ROSICRUCIAN … FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

Carl Louis F. Von Grasshoff
(MAX HEINDEL)
1865-1919

In the years 1907-08, after being tested for sincerity of
purpose and selfless desire to aid his fellowmen, Max Heindel was
selected by the Brothers of the Rose Cross to give out publicly the
Western Wisdom Teachings and thus help prepare humanity for the
coming Age of Universal Brotherhood. By means of intense self-
discipline and devotion to service he earned the status of Lay
Brother (Initiate) in the exalted Rosicrucian Order.
Under the direction of the Brothers of the Rose Cross, spiritual
giants of the human race, Max Heindel wrote The Rosicrucian Cosmo-
Conception, an epoch-making book which has now become the Western
World's leading textbook on occultism. By means of his own spiritual
development he was able to verify for himself much that was given in
the Cosmo-Conception, as well as to gain additional knowledge that
later become embodied in his numerous books.

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What is the core of the Rosicrucian Teaching?
The core of the Rosicrucian Teaching is the gospel of service.
For our sakes Deity manifested the universe. The great creative
Hierarchies have all been and some of them still are our servants.
The luminous star angels, whose fiery bodies we see whirling through
space, have worked with us for ages, and in due time Christ came to
bring us the spiritual impetus needed at that time. It is also
significant in the extreme that in the parable of the last judgment
Christ does not say, "Well done, thou great and erudite philosopher,
who knoweth the Bible, the Kabala, the "Cosmo" and all the other
mysterious literature which reveals the intricate workings of nature"
but He says, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: * * * enter
thou into the joy of thy Lord. * * * * For I was hungry, and you gave
me meat: I was thirsty, and you gave me drink; * * * ." Not one
single word about knowledge; the whole emphasis was laid upon
faithfulness and service.
There is a deep occult reason for this: service builds the soul
body, the glorious wedding garment without which no man can enter
into the kingdom of the heavens, occultly termed "The New Galilee,"
and it does not matter whether we are aware of what is going on, so
long as we accomplish the work. Moreover, as the luminous soul body
grows in and around a person, this light will teach him or her about
the Mysteries without the need of books, and one who is thus God-
taught knows more than all the books in the world contain. In due
time the inner vision will be opened and the way to the Temple shown.
If you want to teach your friends, no matter how skeptical they may
be, they will believe you if you preach the gospel of service.
But you must preach by practice. You must become a servant of men
yourself if you would have them believe in you. If you want them to
follow, you must lead, or they will have the right to question your
sincerity. Remember, "ye are a city upon a hill," and when you make
professions they have a right to judge you by your fruits; therefore
say little, serve much.
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Who are the Rosicrucians and what does the name signify?
The ancient Rosicrucian Brotherhood consisted of high spiritual
beings who had advanced far beyond ordinary man in purity and
spiritual wisdom. They were learned alchemists, doctors, and
mathematicians -- twelve Supermen of the fourteenth century, who were
guided by and who worked with a thirteenth known by the name of
Christian Rosenkreuz (Christian Rose Cross). These thirteen august
men worked secretly. They formed themselves into a Brotherhood known
as the Rosicrucian Order or Order of the Rose Cross. The teachings of
this Order were given only to a very few wise men; nothing was
printed until the year 1614 when a small pamphlet written in the
German language was circulated among those only who were ready to
receive these teachings.
This secret brotherhood is still in existence, is still working
with and for the upliftment of humanity. Only those who are highly
evolved spiritually are admitted into this inner branch of the
Rosicrucian movement, and these physicians of the soul may be found
among those who are at the helm of some great movement or country and
are directly concerned with the forward movement of the world and its
work. These Brothers never make themselves known and work unselfishly
for the good of mankind.
In 1908 Max Heindel, who was of Danish birth, was chosen as a
messenger of these Brothers to carry the Rosicrucian Teachings to the
western world, and after spending some time under their direct
tutelage, was instructed to return to America and give to the world
publicly what previously had been held secret. At this particular
time in the world's work, mankind had reached the stage where it
could be given a more exalted phase of the Christian religion and
when the mysteries (which the Christ spoke of in Matthew 13:11, and
Luke 8:10) should be given to the many instead of the few.
