Selections from the Agni Yoga Series
Presented before the Agni Yoga Society, February 23, 2016
1. The Thinker understood ages ago that Beauty is also Goodness. Supermundane II, 288.
2. Western woman is awake and realizes her powers. Her cultural contributions are already evident. However, the majority of Western women--as do all beginners--start with imitation; whereas, it is in original self-expression that real beauty and harmony are found. Would we like to see man losing the beauty of manhood? The same is true about a man who has a sense of beauty. He certainly does not wish to see a woman imitating his habits and competing with his vices. Imitation always starts with the easiest. But we hope that this first step will soon be outlived and that woman will deepen her knowledge of Mother-Nature and will find true, original ways of self-expression. Letters of Helena Roerich I, 1 March 1929.
3. It is most essential to learn to discriminate between these entirely opposite conceptions: selfishness and individuality. Selfishness is the most terrible scourge of humanity, the source of destruction, and, first of all, self-destruction. Selfishness is a dead separatism. The old truth about the unity of Cosmos and its humanity being an integral whole is very poorly realized, but it should finally reach the consciousness of the people. What would happen if someone tried to separate or isolate one organ of the body from the whole organism? Individuality is a life-holding receptacle. Individuality is beauty, the crown of man, the synthesis of all his accumulations. But how can he accumulate if he separates himself from all other life-holders? Individuality is as honey, gathered by the man-bee from the best flowers, of different meadows. But what kind of honey can a person gather who locks himself in the darkness of selfishness? Letters of Helena Roerich I, 27 January 1933.
4. Art, in all its manifestations and in all its conventional forms, remains basically spiritual. It awakens our longing for beauty, for the Highest; and here is its chief and great significance. As you correctly write, “The true problem of art is to move man toward the comprehension of beauty.” Verily, the true striving toward the beautiful will lead us to the understanding of the higher beauty of the laws which rule the Universe and are expressed in the Perfect Mind and the Perfect Heart. Letters of Helena Roerich I, 19 June 1933.
5. It is most gratifying to me that you have emphasized so strongly the universality of N. K.'s personality, and that you regard his creative work as harmonious with the rhythm of cosmic constructiveness. How right, how excellent is this estimation: “From the Beauty of the world he gathers the sacred dew of the spirit into his heart, until finally it is brimming like the Chalice of the Grail.” Verily, N. K. is a carrier of the chalice of heroic deeds in the name of Truth and Beauty. Likewise, you have subtly pointed out his ability “to mark and greet in each one the positive creative aspirations, to affirm in him every spark of Light, and to preserve and fan it into still brighter flame.” Letters of Helena Roerich I, 11 June 1935.
6. Woman, the bearer of sacred knowledge, can become a calling power, kindling with fiery words the souls that are ready. It is necessary to give to every woman according to her consciousness and without impeding her natural and individual growth. It is necessary, with careful touches, to broaden the mind on the foundation of the Teaching of Life. Let every soul develop in a natural way, bringing out the best she can according to the level of her consciousness. Beauty is in variety, but all should have one general foundation--the foundation of striving toward the General Good. The broadest cooperation is inscribed on the Banner of the Mother of the World. Therefore, let us display the utmost tolerance. Letters of Helena Roerich I, 7 October 1930.
7. I would like so much to teach you to treasure every Indication, every hint of the Teacher and Guru, as they are so precious! Find within yourself the fiery impulse of striving toward the great task, carrying the light of culture. Imagine that you live in a house of glass and must be careful in all your words and actions. Imbue all your work with the beauty of Service. Remain joyous in battle because of your knowledge of the victory that is predestined provided you are full of self-sacrificing tension. Letters of Helena Roerich I, 17 December 1930.
8. There is so much beauty in devotion and gratitude toward the Guru! In the Teaching it is said that the flame of devotion and gratitude is above all other fiery offerings. But alas, these two qualities are particularly rare among the inhabitants of this planet. But precisely possession of these qualities helps greatly toward the creation of the giants of spirit and will. The spirit gifted with brilliant talents but not possessing these two qualities will never be allowed to approach beyond a certain limit. Letters of Helena Roerich I, 7 January 1931.
9. Sincerity and simplicity are two powerful magnets. The great art of human relationship is based on them. Very few realize the importance of this art, which is the foundation of all constructiveness and evolution! This forgotten art, which requires so much sensitiveness, alertness, and synthesis of the spirit, must be introduced into life without delay. It is the most essential accomplishment; and how can we build the New World of beauty and powerful cooperation without it? Letters of Helena Roerich I, 24 April 1931.
