Catholic Orthodoxy and Rosicrucian Esotericism

Catholic Orthodoxy and Rosicrucian Esotericism

Ennio Dinucci….

According to the teachings of Mr. Max Heindel’s¹, human evolution progresses through distinct eras, with each era lasting approximately 2.100 years. These originate from an astronomical phenomenon known as the precession of the equinoxes. Further, he observes that the Aryan race is especially advanced and better prepared for Christianity; therefore, it is responsive to the astronomical influences of each era, which are reflected by three pairs of signs, namely Aries-Libra, Pisces-Virgo, and Aquarius-Leo.

The Aries-Libra era corresponds to the period from Moses to Christ; the Pisces-Virgo era relates to the last two thousand years of Catholicism; and the Aquarius-Leo era refers to the next two thousand years, whose influence will promote the reconciliation between various extremes or seemingly irreconcilable polarities, e.g., Reason (fire) and Feelings (water), State and Religion, men and women, theology, and science.

Under those circumstances, there will be a momentous change with reference to the general religious ideas and practices. According to the Rosicrucians, Esoteric Christianity will be the universal religion in the forthcoming era, rather than Orthodox Catholicism.

Catholicism has prevailed since its inception, particularly during the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods (15th and 16th centuries), imposing on its followers a blind and unscientific faith that undermines their freedom of expression and precludes them from questioning or appealing to reason. Over time, its power has slowly decreased, and while it still exerts a considerable influence on less independent mentalities, it is greatly weakened after the advent of modern science.

If we consider those events from a particular perspective, it is undeniable that there were grounds for the religious imposition that took place at that time. In those days, the general populace lacked the mental and psychological conditions to assimilate a deeper form of education, barring rare exceptions. On the other hand, this fact does not justify the intolerance and brutality employed by the fathers of religion.

Since then, the intellectual capacity of humanity has notably improved, and anyone who so wishes can now have access to a variety of metaphysical teachings from Ancient Esoteric Schools, which were once restricted to a few chosen.

In former days, these teachings, considered heretical by the emerging religion (Catholicism), were confiscated with the purpose of eliminating any idea related to the ancient and misunderstood esoteric wisdom.

The great Doctors of Gnosis (esoteric knowledge) were persecuted and slandered by the coryphaeus of religion, who called for torture and murder to prevent their teachings from being disseminated! Precious manuscripts left by the Schools of Egypt, Babylon, Greece, and other highly developed nations were relentlessly destroyed by odious fanaticism and ecclesiastical ignorance! The arson of Alexandria’s library was one of the great crimes committed against humanity by the unawareness of the supposed successors of Peter!

To preserve their teachings for future generations, the most renowned occultists concealed their manuscripts under various guises or buried them. The discovery of Gnostic texts in Nag Hammadi, Upper Egypt, exposes this sorrowful aspect of the past. These texts are believed to have been authored by Valentino, an Egyptian Gnostic who was known for his remarkable sensitivity and vast knowledge. The translation of some of them into Greek played a crucial role in ensuring their survival.

The destruction of those philosophical treasures (which did not inhibit the Church from appropriating many of its ideas) served an additional purpose. It sought to prevent humanity from engaging with ideas that foster progress, freedom, and the expansion of consciousness. Surely, the Catholic hierarchy had no interest in this, as the truth would emancipate their followers from clerical control and exploitation.

Appropriately, the Gospels prophesied: "Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge (in the past, culture was completely subordinate to the church): ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered" (Luke 11-52).

Nonetheless, as it is impossible to prevent the truth from coming to light, Esoteric teachings are now freely imparted, regardless of religious discontent. Anyone who shows the slightest interest in them can now benefit from comprehensive explanations about the mysteries of the Being and the universe without the risk of being held accountable by religious authorities.

To this day, the leaders of the Catholic Institution appear to be oblivious to the fact that their methods (not those of religion) are obsolete and discredited, no longer meeting the psychological needs of a knowledgeable humanity.

