Shh...don’t tell!!!
If you can listen, learn, but not repeat what you’ve learned, then you’ll probably be welcomed into the world of the Ancient Mystical Order of Rosicrucians (AMORC). The organization considers itself a teaching, not a religion.
And the group is proud of its secrecy. Writes Samuel Lidell MacGregor Mathers (1854-1918), occult scholar and leader, in writing about imposter organizations and the “True Rosicrucians”:
“We are a secret Order, pursuing our studies in secret, and our Neophytes must be prepared not only to take, but also to keep a most solemn Oath of Secrecy as to our Rituals, Ceremonies, and Formulas, in which, however, there is nothing contrary to the civil, moral, or religious duties of the aspirant, also there is nothing to shock her or his self-respect. The grades follow in succession like the rungs of a ladder, or the steps of a staircase, each with its particular studies, its rituals, ceremonies and formulas, and its own particular Obligation of Secrecy.”
When I lived in Mountain View, Calif., I was living only about *20 minutes from the beautiful US Rosicrucian headquarter facilities in San Jose. I visited the headquarters several times, fascinated with the artifacts in the museum and other structures. I also was curious about what was going on behind the doors that I was not allowed to enter.
I had no agenda. I simply wanted to know more about the group that hosted open houses to show off their Egyptian-styled buildings and a wide range of beautiful Egyptian art and gifts, yet smiled quizzically when asked about their teachings. As curious as I was, I quickly learned that you learn only what the order makes public, though increasingly the information that is becoming public is now plentiful!
In the hidden corridors of those beautiful structures lie secrets that are centuries old.
Public Information on the Rosicrucians: Unverified!
The first widespread publicity of the AMORC came about in Germany in the early 17th century, when two anonymous Manifestos were published to great notoriety. According to the Manifestos, the Rosicrucian Order was founded a century earlier by a certain Christian Rosencreutz, a poor descendant of nobility who was cloistered at an early age with the Jesuit Order.
The story is told that after training with the Jesuits as a youth, Rosencreutz travelled to the Holy Land to learn the art of healing. He continued to travel, learning mathematics, alchemy, and magic from the Arabs, biology from the Egyptians, cabala from the Spanish.
Then, according to the account in Fraternitas, he returned to his native land, where he formed a secret group. This was made up of himself and three of the brothers of his cloister, and the group’s mission was to preserve the arts and learning that Rosencruetz acquired on his journeys.
The brothers completed a building, called the Sancti Spiritus (Holy Spirit), then added four more men to the group. The Rosicrucian Order was formed.
The men agreed that secrecy was necessary to fully explore the philosophy of the order. They further agreed to split up and travel the world, curing the sick. Once a year, they were to meet at Spiritus Sanctus, and they were each charged with appointing a successor to carry on their work. The order was to remain secret for 100 years.
Today, several groups use the name “Rosicrucian” as it was not copyrighted. However, only those with the AMORC in its name are considered the “True Rosicrucians,” which has millions of followers throughout the world. (http://www.amorc.org)
Many who are acquainted with Free Masonry would equate the teachings of AMORC as being the same. But, according to the research, this is a fallacy. Each group is unique and has its own rites and teachings, though there are many similarities.
Beyond these similarilities, other groups claim alliances with the Rosicrucians, including the Rosicrucian Fellowship: "An association of Christian Mystics." For more on this group: http://www.rosicrucian.com
The AMORC in different levels is very selective about choosing candidates for initiation. Members can be of any denomination, whether Christian or Buddhist and can continue in their religious pracitices without interruption in AMORC. Candidates are admitted through their initiation in a local lodge. The Outer Order is formed by initiates of the tradition of mysteries and is aimed at its member's evolution of Wisdom, Love and Liberty. The Inner Order consists of enlightened adepts of the High Mysteries.
The AMORC is divided in lodges, chapters and study and meditation groups.
The highest committee is the Supreme Council, consisting of members of the international Grand Lodge. The different language zones are under the guidance of a Grandmaster with full power of authority within his area. The present souveran Grandmaster is Hamid Mirzaie. Studying takes place at home and in local groups. Initiations and ritual meetings are restricted to the lodges.
Teachings
Rosicrucian studies provide specific knowledge of metaphysics, mysticism, psychology, parapsychology, philosophy, and science not taught by conventional educational systems or traditional religions. Members also learn techniques for relaxation and meditation, how to use visualization as a tool to achieve goals and other personal empowerment strategies.