After Max Heindel reached America he had these exalted teachings
printed in the textbook entitled The Rosicrucian Cosmo-Conception,
which has been translated into various languages and continues to be
shipped into all parts of the world. He also established The
Rosicrucian Fellowship as the Preparatory School for the Rosicrucian
Order, with International Headquarters at Mt. Ecclesia, Oceanside,
California. The Fellowship has no connection with any other
organization, even if the latter does use the word "Rosicrucian" as a
part of its title.
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Do the Rosicrucians teach that the Christ was a divine Messenger --
the Savior of the world?
Yes, Christ Jesus was the greatest being that has ever functioned
in a physical body on our Earth. However, the Rosicrucian Teachings
explain that Jesus was a man, and that at the Baptism, he surrendered
his lower vehicles to the Christ Spirit to use in His ministry on the
material plane. At the Crucifixion the Christ was released from the
bodies of Jesus and entered into the Earth. This great Archangel is
still the indwelling Spirit of the Earth, is still the Savior of
mankind. After a careful study of the teachings as given out by the
Rosicrucian Fellowship, the Christ becomes a living factor in the
lives of students, who not only recognize the divinity of Christ but
who make every effort to follow in His footsteps.
The Cosmic Christ and the Christ Within
According to the Rosicrucian Philosophy, the Bible Teaching enables
us to become aware of the fact that Christ must be born within. There
is a very clear distinction between the Christ which is born within
us, our true Saviour, and the Cosmic Christ, that is to say the
Christ without. The Christ without, or the Cosmic Christ, helps us in
the task of having Christ born within; however, it is our task to
form the Christ within. The Christ within, or Soul body, is the
vehicle mankind will need to live in the Sixth Epoch or New Galilee.

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Does the Rosicrucian student believe in a life after death?
Yes, the Rosicrucian Teachings take the sting of sorrow out of
death because they prepare the aspirant for what he is to expect in
the life to come. A journey into foreign lands is made pleasant when
we are prepared and know of the country into which we are to travel;
likewise it is a great comfort to know of conditions existing in that
land which has been made so mysterious by the dark shadow of
ignorance which has rested over man for so many ages. Knowledge of
the life beyond the grave is most comforting to the one who has lost
loved ones.
The Elder Brothers of the Rose Cross, with their superior
knowledge of the spiritual worlds bring to us the proof of an
existence of these higher worlds; also many advanced students have
received positive proof of life after death: to them it is no longer
a theory but a Truth. It is possible, with the development of a finer
sense, to actually experience and see the conditions existing in this
invisible land of the so-called dead which is interpenetrating our
dense physical world, although unseen by those who have only the
sense of physical sight developed. As John McCreery says in his
beautiful poem:
"They are not dead. They have but passed
Beyond the mists that blind us here,
Into a new and larger life
Of that serener sphere."
Death to the Rosicrucian student is but a shifting of
consciousness, a casting away of a worn-out garment (the physical
body) to take on that spiritual body which Paul tells us about in the
15th Chapter of 1st. Corinthians.
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Do the Rosicrucians believe in Rebirth and the Law of Consequence?
In the 17th chapter of Matthew verses 11, 12, 13, Jesus gave his
disciples a very wonderful demonstration of the philosophy of
rebirth. After his transfiguration he plainly said that Elias had
come already and the disciples understood he had reference to John
the Baptist. The 8th chapter of Job and the latter portion of the
19th chapter tells us of rebirth.
The Rosicrucians teach that all the causes set into action in one
life cannot ripen in one existence, and that all things must reach a
stage of fruition, that "Whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also
reap." This is one of the biblical teachings, that man must reap his
own harvests from the seeds he has sown, be they good or evil;
therefore each individual passes through a number of earth lives
during which he builds character. It is at this stage of his living
that he either enjoys the fruits of his past building, or is
suffering from the results of his evil deeds.
Each life is as a day in school, where the spirit learns its
lessons. We are told in Genesis that God made man in His own image;
if man is divinely made he must also become as wise as the Father Who
made him. Naturally this cannot be accomplished in one life, but a
slow process of evolution is necessary to lift man from that tiny
spark of divinity to become as wise and all knowing as his Father in
heaven.