10. There is a great beauty in the spiritual union of the dual Element, but things on the physical plane are far from being spiritual. A change of forms may be in conformity with the broadening of the consciousness. Beautiful vessels should be used only in beautiful surroundings. But in everything there must be the command of Spirit. Therefore, the ugly hermaphrodite, or people with two spines or with similarly fantastic peculiarities imagined by some ignorant and ugly-thinking writers, have no place in the future evolution. Evolution proceeds by way of beauty, and the future races will be improved and refined according to their spiritual progress. Toward the end of the sixth and the beginning of the seventh race, there will occur the materialization of the astral bodies. This improvement of forms and the growth of spirituality could be hastened by correct union or marriage. The Great Brotherhood is ready to help humanity apply this sacred knowledge. Letters of Helena Roerich I, 5 May 1934.
11. But, as the great Origen said, “Our mind alone is unable to comprehend God Himself, but can intuit Him as the Father of all beings from the beauty of his creations and the splendor of Nature.” Letters of Helena Roerich I, 12 September 1934.
12. Treatment by means of music is already being applied, but the effects are not always perceptible. The reason is that it is not customary to develop perception of music. From childhood one should be accustomed to assimilating the beauty of sound. Musical faculties are in need of education. It is true that in each man has been implanted an inclination for sound but without cultivation it remains asleep. Man ought to hear beautiful music and song. Sometimes a single harmony will awaken forever a sense of the beautiful. Yet great is ignorance when the best panaceas are forgotten in the family. Especially, when the world is quaking from hatred, it is indispensable to make haste in opening the ears of the young generation. Without realization of the significance of music it is also impossible to understand the sounding of nature; and, of course, it is impossible to think about the music of the spheres--only noise will be accessible to the spirit of the ignorant. The song of waterfall or river or ocean will be only a roar; the wind will not bring melody and will not resound in the trees as a solemn hymn. The best harmonies vanish for the unopened ear. Can people accomplish their ascent without song? Can Brotherhood stand without song? Brotherhood, 292.
13. “It is difficult even to imagine how the infection of lower psychism has gripped people. And how distorted have become all the great concepts and the great Images of the Lords! Some people imagine the Teachers in garments adorned with precious stones, or even as guardians of chests filled with gold and diamonds! How astonished such people would be if they could but grasp the true picture! Nothing is further removed from the lives of the Great Teachers than the concept of well-being and luxury. Their lives are full of beauty, but then, beauty and luxury are two opposites.” Letters of Helena Roerich I, 8 November 1934.
14. It is necessary to prepare one's consciousness toward the solution of many problems. It will be difficult for the consciousness that stagnates and has not outlived the old prejudices. A new church in the full glory of the understanding of the beauty of the Great Sacrifice of Jesus must replace the old one. It will have to call a great oecumenical council to reexamine, with a new, unprejudiced consciousness, all the rulings of the former councils, and to study the works of the earliest Christian philosophers and those Fathers of the Church closest to the times of Jesus. Then the whole beauty of the sacrifice of Jesus, the broad sweep of his Teaching, will be understood in its true spirit and not just in the dead letter of the often-distorted Scriptures. And only then will a new religion be established. Letters of Helena Roerich I, 12 December 1934.
15. Courageously accept vigilance, and strong faith in the Leading Hand will carry you over any and all abysses. Courage, courage, and again courage--is today's dictum. The feathers of fear pull us down, whereas the wings of courage carry us over the abyss. Thus, let us be inspired by the beauty of courage and by the power of faith in the luminous future. I send joy to you, but this is a special joy, it is the joy of difficulties. When we shall learn not to be frightened by difficulties, we shall come close to the bearing of achievement. Letters of Helena Roerich II, 22 July 1935.
16. Do not be unhappy because of the necessity for spending so much time earning your living. We must all earn our bread. Indeed, all should be accomplished without retiring from life and by earthly hands and feet. Therein lies great beauty. Is labor performed in comfort and prosperity of great value? And do we ever hear much about such labor? No, all the giants of thought created amidst most trying circumstances. The work performed in ease and affluence cannot bring about the necessary tension of all the centers. Letters of Helena Roerich II, 24 September 1935.
17. Great beauty is contained in the acceptance of full responsibility. The vouching of the heart will be that feeling of pathos which will uplift the primary energy. It will often be asked, How to increase this power? By the vouching of the heart. Conscious responsibility will be the beautiful impeller of energy. Thus does the Brotherhood teach. Brotherhood, 579.
18. I am sending my best wishes to you. Strengthen your thoughts along the path of austere practical achievement, of beauty of service for the General Good, of joy of cooperation with the Forces of Light, and the light and beauty will enter your life. Without the bond with the Higher World there is no progress, neither is there true joy. Letters of Helena Roerich I, 16 January 1935.