Feeding the Mystical Monkey

The Rosicrucian Order uses a traditional scaffolding approach to mystical learning. Setting up the system as an allegory for a temple, perhaps rooted in Templar practices, the system starts with the Postulant Section and includes eight lessons dealing with preliminary mystical concepts around time, space and consciousness. This is most likely an attempt to illustrate the mystical notion of perspective and how to deconstruct self-imposed and culturally-imposed limitations. The Neophyte Section is a symbol for the “atrium” of the temple wherein the subjects include more core topics such as Spirit, the mind, visualization and focus. The Second Atrium introduces self-healing while the third explores philosophical discussions on God and religion. The Initiate Section, wherein learners can join a lodge, is also split into temples (One through Nine). The temples explore fundamental cosmological laws, philosophy, physical therapy, spiritual alchemy and rituals. The final section, Illuminati is not detailed for initiates because it is outside the scope of the system.

This is a standard approach, from what I can deduce, of mystical practices wherein lessons are scaffolded to allow enough of a base and background to advance to higher concepts. My concern around this system, however, is that to learn the higher level material one will have to spend a considerable amount of money. It is my personal feeling that although scaffolding makes sense, putting a price tag on it is contrary to the purpose of the order.

I suppose they have to feed the monkey, however I am interested in knowing if this pace is appropriate to the material or a way of extending memberships. This may be hard to determine without joining other mystical organizations and that I intend to do.

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