Life as a School: doctrine of Rebirth and Law of Cause and Consequence
These teachings advocate the dualistic view: on one hand, they hold
that man is a Spirit enfolding all the powers of God and that these
powers are being slowly unfolded by a series of existences in a
gradually improving earthy body; on the other hand, that this process
of development has been performed under the guidance of exalted
Beings who are yet ordering our steps, though in a decreasing
measure, as man gradually acquires intellect and will.
Man is then seen as a Spirit attending the school of life for the
purpose of unfolding latent spiritual power, and that for this
purpose he lives many lives in earthly bodies, "Rebirth" [4], of
increasingly fine texture which enable him to express himself better
and better (improving also his character). Connected to Rebirth there
is the "Law of Cause and Consequence" - the most fundamental law in
human destiny, that it is not a static law - through which we
constantly set new causes into operation which will create new
destiny to balance and improve the old destiny brought from the past,
it teaches that all the causes set into action in one life cannot be
ripen in one existence, but "Whatsoever a man soweth that shall he
also reap".
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Tell us something about the Rosicrucian method of healing the sick.
In each of the four gospels we find that the Christ preached the
gospel of healing. He healed all who came to Him and He sent His
disciples out into the world with the two commands: Preach the Gospel
and Heal the Sick. These two commands are also given to the
Rosicrucians, who are physicians of the soul, for sickness is first
manifested in the Vital Body, which is the vehicle of the soul and
healing can be best accomplished through this invisible vehicle.
During the time of sleep when man is free from his physical body and
functioning in the spiritual world, healing is more quickly
accomplished. The esoteric students are trained for this particular
work.
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We understand that the Rosicrucians do not set a price upon their
lessons nor upon their healing ministrations. Is not the
workman "worthy of his hire?"
In the 10th chapter of Matthew, Christ tells His disciples to go
to the lost sheep of Israel and to preach the gospel and heal the
sick. But he also tells them to provide neither gold, silver, brass,
nor scrip for their journey. In the 10th chapter of 1st Corinthians,
Paul also holds out this thought, to preach the gospel without
charge. The Rosicrucians have followed this practice from the very
beginning and never set a price on their teachings. No true believer
of this exalted teaching will charge for lessons or require a monthly
membership fee. This at once brands him as an impostor. If we have
faith and work unselfishly, God will always take care of His own and
the Love offerings will be sufficient to keep the aspirant in his
simple needs.
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But will this not encourage some to take all and give nothing? Will
it not develop selfishness in some? There is a law in nature that we
cannot obtain anything for nothing.
Yes, numbers are attending the churches, lectures and classes,
never dropping a penny into the collection baskets, feeling this
unnecessary unless they are approached and, naturally, they will take
all and give nothing. But they do not reason the matter from the
standpoint of God's laws which are silently operating through the
laws of Cause and Effect; sometime, somewhere, these debts will come
to the Ego who thinks he is slipping through life defrauding, taking
all and giving nothing.
"Be not deceived, God is not mocked,
For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
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How is the aspirant to know the genuine from the counterfeit, how
distinguish between genuine spiritual enlightenment and psychic
intoxication?
The trance state is never a mark of spiritual enlightenment, no
matter how induced. It is a morbid and abnormal condition, not to be
emulated by anyone seeking spiritual enlightenment. There is only one
true path to firsthand knowledge, only one right way to spiritual
enlightenment, and that is by cultivation of your own soul powers.
Build your soul body by patient persistence in well doing, enlighten
others who know less than you who wish the little knowledge you now
possess, look for opportunities to serve others in the small and
menial things, as well as in the greater, according to your ability
and opportunity. Then some day you will cease to see through a glass
darkly and you will know for yourself without depending upon others.
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For what purpose was the Rosicrucian Fellowship started?
