.  Conventions do
not  hinder  us to the same extent as they affect a  stranger.   Besides,  a
bought  horoscope  never can engender in us the sympathy  for  others  which
comes from the personal knowledge of astrology.  When a visitor to Columbus,
Ohio, the writer was shown the horoscope  of a certain boy cast by his aunt.
It was seen at once that the boy was going through a crisis which would last
about six years.   During that time an enormous amount of evil would  surely
come  to the surface,  and all would depend upon what his treatment at  home
would be--and oh,  the pity of it,  ignorance of the hidden causes  governed
the attitude of the parents.  Instead of forbearance, love, and sympathy, he
was getting lectures and punishments.   Regarded as a scapegrace,  how could
he be expected to  be good at that age!  A great wave of sympathy swept over

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the writer at the realization of what that poor boy must suffer,  and when a
horoscope  of the lad's younger sister revealed the fact that when about  14
she would enter upon a similar crisis,  the need was felt of sending an  ur-
gent message to those parents,  telling them for pity's sake to lavish  love
on  that child in the few years which would elapse ere the  commencement  of
the  crisis,  to make home so dear and homelike to her that when the  crisis
comes she will have so much love and cheer at home that all other companion-
ships and all other places must seem dull by comparison.   Only in that  way
will  it  be possible to save that child and it has been a  frequent  prayer
with the writer that the advice may be heeded.

   We have those mysteries,  the children, all around and amongst us.   Upon
the  way we solve the riddle will it depend what we reap as a result of  our
guardianship.   It is not beyond the average intellect to be able to cast an
ordinary horoscope  and read it for character.  Character is destiny, and if
we  know the character of a growing child we may lay up for ourselves  great
treasure  in heaven by strengthening the good tendencies and helping  it  by
example and precept to weed out the evil.

   One  of the greatest uses of astrology in the writer's opinion is in  de-
termining the character of children and bringing them up so as to strengthen
their  weak points and stem the evil tendencies.   In character reading  as-
trology is correctly interpreted in 99 per cent of the cases by most experi-
enced astrologers,  and no parent can benefit and help a child more than  by
getting a horoscope  for it, except by learning to case it.  In the meantime
a  friend who understands astrology may be utilized to furnish  a  horoscope
for the child.

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   While  astrology is an absolutely true science,  it must always be  taken
into consideration that the astrologer is but human and therefore  fallible.
Though a conscientious astrologer with the ability to combine and blend  the
stellar influences will generally give correct forecasts, he is every liable
to meet his Waterloo, often where he least expects it.   The writer has only
once  said  that a prediction he made would not fail and that  time  it  did
fail.   There was an escape-clause and it was seen,  but the aspects were so
strong that it seemed impossible that the predicted event could fail to  ma-
terialize.   It NEARLY happened,  but was frustrated at the critical moment,
showing the potency of the escape-clause.

   That  predictions fail at times is due to a factor which  the  astrologer
cannot  take into consideration--the free will of man.   So long  as  people
drift aimlessly with the time and tide of life, wafted hither and thither by
the wind of circumstance the task of prediction is easy, and the careful and
competent astrologer can predict accurately for the great majority of people
for the horoscope  shows their TENDENCIES,  and apart from individual effort
mankind  follows these tendencies unresistingly.  But the more  evolved  the
man, the more liable is the astrologer to fail, for he can only see the ten-
dencies;  the will of the man as a factor it is beyond him to calculate.  In
the nature of things there must be this element of uncertainty.   If  condi-
tions  were so hard and fast that no mistake were possible,  it  would  show
that inexorable fate governed human life,  and there would be no use in mak-
ing  an effort to change conditions,  but the very fact that predictions  do
fail is an inspiration, for it shows that a certain amount of free will does
exist.

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   There  is one phase of prediction where astrology is  perhaps  infallible
and of great use, that is in determining the affinity of people, so that in-
stead  of making marriage a lottery or chance it can be ascertained  before-
hand  what  amount  of happiness or sorrow will result from  such  a  union.
There would certainly be no need for divorce in cases where a fairly  compe-
tent astrologer had recommended the union.

   In  the previous lectures we have seen that human life is governed  by  a
great law of nature, the law of Consequence or Causation; that our every act
is  causative and will bring its inevitable effect as surely as  the  pebble
thrown  into the air returns to earth.  under this Great Law we  meet  again
both  friends and foes and it seems that it is impossible to come  into  the
closest of all relations--marriage--with a stranger.   Therefore it  appears
that the influences which thus incite people are RIPE causation which cannot
be avoided.  The writer has noticed that when people ask for an astrological
forecast of a proposed marriage, and predictions are favorable, they invari-
ably hurry the ceremony because it is in line with their wishes,  but  where
the  astrologer  is compelled to predict disaster they  invariably  conclude
that  "he does not know as much as he thinks he does,"  and they either  get
married anyway or consult someone who predicts as they wish and then  follow
his advice.

   The greatest of all the uses of astrology is in dealing with sick people,
and that is the only use the writer makes of it now.   We have spoken of the
Law of Consequence,  which brings to each at the appointed time the  results
of  his past actions,  whether in this or other lives.   The stars  are  the
Clock of Destiny,  as it were;  the twelve signs of the zodiac correspond to
the face of the clock  with its twelve figures; the Sun and the planets with

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their slow motions indicate the year when any certain event is due,  and the
swift-moving Moon will tell us the month.

