Lectorium Rosicrucianum

The Lectorium Rosicrucianum is a worldwide school of Esoteric Christianity founded in 1935 by Dutch mystics Jan van Rijckenborgh, his brother Zwier Willem Leene and Catharose de Petri. The school teaches a form of modern Christian Gnosticism which is based upon the ideas and imagery of Rosicrucianism, the beliefs of the Cathars and other forms of religio-mystical thought such as Hermeticism and Alchemy. Although suppressed by the Nazis during the war it now has branches in countries all over the world including North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Australia, New Zealand and the UK.

Teachings

Two Nature Order

The teachings of the Lectorium Rosicrucianum are founded on the concept of the 'two nature orders'. First there is the nature order known to us, which includes the dead as well as the living. Everything in this nature order is subject to the cycle of being born, living, dying and being born again. Secondly there is the original, divine order. The first domain of existence is the world of perishability, of rising, shining and fading, or 'dialectics'; the second is the world of imperishability, or 'statics', which in the Bible is called 'the Kingdom of Heaven'. A last remnant, a divine spark or 'spirit-spark atom' of the latter is latent in the heart. According to the Lectorium many seeking people have an indefinable sense of yearning, a kind of homesickness for a long lost original state, the state of being one with the Father, with God, in the realm of immortality.

Awakening of the Inner Christ

One of the aims of the Lectorium Rosicrucianum is to inform people about the source of this sense of yearning, and to explain the need for a return to the divine nature order by the process of 'rebirth from the spirit' (John 3:8), which was taught, for instance, by Jesus to Nicodemus. It is stated that this process of rebirth, or 'transfiguration', is made possible through our 'daily dying', as Paul calls it (1 Cor. 15:31). What dies is the old nature, the I-consciousness, and what must awaken is the divine nature, the inner Christ. The Lectorium Rosicrucianum proposes a teaching of this process, as well as support for its members in their efforts to realize it in their lives.

Transfigurism

The transfiguristic precepts taught by the Lectorium Rosicrucianum are said to be embedded in the teachings of all great religions. For instance, in the Bible, the concepts of the two nature orders, the divine principle in the human heart, and the path of transfiguration, can be traced in the following quotations: 'My Kingdom is not of this world' (John 18:36), 'the Kingdom of God is within you' (Luke 17:21) and 'He must increase, I must decrease' (John 3:30).

The Human Being as Microcosm

Another fundamental Rosicrucian concept is the idea of the human being as a microcosm or world in miniature - a system of visible and invisible vehicles surrounded by a magnetic field and bounded by a 'microcosmic firmament', or 'lipika.' This idea is in accordance with the hermetic axiom, 'as above, so below.'

The Stages of Transfigurism

"The path of transfiguration comprises five main stages:"

1. Insight into the real nature of this earthly domain of existence and experience of the inner call to return to the divine nature order.

2. Genuine yearning for salvation.

3. The surrender of the I-central self to the inner divine spark, so that the process of salvation can be realized.

4. A new approach to life, adopted and carried out spontaneously under the guidance of the inner divine spark. The chief characteristics of this new approach to life are described, for instance, in the Sermon on the Mount.

5. Fulfilment: the awakening (or resurrection) in the original life-field.

Membership

According to the Lectorium transfiguristic teachings are not meant to be considered only in a philosophical way - they are meant to be 'lived'. This 'living' of the teachings is the central aim of pupilship of the Spiritual School. For those who do not feel ready to practice pupilship in this sense, but who still want to maintain a connection with the School, membership is possible. For both forms of affiliation a fixed monthly contribution is asked.

Personal Freedom

Before deciding to join, interested people are able to find out more about the organization without any obligation. After joining, individuals are free to break their connection with the Lectorium at any time should they wish to do so. Personal freedom, according to the organization, is seen as the only right basis for following the spiritual path.

Temples and Conference Centers

In many countries the Lectorium Rosicrucianum has temples and conference centres, where the pupils meet regularly for temple services and other meetings during which they study the transfiguristic philosophy and reflect on how they can integrate it into their lives. Also about 160 centres exist in cities around the world. These serve the same purpose and are also used for giving lectures and courses for interested people. Around 12,000 pupils and 3,000 members are active worldwide.

Morality

Pupils are expected to adopt certain basic life reforms, such as vegetarianism and the abstention from tobacco, alcohol and drugs. A high standard of morality is also expected. In external activities as well as in their inner development, men and women play an equal part. Pupils are of all ages.

ee also

*Antonin Gadal
*Catharose de Petri
*Cathars/Catharism
*Esoteric Christianity
*Gnosticism
*Jan van Rijckenborgh
*Rosicrucianism, Rosicrucian Manifestos

References

*"Rosicrucians Through the Ages" Rozekruis Pers/ Rosycross Press ISBN 90 67323233
*Lectorium Rosicrucianum - official site (see link)

External links

* [http://www.lectoriumrosicrucianum.org/ Lectorium Rosicrucianum - Official Site]
* [http://canada.golden-rosycross.org/ Lectorium Rosicrucianum - Canada]
* [http://canada.rose-croix-d-or.org/ Lectorium Rosicrucianum - Canada (French)]
* [http://www.goldenrosycross.org/ Lectorium Rosicrucianum - USA]
* [http://www.rozekruispers.com/rkp.cgi Rozekrius Pers (Rosycross Press)]