SPECIAL EDITION

Strange Encountersn cv

by Raymond BernardFRANCIS BACON

LODGE PUBLICATIONS

The Rosicrucian Order, AM ORCKnown as THE ANCIENT, MYSTICAL ORDER ROSAE CRUCIS" throughout the world

FRANCIS BACON LODGE181A Lavender Hill, London SW11 5TE

Strange Encountersby

Raymond BernardSupreme Legate for Europe Past Grand Master for Francophone Countries

SPECIAL EDITION

WorldConvention London23-26 July 1981RC 3334

Translated and firs t published inGreat Britain by Pensatia and Benefactor - 19702nd edition, Francis Bacon Lodge Publications - 19783rd edition - a special lim ited issue - 1981

English translation copyright Francis Bacon Lodge 1981

All rights reserved. No part of th is publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transm itted in any form or by any means, whatsoever, w ithout the prior permission of the publisher.

This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not be re-sold, loaned or circulated in any manner w ith any different form of binding or cover other than that in w hich it is published, w ithou t the prior permission of the publisher. This condition shall apply to all subsequent purchasers as borrowers.

Printed in Great Britain by EPCS, D ingwall Road, Croydon

CONTENTS

Page

F o re w o rd ......................................................................................................................... i

In troduction ...................................................................................................................... 1

Here or T here? ................................................................................................................. 3

First M e e tin g ................................................................................................................... 4

Second Meeting................................................................................................................ 8

Third Meeting................................................................................................................... 14

Fourth Meeting.................................................... .. ......................................................... 22

F ifth M eeting................................................................................................................... 29

Conclusions...................................................................................................................... 37

FOREWORD

The thousands o f copies o f this manuscript sold t i l l now, the quotations which have been made w ith great success in writings or heard in lectures, and above ail the numerous letters received from my readers, have been fo r me very encouraging and moving evidence. However, some o f my correspondents have been led to such erroneous conclusions that it seemed necessary fo r me to w rite a foreword to be included immediately in this w ork and in all those which treat o f similar subjects, w ith the purpose o f preventing any further tendency to misleading interpretation or simply misunderstandings.

The fundamental purpose o f this manuscript is to transmit certain knowledge o f particular subjects o f mystical trad ition, which now-a-days, particularly in France, continue to exercise a strong attraction upon whoever is interested in great questions beyond the lim its o f a non-sensical item in the popular press. It is enough, to be convinced of this, to notice the considerable success met w ith from the general public, by books dealing w ith these subjects. Now, most of these books are not bu ilt on any foundation. They do not have any basis OF TRUTH fo r meditation and reflection, and they lead their readers towards false and even dangerous conclusions.

It was also necessary to show the importance o f the Rosicrucian Order AMORC in the world, and this manuscript is indeed to put it in its rightfu l place, that is firs t, regarding objectives, its w orld ly activities and the number o f its members. In spite o f the great tolerance o f our Order and its extreme liberalism, it has sometimes been necessary to show strict severity w ith regard to those who, deceived perhaps by their own errors, risk deceiving others and leading them into terrible ways which have no aspect o f psychic equilibrium . To warn is a du ty, especially if one such advertisement is directed to one who is on the sure and tru th fu l path offered by the Rosicrucian Order AMORC. To stray from this path o f certainty after assuming it, is incontestably to retrogress. My aim has been that my Rosicrucian readers may avoid com m itting this regrettable error o f seeking elsewhere tha t which they w ill always find at the most opportune moment, the most efficacious fo r them, in the teachings o f the Rosicrucian Order AMORC.

Such were the reasons which induced me to w rite this manuscript and some others. The manner chosen to communicate this knowledge is im portant. To understand certain subjects, it is not enough to read them, one must experience them, and that is why I adopted this form o f w riting. The result is that this manuscript is P A R T IA LLY A LLEG O R IC A L AND P A R T IA LLY ALSO IT RELATES FACTS. It is based on SYMBOLISM, fo r the SYMBOL is, in essence, a language, which each understands according to his development and which the Rosicrucian understands better than most. Thus, through ALLEG O R Y, through SYMBOL and through FACTS, subjects o f the highest interest are examined, and this examination w ill lead you to an understanding more vast, more useful and more true, o f the great questions which trad ition , past and present, has applied itself in solving.

My dearest wish w ill always be that this lecture may be fo r you a source of inspiration, and a constant encouragement to carry on your e fforts w ith in the Rosicrucian Order AMORC towards greater light and Peace Profound.

RAYM OND BERNARD Domaine de la Rose-Croix Friday 17th October 1970

INTRODUCTION

The im portant functions that I assume at the heart o f one o f the most powerful traditional organizations in the world the Rosicrucian Order AMORC often takes me to strange portals and at the moment o f w riting these "Meetings w ith the Unusual" the problem o f choice presents itself to me in the most pointed way. It is not however my intention to reveal here tha t which is in the domain of personal mystical experience or occult realization, giving to this term the highest sense there is, and not the interpretation which has come to be attributed to a succession o f self delusive declarations, or perhaps misunderstandings o f pseudo 'magi' or initiates W ithout any doubt I could have, in this respect, much to say, but such a recital would lead me to divulge that which I have no right to tell in consequence o f my offic ia l responsibilities, and in this respect silence is better than the real risk o f m ixing, w ithou t care, that which is personal and that which is not. Moreover, although I address myself to accepted members o f the Rosicrucian Order AMORC, it appears to be preferable to set fo rth here only those facts w ith in the lim its o f time and space, or to use more simple language, in the world where we live. In all o f that which is in my thought at this tim e there is still a choice, bu t I am convinced that the meetings which I have decided today to tell you about, w ill give you a personal encouragement on the Path which you fo llow w ith us. It is this, above all, that impels me to tell these experiences that I have never spoken o f even to my closest friends. For a mystic should not have, in things o f this nature, a selfish knowledge, and fam iliar ties do not have any sense in this regard. The mystic is silent, or if after reflection he speaks, it is to all that he ought to speak, and if a choice is necessary in that which concerns the subject circumspection is no more, once the choice is made.

Such as they are, the particular meetings o f which I propose to tell you are quite unusual, and I have decided not to lessen this qualification. In fact they go beyond the ordinary and give evidence that our world is far from being what i t appears to be to the less informed observer. A cloud o f mystery envelopes it, and however it is, in the towns constructed by man, sometimes in the lighted hall o f a big hotel, sometimes in a humble dwelling or in the middle o f the din in a street, that is the scene o f the destined meeting. The mystery in the midst o f men, the strangeness at the heart o f a society turned towards the satisfaction o f its selfish appetites! Certain stories would appear incredible to all but you and perhaps some among you, whilst reading them, w ill feel the need to stop a few moments and say to yourselves the name o f the author o f these lines, an author they have known well and fo r a long tim e, before going fu rther in the relation o f these stories w ith the certitude tha t they are fact and not fic tion . But what does it matter?

Is it not the essential th ing that these things be said and, if they are said, is it not because it is now perm itted? Then never mind words, phrases, effect and style just a simple language, as if ta lking; this is a story in which only the tru th matters and perhaps on account o f its im probability .

HERE OR THERE?

The trad ition that there is an occult government o f the world has never ceased to be, and to this government many names have been given in the course o f the ages, also many habitats. In the last century, Saint Yves d'Alveydre, fo r the firs t time perhaps in a manner so exp lic it and precise, referred to it w ith clear detail. His work saw the light o f day at the right time and I have learned since, from the highest authority, how exactly, as he tells it, he had received instructions defin ite ly to publish such revelations. The wrong use o f such scant but justified inform ation by certain 'adventurers o f the occu lt' more anxious fo r popularity and financial gain than fo r tru th made a clarification necessary. There were also those who understanding less than nothing, were persuaded however by their 'illum ina tion ' or by 'revelation' given to them, they said, from on High, or by such and such a Master or Guide, b u ilt up strange theories which, as is often the case, had unbelievable appeal, to certain stray seekers always in quest o f the impossible novelty in the engulfing swamps of unverified 'marvels'. It therefore became very necessary to restore the tru th , at least partially, and it is thus that Saint Yves d'Alveydre lifted a corner o f the veil o f Agartha. That which Agartha was at the moment he wrote his book, was how it was constituted and conducted its activities. A t the same tim e one heard from other sources that the 'seat' o f this occult government of the w orld was, at tha t time, situated in the Gobi desert. And there the matter rested.

