Rosicrucian Science of Being

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Originally published in French as L ’Ontologie des Rose-Croix © 1995 ISBN 2-908534-59-2 by Diffusion
Rosicrucienne, Château d’Omonville, 27110 Le Tremblay France.

First English versión published in Australia 2010

by the Rosicrucian Order AMORC, Grand Lodge for Australia, Asia and New Zealand
Suite 2, 111 Moore Street, Leichhardt, NSW 2040
ABN 95 072 728 968

© 2 0 1 0 English language versión Rosicrucian Order AMORC,

Grand Lodge of AMORC for Australia, Asia and New Zealand
ISBN 978-1-876965-42-6

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The ideas expressed in this book are those of the author and do not represent the official teachings of the
Rosicrucian Order AMORC.
Preface Contents

It is a great honour and joy for me to preface the Preface ....................................................................... 3

work o f my friend and brother on the Path o f the
Rosy Cross, Serge Toussaint, Grand Master of Introduction ............................................................ 5
the French Jurisdiction of the Rosicrucian Order,
AMORC. First Law .................................................................... 7
Originally, he had written this work for
Rosicrucians, but since the contents are of interest Second Law ............................................................. 9
to ali those who aspire to a better understanding
of the mysteries of life, and to lift to some extern Third Law ............................................................... 11
the veil over the Rosicrucian teachings, I thought it
would be interesting to put them ali together in a Fourth Law ............................................................. 13
work accessible to the public. I therefore asked him
to publish them for the Diffusion Rosicrucienne Fifth Law ................................................................ 15
[Rosicrucian Books]. As for ali books edited
under the aegis of the Ancient an d Mystical Order Sixth Law ................................................................ 17
Rosae Crucis, I must stress that this book does not
represent the official view of the Rosicrucian Order Seventh Law ............................................................ 19
AMORC, but that of the author. However, the
laws set forth here, and their commentary, seem to Eighth Law .............................................................. 21
conform entirely to Rosicrucian ontology, in spirit
as well as in basis and form. With careful study, Ninth Law ............................................................... 23
the reader will therefore have a very good outline
of Rosicrucian philosophy and the ideais o f the Tenth Law ............................................................... 25
Rosy Cross.
Few know o f the existence o f the Rose- Eleventh Law............................................................. 27
Croix for they never seek to attract attention to
themselves within the fraternity. But at the dawn Twelfth Law ............................................................29
of the third millenium, and as the age o f Aquarius
unfolds, the time has come to pull back in part the Conclusion .............................................................. 31
bushel which has been hiding the Light. I hope this
book will give to many seekers the desire for true
Spirituality and to become better acquainted with
the Rosicrucian Tradition. If you are asking yourself
about the meaning of your life, and if in your quest
you are searching for an authentic Way, then read
this book carefully and medítate on it. I am sure
you will fmd many answers to questions you have
asked yourself.

Fraternally
Christian Bernard
Imperator
This book is dedicated to ali Rosicrucians
and to ali who are on the spiritual quest.
Introductiom
Dear reader,
Firstly, I must point out that the term “Ontology” is
of Greek origin and literally means Science o f Being.
In an absolute sense, this Science corresponds to
the Wisdom of God, who is considered omniscient,
omnipresent and omnipotent. Applied to a human
being, it refers to the Knowledge of divine laws,
knowledge which we can and must acquire in the
course of spiritual evolution. In a general way, only
the Traditional Orders have a true knowledge of
Ontology because the teachings they perpetúate
have their origins in a cultural and spiritual heritage
passed on from mystery school to mystery school in
an uninterrupted chain across the ages. Religions,
on the other hand, are based on a theology, that
is, on the transmission of beliefs based upon the
interpretation of their sacred texts.
As far as the philosophical, initiatic and
traditional Rosicrucian Order is concerned, it has
its own particular Ontology. This Ontology is
very complete since it incorporates the Knowledge
Initiates have handed down since the height of
Antiquity. In fact, the source of this Knowledge
is the Primordial Tradition and consequently it
includes ali the Wisdom accessible to incarnate
humankind. During the centuries, this Wisdom,
or more precisely this Gnosis, was passed down
from word of mouth during secret meetings held in
temples consecrated to this purpose. It is only from
the beginning o f the twentieth century that this
Gnosis has been put into writing and constitutes the
basis of the Rosicrucian teachings as perpetuated
by the the Rosicrucian Order AMORC today.
Although it is impossible to make a synthesis
of the Rosicrucian Ontology, we can, nevertheless,
give a general outline of it by way of 12 major laws.
They are:
1. God is the Intelligence which thought,
manifested and animated Creation according
to immutable and perfect laws.
2. Ali of Creation is infused with a Universal Soul
which is evolving towards the perfection of its
own nature.
3. Life, as it manifests in the universe and on
Earth, is the support of Cosmic Evolution.
4. Matter owes its existence to a vibratory energy
which propagates throughout the entire
universe and in each atom.
5. Time and space are states of consciousness and
have no material reality independem of humanity.
6. A human being is dual in nature and triune in
manifestation.
7. The soul incarnates into the body of a child
from the moment the child takes its first breath,
making the child a living and conscious being.
8. The destiny of each human being is determined
by the manner in which free will is applied and
the resultant karma.
9. Death is the moment when the last breath is
given up, and the final separation between the
body and the soul takes place.
10. Spiritual evolution is governed by reincarnation
and has as its ultímate goal the attainment of
Perfection.
11. There exists a supra-human kingdom of ali
disincarnate souls which inhabit the invisible
planes of Creation.
12. At the end point of their spiritual evolution,
humans finally reach the status o f Cosmic
Master and become agents of Divinity.
The aim o f this book is to present to you a general
study of each of these 12 laws. If you are not a
member of the Rosicrucian Order AMORC, it
will give you an idea of the philosophy followed
by Rosicrucians, the word “philosophy” literally
meaning love o f wisdom, and, in a wider sense
Science o f life. Naturally, the explanations given will
be limited to generalities since it is not my intention
to reveal the contents of the Rosicrucian teachings
in detail. Neither will I deal with the purely
initiatic aspect of the Rosicrucian Tradition which
cannot and should not be reduced to an intellectual
approach.
Whether Rosicrucian or not, I hope this work
will be a useful aid to your inner quest and will
contribute to the unfolding of the rose within. With
this hope, I send you my most fraternal thoughts.
Sincerely
Serge Toussaint
Grand Master French Language Jurisdiction

