Professional Documents
Culture Documents
By Ralph M. Lewis, F. R. C.
AMORC
SERIES A
Make Your Own Prophecies
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SERIES R
W hat Is Psychic Power?
Self-H ealing
Psychology of Mysticism
Cosmic Consciousness
Mystery o f Numbers
G -8 7 B
375
R a lph
M.
L e w is ,
F. R . C.
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S u bsta n ce?
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ing, waning, expanding, contracting, absorbing, and expelling, as witnessed in the other phenomena of nature.
Philo of Alexandria said: The former, he (Moses)
called the Breath of God, because it is the most lifegiving thing (in the universe) and God is the cause of
life."
Paracelsus, noted physician, Rosicrucian and alchemist,
in his essay on the elements, says that the other three,
air, fire and water, arise out of airair strengthens the
world and keeps it together as a dam does a marsh. . . .
Air, again, is like a skin in which is stored up a body,
the whole world, to wit." In this idea Paracelsusjust
as the ancient thinker Anaximenes did before himprac
tically confers upon air the nature of being the primal
substance of all existence.
C o n t r o l l e d B r e a t h in g
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the dominant idea makes one unconscious of the respiratory motion. In the later yoga doctrines, it is asserted
that controlled breathing is necessary for a cleansing of
the impurities of both mind and body to achieve the ideal
state, namely, unity with the universal self.
The yoga doctrines further state that the regulation
of breathing has a therapeutic effect on the bodily systems.
They contend that it results in increased beauty and
longevity, which condition, in turn, brings about poise,
grace, and personal power.
The ancient Hindus, it would appear, had an excellent
comprehension of both the physical and psychological
effects of breathing. It is evident that they made a very
careful, or, what we would call, a scientific, study of
respiration. They estimated the number of respirations
per minute, corresponding very closely with those given
by modem physiology. They were also apparently aware
that there is a relation between the respiratory system
and the emotions. W ith control of the breath, reflex
actions would stimulate or depress the emotions. By inducing certain emotional states, the inner or psychic
consciousness could be quickened. Subjective states could
be attained with greater ease.
R e s pir a t io n
and t h e
N erv o us S y st e m s
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The Rosicrucians
Invite Y o u ...
to share the useful knowledge which makes life more
enjoyable and free of much of the doubt and confusion
that beset the average man and woman today.
The Rosicrucians are a nonsectarian fraternity, de
voted to an investigation of the high principles of life
as expressed in man and nature. The so-called mysteries
of life and death, of the inequalities of people, and of the
purpose of our existence here are removed by the sensible
exposition of the Rosicrucian teachings.
The age-old truths expounded by the Rosicrucians
provide men and women with such useful knowledge of
the cosmic principles as makes it possible for them to
master their lives instead of drifting with the years. You
will be amazed at your own potentialities and the op
portunities afforded you to realize your fondest hopes
and dreams. No change in your personal or social af
fairs is required.
Write today for the free booklet, The Mastery of Life,
which explains who and what the Rosicrucians are and
moreover how they can help you with your own life.
Address: S c r ib e L. H. U.