It is true to say that all that is in our world is in perpetual movement and transform ation. Things evolve and their contents change. A ll those who, these days, are still interested in these particular questions according to the in form ation o f Saint Yves d'Alveydre still believed the same till not long ago and w ithou t reflection they im p lic itly assumed that nothing had changed since then. I know that I am the first to bring to this subject new revelations and I am conscious o f the responsibility that I assume in doing so, but, as w ith Saint Yves d'Alveydre, I would never make these revelations w ithou t permission. I clearly declare then that the occult government o f the world (to which I shall come a little later in detail during one o f my strange encounters) is not any more, in any way, the same as it was about th ir ty years ago. More, it is no longer situated in the Gobi desert. In every respect, as we know it, it is held according to the conditions o f the modern world and it has always been thus, in slow progression by a constant adjustment to new conditions. But I believe the moment has come to te!l o f the firs t strange encounter.

FIRST MEETING

In carrying out my duties I am, as many know, often called upon to travel. For many years, after having established the necessary Lodges, Chapters and Pronaoi over the whole te rrito ry o f my vast jurisd iction, after having b u ilt the structures o f which we now know, I had still the w ork o f organization, o f supervision and o f translations too harassing to accept all the invitations from the subordinate groups which I had brought into being. I managed however short visits to the nearest ones, but these visits gave me the greatest joy only to keep in touch w ith our members and give an address at the ir Lodge, Chapter or Pronaoi. or even to preside at the firs t local Conclaves. Outside the exceptional visits to the Grand Lodge o f which you have heard, so much appreciated by our beloved Imperator, I d id not have during all this tim e any unusual meetings, in fact I did not expect any. No doubt I was too busy and all my tim e was taken up w ith my heavy task. Assuredly also 'th e y ' were waiting fo r me to 'prove m y s e lf'. The great period o f my 'b ig' journeys began in 1960 by tw o necessary visits, one to Leopoldville and one to Brazzaville, w ith one incursion in to the South-Kasai. These journeys were uneventful in that which concerns the things which interest us here, and fo r fo u r years, it was enough. As I have said I awaited nothing, and in consequence did not feel any disappointment. I was on the contrary filled w ith joy at the extraordinary way my jurisdiction had grown and become the second in the w orld . In addition, my office, and, so to speak, the 'state o f grace' made me conduct myself w ith the greatest prudence. Certainly, called very young to the Rosicrucian way, circumstances and visits, which no doubt would have scared the ordinary man, surprised me not at all. It would take much more than a strange thing to surprise me, but already the unusual was on the threshold.

21st May 1964. A short journey called me to London and I went to O rly A irp o rt to board the plane at 2.00 am. A ll was in order and I was pleased to have my place in the fro n t row. I noticed w ith curiosity tha t the place opposite to mine was empty although it is generally liked, also the aeroplane would be, w ithou t doubt, fu ll up. Casually turning my head I saw, among the other people, an Oriental wearing a turban. I noticed the turban was blue, and I observed a litt le later that it was o f light gauze. An Oriental, w ithou t doubt a Hindu going to London. Nothing very extraordinary about that and I was disinterested until the moment when, someone sat down in the seat opposite close to mine, I saw that it turned out to be the Oriental I had been looking at. His plum p face surrounded by a beard and his lively eyes reminded me of someone. A ll this passed very quickly through my thoughts, then feeling the fo lly o f guessing, I gave my attention to the papers I had w ith me, but I was unable to concentrate on them. Suddenly I remembered! It was in Brussels some tim e ago tha t I had seen this man. I was making a guided to u r o f the tow n and he had been some places in fro n t o f me in the car. A t one o f the stops I was near to him during the explanations o f the guide. He had smiled at me courteously and in climbing

back into the car, I was in fro n t o f him and inadvertently jostled him, and begged his pardon. I had thought he said "see you later , but I thought I had misheard, fo r how should I meet again someone whom I had never met before? Then I had forgotten the incident. This all came back to me in memory and I thought decidedly the world is a small place". Giving a quick glance at my neighbour while the plane was taking o ff he smiled at me and I d id the same. Then in impeccable French he said: "W ell, you see we meet again!"

I made a real e ffo rt to reply: "Y ou have an excellent memory Monsieur."

His response came abruptly, " I t is not a case o f memory but o f something else!"

I was on my guard, but curiously calm, "R ea lly? "

He went on: "We have not much time fo r at London A irp o rt I must leave you. Besides I have not a little to tell you. Others w ill tell you the rest. A ll in troduction is useless and you are not who you are w ith o u t reason. Receive w ith sim plicity fo r nothing that you w ill learn w ill injure your work or interfere w ith it. You are in an approved and appreciated way. Your Order represents TOMORROW. Be fa ith fu l and keep its pu rity and its integrity.

"Y ou w ill have heard o f Agartha, but even this name w ill not be used from now on. The true name is final, and is only known to a few, and may not be to ld. This name is A . . . . Occult Government o f the World! Even this expression is inappropriate! However, it describes well the 'High Council' and the twelve who constitute it! In all ages the error has been to believe that the members o f the High Council are eternal. The High Council is eternal but its members are mortals like you and me. Only their knowledge makes them d ifferent, their knowledge and the ir extraordinary vision o f the fu ture w orld ! When a member dies, he who has been chosen to succeed him replaces him immediately and fo r three months, he familiarises himself w ith the knowledge and the experience le ft by his predecessor. He enters also fo r the firs t time into contact w ith the united members o f the High Council. Thus transmission is uninterrupted. That is the tru th o f the matter. Our responsibility is considerable, but we assume it w ith knowledge

I interrupted the speaker, "Y o u have several times mentioned we. Are you a member o f the High Council?"

Appearing not to have heard me he went on, "The High Council knows the ultim ate point that the world w ill attain in its evolution. They know its stages. Certain people in

initiated circles know some o f them, the era o f the Fish or the era o f the Watercarrier fo r example, but there are others which no-one, outside the High Council, w ill ever know.The essential role o f the High Council? To see tha t each stage is accomplished in a given tim e and hurry it or retard it as the case may be. It is most often to hurry it on that must be done by the High Council. Hum anity is free to reach the end o f a stage according to its own concept but the new aim must be known to be in accord w ith what has already been planned, and it is on that, tha t the High Council keep watch. It has, naturally, ways o f influencing events and it sees beyond changes, inevitable by the fau lt o f hum anity and the d iffic u lty it has to adapt itself to new conditions w ith o u t shock. These ways cannot be revealed but you w ill understand them easily. The High Council is the highest branch o f that Invisible Permanence, if you wish, or better s till, the Beings o f a higher Hierarchy. The universe is such a un ity that each thing and each being are links. One more w ord: the members o f the High Council meet in conclave four times a year at fixed times. Each one of them is however, in 'rapport' w ith all the others when he so desires, from one end of the year to the o ther."

"The members o f the High Council, have they a profession, let us say, a lay one?"

"T ha t is not forbidden, but, then, they must allow themselves the possibility of replying at any moment to all calls and carry out any mission in an emergency."

"These members o f the High Council, can they hold a political position?"

"N o ! That is the only forbidden thing. Even the possibility o f a lay profession is relatively recent. It was on the 27th December 1945 during the last periodical reunion, that the decision was taken. A profession is not necessary, in any case, fo r any members o f the High Council. Rather, an occupation sometimes helps in the W ork . . . . but I can see what you are th inking in your question concerning politics w ithou t doubt o f a would-be synarchy! What a mistake! How absurd is this idea o f certain writers! This would bring down to a very low level the Cosmic mission o f the High Council. Politics are the affair o f 'men'. Sometimes they fo llo w our designs and at other times they do not. We fo llow them closely in the entire world and we draw our own conclusions, tha t is all. Of course if politics should hamper the evolution o f the w orld, we intervene, but by means which have nothing to do w ith politics. A ll the same they are most effective. As to synarchies they are also the affair o f men, certain men inspired, let us say, by their material desires. We have nothing in common w ith them, no link w ith such enterprise.Any other suggestion is pure fic tion . . . but does it m atter!"

" I am extremely surprised that so suddenly, in an aeroplane, in a public place where indiscreet ears can hear your conversation, and scarcely knowing me, w ith o u t any control

you make such revelations to me. I know, I feel that what you tell me is true. I feel quite clearly a state o f confidence and certainty. But why to me and why here?"

"Is it to you, Raymond Bernard, that I have to explain tha t there is no risk, and do you suppose that I would give such inform ation to someone unknown? Why to you? Perhaps because o f what you are, perhaps fo r other reasons. Why here? Because it had to be thus. As to the rest, reassure yourself. No one has heard our conversation. Once again I say Accept w ith S im p lic ity ."

I wanted to ask other questions, but he stopped me: " I t is enough" he said, "and I can say nothing more. Besides we have arrived. Perhaps others w ill come . . . . London!I always th in k o f Copenhagen in December when I arrive in London !" Approaching the a irport he slowed his step and said to me: "A urevo ir! May God and the Masters bless our Com m union."

