contents - AMORC

is a part of the price we must pay for our ideals,
to be criticized by those who have little or no
understanding of our studies or philosophy.
To many misinformed or uninformed
people, we are dreamers, seeking an escape
from the normal responsibilities of life. But
the study of mysticism is not an escape from
The study of mysticism is not an escape
from life.
life. Rather, we, as Rosicrucian students, are
confronted with many obstacles which stand in
the way of reaching our ideals. But by meeting
these obstacles head on, which in the main are
our own shortcomings and deficiencies, we will
have the opportunity to ascend the spiral of our
own personal development.
We strive unsuccessfully to find more than
a handful of leaders of character who can show
the way to greater and more meaningful values.
There are very few men and women today that
can be justifiably called great. Paging through
history however, we see how at various times men
and women of remarkable insight and genius
emerged and brought long-lasting inspiration to
humanity. They were writers, artists, philosophers
and of course mystics of the highest calibre. They
taught the world how to think and have moved
human hearts and minds by the unselfish power
and compassion they demonstrated.
The Highest Ideals
If there is anything that we need today to give
us a proper perspective of the mystical life, it
is the inspiration of those whose lives
exemplified the highest ideals of human
attainment. There is nothing so helpful
for acquiring a true perspective of life
and of our place in it, than the study and
review of the works of the great thinkers of the
past. Knowledge and experience alone lead to a
proper perspective of life, and knowledge and
experience alone will bring that peace of mind
which is so necessary in these conflicting and
disturbing times.
When we are dedicated to our best conduct
and when we strive to achieve a greater degree
of mystical development, we come into harmony
and cooperation on the psychic plane with many
others of like thoughts and interests. There
The Rosicrucian Beacon -- September 2006
is a companionship on the higher planes of
consciousness that we are not always aware of.
Another thought we should consider is that when
we study the works of these great luminaries of
the past, whether they were mystics or not, by
our own devotion to their work, a bond is formed
between us, which leads to much insight and
inspiration. The works of many writers
and artists reveal this fact. By devoting
ourselves to the inspired works of these
great thinkers and innovators, we can
experience an intuitive understanding of
their thoughts and ideals.
It is only natural that, under the pressures
of modern daily living, we sometimes feel out
of harmony with our present way of life. There
is a conflict between the ideal path envisaged
by our studies and the environment in which
we live. Our lesson here is to adjust to all the
circumstances which confront us. We must not
avoid, but penetrate these problems more deeply
and endeavour to view them from an impersonal
point of view. We thereby gain insight and
strength from such experiences, for this is the
way of advancement. We so often cut off the very
experiences or opportunities for advancement,
under the misconception that these antagonisms
have nothing to do with mystical or spiritual
evolution. The truth is however that from such
experiences our character is developed, resulting
in a greater understanding of life and its broader
purpose.
Our association with others creates many
of our difficulties. But these problems can teach
us much. By standing detached and apart from
others periodically, we can come to understand
We exercise the spiritual will to achieve
some useful purpose.
what these obstacles really mean, and we must
learn to adjust to them. For in our service to
others, it is imperative that we understand the
problems of life before we attempt to serve the
needs of others.
Using Knowledge
When one first enters on the path of spiritual
enlightenment, there is usually no great difficulty
in accumulating a great deal of knowledge about
mystical principles and beliefs. The assimilation
45