   There is one class of people who are particularly under the influence  of
Luna--the Moon.   LUNATICS we call them on that account.  In their lives the
changes  of the moon are particularly felt and the astrologer  can  forecast
not only to the day, but even to the very hour when rises manifest.   A case
in point from the writer's experience will illustrate.

   The  wife of a friend became mentally ill and was put under the  care  of
two  nurses.   Warning was given concerning crises at different periods  and
the precautions taken prevented serious trouble.   The lady's husband always
made  it  a point to be on hand to help the nurses and  a  straitjacket  was
used.   One such night a warning had been given for two a.m.   The gentleman
was  there as usual in the room with the patient.   He lay on the bed  fully
dressed,  and  the lady was sitting up in bed during the fore  part  of  the
night,  talking,  mostly rationally,  and pleaded to have the wrist-bands of
the straitjacket untied.

   As  she seemed so rational the husband complied,  and a little later  the
lady herself unfastened the straps imprisoning her lower limbs.

   About  two  a.m.  she arose and searched the room  for  something,  still
speaking quietly and rationally, but Mr. --- got the idea that she was hunt-
ing for a knife,  so he also arose to watch her, but as he did so she sprang
at him,  biting his cheek, and a knife fell to the floor.   it took the com-
bined  efforts  of the husband and nurses to get her back into  the  strait-
jacket.

[PAGE 1589]

   A few days later Mr. --- discovered that his trousers had been pierced in
two  places by a glancing blow from the knife.   The attack occurred at  the
very hour predicted.

   When  sickness comes to anyone the crisis is shown by the horoscope,  and
from  that it is possible to see the developments in the case,  so as to  be
able to take advantage of the propitious times.   Then the healing  remedies
will have so much greater effect,  and if the healer is unable to make  much
progress on account of adverse planetary conditions he can at least hold out
hope and say when a change will occur.

   Such a case happened in Duluth when the writer was asked to attend a lady
suffering  from  blood poison.   She had been given up by the  doctors.   On
casting her horoscope  it was seen that she had had a similar disease  seven
years  before and that another crisis was due in a few days,  when  the  new
Moon would aggravate the condition.

   The lady was in great agony, with her relatives around her.  She was tak-
ing  leave  of them and expected to die.  As the Moon was dark  it  did  not
hinder  much  and in about twenty minutes the patient was resting  easy  and
without pain.   In two days the poison had been driven from the abdomen down
to  the knees;  but then the new Moon stopped progress,  and the  third  day
itching and pain in the lower part of the limbs commenced again.   We fought
it for three days,  but,  while able to stop the pain during treatments,  it
commenced an hour or two after.   The swelling remained as before.   it  was
then  plain that no relief was possible till the Moon had turned  the  full.
The  patient was told that no relief was possible at once,  but on a  desig-
nated day the swelling  would  yield to the treatments already given and the

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pain cease.   On the day designated the lady got up in the morning and could
put her shoes on with ease.  The sickness was past.

   In this relation a physician and surgeon in Portland,  Oregon,  said that
his experience had led him to always perform his operations,  if at all pos-
sible,  while  the  Moon is increasing,  as he had noticed  that  there  was
greater  vitality  at that time and wounds healed better than when  the  op-
eration was performed while the Moon was decreasing.

   To the occultist the twelve signs of the zodiac are the visible  vehicles
of  the twelve great Creative hierarchies which helped man to evolve  up  to
his  present stage of self-consciousness,  the Sun being the vesture of  the
highest  spiritual intelligence manifest in our system at the present  time.
The seven planets:  Uranus, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars,  Earth,  Venus,  mercury,
and the bodies of the seven great Star Angels,  of whom we hear in all reli-
gions  as the seven Spirits before the Throne,  the seven Archangels of  the
Mohammedans,  the seven Rishis of the Hindus,  the seven Amshaspands of  the
Parsis, etc.  They act according to the law of Consequence, and are the Min-
isters  of our Lord,  the Sun-God,  each taking care of a definite  part  of
God's will.

   From them as Spirits we have all come in seven "rays," and ONE of them is
thus our "Father-Star," and remains so throughout all our lives.   That fact
does  not preclude that we may be and are born at different times under  all
the other stars,  so as to gather varied experience, and our horoscope  will
show what particular star is our "ruler" in this life, but we never know our
Father-Star  until  at  the  last initiation.  From this fact comes also the

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beautiful doctrine of "twin souls"  not to be confounded with the coarse and
bestial  teaching which has been made the excuse for  abominable  adulterous
practices.  But all who have emanated from the same father-star are brother,
sister,  or twin souls in all their lives on Earth,  and no one can enter an
occult  school except the one composed of our brothers from the same ray  or
star-angel  from which we have emanated.  This was what Christ  jesus  meant
when He said to the disciples,  "Your Father and my Father,"  whereby we may
understand  that Jesus and his disciples were twin souls emanated  from  the
same  ray.   To the Pharisees he ascribes a different origin,  calling  them
children  of the devil,  Saturn or Satan.  Yet it must not be supposed  that
Saturn is evil; he has his beneficent mission to fulfill, like all the other
of God's ministers;  he is the subduing influence which brings sorrow to put
a  damper upon our arrogance;  the tempter,  to bring out our  imperfections
that we may be purged of evil and become perfect and virtuous;  and his vir-
tues are grand and great, chastity and justice,  a rectitude that will never
swerve,  but it lacks mercy,  and love; that comes from the beautiful Venus.
From her also come music and art,  which serve to turn us to the higher side
of nature.  Jupiter is the beacon that lures us on to heaven and inspires us
with lofty thoughts of devotion to God and altruistic aspirations.   Mars is
the energizer spurring us on to work in the vineyard of life.   Were it  not
for  his prodding influence there would be no vim or vigor in man.   In  his
evil aspects he gives passion, war and strife, but that is because we misuse
the energy he imparts.   In the same way Venus will give sloth,  and Jupiter
indolence; but when we allow  their good influences to be misdirected by our

[PAGE 1592]

lower  natures,  Saturn comes and puts us through the trials of  sorrow  and
tribulation to bring us again to the path of advancement and purity.

