Rosicrucian Fellowship holds conclave

By: BONNIE VANDEWATER - For the North County Times | Friday, July 28, 2006 6:51 AM PDT ∞

OCEANSIDE ---- With interest and awareness spurred by the popular "The Da Vinci Code" book and movie, the Rosicrucian Fellowship based in this city expects a large turnout for its annual conclave starting Sunday and running through Aug. 6.

The weeklong meeting will bring together all national and international members to the headquarters, called Mount Ecclesia, at 2222 Mission Ave., and also answers questions for anyone interested in learning more about their philosophies.

Formally constituted in 1909 and physically founded in 1911 by a Dane named Max Heindel, this group of mystic Christians differs from the clandestine Rosicrucian (Rose Cross) religious order referenced in author Dan Brown's "Da Vinci" novel.

The group's Web site, www.rosicrucian.com, describes the Fellowship as "an International Association of Christian Mystics dedicated to preaching the Gospel and healing the sick."

Rosicrucian teaching emphasizes improvement of character and how to use the power of positive thought in order to have a successful life. "If we change our mental attitudes, we can change a lot of things," said Danielle Chavalarias, vice president of the Rosicrucian Fellowship in Oceanside.. "We can change our environment."

According to Peter Costanza, vice president of the Tampa, Fla., fellowship, Rosicrucianism is a Western wisdom that teaches a number of concepts embraced by Eastern religions like Buddhism and Hinduism, except it teaches them from a Western perspective. "It's for Western man," he said.

The Fellowship Web site explains it this way:

"The Rosicrucian Philosophy is entirely Christian, striving to make religion a living factor in the land and lead to Christ those who cannot find Him by faith alone. To accomplish this end we present a definite, logical and sequential teaching concerning the origin, evolution, and future development of the world and man, showing both the spiritual and scientific aspects: a teaching which makes no statements that are not supported by reason and logic. Our aim is to enable people to accept the Christian doctrines through the medium of esoteric knowledge."

Rooted deeply in the karmic law of cause and effect, Rosicrucian Fellowship doctrine states that every action has a consequence, good or bad. Thus, each person believes he is the master of his destiny.

"I am not ruled by chaos or chance," explained Gustavo Van Humbeeck of Oceanside, assistant to the esoteric secretary (a correspondent to those seeking information on matters of belief). "Nothing is chance. I can create new. If I am struggling with certain problems or difficult situations in my life, I know I am responsible for them and have the power to change my situation."

Members do not charge for their healing services, but instead rely on donations to fund their mission. Members avoid meat, alcohol and smoking.

To fully achieve a healthy mind-body-spirit connection, members also study astrology, the arts, and science. Part of their annual conclave will include discussions and workshops on topics from Shakespeare's works, to spirituality in the workplace, to life after death, and solar nutrition, along with viewing films such as "What Dreams May Come" and "What the 'Bleep' Do We Know?"

Open to all seekers, the Fellowship welcomes people from different religions. "It is not important how you call yourself; it is what you do, what you think, how you serve humanity," Van Humbeeck said. "This is what defines you. It's like Thomas Payne said: 'The world is my country, and to make good is my religion.' "

Program for the conclave:

http://www.rosicrucian.com/2006_SSP.pdf

Rosicrucian Fellowship

2222 Mission Avenue

Oceanside, CA 92054

(760) 757-6600

www.rosicrucian.com

The Rosicrucian Fellowship Conclave runs from Sunday through Aug. 6 at the Oceanside headquarters. Sessions start at 11 a.m. Sunday, at 1:30 p.m. Monday-Aug. 4, 9 a.m. Aug. 5 and 11 a.m. Aug. 5. For details, visit www.rosicrucian.com. A tour of the healing temple, healing department, chapel and history room will be open to the public from 5-5:30 p.m. Aug. 5. Call (760) 757-6600.