Selections from the Agni Yoga Series
Presented before the Agni Yoga Society, December 20, 2016
1. ...Urusvati knows that the Yoga of today—the link with the Highest—must be accomplished amidst the routine of everyday life. Not hiding from life, but transforming it, is required. The fiery essence of the heart is its magnet. Precisely, the heart can open the entrance into Higher Worlds. No special asceticism is needed. Love, labor, and beauty are within the reach of all, under any conditions. Life must be affirmed upon these foundations. Children must be taught that they are the creators of their own happiness. Proper upbringing must precede formal education. Subtle energies are like a wondrous, many-stringed harp...." Supermundane IV, 812.
2. You say that ideals are not reached on our Earth. Here, too, I cannot agree with you. Certainly, the ideals are understood differently, and one may even say that there are as many ideals as there are degrees of consciousness. Yet we have the ideals which are actually embodied in the great Teachings. We have had and still have these ideals, personified in human beings. Thus, is not the existence of the great White Brotherhood on our Earth the fulfillment of the highest ideal accessible to human imagination? We are much richer than we think, and only our blindness prevents us from seeing many splendors of life. Letters of Helena Roerich I, 8 March 1935.
3. You remember how the Teaching says that the very destiny of the planet is in the hands of man, and also that man makes the earthquakes. Take these statements literally. For precisely, the low thoughts and cravings of humanity (not only on the Earth, but also in the lower spheres of the Subtle World) create this fearful suffocating atmosphere around the Earth which promotes the fusion of the fire of space with the subterranean fire. Only pure, fiery souls are able to discharge this atmosphere, acting somewhat like lightning conductors. This is the reason why the epoch of Fire is so dangerous: it brings purification as well as dreadful disasters, namely the destruction of whole polluted communities and the increase of epidemics -- all caused by the subterranean fire. Only those whose auras are sufficiently purified and who are able to assimilate the fire of space will be able to withstand. That is the reason why it is so urgently necessary to apply the foundations of the Living Ethics into life and, by purity of thought and deed, to transmute our energies. The waves of the fire of space will be particularly strong in the forties of our century. But the immediate coming years will also bring many explosions. The great testing of our planet is near. Threatening is this future! Let us hope that through great disasters humanity will learn its lesson and will accept spiritual leadership, and thus will alter its destiny. Letters of Helena Roerich I, 7 June 1934.
4. Indeed, all the foundations of the Living Ethics must be applied in life, as otherwise life is impossible. With the new combinations of the planets, there will be a favorable radiation of spiritual rays, which will enable people to awaken their dormant energies. And verily, the feeling of reverence and highest devotion must again be sensed by humanity, if it is to continue its evolution. Likewise, cooperation between all the branches of life is becoming more and more possible. Precisely, science will stretch out a helping hand to religion, and the Indications of the Great Teachers will assume the radiance and power of the rays from the laboratories. Letters of Helena Roerich I, 8 March 1935
5. The spiritual entity passing into the Subtle World continues its conscious or semi-conscious existence in proportion to the development of its higher Manas, or spirituality. Are there many even here on Earth who live an entirely conscious life? As below, so above. But there is the difference that in the above everything is more vivid and more clearly defined, i.e., more intensive, whether experienced in a conscious or an unconscious state. Let us understand clearly that whatever is not realized here on Earth will not be realized in the Subtle World. You remember that it was said that it is almost impossible to acquire a new consciousness in the Subtle World. Therefore, in earthly life we must sow the seeds of aspiration which in the Subtle World can be transmuted into knowledge. Were it otherwise, we should not have to return to Earth. Letters of Helena Roerich I, 11 January 1935.
6. The language of the spirit is essential for the Subtle World. Its essence lies in the subtle nature, but it is possible to become accustomed to it even while in the earthly state. Such orientation is a useful fiery test. The school must discover the resourcefulness of pupils by a test of giving one word, and later on comes the task of understanding at one glance. The latter experiment will be closest to the Subtle World. In addition one can develop a sense of relativity by addressing one's interlocutor according to his nature. Thus, in an earthly conversation each one adopts the best language for his companion, taking into consideration his state of consciousness. Every schoolteacher knows how multiform must be his language in order to make friends of his pupils. But besides the school, in any home one learns to discern the thoughts of the mistress of the house. Thus, in the midst of daily life, characteristics of a subtle order are manifested. One has only to take note of them, to penetrate into them, and to expand these observations. But for this, one should be imbued with reverence for the future and learn to love the principal factor of the Subtle World—Agni. I insist on the expression, “to love fierily,” only thus can one assimilate this element which is so difficult for Earth. Our discourses should first of all lead to an understanding of the Subtle World and, as its apotheosis, bring one fearlessly to the radiance of the Fiery World. We rejoice when, amidst the earthly sojourn, the dimensions of the Subtle World are established. Through this, we bring Earth to a closer cooperation with the far-off worlds, in other words, we participate in the process of evolution. Fiery World I, 411.
