< Back A storm of the Spirit effervesces and drives to deep Gnostic awakening volume 38 nr 2 2016 - Two Introduction Wonderment and inquisitiveness are both a blessing and a curse. No animal will wonder why it lives, why it walks around here. But a human being will search and search again. Ever further he searches to control his world and the material plane. But does he also control the depths of his spirit? An inward search is something that is awe-inspiring. Whoever undertakes it with some subtlety, will discover frightening aspects of him/herself, as well as sparkling colours of goodwill and love. Necessary for it is a measure of curiosity as well as a longing to reach a purity of soul. Wherein lies the origin of a conscious way of living? Is it hunger, a drive for food? Is it the drive to protect our personal circle, our own family or community? Was it a yearning for emotions and feelings that have made us intelligent and caused the thinking faculty to develop? Or is it something quite different? Is it a gentle breeze - something inexpressible? A flask of dew, at the summer’s break of day, which made you go searching, and gather roses, in the service of mankind? And didn’t you then learn, through that delightful bouquet of gifts, how true the line is from Gilbert Bécaud’s chanson: L’important, c’est la rose… That it is the rose that is essential? Download PDF Articles in this issue... 04 The Wisdom of the Serpent - J. van Rijckenborgh 08 The Wisdom of the Waitaha: The insights of Winfried Altmann 16 The power of expression in Athens - Observations of a visitor 19 A Golden Footprint 20 The little paper boat - J. Anker Larsen 30 The Fiery Triangle 34 A lifetime advocate of the Gnosis: Interview with Timothy Freke 41 The Center - Essay 54 American presentations - Book review Italo Calvino 58 The forgotten word 61 The dragon 63 The dragon slayer of Brixen Previous Next

<< Retourner Prochain > Spiritual Contemplation Noël Spirituel - 15 - Sept principes fondamentaux pour votre vie Noël Spirituel - Français 05-01 Récit 15 Chapitres 63 et 64 de L'Évangile du Verseau : Jean prêche. Jésus est baptisé par Jean dans le Jourdain. Récit: Récit 15 de l'après-midi du 05 janvier: Jean prêche. Jésus est baptisé par Jean dans le Jourdain. Ecoutez… PDF Réflexion Réflexion 15 pour le 05 de janvier: Sept principes fondamentaux pour votre vie Ecoutez... PDF Récit: Récit 15 de l'après-midi du 05 janvier: Jean prêche. Jésus est baptisé par Jean dans le Jourdain. Jean descendit à Jéricho, où il demeura avec Alphée. Quand le peuple apprit qu'il était là, il vint en foule pour l'entendre parler. Il ne parlait à personne ; mais, au moment voulu, il descendit au bord du Jourdain, et il dit à la foule : Réformez-vous et, dans la source de pureté, lavez tous vos péchés ; le royaume est proche. Venez à moi et lavez-vous dans les eaux de ce torrent, symbole de la purification intérieure de l'âme. Et voici que les foules descendirent et se lavèrent dans le Jourdain, et chacun confessa ses péchés. Pendant plusieurs mois, dans toutes les régions avoisinantes, Jean prônait la pureté et la justice, et après bien des jours, il retourna à Béthanie, où il enseignait. Au début, il n'y avait guère que les honnêtes chercheurs qui venaient ; mais, de plus en plus, les égoïstes et les malveillants venaient sans contrition ; ils venaient parce que le plus grand nombre venait. Voyant venir à lui les Pharisiens et les Sadducéens repentants, Jean leur dit : «Enfants de vipères, restez là ; êtes-vous troublés par la nouvelle de la fureur qui va s'abattre sur vous ? Allez faire ce qui prouve que la repentance est véritable. Vous suffit-il de dire que vous êtes héritiers d'Abraham ? Je vous dis que non. Les héritiers d'Abraham sont aussi méchants aux yeux de Dieu que n'importe quel païen lorsqu'ils font le mal. Voici la hache : et tout arbre qui ne porte pas de bons fruits est coupé à la racine et jeté au feu. Le peuple demanda alors : Que devons-nous faire ? Jean répondit : Acceptez le ministère d'assistance à toute l'humanité ; ne dépensez pas pour votre égoïsme tout ce que vous avez. Que celui qui a deux tuniques en donne une à celui qui n'en a pas ; donnez une partie de tout ce que vous avez à manger à ceux qui sont dans le besoin. Les Publicains s'approchèrent et demandèrent : Que devons-nous faire ? Jean leur répondit : Travaillez honnêtement ; n'augmentez pas à des fins personnelles le tribut que vous percevez ; ne prenez rien de plus que ce que votre roi demande. Les soldats arrivèrent et demandèrent : Que devons-nous faire ? le messager répondit : Ne faites violence à personne, ne faites rien d'injuste, et contentez-vous du salaire que vous recevrez. Parmi les Juifs, beaucoup attendaient la venue du Christ, et ils considéraient Jean comme le Christ. Mais à leurs questions, Jean répondit : "Je purifie dans l'eau, symbole de la purification de l'âme ; mais quand viendra celui qui doit venir, voici qu'il purifiera dans le Souffle divin et qu'il purifiera dans le feu. Son éventail est dans sa main, et il séparera le bon grain de l'ivraie ; il jettera l'ivraie, mais il recueillera chaque grain de blé. Celui-là est le Christ. Voici qu'il vient ; il marchera avec vous, et vous ne le reconnaîtrez pas. C'est lui le roi ; moi, je ne suis pas digne de délier la courroie de ses souliers. Jean quitta Béthanie et retourna au bord du Jourdain. _ _ _ _ La nouvelle parvint en Galilée, et Jésus, avec la foule, descendit à l'endroit où le prophète prêchait au bord du rivage. Quand Jésus vit l'annonciateur, il dit : Voici l'homme de Dieu ! Voici le plus grand des prophètes ! Voici Élie qui est revenu ! Voici le messager que Dieu a envoyé pour ouvrir le chemin ! Le royaume est proche. Quand Jean vit Jésus debout au milieu de la foule, il dit : Voici le roi qui vient au nom de Dieu ! Jésus dit à Jean : Je veux être lavé dans l'eau, symbole de la purification de l'âme. Jean lui répondit : Tu n'as pas besoin de te laver, car tes pensées, tes paroles et tes actes sont purs. Et si tu as besoin de te laver, je ne suis pas digne d'accomplir ce sacrement. Jésus dit : "Je suis venu pour être un modèle pour les fils des hommes, et ce que je leur dis de faire, je dois le faire moi-même ; et tous les hommes doivent être lavés, ce qui symbolise la purification de l'âme. Ce lavage, nous l'établissons comme un rite - le rite du baptême, c'est ainsi que nous l'appelons maintenant, et c'est ainsi qu'il s'appellera à l'avenir. Ton travail, annonciateur prophétique, est de préparer le chemin et de révéler les choses cachées. Les multitudes sont prêtes à recevoir les paroles de vie, et je viens me faire connaître par vous au monde entier, en tant que prophète du Dieu trois fois saint, et en tant qu'élu pour manifester le Christ aux hommes. Alors Jean conduisit Jésus dans le fleuve, au gué, et il le baptisa au nom sacré de celui qui l'avait envoyé manifester le Christ aux hommes. Au sortir du fleuve, le Souffle divin, sous forme d'une colombe, descendit et se posa sur la tête de Jésus. Une voix venant du ciel dit : Celui-ci est le fils bien-aimé de Dieu, le Christ, l'amour de Dieu manifesté. Jean entendit la voix et comprit le message de la voix. Jésus s'en alla, et Jean prêcha à la foule. Tous ceux qui confessaient leurs péchés et se détournaient de la mauvaise voie pour revenir à la bonne, le messager les baptisait, symbole de l'effacement des péchés par la vertu. » Réflexion Réflexion 15 pour le 05 de janvier: Sept principes fondamentaux pour votre vie À l'heure actuelle, les aspects spirituels les plus profonds des grandes leçons que Jésus a données au monde peuvent être compris et réalisés par des millions de personnes En tant qu'humanité, nous nous trouvons au début d'une nouvelle ère avec de grandes possibilités qui durera plus de 2100 ans : l'ère du Verseau. À l'heure actuelle, les aspects spirituels les plus profonds des grandes leçons que Jésus a données au monde peuvent être compris et réalisés par des millions de personnes, car les possibilités d'atteindre un état élevé de conscience spirituelle n'ont jamais été aussi grandes qu'aujourd'hui. Sur notre chemin de vie, nous pouvons nous fier à notre moi intérieur le plus profond et à la Sagesse mise à la disposition de l'humanité. Si nous voulons entreprendre un chemin spirituel, il nous faut cependant plus : l'acte, l'action intelligente en harmonie avec la connaissance intérieure et les enseignements obtenus. C'est ce qui compte. Parce que l'intellect humain est loin d'être complet, il sert un grand objectif ! Et la foi ne signifiera jamais l'adhésion à un système, mais plutôt utiliser l'opportunité de convertir la force du cœur en un acte conscient. Le cœur, la tête et les mains : toute action consciente - qu'elle soit intérieure ou extérieure - qui provient d'une connaissance intérieure, en est un témoignage. Si vous voulez déterminer le cours de votre vie du point de vue de la spiritualité gnostique, il est important de savoir d'où vous venez, où vous êtes et dans quelle direction vous pouvez aller. Les sept sages définissent sept principes fondamentaux (sept postulats) qui reflètent le cheminement spirituel intérieur de l'ère du Verseau. Les sept principes fondamentaux ou axiomes