Biography of Abd-ru-shin

Abd-ru-shin (civil name Oskar Ernst Bernhardt) was born on April 18, 1875, in Bischofswerda, Germany. After being educated and trained in business, he established himself in Dresden. In the years that followed, he made many journeys abroad, and wrote successful travel books, stories, and plays.

At the outbreak of World War I, Mr. Bernhardt was living in London. On account of his German citizenship, he was imprisoned on the Isle of Man for the duration of the war. The seclusion of internment brought with it an inner deepening. After returning to his homeland in the Spring of 1919, Mr. Bernhardt soon became conscious of his task: to open the path for mankind to a new knowledge of Creation. In 1923, he began writing essays of a spiritual nature under the pen name "Abd-ru-shin", and by 1937, the lectures which constitute the book In the Light of Truth: The Grail Message were completed.

Abd-ru-shin had long since settled in the Austrian Alps, but his activity ended abruptly with the seizure of power by the Nazis on March 12, 1938. He was arrested on the very same day, and his property and possessions were taken.

After an imprisonment of several months, Abd-ru-shin was placed under house arrest in northern Germany. He utilized these years of confinement to edit and arrange the lectures of the Grail Message into their present sequence. He was, however, kept under constant surveillance by the Gestapo and forbidden any further activity towards the fulfillment of his task. Unable to continue his work, Abd-ru-shin died on December 6, 1941.

Also written by Abd-ru-shin: The Ten Commandments of God and The Lord's Prayer

The name "Abd-ru-shin" is of Persian-Arabian origin, translating generally as "Son, Workman, or Servant of the Light". Abd-ru-shin did not compile his Message from other teachings of ancient or modern times; his living knowledge was drawn from out of the purest and highest Source. As every work allows conclusions to be drawn about its author, so the personality of Abd-ru-shin may be recognized from his work.