7. By acting attentively in their earthly relations, people will accustom themselves also to attentiveness in the Higher Service. Do not leave the questions of people unanswered. It is better to reply as briefly as possible than to leave behind the engendering of poison. It can be easily shown what poisonous fermentations are begun where there is no link. Brotherhood, 27.
8. It has been said that each man carries his particular mission. Actually, each one who has taken on an earthly body is already a messenger. Is it not wondrous? It changes nothing that most people have no conception of their destination. This forgetfulness is due to a lack of realization of the three worlds. One may imagine the transformation of a man who recognizes the usefulness of his earthly path. Brotherhood furthers such realization. Brotherhood, 568.
9. Hence, one must emphasize the significance of an active and as perfect as possible fulfillment of the earthly tasks, or, as it is said, of “one's dharma to the end.” Only in this way is it possible to achieve the true progress of the inner man. “Man comes to perfection by the constant fulfillment of his dharma,” says Krishna in the Bhagavad-Gita. Letters of Helena Roerich I, 18 October 1934.
10. We certainly do not approve of those fanatics who abandon their earthly obligations and bring nothing but confusion to all around them. They talk about higher harmonies, but at the same time forget that there must be harmony between the earthly world and the Supermundane. These fanatics consider earthly tasks to be beneath their dignity, and thus prove their ignorance. They came to Earth to fulfill some task, and should honor their obligation and love their task. With proper devotion to their earthly work, they would be able to sense the Supermundane touches. This kind of devotion is a natural link between the worlds.
One must abandon complicated analyzing, and return to the most simple. Man cannot make evolution, but must participate in it. He must harmonize himself with it. Again we come to the rhythm of labor and understand that those who just talk only encumber life. During this time of intense transformation of the world there is no place for empty talk or bigotry.
You may ask why such intense labor is needed in Infinity, and whether Infinity is co-measurable with the labor of a single individual. To the amazement of many, I must say that it is so. Each person is a living particle of humanity, which is the most powerful force on the planet. This “master of the planet” has no right to indulge in idle talk. He carries an immeasurable responsibility, and may not escape it. For him the only way is to turn as a friend to the Supermundane World.
The Thinker said, “Everyone has a great many friends, but must learn to love them. There can be no friendship without love.” Supermundane III, 641.
11. Urusvati knows that earthly existence can be transformed only through the force of a clear visualization of the future life. Some fear the future and thus lose strength; others imagine the Subtle World only mentally, and thus project false images; still others behave as if they were already dead and think of nothing but the marketplace. Few realize that even a life of one hundred years is only a moment in Infinity.
One should contemplate the future on three levels. First, as expressed in words; second, in images that are beyond verbal expression—borne, as it were, on the waves of deep, tidal currents. Finally, in thought so profound that it is inexpressible by word or image, and only psychic energy and the solar plexus can remind us of it!
And so, one must visualize the future with the help of these three levels of contemplation. Such visualization is like casting an anchor—the ship is then held steady. Thus the sensible thinker will secure himself, and be able to draw himself toward the desired goal. The wise one knows where he can express himself most usefully. Only a fool dreams about life’s transitory trinkets. Those who already have achieved much will no longer be enticed by outward appearance, and will think about the grandeur of the task ahead.
One should learn to think about the future as if preparing to venture on a distant journey, while continuing to manage all earthly tasks. This is goalfitness, this is balance. We have spoken often about goalfitness. One must realize that this quality is demanded in all activities of life. We repeat this for We know how people distort this concept, and think that goalfitness need only be applied in special cases.
It must be repeated that each circumstance in life has its causes. To think of deeds as great or small is an illusion. The measure of a deed is not revealed immediately, and the wise one will remember his guideposts and apply them goalfittingly to his future life. He knows that good is inexhaustible, and that evil is finite. You have correctly noticed that at times We do not confront an evil manifestation. The reason is two-fold—sometimes tactica adversa should be applied, and one should also remember that evil is temporal. Evildoers cannot be nourished forever by evil; what a repugnant spectacle it is when they begin to devour themselves by their earthly actions!
The Thinker urged His disciples to base their lives upon good. He said, “Good is inexhaustible, but evil is limited.” Supermundane III, 476.