Raymond Bernard: The Secret Houses of the Rose-Croix.

SPECIAL EDITION

The Secret Houses of the Rose-Croix

by Raymond Bernard FRANCIS BACON LODGE PUBLICATIONS

The Rosicrucian Order, AMORC Known as “THE ANCIENT, MYSTICAL ORDER ROSAE CRUCIS” throughout the world

FRANCIS BACON LODGE 181A Lavender Hill, London SW 11 5TE

The Secret Houses of the Rose-Croix

by Raymond Bernard

Supreme Legate for Europe Past Grand Master for Francophone Countries

SPECIAL EDITION World Convention

London 23-26 July 1981 RC 3334

Translated and first published in Great Britain by Pensatia and Benefactor — 1970 2nd edition, Francis Bacon Lodge AMORC - 1978 3rd edition - a special limited issue - 1981 English translation copyright ® Francis Bacon Lodge 1981

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, whatsoever, w ithout the prior permission of the publisher. This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not be re-sold, loaned or circulated in any manner w ith any different form of binding or cover other than that in w hich it is published, w ithout the prior permission of the publisher. This condition shall apply to all subsequent purchasers or borrowers. Printed in Great Britain by EPCS, Dingwall Road, Croydon

CONTENTS

Page F o re w o rd ................................................................................................................

j

In tro d u c tio n ...........................................................................................................

1

1 — M a h a ................................................................................................................

2

2 — A m s te rd a m ......................................................................................................

4

3 — The Secret Seal.................................................................................................

13

4 — V ie n n a ..............................................................................................................

15

5 — Lisbon ..............................................................................................................

32

6 — M a d r id ..............................................................................................................

46

7 — In te rlu d e ...........................................................................................................

58

8 — The Great Vigil at L is b o n ...............................................................................

60

9 — Conclusion

77

......................................................................................................

The cover depicts the castle in Krampelstein, Scharding, Upper Austria which had been the Order's secret centre fo r several centuries. It was from here that the Rosicrucian Ruprecht von Mosham (1493 — ?) endeavoured to establish religious unity in Europe on a mystical basis. He was persecuted by the Church and imprisoned in this castle where, at some unknown date, he died. Although the Church believed all his writings had been destroyed many had, in fact, been rescued and sequestered fo r posterity. (by courtesy o f the Rosicrucian Digest — June 1948)

FOREWORD

The thousands o f copies of this manuscript sold till now, the quotations which have been made w ith great success in writings or heard in lectures, and above all the numerous letters received from my readers, have been fo r me very encouraging and moving evidence. However, some o f my correspondents have been led to such erroneous conclusions that it seemed necessary for me to write a foreword to be included immediately in this work and in all those which treat of similar subjects, with the purpose o f preventing any further tendency to misleading interpretation or simply misunderstandings. The fundamental purpose of this manuscript is to transmit certain knowledge of particular subjects o f mystical tradition, which nowia-days, particularly in France, continue to exercise a strong attraction upon whoever is interested in great questions beyond the limits o f a non-sensical item in the popular press. It is enough, to be convinced of this, to notice the considerable success met w ith from the general public, by books dealing with these subjects. Now, most o f these books are not built on any foundation. They do not have any basis OF TRUTH fo r meditation and reflection, and they lead their readers towards false and even dangerous conclusions. It was also necessary to show the importance o f the Rosicrucian Order AMORC in the world, and this manuscript is indeed to put it in its rightful place, that is first, regarding its objectives, its w orldly activities and the number of its members. In spite of the great tolerance o f our Order and its extreme liberalism, it has sometimes been necessary to show strict severity w ith regard to those who, deceived perhaps by their own errors, risk deceiving others and leading them into terrible ways which have no aspect of psychic equilibrium. To warn is a duty, especially if one such advertisement is directed to one who is on the sure and tru th fu l path offered by the Rosicrucian Order AMORC. To stray from this path of certainty after assuming it, is incontestably to retrogress. My aim has been that my Rosicrucian readers may avoid comm itting this regrettable error of seeking elsewhere that which they w ill always find at the most opportune moment, the most efficacious fo r them, in the teachings of the Rosicrucian Order AMORC.

Such were the reasons which induced me to write this manuscript and some others. The manner chosen to eommunicate this knowledge is important. To understand certain subjects, it is not enough to read them, one must experience them, and that is why I adopted this form of writing. The result is that this manuscript is P A R TIALLY ALLEG O R IC AL AND P A R TIA LLY ALSO IT RELATES FACTS. It is based on SYMBOLISM, for the SYMBOL is, in essence, a language, which each understands according to his development and which the Rosicrucian understands better than most. Thus, through ALLEGORY, through SYMBOL and through FACTS, subjects o f the highest interest are examined, and this examination will lead you to an understanding more vast, more useful and more true, o f the great questions which tradition, past and present, has applied itself in solving. My dearest wish w ill always be that this lecture may be for you a source of inspiration, and a constant encouragement to carry on your efforts w ithin the Rosicrucian Order AMORC towards greater light and Peace Profound. RAYMOND BERNARD Domaine de la Rose-Croix, Friday 17th October, 1969

It is, in my estimation, the truth that a man has discovered, or the light that he has projected on to some obscure point, can one day strike another thinking being, to move him, to rejoice him or to console him: it is of him that we speak of similar spirits to ourselves who have consoled us in this desert of life. Schopenhauer

INTRODUCTION Well, so we meet again, my readers and me, fo r an excursion into those strange domains that the world ignores or completely forgets, being occupied by the problems of its ephemeral existance and the circumstances o f its illusory present. Once more, I am confronted w ith the question o f knowing whether my account should take the appearance of fiction or better be presented as an exact recital of precise events which definitely took place in time and space of daily life of the man in the street. In w riting my "Strange Encounters" the problem was already there but it carried its own solution. The facts related were too serious, too heavy w ith consequences, near and far, fo r it to be told as a story opening the way to many speculations and the most sterile controversy. It was necessary to give AS MUCH AS WAS PERMITTED in the same form in which the events had taken place and not to leave any doubt as to the reality o f the experiences recounted, the reader, in the end remains the judge as far as he can understand and accept. That was done and has been subsequently approved in such a way that my conscience is satisfied and can feel the exaltation of a task accomplished. But today? Yes today, how can I lead you to these new discoveries that exceptional circumstances have revealed to me to be shared with you? Certainly the task has been laid out and I may not ignore the instructions received. I KNOW that I have to tell you about the Secret Houses o f the Rose-Croix, I know what I am authorised to say to you, but I still debate w ith myself as to the manner of telling you. However, in a certain measure as my thoughts sketch out the manuscript that you will soon be reading, the deep emotion which I fe lt when I told you about my strange encounters fills my being and the living impressions, the secret exchanges and strange sights reincarnate again living images which form the matrix o f words. So, is it important! Maha said: "T ruth will knock at the heart of him who waits fo r i t ! " May it reach those who can receive it and give it to the sublime quest of "K no w thou thyself". The seeds fly in the wind o f the sacred search fo r the kingdom w ithin, and the prepared ground will bring it to abundant harvest. So let us go over again an itinerary that I followed full of curiosity and always full of hum ility before the grandeur o f the tradition o f a thousand years, present in all ages and in all latitudes, in the service o f humanity in general, but also at the disposition o f the sincere adept delivered from the chains o f self contemplation and the mirages of egotism.

1 MAHA

I have met Maha again, and during our meetings in Amsterdam and in Vienna, I could not help, as I listened to him, thinking o f the voluminous correspondence received from the readers of the "Strange Encounters". Maha had created an impression on them and I felt, in reading many o f the letters, the certainty that if my description had even in some small way been able to convey the unforgettable impression which emanated from this extraordinary Being, this description alone was sufficient to communicate to others the emotions which I had felt myself. It seems that at the moment of reading it a subtle link had been established between the readers and Maha. For many it was not only true; it became THEIR TRUTH — that which is buried deepest w ithin each being, and which suddenly under the unexpected stimulation o f the story rose up gloriously, before a dazzled consciousness. Truth is one under the many aspects manifested in the phenomenal world, and it is almost a platitude to say that it is w ithin each one of us. So Beings such as Maha live on the plane o f pure truth and this plane has a universal permanence which man ever carries w ithin himself. Also I was not at all surprised that some stated that they did not find Maha to be a stranger, but on the contrary, let us say, a known idea or memory, found with tremendous force and vigour in themselves, as if, suddenly the words, the phrases, the story made them conscious o f a link which had never been broken. Moreover the planetary mission o f the High Council o f A . . . concerns every man. It is no wonder that some were able for a brief moment, to communicate w ith such representatives and to put themselves in harmony with the highest among them . . . I have met Maha again and with this very memory his image seems to be near me. I feel the unique impression of his presence and my being quivers w ith the usual emotion, never blunted by this exceptional contact. I do not know if you have noticed, in the "Strange Encounters" that he seemed to me to be about fo rty years old in the portraits that I had seen at Copenhagen and Lisbon. When I saw him in preson fo r the first time, I supposed him to be about fifty , and this impression remained in Istanbul. However being uncertain I did not change my account. In Amsterdam he seemed to be younger, and in Vienna, older. I do not know how he will appear next at Lisbon, at Madrid and a little later in Athens. Perhaps when I reach the end of these new meetings, what I have to say will make this seem a wrong description. I can only give you my own subjective impression. If anyone asks me to describe Maha I should be tempted to reply: "He has eyes" and I cannot truly even now speak with more precision w ithout risking giving you a wrong impression. I believe that the eyes of Maha reflect a world, a universe. He can communicate by his look alone and in spite of the infinite goodness which emanates from him, his preoccupations give perhaps to the purity of his

clear eyes a different expression, in such a way that according to circumstances he appears either more or less aged. This, it seems to me is the explanation o f the impression he gives as to his age. Moreover, how do such notions as physical aspect or exterior carriage apply to such beings! To them, would they require any other unalterable memory than to have been in their presence, in their magnetic vicinity, and to have heard their message . . . THE message! I think it would be useful here to mention something which was im plicit in the "Strange Encounters" . . . There was, round about the time of the last world war and afterwards until the year 1950, a bizarre person who called himself "Maha Choan". He was spoken of in the United States and in France, where the press devoted some ironical articles to him. This pseudo "K ing o f the W orld" claimed nothing less than to lay his hands upon authentic traditional organisations fo r reasons d iffic u lt to understand. He was quickly unmasked, and sent back to his futile imaginings, but strange though it may seem, he kept certain deluded disciples. Of him, in any case, we need say no more. There is naturally no kind o f common communication between the pseudo Maha Choan and the true Maha. The "K ing of the W orld" certainly seeks no publicity and he would not expose himself before fools on a platform to the backing o f articles and communiques. Few people have met Maha knowing him to be Maha. The head of the High Council hides his identity and his true function. He does not advertise his holy office as that adventurer in the occult did pretending to magical powers and receiving from others as reward fo r his audacity nothing but reprobation — ridicule. I have met Maha again . . . Maha alone and suddenly, I shall renew again the contact of Amsterdam, then that o f Vienna and await soon Lisbon, Madrid, Athens . . .

