Many Cihlar

An Austrian holy man by the name of Many Cihlar met Shri Nathji in India and became greatly devoted to him. He would never miss a chance to secure Shri Nathji’s darshan whenever he came to India, and felt he had attained new heights of spiritual bliss every time he was before Shri Nathji.

There came a time when he went abroad and never returned. When Shri Nathji got a letter from him he replied to it in length with his usual love and humility. Shri Nathji wrote the long letter to him from Shadi Bhavan which Shyam Lal typed out meticulously and Shri Nathji later corrected.

Many Cihlar was a lifelong Rosicrucian who served as Grand Master of AMORC in Austria prior to World War II, and also served as Secretary to the International Rosicrucian Council in Vienna, Austria, in the 1930s. Following the war, Many Cihlar was again active in the affairs of the Rosicrucian Order throughout Europe, though in ill health due to long military service during the war. He was also known to be very good looking.

Rosicrucianism is a philosophical secret society, said to have been founded in late medieval Germany by Christian Rosenkreuz. It holds a doctrine or theology "built on esoteric truths of the ancient past", which, "concealed from the average man, provide insight into nature, the physical universe and the spiritual realm." Rosicrucianism is symbolized by the Rosy Cross.  Many Cihlar preached Rosicrucian theology in central and western Europe from his Sectrum in Vienna, Austria.

Many Cihlar’s Rosicrucian name was SAR EMMANUEL. His photograph can been in this group photo which was taken during the Rosicrucian grand convention that  took place in Brussels from August 8 up to August 16, 1934. On August 10, 1934; Many Cihlar was Knighted with the title - Knight Rose-Croix, at the same convention.

Mr. Cihlar was the author of many mystical works, including Mystics at Prayer, which enjoys a worldwide circulation in several languages. The picture on the right is the photograph of the original cover of its first publication. Many Cihlar passed away in Vienna in 1967.