   Mercury, the messenger of the Gods, is the fount of wisdom whence the hu-
man mind gets its tone, the smallest of all the planets,  but the kingdom of
the  star-angel who has the most important mission of all in respect to  our
human race.   Upon its position and configurations in the horoscope will de-
pend  whether the coming life will be one of devotion to the higher self  or
if  the lower nature will hold sway,  for the mind is the link  between  the
higher  Self and the lower nature.   If it is so posited that it cares  more
for the pleasures of sense than the joys of the soul,  sorrowful will be the
end.   Yet  it should always be remembered that no man is  compelled  to  do
evil,  and that the greater the temptation,  the greater the reward  to  him
that overcometh the tendencies shown in the horoscope.  For let it always be
remembered that though the stars IMpel,  they cannot and do not COMpel.   In
the final analysis WE are the arbiters of our destiny,  and despite all  the
evil influences it is within our power to rule our stars by the exercise  of
Will, the badge of our divinity to which all else must bow.

   As Ella Wheeler Wilcox has said so poignantly:

   One ship sails east and another sails west,
         With the selfsame 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 that determines the goal
         And not the calm or the strife.

[PAGE 1593]

                               LECTURE ELEVEN:

                         SPIRITUAL SIGHT AND INSIGHT

   When we speak of spiritual sight we are not speaking symbolically,  or of
a vague something,  an ecstatic feeling or the like,  but of a definite fac-
ulty  as  real  as  physical sight and as necessary  to  perception  of  the
spiritual  worlds  and  to true insight into  super-physical  conditions  as
physical  sight  is indispensable to a comprehensive insight  into  material
things.

   The  spiritual sight of which we speak is not to be confused with  clair-
voyance  developed  in spiritualistic circles.  The latter  depends  upon  a
negative  state  of mind where the inner worlds are reflected  in  the  con-
sciousness  of the sitters,  as the surrounding landscape is reflected in  a
mirror.  Such a method gives SIGHT, but INSIGHT concerning the thing seen is
lacking  in the negative clairvoyant as much as in the mirror.   He is in  a
position  similar to that of a man tied on a horse without rein  or  bridle,
who  is carried wheresoever the horse pleases.   Such a faculty is a  curse.
The  properly trained clairvoyant is not tied;  he can get on or off  as  he
pleases, has rein and bridle on his horse; he is master, the other a slave.

   Certain  negative  phases of clairvoyance are also  developed  by  taking
drugs,  by crystal gazing,  etc.   In all such cases the faculty is a danger
and  a  detriment, being uncontrolled by the Spirit.  Drugs have a fearfully

[PAGE 1594]

destructive effect on the different vehicles of man.  But the most dangerous
method of development is indiscriminate breathing exercises.   Many a man is
in the insane asylum today or his body lies in a consumptive's grave, on ac-
count of having practiced breathing exercises in development classes, taught
by persons as ignorant as himself.  Breathing exercises, when necessary, are
NEVER GIVEN IN CLASSES,  as each pupil is differently constituted from every
one else; each consequently needs INDIVIDUAL exercises, and different mental
exercises also to accompany them.  Only through individual instruction  from
a competent teacher can spiritual sight and insight be developed in  perfect
safety.   The foregoing remarks apply only to breathing exercises for occult
development and not to exercises for physical culture,  which are  excellent
when practiced in moderation.

   The questions then arises:   How may the true teacher be found,  and  how
distinguished from the imposter?  This is a momentous question, for when the
aspirant has found such a teacher, he is in a safe haven and will be guarded
against  the great majority of dangers which beset those who  through  igno-
rance  or  elfish motives steer their own course and seek  spiritual  powers
without endeavoring to develop moral fiber.

   It  is  an axiomatic truth that men are known "by their fruits,"  and  as
ESOTERIC SCHOLARSHIP DEMANDS FROM THE PUPIL UNSELFISHNESS OF MOTIVE, it is a
fair  inference  that  the teacher must possess this attribute  in  a  still
higher  degree.   Thus,  if a man proclaim himself a teacher and  offer  his
knowledge  for sale at so much per lesson,  he falls below the standard  set
for the pupils.  That  he must obtain money to live, and similar excuses for

[PAGE 1595]

charging  for tuition,  are all sophistries.  Cosmic law cares for  him  who
works  with it,  AND ANY TEACHING OFFERED ON A COMMERCIAL BASIS IS  NOT  THE
HIGHEST KNOWLEDGE, for that is never bartered for an actual or implied mate-
rial consideration, but in every case comes to the recipient as a right,  as
a result of merit; and even if the true teacher desired to avoid instructing
a  certain person,  he would be compelled by the Law of Consequence to  give
him  the instruction when earned.   Such an attitude would  be  unthinkable,
however, for there is joy inconceivable among the Elder Brothers of humanity
over every one who commences to walk along the path of life everlasting.  On
the other hand, anxious though they are, they may not reveal their secret to
any  one before he has proved by steadfastness and unselfishness,  to  be  a
safe guardian of the resulting immense power for good or evil.   If we allow
our passions to run riot, if avarice and greed are the mainspring of our ac-
tions,  we hinder progress instead of helping our fellow man,  and until  we
have learned to use aright the powers we have,  we are not fitted to do  the
greater work demanded of those who have been helped by the Elder Brothers to
develop their latent spiritual sight and to gain the spiritual insight which
makes this faculty of value as a factor in evolution.