2 AMSTERDAM

Strange city where hovers the shadow o f Rembrandt, where historic canals grow old w ithout ageing, where the obstinate sea pits itself against the equally obstinate humans, city o f tradition where one past Grand Master of the Rosicrucians, Gustav Meyrinck, travelled in his memories, never can the cosmopolitan flu x o f daily affairs efface the history which impregnates the ancient walls and old quarters, and even if one sad day, angry nature should engulf thee in the tortuous waves of the enemy, the wise would perpetuate thy memory in the holy sanctuaries of secret wisdom. Noble town, which is sad with those who are sad, happy with those who are happy, chain to the slave, or free to the free man, you take to your heart the aspiration o f your visitor, and you even know how to deceive him who wishes to be deceived! Oh how I would that the true adept, here and now, could scan the eternal presence o f all those who have left w ithin thee the im print of highest wisdom, fo r thou dost not keep thy secrets for the lone clairvoyant, who with one look can efface the pervading modern to better see behind it. For me, you have already given riches in opening your coffers full of happy alchemists. Now you have yet more for me, because in future I shall associate Maha w ith .your memory. The Hotel Carlton of Amsterdam is close to the centre o f the town and it stands in a busy road with side arcades o f which one asks the reason. On arrival, I learned that, contrary to the assurances o f my agent, no room had been reserved in my name. Owing to the importance o f the meeting arranged at this hotel I asked to be put through by telephone to my agent in Paris. I wished to speak to them . . . after an hour o f waiting and hardly had I finished than the receptionist hurried towards me to tell me that the reservation had been found and that a room would be at my disposal . . . tom orrow! My meeting was fixed fo r five o'clock, I said nothing and the concierge easily found me a room fo r the night at the Hotel Suisse in the Kalverstraat. I did not even wait to open my cases I was in so much of a hurry to return to the place o f the awaited meeting. The next day at midday I was installed in the Hotel Carlton and at 4.30 I was sitting in the little hall, eyes fixed on the door through which soon would come Maha. He is here! I see him pass through the great glass d o o r. . . He is there, before me and I am before him, standing up, w ithout even remembering the e ffo rt of getting up. How moving it is to feel suddenly that one is somewhere yet w ithout being there, that a world surrounds us and we can perceive nothing more, nothing, except eyes o f an extremely light colour in which all our being is lost not to forget, but to know . . . and LIVE! And that smile o f infinite kindness . . . an encouragement, a call fo r confidence, for hum ility and sim plicity! In those few seconds there poured into my consciousness memories o f the past: Lisbon, ISTANBUL, the shining crypt. All was one. How long did this state last? Some

seconds, perhaps less . . . yet I know and after all what does it matter? What signify such notions as time and space before the eternal symbolised by him who is here! He made no movement and did not give the sign which I had noticed several times before. I concluded that our meeting was not to follow the same plan as previous meetings where certain explanations were given me on the work of the High Council of A . . . Therefore I hope for some new revelation. The domain is so vast that only an enlightened guide can define the contours. But I do not show any particular curiosity for the STATE transcends our miserable intellect. "The place is not convenient fo r the object o f our meeting" said Maha after a few moments. "C om e." W ithout a word I followed him. He walked to where, at the edge of the pavement, a car waited a few steps away, and hardly were we seated than it departed silently towards its destination. I recognised certain canals, then the Leidersplein; we passed the theatre on the rightand the imposing American Hotel, we crossed the bridge, bore to the left and . . . I knew nothing more than that I was completely lost. I know Amsterdam well, but very much less its suburbs. Anyway I remember the splendid house at which we arrived. Some dwellings are too rare to be forgotten. This one was not very big. It was situated at the heart of a green park to which coloured shrubs gave brightness and its structure OF CLEAR brick gave it a likeness to certain buildings on the outskirts of London. We walked several steps from the car to a small fligh t of steps leading to a large vestibule almost unfurnished. No pictures on the wall, in a corner a Chinese cabinet finely engraved, in the centre a low table and two elegant armchairs, nothing else which could particularly attract attention. On the left a large glass door and a tin y salon as bare as the vestibule. Maha led me in and we sat down face to face on each side o f the elegant rectangular table. Maha seemed to be waiting for me to speak. I was surprised but I made up my mind. " A relatively short time has passed since you afforded me the inestimable privilege of permitting me to make your acquaintance and to learn of the existence o f the High Council. According to your instructions I have given out a part o f the revelations which were given to me to those whom my own responsibilities give me the right. I have made no distinction between them, but have given to all the message received. I would even say that some were waiting for it and fo r others it was the awakening o f an indefinable knowledge that they sensed w ithin themselves. Of the reaction of some, very rare, you had warned me im plicitly during the course o f our meetings t h a t . . . " Maha interrupted me with a smile; " I t is well that men should demand WHY? before certain phenomena and before events which do not fit into their normal comprehension. A judicious WHY can open fo r him the way towards transcendent knowledge — that which

is beyond the limitations of his intellect which registers at the level of the permanence of the actual. But such a WHY even though expressed to another is really put to himself and the reply o f another is never satisfying. Therefore this reply often must be avoided. As you well know the "W H Y " can be raised by egotism or favoured by a clever suggestion, of which the true motives are always very clear to one who knows how to analyse them. Everyone must therefore determine the real nature of his WHY before asking it. It will draw out a decisive knowledge o f self and of others." I admire the absolute wisdom of my teacher. Every word of his struck my consciousness w ith piercing light. The most simple things become a lesson on the value of a word such as WHY, so harmless in appearance. Words are w ithout life until they are brought to life by the one who pronounces them. They are nothing in themselves, but spoken they are charged with the personality of him who speaks them. Does not that also apply to a phrase . . . A WORD, which can better reveal the inner self than all the analysis of a psychology w ithout depth? Maha by his brief interruption had diverted my train o f thought In all human conduct, in complex argument of daily facts, I was ever raised with him towards the simplicity o f new heights. Most Excellent Master, he had, at the most opportune moment, interrupted the subtle play of my mental associations and going straight to the core of my remarks, he had unravelled the tangled skein o f a reasoning too well constructed by a remark which carried in itself the solution of everything. I felt no more need to speak. Of what use? Someone capable in a few words of expressing a response which formed the solution to all questions raised directly or indirectly by a single curiosity, would he not know always the CAUSE or the motive for actions, or even the thoughts o f a being occupied w ith human conditions and firstly w ith his own ego? Suddenly I realised again who Maha is and what he represents not only by his incomparable responsibilities but above all in HIMSELF and I felt ridiculous, almost ashamed at not having kept silent. Maha who was regarding me kindly, shared in my mute reflections. I gave myself up to privilege of his presence and immediately, I felt the immensity of his vibratory contact from which I had removed myself by my fault, by living on the limited plane of 'reason' alone. I saw by his look that he did not refuse me, and peace descended upon me, enveloped me and filled my being. All the time that he was speaking I was, as it were, out of myself. It was no longer Maha and myself, but simply a powerful vibratory flux, in which I shared, knowing all, w ithout distinguishing if this all had really been said in words which sprang up in myself as if they came from outside in the voice of Maha. "Truths are relative in comparison with THE TRUTH of which the A . . . is a permanent expression and o f which the dynamic power projects itself over the cycles by the Interpreter of the High Council, but even this TRUTH, when it is transmitted in the

fewest words, becomes to every man HIS truth. It covers the limitations of objective consciousness and the reactions o f phenomena. It clothes life w ith the characteristic which comes from its ineffable, intangible and infinite source. It takes form in the individual who receives it and it clothes in like manner the aspects o f a fragmentary comprehension. It remains itself w ithout being more than itself. Hence, of what importance is human interpretation? This from the beginning, is clothed in its own mantle which will give to the truth perceived its own colour and meaning. The Truth is for all, and all have access to it within the limits o f their comprehension, in such a way that the truth o f each one is valuable, and THERE IS NO ERROR IN IT, the error consists only in the judgment or the evaluation o f others. That is why a new revelation of the Truth should not be reserved only fo r those who are supposed to be able to understand it, because all will assimilate it according to their own standard. As to the High Council it works always according to the Truth. It does not formulate it in the principles which, by definition, would enclose it in the barriers of the material so well that it would become one expression of the Truth. The High Council applies the Truth. It stimulates humanity towards it and conducts it according to established stages in the manner that you have*understood in our previous meetings. "Yes, the task o f the High Council is a hard one and in this transitional epoch, and it is no easy task to deal with the errors committed by collective humanity in supposing that the truth of one continent is more important that that of another. As I have said, there is no error that some people at some time will consider as their truth. It resides in the evaluation o f the truth of others from a different truth considered as the only one of value. For many ages, men have foundered in the same error, an error which seems inherent in their nature but which is not so and which can be overcome by general adhesion to the great universal principles known to all, o f which the first is perhaps the respect fo r freedom of thought o f others. To control the errors and their tragic consequences w ithout too much intervening in the collective liberty o f the world and with the lessons which must be learned from erroneous actions requires an uninterrupted vigilence. My collaborators and I have insisted previously on liberty being left to man w ithin the limits of established cycles and his ordained progression in those cycles. Thus, each period and these changes which actually affect humanity can be reasoned, peaceful and gradual, or may well be anarchistic and tortured by heartbreak and tears. That is the control o f man and this control is great. Nevertheless, the synthesis that the High Council is able to extract from this liberty is not always encouraging although there has been nothing yet to change our previous consclusions regarding the stage attained in the cyclic progression o f the earth. "Henceforth humanity is at the level which it had to attain and you have already been told what the next stage must be, the new cycle when all competition would be

situated on the plane o f world economy. Competition certainly fo r it signifies movement and progress is the function o f movement. Competition is a universal principle on condition that the fundamental rules o f justice and honesty are respected. In spite of recent events, the High Council, in its recent reunions have not come to a pessimistic conclusion and no major intervention has been decided upon, but it is recognised that the new cycle started badly in its first vicissitudes and the investigations of the kind of people you witnessed at Istanbul will be increased in the course o f the months to come, for humanity has entered the actual cycle w ith its old notions of the intrinsic value of money. It is therefore in this domain that our action w ill in future be developed and humanity must not fail to perceive it. There must be in the new cycle a complete overturning o f the scale of values and that implies before everything else a different comprehension o f social good. It is that to which the High Council will pay attention and you w ill assist in the consequences o f its enlightened pressure in this regard. The frontiers, more and more, will appear artificial and such is tru ly their nature. Beyond those arbitrary limits defined by the past history of humanity, it is now the influence of ideas which direct the world, and this influence w ill not cease to spread itself to the point where the ruling powers w ill be made to adjust themselves to this situation, and to devise different methods of government. Their role will consist above all, at some future date, to synthesise aspirations different only in appearance, to join the different truths into one social truth which will take in the adhesion of the greatest number. "In a last e ffo rt, the world brings to birth its new structures. The multiplying conflicts prove that man has not yet cast o ff the worn out vestments o f his past conceptions and he is living mentally in a dead cycle, although the following cycle is already established. He must take a great risk in awakening the consciousness to the present situation. We are trying to avoid it but once again humanity has the privilege of making its own choice. If it cannot, in order to bring about the conclusions that we have envisaged, we shall have to envisage differently the way in which the new cycle will be established, fo r in all ways it must be because that is the law. But we know that to the collective state the value of awareness is great and the High Council w ill procure that it may be once more. The unanimous force o f good then is a dangerous obstacle to an understanding which opposes it. He is wrong who believes that nationalism lives still in the heart of men. The national idea is out of date among the majority in spite of appearances. Everyone, wherever he is, lives in the diapason o f the world. Only individual or collective egotism always agitates humanity, but even this egotism operates now in comparison, on a plane outside nationality. With this fact as a basis the High Council displays on A L L the planes an extraordinary activity. Whoever can see beyond the old structures, which disintegrate, sees the new world which must rise up in the light of A . . . and nothing, I repeat, not even the dangerous vicissitudes which are the work of men can oppose the unfolding of the present cycle towards its goal which must in one way or another, be