“God is the Universal Intelligence
which thought, manifested and animated
Creation according to immutable
and perfect laws.”
The fírst law of Rosicrucian Ontology addresses the
problem of existence and the nature of God. Many
do not believe in God, because they think there
would be no wars, misfortune or suffering if God
existed. Although this is a justifiable feeling on a
human levei, it expresses a poor understanding of
what God is, or more precisely what role God plays
in Creation. In this respect, I wonder if atheism is
not really an absolute denial of the Divine Being,
but simply a refusal to admit that God does not
systematically oppose the foolishness of humanity
or neutralise everything which puts its well-being in
danger. You will no doubt have observed, moreover,
that most atheists have not always held their views.
Many turned to atheism out of despair in the face of
human suffering, or against the apparent injustice
in the world.
As a general rule, ali religions teach that God is
Love, Goodness and Mercy. Given this principie, it
is actually difficult to understand why people kiil
each other, suffer from various diseases or experience
so many forms o f trouble. In an attempt to expiain
this obvious contradiction, religious creeds appeal
to fate, destiny, bad luck and sometí mes even divine
punishment for reasons. In reality, everything that
happens to people is the result of a law known
to all Rosicrucians, namely karma. This law, as I
will explain ¡n a following chapter, is the cause of
most hardships we experience as individuais and
as a society. Having said that, karmic law also
under-pins our happiness and good fortune. When
we understand how this law operates, it becomes
possible to master it and shape our life more in line
with our hopes.
Quite apart from any notion o f God, even an
outright materialist cannot deny that the universe
is both a wonderful and mysteríous creation. Is not
the starry sky the most beautiful of mirrors? The
Earth is an expression of transcendent harmony
and beauty. Who has not marvelled at a sunset,
a field of flowers, the flight of migratory birds?
Every sufficíently intelligent and sensitive person,
whether religiously inclined or not, acknowledges
that nature is the most beautiful of all sanctuaries.
The heart of this sanctuary is occupied by humanity
itself since the physical body is a synthesis o f the
mineral, vegetable and animal kingdoms. More
than that, humans have an attribute which makes
the human the most evolved being of our planet:
self-consciousness. Now, this attribute is of an
¡inmaterial nature and therefore originares from a
cause we can best describe as “spiritual”. Whatever
we cali it, the fact that we are conscious gives us a
special awareness of our destiny.
From a rational point of view, Creation is of
necessity the work of a Creator for what exists
cannot arise from a non-being. And since the
universe, nature and humanity are governed by
laws which scientists rhemselves admire, it follows
that this Creator is incredibly intelligent. And so,
why not cali this Creator “God” and consider God
as a Universal Intelligence? In fact, most scientists
today acknowledge that “chance and necessity,” a
view enthusiastically promoted by Jacques Monod
around 1970, cannot explain the appearance and
evolution o f life on Earth. To explain the genesis of
our planet in this way shows excessive materialism
and explains nothing.
Today many scientists are more open to spiritual
viewpoints and more willingly admit there are many
mysteries o f which they have no understanding.
This is, in itself, a sign o f humility. Internationally
renowned chemists and physicists have even come
to the point of supposing the existence of God as a
research hypothesis. One can only approve of this
attitude because it is a fact that everything proceeds
from a transcendental Cause.
The preceding explanations lead me now to
define, in brief, what the Rosicrucian conception of
God is. According to the first law o f this Ontology,
God is the Universal Intelligence which thought,
conceived and animated Creation. In essence, God
is an omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent
Energy. God should not be seen as a Superbeing
seated on a throne somewhere in the heavens.
Ñor is God a being with the positive or negative
emotions ordinarily attributed to human beings. In only interested in the First two because they deal
other words, God is not an anthropomorphic Being with physical phenomena which are objectively
who watches over his creatures as a father over his observable and technically measurable. Gravity,
children. This, no doubt, may be obvious to you, for example, is a case in point. Rosicrucians, on
but many people still hold such a primitive notion the other hand, attribute as much importance
and are still convinced God can in turn be good to the spiritual as to the material. And this leads
or evil, merciful or wrathful, jealous or detached Rosicrucians to study, as well, the last category of
whenever the “mood” takes over. laws, which falls into the metaphysical domain. In
In contrast to theists, who consider God to be fact, the fínite arises from the infinite and the visible
outside God’s Creation and with no connection from the invisible. So long as Science does not accept
to it, Rosicrucians are pantheists. In other words, this fundamental principie, it will loose itself in the
they think God is present in all things and in all labyrinth o f appearances and multiplicity, when all
of being, henee the notion of omnipresence which that exists emanates from the One Reality whose
is associated with God. O f course, this means God origins are in the higher levels of Creation.
infuses so-called “inert” matter as well as living Whether natural, universal or spiritual, all
matter. This equally supposes that the human cosmic laws are immutable, in the sense that the
being is an incarnation of the Divine Being, in same causes always produce the same effeets, on the
the highest and most mystical sense o f the term physical and metaphysical planes. The marvels of
“incarnation.” Seen from this point of view, it is the universe and nature are evidence to our eyes
true, as most religions espouse, that humanity has that these laws are perfect. If you admit that the
been created in the image o f God and that we are laws are rhe expression o f God in movement and
living reflections of God. Henee we can consider action, then this implies that God is Perfection
our ability to think, speak and act as extensions itself. And it is humanity’s mission to manifest in its
o f God’s Thought, Word and Action, a Trinity works and behaviour this Absolute Perfection, the
we Pind under different aspeets in all religions and cause of all that was, is and shall be. To do this, we
mystical traditions. have no alternative but to become fully conscious of
Whether from a scientific or mystical point of our divine nature and to express this awareness in
view, God is unintelligible and undefínable. This what we think, say and do.
is why Rosicrucians do not claim to know God
or know what God is. When referring to God,
Rosicrucians speak of the “God o f my heart”
or the “God of my understanding”. These two
phrases express the fact that each Rosicrucian has
a different mental and emotional understanding of
God. In this respect, it seems to me that religions
or philosophies claiming to have the absolute Truth
as to the exact nature of Divinity are in error and
give testimony to their weakness, indeed their
intolerance. It is still possible, however, to study the
laws by which Divinity manifests in the universe,
nature and the human being. These laws grouped
together are referred to as the “Cosmic” in the
teachings of the Rosicrucians. In the final analysis,
this means the Cosmic is God in movement and
action.
From a Rosicrucian point of view, cosmic laws
include three categories of laws: natural, universal
and spiritual. Generally speaking, scientists are
 >econd Law
“Ali of Creation is infused
with a Universal Soul
which is evolving towards
the perfection of its own nature.”
As we stated in the previous law, God is the
Universal Intelligence which thought, manifested
and animated ali of Creation according to
immutable and perfect laws. The “Big Bang”, a
theory to which many scientists subscribe, does not
mark the beginning of the universe. Supposing this
gigantic cosmic explosion actually took place in the
beginning o f time, it would only have been the fírst
effect of a Transcendental Cause. In other words,
it was solely the primordial manifestation of a pre-
established plan o f Divine Thought. This means
that ali spiritual, universal and natural laws virtually
existed before actually operating in their respective
worlds and domains. For this reason Rosicrucians
have always thought the material world to have
emanated from the immaterial. Conversely, what is
material is destined to become immaterial at the
completion of its evolution.
As a Universal Intelligence, God possesses
certain attributes, includinga Soul which we can also
call “Universal” by virtue of its origin and nature.
As its name suggests, this Universal Soul, called
“Atman” in the Hindu and Buddhist traditions,
infuses ali of Creation, both visible and invisible.
In the likeness of its source, it is pure and perfect.
In other words, it contains in potential all o f Divine
Wisdom and is a combination of all Cosmic laws.
This explains why the universe and nature are such
remarkable expressions of harmony and beauty, in
the macrocosm as well as the microcosm. In fact,
both are animated by an innate Will to evolve
towards superior archetypes, reflections of Pureness
and Perfection which gave birth to them.
Although this Universal Soul is pure and
perfect, it is not conscious of being so. Rather,
its purpose is to evolve towards an awareness of
its own nature and then to reintegrate the source
from whence it emanated. To do this, Soul uses
the support of matter and life. And so the material
world and its living creatures have no other function
than to contribute to the evolution of the Universal
Soul and to its final reintegration into Divinity.
O f course such a concept of Cosmic Evolution
is fundamentally a spiritual one since this makes
Creation a work subordínate to its transcendent
Cause. I am convinced, however, the day will come
when scientists will provide proof of a Divine Plan
as a basis of all that the human consciousness can
embrace. Whether they are aware of it or not, their
research will lead them to this ultímate Truth, in
which the key to all the mysteríes of their studies
¡s to be found, including the basic question: “Why
does the Universe exist?”
From an intellectual point of view, it is difficult
to conceive of the Universal Soul not being
conscious o f its latent perfection. Nevertheless,
this is the way it is by cosmic necessity. By way of
analogy, the greatest scholars may well have been
born with the necessary intelligence to become
what they are. It is only through study, however,
that they developed this intelligence and became
aware of it. If they had not made the effort to learn
and understand, they would not have acquired the
knowledge they have and which now allows them
to exercise some control over the laws of which they
are aware. Similarly, the Universal Soul is perfect
in essence but it must realise this by having an
¡ntimate experience of its potential. In breathing
this Soul into the physical world, God had exactly
in mind to give it the necessary support for this
experience, the right condition for it to evolve
towards its own reintegration.
Infusing the whole of Creation, the Universal
Soul pervades all that exists on our planet, in
each realm o f nature, thus conferring upon them
a spiritual dimensión. It may seem difficult to
accept, a priori, that vegetable matter and animals
possess the qualities of Soul; in most religions,
human beings alone are endowed with a soul and
are capable of evolving. This tendency to make
humans the only creatures having received the
“grace” of God, is to my way of thinking, a sign of
arrogance. In a similar vein, the Christian Church
taught for centuries that the Earth was fíat and was
the centre of the universe. It needed Copernicus to
question such dogmas and refute them. Bigotry is
the greatest enemy of Truth whatever its nature. of the higher evolved species. And so I have great
The following question should now be compassion for the suffering they must endure in
addressed: “How does the Universal Soul evolve the name of barbarie practices or certain attitudes
throughout the various kingdoms of nature?” For o f Science. Moreover, I am convinced that this
centuries the Rosicrucian Order has taught that suffering actually creates negative karma which
Soul has a particular innate attribute in its divine explains to a large extern why humanity as a whole
nature, namely “Cosmic Consciousness,” or, if in turn suffers, particularly in the area of diseases.
you will, Universal Consciousness. Now, it is this To conclude this general explanation of the
consciousness which gives life to all creatures on second law o f Rosicrucian Ontology, I will simply
our planet. Clearly, life manifests differently in say that Creation is the mirror in which God
each organism and infuses each to varying degrees. contemplates God, the Universal Soul being the
For this reason, the consciousness of vegetable agent of this contemplation. The four kingdoms of
matter is less developed than that of an animal, nature are an integral part of this mirror and form
which in turn is more limited than that o f a human the faces of the pyramid of planetary Evolution. In
being. It should be understood, however, that relation to the Universal Intelligence, no face of this
these kingdoms o f nature form an uninterrupted pyramid is more important than the other. Each is
chain in the evolutionary process. In the final a part of this Sacred Edifice the Grand Architect
analysis, this unity explains the harmony of life of the Universe erected on this Earth. Because of
and the remarkable simplicity of the laws by which its privileged position, humanity has been given
it operates. the mission of maintaining this Edifice and to
The notion of unity in all things is fundamental make it the most beautiful sanctuary of our solar
to Rosicrucian thinking since it is the basis of its system. Regardless of our philosophical, religious
Ontology. It implies, in effect, that everyone is or other convictions, let us be the guardians of
animated by the same spiritual essence. That is, this sanctuary and let us endeavour to preserve its
everyone has the same cosmic origins and differs beauty for future generations!
only in physical appearance. From a mystical point
of view, races and nationalities are differences of
purely outward appearance and in no circumstances
can racism and nationalism be justified. Nor
can any religión maintain a monopoly on truth
and faith. The attempt by religions to control
and dominate peoples, such as waging “holy”
war in God’s name, is to be condemned. Every
person is a cell o f one and the same body, chis
one body being the temple of the collective soul
of humanity.
Although humanity is the most advanced
kingdom of nature, it has no rights over other
kingdoms, and here I think notably of animais.
As living creatures, they are also vehicles of the
Universal Soul evolving according to their particular
laws. That is, they particípate fully in Cosmic
Evolution and occupy a special place within the
Divine Plan. We should therefore consider them as
our lesser brothers and give them all of our respect
because fraternity must include all beings which
life has placed into the world. In my view, animais
are humans of the future, especially those animais
Third Law
“Life, as it manifests
in the universe and on Earth
is the support of Cosmic Evolution.”
Whether a mystic or not, no one can deny that Life
is one of the biggest mysteries facing mankind.
For most scientists, it is the result of a chemico-
physical process whose origin is within nature
itself. Obviously, we cannot deny the existence of
such a process, especially because we can observe
it objectively. Nevertheless, we do not know what
really brings it about. In other words, no scientist is
presently able to define exactly what Life is. When
all is said and done, we can only describe its effects
and observe characteristics common to all living
entities: birth, growth, reproduction and death. But
these four characteristics do not explain why the
vegetable, animal and human realms are animated
by a Force, which, when absent, systematically leads
to death. Here again we must turn to mysticism in
an endeavour to understand the source and nature
of this Force.
The teachings o f the Rosicrucian Order,
explain in more detail that Life is not limited to
a chemico'physical process. Rather, it involves
a spiritual dimensión having its origin in the
Universal Intelligence from whence all Creation
emanates. More specifically, it is a Cosmic Energy
Rosicrucians have always called the “Vital Life
Force”. This Force, otherwise known as the
Universal Soul, radiates from a centre not possible
to lócate in time or space. Paradoxically, it infuses
all that exists, including matter. In this respect,
the world is not inert for what is alive cannot come
from that which is not. In fact, I truly believe the
mineral world contains the germs of Life in a latent
state. For proof, we need only think of the extra-
ordinary activity taking place in the heart of atoms
with its various leveis of electrón energy of which
they are composed.
Eminent scientists thought they had discovered
the mystery of Life at the beginning of the 19th
century. More boldly, they even claimed to be able
to generate it. Understandably, many at the time,
became infatuated with their theory o f“spontaneous
generation”. They had, in fact, succeeded only in
creating the favourable laboratory conditions for its
appearance. Certainly, the unicellular organisms to
which they had given existence were alive, but in
the hours which followed their “birth,” they ceased
to develop and died of starvation. The scientists,
therefore, had to come to these conclusions: it is
not enough to merely combine chemical elements
in proper proportions in order to create Life, no
more than subject them to duly calculated physical
parameters (light, temperature, humidity etc.). A
human being does not and will not have the power
to take the place of the Creator, if only because we
are the Creators creatures.
The foregoing explanations prompt me to make
this particular statement. As you are aware, many
scientists today are engaged in a systematic study of
genetics and undertaking more and more elabórate
experiments. It is a fact their researches have
enabled us to make significant progress in the relief
and cure of diseases. However, they should guard
against playing the role o f sorcerers’ apprentices who
manipúlate laws over which they have no control. In
fact some of these scientists have already reached the
limits o f acceptable experimentation, particularly in
the domain o f cloning. This genetic manipulation
involves reproducing, without fertilisation, a living
entity from the tissues of a single basic organism,
and its practice is now taking place on humans in
secrecy in some laboratories. This practice is, to
my mind, fundamentally negative, from an ethical
point o f view. Moreover, it brings tremendous risks
because I believe that no human soul will incarnate
into these created humanoids, if only because they
would not “be born” under the direct influence of
the Vital Life Force. Henee these beings would not
have the potential for consciousness which nature
infuses into each human being, in the ontological
sense o f this term. Nor will it be possible to predict
their behaviour and future evolution.
In some ancient writings, notably the exposition
of the Kabala, it is said the Fali of Humanity was
due to Adam wanting to take the place of God and
create beings subject to his will. In so doing, he
exceeded the rights granted him in the beginning
and he was punished for his disobedience. Adam
was subsequently expelled from “Paradise” to
lose his privileged rank alongside the Creator.
Although this story of the genesis of mankind is in
part allegorical, it nevertheless serves as a caution
against the negative use of the human intelligence.
The well-known saying: “Science without
Conscience spells ruin for the Soul” is a very clear
illustration of this sentiment. Leaving all religious
or philosophical considerations aside, any honest
and sincere scientist recognises the real dangers of
genetic research and technology without rhe very
strict Controls exerted by a competent and impartial
authority. The establishment of an International
Committee o f Ethics in Science, which appears to
be taking place now, becomes a matter of urgency.
Rosicrucian Ontology maintains that Life
is not o f earthly but cosmic origins since it is the
manifestation on this planet of a universal energy,
the Vital Life Force. We cannot deny, of course,
that vegetable matter, animais and people need air,
water and food to live. But none of these elements
is in itself the cause of Life. Each only contributes
to maintaining Life within these living organisms.
Besides, recent research has shown that certain
bacteria grow by drawing their vitality directly
from the rays of the sun. The Rosicrucian teachings
have for centuries affirmed that it is this radiation
which is rhe vehicle for the Vital Life Force. That
is, the sun is not just a source of light and heat
for the Earth but also the source which radiates
the essence o f Life. This essence is o f a spiritual
nature and infuses our planet to enormous depths,
which explains why we find primitive animal life
in the deep chasms o f the ocean deprived o f light
and oxygen.
We cannot discuss the subject of Life without
also raisíng the question o f its existence in other
parts of the Universe. I believe it does exist
elsewhere because it is an attribute of the Universal
Intelligence and therefore part of the entire
universe. Although we have no scientific proof as
yet, it seems to me obvious it is present in other
worlds. Furthermore, I think its forms must be
fairly uniform. In other words, it is most likely
that vegetable matter, animais and living humans
in other solar systems would have great similarities
to those found on Earth. So there is no reason to
believe extra-rerrestrials are misshapen, hosrile
or frightening beings. More importantly, nor
should we project onto them our weaknesses and
simply assume they are “invaders” driven by the
desire to conquer and domínate. Unfortunately,
this is often the image attributed to them by
books and films on the subject.
If we suppose that similar peoples to us
live in other solar systems, we can assume
some to be more advanced, not only in a
technological sense, but also on the levei of
biologica] evolution. Why not consider extra-
terrestrials who are capable of contacting us as
belonging to superior civilisations? In this case,
we need not fear an invasión. On the contrary,
we should prepare ourselves to welcome them
and to receive the knowledge they will have to
impart to us. Incidentally, it is worth poíntíng
out that certain esoteric writings relate that the
Primordial Tradition was brought to our planet
by “beings who came from the Sky, from across
the Great Cosmic Ocean”. You will agree that
such a reference suggests beings of superior
intelligence gave our humanity the necessary
Ímpetus for its cultural and spiritual evolution.
Whatever the case, we know our galaxy
alone is made up of 100 billion stars and a great
number of these are the sun of a planetary system.
Given this, it seems somewhat presumptuous to
think the Earth is the only planet with human
life. From a mystical point of view, this cannot
be how it really is because then the universe
would have no other use and would be limited
to a purely material creation. It comes back to
saying the universe is the resuit o f chance or a
coincidence of events. As we have established in
the First two laws of this Ontology, the universe
is the work o f a Universal Intelligence and
serves as a framework for the evolution of the
Universal Soul. Life itself is the support for this
evolution. In the last analysis, these two cosmic
energies are inseparable and are interdependent
in matter making it the receptacle for conscious
life, as it manifests in the different realms of
nature.