Impressed by these words taken word fo r word, from Liber 777,1 whispered in reply "So Mote It Be!"

He lifted his right hand, thum b folded, three fingers to the forehead; I w ithdrew, and turning qu ick ly , w ith a last glance, I saw him advancing slowly in the same direction towards the Customs. How his passport would have interested me! He was a fine figure o f a man, strong, his head covered w ith a pale blue gauze turban wearing a chestnut brown su i t . . . . A man among men!

I did not meet him again t i l l much later, months later, on 28th December 1966, we shall see in what circumstances. I had an excellent sleep in London, that night o f this firs t strange meeting. A sleep so deep that the next morning I m ight have dreamed i t . . . . and yet!

SECOND MEETING

I do not like Copenhagen in the w inter. The cold is too intense and nature in this incarnation has given me a body that does not agree w ith very low temperatures. However, that does not prevent my going to Denmark when the service o f the Order calls me there, and it happens that I always have to make the journey in W inter! I do not know why I had not immediately seized upon the indication given me by my firs t in terlocutor when he to ld me to th ink o f Copenhagen in December when he arrived in London. Perhaps I was too em otionally affected w ith what I had just been to ld . In fact, I thought o f it again only after my return to Paris. I could not tru ly imagine what could take me to Copenhagen seven months later but I did not doubt that if I had to go there to learn something im portant, things would so arrange themselves o f their own accord. In short, considering it as a test I did nothing to encourage the journey. The months went by, and towards the 10th December 1964 I received instructions asking me to go to Copenhagen on an im portant question concerning our Order. I was to be at my destination not later than December 27th . I went there. You can guess w ith what interest I took my place in the aeroplane and w ith what curiosity I awaited the coming o f my strange interlocutor. Wishing, fo r fun, to give myself an extra surprise, I closed my eyes and waited patiently, concentrating hard upon the Grand Lodge. When I reopened my eyes, the aeroplane was about to take o ff. Eagerly I looked at my neighbour . . . . it turned out to be a small girl o f about 12 years o f age and I doubted that, in the kind o f comm unication I expected, they would send a litt le girl. I started the lecture in the last number o f the Rose-Croix and the test o f the journey unfolded norm ally . . . . and w ith o u t anything unusual.

The Royal Hotel o f Copenhagen is in Hamerichgarde 1. I t is close to the centre o f the tow n and in addition, its vast salons, particularly the hall, allowed fo r discreet conversations. I had the impression that it would be the hall that would be the scene o f my second strange encounter. I could not tru ly see any other place where it could be. As I had to fu lf i ll my mission I decided that this would be a second test: I would wait in the hall only during periods o f time I was at leisure.

The day fo llow ing my arrival from 9.0 to 10.0 in the morning I sat in an armchair facing the doorway o f the main entrance. Nothing happened. The fo llow ing day, nothing again, neither in the morning nor in the evening from 6.0 to 9.0. I began to th ink th a t I had given the words o f my firs t in terlocutor more significance than they had really had.

The next morning about 9.30, then, I was preparing to go down to take up my watch in the hall, w ith o u t much hope all the same, when the bell o f my telephone recalled me to my room. The concierge to ld me that a Mr Jans awaited me. As I d id not know any Mr Jans I supposed tha t it would tu rn ou t to be the new awaited meeting, an unusual

meeting where all again would happen in a d ifferent way, since "organised waiting had proved useless.

I went down immediately. The hall appeared empty. Just as I approached the bureau o f the concierge, a man rose from one o f the great armchairs and looked at me fixed ly. I walked towards him, "A re you Mr Jans?

He quickly touched his forehead w ith the three fingers o f the right hand, the thum b folded in. I bowed slightly w ithou t offering my hand. These people always seem to ignore the 'hand shake'. One day I w ill ask them why.

"Come Mons. Bernard, I am he."

D irectly I saw him I had once again the same feeling o f certitude and confidence. He spoke perfect French but his accent was indefinable, possibly Slav. He was smartly dressed. His th in face was crowned w ith abundant white hair. His eyes were o f a metallic blue. He was about my height.

Outside it was snowing. A carriage waited. Mr Jans gave an instruction in Danish to a chauffeur and we departed. He did not speak much, a few words from time to tim e as we passed some monument or some historic building. I know Copenhagen well and I only half listened, but I watched him. He smiled curiously. His mouth remained closed, only his eyes creased slightly. The man was undoubtedly enigmatic. I asked myself where we were going. We were now crossing the Faubourgs but I was barely interested in the surroundings and I could not say where we were. The carriage slowed down and stopped in fro n t o f an ordinary looking house, d iffic u lt to distinguish from the others, as is often the case in Scandinavian countries. The building however was wealthy looking and solidly constructed. We alighted. I do not know if "M r Jans" range the bell but the door opened. I was busy examining the fron t o f the house but there was no name, nothing.

We entered, the house seemed empty. My host led me towards a small salon. The room was extraordinary. I seemed to have entered a d ifferent world. It would be impossible fo r me to describe it in detail, and even a description would convey nothing o f the atmosphere which reigned there and which emanated from it. It was t h a t . . . . that vibratory atmosphere that one noticed most here. Everything appeared to be bathed in a violet light created by the curtains which covered the windows and from a small lighted lamp in one o f the corners o f the salon. On the walls, tw o pictures, but I could not quite distinguish them. But on a small table in fro n t o f the armchair where I was seated, I saw, framed in white, a photograph o f a man clothed in gray, w ith a most fascinating face. He appeared to be about fo rty years o f age. He was dark, but his eyes so clear that their place

seemed em pty in the photograph. It was impressive. 'M r Jans' sat facing me fo r a moment, looking at me fixed ly but he made no comment on the interest I was showing towards the photograph and I did not dare to question him. I waited, and after several minutes he commenced.

" I shall remain to you, 'M r Jans'. No other in troduction is necessary. What matters names and personalities in our w ork. The Essential and the Relative, tw o opposite terms, tw o extremes! One must choose the one or the other. The relative must remain w ith the world from which it comes. Our 'Raison d 'e tre ' is essential. Let us call ourselves then 'souls'! The same room where we are now, saw the reunion yesterday o f the High Council and that is why I decided to have this conversation w ith you here. Every reunion o f the High Council is fo llow ed in the world by happenings o f considerable importance, and no one, if it is not the High Council, can see them as other than they appear to the great public. Naturally it is not the intention to tell you o f the subjects examined yesterday. On the contrary, I am going to recall to you the conversation which you had between London and Paris w ith another responsible A . . . . I know what was said to you but perhaps I could go over again certain points in the course o f my explanations. Above all, accept w ith hum ility . Listen, meditate, but change not one word o f that which you receive, if, one day you are perm itted to speak.

"The High Council, A . . . , is, as you know, composed o f 12 members and you have been told certain facts about them. This High Council is like a government in its structure, or rather an electoral body, but the hierarchy is strict. Of course, it would not be possible fo r some to reverse the decision o f others. There are not in the High Council any similar occupations. Each is in his own place, fixed, linked w ith others and fu lfills his mission as he deems f it . The Head o f the High Council has no title properly speaking. Not long since, certain in form ation which was allowed to 'f il te r ' out, referred to him as the 'K ing o f the W orld'. King he assuredly is, and more, by the au thority , the autocracy and the responsibility o f his office, but he has never carried this title . To us, he is M AH A and for us this name has a value so sacred that no other name could replace it. I say precisely, that it has quite a particular significance and to wish to compare it to other similar names or to interpret it by them would be to be led astray by the most absurd error. M AH A is our venerated chief. His wisdom is profound, his universality to ta l, and his understanding absolute. He has a unique goodness that the w orld would ill understand or concede, fo r the world does not concede to goodness unless it brings p ro fit, or else it is called weakness. M AH A however is stern and pitiless towards anyone who fails to keep his word. He pardons the man: he does not forget the fault. M AH A is, if you wish, our President. The second in rank fu lfills a function similar to tha t o f a secretary general, in the case o f a presidential government. He is the right hand o f the President o f M AH A, and he follows him everywhere. It is he who, if necessary, sends us the special instructions o f M AHA. The

ten other members o f the High Council are comparable to your ministers. Each occupies himself w ith one great branch o f human a c tiv ity : Economy, Education, Justice, etc. w ith a special m inistry tha t o f Religion and Cults, which covers everything from the great monastic and confessional religions to the tribal and most remote clans. Also, strange as it may appear to you, the traditional Orders like yours come under Education fo r this term is used by us in its highest sense.