attained in future. I think this answers the questions which have arisen in you before the events which recently have disturbed the world. By the light which you have seen already you will have been able to explain them more or less and put them in their right context. To such events we must resign ourselves and to that which they bring about, but remember that to understand you must go beyond appearances and the High Council is always working with all the more reason if the gravity o f the circumstances necessitates it." I let myself go to the grave intonations o f this marvellous voice to the point when I could feel the thoughts which it conveyed and which w ithout doubt at the same moment resounded in the universe of Good and Truth. The words are studied, and now as I write them it seems to me that their meaning for the reader, the fire and the life o f the vocal expression, that my memory alone can pass them on anew. But I feel that the reader himself, in the thread of phrases, will hear more than he reads, and the text for him also will become the WORD. In any case it is not only that MAHA SAYS which has value, but it is also what he suggests at the same time. His words are aphorisms which reflexion causes to mature* into conclusions adaptable to the diversity of circumstances. The subject is seen from above, at his level, and he will deal w ith events in such a manner, that at the time or after the event, one can say "He has spoken of i t ! " In addition what is important is that such beings EXIST and that they are there in all circumstances, to aid the best and evade the worst and, personally, that is enough fo r me. In fact, I did not know WHY Maha had brought about his new meeting. Indeed, I would have run to the ends o f the earth at his call if only fo r the joy of HIS PRESENCE, but I knew there was no more to learn about the A . . . and its activities. All that had already been said and the part that I had transmitted was sufficient for a plain understanding of outside events that had taken place till now. Also, when I received the message, and that by perfectly normal ways, after the joy of the news, I had asked myself, WHY this meeting. It goes w itho ut saying that at no time was I even touched by the thought that the rendez-vous would not be important. Maha is certainly too busy, and his responsibilities too heavy fo r the least of his personal interventions not to have a precise objective. "Y ou are rig h t," he said, "There is a precise objective . . . " (I was not even surprised that he had followed the trend o f my thoughts. Not for a moment had his regard left mine and what passed through me he would N A TU R A LLY know as well as myself.) "In the new cycle, EDUCATION takes the place of first importance and you cannot have failed to notice that at several meetings, my colleagues and I have rendered homage to the organisation at the heart of which you fu lfill essential functions. The authentic and well known traditional movements are to us EDUCATIVE in the truest sense of the term as much as and perhaps more than merely profane. They are concerned with THE BEING AND ITS REGENERATION that is to say THE ESSENTIAL compared to the relative,

and the permanent as compared w ith the transitory. That is why, to the A . . . they have first place in the universal plan and an examination of this formed part o f the deliberations at our last periodic reunion. The moment has come, w ithout doubt, fo r you to know the reason fo r which you have been given the opportunity of the meetings with the A . . . The Supreme Head of your noble Order is the summit of the empire which constitutes your tradition. He is at the same time the HEAD AND THE HEART. Your entire Order lives and moves by his first impulsion. ON A L L PLANES your Imperator CONCENTRATES WITHIN HIMSELF, ON HIMSELF AND THROUGH HIMSELF the initiatic power. This forms itself in the ideas and conceptions w ithin his mind and he then retransmits this knowledge, let us say AT THE HEART LEVEL. Nothing must interfere with this sublime task o f being THE TRANSMITTER OF WISDOM. But in all things there are correspondences and at your level you constitute a pole, a reflection of the sublime pole, polarising precisely the force transmitted and that whether you are conscious o f it or not. Therefore, what you receive W ILL BE RECEIVED ipso facto at the supreme level w ithout his having to submit it to external conditions of movement and contact which would still more complicate his enormous task. In other respects the head and the heart have need of "arm s" and if these are "m uscled" by more knowledge they again will transmit better the impulsion o f the head and the heart. Lastly, although its action concerns the whole world, the High Council sets the stage o f its deliberations, particularly in Europe and that is well fo r its ramifications extend to the entire planet. There is also another important point: tradition, like Truth, is impersonal. Now that which is received by the Surpreme executive becomes tradition fo r the work that he embodies and what you have learned o f our existence and our work is not opposed to but DIFFERENT to your tradition. More exactly to him it is strange. Thus what you have received and transmitted in your way cannot be w ithout error integrated by anyone'into the work of your Order. Let us say that it is a question o f knowing im plicitly a certain stage of your tradition at the risk of distorting the reason and EDUCATIVE aim in the most sacred sense of the term. The traditional and known organisations o f which yours is at the highest rung have received fo r some decades a particular impulsion. The esoteric structure o f ancient forms are breaking up everywhere and in the new cycle, their role in the reformed structure, will be different, and, by comparison w ith what was, incontestably diminished. It is fo r the traditional organisations to make the change and that explains why the High Council is so interested in them w ithout intervening in their activities, their traditions or their own way of operating. Indeed our vigilance leads us to ward o ff from these organisations the danger caused by the perverted actions o f some people to satisfy the exigences of their ego fascinated by the false grandeur of apparent advantage when although each is different from the other on the traditional Path A L L ARE EQUAL with respect to that which they must attain. But that is the lim it o f our role, fo r the perpetuation of a tradition, the vigilance as to its purity and its impersonality is the sole business o f those who, fo r a time, are invested w ith the responsibility of .this tradition. Now, there is, in the domain of

education, an acceleration which in the last analysis, is the business of the High Council, and which, in a general context, is designed to advance the understanding in such a way that it becomes an efficacious counterweight to the bad beginning o f the new cycle previously mentioned. In a few months, on the plane of education, an important advance will have been realised. From the old basis o f evolution progress has been attained. IT MUST BE therefore, in what concerns the traditional Orders, the rest is our concern, that first and foremost, more LIGHT be given to those who are their leaders. It should not be a question of differentiating between the advancement of each The light must come to A L L . Those who can receive it w ill receive it and understand it and the least are, in the reality of their beings, more often than, not more advanced than those who have the illusion of being more advanced. Now, this light, you have possessed since your previous meetings w ith the High Council. It was given in that part o f our revelations that my colleague so rightly called it: the secret seal that he recommended you not to deal with under any pretext. The High Council has now decided otherwise. OPEN THE SECRET SEAL A T THE CHAPTER ON EDUCATION and transmit to those in your Order the light which concerns them. We work in other ways in such a manner that the light which applies to other valuable organisations be given to them . . . " I was astonished. In w riting the "Strange Encounters" I had proceeded w ith great care, vigilance constantly on the alert, to avoid including, even by passing allusion, certain revelations included in what was called, first in Athens, then at Lisbon, and lastly at Istanbul THE SECRET SEALS. And here I was now to open one o f them w ithout any restriction to be included in this account. Maha watched me smilingly, and as the thoughts flowed through my mind, the smile increased . . . I understood what it expressed. He who commands secrecy can lif t the promise previously required. Besides, cannot the High Council determine w ith absolute perfection what must be done? The when and the how are its own decision. Is not the task o f the true adept summed up by OBEDIENCE? I was ashamed o f the upsurge o f my ego and already the plan o f my future showed itself with astonishing clarity. All this flashed very . . . too quickly and I was convinced that Maha was perfectly aware o f my thoughts. So be it, I FELT it and when the time came I had only to DEVELOP it, to clothe it in words, this knowledge that Maha could call up LIVIN G AND COMPLETE to my consciousness . .. "So Mote It Be!" But already Maha was concluding: "We shall have occasion to meet again, when your journey in the course o f the next months w ill cross mine during the four meetings of the final experiences you must undergo. However we shall have no more conversations of this nature unless circumstances require it in relation to the WORK, but do not wish fo r it, for that would signify that the situation is very grave to the point when it would be necessary to provide fo r a retreat from the world o f sure values necessary fo r a new expression o f the cycle. Never, however, should you suppose a cutting o ff, and "Absence” . The High Council of the A . . . is permanent! Go and open the seal!"

Maha, whose light coloured eyes took on at this moment a metallic tin t d iffic u lt to describe, slowly carried all the fingers o f the right hand to his forehead . . . and I was filled with such emotion that my eyes closed and I was suddenly as if separated from myself, at first unconscious in an ocean of vibrations o f irridescent colours then at peace, in an extraordinary nothingness o f strange sounds and absolute silence a nothingness of space where all is filled and where no distinction exists between here and there. My eyes opened but the impression remained, and before me, in the tw ilight shadow, ah immense light where I KNEW Maha and where I saw nothing else. Gradually everything fell into place again and Maha came up to me. Instinctively I bent my left knee to the floor, I bowed my head and I fe lt once more than unforgettable influx of the benediction o f the Greatest of the Great. How I returned to the Hotel Carlton, how I left Maha and the house which for some hours had sheltered me and my sublime teacher, I do not know . . . We are sometimes so wrapped up in ourselves that nothing else matters. Think of some great joy or profound sorrow you have experienced. This joy or this sorrow absorbs all your consciousness, to the detriment o f all the rest. So then I was in joy and at the same time in pain. Of what importance time and place . . . I have been several times since to Amsterdam in the service of the Order. I have walked the length o f the building which was the place o f my last meeting w ith Maha. The shutters are closed, the house seems empty, the park deserted. For me the place was dead. It had had no life except w ith Maha. It only had life w ithin myself. However, such is HIS wish, which guides my pen along the line o f my thought, and the plan, born o f an august presence develops itself in the finished work of the great news to those who, reading the words w ill be able to understand and communicate. In the name of the A . . . and on its order accompany me in a fascinating journey towards "The Secret Houses o f the Rose-Croix". With me, break the seal and thus allow the open book to pour out upon you the joys o f the eternal tradition to the rhythm of which, by your part in the Rosicrucian Order AMORC you travel towards your own reconciliation.

4 VIENNA

Like all large towns — and some smaller ones — Vienna, fo r the natives and the emigrants from the provinces, or the stranger is the daily bread. For the tourist, and even the hurried traveller, Vienna means the games of the Prater, and the nonchalance of Schoenbrunn. For everyone, natives, emigrants, tourists and travellers Vienna is the smiling capital of the music and cult of Strauss. I arrived in Vienna at the height o f the great musical festival o f June 1967. In the taxi which drove me from the aerodrome to my hotel the strains of a waltz charmed my road and hardly had I arrived when another waltz accompanied me from the mass o f trees which face the Hotel Continental. A fter a quick pause, time to fill in the formalities at the reception desk and be led to my room, a new waltz filled the universe, because the first act o f the porter was to turn on the radio. It was to music that I opened my bags and made the acquaintance with my temporary home. I had asked fo r a quiet room, and actually, I did not notice the noises o f the town in the distance thus finding the place quite satisfactory. However, glancing out of the great bay window, I saw in the square right underneath, arranged in squares, several rows of seats with a ring in the centre. I thought — I wanted to think — that these were the empty places from a past sporting event, when later in the evening, returning to my room after a meal, a maddening clamour came from the window, and I became fo r some moments a clandestine spectator o f the contortions o f a match o f . . . catch!! Such was the sight which upset my thoughts, THE THOUGHT of the experience which I was to await here. The day D, the hour H? Oh no! I know that it is a TOMORROW and that the meeting will take place at 9 o'clock in the morning. I know that I must wait in my room fo r the call of the concierge and that it is in fro n t of his desk that the meeting will take place. On the surface, therefore, nothing had changed. I woke up at 6.30 and I was surprised, fo r my physical constitution is such that, as I have said, I am not a "m o rn in g " person, I often work at w riting articles, meditations, till two or three o'clock in the morning w itho ut being the least tired, but if in the morning I get up too early, my efficiency is considerably retarded. What a strange constitution is mine in this incarnation! No intense cold, no morning hours . . . One must know these exigencies and adapt oneself to them. It requires a kind of mastership to know oneself so well. Certain people at times tell me "H o w much you must regret not to know each day, the beauties o f the morning when all nature awakes in explosions o f jo y !" I can only reply " I t is a pity on your side you cannot know the splendours o f the night when everyone is asleep around you and the talkative sky has only you to whom to tell its secrets!" I was ready in a few minutes, I was: "In the beginning . . . " I was about to go to the window when the telephone rang . . . IT IS THE TIME, HE IS WAITING . . . I hurried

towards the lift, I was in the hall . . . then at the desk o f the concierge. HE IS THERE! I WOULD HAVE KNOWN HIM AMONG THOUSANDS! The height, the noble face, the overwhelming calm of the whole appearance, the brilliance of light grey eyes under the amazingly thick white eyebrows thrown at random on the forehead . . . the burning magnetism which emanates from his whole being to a point which seems as if he had touched one w ith his actual fingers, HE IS THERE, ROSE-CROIX, A ROSE-CROIX, A REALISATION. What could one do? What could one say? What would you have done? or said? . , I approached him and w itho ut ostentation, lightly bowed my head in a sign of profound respect and intense devotion, I put the left hand on my heart and murmured " A t your service!" A smile answered me and w ithout a word being spoken I followed him to an immense black car marked w ith a diplomatic plaque and the chauffeur w ithout a word, s tiff and serious, drove the car along a route known to him towards its destination. On the way I thew a glance at the crowded thoroughfare along which we were passing, then on the opera house, then . . . but a hand was laid affectionately on mine, as if to say "Please, patience, confidence!" and these three feelings, at the same moment I felt, I LIVED THEM. A little sooner, a little later, what did it matter! An experience such as the present one is it not in itself all mystical experience? I remembered that a wise man, met during a journey I had undertaken in search o f the vestiges of an ancient intiation, had said to me: "Repeat the word God fo r five minutes, living it each instant as you speak. If you can do this you w ill be God yourself!" He wished in this way to show that the initiation had the effect o f being conscious o f each instant, in making each moment a perpetual PRESENT. In truth I fe lt good at that moment as if the kind hand reseting on mine were assuring me that I was w orthy o f the experience. The journey proceeded to . . . I know not, it seemed o f little importance to mention it. I was not unaware o f where we were, fo r curiosly, I had already come one day to this place, during a walk, but I may not give here any indications of precisely where it was as anyone w ill understand. This house o f the Rose-Croix, like the others which we would visit later is SECRET and this is fo r reasons bound up w ith the same idea o f initiation and tradition. Besides, if I told in these pages: this house is in such a street, one gets there in such a way, how many in their mystical enthusiasm would come running to these doors, not to know more of what I am going to tell you, but to SEE more and perhaps to perceive fo r an instant the shadow o f reality. So this would be the end, the breaking point, the collapse o f a world o f tradition, fo r it is true that the most noble desire engenders the most dreadful catastrophies. However, the house is isolated w ith, in the distance, the edge o f a deep forest. High walls surround it and some distance away one can see the roof and the top storey. Perspective makes it appear that there is little distance between the house and the wall, but this is not so. In fro n t and at the sides the space is not less than five metres and I was soon to learn that behind there was a magnificent garden of over an acre.

