Irving Söderlund served as Grand Master of the Nordic Languages Jurisdiction of AMORC and of the Traditional Martinist Order between 1977 and 1994. Since 1990 he has served as Treasurer of the Supreme Grand Lodge of AMORC.
Born in Timrå, Sweden, on September 18, 1927, Frater Söderlund discovered the Rosicrucian Order in 1963, when he was the marketing manager of a large company. During the late sixties and early seventies he had his own private merchandise company but took active part in the life of Göteborg Chapter and visited Rosicrucian Park for RCU classes several times. He was appointed General Secretary of the Swedish Grand Lodge in 1976. Then, on August 6, 1977, he was installed in Paris as Grand Master of the Nordic Grand Lodge, which combined the Danish and Swedish Grand Lodges. In 1990 he served as Master during the installation of Christian Bernard as Imperator.
Dedicated to the Service of AMORC and of the TMO, Frater Söderlund is found either working in his office or traveling in his duty as Treasurer of the Supreme Grand Lodge. Among his private interests are reading books on mysticism, esotericism, science, and history; listening to classical music; and gardening.
Discourse
As students of our beloved Order we learn how each one of us is a manifestation of the four elements—earth air, fire, and water—and that it is necessary for us to live in balance with their aspects. To enjoy good health and a sound body is to live a life in total harmony on all planes. As Rosicrucians we are interested in what we eat and drink and how this affects us. Thus we strive for a good balance among the four elements in our body.
As we observe the world around us we realize that we are looking upon another living being—a living creature also in need of a harmonious life through the balance of the four elements.
After eons of evolution, humans appeared on earth, and eventually they came to view themselves as superior to all other life forms. Over centuries, as human population rapidly increased, it began to interfere with the earth’s ecology, upsetting its internal balance, which is so vulnerable and delicate.
As Rosicrucians, who study nature’s laws and principles from a standpoint of inner balance and harmony, we are alarmed at the world’s ecological situation. And while we are neither a political organization nor an organization of environmental activists, with the insight given us through our Rosicrucian teachings concerning the necessary harmony needed for daily life to function, there comes a special responsibility. Accompanying the knowledge about the inner life we receive through our studies comes a deep understanding of the many levels of this inner life in the world around us. I refer to the Hermetic law we know so well: “As below, so also above; as above, so also below.” This law indicates we have a responsibility, not only for our own lives, but also for all other beings that inhabit this planet. How, then, can we put this knowledge to use?
First of all, we should use the tremendous power of visualization by mentally trying to influence those who are involved in making environmental decisions. Visualize that they open their minds to a deeper understanding of nature’s needs—that they realize that nature’s welfare is humanity’s welfare. Secondly, we must infuse our desire to take responsibility with the powerful vibration of positive constructive thinking. We must act. And we must try to eliminate the prevalent feeling that what one single person thinks or does cannot make any real difference in the world. Every single step we take in the right direction, we take for the whole of mankind.
May we, as Rosicrucians, be even more active in spreading the Light where darkness prevails and in spreading knowledge of the true meaning behind everything where ignorance is man’s daily guide. May we be the sincere workers for a peaceful, harmonious, and loving future where we indeed will see the coming generations live in Peace, Light, and Love, and where the four elements are purified and in balance within humanity and nature.
So Mote It Be!
