Max Heindel facts for kids

Max Heindel (1865–1919)

Max Heindel (born Carl Louis von Grasshoff, July 23, 1865 – January 6, 1919) was a Danish-American Christian who studied hidden spiritual knowledge, stars, and deep spiritual experiences. He wrote many books about these topics.

Early Life
His Journey and Studies
Death
His Books
See also

Early Life

Max Heindel was born in Aarhus, Denmark. His family, the von Grasshoffs, was noble and connected to the German Court. His father, Francois L. von Grasshoff, moved to Copenhagen and married a Danish noblewoman. They had two sons and one daughter. Carl Louis von Grasshoff was their older son. He later used the pen name Max Heindel.

When he was six, his father died. This left his mother with three young children and not much money. So, Max Heindel grew up in a family that was noble but poor. His mother used her small income to pay for private teachers for her children. She wanted them to keep their place in society as noble people.

His Journey and Studies

At sixteen, Heindel left home to study engineering. He worked at shipyards in Glasgow, Scotland. He became a Chief Engineer on a trading ship and traveled a lot. Later, he worked on large passenger ships for the Cunard Line that sailed between America and Europe.

From 1895 to 1901, he worked as an engineer in New York City. During this time, he got married and had a son and two daughters. His wife passed away in 1905.

In 1903, Max Heindel moved to Los Angeles, California, looking for work. He went to talks by a spiritual teacher named C.W. Leadbeater. He then joined the Theosophical Society in Los Angeles. He became its vice-president in 1904 and 1905. He also became a vegetarian. He started studying astrology, which is the study of how stars and planets might affect people. He felt astrology helped him understand people's inner selves. Around this time, he met Augusta Foss, who would become his future wife.

In 1905, he became very ill with heart problems from working too much and not having enough. He was close to death for many months. After he got better, he said he felt more aware of what people needed. He also said that during his illness, he felt like he was out of his body. He believed he was working and searching for truth on invisible spiritual levels.

From 1906 to 1907, he began giving talks to share his spiritual knowledge. He started in San Francisco and then went to Seattle. After giving talks there, he had to go to the hospital again for heart trouble. But he didn't give up. He continued lecturing in the northwestern United States.

Max Heindel, photographed near the Iguazu Falls in Misiones, Argentina

In late 1907, while giving successful talks in Minnesota, he traveled to Berlin (Germany). His friend, Dr. Alma Von Brandis, had asked him to go for months. Heindel went to hear talks by Rudolf Steiner, another spiritual teacher. During his short time in Germany, he greatly admired Steiner. He even dedicated his most important book to Steiner, calling him an "esteemed teacher and valued friend." He attended several talks and met Steiner a few times. He learned about spiritual truths from Steiner, who later started Anthroposophy. However, Heindel also felt that Steiner could not help him further on his own spiritual path.

Heindel said that he had decided to return home, feeling his trip to Germany was not helpful. But then, he claimed he was visited by the spiritual body of a being who called himself an Elder Brother of the Rosicrucian Order. This Order, Heindel said, exists on inner spiritual worlds and was formed in 1313. It is not directly connected to physical groups that use the same name. Heindel claimed the Elder Brother gave him clear and logical information that he could not have known otherwise.

Later, Heindel learned that during an earlier visit, the Elder Brother had tested him. This test was to see if he was worthy to share the Western Wisdom Teachings. Heindel said that only after this test was he told how to reach the spiritual Temple of the Rose Cross. This temple was near the German/Bohemian border. There, he claimed he spoke directly with the Elder Brothers of the Rose Cross. The Rosicrucian Order, he explained, has twelve Elder Brothers and a thirteenth invisible Head. These wise beings, who have gone beyond the cycle of rebirth, are said to guide human progress.

Heindel and Steiner's Connection

Studies on the link between Max Heindel and Rudolf Steiner suggest that Heindel felt Steiner's approach was not right for America. He thought Americans preferred practical and clear thinking. It is also said that Heindel's main book (see next section) has "more far-reaching Teachings." It contains "information not otherwise available" or that needs very advanced spiritual sight to know.

This set of teachings, called Western Wisdom Teachings, was further developed by Heindel. It is not found in Steiner's work or other sources. This is because it includes unique information and spiritual visions. So, it is believed that the similarities between Heindel and Steiner come from a common source. This source is thought to be Rosicrucian influences and teachers.

His Main Book

Heindel returned to America in the summer of 1908. He immediately began writing down the Rosicrucian teachings he had received. These were the Western Wisdom Teachings. He published them in a book called The Rosicrucian Cosmo-Conception in 1909.

This book is an important guide in Christian mysticism and Occult studies. It explains the basics of Esoteric Christianity from a Rosicrucian point of view. The Cosmo gives a full picture of how humans and the universe have grown. It connects the science of his time with religion.

Part I talks about the Visible and Invisible Worlds. It covers humans, how they evolve, rebirth, and the law of cause and effect.
Part II discusses evolution in general. It also looks at the evolution of the Solar System and Earth.
Part III focuses on Christ and His purpose. It also covers the future development of humans, spiritual training, and how to gain spiritual knowledge safely.

The first edition was printed in 1909 and has not changed much since then.

His Spiritual School

From 1909 to 1919, Max Heindel faced serious heart problems and money troubles. But he had a very strong will and lots of energy. He managed to do great work for the Brothers of the Rose Cross. His wife, Augusta Foss, helped and inspired him. They married in August 1910.

Heindel gave successful teaching talks. He sent lessons by mail to students. These students formed groups in many large cities. He wrote many books that have been translated into different languages worldwide. In 1909/11, he founded The Rosicrucian Fellowship at Mount Ecclesia, Oceanside, California. In 1913, he started a Christian spiritual magazine called Rays from the Rose Cross. Most importantly, he began the Fellowship's Spiritual Healing service.

It is said that when he died, his body slowly lowered as if loving hands were holding him. He looked up, smiling at Mrs. Heindel, and spoke his last words: "I am all right dear."

It is also important to know that Max Heindel's work has continued through his students. These students, known as Invisible Helpers, assist the Elder Brothers of the Rose Cross. They help perform Spiritual Healing around the world. This is a special work that the Rosicrucian Order is interested in. It follows the commands of Christ, which are: "Preach the gospel and heal the sick."

Death

Max Heindel died on January 6, 1919, in Oceanside, California, United States.

His Books

Max Heindel wrote many books about his spiritual teachings. Here are some of his most well-known works:

The Rosicrucian Cosmo-Conception (1909)
The Rosicrucian Christianity Lectures (1939)
The Rosicrucian Philosophy in Questions and Answers – Volume I and II
The Rosicrucian Mysteries (1916)
Letters to Students
Gleanings of a Mystic (1922)
Mysteries of the Great Operas (1922)
Teachings of an Initiate (1927)
Ancient and Modern Initiation (1909)
The Web of Destiny (1920)
Freemasonry and Catholicism (1919)
The Vital Body
The Desire Body
The Rosicrucian Principles of Child Training
How Shall We Know Christ at His Coming?
The Mystical Interpretation of Christmas (1920)
The Mystical Interpretation of Easter (1933)
Nature Spirits and Nature Forces
The Message of the Stars (1918)
Simplified Scientific Astrology (1919)
Astro-Diagnosis - A Guide to Healing (1929)
Occult Principles of Health and Healing (1938)
Blavatsky and The Secret Doctrine (1933)
New Age Vegetarian Cookbook