Christ told us that it is possible to take the kingdom of God by
storm and attain to the consciousness and conditions there
prevailing. But Paul informs us that flesh and blood cannot inherit
the kingdom of God; he states that we have a soul body (soma
psuchicon- 1 Cor. 15:44), and that we shall meet the Lord in the air
when He comes. This soul body is therefore as necessary to entrance
into the new age of the kingdom of God as a body equipped with lungs
was to the Atlanteans who desired to enter into the age in which we
are now living. Therefore it is necessary that we make our calling
and election sure by preparing the Golden Wedding Garment, the soul
body, which alone can secure our admission to the mystic marriage.
The multitude is slowly moving in the right direction as led by
the different churches, but there is an ever growing class that, so
to speak, feels the wings of the soul body sprouting, people who feel
an inner urge to take the kingdom of God by storm. Though unaware of
any definite ideal, they sense a greater truth and more certain light
than those which the Church radiates; they are tired of parables and
long to learn the underlying facts at the very feet of Christ.
The Rosicrucian Fellowship was started for the purpose of
reaching this class, to show them the way to illumination, to help
them build their soul body and evolve the soul powers which will
enable them to enter consciously into the kingdom of God and obtain
first-hand knowledge.
This is a large undertaking, none greater, and even under the
most favorable existing conditions progress must be slow, but if the
aspirant will continue with patient perseverance in well doing, it
can be done.
The methods are definite, scientific, and religious; they have
been originated by the Western School of the Rosicrucian Order, and
are therefore specially suited to western people. Sometimes, but very
rarely, they bring results in a short time; generally it requires
years and even lives before the aspirant attains, but the Rosicrucian
system will in the end bring all to their heart's desire.
The Tabernacle in the Wilderness was a symbolic representation of
the way to God, and, as Paul says, held a shadow of better things to
come. Everything in it had its spiritual meaning. The table of shew-
bread gives us an important lesson germane to our present
consideration. Students will remember that the ancient Israelites
were commanded to bring the shewbread to the tabernacle at stated
intervals. The grain from which this was made was given them by God
but they must prepare the soil in which it was to grow, they must
plant and cultivate, they must weed and water, so as to secure the
greatest possible increase; they must harvest and thresh, grind and
bake, before they had the loaves which they brought to the tabernacle
as bread to shew for their toil. Similarly, God gives to all the
grain of opportunity to serve, but it is our duty to cultivate these
opportunities and nurse and nourish them in the soil of loving
kindness so that they may bring a great increase. We must always bear
in mind the words of Christ that He came to minister and to serve.
Therefore anyone aspiring to follow in His steps and to be great in
the kingdom of God must ever be on the lookout for opportunities to
serve his fellows. Each day must be filled as full as possible with
kind and considerate deeds, for they are the warp and woof of which
the golden wedding garment (soul body) is woven. Without
these "works" no amount of prayer, fasting, or other religious
exercise will avail. It is useless to repair to the temple without
this bread to shew that we have really worked in the Master's
service.
The foregoing is also the teaching of the exoteric churches; but
the following is the exclusively Rosicrucian scientific teaching and
method, based upon the deepest knowledge of spiritual facts whereby
the aspirant is enabled to gain the maximum soul growth in each life,
so that his spiritual advancement is accelerated beyond his very
wildest dreams. Therefore this is the most important spiritual
teaching that has been given to man in modern times, and no one who
tries honestly to follow this simple method can fail to be enormously
benefited:
Ether is the medium of transmission of light, that which etches a
picture on the photographic film. It permeates the air, and with
every breath we draw from birth to death ether enters our system and
etches a picture of our surroundings and actions on a little atom in
the heart. Thus each carries with him a complete record of his life,
which is assimilated after death. Expiation of the evil deeds causes
pain and anguish in purgatory. These are thus transmuted to
conscience to prevent repetition of the same mistakes in succeeding
lives: the good deeds are transmuted to love and benevolence. Instead
of waiting for this post-mortem transmutation of the shewbread of
life, the aspirant who desires to take heaven by storm may assimilate
the fruits of each day after retiring and before going to sleep by
running over the deeds done. The events of the day are considered in
reverse order so that that which happened in the evening is taken
first, then the happenings of the afternoon, forenoon, and morning.
