This study guide is intended for use with Gleanings of a Mystic by Max Heindel. The guide contains two groups of questions for each chapter in Gleanings of a Mystic. The first group of questions for a chapter are questions whose answer may be found somewhere in the chapter. The second group of questions are labeled as "thought questions." The answers to these questions are not given in the chapter, but rather can be answered by relating what was said in the chapter to one's own experience and by using one's creative imagination.

  In using the study guide it is recommended that one first read an entire chapter from Gleanings of a Mystic to get an overall picture of the topic being discussed. Then answer the questions below, referring back to the text as needed.

  It is hoped that this study guide will help the reader clarify and make more precise the understanding of occult Truths, so that he or she may tred the path with a more certain step.

1-1] What effect do Hindu breathing exercises have on the physical atoms in the Hindu body?

1-2] Why may Hindu breathing exercises not be harmful to some Westerners, but may be harmful to others? To those to whom they are harmful, what may happen if they use the breathing exercises?

1-3] Why is it that no physical means (activity, exercise, ceremony, monetary payment) can lead to initiation?

2-1] In each blank fill in a word or phrase which correctly completes the sentence.

Soul growth is produced by _____________ during life, and by _____________ after death. This process can be speeded up if the _____________ done during the day is _____________ just before one goes to sleep each evening. If retrospection is to be effective, we must _____________ gratitude for kindness received from others and _____________ what good we ourselves have done.

2-2] What qualities should the aspirant try to cultivate as a safeguard against becoming enmeshed in the snare of egoism?

2-3] What power must a person develop before they can be Initiated?

2-4] If some person or group charge an initiation fee, what may immediately be concluded the initiation which they provide?

2-A] Is it possible for one person to help another person to obtain soul growth? If not, why? If so, how?

3-1] Insert in each blank the word or phrase which correctly completes the sentence.

Though activity _____________ tissue. the lower and more material the thought the greater the _____________ of the tissue, and thence the greater the need for _____________ with which to make repairs. To obtain this _____________ the practice of eating _____________ was inaugurated. The more spiritual we grow, the more our thoughts will _____________ with the rhythm of our body, and the less _____________ will be needed to build tissue.

3-2] What effect did the clearing of the foggy atmosphere of Atlantis have on humanity's self perception?

3-3] What food was given to aid the spirit of man in overpowering the highly individualized molecules of flesh food and to spur it on to self-assertion?

4-1] From each parentheses choose the word or phrase which correctly completes the sentence.

The earth is the body of the indwelling (Jehovah, Christ Spirit, Father). Dwelling in the dense earth causes Him (suffering, pleasure). His (life-giving, crystallizing, death-dealing) forces are the cause of the (rejuvenation of plant life in the spring, death and decay of plant life in the fall). When humanity eats plant life they are eating (His body, only some pieces of material of no special significance) and thus (His body, only material of no special significance) is broken for the sake of humanity. Humanity (is, is not) responsible for the way in which it uses the vitality which it obtains from food.

4-2] Goethe had the aspirant Faust state that "Two souls, alas, are houses within my breast, and struggle there for undivided reign." What were the goals of each of these 'souls'?

4-3] From each parentheses choose the word or phrase which correctly completes the sentence.

The communion cup can remind us of the (roots, stem and leaves, outer covering of the seed pod) of a flower which contains the creative organs of the flower. Just as the flower is (full of, lacking in) passion, so also the Christian must learn to be (chaste and pure, passionate). 4-4] What are the effects upon one's own body of misuse of the creative force?

5-A] Of what value is it to present-day humanity to recall the time when, in the past, they lived in innocence and brotherhood?

6-1] In the present day, what is the purpose of marriage?

6-2] Why do new dense bodies need to be produced continuously?

6-3] a) Which body is the cause of the destruction and eventual death of the dense body?
b) If this destruction is to be minimized, what must we do?