sont basés sur l'idée formulée par Lao-Tseu: "Celui qui connaît le début de l'origine a le fil du Tao entre les mains". Ces principes sont abstraits, mais ils seront compris par un nombre croissant de personnes à mesure que la pensée humaine sera de moins en moins conditionnée par ce qui est perçu par les sens. Au chapitre 60 de L'Évangile du Verseau, Jésus dit : « L'histoire de la vie est bien condensée dans ces postulats immortels. Ce sont les sept collines sur lesquelles sera bâtie la cité sainte. Ce sont les sept pierres de fondation fiables sur lesquelles l'Église universelle s'élèvera. L'homme n'est pas assez avancé dans la pensée sacrée pour comprendre l'Église universelle, et le travail que Dieu m'a donné à faire n'est donc pas la construction de cette Église. Je suis un artisan, envoyé pour faire un modèle de l'Église qui doit être - un modèle que l'époque puisse comprendre. Et lorsque les temps meilleurs viendront, l'Église universelle se fondera sur les sept postulats et sera construite selon le modèle donné. » On peut déduire de l'introduction à l'Évangile du Verseau que, dans ce passage, Jésus désigne l'ère des Poissons comme "l'âge" et l'ère du Verseau comme "l'âge meilleur". Ici, un "âge" est une douzième partie d'un cycle solaire d'environ 26 000 ans. Chaque année solaire traverse 12 périodes différentes qui sont influencées astronomiquement par un signe du zodiaque bien connu. L'année solaire est le résultat du mouvement de rotation conique de l'axe de la terre. Lorsque nous formulons de manière claire et concise les idées sur lesquelles reposent les sept principes fondamentaux de l'Évangile du Verseau et que nous les relions à ce que nous avons discuté jusqu'à présent dans les réflexions du recueil ''Noël Spirituel'', leur ordre et leur relation deviennent clairs. Le premier principe : La création commence par la pensée. Le Dieu inconnaissable crée également par la pensée. Deuxième principe : Il existe un plan divin grandiose de création qui évolue selon certaines lois. L'homme en fait également partie et est appelé à collaborer à la réalisation de ce plan de création. L'homme était à l'origine un être purement spirituel. Le troisième principe : En raison de ses puissants désirs, l'homme spirituel originel a sombré dans le domaine de la matière, ce qui a entraîné une disharmonie entre toutes les formes de vie et la disparition de la relation vitale entre l'homme et le domaine divin supérieur. Le quatrième principe : Cet "homme spirituel tombé" a dégénéré et a été relié à un corps physique et à une personnalité terrestre qui se développent quasi automatiquement jusqu'à une forme plus ou moins parfaite. Il grandit comme une plante, atteignant une limite à partir de laquelle il devient possible de s'élever vers la vie spirituelle. La personnalité, sur la base d'un désir intérieur, commence à se préparer à l'éveil et au renouvellement spirituels. Jean naît, grandit et commence à préparer le chemin. Cinquième principe : L'âme nouvelle (Jésus) naît et grandit dans l'être humain physique sur la base de la volonté et de la foi, de l'amour du prochain et de l'amour universel. Grâce à cette nouvelle âme, l'homme peut à nouveau entrer en contact avec l'esprit. L'esprit n'est pas le mental, mais le "Souffle divin", la force de guérison. Sixième principe : La nouvelle âme grandit et devient plus forte. La lumière intérieure dissipe les vices de la personnalité. L'ensemble du système humain est désormais un temple préparé dans lequel vivra la Force cosmique du Christ. Septième principe : La Force du Christ transforme toutes les essences de l'âme humaine en " Souffle divin ". Grâce à ce processus alchimique intérieur, grâce à cette transfiguration, l'être humain peut retourner à la haute sphère divine dont il est issu. La personnalité, l'âme et l'esprit forment à nouveau une trinité active et harmonieuse. Le voyage de retour vers notre terre spirituelle natale est achevé. Selon le sage chinois Meng-Tseu, il était nécessaire de formuler ces principes de base. Les vêtements des ancêtres, dit-il, étaient usés jusqu'à la corde et l'humanité aspirait à plus de lumière parce qu'elle avait atteint un niveau de penser plus élevé. Ce que l'on entend par "vêtements", c'est l'ensemble des formes extérieures dans lesquelles la sagesse divine s'exprime. Les écritures sacrées et les rituels sont comme des vêtements : ils expriment quelque chose de la sagesse divine, mais ils ne sont pas la Gnose elle-même. Les sept principes de base révèlent une image cosmique presque impossible à imaginer pour l'esprit humain. Ils décrivent le grand plan de développement de la création dans lequel la loi hermétique bien connue s'applique toujours : "Ce qui est en haut est comme ce qui est en bas" et : "Ce qui est le plus grand est aussi le plus petit". Ces principes abstraits contiennent donc des directives universelles et utiles pour l'être humain qui veut être un "disciple de l'âme". Les directives pour la vie quotidienne de l'être humain qui veut se développer dans le sens spirituel le plus élevé sont basées sur l'Amour et dérivées des sept principes fondamentaux de l'Évangile du Verseau. Elles s'adressent au cœur, à la tête et aux mains. Purifiez vos pensées en vous concentrant sur ce qu'il y a de plus élevé en vous, car la pensée est une activité créatrice. Chaque créateur est lié à sa créature. Joignez votre harmonie aux sept forces créatrices et animatrices qui émanent de l'Un. Elles ont façonné l'être humain et contribuent à construire le royaume de l'âme en nous. Ne dirigez pas votre lampe vers les attraits de ce monde. Faites attention à vos désirs. Ils tirent souvent l'âme vers le bas, dans le monde des sens, dans lequel l'âme s'empêtre. Reconnaissez votre grande tâche en tant que personnalité, car vous êtes le sol dans lequel la graine de l'homme véritable doit germer et croître comme la plante. Fiez-vous à votre connaissance intérieure et suivez-la, car la foi est une force qui libère l'amour inconditionnel de l'âme. L'âme est attirée vers la lumière absolue par quatre coursiers : la volonté et la foi, l'amour du prochain et l'amour universel. Laissez le processus de renouvellement s'achever en vous en suivant votre chemin intérieur, car alors toutes les choses des sens se transformeront en attributs de l'âme. C'est dans l'unité, la liberté et l'amour que l'âme construit le Royaume de l'âme, l'Église universelle, qui n'a pas été faite de main d'homme. Le Souffle divin et guérisseur peut alors se répandre dans l'âme et transformer l'être humain en l'être spirituel qu'il était à l'origine. Acceptez ces sept pierres de touche car elles sont les sept étapes par lesquelles le Christ peut descendre dans l'âme. Les mystères de l'Amour se trouvent au plus profond de votre cœur. Le Christ, l'amour universel, vit là où résident aussi vos passions. Ces sept principes sont les voies de la Gnose universelle par lesquelles les grands processus cosmiques peuvent s'accomplir en vous. Et ils vous invitent à les suivre, par la compréhension intérieure. NarrativeTextAnchor ReflectionTextAnchor

< Back Dei Gloria Intacta The Christian Mystery of Initiation of the Holy Rosycross for the New Era Get PDF Book Details: Pages 206 ISBN 9789067321181 Publisher Rozekruis Pers Published 1962 Publishers Code 4026 Jan van Rijckenborgh In Dei Gloria Intacta the author offers a Gnostic perspective on the esoteric Seven Letters in the Book of Revelations. The seven 'churches' addressed by John are in Ashia: that part of humanity ripe for renewal. The Seven Letters describe a way of initiation of cosmic dimensions, a process of rebirth of body, soul and spirit. The candidate for renewal is led by the Christ-power through three phases, each described and linked to the seven planetary spheres. As the consciousness of the candidate expands, an ever-greater perspective opens before the inner eye. Summary One of the challenges faced by every seeker after Truth is that of correctly understanding the veiled language and symbolism often used in the Universal Teachings presented to humanity throughout history. In this book, Jan van Rijckenborgh unveils the esoteric significance and deeper meanings of the symbolism found in the Seven Letters to Ashia, addressed by John in the Book of Revelations. By bringing to light the Universal Seven Spirit and its manifestation as an aspect of the pupils’ path, the author shows how the new souls’ unification with the Spirit can be seen as progressing through seven steps, seven tasks, seven aspects of soul development, reflected in the Seven Letters to Ashia. In a language that is directed to the heart, the mystery surrounding this new birth and unification are explained to the reader based on the spiritual imperatives interwoven in this language. The reader is therefore taken on an inner journey of the soul; a journey that begins in the stone-hard reality of his present state of being, ending in the new Soul’s reunification with the Spirit. Read Quotes from this book... The Mercury Initiation of the First Seven-Circle Read More The Mystery of the Soul Read More Some Important Consequences: The Self Freemasonry of the New Man Read More Previous Next