This is important for it conforms to the way the life panorama acts
after death, taking first the events just prior to death, last, the
events of infancy. The object is to show the effects and then refer
them to their antecedent causes.
In this retrospection it will do the aspirant no good to run over
the events of the day and mildly blame himself where he did wrong—he
is usually sure enough to praise himself sufficiently for his good
deeds. But he must remember the altar of burnt offerings where the
sacrifices for sin were offered. They were first rubbed with salt and
then placed on the altar to be consumed by a divinely enkindled fire.
Anyone knows what an intense pain is caused when salt is rubbed into
a wound, and this rubbing with salt is symbolic of the pain the
aspirant must feel for his wrongdoing. Now mark that it was not
permissible to place the sacrifice on the altar until it had thus
rubbed with salt. God would not accept it before, but when it had
been salted it was consumed by a fire kindled by God Himself.
This tells us that unless we have washed our evil deeds of the
day in the salt of our tears and heartfelt contrition, God will not
accept our sacrifice of repentance; but when we have really repented,
our sins will be washed away and our recording seed atom will be
clean as the driven snow. With respect to our good deeds we may
remember that there were two little piles of frankincense on the top
of the shew bread. These were offered upon the altar of incense,
where the smoke ascended as a sweet savor to the Lord, so different
from the nauseating stench that went up from the altar where the sin
offerings were burned. Is it any wonder that God took no delight in
the sacrifice of bulls and calves, but delighted in a contrite heart
and repentant spirit?
It is this spiritual aromatic extract of our good deeds that
builds our soul body. By the ordinary natural process it takes about
one-third as many years in our post-mortem existence as we lived in
the body, to reap what we have sowed. But when an aspirant has
assimilated the fruits of life by faithful retrospection at the end
of each day, he is free as soon as he leaves the body and may use the
years spent by others in purgatory and the first heaven as he
pleases. Furthermore, as he needs neither food, shelter, nor sleep,
he may spend twenty-four hours a day doing good. Thus he has
practically as many years of service and soul growth after death as
the number of his earth life; and being trained and schooled in this
work, his attainments are probably greater than could be made in a
number of lives in the ordinary way.

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Tell us something about Heindel-Steiner connection
The Rosicrucian Cosmo-Conception or Mystic Christianity is a
Rosicrucian text, written by Max Heindel. The first edition was
printed in November 1909, it has little changed since then and it is
considered to be Max Heindel's magnum opus. It is a reference work in
the Christian mysticism practice and in the Occult study literature,
containing the fundamentals of Esoteric Christianity from a
Rosicrucian perspective. The Cosmo contains a comprehensive outline
of the evolutionary process of man and the universe, correlating
science with religion. It is, till current days, the basic book for
the Philosophy courses of the school, The Rosicrucian Fellowship,
founded by the author in 1909/11.
The first edition of this work, containing more than 700 pages of
indepth teachings into the major themes of the occult science, was
dedicated to a knowledgeable lecturer of the occult field called
Rudolf Steiner, to whom Max Heindel felt greatly indebted. It had the
subtitle "Occult Science" instead of "Mystic Christianity" and just
above the message and mission ("A Sane Mind, a Soft Heart and a Sound
Body", "Service") there was a quotation from Paul of Tarsus: "PROVE
ALL THINGS". In the subsequent edition, Heindel removed the initial
dedicatory and changed the mentioned elements. The first dedicatory
become a controversial issue among some students of both teachers,
till current days. However, as both authors, Heindel and Steiner,
appear to have been influenced by the same Elder Brother of the Rose
Cross, to some extent and at some stage of their lives, it becomes an
accessory issue that may only be unveiled through the discernment of
the student along her/his path of spiritual unfoldment.
The Steiner and Heindel issue is long standing. In his early student
years, Heindel studied nearly everything but was frustrated by the
Theosophical oriented approach to public esotericism. He met a dead
end. A friend, Dr Alma Von Brandis, sent him to Germany to visit
Steiner and hear him speak. Heindel recognized a great teacher and
seer. He sat in on several lectures and had one or two interviews
with Steiner.
