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The Rosicrucian Mysteries
— 
The Mysteries of Life Explained
Spirituality
The Rosicrucian Mysteries
Max Heindel
The Rosicrucian Fellowship
175 Pages
ISBN 0-911274-86-3, Printed, $12.50
November 15, 1998
Religion plays vital psychological and social roles in our lives by
providing a structure of what constitutes accepted behaviors and mores,
and by its ability to provide explanations for events and problems that
are inexplicable by our current technology. Whether one holds fast to
the Creationist or Evolutionist movements, or subscribes to animistic
beliefs or Eastern views of death, spirit and rebirth, it seems that no
one religion can provide all the answers to the difficult questions
asked of it.
The Order of the Rose Cross was founded by Christian Rosenkreuz in the
14th century to solve the mysteries concerning the "Science of Life and
Being." While searching for Truths in Germany in 1907, author Max
Heindel became the disciple of the Elder Brothers of the Rose Cross,
who made contact with him on the inner planes and instructed him on the
mysterious teachings of Esoteric Christianity.
In attempting to establish with credibility the beliefs of the
Rosicrucian Order, Heindel expresses his understanding of Spiritual
mysteries by using elements of Faith, biology, chemistry, physics,
anatomy, the New Age, ideas of karma, death and rebirth, and the
practices of numerology and the casting of horoscopes. While the taking
of such a potpourri approach may seem like a desperate attempt to
inculcate dogma in the minds of followers and nonbelievers, the book
and its arguments in no way come across as contrived. From the first
page Heindel clearly states his premise of "solving the mysteries of
man’s past evolution, his present constitution, his future
development, and the method of attainment," and does a fine job of
presenting and supporting his views.
The Rosicrucian Mysteries is divided into five
chapters. "The Problem of Life and Its Solutions," offers views on
three theories of life and why we are Eternal. "The Visible and the
Invisible Worlds" discusses the chemical regions, the etheric region,
the desire world, and the world of thought. This is followed by "The
Constitution of Man," wherein the vital body, the desire body and the
mind are explained in terms of religion. "Life and Death" tells of
invisible helpers and mediums, death, the panorama of past life,
Purgatory, the three Heavens, birth and Christ-life, the mystery of
light, color and consciousness. This is followed by discussions on the
education of children and the importance of Mt. Ecclesia and The
Rosicrucian Order.
Whether or not you follow this system of beliefs, The Rosicrucian Mysteries
is a well-written, well-argued treatise on the source and meaning of
life that makes the essential point that a comprehensive understanding
of religion and spiritual matters is within our grasp. Heindel asserts
that it is only when Intellect (science) and Heart (faith) are joined,
that the most important mysteries of our individual lives and faiths
can be understood.
This book reads something like a meeting of The Bible, the Tibetan Book of the Dead, and the Tao Te Ching,
but with clear vision and stamina. It provides thought-provoking fodder
for serious consideration. The message and mission of the Rosicrucian
Order, and indeed the underlying theme of this book, is that we should
all seek and maintain "a sane mind, a soft heart, and a sound body."
Mark V. Wiley
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