"Y ou ask w ithou t doubt, in what ways the High Council can act-. Such a question answers itself, fo r what could best serve a 'government' on a te rrito ry as vast as the planet, if it were not constituted o f twelve members, including our venerated Maha, meeting from time to time to evaluate, to determine and to decide if this evaluation, this determination and this decision could not find a field o f application! Another than I w ill perhaps one day tell you, the ways called by the world 'supernormal' which we use, how and why. I shall stop at the outer operative plan fo r the time being. My predecessor to ld you that we do not interfere w ith the in terior affairs o f States. It is necessary to say in that respect, that to the High Council, States do not exist as such. There is nothing to them but the w orld, in so far as the planet and its uniform progression through the cycles is concerned, w ith a view to procuring fo r men the best plan, environment, and experience and knowledge which compose their individual and collective progress.

"Therefore, and this is im portant, if any State seems backward w ith regard to the expected general progression, or if it is in advance, creating thereby discordance, in either case the High Council, by various means at its disposal, w ill re-establish the equilibrium and the result o f this would be to make the responsible countries adjust themselves and adjust conditions, in their own ways, to the situation that we have created in the universal interest. It is evident that they w ill always be unaware o f why they find themselves in such a situation but they w ill be forced to react, and f i t their action to the situation.There is o f course no preference given to one State over another in the course we take. We know the 'general norm ' at such a time, and we evaluate the 'note ' if you like, o f each State in respect to this 'norm '. It determines whether our intervention is necessary and how strong it w ill be.

"L e t me tell you, by the way, that Switzerland is the only country in the world of which the 'R hy thm ' is normal throughout the ages. We have not had to interfere there fo r a long time, save perhaps tw o or three times on the Economic plane, the Swiss having been too withdrawn on themselves in this domain. We then have to promote the need fo r foreign labour to re-establish equilibrium and that is still in progress, but by 1968, stabilization w ill be completely achieved. You w ill be surprised to learn that our venerated Maha is not unknown to the leaders o f the w orld. By "leaders" or great ones I mean, of course, the most responsible men o f both great and small nations. However, all do not

know him, and some have never heard o f him. To use a euphemism, he is known only to the 'stable' ones, those whose personality gives a guarantee that they w ill maintain by their action the 'rh y th m ' o f the ir country, and above all, tha t they w ill endure. It is not d iffic u lt fo r our Maha to determine who possesses that essential qua lity discretion. Maha w ill be known to them, often under a name and outer qualifications which have nothing to do w ith his real responsibility. But, because he w ill represent "an outside o p in ion " he w ill be received and frequently listened to . Occasionally, Maha w ill reveal to some great man his true self, but that is rare. To my knowledge only one actually knows him so, and the influence o f Maha upon him is remarkable. No! D on 't ask me his name. Never forget the impersonality o f our great service.

"Besides, the real and very efficacious influence o f Maha, there is evidently the influence and action o f his eleven collaborators as well. To a lesser degree and on less high levels we operate in the same way, but under the supervision o f Maha. The efficacy o f our action is great, yet one cannot fail to consider the reactions and human uncertainties which sometimes necessitate outer "in te rve n tio n " on our part. That which I have just to ld you is the d irect action, to use an expression dear to these times. But the High Council has its Adm inistration and I am going to explain.

"There was a tim e when to approach the "great ones" was not a complex undertaking. A well known name or a loan was suffic ient to show that one was o f high rank o f real or apparent importance. Whichever class was at the top, it was to the top that one gave attention. Each country lived in a relatively close fie ld. The power and the principal activ ity was central. A t that tim e a few representatives were sufficient, and besides there were never more than a dozen who have le ft a name or a trace in history. Consider the personage known as Count St Germain, fo r example, or that one known as Cagliostro in the light o f this explanation. You w ill better understand their mission! Nowadays the situation is d ifferent. Peoples are mixed up and there is a constant coming and going, Governments consult each other, contacts are on the increase. It is considerable progress, and besides it was foreseen. But our action must take it in to account.

"O n the 21st March 1933, the old Maha, who was to leave this plane four years later, had established in one o f our periodic reunions, tha t it was necessary to adjust our mode o f operation to the world o f tom orrow and study was made to this end, but the final date was 28th December 1945 when under our present Maha, the members o f the High Council were authorized to occupy positions . . . . let us say w orld ly. I w ill not tell you naturally which ones, fo r tha t would be useless and absurd. However, you w ill easily understand, that it could not be other than a question o f some situation involving a responsibility non-political, but central. A t the heart o f some professional administration or other, it follows that one is in the know, and that the impetus given in return is

efficacious. From this you w ill deduce that thus there is established round the whole world a vast web form ing an overall picture. This means nothing to any other than the central person who is one o f the members o f the High Council, whoever it may be at present. No one knows it. But you have many good outer examples and I shall not persist.

"Perhaps you w ill th ink that twelve members o f the High Council are too few fo r such a task. This is not the case. Do you th ink our organisation to be anything but perfect I am sure that you do not doubt it? I shall add this: do not forget that which was said to you by him whom you met before me unless you fail to value our w ork. Remember we are not politicians in the sense the world understands it. You must place, you understand, all our actions as fo r the best and in a universal context. That which you now know, should give you a true overall picture o f our work in the service o f the world. As a result of these facts never before given to anyone, you w ill be able better to understand what is happening in a world which has become small. Learn to apply these fundamental keys to each im portant happening. Accept, I repeat, w ith hum ility

"May I ask you a question: What about the United Nations?"

"Perhaps another w ill tell you the answer one day. That which I personally had to tell you is to ld , and I th ink I have been more inform ative than my predecessor, but that was ordained. Though the allusion was fa irly clear you had to decide where would be the place o f the present meeting. It is true that the rest has been "he lped" by us. You w ill not have to guess the place o f our next encounter. It w ill be Athens. When and How? That w ill be clear enough when the time arrives, to exclude all doubt. As you w ill certainly suppose, nothing is 'chance' in tha t which is undertaken by the High Council . . . . Good! Here is my Chauffeur to fetch yo u ."

We rose. By the door, he touched his forehead again w ith the three fingers o f the right hand, thum b turned in. Again I bowed and thanked him . . . . his eyes creased in a smile. It was finished. Half an hour later, I was back in my hotel, w ithou t having ceased fo r a single instant to th ink o f the litt le room in the violet light and a certain 'M r Jans '. . .

STRANGE ENCOUNTERS

THIRD MEETING

As tim e passed the meetings became more normal. There had not been more than tw o so far, but there was a great difference between the second and the firs t: less mystery, and less unexpected in appearance, less enigmatic allusion as to the next place and time o f meeting. I understood o f course the necessity fo r discretion, but the more direct approach was better suited to my temperament. In a society where all seems to be open one observes so many people who habitually surround themselves w ith an aura o f mystery to hide the emptiness tha t is in them and one cannot help a certain dislike when the same attitude is employed in an extremely im portant and serious purpose. Assuredly the feeling o f certainty and confidence which I had during these meetings and from the firs t contact was an absolute guarantee to me, but the manner in which the last meeting had been carried ou t pleased me. A t all events, I fe lt no surprise when I was sent to Athens the week before Easter from Paris, and returned the fo llow ing Tuesday, there was no Easter fo r me tha t year.

Athens! The most beauttful climate in the world they say, but above all what a strange impression o f the eternal past fo r the visitor who cannot ignore the inevitable presence o f the monuments. There are, however, few traces o f the marvellous antiqu ity in Athens but there is an 'atmosphere' and there is the Parthenon. It is enough, w ith e ffo rt, to turn the thought to the long past centuries when everyone gathered here under the kind ly protection o f divine Athens. As others have done before me, each stay in Athens takes me on a pilgrimage to the celebrated h ill where, amongst the stones o f the Temple, there came fo rth again the hopes, aspirations and traditions o f the whole people. To have a strange encounter in Athens therefore did not displease me.

The last experience had taught me tha t i t was no good to try and force events (in the sacred sense o f the word). I t was enough to be ready and w ait calm ly. I did nothing then after my arrival than attend to tha t which had taken me to Athens. I d id it w ithou t any haste, w ith o u t surprise at the delay, or at the silence o f him whom I had the right to expect after that which had been to ld me. On Saturday morning at the moment I gave my key to the concierge he gave me a white envelope w ith o u t anything on it except the number o f my room, w ritten by the hand o f the concierge. I opened hastily. On a half sheet o f paper typew ritten , only these words: today, 6 o 'clock and the address of a street which I placed close to the Place de la C onstitution, but in the direction o f the celebrated Plaka. A ll day I waited calm ly although I was filled w ith an understandable curiosity. A t 5 o 'clock I returned to my hotel and after a short m editation, I called a taxi. I showed the paper to the driver and took it back again at once.

What a strange experience the taxis o f Athens give to the visitor! It is incomprehensible that one can arrive at a destination w ithou t damage after such terrible driving and such a brutal shaking. Greek drivers as artists in dilettantism are surpassed only by the Turks, particularly in Istanbul. But one always arrives at one's destination and is that not the essential thing?