< Back Le Remède Universel ​ Get PDF Book Details: Pages ​ ISBN ​ Publisher ​ Published ​ Publishers Code ​ ​ ​ Summary Read Quotes from this book... ​ Read More ​ Read More ​ Read More Previous Next

<< Back Next > Spiritual Contemplation Spiritual Christmas - 14 - Awakening of the spirit-consciousness within you Spiritual Christmas - English 04-01 Narrative 14 Chapters 58 et 59 of the Aquarian Gospel: The fundamental postulates of the seven sages Narrative: Narrative 14, for the evening of 04 January: The fundamental postulates of the seven sages Listen... PDF Reflection: Reflection 14, for 04 January: Awakening of the spirit-consciousness within you Listen... PDF Narrative: Narrative 14, for the evening of 04 January: The fundamental postulates of the seven sages Chapters 58 and 59 of the Aquarian Gospel: The fundamental postulates of the seven sages Now, when the sages were refreshed they opened up the Book of Life and read. They read the story of the life of man; of all his struggles, losses, gains; and in the light of past events and needs, they saw what would be best for him in coming years. They knew the kind of laws and precepts suited best to his estate; they saw the highest God-ideal that the race could comprehend. Upon the seven postulates these sages were to formulate, the great philosophy of life and worship of the coming age must rest. Now Meng-ste was the oldest sage; he took the chair of chief, and said, “Man is not far enough advanced to live by faith; he cannot comprehend the things his eyes see not. He yet is a child, and during all the coming age he must be taught by pictures, symbols, rites and forms. His God must be a human God; he cannot see a God by faith. And then he cannot rule himself; the king must rule; the man must serve.” The age that follows this will be the age of man, the age of faith. In that blest age the human race will see without the aid of carnal eyes; will hear the soundless sound; will know the Spirit-God. The age we enter is the Preparation age, and all the schools and governments and worship rites must be designed in a simple way that men may comprehend. And man cannot originate; he builds by patterns that he sees; so in this council we must carve out a pattern for the coming age. And we must formulate the gnosis of the Empire of the soul, which rests on seven postulates. Each sage in turn shall form a postulate; and these shall be the basis of the creeds of men until the perfect age shall come. Then Meng-ste wrote the first: All things are thought; all life is thought activity. The multitude of beings are but phases of the one great thought made manifest. Lo, God is Thought, and Thought is God. Then Vidyapati wrote the second postulate: Eternal Thought is one; in essence it is two – Intelligence and Force; and when they breathe a child is born; this child is Love. And thus the Triune God stands forth, whom men call Father-Mother-Child. This Triune God is one; but like the one of light, in essence he is seven. And when the Triune God breathes forth, lo, seven Spirits stand before his face; these are creative attributes. Men call them lesser gods, and in their image they made man. And Kaspar wrote the third: Man was a thought of God, formed in the image of the Septonate, clothed in the substances of soul. And his desires were strong; he sought to manifest on every plane of life, and for himself he made a body of the ethers of the earthly forms, and so descended to the plane of earth. In this descent he lost his birthright; lost his harmony with God, and made discordant all the notes of life. Disharmony and evil are the same; so evil is the handiwork of man. Ashbina wrote the fourth: Seeds do not germinate in light; they do not grow until they find the soil, and hide themselves away from light. Man was evolved a seed of everlasting life; but in the ethers of the Triune God the light was far too great for seeds to grow; And so man sought the soil of carnal life, and in the darksomeness of earth, he found a place where he could germinate and grow. The seed has taken root and grown full well. The tree of human life is rising from the soil of earthy things, and, under natural law, is reaching up to perfect form. There are no supernatural acts of God to lift a man from carnal life to spirit blessedness; he grows as grows the plant, and in due time is perfected. The quality of soul that makes it possible for man to rise to spirit life is purity. —– Apollo wrote the fifth: The soul is drawn to perfect light by four white steeds, and these are Will, and Faith, and Helpfulness and Love. That which one wills to do, he has the power to do. A knowledge of that power is faith; and when faith moves, the soul begins its flight. A selfish faith leads not to light. There is no lonely pilgrim on the way to light. Men only gain the heights by helping others gain the heights. The steed that leads the way to spirit life is Love; is pure unselfish Love. Matheno wrote the sixth: The universal Love of which Apollo speaks is child of Wisdom and of Will divine, and God has sent it forth to earth in flesh that man may know. The universal Love of which the sages speak, is Christ. The greatest mystery of all times lies in the way that Christ lives in the heart. Christ cannot live in clammy dens of carnal things. The seven battles must be fought, the seven victories won before the carnal things, like fear, and self, emotions and desire, are put away. When this is done the Christ will take possession of the soul; the work is done, and man and God are one. And Philo wrote the seventh: A perfect man! To bring before the Triune God a being such as this was nature made. This consummation is the highest revelation of the mystery of life. When all the essences of carnal things have been transmuted into soul, and all the essences of soul have been returned to Holy Breath, and man is made a perfect God, the drama of Creation will conclude. And this is all. And all the sages said, Amen. Then Meng-ste said, The Holy One has sent to us a man illumined by the efforts of unnumbered years, to lead the thoughts of men. This man, approved by all the master minds of heaven and earth, this man from Galilee, this Jesus, chief of all the sages of the world, we gladly recognise. In recognition of this wisdom that he brings to men, we crown him with the Lotus wreath. We send him forth with all the blessing of the seven sages of the world. Then all the sages laid their hands on Jesus’s head, and said with one accord, Praise God! For wisdom, honour, glory, power, riches, blessing, strength, are yours, O Christ, for evermore. And every living creature said, Amen. And then the sages sat in silence seven days. Reflection: Reflection 14, for 04 January: Awakening of the spirit-consciousness within you Awakening of the Spirit-Consciousness within you Man is a thinker. The word ‘man’ is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘manas’ meaning ‘thinker’. Unlike animals, the (hu)man-animal possesses a thinking faculty. That thinking faculty has played a crucial role in the development of humanity. Science, art and religion flow forth from the human mind. The thinking faculty has brought man to the greatest heights but also led him to the deepest depths. Although the development of the thinking faculty of the human being has been limited, now it is ready to grow further and serve humanity in its next step. But, presently the human being’s thought process is fed largely by what can be observed by the senses. The Aquarian Gospel says: The senses were ordained to bring into the mind mere pictures of the things that pass away; they do not deal with real things. The senses were only meant to examine the transitory, but we human beings have become so fascinated by the sensory perceivable world that we still lose ourselves in it every day. Our thinking is largely degenerated and directed to the outer world, to the knowledge of this world. An automatic and chaotic process Moreover, the thinking of the human being is mostly an automatic and chaotic process. We are generally not conscious that we are thinking. One thought calls up another one through association, which then again calls up another thought, etcetera. We are not able to observe the exalted truth of the soul with our senses and our thinking faculty. That is why in the beginning the super-natural life announces itself via the heart. Inner development is possible only on the basis of pure thinking that is nourished by the living soul. Pure thoughts do not relate directly to the sensory world but arise from inner images that well up from the heart. Pure thinking does not happen on its own but requires attention and training. Books describing the history of Western philosophy usually begin with the philosophers of Greek antiquity. These sages presented classic examples of pure thought and laid down the foundation for the development of science in the western hemisphere. That is why Jesus says to the Greek masters in Athens: Yea, all of Greece is blest. No other land has been the homeland of such mighty men of thought as grace your scrolls of fame. A host of sturdy giants of philosophy, of poetry, of science, and of art, were born upon the soil of Greece, and