Fourth Law
“Matter owes its existence
to a vibratory energy which propagates
throughout the entire universe
and impregnates every atom.”
The fourth law of the Rosicrucian Ontology leads us
to examine a subject having no a p riori connection
with mysticism whatsoever. In fact, a number of
schools of philosophical thought show no interest
at all in the nature of matter, believing it to be
incompatible with spirituality and that it degrades
the human soul. Some of these schools even go so
far as to deny its existence, asserting that it is an
¡Ilusión o f the senses and the mind. By virtue of this
principie, its adherents choose to live on the fringes
of society and seek Truth by a direct contact with
God, most often through meditation and prolonged
prayer. Although all spiritual quests are worthy,
this path to the Divine is restrictive and at best
can only provide a limited approach to Knowledge.
In extreme cases, this idea o f mysticism leads to a
reclusive, ascetic existence, which the Rosicrucian
Order has never advocated. Rather, it has always
encouraged its members to live in relationship with
others and to make the daily world the crucible
of evolution.
Rosicrucians consider matter to be an integral
part of the Divine. To deny such an obvious fact
would be to revert to accepcing that the Universe
was created by a Power outside of God and this
proposition would stand in direct contrast to the
laws we have examined in the preceding chapters. It
would also mean the physical body has no spiritual
function at all. The body is the temple of our soul and
serves to support its evolution. As such, it deserves
our greatest respect. It is difficult to understand
why some religions encourage mortification and
allege that suffering of the flesh is necessary to
reach the Kingdom of Heaven. If that were the
case, one wonders why the Master Jesus himself
spent so much time healing the sick. Suffering has
never been necessary for spiritual evolution. In fact,
the ideal would be to never experience it at all.
Quite apart from people who mortify
themselves hoping to please God and receive His
blessings, we find incidences of bodily mutilations
of children, particularly in African countries, for
ethnic and religious reasons. Honestly, and at the
risk of appearing intransigent, I do not think any
mutilation is justifíed from a Cosmic point of view.
In most cases, they are continuations of barbarie
traditions or ancestral rites having no spiritual
basis. Anyway, I believe those who practise them,
or give their tacit approval, are creating a negative
karma for themselves which must be compensated
for sooner or later. They will come to experience
physical or moral suffering in proportion to the
suffering caused because the flrst duty is to learn to
respect the body. To enforce such bodily cruelty or
inflict it on others is cosmically reprehensible and
sets in motion karmic law.
Having made some important observations,
let s return now to the fourth law o f the Rosicrucian
Ontology. As this law states, matter owes its
existence to an energy which permeates the entire
universe in the form of vibrations. The Rosicrucian
teachings have for centuries called this energy
“Spirit” The ancient Greek Anaxagoras actually
gave it this name. In the 5th century before our
era, this philosopher and scholar claimed that the
physical world was only the extreme condensation
o f an intangible essence, even though the world
appeared solid. He believed this essence to be an
emanation from God which he thought was like
a master Intelligence, outside o f Creation itself.
In this respect he was a theist and not a pantheist.
His concepc o f the origin o f matter, nevertheless,
was basically correct. Incidentally, he was also
a great biologist interested in the evolution of
animal species.
In the Rosicrucian Tradition, the word “Spirit”
just mentioned, does not refer to the spiritual
dimensión of a person. In other words, it does
not desígnate soul or even mind. Neither does it
correspond to the “Holy Spirit”, the third “person”
of the Christian Trinity. As I have just poínted out,
it is the traditional term used to signify the energy
which is the basis of matter, and which radiates
from the same centre as the Universal Soul and the
Vital Life Force. These three energies, therefore,
have a common source and each is a particular
expression of the Divine Breath related to the Word
in numerous traditions. I should also add that each
living and conscious creature is a specific synthesis
of the vibratory rates of these energies, and which
follow precise physical and metaphysical laws. The
great enigma about these laws which challenges
us is to know when and how the transition from
matter to life is made.
Physicists have, for some time, known
o f the existence of cosmic and gamma rays,
electromagnetic, light and sound waves. It is
important to understand, however, that these rays
and waves are not totally separate and independent
phenomena. They are, in reality, only different
manifestations o f the one energy, namely “Spirit”.
It is likewise the case with the forces of attraction
and repulsión exerted within the heart of atoms or
within the apparent emptiness separating celestial
or terrestrial bodies. As Anaxagoras, whom we
have just mentioned, pointed to, the physical world
is only a tangible expression o f an essence which
becomes denser as it extends from its source. As
paradoxical as that may seem, matter has thus a
spiritual or divine origin. All scientists should study
the divine with this principie in mind.
As we all know, matter is made up of atoms.
This apparently recent discovery in fact goes back
to Democritus, who was the first to propose this
hypothesis at the beginning of the 5th century
before our era. We actually owe the word “atom”
to him, a Greek term which literally means
“impossible to cut”. Many present day physicists
consider him to be the father of atomic theory.
What’s more, this great scholar and philosopher
thought each atom itself was composed of
infinitesimal particles, known during his time
as “eons”. Naturally, he did not know exactly of
what these particles consisted, ñor their structure
or polarity. Nevertheless, he knew intuitively of
their existence, demonstrating how much he was in
harmony with the Divine Wisdom.
In this respect, mysticism has never been
incompatible with Science. Better still, these two
paths of Knowledge are complimentary, both
having as their goal the study of the mysteries of
the universe, nature and man.
The fundamental particles of the atom, namely
electrons, protons and neutrons with their negative,
positive and neutral charges respectively, were only
discovered at the beginning of the 20th century.
This important discovery brought experimental
proof to the theories intuited by the great thinkers
o f Ancient Greece, whose knowledge carne from
an even more ancient source. It also confirmed
the well-founded Hermetic maxim known to all
Rosicrucians: “As above, so below.” Like the planets
spinning around the sun, so the electrons revolve
around the heart of atomic life, the nucleus. The
microcosm, world of the infinitely small, is therefore
a faithful reflection of the laws which govern the
macrocosm, world of the infinitely large. This is
why it is possible to learn a great deal o f both worlds
by the careful study of one.
What then is the energy which animates the life
o f atoms to which I have just referred? According to
Rosicrucian Ontology it is Spirit. In fact, it is this
energy which maintains the vibratory movement
of electrons, protons and neutrons of which matter
is composed. It is also responsible for the forces of
attraction and repulsión existing between atoms.
Lastly, it is under the influence of its cohesive and
adhesive power that molecules come together to
form all the physical substances. The universe is a
vibratory ocean of an infinite number of particles in
motion, combining to form stars, planets and all the
creatures which participare in Cosmic Evolution.
By virtue of our privileged status, humanity has the
power to contémplate this ocean while being able
to contemplare ourselves as well. It is in this dual
contemplation the key to true Science is found.
Fiftfi Law
“Time and space are states of consciousness
and have no material reality
independent of humanity.”
To properly understand this fifth law, we should
firsdy define what Rosicrucians mean by “material
reality”. In line with the explanations given in the
preceding chapters, matter owes its existence to the
vibrations of Spirit Energy. These vibrations, in
effect, maintain the activity of the various atoms of
which it is composed. Their role, however, is not just
limited to this internai atomic function. They also
allow us to be conscious of our earthly environment
since everything we know o f the physical world
results from the perception o f vibrations emanating
from it continually. This means that what we see,
hear, touch, feel and taste is the result o f vibratory
stimuli which we interpret in terms o f sensations
or impressions. Consequently, the reality we give
things is subjective and constitutes a relative truth.
As is explained in more detail in the Rosicrucian
teachings, our perception o f the physical world
depends particularly on our sense faculties of sight,
hearing and touch. These senses, as we know, are
subject to many illusions. To take a well known
example, everyone knows that the same object may
appear bigger or smaller according to the distance
it is away from the viewer. However, in its natural
reality, the fact we are closer or further away from
the object does not change in any way its dimensions
or form. The impression that it does is simply due
to the effect of perspective. And so things appear to
us because that’s the way we perceive them and not
because that is the way they are in their intrinsic
reality. Moreover, the understanding we have of
objects is determined by the way our objective
consciousness interprets them, this interpretation
being quite arbitrary. Thus we constantly live in
what I call an “illusory-reality”.
Since humans appeared on the Earth, we
have been confronted by the problem of space
and have endeavoured to solve it. For thousands
of years, hehumans used natural phenomena for
measurement, notably the alternating cycle of day
and night, the phases of the moon and succession of
the seasons. For a long time, these visual indicators
were the only reference points to structure human
existence and organise activities for survival,
like fishing, hunting, gathering food, seeding,
harvesting etc. Gradually, humans found the need
to plan life ahead to better master it and shape it
according to their needs. And so instruments such
as the hourglass, water-clock and sun-dial were
created to divide time into parts. Today we have
electronic watches and chronometers so that the
past, present and future intertwine into a virtual
moment which our consciousness is incapable of
perceiving objectively.
From a Rosicrucian perspective, time is not a
material reality in the sense that it is impossible to
perceive it as a vibratory phenomenon. In fact, time
is a purely objective State o f consciousness. If you
need convincing then just consider what happens
when we are in a deep sleep: the hours flow at the
same rhythm as when we are awake but we are not
aware of this objectively. Paradoxically, a dream
lasting a few minutes provides us with an experience
of inner events whose duration may seem infinitely
longer. Besides, you know perfectly well time passes
quickly when we are very busy but barely “flows”
when we are bored or engaged in something we
dislike. These few examples show that time is a
relative notion and cannot be reduced to a series of
numerical valúes.
Space, like time, is also a State of objective
consciousness. O f course, we have the impression
we actually perceive it but this perception
depends on the things in it. If our environment
contained nothing, it would be reduced to an
absolute emptiness impossible to discern by our
objective faculties. As an analogy, we would be
like a shipwrecked individual, lost in the night,
in the middle of the ocean, with a starless sky to
guide us. In other words, we can think of space as
owing its existence to matter within it because this
gives it “substance” and determines its limits. As
an example, if we can see the distance separating
two trees some metres away from us, it is precisely
because each tree has a distinct material reality and
because we can see them simultaneously.
It is relatively easy to demónstrate that our
perception of space is subject to illusion. To refer by science does not oppose our well-being ñor the
again to the effect o f perspective mentioned fundam enta 1 reason for which we were incarnated
previously, we all know that the line of the horizon onto this Earth, namely to complete the evolution
is purely a visual phenomenon and has no actual of our soul.
material existence. It is created by the iliusory Having said this, it is doubtful whether
meeting of the sky with the earth. Extending this technology will ever conquer time and space.
idea, you will notice it is impossible to accurately People will, of course, create machines which will
measure by sight the distance separating two objects go faster and further but there will be a limit to
at a great distance. This is because our sight, which the progress possible. Furthermore, we may well
discerns objects before us, undergoes a process of fear this singular pursuit of extending our action
reduction. Reference points such as in front, behind, in the material sphere alone when the conquest of
right, left, above and below are norms which people our spiritual world is our true mission. Since time
have established to structure their environment and space are states o f consciousness, it is especially
and orientate themselves in space. They are quite through our subliminal faculties that we can
arbitrary and have no absolute valué. For example, transcend them totally. I am thinking of psychic
the Earth, seen from the Moon, is “above”. projection in the first instance and attunement with
Although time and space are not physical the Akashic Records in the second. In developing
realities but only states of consciousness, we cannot these faculties through the techniques taught by the
deny they exert an enormous influence on us in our Rosicrucian Order it will be possible to leave our
daily life. Whether we like it or not, they are an space-time framework and experience the infinite
integral part o f the human condition. This is why and the timeless.
it would be unreasonable simply to accept them as
illusions and behave as if they didn’t exist. Since
we live in a world governed by exact social and
economic rules, we are obliged to take these rules
into account within the space-time framework
to which they apply. However, this framework
shouldn’t become too limiting and stand in the
way of our inner development. Un for tu nately,
this has happened in modern societies which have
committed the error of wanting to make profit at
all costs from time and space. They have given a
profit-making characteristic to these two concepts
and have turned them into a justification for
excessive materialism.
Today people are directing their intelligence
towards manufacturing machines which will allow
us to cross the greatest distance in the least amount
of time so that we can move about in the fastest way
possible and carry out a task or obligation in the
quickest time. Society is choosing to move in this
direction which is understandable enough without
necessarily agreeing with it. The choice is largely
responsible for the hectic life-style and the resultant
stress. Another consequence is allowing the material
aspect of life to be dominant to the detriment of the
spiritual. This is regrettable. We must, therefore,
show our wisdom and ensure the progress achieved