The great gates opened to a triple call from the klaxon o f our car, and the limousine, silently entered w ithin, turned to the left and stopped in fron t of a stone porch covered w ith an elegant tiled roof. The house appeared to be vast. It appeared at first sight to have two floors and was little different from a country residence to which a man o f affairs would like periodically to retire from the work and pomp o f the world. I quickly found out the difference, precisely, elsewhere, inside the house, and all that happened therein. I observed there is not the slightest way of identifying this house or what it contained — no name plate — no indication to suggest the designation o f the place. The chauffeur opened the door at my side. I was very embarrassed and hurried to the other door, to assist my companion, but he was already out and took hold o f my left arm, to lead me towards the house. Turning toward the chauffeur who waited w itho ut speaking, he said in English: "Y ou may go now and thank you my friend. This evening at eight o'clock w ill be time enough." A finely modelled hand in shining brass is ready fo r the signal from my host. He gave it three knocks, and the door opened wide . . . before us . . . I was completely astonished, as if paralysed on the threshold, incapable of moving: there in fro n t of me, there were TWELVE MEN, INCLUDING HIM WHO ACCOMPANIED ME AND HE WHO HAD OPENED THE DOOR, AND A L L THOSE INSIDE WERE CLAD IN A LONG WHITE FITTED ROBE BOUND ROUND THE WAIST WITH A BELT OF THE SAME COLOUR. The perspective of this circular room of medium dimension w ith its floor o f black and white marble cut in regular triangles, of which the points were in the direction o f the entrance, the picture which met my eyes was indeed impressive. I do not know how, in the state I was in, it was possible fo r me to see anything. It is true that in critical or exceptional circumstances o u r entire being is alerted and we perceive more than our senses are aware o f and that, w ithin , our attention registers the whole scene and the detail. A t the end of the room, behind and slightly to the right of those whom already I had recognised as 'T H E MEN IN W H ITE ", tw o columns, one white and the other black, rested on a rectangular platform of rose marble, reached on three sides by three steps. On the wall between the tw o columns, an emmense portrait of the Master Jesus, — so alive, so animated by a play o f screened lighting that HIS presence seemed real. In the centre o f the platform , tw o stalls of sober lines surrounded a beautifully carved armchair that I could not see very well from where I was standing. To the right, perfectly fitted to the curve of the wall, there were six pews or stalls and to the left three, but the lack of symmetry was not apparent as if the arrangement was intended. A little later I saw just behind the men in white, a great candelabra, and I saw on both sides of the entrance two similar candelabra, then exactly in the centre o f the room, in the centre o f the floor, a

great violet triangle, the apex of which faced the entrance and at each point of which was placed a candlestick o f the same wood as the candelabras. A t the side of the black column a light smoke arose from an enormous incense burner. A table covered w ith a white cloth was next to the other column and on this table a large crystal bowl shining on its pedestal of silver. A soft light shone from the bowls fixed on the walls. I counted them later: there were TWELVE. To enter the room after passing the doorway, one had to descend three steps, and this reminded me of another place, quite different, and other circumstances. A few minutes, perhaps only a few seconds had passed since I was on the threshold, for it takes longer to describe it than to LIVE it. My first companion entered first and tunned to the right towards a little door through which he passed. He who had opened the door took me in his turn by the left arm and led me towards the group facing the man in white who stood in the centre o f the others. I noticed he wore a violet stole w ith, fo r sole ornamental symbol, a golden Rosy Cross, worked in the centre w ith red embroidery, on the left side. A skull cap o f the same violet material as the stole, covered his head and part of his forehead. He was o f small stature and SEEMED aged w ithout my being able to guess his age. His face, like that of the first one and the others, shone w ith ineffable sweetness in the aureole o f his long white hair. His grey eyes rested on me fixedly. Instinctively, I made the sign o f Supplication and bowed while on my right he who had brought me before the group addressed in English the one who was facing me: "Father Rosencreutz, here is our visitor," and then THREE TIMES, he pronounced my name. The response came, vibrant, in a strong voice which surprised me from a man o f his stature, and, who knows, o f what age: "Y O U ARE WELCOME, MY SON, TO THE TEMPLE OF THE HOLY S P IR IT !" Then he placed his hands on my shoulders, shut his eyes and concentrated w ithin himself, then breathed THREE TIMES on my forehead. Immediately I fe lt an extraordinary feeling of lightness, an impression of TOTAL PURIFICATION and my eyes filled w ith tears, but already my conductor had pushed me towards the left and the same presentation was made to each of these august personages. However with them their ESOTERIC NAME was preceded w ith a title which I well knew — that o f FRATER. Meanwhile my first companion had returned clothed in the white robe, and I noted that he only, w ith the "Father Rosencreutz" wore a stole, but his was blue. His name I shall remember just as I remembered the names o f the others. These names are MAGICAL and they have a meaning, when we know them. The "F a th e r" now took his place in the Master's armchair. My first companion sat down on the fight, and my "conductor" on the left. The others occupied the stalls. A small footstool had been placed at the apex of the triangle, and the Father signed to me to be seated.

Not a word that I could understand was spoken. The Father followed by all the others stood up and I did the same. It seemed that the Father pronounced some words and that the others answered him but I HEARD NOTHING. I saw six of the men in white leave their seats, approach the burning incense, and light a small torch at the flame o f a candle placed in a red globe that I had not hitherto noticed, then each one stepped, some before a candelabra others before a candlestick. Again the lips o f the Father moved in what was fo r me an IMPRESSIVE SILENCE. The lips of the others replied to him, and with perfect synchronisation, the six torchbearers lit the tapers and candles. A t this exact moment all the other lights were extinguished, and the enormous crystal bowl became brilliant, with a dazzling light which however, DID NOT GIVE AN Y LIGHT TO THE REST OF THE ROOM. In fact the only light was produced by the candles. Oh! strange atmosphere o f another world, fantasmagoric vision, and accentuated by the dancing flames, the giant shadows o f the immaculate men! WHO AM I? WHERE AM I? WHAT IS THIS SOUND NEVER BEFORE HEARD TH AT SEEMS A BEWILDERING M IXTURE, calling the breathing to a slow rhythm , slower and slow er. . . ! Is it OM, no. Is it AUM? No, not quite — a mixture o f the tw o perhaps . . . In me, first a TO TAL EMPTINESS. Then the sensation of "swinging" a w hirl of unconsciousness and then nothing more — like a dream, like death! Later, returning to myself, I remembered the first phase. It was that practised by the members o f the Rosicrucian Order AMORC who have successfully passed the 7th Temple Degree . . . and the other, but it had been conducted, RAISED UP whilst I was outside. On the other hand I was not conscious o f the other plane, the other state, as is the case in a successful projection. What did it mean? I th ink I have the true explanation. I WAS SUBMITTED TO A PSYCHIC EXAM IN ATIO N . For that it was necessary to have my FU LL CO-OPERATION and the only way was to come here and show my acceptance. Had it been asked of me naturally I would have given my agreement. In tru th , to such beings, I would have surrendered myself entirely and WITHOUT AN Y FURTHER THOUGHT: their work is o f supreme goodness THE SUMMUM BONUM. For that which they are, I could not but reap the greatest p ro fit fo r myself and above all FOR OTHERS. But all this happened so quickly! This is what in their mute language they would have said. The candles and tapers were extinguished, the crystal bowl rested lifeless on fts pedestal, the lights returned. The Father and his assistants retired through the little door to another room and I was left alone fo r a few moments. Were they deliberating? Was it necessary to draw conclusions from their examination, to decide whether " f o r " or "against"? I do not think so. It is easy fo r them, in all circumstances and in all conditions, above all in a room already prepared, to analyse the aura o f a visitor. No ceremony is needed fo r them to do so. Besides, I AM THERE and if I have been accepted, that perhaps would not signify that I am w orthy, but surely it

indicates that I am not UNWORTHY. Then there is no need to reach a decision concerning me. The decision had been made BEFORE my coming here. On the contrary I did not understand the REASON fo r this ceremony, but was it a matter of REASON? The SIMPLE explanation was given to me later on. It was a BAPTISM, more exactly a PURIFICATION according to the symbol of FIRE. How we are limited by our reasoning in living w itho ut ceasing in the world and how we complicate TH A T WHICH IS SIMPLICITY . . . "Because as little children . . . " Yes a child would have understood that coming from "outside" he must "enter in " to be delivered from the ashes of the earth and "raised" to another level o f vibration and comprehension. My astonishment at being introduced, immediately on arrival, in this COLLEGE OF THE SACRED SPIRIT and to see that this temple is situated w itho ut apparent protection at what I supposed to be the entrance, that was also explained to me. The main entrance to the "House" is not here. Here is the entrance TO THE TEMPLE, but he who is admitted must have been already received into the temple. I saw that the departure is effected by the principal entrance and all this process is symbolic. One must ALWAYS pass through THE STRAIGHT GATE if one would one day open the GREAT DOOR OF THE KINGDOM which is not o f this world, which one may not reach save THROUGH HIMSELF . . . And now w riting these lines, and telling all that this story represents, I am today seized with doubt and bitterness. WHAT IS THE GOOD OF IT? In a few months, these words w ill reach their destination, and I have doubt certainly, that they w ill carry much light and com fort, but fo r some, what w ill that be? The life of the world especially in the West, kills the innocence which Emmanual Swedenborg calls the key of the kingdom. MAN NO LONGER QUALIFIES. He opposes the truth w ith the barrier o f his materialistic reasoning and his illusiory impressions. He accepts the worst sophisms. He builds up the most unbelievable abstract systems and when the truth of an experience passes beyond the frontiers of what he knows, however incomplete and limited, if he is carried away beyond his usual sensorial impressions, the postulants o f his pseudo-science and the poor conclusions o f his objective thoughts, immediately he doubts everything else as he doubts himself, he denies the inward certitude which cries out " IT IS T R U E " and through his own fault he remains in the dark gulf o f purely phenomenal reflection, the slave of believing to have passed it. So today I wanted to destroy this manuscript, shield w ithin the secret o f my memories the circumstances o f an exceptional experience and content myself with reliving them in my heart and share them otherwise w ith others. I have also been tempted to relate the story in a manuscript which would not see the light of day till later, much later, when one named Raymond Bernard would be forgotten save as a servant of the Rosicrucian Order, and who some tim e ago held the title of Grand Master and would be chronologically placed in the history o f the Rose-Croix. So such a story would fu lfill its mission fo r all perhaps. But HAVE I THE RIGHT to allow myself to be driven by feelings born o f too personal reactions? Have I the RIGHT to refuse to pass it on because