Although the institution remains a significant political force, imposing itself on the masses and governments as one of the wealthiest and most powerful corporations in the world, in the religious sense it is undergoing a process of decay and corruption that is rapidly eroding its former prestige and power.

The contemplation of past glories and the arrogance of their leaders compose this decaying scenario in which they insist on interpreting the Scriptures exclusively from a historical and biographical point of view. This posture has led the Catholic Church to raise Mary, a human figure, above the Divine Spirit of Christ by placing her on the altar as a deity to be worshipped. These factors account for the institution’s decline and represent a stumbling block to its cunning, hypocritical priesthood.

Limited by their dogmas and by that one-sided view of the doctrine, they continue to uphold their lamentable misconceptions while stating that Catholicism is the only legitimate method authorized by Christ that can lead man to eternal salvation, in which case anything not sanctioned by the church’s principles is condemned.

Yet that viewpoint is not exclusive to the Catholic Church. It is also prevalent among its Eastern counterpart and numerous Protestant sects, all of which have failed to progress beyond that immature and narrow approach to the Scriptures.

The positive contribution of Protestants amounts to the global dissemination of the Bible and the New Testament and their resistance against papal ambitions. Although Protestantism has had a significant influence on the industrial and political progress of certain Western nations, most notably Northern Europe and the United States of America, it is nothing more than a dissent from the Catholic religion. It is equally cold, illogical, and ineffective as a cult.

Predictably, protestants too assert that they alone have the authority to interpret the Scriptures. They praise themselves for being faithful followers of Christ’s doctrine, stating, much like the clergy, that salvation is only attainable within their church.

By way of comparison, if an elementary school stated that its teachings encompass all knowledge, and dismissed all other teachings as false or insincere, the most sensible individuals would undoubtedly reject this assertion as both absurd and arrogant. Regrettably, this is what theologians from both lines have consistently asserted.

However, this distorted idea should not be associated with religion, as religion was not founded by priests or religious ministers. It was established by the Guides of Evolution with the purpose of meeting the psychological needs of the underprepared masses. The dogmas hold a profound symbolism whose meanings have long been lost for those who claim to be messengers of God! "If you believe in God, stay away from priests and religious ministers” has proved a popular aphorism.

The notion that Jesus Christ personally established Roman Catholicism as the ultimate word in doctrine is a myth propagated by the institution’s founders. If scholars took the time to explore the essence of the Catholic creed in the light of Rosicrucian esotericism, they would readily perceive that it hints at a deeper, superior class of knowledge intended for a select group of qualified individuals, much like an elementary school student comes to assume the existence of a university education.

The Rosicrucian Order², also referred to as the Western School of Mysteries, is a herald of the higher knowledge that will prevail in the approaching era (Leo-Aquarius), whose influence is already apparent. Hence, in 1909, the Order presented to the world an elevated philosophical synthesis with a simultaneous focus on the scientific aspect of the Gospels and the essence of authentic religion. In this context, it sets itself apart from theological and ecclesiastical opinions.

Considering the intellectual and scientific nature of Aquarius and the heart-centric nature of its opposing sign, Leo, which governs love and altruism, this august School has a dual purpose in view. First, it aims to address the fundamental questions that diligent intellects are expected to pose. Concurrently, it aims to instill in the earnest student a profound sense of awe and reverence for the Creator of the cosmos — an indispensable sentiment without which the knowledge of all mysteries would be futile. Its methods pertain to a new education system that requires sober examination, free from worldly prejudices or reliance on external authorities (especially ecclesiastical ones).

The new education system aims to awaken the two higher centers of perception, namely the Pituitary Body and Pineal Gland, located in the etheric brain and associated with the faculties of reasoning and feeling. These glands are governed by Uranus and Neptune, respectively. While physical in nature, each of them is pervaded by a specialized etheric base upon which the Frontal and Coronary Chakras are grounded. These chakras are governed by the sun and the moon and serve as primary support for the second and third aspects of the human Spirit: The Spirit of Life (Love-Wisdom) and the Human Spirit (Reason).

