Rosicrucianism Applies Ancient Wisdom to Modern World

From: http://www.gilroydispatch.com/lifestyles/contentview.asp?c=188185

Friday, June 16, 2006

South County residents are invited to attend a celebration of the Rosicrucian Day of Peace at 12:30 pm June 18 at the Rosicrucian Park, 1342 Naglee Ave. in San Jose's Rose Garden District.

Every year on the third Sunday in June, Rosicrucians  worldwide observe  this event by meditating on how they can contribute to world peace.  The focus is on how individuals can make this a more peaceful world.

They use these affirmations in the meditation:

I contribute to Peace when I strive to express the best of myself in my contacts with others …

- when I use my intelligence and my abilities to serve the Good.

- when I feel compassion toward all those who suffer.

- when I look upon all men and women as my brothers and sisters, regardless of race, culture or religion.

- when I rejoice over the happiness of others and pray for their well-being.

- when I listen with tolerance to opinions that differ from mine or even oppose them.

- when I resort to dialogue rather than to force to settle any conflict.

- when I make Peace the foundation of my ideals and philosophy.

Rosicrucian Park is best-known for its Egyptian Museum.  Built in 1927 and enlarged in 1966, this replica of the Temple of Amon at Karnak houses the largest collection of Egyptian artifacts on the West Coast.

In addition to the Peace Garden, the park houses a Moorish-style planetarium, originally built in 1936, which recently reopened for educational astronomical shows.

The organization that owns and operates this facility is the Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis (AMORC).  "Crucis," the Latin word for cross, is not in any way related  to Christianity;  it stands for the experiences and challenges of life. "Rose" refers to the red rose centered on the cross in the group's logo, symbolizing the spiritual unfolding of human beings.

Rosicrucianism has its  roots in the mystery traditions, philosophy and myths of Ancient Egypt.  The society was probably founded in Europe during the Middle Ages.  Two books, written in 1614 and 1615, describe the initiation into Egyptian mysteries of a person named Christian Rosenkrenz.  These books  establish the methods and purposes of the Order still in effect today.

Many famous people have been connected with Rosicrucianism, such as Sir Francis Bacon, Isaac Newton, Michael Faraday and Benjamin Franklin, to name just a few.

The first Rosicrucian Society in the United States was founded in 1694 in Pennsylvania.  AMORC was founded in 1909 in San Jose by H. Spencer Lewis.  About 65,000 members today live in 100 different countries with chapters in 450 cities; 1,800 live in the Bay Area.  To reach this diverse membership, teachings are published in 13 languages.

The purpose of Rosicrucian teachings is to learn how to find answers to life's questions within oneself by use of proper techniques.  People learn to understand life through mystical experiences.

Rosicrucianism is nonsectarian, and members come from nearly every religious denomination.  Many are said to have found, through these teachings, a greater appreciation of their own religious beliefs.