Nevertheless, he felt that what Steiner was doing was not appropriate
for America where pragmatism and clear linear thinking is
predominant. In frustration, he felt that he did not find what he was
looking for there (a Western oriented spirituality that was
accessible to the general public). In this disappointing condition,
he states he was visited by an Adept from the actual Rosicrucian
Order itself during one night in Germany. He passed a test of trust
and was then told to visit a certain location in Eastern Germany
where the Rosicrucian Temple was located (within and around a
conventional house).
He underwent six months or so of intense spiritual and seership
training which produced the ability to enter and explore the
spiritual worlds directly both in body and out of body. During this
time he was taught the contents of the Rosicrucian Cosmo Conception
by his Teacher. He was asked to return to America with a text of this
teaching and translate it into English. It had to published before
1910. Inthe first edition, he dedicated the book to Steiner out of
respect for the work he was doing in Europe and for the inspiration
he received. This was a mistake because it was totally
misunderstood.
The problem was: the teaching found in Heindel's book (much of the
early material was "presented" to him by his Teacher) sounded and
read very similar to the basic works and lectures by Steiner. Thus
people thought he stole the material. Unfortunately this is utterly
false. Heindel was only in Europe a short time with Steiner's
lectures and he was not interested in Anthroposophy, as such.
And the dedication to Steiner in the first publication lead people
to think Heindel took materials and just put them into a simpler
form. People can think what the want but these claims are untrue. In
later works, Heindel shows that he was a seer and possessed occult
knowledge not found in Steiner or any other source. In the second
edition, he retracted this dedication and explained his relationship
to the Order, his initiation, and his first dedication to Steiner.
(He was going to write a an East/West text on esotericism and told
Steiner. Steiner asked that if anything was to be used from his
materials, that proper acknowledgement be used. ( Heindel agreed.)
If one is truly using research methods to prove or disprove an
assertion, then one must assume the burden of doing the research and
making a reasoned judgment. In the preface to the second edition of
the Cosmo Conception, Heindel clarifies why he dedicated the first
edition to Steiner and then withdrew this dedication in the second
edition. It confused rather than clarified his relationship to
Steiner.
For one, in the second edition of the Cosmo Conception, Heindel
retracted the dedication to Steiner and explained clearly what his
relationship was to Steiner and his error in first dedicating it to
him.
He personally met Steiner in several interviews and attended about 8
lectures during the Fall and Spring of 1907 to 1908. As you can see
below Heindel respected and acknowledged Steiner for his work and
contribution to Western esotericism.
One can either take him for his word or not. Heindel was in Germany
to write his own version of Isis Unveiled, so to speak, and take up
where Blavatsky failed and where Steiner did not want to go - create
a comprehensible and readable public dissemination of the basics in
esotericism.
In addition, the most important issue is not the similarly between
the Cosmo Conception and some of Heindel works and Occult Science and
At the Gates of Spiritual Science, et.al. Why? We are convinced ,
from parallel studies, that at certain times in lives of both men,
Steiner and Heindel at this time had the same Teacher and they both
drew from His analogies and examples as well as his superior
knowledge of cosmology. This Teacher used certain phrases and methods
of explaining occult facts that influenced both men's style and
content early on. Both went on to write from their own experience and
research and the Teacher receded to the background.
The similarities are due to a common source to both men (Rosicrucian
influences and teachers). Due diligence in the later works of
Heindel, when he able to more fully develop his own clairvoyant
abilities and inner world journeys and research, and when he had no
contact with AP or Steiner, shows totally original material not be
found elsewhere in any occult sources since e.g
- an indication of total population of the human species both in and
out of incarnation ( the number of human beings in our life wave both
on earth and out of incarnation) ;
- the specifics of clairvoyance when viewing a mineral, plant, animal
and human being and how the vision shifts;
- the nature of etheric vortexes and "atoms";
- the nature of the chemical ether as a prismatic spinning force
field at the atomic level;
- like descriptions of the silver cord and its connection to the
liver and inner bodies;
- how advanced souls are able to extend their lives past the norm and
retain youth;
- how to cleanse the etheric body and healing methods;
- the specifics of suicide deaths;
- how the astral centers appear and rotate in seers vs. involuntary
psychics with diagrams;
- the nature of etheric and astral barriers surrounding mystery
centers;
- how specific initiation events unfold between the esoteric student
and Teacher as distinct from Eastern methods;
- the specific nature of the evolutionary status of Christ, Jehovah
and the Father of our Solar System, etc.