The study of Rosicrucianism can reveal an occult and mysterious dimension of the Bible that has been unfairly disregarded by scientific and ecclesiastical institutions. Upon thorough examination, even the most meticulous intellect will concede this fact, provided that theological or scientific prejudices are set aside.

Both science and clerical theology strive to explain the origins of man and the universe, but they do so using different approaches. Science relies solely on reason, detached from emotions, while clerical theology relies on feelings and faith, disconnected from reason.

The reliance on these one-sided, deficient methods has forced both institutions to uphold a collection of fragmentary ideas that cannot be regarded as definite or certain. In the realm of science, we observe a constant cycle of reformulating hypotheses, which often yields inconclusive or unreliable results. Orthodox theology, on the other hand, is founded on a set of valid principles. However, these principles are often misinterpreted by theologians, who lack Spiritual Understanding³ to fully grasp their essence.

By way of illustration, the Catholic religion teaches that the Savior’s sacrifice on the cross, through the shedding of his blood, has the power to save souls from hell's eternal fire and grant them entry into heaven, so long as the adherent believes in this dogma and obeys without questioning the instruction of his leaders.

While this religious premise holds a deep spiritual significance when viewed through the lens of Occult Science, it may not be readily embraced by individuals of an intellectual disposition. These individuals may struggle to place their trust in an emotional faith that discourages them from engaging in research and logical reasoning.

The same applies to individuals who possess a particular sensitivity or spiritual perception, i.e., they find it challenging to accept the cold and absurd statements made by materialistic science, which denies the existence of a divine intelligence.

Nonetheless, the existence of fragmentary perspectives implies a comprehensive one, which is provided by esotericism. Therefore, the fundamental essence of authentic religion is dogmatic, or rather, esoteric⁴. However, religious authorities fiercely reject this reality, despite their inability to provide a rational justification for their rejection.

The reluctance to embrace esoteric knowledge, which could bring life, worth, and rationality to religious doctrines, has compelled their leaders to uphold a faulty belief according to which religious mysteries must be unquestioningly accepted by their followers, who have no right to speculate on divine truths.

This theory is blatantly absurd as it challenges freedom of conscience. It is both bizarre and deceptive as it suggests that the leaders in question possess an understanding of these mysteries, even though their actions do not reflect that knowledge.

The empty assertion that man should not investigate the mysteries of God is a nonsensical fallacy, for in no authorized religious tradition has such a statement been made. On the contrary, the Spirit of Christ himself, who is the perfect incarnation of Love and Wisdom, has made it clear that the liberation of man is contingent upon the knowledge of truth: “And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make ye free” (John: 8:32).

Based on his words, it can be inferred that the pursuit of truth is not only a possibility but a necessity. This fact contradicts the claims made by the clergy, who appear to disregard the significance of Christ’s words as expressions of timeless, indisputable principles. Naturally, for an investigation to possess any value, it must start from true premises. Within the spiritual realm, these premises must be assessed through the lens of Reason and Love combined, as these are both essential and complementary aspects of human spirituality.

At the judgement scene, Pontius Pilate posed the question to Christ, "What is truth?". Today’s Pilate, who grapples with the intellectual concerns of modern science, finds himself raising the same fundamental question.

According to the Divine Master, truth comes from heaven⁵. In other words, it is the abstract mental substance or essence that transcends form or matter and is impervious to the material senses. It is the spiritual cause that emanates from the Thinker and precedes the effect. It is the divine power that interpenetrates men, worlds, and all inexplicable events that cannot be accounted for by proud academic wisdom! It is the superior meaning that the haughty theologians have lost or perhaps never discovered in the letters of the Bible and the Gospels.

As we explore this topic, one may question whether it is really possible to fathom the underlying truths that pervade all teachings and living beings in this material universe where humans hold a prominent position. The response is affirmative. This is the sole purpose of the philosophical foundation of the Rosicrucian Order.

