Lemurian Fellowship

The Lemurian Fellowship was founded in Chicago in 1936 by Robert D. Stelle, a teacher, author, and physician, and Howard Zitko, his associate. After moving briefly to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and then Chula Vista, California, the Fellowship relocated near Ramona, California, to get away from the pressures and distractions of the city, but also have the advantages of being near a major city, San Diego. The Fellowship is registered as a nonprofit, non-stock, religious corporation under California law, and is overseen administratively by a board of governors. ==Philosophy, teachings, and beliefs==

According to the Fellowship, the Lemurian Philosophy was revealed to Stelle by highly advanced men and women, called Masters or Elder Brothers. This lost continent is considered incompatible with the theory of plate tectonics, the standard theory describing movement of the Earth's lithosphere accepted by most, but not all, Earth scientists. Nonetheless, the Lemurian Philosophy points to various megalithic structures and other features on various Pacific Islands, and in South America and Asia, as indications that the continent and an advanced civilization did at one time exist. The Fellowship teaches that, as a result of following universal law as individuals and as a nation, a peaceful and prosperous civilization was built on Mu, reaching great heights culturally and materially. The Lemurian Philosophy combines elements characteristic of eastern and western religious traditions. Egos are meant to move toward perfection, To assist towards achieving balanced growth, students work to build their character through developing twelve primary virtues: precision, efficiency, forbearance, patience, discrimination, kindliness, tolerance, devotion, sincerity, courage, charity, humility. The importance of balance is considered to hold not only for the development of individuals, but for groups of individuals and nations as well. For example, one of the principles said to have guided the Mukulian government was: No organized society can hope to prosper permanently except as each member thereof prospers, and no individual member can hope to prosper permanently except as the group or society as a whole prospers. ==Student training==

Training of students in the Lemurian Philosophy is through a correspondence course, either through regular mail or online. The basic instruction consists of 12 lessons, each being sent to a student based on successful completion of the one prior. Lessons cover topics such as the laws of action and reaction, precipitation, compensation, and transmutation. The law of action and reaction includes Isaac Newton's definition of it, accepted by most, but not all, physicists, but also what is commonly referred to as the Golden Rule. Precipitation is used for bringing desired and important things into one's life. The law of compensation influences economic security and is said to have a spiritual foundation. An example of following the law of transmutation would be finding the good in a situation by changing one's viewpoint. Other topics covered are health, marriage and family relationships, helping others, the mind, the twelve virtues, the Bible, transition (bodily death), and reincarnation (rebirth as humans). The training takes a learn-by-doing approach, and students answer a questionnaire after each lesson to determine their understanding and use of the concepts presented. If a student completes the 12 basic lessons satisfactorily, he or she may be offered what is called the Advanced Training. ==Lemurian Order==

Upon completing the Advanced Training, qualified students may join the Lemurian Order. Order members take part in activities that further the goals of the Lemurian Philosophy and program. Emphasis is on making useful and beautiful products. A key function of the Crafts endeavor is to provide an opportunity for Order members to demonstrate the effectiveness of the Lemurian teachings while working together. The Fellowship is supported primarily by student tuition, tithes, gifts, and sales of crafts items. == References ==