   Therefore,  "The Path of Preparation" precedes "The Way  of  Initiation."
PERSISTENCE,  DEVOTION, OBSERVATION, AND DISCRIMINATION are means of attain-
ment,  for by these the vital body is sensitized.   By PERSISTENCE and devo-
tion the chemical and the life ethers become capable of taking care of vital
functions  in the dense body during sleep.   A cleavage takes place  between
those  two  ethers  and  the  two higher, the light ether and the reflecting

[PAGE 1596]

ether.  When the latter two have been sufficiently spiritualized by observa-
tion and discrimination,  a simple formula given by the Teacher enables  the
disciple  to  take  them out with his higher bodies at  will.   He  is  thus
equipped with a vehicle of sense perception and memory.   Whatever knowledge
he  possesses  in  the material world is then  available  in  the  spiritual
realms, and he brings back to the physical brain, memories of his experience
while without the dense body.   This is necessary in order to function  out-
side  the dense body with full consciousness of both the Physical World  and
the Desire World, for the desire body is unorganized as yet, and did not the
vital body leave its imprint on the desire body at death,  we could have  no
consciousness in the Desire World during post-mortem existence.

   Indiscriminate breathing exercises do not effect this cleavage,  but tend
to lift the whole vital body out of the dense body.   Thus,  in some  cases,
connections  between etheric sense centers and brain cells are  ruptured  or
strained, and insanity results.  In other instances the line of cleavage oc-
curs between the life ether and the chemical ether, and as life ether is the
cementing material in assimilation and the particular avenue for specializa-
tion of solar energy, this rupture results in consumption.   Only proper ex-
ercises bring about the right cleavage.   When purity of life has turned the
unused sex force generated in the life ether upwards through the heart, that
force  takes  care  of the limited amount of  circulation  necessary  during
sleep.   Thus  physical functions and spiritual development are  carried  on
side by side along proper and harmonious lines.

   Above  we have the reason for the vow of celibacy taken by those who  de-
vote  themselves  entirely  to  the  higher life.  it is not necessary for a

[PAGE 1597]

beginner  to go into asceticism;  absolute celibacy is only for the  few  as
yet.  At present, union of the sexes is the method of procreation.  There is
no other way to provide bodies for incoming egos,  and it is the duty of ev-
eryone who is of sound mind,  morals,  and body to provide a vehicle and  an
environment for as many incoming spirits as his means and opportunities  al-
low.   We  should approach the act of procreation as a  sacrament;  not  for
gratification of the senses,  but in a spirit of prayer.   The sex force  is
required but a few times in the life of any person for generation;  the  re-
mainder is legitimately available for self-improvement.

   DISCRIMINATION is the faculty whereby we distinguish that which is  unim-
portant and unessential, separating the real from illusion,  and the lasting
from  the evanescent.   In ordinary life we are accustomed to think  of  the
body as ourselves.   Discrimination teaches that WE ARE SPIRITS and our bod-
ies are but temporary dwelling places,  instruments for use.   The carpenter
uses hammer and saw; they are important instruments but he does not think of
himself as being either.  Neither should we identify ourselves with our bod-
ies,  but learn to discriminate,  to regard the body as a servant,  valuable
only in so far as obedient to our commands.   When thus regarded,  we  shall
find that we can readily make it do many things hitherto thought impossible.
Discrimination  generates  the INTELLECTUAL SOUL, and gives  man  his  first
start toward the higher life.

   OBSERVATION  is the use of the senses as means of  obtaining  information
regarding the phenomena around us.  Observation and action generate the CON-
SCIOUS SOUL.  It is of the highest importance to our development that we ob-
serve  the  sights  and  scenes around us ACCURATELY, otherwise the pictures

[PAGE 1598]

in  our  conscious memory do not coincide with  the  automatic  subconscious
records.   The rhythm and harmony of the dense body is disturbed in  propor-
tion  to the inaccuracy of our observation during the day.   Our  activities
during sleep partially restore harmony,  but the warring vibrations from day
to day and year to year are one of the causes which gradually harden and de-
stroy our organism until it becomes unfit for the use of the spirit and must
be abandoned to give the Spirit another opportunity for growth in a new  and
better body.   In proportion as we learn to observe accurately we shall gain
in health and longevity, and WE SHALL NEED LESS REST AND SLEEP.   The latter
is an important point in the present discussion, as will presently appear.

    DEVOTION to high ideals is a curb on the animal instincts, and generates
and evolves the EMOTIONAL SOUL.   Cultivation of the faculty of devotion  is
very  essential.   In some people this is the line of least resistance,  and
they are apt to become mystic dreamers.  The energies of the desire body are
then  expressed as enthusiasm and religious ecstasy.   There are  also  some
people  who  develop abnormally the faculty of discrimination,  which  leads
along cold intellectual lines of metaphysical speculation.   In either  case
thee is a lack of balance, a danger.  The mystic dreamer,  because DOMINATED
by emotion,  may become subject to all sorts of illusion.  That,  the intel-
lectual occultist will never do, but he may end in black magic if he pursues
the  path of knowledge for the sake of knowledge and not for  SERVICE.   The
only safe way is to develop both head and heart.