my moral com fort supposes that silence would be more profitable? In acting thus, was I not contaminated by the microbe of obscure rationalisation which seeks to impose itself on a world nevertheless blind to the mystery? I OUGHT to go on and if my human ego is to be appeased why should I not cry again what I have said, w ritten and repeated on the subject o f unusual meetings: Here are the events! Here are the facts! THESE EVENTS AND THESE FACTS CERTAINLY ARE THROUGH THE CHANNEL OF MY OWN SUBJECTIVE SINCE A L L WHICH IS OUTSIDE MAN IS NOT PERCEIVED AND INTERPRETED BY HIS CONSCIOUSNESS W ITHOUT PASSING THROUGH HIMSELF AND THE RESULT THUS ACHIEVED BUILDS HIS HUMAN NATURE! But EVENTS ARE EVENTS AND FACTS ARE FACTS! STRIP THEM IF YOU WISH OF THE EMOTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES OF THEIR TE LLIN G ! MAKE AN ABSTRACTION OF THE MANNER IN WHICH THEY ARE RELATED, OF THE PERSONALITY AND STYLE OF THE AUTHOR, AND SEE, YOU ALONE FACED WITH THE FACTS AND THE EVENTS THUS DENUDED, THE CALL WHICH THEY HAVE TO YOU AND THE NEW LIGHT THEY CAN GIVE YOU ON YOUR JOURNEY. A FICTION TO YOU? WHAT DOES IT MATTER IF THE PARABLE IS RICH WITH PROMISE FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING AND YOUR "R E C O N C ILIA T IO N ". FACTS AND EVENTS OF THIS NATURE ARE OUTSIDE A L L EVIDENCE. THEY BELONG TO ANOTHER PLANE AND THEY CANNOT ENTER INTO YOU SAVE BY ANOTHER PLANE IN YOURSELF. BELIEVE OR DO NOT BELIEVE, AD M IT OR DOUBT, IT IS YOUR PRIVILEGE AND I NEITHER CAN NOR WOULD TRY TO PERSUADE YOU TO BELIEVE OR DISBELIEVE. IT IS BECAUSE I MYSELF WAS A "ST. THOMAS" TH AT I ACCEPT YOUR RIGHT OF SELF DETERM INATION. So then, read and understand what is GOOD FOR YOU OR REJECT THE WHOLE OF IT. NOTHING WOULD BE ABLE TO IN STILL AN Y DOUBT IN ME: I HAVE LIVED THROUGH IT AND I HAVE SEEN, BUT I CANNOT ON MY SIDE ASK YOU TO ACCEPT MY TRUTH BECAUSE YOU ONLY HEAR IT. SO YOU ARE FREE AND YOU CAN ACCOMPANY ME WITHOUT RISK IN MY JOURNEY TO THE KINGDOM OF MY R E A LITY , YOURS PERHAPS, AS WELL AS MINE . . . Since my arrival at this first "Secret House" o f the Rose-Croix I had not received any instruction except the extraordinary ceremony at which I had participated as the subject. This ceremony, alone, symbolised certainly the whole objective of A L L my experiences and meditations as I would see later it was well thus. However, I was persuaded that above all at this time I must take it all in passively to be able to analyse and evaluate later on what I had been given. I waited then, w ithout curiosity and w ithout nervousness. The door opened, I did not move and a hand resting on my shoulder was the signal that the time had come fo r further discoveries. I arose from the footstool where I had been sitting whilst I waited. The TWELVE were no longer wearing their robes. They were dressed in modern dress.which did not surprise me. My

first companion was indistinguishable from others in public and is not a fundamental rule of the Rose-Croix w ritten thus: "N o one should be made to wear a special costume, but follow the habits of the country where he finds himself."? There is all the same, something which differentiates these venerable beings NO MATTER WHERE and that is THEIR LIKE NATURES. Certainly their white hair gives to some this apparent respectability to which the world is sensible, sometimes too much so, but two of them had the skull completely shaved and tw o others had abundant black hair. No one, not even the Father, wore a beard and I smiled to think o f this characteristic which many in a childish way attributed to the Masters, as if the beard were a symbol o f spirituality! Strangely THEY A L L RESEMBLED EACH OTHER. Their features seemed to have something in common, something indefinable, and this thing in "C om m on" naturally, is THE SAME STATE, the ID EN TIC AL DEGREE that all o f them had attained on the plane of BEING. This state "flo w e d " around them and I would almost have said that these men "Shone". Around them one could imagine, sometimes one could see, a luminous mist which is w ithout doubt what the Adepts recognise as "the glorious body". When these beings are there, it is d iffic u lt to pay attention to what is not themselves. A curious state of exaltation fills one's whole being. They are "d iffe re n t" and the world, w ith them becomes "D IF F E R E N T ". You are not separate, you are 'T H E M " and "T H E IR WORD". This unique impression is impossible to describe. We left the 'Tem ple o f the Holy S p irit" by the little door through which my hosts had passed previously, crossed a small hall and entered by a door already open, a long room w ith large windows o f which the centre was occupied by a rectangular table surrounded w ith high backed armchairs all exactly alike, even the two at each end of the table. I counted quickly: FOURTEEN. But they are TWELVE. Symbolism? "Fourteen" has never been im portant enough to hold the attention of the wise ones. The Father took his place in the chair at the extreme end of the table with his back to one o f the windows. My companion took his place in the one directly opposite and the others took their places. I was invited to sit on the right hand o f the Father Rosencreutz, and that had no particular meaning save as a measure o f the signal privilege which was being given to me .. . On the walls not one picture, not a sign, or a symbol. A low piece o f furniture w ithout doors occupied the length of the wall to the right o f the door. It was covered w ith books and papers which, at first sight, attracted no attention, but which in spite of that compelled one to KNOW, fo r nothing here was w ithout its use. It is better to have total sparceness and only the NECESSARY AND IMPORTANT things should furnish a room. Archives perhaps? Not so. The Rose-Croix have the Akashic records fo r their use. So? So we shall see . . .

It was the Father Rosencreutz who now began to speak. He was uninterrupted by any of the others and his extraordinary monlogue lasted for nearly fo rty minutes w ithout my feeling the least fatigue, nor was my attention distracted fo r a single instant. He did not stop for any thought before his introduction and why should he when these beings are w ithin themselves, meditation, spiritual life and sanctity? He spoke and his words seemed to come from w ithin each of those who were there, myself included, as if they came from the ONE SELF in which we were all bathed and of which we suddenly became conscious. "Y ou are here in ONE o f the Secret Houses o f the Rose-Croix. It is neither more nor less important than the others. All are the same degree since all the individuals they shelter have attained the SAME STATE by the SAME exterior initiatic way — that of the Rosicrucian tradition. There are TWELVE SECRET HOUSES OF THE ROSE-CROIX AND EACH ONE OF THESE HOUSES SHELTERS TWELVE MEMBERS, UNITED, THESE TWELVE HOUSES, BY THE 144 BEINGS WHO IN H AB IT THEM, CONSTITUTE THE TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT OR, IF YOU PREFER, THE COLLEGIUM SANCTI SPIRITI, OR AG AIN , THE INVISIBLE COLLEGE OF THE FRATERNITY OF THE ROSE-CROIX. The room where you were received just now is a symbol o f what we represent. No ritual, as you have seen, took place outside the APPLICATION OF A COSMIC LAW brought into being by the symbol of Light and Fire. This room called the Temple of the Holy Spirit symbolises our "College". Within it is the tangible mark, the reflection as our body is the reflection of the UNIVERSE, and you w ill note the use of the word "re fle ct" different from "replica" so often wrongly used to describe the human microcosm. In effect man is not a universe in miniature in the true sense of the term; he is the OBJECTIVE APPEARANCE OF A STABLE AND PERMANENT R EA LITY . He is the MEASURE of what he can understand and experience of the Reality in which he moves. That is why he is not a Reality in himself but a reflection, often illusory, of the REAL. "In our "College", we are brothers through our knowledge and the result of the work shared. We are not held by any oath, any statute or any rules fo r we are together all oaths, all statutes and all rules. Our only obligation is the HERMETIC DISCIPLINE that we observe voluntarily. We have no exterior sign of recognition. Of what use would it be to us, since we know one another at once? "Each of the twelve "Secret Houses" have a peculiar and definite raison d'etre. Each is bound to a determined discipline of the Rosicrucian Order in itself, and this signifies that there are in this tradition TWELVE PATHS, or again that the postulant, in order to p ro fit from the Rosicrucian technique must possess an interior "N o te " corresponding with TWELVE NOTES which form the keyboard o f the Rosicrucian Order. This means also that

the Rosicrucian tradition has TWELVE PATHS OR CHARACTERISTICS WITHIN THE SAME OUTER VISIBLE ORGANISATION AND TH AT THE RESULT OF THE SAME TEACHINGS, THE SAME TECHNIQUE OR METHOD TWELVE DIFFERENT RESULTS CAN BE ATTAIN E D WHICH A L L CORRESPOND IN THE LAST ANALYSIS TO THE F IN A L STATE OF ROSE-CROIX. This explanation does not mean that there are twelve different outer organisations. It is in the same outer organisation that these twelve possibilities are united. To give a simple example, a postulant on the Great Path could be inclined, let us say, to a passive mysticism. The Rosicrucian technique will open out in this particular direction the personality of the aspirant. Another might have a fundamental attraction to a response to his philosophical questions and the same w ill aid him in this direction. This is not to say that each aspirant must be limited to a single note EXCLUSIVELY on which he w ill express himself. Whoever is ready for the Rosicrucian Way has, latent w ithin himself, the twelve notes or qualities but, according to the degree of evolution, IT IS BY ONE NOTE - HIS NOTE - TH AT HE MUST FOLLOW HIS PATH. Moreover, the twelve notes are in such concord that progress on one note entails, so to speak, a harmonious progression to the eleven others, those which are not "awake” and the underlying unity shows itself when one finds advanced postulants manifesting the twelve Ways in one lifetime. You will have rightly judged that each of the twelve houses represents one note. It shelters those who have REALISED the state of ROSE-CROIX on the note which it represents. Moreover, in each house the twelve adepts each represent equally one note, or Path — the note or Path which has been his main characteristic in the final degree he has attained. So you see there is no separation between the houses, but on the contrary, a COMPLETE HARMONY and that here and now should show you the role of the "Secret Houses". This role, this raison d'etre, this aim you will learn from the revelations you will receive from OTHERS, in another "Temple of the Holy S p irit". But it is necessary first to have a general idea and it is here that you will be given a general outline. "Y ou have heard of the "names" which cover us. For us there is no more "personality". We must INCORPORATE our note and this we have done. Each of our names signifies our state, or if you wish, the particular quality of the Rose-Croix we manifest. Thus between us there is no difference! Each "characteristic" is equal to the others, fo r in all things, if you go to the extreme, you w ill recognise the UNITY and even the S IM ILA R IT Y . You can conclude from these fundamental explanations and also the fact TH AT WE ARE THERE that IT IS NOT IMPOSSIBLE to attain the STATE OF ROSE-CROIX. It is true. The number of the Rose-Croix is not limited to 144. It is the secret houses and those who live in them which are confined to this number. Thus these houses are like the HEART o f a much larger body of ROSE-CROIX. They are as it were the element which vivifies the body and which CONTROLS IT. No one can attain the state of Rose-Croix w itho ut our being informed of it and w ithout our taking action, or, in other words, we should recognise that it is so and later you will learn HOW . . .