rocked to manhood in your cradle of pure thought. A preoccupation with science can lead to a certain purification of thought. Such scientific thinking can deflect the fascination with what is perceived with the senses, even though images will always play a role in thought. For example, pupils in the Greek mystery school of Pythagoras occupied themselves with what we now call mathematics and physics. Attempts were made to elevate thinking to the higher life which could then express itself in the sensory and observable lower life. In this way, according to the plan, human thinking could develop itself into a ‘vehicle for higher truth’. Socrates and Plato That approach, whereby spirituality and intellectual thinking go hand in hand reached its pinnacle in the schools of Socrates and Plato around the third century before Christ. By the time of Jesus, these thoughts were no longer alive in Athens. For example in the beginning of our era, the philosophy of Epicurus was in vogue. It was taught in that school that happiness was to be found especially in the experience of sensory enjoyment, in ‘carpe diem’ (seize the day). The Stoics, on the contrary, valued pure thinking above emotions. Feeling was of minor interest. The lack of true inspiration from the purified heart centre led easily to dogmatism and crystallisation. And thus through history, the human thinking facility developed via all sorts of thought-schools into a means for finding happiness, unity and truth. And as in our individual lives throughout the ages, every path had to be explored in order to arrive at a border, a border where a new path announced itself. Living experience Both science and philosophy deal with the phenomenon of perception. There is always a question of a duality in perception, a differentiation between the perceiver and the perceived. Spirituality deals with experiencing. There is unity in the living experience, an immediate and unshakable knowing that does not come from reasoning. The living spiritual experience rises above thought. Therefore Jesus says to the Greek masters: But all your high accomplishments are but stepping stones to worlds beyond the realm of sense; are but illusive shadows flitting on the walls of time. But I would tell you of a life beyond, within; a real life that cannot pass away. In science and philosophy, there is no power strong enough to fit a soul to recognise itself, or to commune with God. I would not stay the flow of your great streams of thought; but I would turn them to the channels of the soul. Unaided by the Spirit-breath, the work of intellection tends to solve the problems of the things we see, and nothing more. The senses were ordained to bring into the mind mere pictures of the things that pass away; they do not deal with real things; they do not comprehend eternal law. But man has something in his soul, a something that will tear the veil apart that he may see the world of real things. We call this something, spirit consciousness; it sleeps in every soul, and cannot be awakened till the Holy Breath becomes a welcome guest. The Greek masters are a symbol for our own thinking which follows a dead-end path if we want to reach the soul life. Therefore, Jesus brings them a wisdom greater than their own and a completely different meaning of happiness. The senses endow us with a life that is incomprehensibly great, profound and of high value, but the life of the soul provides the only possibility to elevate the thinking to what is ‘above’. Listening to the suggestions of the soul is the only way to rend the veils that thinking pulls over our eyes. However, as the Chinese sage Lao Zi wrote in the Daodejing, the ‘above’, the realm with eternal values, cannot be spoken nor studied in books or writings. Tao, the Way, can only be lived consciously and inwardly through the cooperation of heart and head. The poverty of our current knowledge and reason, the limitations of our present comprehension and our brain consciousness all stand before us in their nakedness. We are not able to know anything that is worth knowing, nor possess anything that is worth possessing, until the purified heart elevates our thinking. Light message Many sages from all cultures have shown us the universality of this light-message. The great sage Shankara of India said it thus: The human being is pure spirit, free from attachment. The thought misleads him. It binds him with the shackles of the body, the senses and the breathing of life. It creates in him the feeling of ‘I’ and ‘mine’. It makes him endlessly wander in the midst of the fruits of the actions it causes. The thought-shell therefore cannot be the Atman, the ‘true one’. It has a beginning and an end and is susceptible to change. It is the sojourn of pain. Therefore the seeker of liberation must apply himself carefully to the purification of the thought. When the thinking is purified, the liberation is as easily to grasp as the fruit that lies in the palm of your hand. NarrativeTextAnchor ReflectionTextAnchor

<< Back Next > Spiritual Contemplation Spiritual Christmas - 12 - The hidden treasure in your heart Spiritual Christmas - English 02-01 Narrative 12 Chapter 40 of the Aquarian Gospel: Jesus discusses the importance of rest, silence and reflection Narrative: Narrative 12, for the evening of 02 January: Jesus discusses the importance of rest, silence and reflection Listen... PDF Reflection: Reflection 12, for 02 January: The hidden treasure in your heart Listen... PDF Narrative: Narrative 12, for the evening of 02 January: Jesus discusses the importance of rest, silence and reflection Chapter 40 of The Aquarian Gospel: Jesus discusses the importance of rest, silence and reflection Now, in the early morning, Jesus came again to teach and heal. A light not comprehended shone about, as though some mighty spirit overshadowed him. A Magus noted this and asked him privately to tell from whence his wisdom came, and what the meaning of the light. And Jesus said, There is a Silence where the soul may meet its God, and there the fount of wisdom is, and all who enter are immersed in light, and filled with wisdom, love and power. The Magus said, Tell me about this Silence and this light, that I may go and there abide. And Jesus said, The Silence is not circumscribed; is not a place closed in with wall, or rocky steeps, nor guarded by the sword of man. Men carry with them all the time the secret place where they might meet their God. It matters not where men abide, on mountain top, in deepest vale, in marts of trade, or in the quiet home; they may at once, at any time, fling wide the door, and find the Silence, find the house of God; it is within the soul. One may not be so much disturbed by the noise of business, and the words and thoughts of men if he goes all alone into the valley or the mountain pass. And when life’s heavy load is pressing hard, it is far better to go out and seek a quiet place to pray and meditate. The Silence is the kingdom of the soul which is not seen by human eyes. When in the Silence, phantom forms may flit before the mind; but they are all subservient to the will; the master soul may speak, and they are gone. If you would find this Silence of the soul you must yourself prepare the way. None but the pure in heart may enter here. And you must lay aside all tenseness of the mind, all business cares, all fears, all doubts and troubled thoughts. Your human will must be absorbed by the divine; then you will come into a consciousness of holiness. You are within the Holy Place, and you will see upon a living shrine the candle of the Lord aflame. And when you see it burning there, look deep into the temple of your brain, and you will see it all aglow. In every part, from head to foot, are candles all in place, just waiting to be lighted by the flaming torch of love. And when you see the candles all aflame, just look, and you will see, with eyes of soul, the waters of the fount of wisdom rushing on; and you may drink, and there abide. And then the curtains part, and you are in the Holiest of All, where rests the Ark of God, whose covering is the Mercy Seat. Fear not to lift the sacred board; the Tables of the Law are in the Ark concealed. Take them and read them well; for they contain all precepts and commands that men will ever need. And in the Ark, the magic wand of prophecy lies waiting for your hand; it is the key to all the hidden meanings of the present, future, past. And then, behold, the manna there, the hidden bread of life; and he who eats shall never die. The cherubim have guarded well for every soul this treasure box, and whosoever will, may enter in and find his own. Now Kaspar heard the Hebrew master speak and he exclaimed, Behold, the wisdom of the gods has come to men! And Jesus went his way, and in the sacred groves of Cyrus, where the multitudes were met, he taught and healed the sick. Reflection: Reflection 12, for 02 January: The hidden treasure in your heart The hidden treasure in your heart In this new calendar year, your life stretches before you like a book with blank pages. At the end of this year, on December 31st, it will be filled with everything you will have experienced and achieved this