My Answer to Yususuff

Yususuff R. Olaniyi  responded to my blog, "Good Food for the Lower Mind," in which I spoke cynically of the Initiatic Degrees in AMORC, said, "Ok Mr. Freeman, I am actually someone looking for true spirituality and I am sure there are true Rosicrucian groups around. Could you recommend any please?"

I understand Yususuff's passionate desire for the truth, but I don't know if the answer is to look for a specific group of any kind, much less a Rosicrucian group. In my book, AMORC Unmasked, over and over again, I point out how the apex, the point, the objective of true spirituality is to make contact with the Divine Presence.

I believe, at the very foundational level of spirituality, is the ability of man to make contact with God.

No matter how spiritual the group you belong is, no matter how spiritual your teacher or teachers are, no matter what the lineage of your teaching is -- the man or woman who seeks God is fundamentally alone and has to put their goal- true communion with God -- at the forefront of their consciousness.

How is this done?

In AMORC Unmasked, I contend this is done through becoming conscious, which can be done by being aware of very simple things -- humble things -- that one does in everyday life. This is why, I believe, the life of a Zen monk in a monastery often begins in the kitchen. As a former dishwasher, I can tell you -- you can wash the dishes like a sleeping man, unaware of what you are doing. Or you can bring full awareness into the process -- feeling those hot suds and cold porcelain on your hands, feeling the water spray on your face, feeling the fan above you blow cold air on your hair, experiencing the sounds of the dishwasher and the kitchen staff cutting food and carrying it to the front station. Becoming aware of the present moment is the first step in moving towards awareness of the power that resides in all of us and in everything.

That, dear Yususuff, is how I see the beginning of the journey. But there are many steps, many rungs of the ladder -- and I am not all that far ahead of you.

Comments

[A.H.Adam]

Dear Freeman,

Thank you for articulating this complex system. I am sure if you had any wish to succeed through the understanding of spirituality, you should be proud of yourself.

I am sorry that many have condemned you and your work. Partly you are to blame because you chose to fight instead of educating the masses. Others have supported your work and unfortunately taken the same pitch and are fighting with you. It is like there are people bent on fighting spiritual organization. A lot more others will be left in between un aware of where to turn but I congratulate you and thank you for your work.

If there were skeptics of spirituality, this controversy will attract many curious minds for the love of attaining your experience.

The dreams and desires you had when you first joined this group - material, fame you have it all now. I am sorry it has taken you 24 years to get there. Nonetheless, you are finally here and that is the most important.

Interestingly, if you thought you have extricated yourself from AMORC it looks like you will spend your life either defending yourself or condemning the group. The failure of the group to go public on many of its teachings you have done it for them. For instance, the question of Jesus Christ, his humanity who would have brought it out without being condemned for either being anti-Christianity or anti Semitist? Sir, you have introduced the topic well for all to see. Thank you.

A.H.Adam
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.