Selections from the Agni Yoga Series
Presented before the Agni Yoga Society, February 21, 2016
1. In simplicity of life, in realization of the dignity of service to the New World, love for the worthy opens the Gates. Illumination, 128.
2. Some ask how one should regard daily routine. Most people are quite afraid of it. It is considered to be the death of creativity, and the demeaning of dignity. But We say that you should learn to see in each day’s labor the pranayama that uplifts your consciousness. Prana descends from the higher spheres; but any labor produces energy, which in its essence is similar to the spatial energy. Thus, the one who knows the common essence of energies can sew shoes, or beat rhythms on a drum, or gather fruit. In all these the higher energy is generated, since it is born out of the rhythm of Cosmos. Only a low consciousness dreads the rhythm of labor and thus builds its own prison. It is difficult for humanity to understand that a king and a shoemaker are comparable in every respect. Agni Yoga, 645.
3. Let people find the balance between earthly labor and glimmers of illumination.
There is no contradiction between intense labor and the striving for illumination. Everyone who has experienced moments of illumination realizes that they are timeless and are achieved not by reasoning, but by the feeling that blooms in the powerful dignity of labor. The simple truth that labor is prayer is not always clear to people, and a good deed is accomplished when one repeats this truth.
The teacher should have several skills in order to inspire his students beyond intellectual exercises to a higher quality of craftsmanship. Supermundane, 440
4. Urusvati knows that rejoicing in the misfortunes of others is a malevolent trait. One can feel sadness or indignation, but to feel satisfaction is beneath human dignity. Besides, such rejoicing transfers to the one who feels joy a part of the karma of the one who is suffering the misfortunes. This should be remembered. There is little difference between taking joy in another’s suffering and slandering him. Everyone who does this will sooner or later experience the same attitude from others. People may err, or they may commit crimes, and thus deserve criticism or punishment, but one should not rejoice over their troubles. Learning to understand human qualities is a part of the path of yoga. The contemplation of good and bad in man brings one closer to the gates of progress. We regularly point out those qualities that are worthy, and in this way We provide hints about Our Inner Life. One should not think that, having reached a certain level of spiritual development, one no longer needs to continue striving to improve one’s qualities. Supermundane, 595
5. Who, then, should be treated especially austerely? Definitely oneself. How should one carry the Teaching? Within oneself alone. How to pass between hypocrisy and insolence? Not by rows of witnesses but only in self judgment! Each one respects his own dignity, and each one appraises the pearl of his consciousness. The Teaching of life is appraised by the pearl of consciousness. Are we likely to cast out the treasure of existence? One must know to carry the Teaching as the last fire, the last food, the last water. One must manifest love and sparingness as toward the last possibility and the last drop of water. By acting within oneself one can show the measure of devotion. One must know how to create a world of personal responsibility for one’s own consciousness; then censure will be turned into true judgment. Community, 130.
6. Searching for a broad application of the Teaching will give experience to the hand. But one can easily destroy an expected result, for Our voice from afar is like a whisper of the reeds. The free will that rebels should not be opposed. We may regret and once again whisper, but the law of free will, as an inalienable characteristic of man, guarantees his dignity. When I say, “Do not coerce,” I have in mind precisely the law of free will. Who would bend a sapling that is tensed with its own will? And would not the recoil be worse than the bending? Thus, find ways to attract people without molesting their will. Self-sacrifice cannot be coaxed. Self-sacrifice cannot be commanded. When the spirit, unmindful of itself, aches for others, it acts by free will. Even a hint of coercion would be improper where sacrifice is freely offered. Is division of the spirit possible where there is coercion? Agni Yoga, 366.
7. The true family is the prototype of communal life. It can personify cooperation and Hierarchy and all the conditions of Brotherhood. But such families are extremely rare, and therefore it is impossible to say to everyone that the family is the symbol of Brotherhood. It might be replied, “Is not the family a symbol of hostility?” So much have people become accustomed not to respect the home. Therefore, as to the question of upbringing, let us pay special attention to the life in the home. It is impossible to think about building the state without building the home. What conception of Brotherhood can the people have who do not understand the dignity of state and home? No specific decree can restore the feeling of dignity if it has been obliterated. It is necessary to begin its implantation by education, by recognition of the value of broad knowledge and of exact scientific studies. Only thus can people again remember humaneness. Upon the step of humaneness will the understanding of Brotherhood be established. Brotherhood, 57.
8. Urusvati knows that indignation is sometimes appropriate. It would seem that people should know this, but it must be emphasized often, or goodness and benevolence will be misinterpreted. How can man remain silent when terrible crimes are committed before his very eyes? No one has ever advocated remaining indifferent to the debasement of human dignity, for by such indifference one allows oneself to become an accomplice of the crime. Supermundane, 247.
9. Universally full rights for all humanity should be a sign of the times. Public opinion must imperatively demand justice. Such fullness of rights must be manifested as a natural law in world relationship. Full rights are the most indispensable condition. People pride themselves on the abolition of slavery, but has it actually been eliminated everywhere? Can the inhabitants of Earth sleep in peace while somewhere human dignity is abased to a beastlike condition? Can people boast of enlightenment when they know that full rights do not exist? Thus, one should not regard the matter of full rights as having been already justly solved. Aum, 418.
10. When will humanity learn to understand wherein consists the true dignity of a nation? When will humanity understand that the sacred spirit should be protected, and that the carriers of thought, as the sole source, can guide nations? Thus, through the annihilation of thought one may deprive a nation of its strength or of the predestined influence. Hence each nation should take care of its Pilot first of all, since the boat without a rudder cannot withstand the storm. Therefore, the great care of a nation and of each construction must be founded upon Hierarchy; for each structure must be saturated by the power from Above. Thus, as long as the understanding of Hierarchy is not affirmed, humanity will sink in the ignorance and darkness of destruction. Hierarchy, 435.
11. Let us arm ourselves with patience, for the time is approaching when all those who can bring a grain of the true Knowledge will be sought. Where everything was taken away, where all creativity was suffocated, where human dignity was forgotten, there especially powerfully will be awakened, and is already awakening, the thirst for knowledge and for true freedom. Letters of Helena Roerich II, December 9, 1936
12. Turn a new page in the books of your lives and begin to fill it up with beautiful deeds of tolerance, understanding, generosity! It is said, “There is no sense in stirring dust.” All this digging in the dust of yesterday will not lead to anything, and it will infect your eyes and nose. Will you please abandon it, as it is beneath your dignity. So much time will be saved for productive work, which is now more necessary than ever. So little time is left for the strengthening of our foundations and the magnet of our works. Strengthening of the foundation is our first duty if we care for the promised success! Realize what a firm foundation is needed in order to accept the promised success! Let no trivial thoughts and suspicions stop your victorious movement! With your hearts you should feel that there is nothing personal in my requests, but only my care for the beautiful Plan! The Indications should be accepted with your hearts. You must concentrate on them with all your determination; only then will come complete understanding which will simplify many things. Letters of Helena Roerich I, 10 December 1932.