   The OCCULTIST unfolds along intellectual lines;  he searches for truth by
observation, and discrimination.  He observes and reasons upon what he sees.
Thus  he  attains  to knowledge, but as Paul says, "knowledge puffeth up but

[PAGE 1599]

but love  edifieth,"  and before his knowledge can be of the highest use  in
spiritual unfoldment, he must learn to FEEL IT else he cannot LIVE it.  When
he has done that he is both mystic and occultist.

   The MYSTIC develops particularly the faculty of devotion.  He FEELS TRUTH
without necessity of reasoning.   He KNOWS, but cannot give a reason for his
faith or explain to others so as to help them.   He must develop the  intel-
lectual  side of his nature,  to be of the highest use in the upliftment  of
humanity.  Then intellect acts as a curb on the emotions and devotion safely
guides the intellect.  If we go along one line or the other exclusively,  we
shall have to take up the other at some future time in order to become fully
rounded.   It is better,  therefore,  to try to develop NOW the  faculty  we
lack.  Thus we shall make the most rapid progress toward the final goal with
perfect safety.

   The clarity and sharpness of a photograph depend upon the way the lens is
focused by the photographer.  Once set, it remains in focus.  If it had life
and a will of its own, if it could change its direction and focus,  the pic-
tures would become blurred.   The mind is in about that position;  it  flits
about aimlessly,  literally in a mental St. Vitus' dance, and resents a curb
most  strenuously.   But it can and must be tamed,  and PERSISTENCE  is  the
chief  means  of bridling it.   In proportion as the mind  is  stilled,  the
spirit can reflect itself in the threefold body,  on the principle that  the
sun  mirrors  itself in a calm sea,  but turbulent billows deflect  the  sun
rays.

   The  vital body is like a mirror or,  rather,  like the film of a  moving
picture; it pictures alike the world without according to our faculty of OB-
SERVATION,  and  the ideas of the indwelling spirit from within according to

[PAGE 1600]

the clarity and training of the mind.   DEVOTION and DISCRIMINATION,  other-
wise emotion and intellect,  decide our attitude toward these pictures,  and
their balanced action leads to a well rounded development.   When evolved to
a certain point they inevitably bring about a process of PURIFICATION.   The
man will realize that in order to attain the goal he must lay aside whatever
clogs the wheels of progress.   A good mechanic aims to have the best  tools
and keep them in perfect order,  for he knows their value in producing  good
work.   Our bodies are tools of the Spirit,  and in proportion as  they  are
clogged they hinder its manifestation.  DISCRIMINATION teaches us what  hin-
ders,  and DEVOTION to the higher life helps to eliminate undesirable habits
or traits of character by superseding mere desire.

   Flesh food,  obtained at the cost of a fellow creature's life and suffer-
ing,  and imbued with its desires and passions,  besides being in a state of
decay,  is not a pure food,  and no earnest aspirant to higher powers  would
choose to feed his body upon such offal.   He will study how to satisfy  the
needs of his body with pure food.  He realizes the importance of keeping his
brain  clear  that  his  waking consciousness  may  be  thoroughly  open  to
spiritual  influence,  hence he will cease to use tobacco and alcohol  which
stimulate the brain and then leave it deadened.  Moderation is a misnomer in
regard  to drink;  all use of alcohol is excess and disastrous to the  quest
for spiritual attainment.

   Loss  of  temper is subversive of inner growth;  it is dissipation  on  a
large  scale of energy which may be profitably used;  it poisons  the  body,
wrecks it, and enormously hinders attainment.

[PAGE 1601]

   Likewise do thoughts of criticism hurt us,  and the aspirant will abstain
from  them as much as possible.  Discrimination teaches us IN AN  IMPERSONAL
WAY what is good and evil, but GIVES US NO FEELING about it, and THAT IS THE
IMPORTANT POINT.  Examination of a fact, idea, or object, and a decision re-
specting  its worth is necessary and not to be shunned,  but harsh  thoughts
should  be avoided for they form arrowlike thought forms,  and as they  pass
outward  from us they pierce and obstruct the inflow of good  thoughts  con-
stantly radiated by the Elder Brothers and attracted by all good men.

   Two specific exercises are given the aspirant on the path of preparation.
Both  lead to a development of spiritual sight and insight.   One leads  the
direct  way and will appeal most to the intellectual Occultist,  but  is  of
great  value to thy Mystic,  because it develops the faculty he lacks  most,
namely,  reason.   The  exercise is  called  CONCENTRATION,  which  produces
"thought power."   The other brings a similar result in a   round-about man-
ner.  It appeals most to the Mystic, but is of prime necessity to the intel-
lectual Occultist,  because it supplies a FEELING FOR TRUTH, which is BEYOND
REASON.  That exercise is RETROSPECTION, which develops "power of devotion."
Both are necessary to secure a thoroughly rounded development.

   The  philosophy  of the attainment of spiritual sight and insight  is  to
compel the desire body to perform the same work INSIDE the dense body  WHILE
WE ARE FULLY AWAKE,  POSITIVE, and conscious as it does OUTSIDE in sleep and
in the post-mortem state.

