HUMILITY OF THE MYSTIC ASPIRANTS

As a young friend to two great Christian Mystics, I was privileged to learn profound lessons from them—lessons that have remained guiding principles in my own life. Their lives were not only instructive but also luminous, embodying principles that harmonized with both the Rosicrucian fellowship and the timeless wisdom of Christ. One of their central teachings, which remains engraved upon my heart, was the injunction never to attack anyone under any circumstance. They often reminded me that true spiritual strength is not found in retaliation but in forgiveness and peace of mind. They explained with patience and clarity that once a person initiates an attack or provoke another; they can never fully know how far the chain of consequences will spread. Negative forces, once triggered, take on a life of their own, extending into realms and relationships beyond our sight or control. Therefore, the wisest path is to never begin such actions at all.

Peace, they said, is not merely the absence of conflict but the conscious decision to avoid sowing seeds of disharmony. They would sometimes phrase it in simple yet arresting words: “Do not stir the forces of darkness, for once awakened; you do not know how far their ripples shall reach.” A harsh word, a reckless provocation, a moment of anger—these are seeds sown into the soil of karma, and their harvest is never sweet. Instead, they urged forgiveness, for forgiveness disarms the unseen powers that thrive on conflict and grants the soul peace that surpasses understanding. Beyond forgiveness, another aspect they strongly emphasized was the cultivation of self-reliance and the practice of inner examination. They taught that each soul must learn to believe in its inner strength, to trust in the Divine spark within, and to constantly examine itself with honesty. Such self-examination reveals both strengths and weaknesses, making it possible for one to grow without pride and to correct without despair. “Know thyself,” they would say, echoing ancient wisdom, “for in knowing thyself, you prepare the vessel for Light.”

Another Rosicrucian principle they embodied was the command to “live the life.” To live the life is to transform ideals into action to cultivate a healthy environment, to forgive freely, to care deeply, to love genuinely, and to let one’s daily conduct serve as a silent but radiant example for others. These two mystics Mr. Afagbegee and Prof. Djondo did not merely repeat these values as teachings; they incarnated them as a lived reality. They also warned against two subtle but destructive energies: anger and self-righteous criticism. Anger, they said, is a heavy and corrosive force that not only disturbs one’s inner peace but also poisons the atmosphere around them. Similarly, indulging in wanton criticism of others, especially when clothed in the garment of self-righteousness, creates an equally damaging karmic burden. Both, they warned, generate currents that eventually return to the sender, delaying progress and weighing down the spirit’s upward journey. Those who came into contact with these men often left transformed. Many carried away new realizations that would shape their lives. Their lives were not simply their own; they became lanterns of humility and love for all who sought wisdom. Like living parables, they showed that greatness is not measured in monuments or titles, but in how one uplifts others.

For us who were privileged to walk beside them, the gratitude is immense and unending. Their legacy is written not in stone but in hearts; not in accolades but in the quiet testimony of lives touched and changed. Truly, they walked the length and breadth of this world with the singular aim of making it a better place. And in their humility, forgiveness, and peace, they left behind a fragrance of Light that shall not fade.