6-4] a) Which body helps repair and energize the dense body?
b) If this body is to be aided in its work, what qualities should be cultivated?

6-5] What attitude of parents at the time of conception is most conducive to the production of a body which will be capable of a long and healthy life?

7-1] Next to each item on the left put the letter of the item on the right which is most closely related:

7-2] What type of sin is a sin against the Holy Spirit, Jehovah?

7-3] How does Jehovah treat sin?

7-4] Correctly complete each sentence by inserting in each blank one of the following words: moons, planet, planets, Sun.

The father inhabits the Spiritual _____________. The Christ inhabits the Central _____________ and guides the _____________ in their orbits, and becomes an indwelling spirit in each _____________ when it is sufficiently evolved. Jehovah dwells in the _____________ and is regent of the _____________. The inhabitants of the _____________ are beings who have straggled behind and need more rigid discipline under a firmer law to help them catch up.

7-5] What did the inhabitants of the moons of Mercury and Venus do in order to earn the right to return to their parent planets?

7-6] a) What being holds the moon in orbit as long as they are inhabited?
b) When a moon is no longer inhabited, what happens to it? Why?

8-1] a) What attitude should parents have during conception?
b) What effect will this attitude have on the nature of the soul which is attracted to the body being produced?
c) What effect will this attitude have on the body produced?

8-2] Why is the time chosen for conception important?

9-1] Why should the early Atlantean (who lived in the deepest basins of the earth where the mist was densest) have been unable to live (without modification) in our present environment?

9-2] Where, on earth, is a new race now being formed?

10-1] Where is Christ going to establish His kingdom?

10-2] What type of life must one live in order to build the "wedding garment" needed for entering Christ's kingdom?

10-3] What will determine when Christ will come again and usher those who are ready into this kingdom?

10-4] When will the equinox enter the constellation of Aquarius?

10-5] What will be the characteristics of the Aquarian Age?

10-6] From each parentheses choose the word or phrase which correctly completes the sentence.

In order for man to assimilate something he must make its vibratory rate (greater than, equal to, less than) his own pitch. Alcohol has a (high, low) vibratory pitch and man is not able to bring its vibratory rate (down, up) to his own, so alcohol (can, cannot) be assimilated. Instead the alcohol (raises, lowers) the vibratory pitch of man, and thereby controls man.

10-7] What food has the same stimulating effect as alcohol but is capable of being assimilated?

11-1] When Christ came to earth people were divided into families and nations, which frequently fought one another. What needed to be achieved before Universal Brotherhood could be inaugurated?

11-2] Which of the following are effects of eating meat, or may develop as a result of eating meat?

a) Courage
b) Cunning
c) Docility
d) Self-assertiveness
e) Ferocity
f) Drowsiness after eating and aversion to physical exertion
g) Need for stimulants
h) Sustained physical labor
i) Development of labor saving devices

11-3] a) What type of day-dreams does alcohol stimulate?
b) Why do these dreams end in disappointment?

12-1] In the misty basins of Atlantis, the sum appeared very dim. What did people of that day need to develop before they could recieve more light?

12-2] When the early Semites sinned, what did they have to do to return to the Light?

12-3] Christ came to show mankind, by example, how to walk in the Light. What has he shown us that we must be willing to do for those whom we love?

13-1] What two criteria must Magic satisfy if it is to be classed as white?

13-2] What can the accomplished magician do when he has a 'nucleus' of something?

13-3] What do the Invisible Helpers use for a nucleus for building the patient's vital body?

13-4] What are some of the means which Black Magicians use to get a nucleus for their work?

13-5] When the Elder Brothers attract to themselves the hate, envy, malice and other evil thoughts that have been launched, they transmute these thoughts and return them to mankind. In what form does mankind get the thoughts back?

13-6] How can we protect ourselves from the Evil Forces?

14-1] Where does the national spirit of a country reside?

14-2] Why do different nations strive toward different ideals?