The street is very narrow and little frequented, also very dark. The taxi stopped in fron t o f a building w ith o u t any particular characteristic and I got out. But now what should I do? The building was several stories high and no doubt housed several d ifferent families. I was extremely perplexed, however, w ithou t any fear. I waited patiently in fron t of the door where I stood in a way to be perfectly visible to anyone inside who was awaiting a visitor. A t 6 o'clock precisely the door opened and a man smiled at me courteously. Good evening sir, w ill you please fo llow me.

I did so. He had not made the usual sign. W ithout doubt he would turn out to be someone charged w ith introducing me. On the firs t floo r in fro n t o f a big door on the left, he waited a few seconds and when I was close to him, he entered. The door was ajar.When we were inside he closed it, made the Sign and said: "Y o u are welcome," then he led me into a smaller room but furnished w ith refinement. Nothing on the walls but everything here radiated discrim ination and aesthetic taste. A single lamp in a comer was alight, and I saw again the bluish light o f my last encounter in Copenhagen. The same atmosphere filled and dazzled me, I sat down in the large armchair pointed ou t by my host and as I sat down I saw on the table on my right the same photograph that had struck me in Copenhagen. My in terlocutor took a low chair on my left. I was startled.He was not more than tw enty five years old and the beauty o f his features was striking.His light coloured eyes were sparkling w ith life and appeared still brighter in contrast w ith his tanned skin. His face seemed almost childish under his carefully brushed brown hair. But I waited fo r what he had to say. Then he began.

"Y o u must accept w ith confidence. Others than I have already spoken to you and my role is d ifferent. A t Copenhagen you were to ld o f our ways o f temporal action and I was told o f your question regarding the United Nations. Perhaps on th inking it over you have already reached some valuable conclusions? The United Nations, until a short time ago the League o f Nations, responded to an inner need o f the peoples. The idea is excellent, but the realization is not. A t least there is progress and such an organization, should it serve as a brake to the anger o f the people, is already incontestably useful. One finds, however, w ith in it the same imperfections which mark each nation: self interested interventions, regrettable influences and efforts to use all as Justification fo r national action, even if this action is wrong, and seen to be dangerous. However, such as it is, this organisation is possible o f improvement, and the High Council takes note o f it. It is far

from being disinterested in the w ork o f the United Nations. In any case, as long as this organization exists, it operates there as it does elsewhere and that which you now know regarding its work in other spheres applies there in the same manner. You can apply the same reasoning to all valuable organisations created by man. The High Council can directly or indirectly bring in to being the original. It can but leave it if it proves no good, but it takes everything tha t can help it in its mission in the service o f the w orld. There are those,I am sure, who w ill complete your inform ation, but our meeting today has a higher object. I want to tell you o f our ways, how shall I say . . . o f our exceptional ways . . . D ifferent, that is the exact word. These ways your function w ill allow you to understand, your function and also your training in the bosom o f a considerable organisation, your Order which we love and respect, and o f which we know the performance, in spite o f inevitable d ifficu lties those o f the world and o f less enlightened beings whose ego misdirects them in making them believe in their w orth or their knowledge to f i ll up their frightening emptiness w ith in . There is not fo r them any other place than where they are and even your Order in their eyes carries imperfections which they alone, poor fools, can efface. Such critics exist everywhere. Th ink o f them w ith kindness. They cannot look at anything w ith o u t measuring it by negative and clever criticism w ith tha t which is greater and w ith o u t that where would they be! We in our work often have to deal w ith temperaments o f this kind. They are found on all levels. But the difference w ith you, you are not authorised even by de fin ition o f a traditional Order charged w ith guiding in freedom to impose or to make use o f "d iffe re n t" means on an individual plane but the High Council is right to do so and it does so. What are these ways? As I have to ld you, you have an inkling o f them certainly but in general, let us go a litt le in detail . . . the High Council, the A . . . . , is in some way the firs t visible link w ith the Cosmic Hierarchy. It must not be confused w ith what you call the High Conclave o f Cosmic Masters, whose plan is d iffe ren t and whose mission is no longer the same. To be precise, and to completethe de fin ition that I am going to give you, let us say that the High Council, the A ..........inso far as it is the firs t visible link w ith the Cosmic Hierarchy, is the fundamental link having fo r its mission the care o f the harmonious development o f hum anity as an organised society throughout the d iffe ren t cycles foreseen through all etern ity. There are twelve o f these cycles, they are symbolized by the Constellations o f the Zodiac, and they each comprise about 24,000 years. A fte r that there is the collective and individual judgm ent and the beginning o f a new state in the twelve cycles. The number twelve must lead you in your meditations, to some fru itfu l conclusions. You w ill see also a tie w ith the number of members in the High Council. Each 'm in ister' then, naturally takes a particular turn according to the current cycle, each cycle having a predominant note in harmony w ith each o f the twelve offices. But you w ill understand also tha t the u n it remains and that each o fficer o f the High Council looks after his own position. However, under the responsibility and spur o f Maha, each o fficer develops his activ ity in accord w ith the central activity o f the cycle o f which one 'm in ister' is the symbol.

"As regards the situation between the tw o planes (the visible and the invisible) I state precisely however that there is only one single plane w ith tw o appearances or manifestations the High Council deals w ith both. Thus it uses the opportunities offered by the visible phase and it has at its disposal the power given by the other phase. The powers do not communicate themselves. They are acquired by study and w ork. More exactly they are nothing in themselves. They are the result. One o f the consequences o f knowledge and acquired experience. Many th ink so much o f these 'powers' that they have forgotten the essential and, naturally, they lose time. As long as they have not progressed beyond this false conception they are in the realms o f psychic illusion which no one can leave save o f their own accord. Thus, the members o f the High Council, the twelve of the A , have by de fin ition reached the stage o f universal knowledge, a degree which involves, as a consequence, the natural acquisition o f exceptional powers. You are not unaware that such knowledge is not attained in one single life! Those who actually compose the High Council have surely undergone a long preparation, and in this life they are born in advance o f others from the po in t o f view o f general evolution. They have had, you understand, to synthesise, to come into focus, if you like, and their mission being in some way cosmically ordained and prepared, and when the call o f the High Council reached them, they had, in this life, already attained an advanced degree o f 'realization'.

"A fterw ards they receive a special tra in ing in view o f their mission, and the time came when they were invested in to their o ffice the moment came, that is to say when one o f the twelve le ft this physical plane. Amongst the 'powers' given to the members o f the High Council, there is naturally, in the firs t place, an exact knowledge o f the date o f their decease. None o f the twelve attaches any importance to the length o f his life. Their evolution is too high fo r that. They know that L ife is Eternal and that to leave this plane is already to prepare to return to it under a new material envelope. So they fu lfil their mission and employ all their energy, all their force, w ith o u t worrying whether their efforts w ill cu t short the length o f an incarnation. However, they must th ink o f their successor and this is one o f their greatest responsibilities. Periodically therefore they each individually have to determine the degree to which their bodies may be used, much as the owner o f a m otor car can decide whether it can serve fo r three, five or ten years more. In that which concerns the twelve, their periodic individual examination enables them to see if their work necessitates a normal amount o f energy or considerably more and they draw their own conclusion. A member o f the High Council knows in this way the year o f his departure from the physical w orld. It follows that if his successor is not ready, he must prolong his existence until the moment comes. He w ill no t use fo r this purpose any exceptional means. He w ill content himself w ith reducing his activities, thus keeping the necessary energy. He w ill slow down the normal rhythm leading inevitably to death. Until w ith certainty his successor is ready fo r the High Council. You can, after this explanation, also understand that the functions are hereditary cosmically speaking. Each office w ill

pass from him who has occupied it to a successor prepared fo r it and thus continue it. It is thus even w ith the functions o f Maha. On the physical, one finds this process, followed in all respects, by the choice o f the Dalai Lama. It is in a lesser degree and, apart from 'beliefs', reflected in a way from tha t which happens w ith us.

"The power o f thought o f the members o f the High Council o f the A . . . . , is considerable, particularly tha t o f our venerated Maha. No one however uses it to compel, except in extremely rare cases, when the destiny o f the world would be at stake and the decision, as to what shall be done, is then made by Maha, after he has discussed it w ith the High Council called to a special meeting. There is not amongst us any abuse o f these powers. A t our level, the sense o f mission is too pure fo r the idea o f abusive use to enter our thought. We know how to make a screen if necessary so that no one w ithou t our knowledge can influence another. Our power o f thought is employed in the line o f our w ork, according to rigorously defined patterns that we know perfectly well, so perfectly that it is a fixed rule and we act autom atically. Under certain circumstances, this power w ill act o f itself, as if a trigger had been pulled, and then the problem solved, all w ill return to order. Of course we can also read characters, but this is not ligh tly done and the same automatic reaction o f which I have just spoken is established in us in this regard.Therefore, if they wish 'to see other people' it is simple fo r the members o f the High Council, and all o f them have acquired enough mastership to draw the necessary conclusions, never to show their deductions and to say nothing, even if he who is thus tested w ith o u t his knowledge, deliberately follows a plan and pursues objectives which his promises and his words do no t show in the ir true intention.

