Dear Friend:

   We are glad to know you have become interested in the Western Wisdom Teaching, and we cordially welcome you as a student of the Rosicrucian Teaching. The first lesson of the Preliminary Philosophy Course is enclosed and we trust that the understanding of life and its problem offered by this course will bring you much comfort and joy.

   A new Age is dawning, and wonderful opportunities await those who understand and cooperate with the cosmic forces operating to break humanity's bond of materialism and usher in a new order upon higher spiritual concepts. As we bring ourselves into harmony with these forces, we not only greatly hasten our own progress, but make it possible for us to aid in the great work of uplifting all humanity.

   These lessons are not sold. The Rosicrucian Teaching is free, but the expenses incidental to their production and distribution are met by free-will offerings from students according to their means. However, all receive the same teaching and attention even though circumstances may be such that some are unable to assist in supporting the work.

   You are now starting the study of twelve lessons which are designed to aid you in understanding certain fundamental laws that may be used as a basis for a happier, more successful and more useful life.

   You are an Ego, a spirit spark from God, and within your spiritual being lie all divine possibilities. You are made "in the image and likeness of God," but the powers of the Ego are as yet only potential. In the Rosicrucian Teachings a path is pointed out which leads to unfoldment of the divine qualities in a normal, natural way, and at the same time so attunes your consciousness to the spiritual and material plane that more harmony will be expressed in every phase of your life. The function of this Teaching is to create an enlarged horizon, a breadth of vision, a more mature judgment and greater self-control. The use of this knowledge will allow fewer mistakes, bring security in action, and give faith and courage to face life in all its vicissitudes, with the peace, poise, and confidence that are born of knowledge and understanding.

   As these lessons are based upon The Rosicrucian Cosmo- Conception, you will need a copy of this book. Please do not fail to write your name and address plainly on each e-mail.

   Please feel that we are your friends, and that we consider it a pleasure and a privilege to assist you in any way possible to live the higher life, which leads to true happiness and spiritual enfoldment.

   Wishing you a full measure of the joy and happiness that rewards every spiritual aspirant, we are,

Sincerely your friends,

   The Rosicrucian Fellowship

   The universe is God's great training school. In our particular part of this vast school we are now witnessing momentous happenings and changes which are causing an increased demand for a better understanding of the reasons for existence. "What does it all mean?" we may ask, and "What does it mean to me?"

   The key to progress may be summed up in the ancient adage: "Man know thyself." The first step in understanding ourselves and our relation to the cosmic forces affecting the visible manifestations taking place about us is to understand something of the Worlds in which we live, since the laws operating throughout the Cosmos inevitably affect individual, personal lives.

   To the majority of people there is but one World, the dense physical globe on which we live; the superphysical worlds are not visible to the average individual because he has not yet developed the higher and finer senses which are necessary to contact them. These higher Worlds are the worlds of cause, and a study of The Rosicrucian Fellowship lessons will enable the student to account satisfactorily for the visible manifestation seen in the physical world, as well as to regulate the life so that more harmony and fullness will be expressed on all planes.

  [Note: If you prefer to work offline, you are welcome to e-mail your answers and/or comments to us at: rosfshp@rosicrucian.com. Please be sure to include your e-mail address, full name, course name and lesson number in your e-mail to us.]

In the Rosicrucian Teachings the universe is divided into seven different worlds or states of matter.

Name these seven worlds. (The Rosicrucian Cosmo-Conception, pages 24 to 29.)

   Each World is divided into 7 regions or subdivisions of matter. These divisions are not arbitrary but necessary because the substance of each of them is amenable to laws which are practically inoperative in the others. For instance, in the Physical World matter gravitates, contracts and expands. In the Desire World there is neither heat nor cold, distance nor time. The material of these Worlds also varies in density; that of the Physical World being the densest of the seven.

Describe the difference in the substance of the Desire and Physical Worlds.

   In the Physical World these 7 subdivisions are grouped under two classifications or regions.

Name these two classifications, designating which of the 7 subdivisions are included in each.

   The Chemical Ether has two poles and is both positive and negative in its manifestation.

What is the function of each pole? (The Rosicrucian Cosmo-Conception, page 35.)

   The Life Ether also has a positive and negative pole, and operates partially in the plant kingdom and fully in animal and man.

What is the function of the forces which work along the positive and negative poles of the Life Ether? (The Rosicrucian Cosmo-Conception, page 36.)

   In winter when the Light Ether is not charged with sufficient sunlight the sap of the plant ceases to flow. This ether is responsible for the color found in all the kingdoms of nature.

What is the function of the forces which work along the positive and negative poles of this ether? (The Rosicrucian Cosmo-Conception, page 36.)

   Everything that has ever happened has left a picture in the Reflecting Ether. All thoughts and acts are recorded here, and the trained seer may read their story. This ether is also the medium through which thought makes an impression upon the human brain.

Why is this ether called "reflecting"? (The Rosicrucian Cosmo-Conception, page 37.)

Note: Please do not fail to read and reread the pages in which you find the answers to these questions. After carefully studying the subject matter, strive to condense your answer as much as possible, taking into consideration the principal points.