Members of the AMORC do not pay for studying the teachings. They are provided with weekly lessons, called monographs, studied for 90 minutes once a week, as part of membership into the order. The three main elements of Rosicrucian membership are: the system of home study lessons, the Order’s initiatic tradition, and the fraternal activities of Rosicrucian Lodges.
Those students beginning the lessons are called “neophytes.” They’re immediately taught about the duality of human nature, i.e. in addition to the five physical senses, every person also has a psychic sense. The neophytes are taught about mysticism and how to develop psychic powers. After that, they move into the second and third atrium. Altogether, this program of study takes about 18 months.
With completion of the third atrium the student is no longer a “neophyte,” and is moved into the “temple” where they progress from the first degree to the final “ninth” temple degree.
Course Samples
A sampling of course for Neophytes:
• Illusory Nature of Time and Space
• Human Consciousness and Cosmic Consciousness
• Rosicrucian Technique of Meditation
• Development of the Intuition
• Introduction to: Human Aura, Telepathy,
Metaphysical Healing,
• Mystical Sounds, Spiritual Alchemy
First Atrium
In the introductory lessons neophytes are taught about the fundamental principles of consciousness. The First Atrium goes further, exploring consciousness as the organizing principle of matter, and explaining the composition and structure of matter and its vibratory nature. Neophytes also learn how the creative power of thought affects the material world. This power is demonstrated through exercises in the techniques of concentration, visualization, and mental creation.
Topics include:
• Structure and Composition of Matter
• Power of Thought
• The Creative Power of Visualization
• Mental Projection and Telepathy
• Law of the triangle.
Second Atrium
Understanding the connection between mind and matter is expanded to include the connection between the mind and the physical body. The Second Atrium explores how your thoughts influence health, the role of proper breathing in psychic development as well as health and vitality, and Rosicrucian healing techniques. As the student develops the body's psychic centers, he/she is expected to gradually awaken psychic faculties, such as the ability to perceive aura. They will also experience the mystical effect of sounds on the psychic centers as well as on the physical body.
Topics include:
• Origin of Diseases
• Influence of Thoughts on Health
• Mystical Art of Breathing
• Rosicrucian Healing Treatments
• Perception of the Aura
• Awakening of the Psychic Consciousness
• Mystical Sounds
Third Atrium
The Third Atrium moves beyond the physical body and the psychic faculties into the realm of the mystical. As students become more attuned with the inner source of wisdom, they are expected to become more receptive to the subtle inner promptings of intuition, inspiration, and illumination. These lessons also explore the nature of soul and spiritual evolution, reincarnation and karma, and the cycles of the soul.
Topics include:
• The Great Religious Movements
• The Nature of Soul
• Purpose of our Spiritual Evolution
• Reincarnation and Karma
• Good and Evil and Free Will
• Intuition, Inspiration, and Illumination
Studies in the Neophyte section established the foundation for the lessons of the Temple Degrees. Now the Temple Degrees will further develop these elements, providing additional depth and practical applications of the principles. Altogether the program of study takes approximately five years.
Symbols
The term Rosicrucian (symbol: the Rose Cross) describes a secret society of mystics, allegedly formed in late mediaeval Germany, holding a doctrine "built on esoteric truths of the ancient past", which, "concealed from the average man, provide insight into nature, the physical universe and the spiritual realm."
The cross symbolically represents the human body and the rose represents the individual’s unfolding consciousness. Together, the rose and cross represent the experiences and challenges of a thoughtful life well lived.
About Mysticism
With the AMORC, there is a total focus on mysticism:
“Mysticism can be defined as an experience where one personally knows, through direct knowledge, the source of all being. Many call this source God; others, the cosmic. The point is, the experience is noetic. We know, not believe through faith or know only through scientific observation, but we simply and truly know.
The art of mysticism can be learned. The work of the Rosicrucian Order is to initiate the student to the techniques where mystical knowledge can be readily attained. This knowledge when properly accessed is ultimately rational.”
Goal
The order's main aim is the development of the brotherhood of humanity through the expression of perfect wisdom, love and liberty:
• universal spiritual development
• universal health
• universal political freedom
• universal religious freedom
• universal education
• universal prosperity
• universal peace
These are all awesome goals! So, even if I knew the "secret" to achieving them, I doubt that I, too, would share it!
Namaste’,
Che’
NOTE: *I now am located only 30 minutes from the headquarters. For more information on AMORC, go to http://www.rosicrucian.org. Next month, we'll look at Seventh Day Adventists.
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