   There  are  certain currents in the desire body of every one.   They  are
strong, well defined, and form seven great vortices in clairvoyants, but are
weak,  broken,  and devoid of vortices in the ordinary man who cannot "see."

[PAGE 1602]

Development of those currents and vortices leads to spiritual sight.  In the
daytime,  when  we are engrossed in material pursuits,  these  currents  are
sluggish;  but as soon as man draws out of the dense body during  sleep  and
commences the work of restoration as outlined in Lecture No. 4, the currents
revive, the vortices spin and glow, for the desire body is in its native el-
ement, free from the clogging weight of the material body.

   It depends upon the manner in which we have used our dense bodies in  the
daytime as to how long the desire body requires to perform the work of  res-
toration  of rhythm to the vital body and the dense body.   If we have  used
our bodies strenuously during the previous day, inharmonies will, of course,
be correspondingly prominent,  and it will take the desire body most of  the
night to restore harmony and rhythm.   Thus the man will be tied to his body
day and night.   But when he learns SKILL IN ACTION,  controls his energy in
the daytime,  and ceases to waste his strength on unnecessary words and  ac-
tions,  when he commences to govern his temper and to stop inharmony due  to
incorrect observation,  the desire body will not be occupied during the  en-
tire time of sleep in restoring the dense body.   A part of the night may be
used for work outside.   If the sense centers of the desire body are  suffi-
ciently evolved, as they are with most of the intelligent class, the man may
and  does then slip the cable and soar into the Desire World.   He takes  in
the sights and scenes there,  though he does not usually remember them until
he  has effected a cleavage between the higher and lower parts of the  vital
body, as previously explained.

[PAGE 1603]

   Thus we see the great importance of correct observation,  of devotion  to
high ideals,  of pure food,  etc.  All tend to harmonize the inner and outer
vibrations.   In proportion to our attainment in these directions,  the time
occupied in restoration is shortened and we are left free to work in the De-
sire World.

                            THE EVENING EXERCISE:

   The evening exercise,  RETROSPECTION,  is of greater efficiency than  any
other method in advancing the aspirant upon the path of attainment.   It has
such  a far-reaching effect that it enables one to learn now,  not only  the
lessons of this life, but lessons ordinarily reserved for future lives.

   After  going to bed at night the body is relaxed and the aspirant  begins
to review the scenes of the day IN REVERSE ORDER,  starting with the  events
of the evening, then the occurrences of the afternoon, of the forenoon,  and
morning.   He  endeavors to PICTURE to himself each scene as  faithfully  as
possible,  seeks to REPRODUCE BEFORE HIS MIND'S EYE all that took  place  in
each pictured scene, WITH THE OBJECT OF JUDGING HIS ACTIONS, OF ASCERTAINING
IF HIS WORDS CONVEYED THE MEANING HE INTENDED OR GAVE A FALSE IMPRESSION, OR
IF HE OVERSTATED OR UNDERSTATED IN RELATING EXPERIENCES TO OTHERS.   He  re-
views his moral attitude in relation to each scene.  At meals, did he eat to
live,  or did he live to eat,  to please the palate?   Let him judge himself
and blame where BLAME is due, PRAISE where merited.

   Probationers  sometimes find it difficult to remain awake till the  exer-
cise has been performed.   In such cases it is permissable to sit up in  bed
till it is possible to follow the ordinary method.

[PAGE 1604]

   The value of retrospection is enormous,  far-reaching beyond imagination.
IN  THE  FIRST PLACE,  we perform the work of restoration  of  harmony  CON-
SCIOUSLY  and  in a shorter time than the desire body can do  during  sleep,
leaving a larger portion of the night available for outside work than other-
wise  possible.   IN  THE SECOND PLACE, one lives his  Purgatory  and  First
Heaven EACH NIGHT,  and builds into the spirit as RIGHT FEELING the  essence
of  the day's experience.   Thus he escapes Purgatory and First heaven  EACH
NIGHT,  and builds into the spirit as RIGHT FEELING the essence of the day's
experience.  Thus he escapes Purgatory after death and also saves time spent
in the First Heaven; and LAST, BUT NOT LEAST, having extracted,  day by day,
the essence of experiences which make for soul growth, and having built them
into the Spirit, he is actually living in an attitude of mind,  and develop-
ing  along lines that would ordinarily have been reserved for future  lives.
By the faithful performance of this exercise we expunge day by day  undesir-
able  occurrences from our subconscious memory so that OUR SINS ARE  BLOTTED
OUT, OUR AURAS COMMENCE TO SHINE WITH SPIRITUAL GOLD EXTRACTED BY RETROSPEC-
TION FROM THE EXPERIENCES OF EACH DAY, AND THUS WE ATTRACT THE ATTENTION  OF
THE TEACHER.

   The pure shall see God,  said Christ,  and the Teacher will quickly  open
our  eyes WHEN WE ARE FIT to enter into the "Hall of Learning,"  the  Desire
World,  where we obtain our first experiences of conscious life without  the
dense body.

                            THE MORNING EXERCISE:

   CONCENTRATION,  the second exercise,  is performed in the morning at  the
very earliest moment after the aspirant awakes.   He must not arise to  open
blinds  or  perform  any  other unnecessary act.  If the body is comfortable

[PAGE 1605]

he  should at once relax and commence to concentrate.   This is very  impor-
tant, as the Spirit has just returned from the Desire World at the moment of
waking,  and at that time the conscious touch with that world is more easily
regained than at any other time of the day.