¡ixth Law
“Humanity is dual in nature
and triune in manifestaron.”
This law, as it stands, sums up the mystical nature
of humanity. Humans have a soul and a physical
body, a duality represented by the Rosy Cross,
the age-old symbol o f the Order. Every human
being thus has a dual nature and belongs to two
complementary worlds. The first o f these worlds
is finite, tangible and visible. The other is infinite,
intangible and invisible. This is precisely why the
materialist denies its existence. According to the
materialist’s thinking, whatever can be perceived
by the senses alone is real. However, it is easy to
show such reasoning is not as logical as it seems.
If it were infallible, then we would have to accept
that air does not exist because it is impossible to
contain, touch and see it. The same observation
could be made about our own thoughts because
they are immaterial.
Obviously, each human being has a physical
body. However, rare are those who are aware of
the “miracle” which brings this about. How does
one actually describe the process which makes
each one o f us the result o f an evolution begun
by an egg a millimetre in diameter? Scholars and
scientists themselves are incapable of defining the
intelligence directing and controlling this process.
Naturally, they are able to describe the different
stages, from the moment of conception to birth. But
their knowledge addresses the physiological aspect
of foetal development and not the metaphysical
cause which has generated it. Now, the mystery of
procreation and the key to our earthly existence
lies in this cause. On this then, we will focus our
attention.
Quite apart from any mystical, philosophical
or religious convictions, our physical body is itself
proof of the existence of God and the laws by which
God manifests to us. In fact, all our functions,
including the most obvious psycho-motor (motion
and movement) or organic (respiration, digestión,
circulation of the blood and lymph) functions,
are the expression of an intelligence and a will
transcending the purely physiological aspect of
life. An examination of the mental faculties makes
this fact even more obvious, for rhought is o f an
immaterial nature and cannot result exclusively
from the brain. From a Rosicrucian point of view,
this organ is only the seat of the objective phase
of human consciousness whose role is essentially to
perceive the physical world and to apply our various
processes of reasoning to it.
For centuries, Rosicrucian Ontology has taught
that consciousness is an attribute of the soul. The
soul, o f course, uses the brain to manifest on the
objective and subjective planes, but it also has
transcendental functions operating independently
of this organ. This is the case on the higher levels
o f our subconscious. For this reason, a person in a
coma or one experiencing a clinicai death continues
to think and perceive the environment, a fact denied
by many doctors. In relation to this, a fíat reading
on an electro-encephalogram is not the absolute
criterion for pronouncing that the individual
has definitely ceased to be conscious. It merely
indicates a loss o f the use of cerebral faculties which
are related only to the State of awareness. As for the
soul itself, it has a form of perception and thinking
transcending all such faculties.
Let me define more precisely what the human
soul is and how it expresses itself through us. As
far as Rosicrucian philosophy is concerned, it is
spiritual energy which animates the physical body,
in the etymological sense of the word “anímate”. In
other words, it is under its impulse that the Vital
Life Forcé acts with such intelligence and awareness
in each o f our organs. It impregnates each cell o f our
being and vibrates in each with the same intensity.
Contrary to what is taught by some religions, the
soul does not have its seat in the heart or the brain,
no more than the blood does. Similarly, neither is
it located in one of our psychic centres, as some
oriental gurus claim.
The soul is not limited to animating our
physical body in the sense I have just described. It
also confers upon humanity the power to evolve
spiritually and to accomplish the mission which is
our divine right. This is possible because it is an
extensión of the Universal Soul and, in a wider
sense, of God. Its origin is actually the noblest and
purest elements of human nature. Henee what we To conclude the study o f this sixth law, I think
now cali “qualities” such as humility, integrity, it is worthwhile stressing a particular point. It is
generosity, altruism, tolerance, patience etc., are this. If the awakening of our psychic faculties is
the faculties o f the soul. Given this principie, what worthy of interest, that does not make it a priority
we term “flaws” are due to the fact we have not yet for a mystic on his or her quest. Psychic abilities are
developed these qualities. The goal of our spiritual certainly useful since they give us access to levels of
evolution is precisely to attain this development consciousness which transcend our objective world.
and to express the perfection o f our divine nature. They are, nevertheless, of secondary importance in
How? Through living in contact with others and relation to the evolution of our spiritual being which,
putting the best of ourselves forward in Service, and rather, is based on the development of the qualities
with a willingness to do good works. to which I previously referred. Consequently, rather
As has previously been explained, humans are than fanatically seeking to attain paranormal
dual in nature. But the sixth law of Rosicrucian powers, it is better to become receptive to our soul
Ontology also states that we are triune in and learn to express its virtues in our daily conduct.
manifestation. Why is that? Because he has a With respect to this advice, we should understand
psychic body which is the result o f the unión that when we die, the “judgement” awaiting us in
between the soul and the physical body, a unión the beyond will not be based on our ability to see
which takes place at the moment of birth. This auras or project psychically, but on the good we
psychic body, which other traditions cali the “astral have accomplished in the Service o f others.
Body” or the “etheric body”, is the vehicle for the
Vital Life Forcé. In other words, it is through this
intermediary that all organs and functions of our
being receive their particular vitality. It does so
by using the branches of the autonomic nervous
system under the control o f the hypothalamus.
Concerning this system, I think it is worth noting
that Science has for a long time not been interested
in it, believing the autonomic nervous system to be
of secondary importance compared to the cerebro-
spinal system. Rosicrucians have always given it a
great deal of attention by virtue o f the fundamental
role it plays in the application of mystical healing.
Quite apart from its physiological role, the
psychic body is of great interest to mystics. In the
First place, it has centres allowing us to perceive
extra-sensory phenomena, in particular the aura.
This naturally assumes these psychic centres, which
other organisations incorrectly term “chakras,” are
sufficiently awakened. Their development is an
integral part of the Rosicrucian teachings. Secondly,
projection of our psychic body out of our physical
body is possible and henee extends our Field of
awareness. Although difFicult to attain, mastery of
projection allows us to transcend space momentarily
and to go psychically to places far from our physical
location. In fact, it is this ability, also included in
the Rosicrucian studies, which explains stories of
how Initiates could be in several places at once.

