Rosicrucian Writings Online

Cathedral Contacts

[From The Rosicrucian Digest May 1937]

The "Cathedral of the Soul" is a Cosmic meeting place for all minds of the most advanced and highly developed spiritual members and workers of the Rosicrucian Fraternity. It is a focal point of Cosmic radiations and thought waves from which radiate vibrations of health, peace, happiness, and inner awakening. Various periods of the day are set aside when many thousands of minds are attuned with the Cathedral of the Soul, and others attuning with the Cathedral at this time will receive the benefit of the vibrations. Those who are not members of the organization may share in the unusual benefits as well as those who are members. The book called "Liber 777" describes the periods for various contacts with the Cathedral. Copies will be sent to persons who are not members by addressing their request for this book to Friar S. P. C., care of AMORC Temple, San Jose, California, enclosing three cents in postage stamps. (Please state whether member or not--this is important.)

THE PURPOSE OF WORSHIP

ANYONE who hears this story by Christopher Wren is always impressed by it. It is an incident which occurred during the building of a large cathedral in Europe. At the time of the story, only the foundation of the building had been laid, and many men were working at more or less menial tasks preparing materials for the construction of the building itself. As he passed from one workman to another, he asked each one what he was doing. One replied, "I am moving these stones." Another said, "I am shaping this rock." But another who was only gathering and putting into place small pieces of stone to be used in the great structure, said, "I am building a cathedral."

In this illustration we see exemplified Vision--vision on the part of the one man who did not see only his task at hand, but who visualized that as a result of all his efforts there would eventually be a great cathedral for worship.

It is always man's choice to be able to work with a purpose. If he can see ahead and visualize the ultimate end of his efforts he finds himself not tied simply to a dull routine, but contributing to the ultimate manifestation or materialization which will be far superior to the small task which he himself performs. The man who saw a completed cathedral in the pieces of stone which he was handling had set himself an ideal. He believed in the achievement in which he had a small but necessary part. The cathedral was being built that it might serve a purpose, not only in his life but in the lives of the generations to come after his efforts were completed.

It has ever been an attribute of mankind to worship, to give adoration to an object or ideal. By a study and analysis of these ideals and objects which man has worshipped, there can be determined the very nature of the ambitions and life purposes of the worshipper.

In many lands, during various periods of the world's history, worship has been confined to a material object; and usually when we find people giving themselves entirely to such simple idolatry we also find that their social, moral and religious ideals seldom rise above the level of the thing worshipped. On the other hand, we find that those races or groups of people who devote their period of worship to the study of the teachings of a great master and to following in the steps of a worthy pattern, have higher ideals, and as a result of the inspiration received from these ideals have advanced in civilization and better living conditions.

We might analyze the purposes of worship. As has been said, worship becomes such an important factor in the lives of many people that they devote their very lives and fortunes to the erection of magnificent cathedrals and places of worship. But in many cases we find that the material manifestation, while somewhat above the level of idolatry, has gained too much importance--that is, worship is tied up more completely with the cathedral than with the ideal or with the soul. Worship is a process by which the soul of man should become consciously aware of the oneness of his own soul with that of God. It should bring him into a complete state of attunement. It should give him a realization of his part in the great scheme of all that is. Worship should never be an end in itself, but should be the evidence of man's desire to bring himself to a higher plane of realization of the ideal worshipped. Worship, then, is essentially a process or condition which exists within man, and while certain physical aids are valuable in creating a favorable environment conducive to worship, real worship must be carried on within the sanctum of man's own being.

Therefore, all who wish to come apart from all material and worldly things, and for a few moments give themselves to worship in its true purpose, may worship in their own being--the Cathedral of the Soul.

To this Cathedral of the Soul for many years, at stated periods, have come those who seek betterment and aspire to all that is good and worthy of our attention, and they have found the place for true worship. If you do not have a copy of the booklet "Liber 777" in your possession, you may send to us and request one. In this booklet you will find suggestions that will aid you in better attuning yourself with this great cathedral. You will receive benefit and help others by combining your thoughts, your true worship, with that of other seekers like yourself.

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