Event Description

Rosicrucian Book Review - The Sanctuary of Self by Ralph M. Lewis

You are cordially invited to join us in reading and discussing one of our foundational Rosicrucian texts, The Sanctuary of Self by Ralph M. Lewis. 

This evening we will be continuing our journey into the wisdom of this book with our discussion of Chapter Twenty-One: Mastership and Perfection (pages 150-156).

The meeting link is posted after the discussion questions.

We look forward to seeing you at this book review!

1.     Ralph M. Lewis uses the example of a musician to define mastership. Can you define mastery or mastership over a subject, a craft, or a trade? What would someone need to be able to do to demonstrate mastery? Is being able to teach such a skill sufficient proof of mastery?
2.     What does the author mean when he says mastership implies “practice or application”?
3.     The author uses the term “apodictical,” meaning “unquestionably true,” to indicate that those who aspire to live fully are seeking “mastership in life.” What do you think is meant by the phrase the “mastery of life”?
4.     The author tells us that “mastership is a technique which we develop.” How can we attain mastership, then?
5.     He also suggests that mastery over some things is not as important as others. Using examples, what do you think he means?
6.     The author tells us that several persons of the past during one incarnation developed “a series of masterships.” Please explain.
7.     To the mystic, what is the “highest state of attainment”?
8.     Mystics, we are told, are spiritually secure in the certain knowledge of “an inexhaustible supply, a dependable power” upon which to draw to achieve mastery. What is this knowledge? Have you experienced this type of “spiritual security”?
9.     Where does the mystic turn for inspiration?
10.  The author emphasizes that mystics have inherent natural powers upon which they may draw, but that some people try to master material things before having a true knowledge of themselves—that is, the process of gaining mastery is reversed. Have you had this experience yourself and become frustrated in an attempt to master something in the material world without success?
11.  The author explains that the process for attaining mastery is deeply personal. We can’t be forced. A teacher or master may offer us methods, but the rest is up to us. Can you explain, based on your own personal experience what that means? 
12.  The author tells us, “It is not necessary to sit at the feet of a master in Tibet, in Egypt, or Los Angeles.” What then is necessary? 
13.  What does the term mastermind mean for those who study mysticism? 
14.  What is the spiritual master’s “main concern”? 
15.  The author describes how a great master of the past might appear in our contemporary society. How would this person’s greatness make others humble? Why would such a person not claim to be a son or daughter of the Divine?
16.  What might a lesser master do? Do such persons exist today, and how might we recognize them?
17.   What is the relationship between mastership and mystical perfection? In other words, is there such a thing as absolute perfection for the developing mystic?
18.  In the past, it was assumed that nature was an imperfect “emanation” of the Divine—that is, that there were multiple realities that “fell away” from Divinity. Does this belief still exist today?
19.  What does the author say is now the thinking of “advanced mysticism” if we understand that humans tend to measure perfection based on their own image?
20.  Finally, the author tells us that most people think of perfection as “complexity.” How then is a “spiritually enlightened person” then a master and not “a more nearly perfect” being mystically speaking? He uses an open umbrella as an example. Can you explain?

Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/6528596718