   If  the body is uncomfortable the aspirant may rise to relieve it ere  he
concentrates,  but much of the efficacy of the concentration is lost by  the
delay.

   We remember from Lecture No. 4, that during sleep the currents of the de-
sire body flow, and its vortices move and spin with enormous rapidity.   But
as  soon  as it enters the dense body its currents and vortices  are  almost
stopped  by the dense matter and the nerve currents of the vital body  which
carry messages to and from the brain.   It is the object of this exercise to
still  the dense body to the same degree of inertia and insensibility as  in
sleep,  although the Spirit within is perfectly awake, alert, and conscious.
Thus we make a condition where the sense centers of the desire body can  be-
gin to revolve while inside the dense body.

   Concentration is a word that puzzles many and carries meaning to but few,
so  we will endeavor to make its significance clear.   The dictionary  gives
several definitions,  all applicable to our idea.  One is "to draw to a cen-
ter,"  another from chemistry,  "to reduce to extreme purity and strength by
removing valueless constituents."   Applied to our problem, one of the above
definitions tells us that if we draw our thoughts to a center,  a point,  we
increase their strength on the principle that the power of the sun's rays is
increased  when  focused  to  a point by  means  of  magnifying  glass.   By
eliminating from our mind  for  the time being all other subjects, our whole

[PAGE 1606]

thought  power is available for use in attaining the object or  solving  the
problem on which we are concentrating; we may become so absorbed in our sub-
ject  that  if  a cannon were fired above our heads we would  not  hear  it.
People may become so LOST in a book that they are oblivious to all else, and
the aspirant to spiritual sight must acquire the faculty of becoming equally
absorbed in the idea he is concentrating upon,  so that he may shut out  the
world  of sense from his consciousness and give his whole attention  to  the
spiritual world.   When he learns to do that, he will see the spiritual side
of an object or idea illuminated by spiritual light, and thus he will obtain
a knowledge of the inner nature of things undreamt of by a worldly man.

   When  he has reached that point of abstraction the sense centers  of  the
desire body commence to revolve slowly within the dense body,  and will thus
make  a place for themselves.   This in time will become more and  more  de-
fined, and it will require less and less effort to set them going.

   The subject of concentration may be any high and lofty ideal,  but should
preferably  be of such a nature that it takes the aspirant out of the  ordi-
nary things of sense,  beyond time and space; and there is no better formula
than the first five verses of St.  John's Gospel.   Taking them as  subject,
sentence by sentence,  morning after morning, will in time give the aspirant
a  wonderful  insight into the beginning of our universe and the  method  of
creation--an insight far beyond any book learning.

   After a time,  when the aspirant has learned to unwaveringly hold  before
him for about five minutes the idea upon which he is concentrating,  he  may
try to suddenly drop the idea and  leave  a  blank.  Think  of nothing else,

[PAGE 1607]

simply  wait to see if anything enters the vacuum.   In time the sights  and
scenes of the Desire World will fill the vacant space.   After the  aspirant
has become used to that,  he may demand this,  that,  or the other thing  to
come before him.  It will come and then he may investigate it.

   The main point,  however, is that BY FOLLOWING THE ABOVE INSTRUCTIONS THE
ASPIRANT IS PURIFYING HIMSELF;  HIS AURA COMMENCES TO SHINE AND WILL WITHOUT
FAIL  DRAW THE ATTENTION OF A TEACHER who will depute someone to  give  help
when  required for the next step in advancement.   Even if months  or  years
should  go by and bring no VISIBLE result,  rest assured that no effort  has
been in vain;  the Great Teachers see and appreciate our efforts.   They are
just as anxious to have our assistance as we are to work.  They may see rea-
sons  which make it inexpedient for us to take up work for humanity in  this
life or at this time.   Sometime the hindering conditions will pass,  and we
shall be admitted to the light where we can see for ourselves.

   An  ancient  legend says that digging for treasure must be  done  in  the
stillness of night and in perfect silence; to speak one word until the trea-
sure is safely excavated will inevitably cause it to disappear.   That is  a
mystic parable which has reference to the search for spiritual illumination.
If we gossip or recount to others the experiences of our concentration  hour
we lose them;  they can not bear vocal transmission and will fade into noth-
ingness, until by meditation we have extracted from them a full knowledge of
the  underlying  cosmic laws.   Then the experience itself will not  be  re-
counted,  for we shall see that it is but the husk which hid the  kernel  of
worth.  The  law  is of universal value, as will be at once apparent, for it

[PAGE 1608]

will explain facts in life, teach us how to take advantage of certain condi-
tions and to avoid others.  The law may be freely stated at the discoverer's
discretion for the benefit of humanity.   The experience which revealed  the
law  will  then appear in its true light,  as of only passing  interest  and
unworthy of further notice.  Therefore THE ASPIRANT SHOULD REGARD EVERYTHING
THAT  HAPPENS DURING CONCENTRATION AS SACRED AND SHOULD KEEP IT STRICTLY  TO
HIMSELF.

   Finally,  BEWARE OF REGARDING THE EXERCISES AS A BURDENSOME TASK.   ESTI-
MATE THEM AT THEIR TRUE WORTH;  THEY ARE OUR HIGHEST PRIVILEGES.   Only when
thus regarded can we do them justice and reap full benefit from them.

                           *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

   In the Rosicrucian movement the Elder Brothers distinguish between  three
classes:

   First, STUDENTS, those who are merely studying the Philosophy.