year. You cannot completely control your life but you can give it a specific direction and, up to a certain extent, you can also shape it. If you do not take the initiative, life will automatically do it for you. Then you are at the mercy of forces outside yourself. If you do not make any conscious choices and decisions, you will be lived. Then your book of life will describe a series of events that you will probably experience without much joy. Maybe then you will feel like the billions of poor toilers in this world of whom it is written in The Aquarian Gospel: There was no look of joy in any face. Not one of all the group could think of anything but toil. And Jesus spoke to one and said, Why are you all so sad? Have you no happiness in life? The man replied, We scarcely know the meaning of that word. We toil to live, and hope for nothing else but toil, and bless the day when we can cease our toil and lay us down to rest in Buddha’s city of the dead. Such fatalistic beliefs occur in the East more than in the West. In the West, there is generally a stronger urge to take matters into our own hands and create situations that are believed to make us happy. Since ancient times, all kinds of philosophies have been based on that. Conceptions of happiness In the first century of the Christian era, so in the time of Jesus, there were two main schools of philosophy in Athens, each of which had rather strong opinions about happiness. The supporters of these two currents are known as the Epicureans and the Stoics. The Greek philosopher Epicurus (who lived from 341 – 270 BC) was said to have written three hundred books: on love, on music, on right action, on human life and on nature. The Letter to Menoeceus – also called The Letter on Happiness – immediately betrays the author’s deepest conviction: human existence is only about happiness. And how do you become happy? Epicurus appealed to everyday experience in which he found a simple and beautiful starting point: whoever manages to satisfy his natural needs while remaining distant from pain and discomfort is a happy person. He was convinced that with death everything is finished: there is no resurrection, and there is no life after death. His message was: live and enjoy and seize the day! The motto of his followers, the Epicureans, was: enjoy life while you can. The Stoics were disciples of Zeno (who lived from 333 – 262 BC). They were much more subdued and valued thinking above feeling. They tried to live in accordance with nature through developing and realising the good in man by means of reason. Ethics (the doctrine of right and wrong) played an important role in the Stoic way of thinking. According to the Stoics, the human soul finds its greatest happiness in virtue. They defined virtue as the conformity of the human will with the laws of the universe; to be virtuous is to live according to nature. According to them, the things that matter in life are living wisely, controlling yourself, pursuing temperance and practising virtue. Happiness and inner sacrifice At the turn of the year, people wish each other a Happy New Year. One may wonder if this ‘happiness’ is actually in line with the spirituality of the inner sacrifice of the personality to the soul. After all, the first Noble Truth of the Buddha is that suffering is universal. We know however that everything that lives will eventually perish, and we can grow only through overcoming difficulties. Does the universe not know much better than we ourselves what is good for us? How then could we strive for something so intangible and fragile as happiness? How are we able to wish each other happiness? Yes, all this is true. Nevertheless, true spirituality and happiness can go hand in hand very well. Even more than that! The goal of all authentic spirituality is to let everything and everyone become radiantly happy! And the possibilities for being radiantly happy are present within you and within every human being! Man can experience the greatest happiness now, in the present, not in a future life or in the hereafter! The greatest happiness is to consciously experience the link with the original human life. That does not mean that experiences such as pain, grief and sorrow have ceased to exist because they are inextricably linked with life on earth. Jesus says in The Aquarian Gospel: Your heaven is not far away; and it is not a place of metes and bounds, is not a country to be reached; it is a state of mind. God never made a heaven for man; he never made a hell; we are creators and we make our own. Now, cease to seek for heaven in the sky; just open up the windows of the hearts, and, like a flood of light, a heaven will come and bring a boundless joy. The human heart is much more than a necessary organ that pumps blood throughout the body. There are multiple levels of activity all of which are in communication with each other. According to several spiritual traditions, the heart centre of the human being includes: the physical or material heart which is vivified by its etheric counterpart; the heart chakra: the central element of a system of seven power-centres or chakras; it is an element that, among others, deals with our interaction with other people, with the propensity to love and be loved, and with our social identity; the immortal spiritual kernel in the human system which is also referred to as the divine spark, the primordial atom, the spirit spark, the lotus, rose or pearl. The heart centre plays a vital role in the spiritual development of the human being. That is why it is often referred to as the ‘heart sanctuary’. In the symbolism of the Jewish temple, the heart centre is the Holy (Place), the pelvic centre is the Forecourt and the head centre is the Holiest of Holies. In most people, the three centres do not operate as sanctuaries. When one follows the Gnostic spiritual path however, these centres are purified and renewed so that they can begin to function out of a dimension that transcends space and time. Then the three sanctuaries in the temple of man are made whole and holy. Purification of the heart This development begins with raising the consciousness from the abdominal centre to the heart centre and with the purification of the heart. The purification of the heart is symbolically described not only in the Christmas narrative but also, for example, in the parable that Jesus relates to the poor toilers. That parable is about a man who owned a field where the soil was hard and poor. Despite his toil the field produced insufficient food, so hunger tormented him. This hunger refers to our constant desire for a deeper understanding, the search for an answer to that one big question: “What then is the meaning of everything?” If that question really wells up from the depths of our souls, then we will experience that an answer will always come because the soul has a magnetic quality. Therefore, there will certainly come a moment in your life when you will be reminded of your true existence. In some strange way, something or someone crosses your path making you aware that you are more than a mortal being that yearns for a shred of happiness, that you also carry a spark of immortality within you and that this little spark is the gateway to lasting happiness. According to the parable one day a miner, a light messenger, who has the ability to see under the surface of the barren field, calls to the poor man: You know, my brother, that under the hard rocky soil of our superficial reality, the true meaning of our being human is hidden? Under the rocky soil of material things, the most beautiful jewels abound. And all values of this world cannot compete in beauty with the brilliance of that pure gold of the spirit. Dig deep under the earth and you will find that goldmine, that holy place! The primordial atom within us is shining like a jewel, a lotus, a rosebud which causes deep joy. Once we have tasted of that joy, then there is no earthly treasure that can tempt us anymore. Jesus advised us to open the windows of our heart to this jewel. By quieting the heart and letting it enter into the deep peace of Bethlehem, we open our being to the harmonious radiation emanating from the kernel of our heart sanctuary. And when we are thus ensouled by that gentle, yet very powerful radiation, then the foundation is laid for the great process of renewal that will lead us to lasting happiness. We wish you a Happy New Year! NarrativeTextAnchor ReflectionTextAnchor