“The soul incarnates into the body of a child
from the moment it takes its first breath,
making it a living and conscious being.”
Given the existence of the soul, then it is valid to
ask the question at what moment it incarnates. If
most religions are to be believed on the subject,
it enters the mother’s body at the exact moment
of conception. This means it is an integral part
of the embryo and thus participares in its entire
development. In the last analysis, this belief
basically explains why religious authorities are
generally opposed to abortion. They believe
abortion not only involves the death of a developing
human being but equally the disappearance of a
soul which had taken possession of it. Although
the Rosicrucian Order has no official view on the
serious subject of abortion, its teachings do allow us
to examine it from a new perspective and, I believe,
a less dogmatic one.
From the Rosicrucian point of view, the soul
incarnates only at the moment the child leaves
its mother’s womb and takes its first breath. It is
actually under the impulse of this first breath that
the soul comes into the child and infuses its entire
being. As a general rule, the breathing out which
follows is accompanied by a cry, usually associated
with the birth itself. Be that as it may, it is at the
moment of birth and not conception that the new-
born receives its spiritual Selfand when incarnation
really begins. As long as the child is in the womb, it
is devoid of a living consciousness and has no vital
autonomy. With this principie in mind, the embryo
like the foetus, may be com pared to an organ
whose special characteristic is a marvellous process
of development with the most noble purpose of
becoming the receptacle and vehicle of the soul.
As you no doubt know, some schools of
psychology and philosophy teach that the foetus
is conscious of its State and possesses various
mental faculties, including memory. Convinced
o f this, these courses offer methods to awaken
the foetus’ intelligence and even to start teaching
it mathematics, the arts, foreign languages etc.
usually by encouraging the expectant mother to
play cassettes to the unborn child. While I do not
disrespect the method, I think the practice here is
somewhat extreme and illusory. If in fact you accept
that the soul incarnates at the moment of birth,
the foetus cannot be endowed with consciousness
because consciousness is precisely an attribute of the
soul. So it is impossible for the foetus to memorise
or learn purely intellectual ideas.
It is true the foetus reacts to numerous externai
stimuli such as noise, cold, and heat to cite the most
obvious. Moreover, it is sensitive to the mother’s
thoughts and emotions throughout the whole
pregnancy. But this reaction and sensitivity are
organic rather than of a living consciousness. In
other words, these reactions are instinctive and not
subject to conscious interpretation on the part of
the unborn child. As an analogy, all our organs are
affected by our mental and emotional states which
explains why many illnesses have inner causes
rather than externai ones. But this does not mean
these organs are conscious of themselves or o f the
role they play within our body. Similarly, the foetus
is not conscious of itself during its development and
is not capable of interpreting stimuli reaching it.
The fact the soul is not within the foetus
does not signify in any way that it maintains no
connection with it before birth. Quite the contrary.
For centuries, the Rosicrucian Tradition has taught
that the soul chooses the body into which it will
incarnate, a choice largely determined by its karma
and the experiences it desires to have to further its
evolution. From the fourth month of pregnancy,
as a general rule, the soul establishes definite
connections with the foetus, these connections
being of a spiritual nature. From this time, it
commences its cosmic “descent” and gradually
“draws nearer” to the mother, until the final moment
before incarnation. From its plane of existence, the
soul attentively follows the foetus’ evolution and
memorises the different phases of its development.
This is why we are able to have memories of events
“we” lived in the foetal State.
Given that we can affect all our organs by our
thoughts and emotions, the future mother can
therefore exert a positive influence on the unborn
child. How? By directing positive thoughts to it and
visualising its normal and harmonious development. problem. As certain contemporary humanists State,
Through the regular application of this technique, I believe one o f the dangers facing humanity is none
the vitality o f the foetus is invigorated and the other than over-population. On this question, I just
organic consciousness is stimulated. In so doing, cannot understand why religions are so vigorously
the mother is assisting the developing child obtain opposed to contraception. Is it because their power
a healthy, dynamic body more resistant to illnesses. is based, to a large extent, on the rule of number?
Today pre-natal influences o f this kind are offlcially Is it because of a dogmatic interpretation of certain
recognised by many doctors. Courses have even sacred scriptures? Whatever the case, no one can
been created to help pregnant women apply these deny that over-population is one of the causes of
techniques. These methods are nothing new, of misery in under-developed countries, increasing
course, and are most often merely adaptations as the population grows, despite the aid which is
of techniques which have been taught by the provided. On a more general levei, it is obvious the
Rosicrucian Order for centuries. planets resourcesare far from unlimited even though
Prenatal influences, as applied by Rosicrucians, they could be better managed and distributed.
are not limited to directing positive thoughts to the Besides, I think by thoughtlessly increasing the
foetus. Attuning to the Cosmic plane, where souls worlds population, the divine reintegration of the
await to incarnate, is also practised. These souls collective soul o f humanity is slowed down since
may have a comparable levei o f evolution although new and inexperienced souls, in the mystical sense
corresponding to different natures on the human of the word, will have to reincarnate repeatedly.
plane. By regularly practising this harmonisation,
the mother is thus able to attract to her the soul
which best shows the personality she wishes for her
child. To do this, she must visualise with confidence
the qualities, tendencies and character she would
like the child to express. If she devotes herself to
this correct form of mental creation, the mother
will no doubt achieve results fulfilling her hopes,
remembering of course that “humanity proposes
while God disposes”.
Birth is not just the moment when the mother
delivers the new-born. It also marks the exact instant
when the child receives its soul, making it a living
and conscious being. Before becoming incarnate,
this soul dwelt on one the cosmic planes in company
with other souls, much like a family of souls on
Earth. Its incarnation therefore constitutes a death
with respect to the “place” in which it resided and
to its previous State. In another respect, it represents
a rather painful experience since it loses its spiritual
freedom to become locked into a physical body and
thus yielding to many contingencies, particularly
time and space. And so while we may not be
objectively aware of it, birth is a trying event for
the mother as well as the incarnating soul. This is
why everything should be made as physically and
psychically comfortable as possible.
To conclude the commentary on this law, I’d
like to bring to your attention a very important