14-3] Why do civilizations which are built up in the beginning with golden ideals gradually degenerate?

14-4] When a civilization has outlived its usefulness, what does the race or national spirit do?

14-5] Before Christ can achieve peace on earth, what must happen to national and racial feelings?

15-1] Mark each of the following true (T) or false (F).

a) If we don't worry about where and how we can obtain the material needs of life, we will end up not obtaining them.
b) If we make our lives living prayers for opportunities to serve others, then earthly things will come to us as we need them.
c) The good deeds we do in life are more important than the riches we accumulate.
d) That business will be the most prosperous which is able to sell the cheapest articles for the highest prices.
e) The businessman who tries to truly serve his customers, and to keep them satisfied will be the most successful.
f) When a customer is angry, it is good business policy to answer with apologies and to try to make restitution.

16-1] Why is it necessary for the aspirant to work in the battle field of the world in order to obtain soul growth (rather than retreat to some mountain top or monastery)?

16-2] How can one maintain inner peace and harmony even among the discords of the world?

16-3] What effect does noise have on a) the desire body, b) soul growth?

16-4] Why is it important for the Invisible Helper to not spend his energies during the day in unrestrained motions and discordant activities.

16-A] In what ways can we avoid making unnecessary noise?

17-1] What potential danger lies in knowing about rebirth?

17-2] What potential danger lies in spending too must time in studying the complex constitution of man?

17-3] a) What is the most important thing which the Rosicrucian teachings urge people to do?
b) If people do this, what will they build within themselves, and of what value will this be once it is built?

17-4] What is the best way to convey to others the most important teaching of the Rosicrucians?

18-1] a) What motive for abstaining from flesh food is most productive of spiritual development?
b) What benefits are there is abstaining from flesh food?

18-2] From each parentheses choose the word or phrase which correctly completes the sentence.

For spiritual development, work in the world has several (advantages, disadvantages) over residence in a peaceful retreat. In the world one can find (more, less) opportunities for service. In the world there will be (more, less) opportunities to learn to develop equipose. When the mind is occupied with constructive work it is (more, less) likely to harbor low and impure thoughts.

18-A] As we strive toward the ideal of universal brotherhood, how should we relate to our own families? Do we have special obligations toward them? Should we treat family members any differently than we treat others?

19-1] Next to each item on the left put the letter of the item on the right which is most closely related.:

19-A] What response would you give to someone who told you that they could initiate you quickly if you would give them a certain fee?

20-1] What does the wave of spiritual energy which enters the earth during the fall and winter months do for the plant life on earth?

20-2] In what part of his life cycle is man closest to God. In what part of his life cycle is man farthest from God?

20-3] What do we need to do in order to be able to hear the voice of the Christ?

21-1] What effect does the descent of the solar Christ Ray into the earth during the fall and winter have on humanity?

21-2] Of what value is it to know the purpose of existence?

21-3] What must be sacrificed if one is to follow Christ?

21-4] After Christ has sacrificed his life for the earth (during the fall and winter months), he is resurrected at Easter time. What promise does this hold for the aspirant?

22-1] Next to each item on the left put the letter of the item on the right which is most closely related:

22-2] Why is dissolution a necessary process in nature?

22-3] a) What does the Father send to Earth each year at Christmas time?
b) What is this Christmas gift from the Father able to kindle in our hearts?

23-1] Match each "effect" on the right with its corresponding 'cause' on the left:

23-2] How can we know that the dead live?

23-A] What value do you find in the Rosicrucian teachings?

24-1] When the mist in the air at the time of Atlantis condensed and the basins of the earth were filled with water, and people were driven to the highlands, some people found they could not live in the highlands. Why?

24-2] In the next great world transformation, some people will find that they cannot enter into the new age kingdom. Why?

24-3] a) From what is the golden wedding garment woven? b) Through what process is this material built into the golden wedding garment?