"The greater body of the Rose-Croix! . . . Great certainly compared to our small number. That "small num ber" which has made some people, less well informed, believe that the Rose-Croix does not exist, or that their number is even more minute! The "greatest number" 1 need not tell you, is composed o f the "w orkers" dispersed over the world, by the lone individuals consecrated to their secret work, and who, by experience, have reached the High State. All are our brothers in work, deeds, and by discoveries of true science. To urge an analogy: the outer organisation is composed of a vast number of members dispersed over the world, and a reduced number of responsible ones meet at determined points. It is the same fo r those who recognise their oneness. They are on the whole world less numerous certainly, by comparison with the mass of aspirants, and some points known only to themselves, they have "th e ir Houses", these houses of which the role however, GOES BEYOND the single body of the Rose-Croix and extends to the much vaster group o f Rosicrucians. However, wherever they are found, whatever their occupations in the world and whether their responsibilities be great or small, THEY ARE TIED TO US, TO THE HOUSE WHICH CORRESPONDS TO THEIR "N O T E ", BY 'T IE S " WHICH ARE MORE THAN PSYCHIC, FOR IN THEIR VER ITABLE BEINGS THEY VIBRATE WITH THEIR EQUALS. They are the true Unknown Philosophers, unknown to the world, not recognised by it and ignored by all fo r they have "entered into the silence", they do not seek any recognition and they are men among men. However, they have the ability to come to their "house" if they feel a real need fo r a short period of retreat which w ill help them to surmount their trouble or the bitterness which arises from continual existence in the ocean of the vibrations o f the perturbed masses. In fact, each may take every third year, a stay o f three days in "his house" and every twelve a stay of twelve days. "Thus, does it not seem clear to you that it IS NOT IMPOSSIBLE to reach the sublime state o f ROSE-CROIX since, if the Rose-Croix are limited in number, there are in reality more than one would suppose and that some ignorant writers have believed. You have enough to think about until the next revelations which you w ill receive at Lisbon, Madrid and Athens. I have not been able to touch on more than general points, theoretical and w ithout great portent, but if you w ill reflect on them, you w ill realise the amplitude of what is about to be revealed to you and your conclusions will be fru itfu l, in conjunction with the future truths which w ill be revealed to you, when the time comes. . . " I could not stop myself from questioning the Sage: "Certainly I have understood perfectly what you have kindly told me. I have now an excellent idea o f the twelve houses, and what they represent and the ties which collectively and individually unite them. I have particularly noted the number of 144 and it has certainly opened fo r me new perspective in other domains o f symbolism. I deeply respect and I shall always deeply respect the sublime stature which constitutes, in evolution, the state of Rose-Croix and I have an

inkling, w ithout being able to put it into words, of the ROLE which Masters such as you fu lfill. But what is not clear to me, are the activities which this role implies for you and also the manner in which you conduct them. I see well the influence which you could have, directly through your "houses" or indirectly by the helpers to whom you are attached; all the same I cannot quite see how this influence links up with that which is the responsibility o f those whom we call "COSMIC MASTERS". Perhaps my question should simply be "Who are you?" Giving to the word "W ho" a sense far beyond your personality or even your state and . . . " Father Rosencreutz, his fine hands joined together, had listened with closed eyes and interrupting me he seemed to follow in a high voice a monologue from w ithin: "E volution . . . the worst description which could be chosen to express the purpose of the human quest. Evolution . ... When it is simply a matter o f being CONSCIOUS, TO AWAKEN W ITHIN, TO ENTER W ITHIN HIMSELF AND LIVE THEREIN, TO MANIFEST THE ESSENCE WHICH, THROUGH OUR PERSONAL UNIVERSE W ILL BECOME OUR SUBSTANCE OF THE MANIFEST WORLD! How can one express in WORDS a STATE which no words can express! The only language o f the "knowing consciousness" is EXPERIENCE OF THIS KNOWLEDGE OF CONSCIOUSNESS AND ANYONE WHO HAS HAD this experience w ithout turning back recognises what has been learned w ithout any word having been spoken. The language o f that man is no longer our language, the world o f the man is no longer our world. Colour is surpassed when Light is acquired even if the Light contains all colour in itself. Let us see . . . How can we suggest what is impossible to explain? Here then, we are the WHITE, not yet the RED and nevertheless THE WHITE AND THE RED are the tw o sides o f the same completion. So, because we are the WHITE, we have access to the RED but at our own choice, we refuse this possibility to continue our service on the level which is ours. Let us say that the RED, the BECOMING RED is the state o f those whom you call the "Cosmic Masters". The WHITE, our qualification, is the stage, or state o f Rose-Croix. Thus is situated our "level" and in the "p rism " o f the world, this level, this "lig h t" diffuses itself in twelve colours, seven fundamental and five complimentary o f which tw o are "shades" and three "d iffe re n t" all included among the others. It is evidently that by this diffusion the student lifts himself by degrees to the WHITE light. . . These are the twelve notes o f the keyboard of which I have already spoken, the twelve paths or characteristics o f the outer self all being synthesised and harmonised, each path must be of use, carry twelve rungs o f degrees reverberating the seven, tw o and three "colours". Thus spread to in fin ity the LAW OF SIM ILAR ITIES, because what is above is like that which is below, but also because what is w ithin is like that which is w ithout, where analogy and unity are the diversity of esotericism and exotericism. You understand better in this way how our influence is exerted: the WHITE composes all colours and all paths: that which emanates from the

WHITE that which diffuses, its reactions to the inner impulsions o f its "colours" all that constitutes the SAME FUNDAM ENTAL o f "states of consciousness" in individuals or if you prefer this word, EVOLUTION. That which happens on our stage o f thought that which forms the WORK which we perform, affects all the other degrees or lower STATES. That is why, from the SAME OPERATIVE ELEMENTS THE SAME CONSTANT FORMS FROM ONE R ITU AL OR ONE OUTER IN ITIA T IO N , FOR EXAMPLE, A GREATER AND MORE RAPID REALISATION CAN BE ACQUIRED IF TH AT IS JUDGED NECESSARY TAKIN G INTO ACCOUNT THE "U N IV E R S A L P LA N " OF WHICH THE RED, THE LEVEL OF THE COSMIC MASTERS, IS THE REGULATOR FOR TH AT WHICH TRACES, LET US SAY ONCE AG AIN , HUMAN EVOLUTION, OR IF YOU LIKE IT BETTER, TO ITS "R EDEM PTIO N " . . . " I was amazed at the horizons which opened out before me at these words of the Master. As he spoke "correspondences" came to me. I noticed the similarity of the numbers, the colours, the states with the technique of the Rosicrucian Order AMORC with its twelve degrees, o f which seven in effect, are fundamental, o f which tw o are shades, or transitions and o f which three, the "highest" are quite different and include the essence o f all the preceding ones. I noticed the summit "tw elve" which, as in our Order, is the keystone and I could n ot fail to make other observations which the members o f the tw elfth degree w ill easily understand. Other revelations came to me inwardly and the outline of Maha w ith his companions came to mind, IN HIS PLACE, IN THE INFIN ITE building up of the Universe where I was now able to place the work of the Cosmic Masters. I experienced w ithin myself the alchemy of creation — the red became evident to me as fire and sun, white, water and moon, and all sprang up in sparks of a world that is forged and where, in putrifying, the rind of the substance unrefined distills the silvered water of purification which must embrace the soul in a fire where SUDDENLY the Solar Gold will surge in the AW AKENING. To my consciousness appeared the wheel o f the Zodiac and the stages it represents, then came the great clock o f the Templars and the many became ONE, the puzzle resolved itself and appeared SIMPLE, and y e t . . . How long had I remained thus following the thread of glorious ideas? The Sages watched me tranquilly, Father Rosencreutz radiant w ith serenity and I asked myself if he and his companions had not followed in no small way the journey of my thoughts, and that they were borrowed from them. But here was I, fu lly conscious, if one could call consciousness the state in which I found myself in the presence o f such beings. Father Rosencreutz laid his hand on mine and withdrew it immediately as if fo r a signal. In fact he stood up, and the others did the same. Was my visit finished? I did not expect to learn any thing more here, but I knew that I must not leave until told to do so by my hosts.

The Father turned to my nearest neighbour and said something I did not hear. He whom he had addressed turned to me: "I am to show you quickly over our 'house'/' he said. You now leave Father Rosencreutz and my brothers. Will you please follow me . . . " I was confused. The past hours seemed to me to have lasted fo r ever. One does not appreciate the value o f what one possesses until the moment of losing it and I felt w ithin me an infinite emptiness, an abyssmal anguish. I looked around slowly, on those whom I was to leave in this room and my eyes rested on the Father. Is he the "W hite", are they the "Colours"? No, because all are equal . . . at least he carries the light and the others spread it, a unity under twelve aspects? What did it matter? I moved towards the Father and fell on my knees, hands in the mystic sign of supplication, head bowed eyes closed. My attitude implored a benediction. A hand lightly touched my head, a breath quickened suddenly w ithin my being in all parts a swirl of harmony and peace. I felt the spiritual rapture of an OM come to birth and grow to unknown summits then slowly die lower and lower whilst my inner self joined itself in the magic of this sacred rhythm. A hand took mine, rested on my left shoulder and invited me to rise. A ll the Masters were in a circle around Father Rosencreutz and me, his vassal, kneeling before him. All had taken part in the benediction which had been given me. Once more the unity of the many. How everything is a lesson in the silence of the Sages. I must go now. I am with my guide and before closing the door I returned to the group and bowed in farewell. All smiled a smile of light and purity and I . . . I felt the tears on my face. The visit, as I had already been told, was quick w ithout doubt because I was unable to notice anything exceptional. However I was enormously interested. Certainly what I saw, I knew from other visits less extraordinary, but here, there was the presence of the ROSE-CROIX and that was everywhere. Each room was very austere but w ithout being forbidding. Here was the refectory, simple, well lit, in which the table and chairs were laid out in the same fashion as in the room we had just left. Once again Isaw two chairs too many, w itho ut however questioning my guide, silent in the silence o f the place. Certainly one could not wait whilst I conjectured as to the why of what had not been explained to me. Initiation implies waiting. I waited: the veil would be lifted at the right moment, later, I had no doubt. On the table, twelve metal plates, pewter perhaps, and twelve goblets o f the same metal - nothing else. I deduced that the rest o f the table would be laid just before the meal. A t the end to the right, close to the finely moulded chimney piece, a work desk bore a great closed book. I went up to it and a brief glance showed me, on the black cover, a splendid cross decorated w ith a rose on the stem. I dared not pursue my investigation further. In what other language than German or perhaps Latin would they write here! Now, I left o ff Latin away in the tw ilig ht of sixteen years o f age, English remains my

second language, Spanish my present study and vague reminiscences o f Polish from my twentieth year. German or Latin? No, I refused such culpable curiosity. In these circumstances every movement counts. We passed over the threshold of a door opening at the left o f the chimney piece and I walked behind my conductor along a straight corridor to a staircase a little larger. Afterwards there was nothing to do but to arrive at a grand gallery w ell-lit by three windows o f polished glass. To the right, each identical w ith the others, several doors situated at regular intervals. I quickly counted fourteen, and this number once more, perplexed me. My guide opened one of the doors and he only opened the one. I understood that it was the room belonging to him. The room! What a common word to describe this cell, fo r it was a veritable cell. There was nothing repellant neither sad nor frightening. The bluish window panes of a great window tinted the place w ith a peaceful colour which bathed even the walls, which one guessed to be entirely white. On the ceiling a very simple lamp in tin y solitude, on the right an iron bedstead w ith a sheet turned over a brown coverlette and close to the window in fro n t of the bed, an ordinary table covered with a white cloth, ornamented with two candles in their low metal candlesticks, some books on a set o f shelves beneath the table, a single chair, a modest wallcupboard and that was all. This cell held nothing beyond the most strictly necessary accessories for the one who would occupy it. However. . . however, we entered, my host closed the door, then he went to the table and lit the candles, then turned to me . . . Oh strange feeling of recovered memory, a memory which slowly grew and took its place in time and space! For half an hour this saintly being was beside me he had guided me through the place inhabited by these august personages and he was one of them. I had been through a House which would have been w ithout interest if it were not for the soul which lived there and my consciousness had been filled with nothing but curiosity, leading astray my soul from contact with the Soul, when it should have been sufficient to lose myself in "the soul" who who accompanied me to UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING AND TO "L IV E " EVERYTHING. I felt, I KNOW what the Master is going to say — a word — a single word o f two syllables — MY WORD! And he murmured it and I recognised it and 1 sink down, serene, joyous, in the nothingness of the A L L . . . The visit, from then on, continued w ithout my curiosity being again awakened. Even the laboratory where they worked together did not appear to be more than the material manifestation o f what I had known since I came into this House and which I had only just perceived and understood. There were in the laboratory, twelve tables o f which one was in the centre, surrounded in a circle by the eleven others, spaced fifty centimetres apart. The room was vast and it was the only one which had the walls covered w ith maps and diagrams o f various kinds, some outlining the human body, and others, coloured ones, represented numerous plants, however some represented fundamental traditional symbols