The best sources that show his abilities and status are Occult
Principles of Health and Healing and the two volume set of Questions
and Answers where Heindel answered students inquires clearly and
precisely.
In addition, in Letters to Students you will find a information to
students about the spiritual life and initiation that has never been
published in Steiner's work.
If one is truly using research methods to prove or disprove an
assertion, then one must assume the burden of doing the research and
making a reasoned judgment. In the preface to the second edition of
the Cosmo Conception, Heindel clarifies why he dedicated the first
edition to Steiner and then withdrew this dedication in the second
edition. It confused rather than clarified his relationship to
Steiner.
As for Steiner's reference in the Fifth Gospel of "that American"
promulgating Rosicrucian like teachings in California (Heindel) –
this is his opinion and not based on occult fact or connection.
We repeat what we said before in defense of Heindel:

(1) He was in the process of writing an revision of popular.occultism
when visiting Steiner.
(2) He did attend lectures and received materials and was going to
use some of them.
(3) He had several meetings with Steiner and told him of his
intention.
(4) Steiner remarked, if you use my materials, give me credit
(5) Heindel dedicated the first edition of the Cosmo out of respect
and the avoidance of source confusion.
(6) He pulled the dedication in second version explaining that he
gained access to the same sources that Steiner drew from direct
initiatory experience.
Heindel was not an initiate or even awakened in his inner soul when
he met Steiner. I also do not think Steiner took the effort to check
out each visitor clairvoyantly. If he did he would have seen a
average man. It was only after his disappointment with the direction
of Steiner methods and teachings and when was about to leave Germany
that he began his intiatory work and in 6 months was fully
clairvoyant and able to function free from the body and pass the
lesser and Greater Guardians. It was after this time that Steiner
spoke of him and if one reads this reference carefully you will see
that he is referring to the man who "took our teachings" (past tense
contact) and not in the present context as one who has met another
face to face in the spiritual worlds.
After these meetings, Heindel became another man. He had a profound
spiritual encounter and entry into the spiritual worlds along
Rosicrucian lines. Putting the Cosmo aside which seems to be the only
work most APs have looked at, I again recommend his later works which
clearly are based on his own experience and research and do not come
across like a encyclopedia of Western occultism.
If one again reads these quotes from RS, he is speaking as a reporter
and commentator not an occultist who has actually met and encountered
Heindel in the spiritual worlds directly. His comments about people
he has actually met spiritually are always different and reverential.
He clearly did not care to make such contact with Heindel. His
comments are based on past meetings and the Cosmo work solely.
As for his comments about the stylistic differences between his work
and the Cosmo, only time will tell. Just as Hegel is "Latin" to most
American college students, perhaps so would Walt Whitman and Haiku be
to turn of the century middle Europeans. It is clear that RS objected
to any and every form of spiritual communication other than his own
for "purist" reasons.I
They apparently did not and could not come into contact in the
spiritual worlds for various reasons. The reasons for this are
complex and personal which is only alluded to by Heindel when asked
about his initial meeting with his Rosicrucian Teacher in Germany.
The Teacher stated clearly that another individual was the first
choice for the Rosicrucian Order to promote a truly public form of
Rosicrucianism and that this individual "failed his test." Not more
is said of this but the reference is clearly, Steiner. Steiner
actually mentions his rejection of this role in the Fifth Gospel, as
well. What we do not know is the reason for his rejection. He may not
have known that his "considerations" were a "test" as well from this
Teacher. We suspect that the emergence of Anthroposophy as a unique
but highly specialized form of esoteric teaching and education model
was the fundamental reason. Steiner did not want to limit his work to
one particular Order or group and formed an allegiance to
Anthroposophia.
- This text is mainly based on Jeff Auen's writings posted in
several E-groups lists in Yahoo, like Spiritual Science and
Rosicruciansophia.