Eighth Law
“The destiny of each human being
is determined
by the manner in which free will is applied
and the resultant karma.”
By virtue of their philosophy, Rosicrucians are
neither fatalists nor determinists. In other words,
they do not believe their future is predestined by
God in terms of God’s decisions alone. If that were
the case, then humans would not have free will
and our existence would be a succession of events
having no connection whatsoever with our own
conduct. We would merely be puppets manipulated
by the whim of Divine Providence. Now, no one
denies that daily life confronts us constantly with
choices which concern us directly, proving we have
the power to have an influence over our future.
Essentially, each human being is the maker of his or
her destiny, because it is in the freedom of thought,
word and action that spiritual evolution lies. By all
accounts, such freedom is difficult to assume, given
the karmic responsibilities which result and the
consequences this holds for our existence.
In an ap riori sense, it is difficult to undersrand
why God granted humans the power to do evil
and harm their fellow human beings. If God had
actually made a wholly and completely perfect
being, the Earth would have been true Paradise all
along, a Place of everlasting peace and brotherhood.
Well, it isn’t and never has been. Why not? Because
Perfection is a State of consciousness humanity
must attain by itself, under the Ímpetus o fit s own
aspiratíons and the effects of its individual and
collective choices. And it is precísely in being free
to make decisions that humanity is able and must
evolve towards this State o f consciousness. With
respect to the Divine Plan, it was necessary for
incarnated humans to be perfectible and actively
particípate in the evolution of the Universal Soul, as
it manifests on our planet. Because o f this Cosmic
necessity, individuais are capable o f evil as long as
they have not understood that they are destined to
serve the Good.
To assist us to realise our latent perfection
and to express it in his conduct, God establíshed
a fundamental spiritual law: Karma. Contrary to
what many mystics think, this law is not punitive
in any way but evolutive. In other words, its goal
is not to sanction our faults or chastise us for our
errors, but to allow us to become aware of them and
not repeat them. Thus each time we do wrong, we
put into motion a karmic reaction which sooner or
later produces an equivalent ordeal on the human
levei. Conversely, when we act rightly, we create
positive thought forms which come back to us by
way of any number of benefits whose purpose is
to contribute to our well-being and encourage us
to follow the path of Goodness. As you know, all
founders of religión have taught, in one way or
another, that we reap what we sow.
I should like to emphasise this important point.
If all bad actions produce a karmic consequence
sooner or later, all the ordeals people are subject
to are not necessarily the result of negative karma.
Some are due to the fact that it is impossible to
live on the earthly plane without being faced
with difficulties and problems of all kinds. Some
are the result of choices made before our present
incarnation and whose purpose is to accelerate our
evolution or contribute to that of our familys, our
workplace or whatever. With this in mind, it is
wrong to believe that a physical or mental handicap,
an incurable disease, a serious accident, the loss of
material possessions etc., are systematically the
consequences of a karmic debt. There is no doubt
such tribulations can provide a very positive karma
for those who accept the conditions with faith and
dignity. In this domain more than any other, we
should be very careful in our judgements concerning
our own life as well as the lives o f others.
The effects of karma applied to our physical body
are obvious since we can feel them objectively and
consequently become aware of them immediately.
For example, when we bump into a wall, we feel
the pain at the place of impact. Conversely, we feel
a sense of well-being when stretching out to lie
down after a hard days work. For obvious reasons,
it is much more difficult to discern the way karmic
law applies to the spiritual plane. Thats why we
don’t always understand the cause of our troubles.
It should be said that not grasping this law or
denying its existence in no way prevents us from
achieving in life and determining our destiny. From
a Rosicrucian perspective, karma is the universal
expression of Divine Justice. This Justice governs the
evolution of souls, whether incarnated or not. We
should therefore think, speak and act accordingly,
to establish in the invisible realm the foundations
of an existence according to our hopes.
As previous explanations indícate, free will is
linked directly to the problem of good and evil. And
so I think it is important to consider this problem
briefly. From a philosophical point of view, evil
is the absence o f good and has no actual cosmic
reality. This means it is not a part of God’s laws
established at the beginning of time. Nevertheless,
we cannot deny it exists on the earthly plañe, with
wars, conflicts and crime being unfortunately
proof of this. The reason for its existence is that it
comes from humans themselves. To be more exact,
I am saying it springs from human ignorance at the
time and our human capacity to oppose the good.
In other words, it is always the result of a negative
application of free will and has no existence
independent of humanity. In a general way, we can
consider all thought, word or action, which puts
the physical and mental integrity of another in
jeopardy, as fundamentally wrong and generating
significant negative karma.
All religions have established commandments
to define what is good or evil in human behaviour.
Most o f these commandments are prohibitions.
Sonríe of these are well founded since they actually
concern despicable human behaviour and are
karmically negative. As a particular example, to kill
another is culpable from a human and cosmic point
of view, except perhaps in some circumstances I am
in no position to judge. On the other hand, some
prohibitions are arbitrary and serve no other purpose
than to promote partisan dogmas. In this respect,
“sins” which religions refer to, are not all wrong in
the eyes of the Cosmic and do not systematically
engender negative karma. Anyway, rather than
urge us not to do evil, it seems to me preferable to
encourage us to do good. The former tends to create
a sense o f guilt and reinforces inhibitions, harming
our general well-being and inner development.
The latter allows us to become more conscious of
our own accord of our divine nature and to better
accept the errors of judgement and behaviour.
In the last analysis, it is not so important to
know whether an ordeal is karmic or not since it
could make us feel unnecessarily guilty. When
it comes, we should face it with confidence and
draw from our faith the strength to overcome it.
Whatever it is, we should consider it an additional
means to surpass ourselves physically, mentally
or spiritually and henee achieve progress on the
path of our evolution. Neither is any purpose
served in focusing on our errors and spending time
regretting mistakes. As soon as we have become
aware of the situation, it is far better to use it to
compénsate for our mistakes by some determined
effort on our part. We are certain to neutralise the
negative karma which would have ensued by taking
this action. I should add that mystically, to not do
everything to rectify matters is as serious as having
committed wrong. It is not our imperfection which
brings Cosmic disapproval upon us since this
imperfection is the reason for our incarnation.
What is karmically wrong is to persist in doing evil
or to refuse to make amends.
The notion of destiny also raises the question
of whether the time o f death is predetermined.
Generally, I think its moment is essentially
conditioned by our genetic make-up, the care
we have taken of our health, the karma we have
created for ourselves and the interest we have given
to our spiritual side which involves to a large extent
our free will. For obvious reasons a person who
constantly and excessively violates natural laws
(alcohol, tobacco etc.) reduces life expectancy to a
considerable extent. There is nothing to suppose that
those who die in an accident, a disaster, a cataclysm
or war, do so under Cosmic decree. It is best not
to be fatalistic in this area and not simply place
yourself in the hands o f Divine Will. Nevertheless,
in some special cases, the hour and circumstances of
death can in effect be pre-determined, particularly
when an individuáis spiritual evolution or that of
his or her surroundings necessitate it. Whatever the
case, and contrary to appearances, there is never
injustice at this level. Besides, if we accept the law of
reincarnation, the ¡dea of destiny takes on a much
larger perspective and dimensión because it enables
us to understand that certain tribulations or events
in our existence have their causes in past lives.

Ninth Law
“Death is the moment when
the last breath is given up
and the final separation
of the body and soul takes place.”
O f a 11 the mysteries human beings have been faced
with since the mists of time, death is certainly the
most intriguing and fascinating because its moment
cannot be avoided by anyone. We are all destined to
die one day and leave behind loved ones with whom
we have shared our life. The only thing we don’t
know is when, where or how it will come about. For
many people, this inescapable event o f existence is
forbidding and dreaded if only because it is often
preceded by physical and mental suffering. To this
natural and understandabJe anguish is added the
fact that no individual can describe with perfect
knowledge what the after-life is like ñor bear witness
to his or her own death. In other words, death truly
deais with the unknown as we understand it in the
philosophical sense of the word. However, the Rose-
Croix of the past have handed down a prodigious
knowledge about this myscery.
Although it may seem a contradiction, the idea
we have of death conditions to a large extent the
way we live because it determines which moral
valúes we adopt and which will influence our
behaviour. Generally speaking, there are two ways
of approaching death, from a materialist’s point of
view or with a spiritual perspective. For those who
deny the existence of the soul and God, death marks
a return to nothingness and absolute non-being.
Given there is merely a physical body endowed with
simply a brain consciousness, death is considered a
total and Final annihilation of the human being.
For this reason, it is approached negatively and
conceived as a cessation o f everything which
contributed to conscious existence. Convinced
materialists therefore, seek happiness in the
satisfaction of physical desires, their essential joys
being based on the pleasures this world can provide
them.
A spiritual person is by definition one who
accepts the existence of the soul, most often
considered to be an immortal essence having
its origins in God. However, this belief does not
explain death and less still, what comes after it.
Henee many turn to religión to provide an answer
to the fundamental question: “What happens
after death?” Most religious creeds, with minor
variations, teach that the soul of the deceased goes
to Heaven or Hell, according to the good or evil
deeds committed during earthly life. In Heaven, the
soul enjoys absolute bliss and remains there for all
eternity in the company of angels. In Hell, it goes
into the bowels of the earth and is for ever subject
to torments reserved for the blasphemous, under
the watchful eye of demons. For centuries, this
religious concept of the after-life has conditioned
the faith and behaviour of hundreds o f millions
o f individuais. However, more and more are
questioning this or refuting it because it no longer
brings inner satisfaction or seems just too dogmatic
a view.
As a general rule, the death of a human
being takes place at the moment the heart stops
beating since all functions and cells of the body
are deprived of the vital energy which maintains
their activity. The ceasing of cardiac activity may
be the consequence of prolonged illness, oíd age,
violent shock or a heart attack. Deprived o f blood,
the brain also ceases to function and an electro-
encephalogram indicates this with a continuous,
unwavering horizontal line. Medically, this brain
“death” officially certifies that the person has died.
The person is considered actually to have lost all
use of his or her physical and mental faculties.
The body graduaily becomes coid because o f the
cessation of metabolism, then starts to decompose
and, as the Sacred Scriptures declare, returns to
dust. For this reason, it must be buried or cremated
in the days following death.
For Rosicrucians, death involves a metaphysical
dimensión, transcending the physical, and the term
“transition” is preferred to describe it. When a
person gives up his or her last breath, an opposite
phenomenon actually occurs to that which takes
place at the m om ent o f birth, as explained in the
fifth law of this Ontology. Upon the last breath, the
soul is graduaily freed from the body. According to
the degree of spiritual awakening of the deceased,
this liberation occurs within a few hours or may its earthly existence. Having reached this plane
require several days. Whatever the length of time, o f consciousness, the soul remains there to the
the separation occurs in three major stages. During extent its conscious energy allows, and is assisted
the first, the soul firstly reviews a multitude of in the evaluation o f its earthly life by the “Lords of
scenes from the just completed life, most consisting Karma”. After having drawn from this evaluation
o f sparse and fleeting memories of childhood, any karmic lessons, the soul goes through a period of
adolescence or other periods marking out this purification and prepares for its next reincarnation,
incarnation. Then the person sees his or her body with other souls and under the guidance of certain
and those in proximity. This visión does not seem cosmic hosts.
real, however, because the person is not conscious Be assured that death does not mark the
of having passed through transition, especially if deflnite end of who we are as a personal ity. As these
the death was violent. Rather, the impression is explanations suggest, death is a transition of the
that of a dream. For a spiritual person, this post- soul and a spiritual rebirth. We should understand
mortem dream is always pleasant and resembles an death does not exist in the absolute and that it is
initiatic dream. On the other hand, a materialist one o f the two phases of Cosmic Life. Neither is
often experiences this as a nightmare and feels out there any reason to fear or dread it. It is better to
of control in such a situation. face it philosophically and consider it an initiation
After having totally separated from the body, for which we can and should prepare during our
the soul fully realises that it has passed through incarnation. Besides, itonlyseparates us temporarily
transition and that its incarnation is definitely over. from loved ones with whom we have shared our life
This awareness is the second stage o f the transition. because we shall meet again in the beyond and live
At the same time, it sees a light towards which it is again by their side in another form o f existence. By
irresistibly drawn. Conscious of the pain the death virtue of our origins and nature, we are children
has aroused in loved ones, however, the soul remains of space and travellers in time. We are therefore
for some time in their presence, radiating towards eternal and shall live for ever under the benevolent
them thoughts o f love and comfort to console and eye of God who is within.
sustain them in their time of tribulation. Through
all means, the soul tries to give reassurance and
make them intuitively understand death is not
the end of life, and that the beyond is a “tangible”
reality. Unfortunately, precisely because o f pain
and confusion, they most often maintain an
objective State of consciousness, preventing them
from receiving this spiritual support and comfort.
If, however, they could overcome their sadness and
attune with the invisible world, they would be able
to perceive or feel the presence of the soul for whom
they weep.
At a given moment, the soul of the deceased
feels the desire and the need to withdraw from
the earthly plane and go to its new abode. The
third stage of the transition starts at this point.
Accompanied by other souls who have come to
welcome it to the beyond, and guided by the
light previously mentioned, the soul is gradually
raised into the Cosmic Consciousness and rejoins
the plane of consciousness corresponding to the
degree of its spiritual evolution attained during