"Each o f us obviously possesses Cosmic Memory but fo r example each member o f the High Council centres his inner attention only on those lives which concern his own field o f action. However, during the periodic reunion when it is a question o f dealing w ith an im portant w orld po in t, such as the control o f something or to verify the conclusions o f the High Council as to the "State o f the W orld " w ith regard to the cycle or to the level which is necessary to be attained, if an idea proves itself useful and is known to have been already registered in the Cosmic Memory, then all o f the in form ation is o f capitalimportance and Maha alone, or w ith one or several Members o f the A ..........tunes in to itand harmonizes w ith the vibrations o f the universal records.

"A ll is known to Maha, and he more easily than all the others can proceed physically in such and such a po in t if he wishes, but this way is not used in a systematic manner. A ll the same, each o f us can meet Maha, or the other members o f the High Council in this fashion. Between ourselves this means is employed extremely often. However, our mission necessitates the use o f reasoning and that is why our periodic reunions take place. A ll decisions and all actions o f long duration are determined during the course o f these

reunions and i t is during the reunions tha t they are assessed. Psychic contacts do not serve fo r the precise details needed in carrying it out.

"The united High Council represents, so to speak, the hierarchical summit of hum anity, the meeting point between the tw o planes o f which I spoke just now. It is charged w ith a mission from on High and it guides, from where it is, those who govern below it. So it happens that if hum anity together cries under the weight of a burden that it has imposed upon itself by its own acts, we have to turn to the Most High to ask assistance fo r it. We transform in some way to a higher degree, the need that we have fe lt below. But employing that knowledge which has been placed at our disposal we apply this also to the actual situation, and you w ill see to what I was alluding since one o f the degrees o f your great Order teaches the Law o f Assumption.

" I want, however, after all these explanations, to state exactly tha t our role remains the Guidance o f Humanity towards the goal assigned to it not a forced guidance, but certainly a V ig ilant guidance and our action, you are beginning to understand it now, is considerable. Yes, in some regards the High Council is tru ly the occult government o f the w orld, but an enlightened government, respecting liberty as long as it does not interfere w ith the forward march o f the planet, and does not intervene in w orld ly affairs save fo r the good o f all men . . . "

My host had talked w ith closed eyes, hands clasped, in a slow persuasive voice. I was too interested to in terrupt him , although certain questions came to my mind. A t this point o f his discourse I could not however refrain from saying: "A nd the wars which have devastated humanity? And the people who suffer the misery o f famine? Why did you not intervene in such tragic circumstances?"

He replied: " I was expecting your question, and as far as I can see, in effect, it is well to enlighten you immediately in relation to our conversation today. To begin w ith , ifyou th ink o f the Role o f the High Council, o f the A ..........such as has been explained toyou at length in the successive conversations which you have had by privilege w ith the others you w ill understand that we cannot intervene in the incessant process of disintegration and reconstruction to which hum anity in its entirety is subject. We cannot restrict the freewill o f men nor hold back tha t which, by the play o f this freewill, the catastrophies it produces o f which hum anity is at fault. Certainly, in many ways we give out warnings to men, we remind them of the horrors o f war. In spite o f everything, they sink in to the cataclysm, our role consists in making sure that their error does not react in any way on the proper cyclic rhythm . On the other hand we assist positive works. Associations fo r help, Charitable movements which come about during the Negative act engendered by hum anity. It is evident also tha t we shall do everything to reduce the

duration of events so tragic, but hum anity must firs t learn suffic iently the lesson tha t it has imposed upon itse lf."

"D o not forget that the world is a crucible where destiny evolves itself. That is true fo r the individual plane as fo r the collective. There are universal Laws which it is our first task to respect, fo r they are the evolution o f mankind. Now, amongst these laws, there is that which is called Karma, so litt le known to most people. Hum anity, as the individual, must learn by Karma which in any case is not punishment. Karma has its origin in hum anity, and it finds in hum anity its results. War is a manifestation o f collective Karma. It is the result o f actions as well as the thoughts o f men. The solution to war, the installation o f Permanent Peace, depends upon men and upon men only. It is the same w ith all sociological troubles and others and if, in the last analysis, the world does well in spite o f its errors, it is to our positive action that i t w ill owe all. In times o f peace, we do not cease w orking to instruct men, to sow in them w ith all our m ight the seeds o f understanding that which they must avoid before new catastrophy. But hum anity must learn and progress. To do this i t w ill always have problems to surmount. They are the necessary spur, as are in a lesser degree personal problems fo r the individual evolution. There is in the whole universe and on all levels, perfect concord. The day when the individual as well as the whole o f hum anity conforms to universal laws, all the problems w ill be resolved, and the story o f this planet achieved.

"The problem of misery and famine explains itself in the same way, but there is no doubt at all that Karma is accumulated by those who have food being uninterested in those who are hungry and who do nothing to resolve the problem. It w ill result sooner or later in co n flic t although on this side, the High Council works hard to create solutions and to establish true equilibrium . This has been our practice fo r many years. One needs of course the co-operation o f men. If they are refractory to the impulses which we give them w ith all our means they w ill carry the responsibility fo r a worsened s ituation which w ill degenerate in to catastrophy. We try to foresee all eventualities, and understand this well, they are foreseen. The greatest sin o f man is egotism. As long as he fails to eradicate this from his heart, man w ill con fron t grave problems and, as to the High Council, it w ill continue to keep watch.

"T ha t is all that it has been my mission to reveal to you. For several months you w ill hear nothing more from us, but you can verify that which you have been told in examining the world and its events in the light o f our revelations. You w ill see our hand. Do not consider any event o f m inor importance. Give your attention to all. Your next meeting w ith a member of the High Council w ill not take place before the last months of 1966. You w ill be forewarned in a clear manner. A llow this inform ation to be useful to you and allow it, when the times comes, to be useful to others, bringing them light, hope and certainty, that all in this well-ordered universe is foreseen and that hum anity is not alone or abandoned."

My inform ant stood up. He radiated serenity and peace. He immediately made the usual sign, o f which I still knew not the meaning and perhaps I never should know it. He accompanied me to the door o f the house w ith o u t adding a word. There he smiled and gave me his hand. I t was the firs t tim e that one o f my informants had used this courtesy.I bowed and shook it. A fte r having le ft I went on fo o t to the Place o f the C onstitution where I called a taxi to return to my hotel.

There I searched, but in vain, the paper on which was w ritten the address. I did not th ink I had lost i t , at leas t. . . but what did it m atter! I am certain that these places where I am entertained are but occasional 'pied-a-terre' to meet the need, and that immediately afterwards they are returned to their normal use. Everything is 'atmosphere' in these meetings. These beings and their fascinating purpose are the only memories fixed in the mind. A t the moment I w rite these lines I ask myself if I would be capable o f finding again that street in Athens w ith o u t error. On the other hand I can evoke w ithou t d iffic u lty the face o f this th ird stranger. I hear still his voice, his message . . . .

FOURTH MEETING

I had, in fact, a long tim e to wait before meeting a new inform er. The months passed by un til the signal was given to me, and thus I had plenty o f tim e to verify the acquired knowledge. A t firs t, I had a tendency to seek the application in major events, they did apply certainly but, when afterwards I started to pay attention to less im portant circumstances and even m inor ones, tha t which had been revealed to me became a key giving to things the ir true significance and their real charge, tim e has always passed qu ick ly . A t no tim e in the midst o f these strange encounters have I been subjected to pressures against my office and tha t which it implies in w ork o f all sorts. I had fe lt in the presence o f my informants the greatest respect fo r the Rosicrucian Order AMORC and I had noticed w ith satisfaction that they placed it very high. It was plain that they wished only fo r some reason, to instruct me in exact things concerning an essential link w ith our w orld . I accept them as I had been asked, w ith o u t reserve or afterthought.

It was during the month o f August 1966 that I was informed o f the place and date o f the next tw o meetings: Lisbon and Istanbul. These tw o meetings were to take place before the end o f the year. As, fo r the firs t time, tw o places had been fixed w ith precision.I gathered that they were o f particular importance and that they would be perhaps the last. I am sure now that they were indeed o f very special importance. I am not so sure that they w ill tu rn o u t to be the last, although I can easily understand tha t there w ill be no more arranged periodical meetings w ith a defin ite objective fo r my inform er. As regards new unusual meetings, who knows? There is always something to learn and such Beings know this better than anyone.