By departing from these fundamentals, theologians have exposed their lack of wisdom. This is particularly true for those within the Catholic tradition. Rather than nurturing a faith grounded in solid principles, they have chosen to separate esotericism from religion and intelligence from Love. This separation has rendered religion blind and bereft of rational guidance, leaving its followers susceptible to idolatry, superstition, and fanaticism.

The accuracy of this statement can be easily confirmed by observing the followers' irrational behavior in placing their faith in plaster, stone, or wood images. Or in the custom of revering peculiar relics of uncertain authenticity, such as nails, hair, bone fragments, and mummified bodies that are attributed to specific saints and displayed within certain churches in a rather macabre manner.

These demonstrations of idolatry are tokens of the ignorance and materialism of the fanatical masses. Nonetheless, clerics craftily stimulate these practices with an eye towards their profitable rewards. Their silence regarding their followers' fanaticism is itself a violation of biblical teachings, which strictly forbid the worship of images. By all indications, their concept of holiness is grotesque. While it is related to bodily parts and material possessions, it has no relation to the soul.

The absence of a higher perspective has caused rituals and sacraments to lose their spiritual significance and, of course, their effectiveness, because by repudiating the higher ideas that enlivened them and gave them meaning, officiants have found themselves limited to "certain religious forms that survived the lost ideas" (Eliphas Levi).

The history of Catholicism has disproven the notion that pontiffs are the sole authorities in possession of Heaven's Keys. In fact, the Church’s image has been continually tainted by the selfishness and material ambition displayed by many clerics. Overall, the past two thousand years have exposed a disheartening discrepancy between the teachings of the Savior and his Apostles and the reality that has unfolded.

The perversions and atrocities committed in the name of the Divine Initiator serve as evidence that they have never truly possessed the keys they claim to hold. The keys bestowed upon Peter by the Founder of Christianity are the ones that grant access to the Higher Initiations, whereas the keys used by the Pharisees of Rome are not suitable for achieving this objective. By logical deduction, achieving the “Kingdom of Eternal Truth" has no relation to personal vanity, princely honors, or the accumulation of earthly treasures.

Furthermore, theologians have found themselves in conflict with a fundamental law that undermines their entire doctrine: the concept of reincarnation. The refusal to accept this law of nature has led them to adopt erroneous beliefs that contradict the principles of logic and common sense, which are foundational to timeless higher education.

It is time for us to comprehend that the keys bestowed upon Peter by the Spirit of Christ symbolize formulas that provide access to one's Inner Temple. These keys have no connection to political or temporal power, nor do they have any association with opulent adornments such as luxurious paraments, golden crowns, or precious stones.

The clergy's pursuit of material wealth has led it to prioritize materialism and injustice. In the process, it has become oblivious to the importance of the traditional virtues⁶ in unraveling the mysteries of life. Its members have also forgotten that "material riches, in the hands of unjust men, can only open the doors of the tomb or hell", as Eliphas Levi categorically asserts.

The keys in question are a reference to two spiritual centers of man, Reason and Love, without which the knowledge of truth is unattainable. When these two abilities are developed, Love enlightens Reason. Simultaneously, Reason becomes a guide and a safeguard against deception. The harmonic development of these faculties implies a connection with the Spirit of Christ.

Yet to rely on the constant support of the Holy Spirit of Christ, it is essential to establish a Spiritual Current, also known as Church, or Egregora⁷. This current should be composed of men and women who are truly enlightened, i.e., united by the spirit of intelligence and charity⁸, for only through a current of this stature can the Great Hierophant (Christ) fulfill his promise: "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in their midst." (Matthew 18:20).

We hope that our readers will come to understand the real significance of this high-natured, collective foundation mentioned by Christ. The Egregora is the living force that can keep the Christian Institution (School) united and protected from the insidious influences of “wickedness” (1 John, 5:19), the biblical term for the forces of repulsion that exist within man, such as selfishness, ambition, vanity, and falsehood.