<< Back Next > Spiritual Contemplation Spiritual Easter - 08 - Jesus Appears to the Twelve Spiritual Easter English EASTER SUNDAY - Day 08 JESUS APPEARS IN THE TEMPLE AND TO THE TWELVE Chapters 86 and 87 of the Gospel of the Holy Twelve Narrative: Narrative 8, for Easter Sunday: The Liberation of the Inner Being Listen... PDF Reflection: Reflection 8, for Easter Sunday: The Liberation Of The Inner Being Listen... PDF Narrative: Narrative 8, for Easter Sunday: The Liberation of the Inner Being Chapters 86 and 87 of The Gospel of the Holy Twelve The same day, at the time of sacrifice in the Temple there appeared among the dealers in beasts and in birds, one clothed in white raiment, bright as light, and in his hand a whip of seven cords. At the sight of Him, those who sold and bought fled in terror, and some of them fell as dead men, for they remembered how before his death Jesus had driven them away from the Temple enclosure, in the same way. Some declared that they had seen a spirit, others that they had seen Him who was crucified and that He had risen from the dead. The sacrifices ceased that day in the Temple, for all were fearful, and none could be had to sell or to buy, but, instead, they let their captives go free. The priests and elders caused a report to be spread, that they who had seen this were drunk and had seen nothing. But many affirmed that they had seen Him with their own eyes, and felt the whip on their backs, but were powerless to resist, for when some of the bolder among them put forth their hands, they could not seize the form which they saw nor grasp the whip which punished them. From that time, these believed in Jesus, that He was sent from God to deliver the oppressed and to free those that were bound. And they turned from their ways and no longer sinned. He also appeared to others in love and mercy and healed them by his touch and delivered them from the hands of the persecutor. Many similar things were reported of him, and many said, “Truly the Kingdom has come.” When Jesus rose from the dead, appeared and was seen by many in the holy City, great fear fell upon the wicked, but light and gladness came to the righteous in heart. Jesus Appears to the Twelve The same day at evening, on the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst, and said to them, “Peace be unto you.” But they were frightened and supposed that they had seen a spirit. He said to them, “Behold, it is I myself, like as you have seen me before. A spirit can indeed appear in flesh and bones as you see I have. Behold my hands and my feet, touch and see.” When he had so said, he showed them his hands and his heart. Then the disciples were glad, when they saw the Lord. For Thomas, called Didymus, one of the disciples, had said to them, “Unless I shall see the print of the nails in his hands, and thrust my hand into his heart, I will not believe.” Then he said to Thomas, “Behold my hands, my heart, and my feet; reach your hands here, and do not be faithless, but believing.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” And Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are they who have not seen and yet have believed.” Then Jesus said to them again, “Peace be unto you, as Abba Amma has sent me, even so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Ghost; preach the Gospel and announce to all nations the resurrection of the Son of Man. Teach the holy law of love which I have delivered to you. Whoever forsakes their sins, they are forgiven, and whoever continues in their sins, they are retained. Baptise them who believe and repent, bless and anoint them, and offer the pure gift of the fruits of the earth which I have furnished to you in memory of me. Lo, I have given my body and my blood to be offered on the Cross, for the redemption of the world from the sin against love, and from the bloody sacrifices and feasts of the past. You shall offer the Bread of Life and the Wine of Salvation for a pure offering with incense, as it is written of me; and you shall eat and drink thereof for a memorial, that I have delivered all who believe in me from the ancient bondage of your ancestors. For they, making a god of their belly, sacrificed unto their god the innocent creatures of the earth, in place of the carnal nature within themselves. Eating their flesh and drinking their blood to their own destruction, corrupted their bodies and shortened their days, even as the Gentiles who did not know the truth, or knowing it, changed it into a lie. As I send you, so send others also, to do these things in my Name.” And he laid his hands upon them. “In the like manner as the Apostles, so also be ordained Prophets and Evangelists and Pastors, a Holy Priesthood.” Afterward he laid his hand upon those whom they chose for Deacons, one for each of the fourfold twelve. “These are for the rule and guidance of the Church Universal, that all may be perfected in their places in the Unity of the Body of the Christ.” Reflection: Reflection 8, for Easter Sunday: The Liberation Of The Inner Being The seven stages of the Christian initiation mystery find their crowning in the glorious resurrection. The soul has definitively overcome the natural resistance of its pupil, the earthly man, on the symbolic path from Bethlehem to Golgotha. The microcosm is liberated from the wheel of birth and death because an immortal body of resurrection has come into being. The microcosm is again ‘healed’, and now features an instrument that can contribute to the execution of the divine plan of creation. What dies in the process called the crucifixion is the influence of the earthly personality on the inner man. What is released from its imprisonment, truly coming to life, is the inner man. The earthly ‘crucified’ man does what is required in the material world with full consciousness and devotion to his fellow creatures, but no more than that. He knows the world and he no longer allows himself to be captivated by it. His consciousness is balanced, open, honest and light, and he is constantly aware of the living Other-One-within-him. At the descent from the cross, the separation between the coarse and the fine is definitively established. This separation between the physical body and the resurrection body was already prepared in the Garden of Gethsemane. And on the resurrection morning, the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and two other women discover that the stone is rolled away from the tomb. The tomb is located in the ‘garden of Joseph of Arimathea.’ Joseph of Arimathea is a symbol of the man who built the spiritual temple in his inner being and has crafted the cup which can collect the blood of Christ. His court is the microcosm, which on the gnostic path is released from its imprisonment in the material world. The Gospel of the Holy Twelve tells us: After the Sabbath was ended, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb bearing the spices which she had prepared, and there were others with her. As they were going, they said among themselves, “Who shall roll away the stone from the door of the tomb?” For it was large. When they came to the place and looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away. Behold there was a great earthquake; and the angel of the Lord descended from heaven and rolled back the stone from the door and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning and his clothing white as snow; and for fear of him the keepers shook and became as dead. The angel answered and said to the women, “Fear not, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he is risen, as he said. Come see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold he goes before you into Galilee. There you shall see him; lo, I have told you.” They entered in and did not find the body of Jesus. Then Mary ran and came to Simon Peter and the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord away out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” They ran and came to the tomb, and looking in, they saw the linen cloths lying there, and the napkin that had been about his head lying not with the linen cloths, but folded up in a place by itself. The Gospel of the Holy Twelve 84: 1-7 On Christmas night, the five-pointed star, the pentagram, radiates above the grotto of birth as the promise of the coming of the liberated and invincible man. The child therein lies wrapped in swaddling clothes. On the resurrection morning this promise came true: the swaddling clothes are still there, but the resurrection body of the new man is freed from the grave of his natural being. The tomb is empty. But the mystery of Christ continues: the resurrection body will remain attached as long as possible to the physical body of the ‘pupil of the soul’. On five points: one point on the head, two on the palms and two on the feet. These stigmata together form the radiant pentagram. Just as the birth of Jesus is not a single historical event, the resurrection is not a one-time event that might have ever occurred in any particular lifetime … or once in a time period of humanity. These events occur in a person when he or she is ripe for it. The resurrection, the entry into the Promised Land after the exodus from Egypt, has been going on for thousands of years. The resurrection literally means crossing the threshold, the Passover, the true feast of Easter. And because everything is connected to everything else by invisible threads, the resurrection is not just meant for a single person, but for all humanity and for the Earth. Each human being who succeeds in building a new soul body in him/herself, and therefore is a Joseph of Arimathea in service to the soul, contributes directly and concretely to the resurrection of the world and humanity. Thus ‘service for humanity’ obtains a new dimension, the invisible dimension of the inner kingdom. However, resurrection cannot be brought closer by studying the past. Resurrection takes place in the present and not in the past. And when we do try to investigate the past, then we are confronted with our ‘graven images’. These are the persistent images that we have inherited from the externalised Christian culture or from our family traditions. Resurrection is always on-going and it could be that you recognise something of it when you read or hear about it, as if part of it is already present in you. This presence is referred to as ‘first-hand knowledge’. It is gnosis. The resurrection is a phase in the development of humanity. It surrounds us like a new atmosphere, a new beneficial reality. Every day we breathe in the resurrection. It has been there for an infinitely long time, and it is there because it belongs to humanity. The resurrection is completely one with man. It is his tomorrow and today. If we want a description of the resurrection, it is ‘full of expectations, full of glory, purity, clearness, being human.’ Humanity is able to rise up to this. Today you can taste and undergo the resurrection. It is not taught in schools or through courses. It belongs to the morning, to the dawn, to the living ethers circling around you, the ethers you breathe in to live. For each human being the resurrection is the right to exist and is part of our birth right. The Bible explains to us that “all of creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God “; so for the resurrection. If you recognise this tingle of life, of promise, which as it were penetrates your existence so that every cell vibrates in its own light … well, still nothing has happened. Except this: you’ve experienced the essential ground underlying your existence. It is like a first draught, the first taste of the real, living gnosis. And this first drink promises more. Nobody is able to stop you, if you want to taste the real life. Nobody can prevent you from opening the gates for the miracle. Nobody can stop you from rolling away the stone behind which the man of greatness is buried. As soon as the strength of the inner soul wants to break free from the rock tomb, nature cannot keep a hold on her. The resurrection is the reason for man’s existence. It is the essence of being human. It makes his life radiant, giving him strength and inner courage. However, each person must seek it himself, she must desire it herself. The atmosphere of renewal has always been there and it is your birth right as a human being. Sometimes you taste it, and then it’s like a spring morning in the Easter season, fresh, invigorating, shivering with suppressed life. It is a promise; you know it as an inner experience, as inner knowledge, as gnosis. NarrativeTextAnchor ReflectionTextAnchor

Gnosis and Rosycross An Exploration of the Meaning of Life We welcome you to this introductory series, offering the opportunity to explore and discuss the universal teachings shared by the School of the Golden Rosycross and the path its pupils follow. The content presented here is intended as a background to our regular public events in which we discuss in depth the universal teachings of the Golden Rosycross. Please see our upcoming events, and we most cordially welcome you to join our events for seekers around the world! Read More... Welcome to this Exploration of the Gnosis and Rosycross In 8 weekly sessions, we explore the teachings and the Spiritual path with which we are engaged in the School of the Golden Rosycross. The Golden Rosycross is a community of persons from all walks of life who are striving to discover the true purpose of life. Through the help and guidance offered you may unlock the inner source of fundamental knowledge about your self and the world around you. You can find and join our next weekly discussions online by visiting our events page via the button below. These are free online events you can join at any time and without obligation or commitment. Register Now to Join our weekly Discussions Online The Meaning of Existence Unveiling the mysteries of life's purpose Unveil the mysteries of life's purpose, connect with fellow seekers, and embark on a path of self-discovery that could change the way you perceive the world. Read More... Time and Eternity Understanding the Depths of your Twofold Nature Dive into the depths of your twofold nature, gain insights into the divine and earthly realms, and set forth on a journey that could forever change your perspective on life. Read More... The Heart as Spiritual Gateway The Essence of our Immortal Spirit-spark Navigate the intricacies of our existence and touch the essence of our immortal spirit-spark, dormant in the heart. Read More... Karma and Reincarnation The Eternal Dance between Spirit and Matter How can we experience the eternal dance between spirit and matter, karma and divine love, and harness the transformative power within? Read More... Ego, Personality and Soul Beyond psychology Join us for a profound exploration into the depths of the human being, the complexity of our identity, our subconscious, our ego and our soul. Read More... The Power of Thinking Inspired by the Soul A New Creative Activity We will delve into the magical interplay between external life and inner perception. Let's unveil the secrets of the human experience, where ignorance gives way to enlightenment & darkness paves the path to divine light through the Soul. Read More... The Inner Revolution The Awakening of the New Consciousness in Practice Explore the path of inner transformation that involves opening our heart and head to new spiritual impulses. A new consciousness must be awakened, one that can embrace true Love, Wisdom and Unity. Read More... Transforming Life Through the Power of the Soul Explore the Gnostic path, unveiling a world of endless possibilities and self-discovery. Unveil ancient hermetic wisdom, learning to harmonize vibrations and ascend from the earthly to the divine. Read More... The8ExplorationsBegin

< Back Special Issue: The spiritual promise of Eastern Europe Volume 26 nr 2 March/April 2004 Introduction ‘Eastern Europe is struggling to liberate itself from the bonds, which have chained the free spirit to the earth for so long. During that immense struggle, East and West give each other the best of what they can achieve on a spiritual level. Many examples of selfless service, of compassion and charity appeal to every seeker.’ (p. 23) Download PDF Articles in this issue... 02 Digging up the treasure 04 He believed in goodness but loved only himself 08 What we see is not original nature 11 The righteous pass away but their light remains 16 The spiritual promise of Eastern Europe 24 ‘The world has pursued me, but did not succeed in taking me captive’ 28 ‘True religion is not what one knows but what one does’ 31 Leo Tolstoy - the path of a seeker 36 ‘Every human soul is a part of God’ Previous Next

<< Back Next > Spiritual Contemplation Spiritual Christmas - 13 - Attention for your inner development Spiritual Christmas - English 03-01 Narrative 13 Chapter 44 of the Aquarian Gospel: Greek masters listen to a speech about the limitations of the mind Narrative: Narrative 13, for the evening of 03 January: Greek masters listen to a speech about the limitations of the mind Listen... PDF Reflection: Reflection 13, for 03 January: Attention for your inner development Listen... PDF Narrative: Narrative 13, for the evening of 03 January: Greek masters listen to a speech about the limitations of the mind Chapter 44 of The Aquarian Gospel: Greek masters listen to a speech about the limitations of the mind The Greek philosophy was full of pungent truth, and Jesus longed to study with the masters in the schools of Greece. And so he left his home in Nazareth and crossed the Carmel hills, and at the port took ship, and soon was in the Grecian capital. Now, the Athenians had heard of him as a teacher and philosopher, and they were glad to have him come to them that they might hear his words of truth. Among the masters of the Greeks was one, Apollo, who was called, Defender of the Oracle, and recognised in many lands as a Grecian sage. Apollo opened up for Jesus all the doors of Grecian lore, and in the Areopagus he heard the wisest masters speak. But Jesus brought to them a wisdom greater far than theirs; and so he taught. Once in the Amphitheatre, he stood, and when Apollo bade him speak he said, Athenian masters, hear! In ages long ago, men, wise in nature’s laws, sought out and found the place on which your city stands. Full well you know that there are parts of the earth where its great beating heart throws heavenward etheric waves that meet the ethers from above: Where spirit-light and understanding, like the stars of night, shine forth. Of all the parts of earth, there is no place more sensitised, more truly spirit-blest, than that where Athens stands. Yea, all of Greece is blest. No other land has been the homeland of such mighty men of thought as grace your scrolls of fame. A host of sturdy giants of philosophy, of poetry, of science, and of art, were born upon the soil of Greece, and rocked to manhood in your cradle of pure thought. I come not here to speak of science, of philosophy, or art; of these you are the world’s best masters now. But