   People  of various denominations enter educational institutions  such  as
Harvard or Yale,  and study mythology, psychology,  and comparative religion
there without prejudice to their religious affiliations.   Students may  en-
roll with us on the very same basis.  Anyone is eligible who is not a HYPNO-
TIST, OR PROFESSIONALLY ENGAGED AS A MEDIUM, PALMIST, OR ASTROLOGER.

   Second, PROBATIONERS, who are students but who aspire to firsthand knowl-
edge  to fit themselves for service.  To these,  the General Secretary  will
furnish a pledge wherein the aspirant promises HIMSELF faithfully to perform
the two exercises, to keep a daily record of his performance,  and send that
record  monthly  to  Headquarters.  The  term  of probation is at least five

[PAGE 1609]

years,  and has for its purpose to test the earnestness and  persistence  of
the aspirant,  and TO GIVE HIM THE OPPORTUNITY TO PURIFY HIMSELF BEFORE TAK-
ING  UP THE MORE DIRECT METHODS OF TRAINING INCIDENT TO  DISCIPLESHIP.   The
report  is also designed to be a help to the aspirant in the performance  of
the exercises.  It is human nature to want to make as good a showing as pos-
sible, and the aspirant will thus try to do better, knowing that his work is
being inspected.

   When  a  person has been a student of the Rosicrucian  teachings  for  at
least two years and has become so convinced of the verity thereof that he is
prepared  to  sever  his  connection with  all  other  occult  or  religious
orders--THE CHRISTIAN CHURCHES AND FRATERNAL ORDERS EXCEPTED--he may  assume
the Obligation which admits him to the degree of Probationer.

   We  do not mean to insinuate by the foregoing that all other  schools  of
occultism are of no account--far from it.  Many roads lead to Rome,  but  we
shall attain with much less effort if we follow one of them than if we  zig-
zag from path to path.   Our time and energy are limited in the first  place
and  are still further curtailed by family and social duties not to  be  ne-
glected for self-development.   It is to husband the minimum of energy which
we may legitimately expend upon ourselves,  and to avoid waste of the scanty
moments at our disposal,  that resignation from all other orders is insisted
upon by the leaders.

   The world is an aggregate of opportunities,  but to take advantage of any
of  them  we  must  possess  efficiency  in  a  certain  line  of  endeavor.
Development  of  our  spiritual powers will enable us to help  or  harm  our
weaker brothers.   It is only justifiable when efficiency in SERVICE TO  HU-
MANITY IS THE OBJECT.

[PAGE 1610]

   The  Rosicrucian method of attainment differs from other systems  in  one
especial particular:   It aims,  even at the start,  to emancipate the pupil
from  dependence upon others,  to make him SELF-RELIANT in the very  highest
degree,  so that he may be able to stand alone under all  circumstances  and
cope with all conditions.  Only one who is thus strongly poised can help the
weak.

   When  a number of people meet in a class or circle  for  self-development
along  NEGATIVE lines,  results are usually achieved in a short time on  the
principle  that it is easier to drift with the tide than to breast the  cur-
rent.   The medium is not master of his actions,  however,  but a slave of a
spirit control.  Hence such gatherings must be shunned by Probationers.

   Even  classes which meet in positive attitude of mind are not advised  by
the Elder Brothers,  because the latent powers of all members are massed and
visions  of the inner worlds obtained by anyone there are partly due to  the
faculties of others.   The heat of coal in the center of a fire is  enhanced
by that of surrounding coals,  and the clairvoyant produced in a circle,  be
it ever so positive,  is a hothouse plant,  too dependent himself to be  en-
trusted with the care of others.

   Therefore  each Probationer in the Rosicrucian school performs his  exer-
cises  in the seclusion and privacy of his room.   Results may  be  obtained
more slowly by this system,  but when they appear,  they will be manifest as
powers cultivated by himself, usable independently of all others.   Besides,
the  Rosicrucian methods build character at the same time that they  develop
spiritual faculties,  and thus safeguard the pupil against yielding to temp-
tation to prostitute divine powers for material gain.

[PAGE 1611]

   The foregoing does not include giving up the whole time of the  candidate
to spiritual endeavor.   If no more time can be given,  five minutes in  the
morning and fifteen minutes at night will suffice.  In fact,  to give up any
time  to  development  of spiritual faculties which should be  used  in  le-
gitimate  material endeavor would be decidedly wrong.   We must do our  full
duty  in  the material world before we may serve in  the  spiritual  realms.
Whoever  is faithless to his earthly duty cannot be expected to be  faithful
in spiritual work.

   When sixty CONSECUTIVE reports have been sent in the candidate may  apply
for individual instruction, which will be given if possible.

   Third,  DISCIPLES,  who have completed the term of probation and been ac-
cepted by the Elder Brothers, are given individual instruction.   Tuition is
free.

   During  the  past  few  years since we first  began  to  disseminate  the
Rosicrucian  teachings,  they have spread over the  whole  civilized  world.
They  are  studied  with avidity from the Cape of Good Hope  to  the  Arctic
Circle and beyond;  they have found response in the hearts of all classes of
people.   They are known in the snow-clad huts of Alaska and  in  government
houses where a tropical wind unfurls the British Lion.   In the capitals  of
Turkish autocracy and American democracy alike,  our adherents may be found,
all  in lively correspondence and close touch with our movement and  working
for  promulgation of the deeper truths concerning Life and Being  which  are
helping them.

Continued with file "RC1044.TXT"

End of File