Tenth Law
“Spiritual evolution is governed by reincarnation
and has, as its ultímate goal,
the attainment of Perfection.”
Before examíning this tenth law, I should point out
that reincarnation is not a dogmatic teaching o f the
Rosicrucian Order. In other words, each Rosicrucian
is free to accept or reject this doctrine, according
to his or her convictions and personal experiences.
It is included in the Rosicrucian studies because it
is a subject which has always been taught in the
mystery schools, notably those of Ancient Egypt
and Greece. Given that the Rosicrucian Order
AMORC is both a trustee and perpetuator of these
schools, it is its duty and privilege to transmit the
whole of the cultural, spiritual and traditional
heritage it has received from the past. It has for
centuries dedicated itself to precisely this task, with
the utmost respect for the freedom o f conscience in
the most human and divine forms o f this term.
Having made this preliminary remark, let us
now examine reincarnation from a Rosicrucian
perspective. To do this, we should first come back
briefly to a consideration of the goal of human
evolution. As we have already seen in exploring
the previous laws, the human being has a soul
emanating from the Universal Soul. That is, humans
have a divine cause and nature which makes them
virtually perfect beings. However, humans are
not objectively conscious o f this latent perfection,
which explains why we are imperfect in our manner
of thinking, speaking and behaviour. The ultímate
goal of our existence is none other than to realise
this awareness and to express it in our conduct.
How?— by learning to apply in a positive manner
our free will and to live in harmony with natural,
universal and spiritual laws.
As soon as we accept that the goal of humanity
¡s to become conscious of its divine nature and to
express its perfection in its conduct, it is reasonable
to suppose this goal is not attainable within the
one life-time. As an analogy, no student is capable
of mastering any discipline in one year of study.
Such mastery always comes after an apprenticeship
of many years of classes from kindergarten to
university. Similarly, each human being must
reincarnate numerous times before assimilating
all the lessons allowing the State of Master to be
attained, and to express fully the virtues of the soul.
This implies dying and being reborn as many times
as is necessary to become perfect. This is, in effect,
the basis of reincarnation.
These explanations lead me to stress an
important point. When we examined the eighth
law, we saw that humans are responsible for their
destiny determined by the way free will is applied
and the karma which results from this. On the other
hand, a persons cosmically pre-established destiny
is to attain Perfection. We do not have the power
to change or avoid this. Rosicrucians contend the
fate o f each individual corresponds to the luture
created from one life to another, while destiny is
the ultímate State to be attained at the end of all
incarnations. The Divine Providence called forth in
some traditions represents the influence the destiny
of each human continually exercises on his or her
fate. In other words, it is the influence of cosmic
laws on the humans karmic future.
In the East, reincarnation is a very widespread
belief, particularly among Hindus and Buddhists.
In the West, on the other hand, it has relatively few
adherents except among enlightened thinkers or
members of traditional Orders like the Rosicrucian
Order AMORC. It seems the doctrine is opposed
for two main reasons. Firstly, Westerners tend to
be of a logical mind and reject any notion science
cannot prove or which they have not personally
experienced. However, I honestíy think the inability
to demónstrate a principie or a law is not sufficient
grounds for concluding there is no substance to it.
Secondly, Western culture is heavily influenced by
Christianity. Now, every one knows this religión
preaches about the resurrection of the body. In this
dogma, each human is supposed to come to life
again at the end of time when God announces the
Last Judgement and divides the “good” from the
“evil”.
Without wishing to discredir the Christian
faith, the resurrection of the body does not rest upon
any ontological truth, ñor even on any theological
premise. In fact, this dogma was introduced
into Christíanity during the Second Council of subconscious and bring to his or her consciousness
Constantinople held during the 6th century in our impressions he or she is often unabJe to understand,
era. How can we conceive o f a body, reduced to assume responsibihty for and control. In the worst
dust over the centuries, being able to emerge from scenario, these impressions can cause irreversible
the grave, coming back to form and becoming alive psychological and psychic disorders.
once more? Quite apart from the fact that this is Generally speaking, all experiences o f regression
incompatible with all known laws of nature, what o f our past lives should be made by individuais
would be the use o f such a revival? Besides, it is themselves and in a natural way. The methods
well known that numerous ancient texts confirm taught by the Rosicrucians in one of the degrees
that the first Christians and Jesus himself accepted o f study present no danger whatsoever because
reincarnation as a fact. As an illustration, when he they take into account the mental, emotional and
stated the only way to enter the Kingdom of Heaven spiritual aspect of each person. In other words,
is to become a little child, he did not only mean one they are adapted to our own personality, bringing
should regain the innocence of childhood to do so. to the surface only those impressions which our
In an allegorical way, he also hinted it is impossible spiritual seif entrusts to our objective consciousness.
to acquire this purity in one single life, henee the Moreover, these techniques are the subject of quite
need to reincarnate. a long inner preparation. When we think about it,
Like most Rosicrucians, I think spiritual our present life is actually a synthesis of all our past
evolution is governed by reincarnation. Quite apart incarnations. By carefully studying our character,
from my inner convictions, I think reincarnation our tendencies, aspirations and various abilities, we
explains the differences which exist between can gain a fair idea of who we were in the past.
individuais on a moral levei, their maturity and Nevertheless, it is better to start from the principie
wisdom. It also explains cases of child prodigies that the foundation of our future lies in the present,
and generally, the gifts some people show at an early and it is in the present we should put into practice
age in such diverse areas as the sciences, the arts, the mastery of our destiny.
literature and mysticism. In this regard, heredity,
education and brain intelligence does not explain
everything. These talents are the expression o f an
attainment formed in previous lives. Similarly, our
attraction towards a culture, religión or specific
country often has its source in our previous
incarnations. And so, this law gives humanity its
true dimensión, making us children of the stars and
travellers in the Infinite.
Today there is a certain fascination for
reincarnation, at least in the West. A number of
“pedlars of ¡Ilusión” state, without hesitation, they
are capable of regressing anyone to previous lives, for
a fee of course. Although we are each free to take on
board whatever we believe useful to our existence, I
cannot resist cautioning you against such practices
because many who claim to have these abilities are
mostly playing the “sorcerer’s apprentice” and do
not have sufficient spiritual development to justify
such “powers”. Be assured they also present a real
danger to those who give themselves over to such
powers. Actually, when regressions are not illusory,
they can lead the subject to the very limits o f the
Eleventh. Law
“There exists a supra-human realm
of all disincarnate souls which inhabit
the invisible planes of Creation.”
If we accept that humans possess an immortal soul,
we are naturally ¡nclined to ask ourselves what
becomes o f it after death. Contrary to what most
religions teach, the soul does not go to Heaven or
Hell, no more than to Purgatory, because these
“places” are purely allegorical and have no reality in
theafter-life. In fact, as I have indicated in the chapter
devoted to the ninth law of this Ontology, the soul
remains in the Cosmic on the levei of consciousness
correspondi ng to its degree of spiritual development
attained at the close of its incarnation. It undergoes
a period of purification on this plane and awaits
reincarnation, along with other souls, with whom
it communes freeiy. The question is how long this
period lasts and what the nature of existence in the
beyond is like. We may wonder what form those
who have passed through transition assume in this
existence. Nothing is actually more difficult than
to conceive of the nature of a disincarnate soul.
According to the Rosicrucian Tradition, a
period of 144 years passes between two successive
incarnations. For example, if a person passes
through transition at the age of 70, his or her
soul remains in the Cosmic realm until 74 years
have passed on the earthiy plane. This then is the
spiritual law governing successive incarnations of
all human beings. However, this law is not exempt
from exceptions and adaptations. It is thus possible
for karmic or astrological reasons to reincarnate
several years after the conclusión of a cycle. On the
other hand, a child who dies in a premature fashion
can be reborn in the following weeks, if not days,
since the child has not had the time to exercise free
will and accumulate karmic debts to balance in the
beyond. It should be understood that the 144 year
cycle is an average time span and not an immutable
arithmetic one.
Although the reincarnation of the soul is
governed by the 144 year cycle, this does not mean
that we are conscious o f this cycle in the after-life.
To take another example, a person who dies at the
age of 80 is not aware of waiting 64 years before
reincarnating on the earthly plane. At the Cosmic
levei, time, like space, obviously has no real existence
because it is a concept of the physical world and
has a reality only for the incarnated consciousness.
Given this principie, you could say the waiting time
between two successive incarnations will seem like
a night of sleep filled with an uninterrupted dream
in which we continuously play the leading role. In
other words, it is not measured in terms o f time but
rather as a state of consciousness lived and perceived
by the soul like the eternal present.
Quite apart from reincarnation, the Rosicrucian
Order has always taught that a human being can live
up to the age of 144 years. Naturally, this assumes
inheriting a very healthy constitution at birth and
living in very healthy lifestyle. It also implies aperson
will lead a spiritual life because numerous problems
and illnesses are the result o f a lack of spirituality,
or more exactly, an excessive materialism. At the
beginning o f the century, no scientist would have
entertained such a life expectancy, unless initiated
into what we traditionally call the “Wisdom of the
Wise”. Today some accept the idea completely and
are undertaking research in this area. Recently, it
has even been declared publicly that “the human
being has the genetic potential to live up to the age
of 130 years.” Henee Science has come to confirm a
truth Rosicrucians have perpetuated for centuries,
which attests to the well established basis of their
teachings.
As things exist right now, there are millions
of souls in the Cosmic awaiting reincarnation. By
saying “millions”, I am perfectly aware of being in
error because convinced that similar humanities
to ours exist in other worlds, disincarnate souls
probably count into the billions and are likely to be
born in places other than on Earth. Whatever the
case, all these souls form a realm which we could
call “supra-human”. This realm, like all those the
universe and nature have given birth to under the
impulse of the Divine Intelligence, is ruled by its
own laws which we cannot apprehend through our
objective faculties. Nevertheless, it is as real as our
earthly world, and, I might add, as alive. In this
respect, we should not limit Life to expressions
we are familiar with on the physical plane, in the
vegetable, animal and human kingdoms. By all
accounts, it covers a metaphysical dimensión and is
an integral part of the invisible world.
Having made these comments, I would like to
make an important point. As a general rule, Science
does not think Life can manifest in any other way
than through physical organisms, no matter how
microscopic they might be. For this reason, most
scientists are convinced life is a result of a chemico-
physical process having its source within matter
itself or within the sub-atomic particles o f which
it is composed. Now, as we have seen in examining
the fírst laws of the Rosicrucian Ontology, all living
beings are animated by a Universal Soul and vivified
by the Vital Life Force, these two energies having a
Cosmic origin and not a physical one. This means
they have a pre-existence in essence before taking
form on the earthly plane. If we take this further,
it is logical, then, to hold the view life still exists
on the spiritual plane after death. We can concur
with Heraclitus in the 6th century before our era,
that “Nothing is lost or is created, but everything
is becoming.”
As incarnated beings, humans have a tendency to
deny the existence o f phenomena we cannot perceive
through our senses, sight in particular. “Seeing is
believing” is our slogan, the more so if one is an
atheist or materialist. Although understandable,
this kind o f belief is not justified, even with regard
to earthly phenomena. For example, it is impossible
for us to see the surrounding air, and even less
the thousands o f bacteria which are always there.
However, no sensible person would dare deny their
existence because Science has proven their presence
with irrefutable evidence and has identified a
huge number of them. Similarly, the fact that
disincarnate souls are invisible does not under any
circumstances prove they do not have a spiritual
reality. It only proves we cannot see them with
physical eyes whose function is limited to dealing
with the physical world.
In line with these explanation then, it is
impossible to see souls on the Cosmic plane
because each is connected with a particular energy
whose vibrations transcend our fleld of sense
perception. Nevertheless, it is possible to enter into
contact with these souls and communicate with
their consciousness, also of a vibratory nature. To
establish such contact naturally requires a certain
technique, taught in one of the degrees o f the Order
and which, I should point out, has nothing to do
with spiritualism. Quite apart from this technique,
it is possible to see a soul, especially in the hours
following transition, at the moment it becomes
separated from the physical body. In this instance,
it is seen psychically in the form o f an ethereal
essence, usually having an ovoid shape. Likewise,
one can feel its presence quite strongly in the hours
before incarnation.
To this day, science is incapable o f proving the
existence of the beyond, that is, of the invisible world
where the souls of the deceased dwell. But I would
not be surprised if scientists of the future succeed in
proving the universe contains parallel planes, zones,
spaces, or even “black holes” which are the stages
of living and conscious activity related to a supra-
human realm. In the same way, I think the time
will come when they will show that at death, the
human being releases a body o f energy from his or
her physical being, and whose vibratory frequency
is related to octaves of cosmic rays. Be that as it
may, many people have had undeniable contacts
with the beyond and have experienced an intimate
communion with the soul of a deceased dear to
them. Their testimony is, for me, proof in itself of
an after-life and confirms my own conviction that
we are immortal in essence.