disposed in such a manner to bring out harmony and unity. On each table I noticed a pyramid. The one on the central table was engraved w ith Hebraic letters and all the others carried different Egyptian symbols on each of them. I observed also that each pyramid was hollow and that the underneath was detachable, permitting one to see on the inside a pliant thread holding a little silver hook in the exact centre of the pyramid. I saw neither retort nor alambic nor athanor and I was not surprised. What would these accessories do here? What role could they fu lfill in manifestation? On the contrary I saw in a corner of the room a crystal bowl on its pedestal, similar to the one in the Temple. I saw also two enormous gaming dice, placed one on the other, the one underneath slightly one sided in relation to the other. It was evident what symbol the dice represented thus, the number twelve came instantly to mind. Assuredly a special work was done here. I was doubtful what it could be but I had already learned enough in this secret house that no further explanation would be given to me and I was not surprised at this. My guide after the experience in his cell, had again relapsed into silence, and he remained so until the end. Now, the end was here . . . ALR E A D Y ! The night was again clothed in its mantle of moonlight, and I was on the threshold of the great door — that which opened for departure and on this strange world which in the illusions of its dreams moved, haggard, in an imagination that it thought real. Oh! How the experience that I had just been through in these last blessed hours would seem supernatural to the exclusive adepts o f the 'sensible' world, too forgetful that they live themselves by their own wish, in the limited contemplation o f "sub-natural" chimeras o f their own pretended "scientific" conceptions! In fact who am I accusing, for not long ago, in the course of my first stumbles on the Path, had I not also been so much attached to the supposed "visible" that my eyes failed to see the unit, where visible and invisible differ each in its own place as the tw o sides o f the same thing? I was here then on the threshold of the great door, the Master, the Rosicrucian, there before me and I was ready to receive the final heritage of the message that he gave me in perfect French. "Y ou have learned, you will learn yet more, fo r the bushel has been removed and the light shines resplendent. Nothing w ill be hidden from you and each question will have its reply before this year is finished. The word . . . your word is but the SIGNAL o f the colour and the note which is yours. Beyond the link that I am, other links, even more inward w ill recognise this word, this signal, this call! Do not therefore consider me as your only correspondence, fo r I am only one among many. A t the same time there are outside yourself links and the vibrations o f their word ties them to yours and themselves are fo r others a link still more interior and so on to in fin ity and this shows that A L L IS LINKED IN the sky as on the earth and even below the earth, that all acts and reacts in one sense and another in perpetual movement from which bursts forth life, thought, love and each feeling or sentiment. So go my son, go my br ot her . . . " and resting

his hands on my shoulders, his eyes fixed on mine, all my being one with him, he added . . . "and may Peace Profound be with you in your ascent o f the next triangle." The car drove rapidly towards the town . . . the illuminating understanding which had filled me when the Father had discoursed caused me to suppose that the next foreseen visits to other places would no longer be necessary. It seemed to me only too easy to leave it at what I had seen and heard. But I told myself that to know and understand was not enough in such circumstances and that one must now test and EXPERIMENT. I measured up all that remained to clarify, to put in place, the smallest detail being o f the greatest importance. Those rooms through which I'had passed, their disposition, the symbols that my eyes had skimmed over and my memory felt to be o f great im port certainly all had a reason, a role to fu lfill that I had not as yet perceived, but would be of value to others. Moreover the itinerary was fixed, and the way mapped out and the order given. One must OBEY but was not to obey to enjoy an immense privilege, unique? Silence descended upon me clad in its happiest form . Peace, harmony . .. When the porter o f the hotel opened the door o f the car, it was w ith a real e ffort that I regained full consciousness. I hurried quickly to my apartment and o f less importance this evening the soul o f Vienna vibrated to the tune of a waltz, which the crowd underneath my window bawled out to the sufferings of a wrestler. My heart was intoning the office of joy and dancing w ith hope. Lisbon, Madrid, Athens . . . other secret houses, in a few months . . . tom orrow! I finished these first notes this evening, Friday 13th October 1967. It is 7 o'clock. In a month to be exact, the 13th November at 2.10 I would arrive at Lisbon and, in the same Ritz Hotel where before I had had the STRANGE ENCOUNTER, I would prepare myself fo r another visit. Oh Hallowed waiting fo r the spiritual wedding where the being communes w ith itself in an embrace o f light! Never may the time suspend its flight and quickly which marked the days on the clock of human experience until soft chimes would ring out the AW AKENING!

5 LISBON

Few know that Lisbon was once called Ulissipo, then w ithout doubt for simplification, Olisipo. Many do not know that it was a town of the roman Lusitania and in 375 it was already a Bishopric of which the Moors took possession in 711 and that it was not reconquered until 1147 by Alphonso 1st, Henry and the Crusaders to become in the thirteenth century the residence of the King of Portugal. Its fabulous prosperity acquired during the 15th Century disappeared w ith the Spanish conquest in 1580 and definitely annihilated by the destruction of the Indies, little remembered. One speaks even yet w ith anguish of the trembling of the earth in 1531 and with terror of the devastating earthquake o f 1755 followed by gigantic fires and tidal waves which destroyed the major part of the town. It was the port and centre o f commerce fo r the spices exported from the Indies to European Atlantic ports. It was the place of arrival fo r ships from Brazil . . . It languishes today on the beaches o f the "Sea of Straw", dreaming of its past, surveying the future and its uncertain promises, caught up in the hopes of its people, smiling sadly, maintained by daily labour and century old perseverance . . . As fo r me, on the terrace of my apartment at the Ritz, in the pleasant coolness of that 13th November, soon after my arrival, I thought I could see in the very far distance below, one o f the most beautiful highways o f the world, and I saluted the Tigris, that exile from Aragon, which grows in Castile and accompanied from Aranjuez by its sister Jarama, shining in the sun o f Toledo, Talavera and Alcantara before springing into Portugal to know the splendid gorge of the Portas de Rodas and charged w ith history to pursue its winding way through the calm o f the plains and after many false tracks to come, after the majestic fall at Villa Franca, to play in the superb bay of Lisbon and to die exhausted in the Atlantic Ocean . . . Lisbon w ith its rare ruins, its ancient churches, its tower of Belem, its monastery of Jeronimos . . . Lisbon and the Tigris, Lisbon and its Ritz and Lisbon and Mahal . . . Days have run into months and here old memories met again in the passing present. The same places, the same hope! For tom orrow, the same wait. I went inside and sat down. With closed eyes I tried to calm the disordered flow of thoughts in which were mixed the nostalgia o f yesterday with present impatience. All would begain tom orrow ; o f what good is it to imagine now what it would be. The time is not far o ff when the facts w ill be w ritten in the time which is prepared for them. The concierge gave me a brief message: "Someone will come tom orrow at 10 o'clock." How useless always are suppositions o f "perhaps".

Nevertheless had not Maha told me in Vienna to hope fo r another meeting w ith him in the towns where I would find myself in the visits to which I was invited? Certainly who am I to hope that such a being or even one of his assistants would dream o f including me in the immensity o f his task or even a few minutes of his precious time! Come now, I must not entertain such dangerous illusions, I am already confounded by the unique privilege to be granted me tom orrow . . . I must not prolong the thought of Maha. What took place with him here in this hotel, remind me constantly o f his image. Well! Let us suppose! So much fo r the uselessness of "perhaps"! However, Maha is, or will be in the next few days in Lisbon, a little later in Madrid and I would be there also, and then later in Athens. Lisbon, Madrid, Athens . . . three places o f authority, three countries which do not follow the rhythm o f the world despite the aspirations o f their people. I follow this political thought. A fter all things fo llo w their natural course and nothing can change it. Nothing? I remembered what I had learned during the course of the previous meetings. A fter all, I KNOW that "th e y " watch and evaluate the state of a nation in relation to general normal requirements and take into account the lessons to be learned and stages to be attained, and which are certainly known perfectly. Since I had access to this knowledge thanks to the light received from the most competent authorities in these matters. I have no problem. A little reflection allowed me to size up events, large and small, in their admirable universal context . . . Maha could not therefore be in Lisbon for one of the periodic reunions. There are four which coincide, w ithin one or tw o days, with the beginning o f a new season. In Vienna this had been the case, in Athens this would certainly be the reason fo r the presence of Maha next December, but in Lisbon nothing o f the sort. I remembered in spite of everything that my first meeting w ith Maha had taken place here in November also, and I never pretended to believe that he had made such a journey only to meet me. A "re un io n" had taken place here. It had turned out to be an extraordinary reunion, but Maha, at the same time o f the year had come again to Lisbon. He would not have done this by chance. Is Lisbon o f first importance fo r the High Council? A fter the last meeting w ith Maha in this town, there had been considerable happenings in the world, but how could one find the direct relationship between the two facts, although . . . I refused to follow this supposition further. Did Maha live here? No! the answer jumped with such immediate certainly into my subconsciousness that I abandoned this idea. Then what was the answer? What if the situation required it, a special reunion was always held in Lisbon, but in this case why November? Events do not w a i t . . . unless NOVEMBER IS A CAPITAL MONTH EACH YEAR IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD, PERHAPS TH AT OF THE BALANCE SHEET WHERE APPROACHING EVENTS ARE FORESEEN AND THE MANNER OF FACING THEM.

I began to understand. Maha had tru ly said that what had been revealed to me would become the KEY explaining A L L conditions. So the time of the meetings, their dates and their places ARE THEY NOT IN THEMSELVES A REVELATION? The four annual reunions could be, if my reasoning is right, those of ACTION AND DECISIONS, the others, those o f EVALUATIO N . As to Lisbon this could be the town of the AN N U AL STOCKTAKING before the GREAT REUNION of the winter. The other towns? Amsterdam? Vienna? I think I understood: Athens is close to Istanbul, less than an hour by aeroplane. So another town would be Istanbul, that of the last great reunion. The number is incomplete. I knew of A L L the reunions, general and particular, of Amsterdam, Vienna, Lisbon, Athens, Istanbul. I remembered Copenhagen where I was SURE a reunion had taken place. Of London, I was not so sure, except that members of the High Council certainly never travelled uselessly. SEVEN towns the total and not only was I ignorant of the eighth but it would only be conjecture to say where the important meetings took place and where the secondary ones met. Separately Istanbul and Vienna and perhaps Copenhagen . . . What did it matter after all! Was not the essential thing that such reunions took place? I reproached myself fo r my human curiosity. I got up and unpacked my luggage. This evening I will go to bed very early. Decidedly I have to admit that age counts: my old friend the aeroplane, it also tired me .. . In the car which drives me this morning to a new "secret house o f the Rose-Croix", I go over the events that have happened during the last hour, and the similarity to those which happened at Vienna strikes me. Firstly the messenger who brought me a few minutes before ten o'clock, when I was waiting by the telephone in my room fo r a ring from the concierge, a sealed envelope containing a minute card with only the words, in a beautiful slanting handwriting " I am here J.C ." Afterwards my arrival in the immense hall with a look at the entrance which, previously, had held Maha, but his place was empty, mute, then someone coming towards me, tall, slim, splendidly upright in an old age which he carried w ith a youth which radiated from his grey eyes, in the luminous silver of his abundant hair. Pale? yes, but the pallor was due to the contrast o f his fine face with his extremely dark blue suit on which rested a white tie lost on a shirt of the same colour. "C om e" and again confident w ith complete certainty, I am a stranger going to a new discovery. Perhaps I ought to say something about the car which awaited us, whose chauffeur w ithout a word, took the road which he knew well? It did not seem one ought to add anything to what has been said. There have been many cars and drivers in all my meetings w ithout my knowing if one or the other had been in service of those whom they carried w ith me or whether they were "le n t" by some loyal unknown. Anyway of what good to think o f this kind of problem. The anonymous role of these devoted helpers honours them in the perfection of their accomplished mission.

