Selections from the Agni Yoga Series
Presented before the Agni Yoga Society, November 21, 2017
1. It is most important to speak of the concept of the Teacher. It is necessary to point out the hierarchy of Teachers, each of whom is the disciple of a Higher Teacher. One must become accustomed to the fact that the Teaching in its wholeness is without contradiction. The landmarks may be far from one another, but they are signs on the same path. Agni Yoga, 333.
2. Urusvati understands the importance of broadness of outlook. A yogi possesses an outlook that is unlimited. A person who shuts himself in the dungeon of negation cannot be a yogi. It is said that the yogic nature is formed gradually over many incarnations, but this does not mean that man in each incarnation should not seek opportunities for ascent.
Everyone must understand that he will meet with so many new conditions in the Supermundane World that only the breadth of his perceptions will help him to grasp the meaning of it all; even when faced with contradictions he will be able to perceive their cause, and instead of denying them will enrich his accumulations.
Man rarely admits that contradictions can be of real benefit to him, but for a yogi, contradictions are merely a challenge for great victory. Young people should begin to understand how a broad outlook provides them with the best wings.
Many examples can be cited of people who gained victory because of their broad outlook. Even when they encountered seemingly insoluble problems, they could find their way thanks to their broad approach. Thus one can think of breadth of perception as the shield of a yogi.
The Thinker pointed out, “Friends, learn to think in a way that is broader than the broadest!” Supermundane, 870.
3. Often people talk about contradictions, putting in this category many cases not understood by them. On a hot day people may see a traveler dressed in warm clothing and laugh at the inconsistency. But they do not think about the cold night. Contradictions are usually due to meager thinking. A great number of misfortunes have resulted from unwillingness to think. Not contradictions, but the empty utterance of thoughtless words clutters life. Fiery World III, 581.
4. Yet there are people who speak much against bloodshed but are themselves not averse to eating meat. There are many contradictions contained in man. Only the perfecting of psychic energy can promote the harmonization of life. Contradiction is nothing but disorder. Different strata have corresponding contents. But a tempest can stir up waves, and not quickly thereafter is the right current again established. Brotherhood, 22.
5. We call to calmness and at the same time constantly speak of battle. One should understand this struggle as an accumulation of strength through work. It is impossible to intensify energy without labor, and each labor is a battle with chaos. Thus, knowledge of the meaning of battle will bestow calmness.
There is no contradiction which is not subject to comprehension. Brotherhood, 542.
6. Urusvati knows how much humanity is plagued by the phantoms of contradiction. Humanity itself created and nurtured these phantoms. Even the most fundamental concept, that of primary energy, is surrounded by irreconcilable opinions. We have said that energy is inexhaustible, yet at the same time recommend all possible care in utilizing it. And people see contradiction in that, even though every thoughtful individual knows that everything of value must be safeguarded. We have also spoken about the stability of the primal energy, but people then point to its changeability. But actually, its true nature is not its changeability, but its multiformity. Also, people try to apply earthly dates and qualities to it, forgetting that the Subtle World does not live in accordance with earthly calendars.
It was not without reason that in ancient times students were required to learn to reconcile contradictions. A pupil, stumbling against contradictions, was often held back for a long time at that threshold. He not only could not reflect upon the Supermundane, but even lost his earthly path. He could find a solution only if he understood the significance of goalfitness, but by not understanding goalfitness he was lost.
The Thinker said, “If all that was read reminded us about goalfitness, we could have conquered the dragon of contradictions.” Supermundane, 702.
7. The mind vacillates, but the consciousness triumphs. This is not a contradiction, but a reference to surface and essence. Which way to turn? Even a child will say, "To the essence." Even a child knows to peel the fruit in order to refresh itself with the juice. Nothing should impede us from the task of regenerating our consciousness. Agni Yoga, 605.
8. In discussion about the education of the heart there may arise what seem to be differences of opinion. Some will insist on a cautious attitude toward the heart, while others will recall My words, “Burden Me still more.” Deployment of a shield is necessary in response to every evil attempt, but one should take on a still greater burden in the name of the Great Service. So the energy for Service ought to be intensified, because it grows with intensification. Many people are envious of anything that arises from oppression, for they find it especially annoying not to even be noticed by the dark forces. But not many appreciate intensification as a way to develop creative energy. Naturally, no intensification issues from thoughts about murder. During an attack whose objective is annihilation, fiery armor is necessary. Every warrior ought to think about such armor. This will not be a sign of retreat from battle, but a wise precaution. There is no contradiction between burdening the heart and being cautious. A warrior has to be ready for all kinds of attacks, and flexible thinking is necessary for this. Heart, 423.
9. It is true that in India there exists an awareness that the subtle energies will enter into life. One should be prepared for a future scientific understanding of this. Although darkness greatly lowers the quality of the energies, the open consciousness can assimilate some part of the energies, as when dark clouds block the rays of the sun, but a portion of light and heat can still reach Earth. All great teachings are without inner contradiction, but there is no way to prove this with the customary scientific methods. Agni Yoga, 276.
10. It is important to understand to what extent people’s consciousness has become petrified. Therefore, do not give it food which it cannot assimilate. Side by side with the difficult give also the easy; otherwise people will not listen. The letters of the Teacher are inevitably diverse, because directed to different consciousnesses. This is not contradiction but simply the best way. Thus, accustom yourselves to deal carefully with consciousnesses, as with fire. Fiery World III, 502.
11. One should know how to conquer the illusion of contradictions. It is needful on the one hand to cultivate kindheartedness and on the other to understand austerity. For many, such a task is completely insoluble; only the heart can prompt when the two qualities will not contradict each other. The heart will prompt when it is necessary to rush to the help of one’s neighbor. The heart will indicate when to stop short the madness of a fierce animal. It is impossible to express in a word of law just when the necessity of this or that action becomes evident. Unwritten are the laws of the heart, but only therein does justice dwell, for the heart is the bridge of the worlds.
Where are the scales of self-abnegation? Where is the judge of achievement? Where is the measure of duty? The sword of knowledge flashes at the command of the heart. For the heart there will be no contradiction. Brotherhood, 121.
12. One should remember, or rather know, that there is not a single book that is free from mistakes or obscurities, or simply typographical errors and omissions. Even in the books and letters of the Adepts one meets so-called contradictions, but for those who know, these are not “contradictions," but simply the results of incomplete statements. The Universe is most complex, and it is impossible to put all its great diversity into a few formulae that can be applied to each particular case. Thus, regarding a concordant soul there is also much that cannot be adequately covered by words. It is impossible to use an apothecary's scale in ascertaining the degree of individualization that is achieved in each separate case in this or that group of the lower kingdoms; therefore, one must take the average degree of their condition. The group soul must be understood in this case as concordance in primal feelings, and precisely such concordance can be expressed by the term common soul or spiritual concordance. Even the Great Teachers often call their Group, One Ego. Letters II, 21 January 1936.