Based on this fact, Christ proclaimed: “And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18). The name Peter means stone or rock, symbolizing a strong and resolute state of soul, both on an individual and collective level. Hence, the Church of Christ is composed of individuals who decidedly share the same ideal. Their souls combined serve as the underlying structure that safeguards the Church against those harmful tendencies, or Hades.

Says Eliphas Levi in his work, History of Magic: “The glory of Christianity is to have called all men to the truth, without distinction of peoples and castes, but not without distinction of intelligences and virtues." This statement contains profound wisdom, encouraging the student to reject ignorance, superstition, idolatry, passions, and vices in favor of the virtues and values that enable the awakening of an intelligent faith!

On a similar note, the Savior has instructed humankind to pray to God to send forth laborers for His Harvest, for they are few! (Luke, 10:2) This recommendation from Christ should be considered from two perspectives. The first is that God bestows on man the honor of being an active participant in His marvelous evolutionary plan, provided that he qualifies for the endeavor. The second stems from the first and is a question of pondering what kind of auxiliaries can be enlisted to provide such assistance.

Based on elementary logic, it is implausible to believe that such responsibility could be entrusted to individuals who are foolish, ignorant, and negligent, and whose judgment is clouded by a blind and irrational faith. Even more reasons exist to disbelieve the qualification of clerical politicians and clerical executives who have turned religion into a commercial enterprise. By situating God in the distant sky, they have separated God from humanity, and human consciousness from the Divine Spirit that sustains it.

By contrast, it is reasonable to expect that individuals working in this harvest should possess freedom and wisdom, as well as the ability to think logically and express love. The laborers are not individuals limited by a cold and unloving mentality, nor are they bound by fanaticism and irrational sentimentalism. Contrary to their assumptions, individuals of this type are the ones who are in the greatest need and, therefore, unable to offer assistance.

This is why, before aspiring to Enlightenment and Initiation, any competent candidate must first become aware of his current possibilities and the obstacles he will have to overcome. Investing wisely in existing capabilities is essential for enabling the development of new ones that may currently exist in the candidate's imagination but not in reality.

Apropos, the Gospel of John contains a relevant passage known as “The Healing of a Paralytic". This passage describes a multitude of individuals who are suffering from various illnesses and eagerly awaiting the arrival of a divine power that can heal them. Like others, this passage is symbolic as it alludes to psychological conditions rather than physical ones.

In the parable, the patients symbolize humanity. Among them, there are individuals who aspire to lead a more elevated and meaningful existence, which we refer to as Higher Life. What sets these individuals apart from others is their consciousness about their own limitations of soul (illnesses or obstacles to overcome).

These individuals devote their lives to applying the teachings they have received, under the direction of The Science of Light. Their goal is to surmount the inherent paralysis that prevents them from acting in the direction of their own Spirit. They do not squander their lives, for they have been warned that "now is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2). Now is the opportune moment to actively engage in their evolution, using their reasoning and loving capacities to become capable contributors to the evolutionary plan.

Prior to them, others had labored in the field and reaped the harvest. Having attained mastery, they imparted teachings containing a magical formula suitable for healing the psychological afflictions of humankind, among which blindness, paralysis, and lameness are symbolic examples. Having applied these formulas to themselves in the past, these masters acquired the right and authority to assist humanity in the present. In pursuit of increasing the number of laborers in the field, they consistently summon authentic candidates to join the Egregore of Light.

The same passage (John, 5:2-3) alludes to a kind of tank or pool called tongue Bethesda and to a level of consciousness known as the five porches. At a later point (John 10:7), Christ mentions a certain mysterious door called the door of the sheep. We hope the enigma of these symbols will inspire the interested reader to open (Efetà) his ears and spiritual eyes in search for understanding!

Your servant and brother in Christ - Ennio Dinucci
São Paulo, March 2003.