The car drove rapidly and I dared not break the silence. My companion seemed withdrawn in a profound meditation, I closed my eyes and forced myself to join his vibratory level, but quite quickly, I sensed that he was leading my meditation towards an indescribable state o f communion to which I abandoned myself entirely. When I became conscious again the car had left the sea on the left and following a wide road, was well towards a large building o f which nothing hid the view, and which certainly neither natives nor tourists, following the road which we had taken, could fail to see. However, this building resembled a monastery and it ought certainly to intrigue the curious at least, as often, the idea that it was a convent that one could not visit put an end to all inclination to know more . . . As we approached, it appeared massive, majestic and at the same time of rare elegance. Three archways rose from the centre fro n t and behind there was a single story pierced by little windows which opened on to a terrace surrounded by a wide stone balcony. My companion, having alighted, invited me to follow him. The white gravel crunched under our steps, and I hardly know why my heart contracted. I fe lt no fear, but today the unknown seems to oppress me, as if in these places the grandeurs o f initiation were awaiting, where the being, before emerging into the light, must be filled w ith the ancient terror o f the trials of purification. I followed this absurd idea. There is no longer any need to be tried at this stage, the terror o f the threshold has been passed, and I have no further need of It. These meetings were proposed and I accepted, OBEYED. Moreover, would such invitations have been given w itho ut my being obedient, knowing nothing, to the necessary verification o f an attentive inner evaluation? Even if I were but an intermediary, a messenger, had not prudence since the first time presided at the decision concerning me? To suppose the contrary would be to have a very poor knowledge of the most elementary occult laws. One must know in any case that I only speak by ORDER and that, in this case, neither fear o f refusing the one nor doubt o f the other would shake my determination to fu lfill the mission that has been confided in me . . . We took some steps under the central archway. My guide w ithout any sign, entered by the great folding doors and preceded me inside. We found ourselves in a vast room paved in the same white marble as the entrance hall. Some feet from the door two immense columns of rose marble opened onto a large staircase in the centre o f which was hung a splendid dark coloured curtain. To right and left several doors lost themselves in the wood panelling which entirely covered the walls. A rigorous symmetry governed the disposition of the rare furniture in the room. This desk is the exact replica of that facing it. On each side o f the staircase the same table and three similar armchairs. Everything here made me think simply o f a rich residence, if I had not known it to be an exceptional place.

"W ait here a few minutes," said my companion and turned towards the staircase. I sat down in the armchair to the right of the entrance facing the centre o f the room. A fter a few minutes I heard steps on the staircase. Someone was coming down, or more exactly, by the noise, several people, and suddenly, at the top of the stairs, I saw Maha followed by all the members of the High Council. I stood up quickly but remained where I was, transfixed by surprise. For a moment I could not understand. Then are we not here in a "Secret House of the Rose-Crox"? Is not this house a new place in the series of revelations to which I have been invited w ithout having the least in the world asked for it? I felt that no explanation would be given of the presence here of the High Council. From the experience I had gained during previous meetings I understood clearly that there could be no possible error. On the contrary, enlightenment was hound to come to me. I remembered that my first meeting with Maha had taken place at MY hotel and then the other members of the High Council, fo r preparatory contacts, had received me in "apartments" where the actual reunions had been held. So I had no doubt that in Lisbon the assembly of the High Council was being held IN THIS HOUSE where I found myself at present. My already immense interest, surpassed, at this idea, all limits. Certainly, I could not establish any relationship between the Rose-Croix and the High Council but I understood that the latter has responsibilities which are not superior but different, and can make use of, in its task, facilities offered by other authentic assemblies, formed of beings who have reached a determined stage of evolution. In any case I observe that the Rose-Croix not only knew of the existence o f the High Council, but also of those who formed part of it, and that for me opened new horizons on the publication of an ancient manuscript and its reference to the "great reform ation". Maha, followed by his companions, came to me. I dared to hope as I waited, respectful and attentive, that they would not go out w ithout paying some attention to me, however profitless. But I forgot the simplicity of these great ones to suppose that they might ignore one, close to them in this place of spiritual majesty, however small and humble. They all stopped, Maha but a step from me and the others slightly behind. A t the same time they made the SIGN which, since our meetings, I had guarded in my memory, often asking myself as to its hidden meaning with no explanation which satisfied me. Maha approached me, and I am neither here nor there, I FORGET AND I REMEMBER, everything vibrates around me, w ithin me, on me and my tears are mine and not mine. Strange consequence of a state whose repetition never becomes dull, and which like itself, upsets, soothes, excites, enraptures all existence in a sacred annihilation . . .and here I am alone, kneeling, coming back to the consciousness taken by surprise at my solitude in this imposing and empty hall where the expectation must return and I retake it, with an impression o f complete regeneration, in the same armchair which appears to me never to have been left, in spite of the sublime moments through which I have just consciously passed. Not a word has been spoken, some short minutes have flowed past and meanwhile

the atmosphere o f a whole day — what can I say? Of an existence perhaps — has been trasnformed by the bringing in of unique vibrations adding themselves to others previously acquired and reinforcing them w ith the pressure of the "presence" What is it then that space and time wish to say? The all, is it nothingness, or rightly nothingness the all? Man who sees only in the phantasies of the emotions of his deceitful ego, preoccupied w ith his only self, above all if you pretend to interest yourself in others, in complaining, it is I who complain fo r I am thy brother in this humanity which follows its course, its collective dream . . . We are only vanity and nothingness and yet we are all after the awakening. See! Consider w ith me these sublime beings! We are proud, they are simplicity, we wish to be judges, they are mercy and pardon w itho ut ever having offended anyone. My meditation is so profound that I have not heard those approaching who are now before me looking at me and seeming to share my thoughts. I have always suffered from a certain tim id ity which I attribute to a profound fear of crowds or perhaps to an exclusive love o f solitude which the present incarnation has refused me because of the requirements o f my mission. I am not ignorant that tim id ity occasionally hinders a first contact and that lack o f ease might well be misunderstood, judged cold, distant or even haughty even if its heart is overflowing with love, and if its soul from the moment of meeting, is in communion with others in an immediate clairvoyance. In truth, it was this terrible tim id ity, after several minutes or more, withdraws in some obscure alcove, ready to spring up, insidious, crawling, at the least inattention to replace its deceitful mask made of outward shows, the profound reality of a being . . . Assuredly, I know that the Grand Master does not suffer from any tim id ity. He is the "o th e r", in me, but here I am Raymond Bernard, and here am I, tim id before the illustrious ones, fascinated by the immensity they represent, unsettled by the splendour of the Realised, and dazzled by their great light o f which mine is only an echo, a reflection which shines on the world but measures in these places the long road still to be trod in order to find a more intense power. I arise and the conscious contact o f these looks pacify me tearing the veil at the moment for a communion w ithout age and w ithout frontiers. I could almost say that I recognised Father Fosencreutz. There was, between this one and the other, known in Vienna, an absolute resemblance, which had nothing to do w ith the physical appearance, but which emanated from him, as it were, to such an extent that if the two were placed side by side, immediately, in spite of their bodily differences, unity would be established, a soul strictly identical, by reason of the same height attained, and so powerful, so strong, that the purely material expression would pass into the background. Thus, to describe those whom I saw here would be a pure repetition o f what I saw in the surrounding atmosphere o f light, words would not be sufficient to convey it to others. This nature is not subjective, it irradiates from the places o f those who live there, and perhaps on these

occasions it is the EVE OF GOD, which scrutinises, evaluates, weighs by means of those consecrated eyes where it still vibrates in the refound. Peace Profound, the torm ent of the battles committed in the conquest of the sublime. THERE ARE TWELVE, but I was forestalled and among them my dumb companion from Lisbon. It is he who comes to me and says in a low voice, "Here is Father Rosencreutz,” showing me him whom I had guessed. I take a step toward the Father and incline my head making the esoteric sign of supplication. Before each one I again make the ancient sign of allegiance and coming before the Master I humbly await his order: "C om e" he said simply and I followed him surrounded by his equals, towards the staircase, which up there on the right, leads to the unknown . . . to the heart of the Sanctuary, fo r it is there, quite close to the vestibule, the CIRCULAR Temple and I recognise it, neither bigger nor less spacious than the first, that of the other secret houses, but its exact replica and the same vibratory power which far from overwhelming a visitor such as me, on the contrary soothes him with its peace and ITS LIFE . . . In the Temple each one takes his place. However here, I do not have a stool, but a low chair w itho ut arms, o f the same wood as the stalls. What surprises me in the Temples which up till now I have been permitted to see, is the absence o f any symbolic sign. It is evident that fo r the Rosy Cross, a prop in the Holy o f Holies is no longer necessary. He himself is the prop of those who surround him. Force and vigour come from him, giving life to dead things and peopling the apparent void w ith a reality which penetrates all. The ceremony unfolds and in w riting the word "cerem ony", I feel it is not the right word. I would like to substitute fo r it the term "technique" which appears to me more appropriate, but it would not help much more. In any case, what I still feel at this moment are the EFFECTS of what took place. That is to say,the indescribable state of TOTAL COMMUNION, this unforgettable FUSION o f each in all and o f all in the IN FIN ITE. Oh, most certainly I have today taken part many more times, for, after the brief encounter w ith the Sages of the High Council, I again become conscious w ithout however breaking the contact with the sublime plan where I was then led. Strangely, I feel, I see, I breathe and I perceive myself "seeing, feeling and breathing". The me remains united to the " I " and meanwhile, it contemplates it, as in a unique life expressing itself consciously in TWO phases. There are diverse forms of dividing into tw o : that is one of them, and I estimate it the highest there is, since it is not knowledge but PARTICIPATION. The enormous crystal ball gives its splendid light. I was speaking of symbolism. The several accessories which cover the nudity of this Temple are not they themselves symbols, but now what LIFE they must clothe for the august dwellers of these places.

The ceremony comes to a close when Father Rosencreutz, followed by two others of the Rosy Cross come to me . . . I am taken by the arm, conducted to the centre of the Temple, and understanding what is required of me, I stretch myself on the floor, face downwards, arms in the form o f a cross. I feel that the Brothers are taking their places around me, and I hear the WORD which the Father delivers with a sonorous voice and which all repeat in a different tone . . . What now takes place I am not authorised to say fo r WHAT IS LOST MUST NOT BE REFOUND EXCEPT WITH LIFE, but, perhaps, those who can understand, would they have a glimmer of the GREAT TRUTH of this moment, if I say simply, w ithout breaking my promise, that TO LIVE AND DIE ARE FALSE PROBLEMS and that ONLY THE WORD PERMITS TO DIE AND TO LIVE. I cannot say more. On lifting the veil I found MYSELF again but the remembrance, henceforth, in certain circumstances, gives me the privilege of experiencing anew the immensity o f the "alchemical marriage". Then, we have left these sacred places, consecrated by the sacred PRESENCE and we have, by means o f the vestibule already known, reached, on the right, a little glass door which the Father has opened and where all have entered, leaving me on the threshold. I was not a b it surprised in saying that this hall, if larger than that at Vienna, is arranged in identical fashion. In particular, there are here, as there, two seats too many before the work table. The complete explanation would be given me sooner or later, I have no doubt of it and I know too well the law o f the esoteric hierarchy: SI LENCE AND OBEDIENCE in order to avoid any questions. A REVELATION COMES IN ITS OWN TIME, AND THIS TIME IS THE MOMENT WHEN IT CAN BE RECEIVED AND UNDERSTOOD BY HIM WHO RECEIVES IT, AS INSTANT KNOWLEDGE, NOT REQUIRING ARGUMENT, EXPLANATION OR DISCUSSION. Otherwise it is a mental illusion, false certitude, error of judgment, vanity o f intellectual exercise and inanity of myself in which anyone who has strayed from the path takes pleasure, supposing it to be still there, Formidable illusion of Yesod! would it not be better , certainly, to wait in Malkuth and there find sufficient energy to leap to the beauty and li