Twelfth Law
“At the end of our spiritual evolution,
the soul of every human being reinstates the
universal Soul in complete purity and lives in full
consciousness in the divine Immanence.”
In line with the explanation o f the tenth law, the
goal of humanity is to achieve Perfection and
thus attain the State o f Rose-Croix or Cosmic
Consciousness. This state o f consciousness has been
attained and expressed by the founders of revealed
religions such as Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity
and Islam just to mentíon the most important.
Without a doubt, this means Moses, Buddha, Jesus
and Mohammed received the same Illumination
and, during their ministry, had access to the
same Wisdom, the repository of the Primordial
Tradition, the Religión of all religions. However,
each expressed this Wisdom differently and this for
at least three reasons. In the First place, they had to
adapt their message to the mentality and culture
of the people concerned. Secondly, each had a
different personality and sensibility. And thirdly,
their cosmic mission was not identical and took
place at different periods.
By dePinition, a Cosmic Master is a being who
has attained mastery o f cosm ic laws, that is, mastery
of spiritual, universal and natural laws as manifested
on the visible and invisible planes of Creation.
A Cosmic Master is able to perform what are
currently called “miracles”, whether in the domain
of healing, psychic projection, materialisation,
making oneself invisible etc. However, contrary to
current opinion, it is important to understand that
such powers were not given to them arbitrarily by
God. These powers are, in fact, the result of their
psychic development which, in turn is the result of
their very advanced levei of spiritual development
and their unconditional desire to serve humanity.
I should add they never use these powers as a
demonstration or for self-gloriFication, but always
in a discreet manner and for altruistic ends.
If it is true all Cosmic Masters possess
transcendem abiliries, ir is not these capacities
which are intrinsically valuable and for which we
should admire them. What makes these Masters
exceptional beings compared to mere mortais, is that
they have attained mastery of Life. In other words,
they have totally sublimated negative aspects of the
ego and are no longer subject to the imperfections
inherent in human nature. This means that vanity,
selfishness, jealousy, etc., no longer have any
hold on their behaviour because they have finally
acquired the opposite qualities. Their purity is such
that they act entirely under the impulse o f the soul
and express all the virtues in what they think say
and do. In one word, they are the living expression
o f Divine Perfection, to the extent a human being
can manifest it on Earth at the end of his or her
spiritual evolution.
This leaves us to suppose that Cosmic Masters
are incarnated. Actually, some are but most are not,
and they accomplish their work from the spiritual
plane. Those who live on the earthly plane most
often live in very secluded places and act in a
totally impersonal way. Given this principie, the
individual who claims to be a Cosmic Master is
not, and is attributing to himself or herself powers
and attributes he or she does not have. The claim
is usually made to mislead seekers in the quest of
a guru, and regrettably this happens to many. In
this respect, the Rosicrucian Order AMORC has
never encouraged its members to cross the world
in search of Masters because, if these Masters have
decided not to meet anyone nor see any reason to,
it is impossible to meet them. In this context, the
saying “The Master will appear when the student is
ready,” is very significam.
Whether in bodily form or not, all Cosmic
Masters make up the Great White Lodge, that is,
the Occult Government o f the world, called the
“Agartha” in certain oriental texts. Each Master is
an Agent of Divinity carrying out a specific mission
within the Universal Plan. Some of these Masters,
those who pursued the Rosicrucian path in their
past incarnations, make up the Invisible Hierarchy
of the Rosicrucian Order AMORC and constantly
give assistance in its mission of Light. Quite clearly,
it is these Masters that members contact on the
spiritual plane since they are an infinite source of
protection and inspiration. Naturally, such contacts
are relarively difficult to make because of the
enormous ¡nner preparation necessary and contact
can only be made by means of a proper technique
as taught in the Rosicrucian teachings.
Since I have just made reference to the “Great
White Lodge”, I think it would also be useful to
explain what the “Great White Brotherhood” is
because I have noticed a great deal o f confusion
about this topic, including among Rosicrucians. As
I have suggested, the Great White Lodge is made
up of all Cosmic Masters, incarnate or not. The
Great White Brotherhood consists of all Initiates
who labour in their service and under their impulse.
All these Initiates are incarnate and live among
people, engaged in various tasks on the social or
professional level. For obvious reasons most belong
to a traditional Order or one o f the influential
religions. Moreover, some are not conscious o f their
status and are unaware o f acting under the guidance
o f Cosmic Masters. However, all are basically
spiritual people and are totally dedicated to serving
humanity as their first and foremost concern.
In some mystical writings, Cosmic Masters
are put in the same category as Angels. From a
Rosicrucian point of view, there are two different
notions here. Actually, Angels as defined in the
scriptures of the Bible and the Koran, are spiritual
entities who have always been perfect and to
whom God has never given a free will. From the
moment God created them, God attributed to
them a precise function within the Divine Plan
and never gave them the possibility of experiencing
evil, ñor to ever incarnate. On the other hand, all
Cosmic Masters are beings whose Perfection is the
result of thousands of years of evolution. In other
words, they are at the conclusión o f many, many
successive incarnations. This means they have
experienced the human condition and have known
all the tribulations with which we are faced. And so
Angels, like Cosmic Masters who are not incarnate,
are to be found on the highest levels o f Cosmic
Consciousness and can likewise be contacted by
those whose aspirations are pure.
As you know, some religious traditions teach
that humans are fallen Angels because in the
beginning of time, when they lived in the presence
of God, they disobeyed God. I prefer to view
humans as Cosmic Masters in the making. In
this sense, I don’t think that what is traditionally
called the “Fall” is the result of a punishment or
chastisement from God. As I explained in the
first laws o f this Ontology, Creation was a Cosmic
necessity, because Eve, that is to say the collective
Soul o f humanity, would not have been able to
evolve towards the perfection of its own nature
without incarnating into the human kingdom,
designated in Christianity under the allegorical
ñame o f “Adam”. Consequently, humanity from the
beginning, was destined to incarnate into matter
and experience many lives. This was the condition
allowing humans to eat of the fruit of Knowledge
and attain mastery o f cosmic laws.
To cióse this chapter, I think it useful to point
out that the Rosicrucian Order, by virtue of its
origins and its nature, is an emanation o f the Great
White Brotherhood and receives continuai support
from the Great White Lodge. For this reason it is
both traditional and initiatic in the most mystical
sense o f these words. Clearly, the Rosicrucian
Tradition is complete in itself because it contains
in essence all the elements which humans need
to raise ourselves to the State of the Initiate and
thus to cross a significant threshold on the path
leading to the State o f Master, the summum bonum
of our spiritual evolution. In this, I truly believe
Rosicrucians are privileged because not only do they
know what the fundamental purpose of life is but
they have at their disposal the desired Knowledge
of how to attain the goal in the best conditions and
in the shortest time. It is up to them, therefore, to
make their lives conform more and more to their
hopes and to share with others the benefits o f a life
dedicated to mysticism.
Conclusión

Obviously che Rosicrucian Ontology is not limited

to the 12 laws which have been the subject of
this book. As I pointed out in the introduction,
these laws are only a very general synthesis o f the
subjects dealt with in the Rosicrucian teachings,
and which can only be studied in a very thorough
manner within the Rosicrucian Order AMORC
Nevertheless, I hope that the few explanarions
provided about these laws will have allowed you to
better understand the Knowledge the Rose-Croix
have handed down to us throughout the ages.
This Knowledge actually goes back to the mystery
schools o f Antiquity. It is not the work o f one
individual but of a College of Initiates who, since
the very origins of human civilisation, have done
their utmost to pierce the mysteries o f the universe,
nature and humanity itself. Today, most historians
affirm that on the margins of religions, there have
always been mystical Orders whose mission has
been to preserve and perpetúate the Primordial
Tradition, or, in other words, the Original Wisdom
humanity received from the first Masters it gave
birth to. The Ancient an d Mystical Order Rosae
Crucis is a part of these traditional Orders and has
incorporared within irs teachings the cultural and
spiritual heritage which lies outside the mainstream.
Due to its origins and nature, it is not well known
to the public and does not seek to proselytise for
this has never been its purpose. Since its inception,
the Order seeks only to open its portáis to those
who aspire to Knowledge of the true mysteries and
who are in search of a true Ontology.
Whatever your aspirations, may life grant you
the privilege of gaining greater self-knowledge, and
may this knowledge give you the inner strength to
seek the meaning of your own destiny!
ROSICRUCIAN ORDER