all your high accomplishments are but stepping stones to worlds beyond the realm of sense; are but illusive shadows flitting on the walls of time. But I would tell you of a life beyond, within; a real life that cannot pass away. In science and philosophy there is no power strong enough to fit a soul to recognise itself, or to commune with God. I would not stay the flow of your great streams of thought; but I would turn them to the channels of the soul. Unaided by the Spirit-breath, the work of intellection tends to solve the problems of the things we see, and nothing more. The senses were ordained to bring into the mind mere pictures of the things that pass away; they do not deal with real things; they do not comprehend eternal law. But man has something in his soul, a something that will tear the veil apart that he may see the world of real things. We call this something, spirit consciousness; it sleeps in every soul, and cannot be awakened till the Holy Breath becomes a welcome guest. This Holy Breath knocks at the door of every soul, but cannot enter in until the will of man throws wide the door. There is no power in intellect to turn the key; philosophy and science both have toiled to get a glimpse behind the veil; but they have failed. The secret spring that throws ajar the door of soul is touched by nothing else than purity in life, by prayer and holy thought. Return, O mystic stream of Grecian thought, and mingle your clear waters with the flood of Spirit-life; and then the spirit consciousness will sleep no more, and man will know, and God will bless. When Jesus had thus said he stepped aside. The Grecian masters were astonished at the wisdom of his words; they answered not. Reflection: Reflection 13, for 03 January: Attention for your inner development Attention for your inner development An enormous drive for development hides behind every visible and invisible creation. In everything and everyone are hidden very dynamic life forces that wish to manifest themselves, right through all kinds of resistances. Resistances, as we saw, are the steps with which the ladder of development can be climbed and so they are the unexpected helpers of creation. Each seed contains such an urge to life and it shall germinate when the right circumstances occur. It can be the seed of a thought, of an inner image or emotion, or of a wonderful plan, and once germinated the thought or the emotion is very difficult to put back into the seed… Driven by the corresponding emotion a thought leads you irrevocably to action. Sometimes you regret the action but could not have stopped it. The life force of your invisible thought has then made itself visible through your action. Universal law On each level of life and within each plan or thought there exists a force that drives the invisible to a visible form. That is a universal law. And when you take a good look at yourself you will certainly notice that the working out of this universal law is also taking place in you. Thoughts, life force, struggle and development eventually lead to action, even right through all resistance. Each action makes us into creators and all our acting makes visible that which takes place within us. When on the spiritual path you then become conscious of the Other-One-within-you, of the inner Jesus, then you will want to show his invisible life force to the outside world. And there you are, as nobody understands what has ‘suddenly gotten into you’… And you yourself do not actually know what to do with this new urge. There exists more in the germinated seed in your heart than the urge that you are experiencing. Enclosed within it lies a plan of development for you and for humanity. And you, as a material human being, are the only one who is able to make this invisible plan visible to others. It is the plan for the new phase of humanity, the Aquarius-phase, the phase in which the higher soul must come to life. It is the cosmic and divine plan for ‘the path of return’. That is why Jesus travels through ‘the world’ – through you as a personality – to teach you all aspects of this higher plan. It is up to you to accept His lessons and become an Aquarius-man. Now that the outer development of humanity seems to be reaching a limit, interest in inner development is increasing. It is experienced more and more that the outer development of man alone does not make him happy. But for many, the interior is still only a world of emotions, thoughts and motives. Wisdom instead of knowledge At this border, there is an increasing longing for wisdom instead of knowledge, for true harmony and unity, for pure love and true friendship. However, as personalities, we search for the realization of all this outside ourselves and not within. And then we find ourselves on social media or surfing the Internet, twittering and taking selfies. We search for unity and connection, because our inner urge drives us. In chapter 40 of the Aquarian Gospel Jesus tells us where the source of wisdom is to be found. In order to find this source, inner silence is needed. In that silence, the soul is able to meet God, or the Gnosis, the Light. Now, in the early morning, Jesus came again to teach and heal. A light not comprehended shone about, as though some mighty spirit overshadowed him. A Magus noted this and asked him privately to tell from whence his wisdom came, and what the meaning of the light. And Jesus said, There is a Silence where the soul may meet its God, and there the fount of wisdom is, and all who enter are immersed in light, and filled with wisdom, love and power. That is true inner development. And when we truly wish to realize this wisdom and love within our own being, that will demand all our attention and cooperation. The basis is being formed by the surging remembrance of an original life of all-encompassing love and wisdom. The experience that everything on this earth turns into its opposite causes us to feel that the destination of our life lies elsewhere, and so we want to return to that source of wisdom. Silence That wisdom is already potentially present in us, namely in our hearts. Although the human being is mortal, he possesses an immortal nucleus, a seed which corresponds with the higher life-field where true love and wisdom exist. That seed will awaken when it receives the right kind of attention, when “there is a silence where the soul may meet its God”, as stated in The Aquarian Gospel. What kind of silence is meant here? Not the absence of sound, not the ending of all dialogue. This silence is not easy to describe – it is not a place enclosed by walls or steep cliffs nor is it guarded by the sword of a human being. We are not able to demonstrate it, write it down or speak about it, we cannot put it on YouTube; we can at the very most have an inner image of it. Silence is the absolute stilling of the forces of the natural human being, putting aside daily turmoil, relaxing our connections to this world with its matter, money and possessions. It is the ‘not-doing’ with regard to the interests of this world, the ‘wu wei’ of Lao Zi. Silence exists beyond our direct sphere of influence but can impart itself to us. It connects the extrasensory with the indwelling, the transcendent with the immanent. Creative Spiritual Force Silence is a creative spiritual force that can only do its work when we make space for it. Silence provides a confrontation with yourself but it also offers a voyage within yourself that poses enormous possibilities to the spiritually driven human being. There is a silence where the soul can meet the Gnosis. That silence is the source of knowledge and wisdom. Those who enter there, are immersed in light and become filled with the Spirit. Human beings always carry this place of silence with them, as is stated in The Aquarian Gospel. No matter where one is – on top of a mountain, in the deepest valley, at trade markets or quietly at home – one can immediately, at any time, throw the door wide open and find the silence. In that silence there is Gnosis, which is knowledge, wisdom and love. If you want to find this silence of the soul, you will have to prepare the way to it yourself and make space for it. How can a human being find the way to the silence? Through a completely new mode of life. Put all the mental tensions aside. Distance yourself as much as possible from all daily worries, all fear, all doubt and all troublesome thoughts. Do not allow yourself to indulge in the wounding power of criticism, or rash conclusions and judgements, both of yourself and of others. Criticism and judgement are powerful thought-seeds that germinate quickly and easily. Do not allow them to do so. Do not allow emotions such as aggression, anger or irritation to suffocate the silence of the soul. Forcing or suppressing yourself, however, is not the answer, as these approaches are not in accordance with the nature of the soul. Move along harmoniously with all possibilities that the world offers because a great plan underlies your life. Your victories over yourself form the steps upon which you become co-creator of the great plan for the new phase of humanity: the higher life of the soul. NarrativeTextAnchor ReflectionTextAnchor