In November 1966 then, I was in Lisbon. I went there on a mission in the service of our Order and I was to meet several members there. A t the same tim e I was to be contacted there by another in terlocutor. It has always struck me and was o f considerable value to me, that never had any one o f these unusual meetings, in any way at all, interrupted my w ork, or upset the accomplishment o f any o f my duties. They are always "in tegrated" w ith my normal activities in an astonishing manner, and I appreciated this fact fo r i t is clear, I would have had to anticipate such an eventuality. One is never asked to give up anything by anyone. Everything is simple, and such sim plic ity under the circumstances, fo r one who knows, a gauge o f authentic ity.

Lisbon, one o f those towns o f the world bu ilt on seven hills, is extremely attractive for the strange visitor. Certainly, in this country which suffers under grave economic d ifficu lties, one always feels an immense compassion fo r the people w ho struggle all the time fo r survival. A ll the same, few towns have such attraction, and one cannot help remembering that Portugal was once part o f that continent which has now disappeared, Atlantis.

The Hotel Ritz is o f recent construction and nowhere could meeting and private conversation be more easy. The great rooms often empty, litt le rooms giving every guarantee o f quietness, perm it the most confidential discussions sheltered from any curiosity. I t was in one o f the lower ground flo o r salons that I met my visitor, and fo r nearly tw o hours, we were able to converse together w ithou t being once upset or interrupted. I had been to ld previously o f the day and the tim e by telephone and there was therefore nothing unforeseen to be expected. Nevertheless, there was something.

When on the day arranged, I was inform ed that I was awaited, and went down into the immense hall, there was a large crowd o f people there, w ithou t doubt one o f the organized tours o f which there are more and more these days. I was on my way then, towards the bureau o f the concierge, when casting a glance to my right, I saw someone who was looking at me w ith intensity. I recognized immediately, it was he whose photograph I had seen at tw o o f my meetings. It was MAHA. Two men accompanied him.I was in an inward state d iffic u lt to analyse, happy and staggered at the same time. As I approached him he rapidly and discretely made the sign seen before w ithou t folding in any finger. 1 had not tim e to ask myself much about this or to guess if th is was the complete sign or if Maha alone could salute thus. I bowed respectfully w ithou t a word and then asked him where he wished to hold our conversation. "Here, he said. I suggested to him one o f the salons which I had previously noticed to be very quiet. He agreed and we went there. His tw o companions did not come w ith us. We met them again later on.

Maha is one o f the most extraordinary men that I have ever met. He seems to be about f i f ty years old and he is very tall. His face is shining w ith serenity, but his eyes, it was his eyes above all which are astonishing; they are extremely clear, of a colour impossible to define. His whole being is in them. One could see nothing else, and if anyone asked me to describe Maha I would only be able to say 'he has eyes'. They are veritably the eyes o f a w orld, o f a universe. One learns from them and one rests in them at the same time. Certainly one would be able to avoid speaking and 'communicate' by looking at them.

Thus I had before me the one whom certain people have called the King o f the World, as those in past times have called him who carried such a charge. I am not impressed w ith titles and I never have been. I know too well the disastrous effect they can have on the personality and the psychology o f certain people. But fo r the man who was there, no title was necessary to distinguish him . His Presence was sufficient.

We sat down in a comer of the vast salon, face to face, separated by a rectangular table. I was ready to listen to Maha, or better to 'communicate' w ith him and he certainly sensed it. An in fin ite kindness bathed his countenance. What a privilege fo r our earth to have such men to guard it!

He began: "Three of my collaborators have come to you up to now to give you in form ation o f considerable importance which you have received and accepted as you were asked to do. This inform ation has been as precise and to an extent that you now have an extremely clear perception o f the High Council and its mission. As well also of its ways and actions. It was tim e that these revelations should be made and this exact in form ation given, fo r our w ork has been the subject o f many errors and on false assumptions strange systems have been bu ilt contrary to the tru th . So these things had to be said that are said now. I have nothing to add to that which you have been to ld , fo r my collaborators have explained perfectly and su ffic iently fu lly . I only wish to perfect certain points.

"The High Council has all power, but it holds it in reserve, and never uses it. This power is the possibility o f putting in to work all natural and Cosmic forces, if there were need, to prevent this earth from going to such extremes that the universe o f which it is part, would be upset in its fundamental equilibrium . If such a thing were to happen, it would be better, in effect, if this planet became a dead star, but do not fear such a thing, which is our mission to guard against. Perhaps you have not imagined yet what such a work as ours implies? It is necessary, in the course o f the ages, that a d ifferent organisation watches w ith o u t ceasing, the development of material civilisation and that which you have been told concerns the present epoch on which the future w ill now be accomplished w ith o u t an e ffo rt o f adaptation.

"C erta in ly, the'present High Council has inherited the wisdom o f its predecessors and it possesses fu ll archives absolutely complete in all respects. These archives are well guarded and they are kept in the same place as in the past. Not one o f the events which henceforth concerns the entire earth w ill lead to their destruction.

"N o 'regime' would be able to hinder us from consulting them in case o f need. The rise o f civilization can lead certain people to th ink tha t there is nothing more to discover and that every inch o f the planet is known. What a mistake! As much as in the past and perhaps more than in the past the world is a secret world and a world o f mysteries. The High Council looks after the earth, its surface and the atmosphere which surrounds it. To use common terms which however cannot apply to the High Council, our trad ition is preserved since the beginning w ith o u t any alteration and the documents and all works are at our disposal past human understanding.

"We are in direct comm unication w ith the Sacred College, which, on this earth, has fo r its mission the guarding o f the permanence o f religious thought in the greatest sense o f the word and the preparation o f 'reserved' knowledge which is destined for the few who m erit it . I t is tha t which w ith o u t doubt, caused confusion in the mind of Saint-Yves d'Alveydre. Some o f his in form ation was exact and he has done incontestably

useful work in his tim e, but, he united in a single body that which was separate. The High Council is assuredly a theocratic power but it is, let us say, a civil power by comparison w ith the Cosmic mission o f the Sacred College and that which it implies in the matter o f in itia tion and evolution. We have the responsibility o f the World. The Sacred College has the responsibility o f souls. If our collaboration is direct, our action is d ifferent and you are not unaware o f its object. It is equally an error to speak o f a struggle on our part against the so-called forces o f evil. Evil is the absence o f good. It is an emptiness to be filled in. There are men who, in their th inking, keep up evil and its tragic consequences or manifestations man to man and people to people a struggle o f a thing non-existant in itself and there is no such thing in our work. We help the understanding of good and its progressive founding as a consequence of such understanding. In other words, as you have been to ld , our action is positive and it is also in this field.

"N o t long ago we would meet in the same place, that is true. Nowadays, the place o f our reunions is variable. We fix it according to current events and we choose those towns where our presence alone w ill bear fru it rapidly. It is useful also to be on the spot, to know by the vibratory quality o f the place what is the origin o f an imbalance or o f a grave event. Now, the event does not always have its origin there or produce it. It is often from another source, and which we already know is controlled on the spot, as it were, in order to determine if the cycle o f the event w ill draw quickly to its normal end and make a simple page o f history, or whether our intervention is desirable w ithou t interfering too much w ith the great idea o f Human Liberty. A fte r all, our domain is the world and our mission is not confined to a particular te rrito ry . For each of us to go everywhere we unite periodically in d iffe ren t places to review the situation. I t is our task in the interest of the world and fo r that nothing is useless. We have very often saved hum anity from terrible trials that it brings w ith o u t reason on itself because a reunion held in a certain town has perm itted the High Council to take immediate action in the requisite efficacious intervention.

"O ur difficulties? They are human conceptions often d iffic u lt to transmute and do not forget we cannot go in opposition to free-will, whether it be individual or collective.In an organisation like ours you often come across the incomprehension o f those o f many sects, critics or fanatics when their science is booklearned or incomplete. Because they have acquired some knowledge, and their reference 'carries a name' they have taken this knowledge and made it their own and everything outside it, everything the least d ifferent from it, is heresy, error or sin. If you do not fo llo w them in their knowledge, their foolishness leads them to abrupt condemnation, and they obey, in addition, some idea coming from their am bition or their deception and they w ill not hesitate before using the most doubtfu l means to try and gain their ends. But you w ill know that it is in vain and that such activities injure no-one but their authors. You take no notice o f them and just

go on. Well, due allowance being made and strange though this may appear, one finds at times the same situation at world level. The normal enfoldm ent o f a cycle is sometimes the target o f false wisdom and erroneous conceptions. More exactly these conceptions tend to 'clog up ' the w orld in a static state considered by them as de fin ite ly valid. The High Council does not stop to figh t them. It helps the opening o f new ideas and a more advanced 'clim ate', o f a kind which in the last analysis, are far beyond their authors and the ir lim ited conceptions, appearing to all, save to some backward disciples, as antiquated and w ith o u t actual value.

'There fore , each time you wish to evaluate the work o f the High Council, o f theA ..........th ink about its way o f positive action first. Consider only this side in all events, as"Negative" if it can appear to the human po in t o f view. Call to mind the Constant Presence o f the High Council and make yourself determine its action beyond appearances and vicissitudes. How do I see the w orld o f tom orrow? (The Maha had certainly read this question in my thoughts.) The world in detail, and in the movements o f its progression, is that which is made by men themselves. Our role is, you understand, to evaluate this progression all together in relation to the current cycle. Now we have established that an im portant slowing up had been accumulated in the past and the new cycle necessitated that this slowing up be made good. This has been done rapidly by a double pressure: the one on youth and the other on scientific knowledge. The world is thus adjusted to the new conditions obtained by this double pressure and its stabilisation is progressing, more exactly 'synthesising' in view o f new pressure since, by de fin ition the cycle is movement.

"The w orld has, however, fo r the time being escaped a terrib le danger that o f a bloody confrontation o f tw o ideologies. One o f them was necessary in the country where it began. It has brought about a rapid evolution o f a whole people, but the rest o f the world in progressing is approaching it slowly and itself has been held back by the rest o f the world so that there is allowed a possibility o f exchange and that this possibility w ill grow w ith time to the po in t o f becoming a close collaboration. A ll that has been part o f the normal evolution o f the world and indeed the High Council quite often has had to intervene w ith all the means at its disposal. But another ideology has grown up and is developing in an extremely populated te rrito ry . There is risk o f its becoming a danger fo r it is no longer a question o f the confrontation o f tw o ideologies (or even three) but o f con flic t between tw o races and even between the East and the West, one half o f the globe against the other. You w ill understand that this danger is very real and it could lead to the premature finish o f this planet, and as a consequence, the in terruption o f the established unfoldm ent o f the cycle. Therefore the High Council is not ind ifferent to such a situation and its intervention is justified. Moreover, it is in progress. To understand it, it w ill suffice that you refer to that which was explained to you by one o f my collaborators.

" I f we reach the goal and we get there always by way of change the world w ill reach on its own accord, an acceptable way o f life . Com petition w ill adjust itself by the standard o f economy. It w ill o ffer a considerable field o f experiences which w ill contribute to the normal unfoldm ent o f the cycle as well as offering to the individual the means o f evolution, uninterrupted even if the circumstances are new. I do not pretend tha t there w ill never be a recourse to arms, one cannot prevent children from fighting BUT it w ill always be a question o f threats and not o f wars. A t the very least such is the objective pursued by the High Council to save the world from cruel and useless experiences. The world naturally guards its libe rty ; it has its say, but we have sown in the human consciousness, above all among the young people, such a horror o f war and such a th irst fo r Peace and com fort that war must be removed fo r ever. As to the people where the seeds o f peace do not germinate or germinate too slowly, they w ill have their in terior problems and these problems w ill be o f such a nature that to resolve them w ill take the time and the energy which would have been employed in a worse manner. Thus misfortune w ill be lim ited let us say fo r a tim e but I prefer to say the manifestation o f Karma.

"So all is in order. The w orld is in the rhythm o f its actual cycle and already the High Council is busy in advancing certain phases o f human activ ity , o f which the development is awaited in the new cycle. There is a concise reply to your question, concise, but having in itself the complete solution o f all the questions that you might have been led to ask.

" I can th ink o f nothing else to say to you. Your in form ation is now complete. I believe that that which w ill have the most influence from your meetings w ith us, apart from the in form ation which you have been given, is the contact itself. You have learned nothing by hearsay. There has been between you and us a to ta l exchange which creates the presence, the vibratory flo w and the power of the word. A ll is done and nothing can ever raise in you a doubt because you have seen and heard. We shall meet once again in exceptional circumstances. Be at Istanbul between 23rd December and the 2nd January. Now fo r a few minutes let us unite in m edita tion."

Maha clasped his hands on his breast and closed his eyes. I joined my hands but my eyes did not leave his face. His whole being seemed bathed in light, and this light came to me, surrounding me . . . I lost consciousness in a rare communion. It was Maha himself who called me back to the objective w orld. He had resumed his habitual appearance, already so shining in itself, and smiled.

Maha rose, making the same sign as he had made at the beginning o f our meeting. What emptiness there would be fo r me when he had gone! I could not repress the impulse which moved me. I seized his hand and kissed it respectfully. I fe lt his other hand resting on my head and fe lt the power o f his benediction . . . but already he was moving away

fo llowed by his companions. I do no t know fo r how long I remained there w ithou t moving . . . moment which seemed a whole life tim e.

STRANGE ENCOUNTERS

FIFTH MEETING

Istanbul! The town w ith five hundred mosques, fou r hundred and f i f ty churches, f i f ty synagogues. Old Byzantium fu ll o f memories, ancient Constantinople o f mysterious history, meeting place between East and West.

I arrived at Istanbul on December 23rd 1966 about 7 o 'clock in the evening and was hardly in the taxi which took me to my hotel when I struck by the temperament o f these people fo r whom everything is a reason fo r commerce . . . even money. The driver immediately suggested a much more advantageous exchange, he said, than the offic ia l exchange, and it was true, but I noticed later that one could obtain from other sources an exchange still more advantageous, better by nearly 30% than the legal rate! In the middle o f the month, Ramadan, all the Mosques are illum inated throughout Istanbul and certain quotations from the Koran l i t up the night w ith all the ir fires on certain illum inated buildings. The most absolute tolerance reigns in this country which A ta turk, whom the Turks hold in deep veneration, has regenerated. No ecclesiastic is forbidden to carry ou t his office in any cu lt and this law applies equally to Muslims, Jews and Christians. A ta turk ordained in fact the liberty o f all religions but w ith this restriction:" In Mosque, Church, Temple or Synagogue you have complete liberty to use the ornaments or religious vestments o f your choice, as well as to worship God in the religion which is yours. Outside you behave as other m en."

I was privileged at Istanbul to have an exceptional driver and I shall always remember Mehmet. He was a man o f s ixty eight years, appearing far less, w ith an impressive breadth o f shoulder. His eyes behind th ick glasses sparkled w ith malice and intelligence. He spoke perfect French, quite good English and he was then learning Spanish. The day after my arrival when he came to place himself at my disposal, he drew a deep breath and commenced solemnly: "Istanbul was once known as Byzantium . . . " and I was right in the middle o f the most complete history that it was possible to wish for. I owe to Mehmet unique explanations on the life , the customs and psychology o f the Turkish people. This man o f a high m orality, knew quite well how to commend the virtues o f his people and to regret their imperfections, but philosophically he concluded: "Today is better than yesterday and tom orrow w ill be better than to d a y ." It was w ith him that I attended the blue Mosque, at a Muslim service of which the sim plicity and the fervour must strike the stranger in this country. I was the only one in ordinary dress and neither he nor any of the fa ith fu l, the men far more numerous than the women who were in an enclosure reserved fo r them at the entrance, took any notice o f my presence. A ll, young and old, joined in the ceremony.

The contact w ith me was made in the Cathedral in terrupting the second chapter o f what Mehmet already called his 'docum entary' and I could see his fear when he saw tw o strangers approaching me. I recognized them. They were the tw o companions o f Maha at Lisbon. From a message received at my hotel I knew tha t I should meet these tw o strangers there on the 28th December at 3 o'clock but I had said nothing to Mehmet about this meeting. So when I to ld him that I would stay w ith tw o people he had never seen w ith me and having to ld him previously tha t I was alone in Istanbul, I do not know what he thought, but he looked at me astounded and replied " I have seen nothing and heard nothing. I wish to know noth ing ." He often repeated this phrase later and it was one of the last things tha t he said when he took me again to the a irport on the 3rd January.

Leaving Mehmet, I got in to the car o f the messengers and we departed. Who were the messengers? I was to learn a little later on tha t they were part o f the twelve, bu t I suspected it. For one thing, as had already been to ld me the High Council was not known save to those who were members and these tw o men had accompanied Maha to Lisbon fo r a special offic ia l reunion. Secondly, they both irradiated the same "ha rm o n y" that I had notice in other interlocutors. Lastly I experienced in their presence the same feeling of certainty and confidence tha t had filled me ever since the firs t m