Selections from the Agni Yoga Series
Presented before the Agni Yoga Society, November 21, 2006
For the future, we arise out of sleep. For the future, we renew our garments. For the future, we sustain ourselves. For the future, we strive in our thought. For the future, we gather strength.
First we shall apply the counsels of life. Then we shall pronounce the name of the Yoga of the time approaching. We shall hear the advancing footsteps of the element of fire, but we shall already be prepared to master the undulations of the flame. Agni Yoga, Preface.
They will ask, “Can the time of Maitreya create a New Era?”
Answer, “If the Crusades brought a new age, then truly the Era of Maitreya is a thousandfold more significant.” In such consciousness should one proceed. Agni Yoga, 1.
It would be more correct to say that the cycle of Kali Yuga is approaching its end on our planet and that we are now going through a transitory stage. Satya Yuga must begin with the affirmation of the sixth race, individual groups of which are already appearing on Earth. But the true era of Satya Yuga on our planet can begin only after the planet is purified of its unfit material and new continents are formed. As usual, the presages of the epoch appear much earlier, but the continents that are predestined to accept the majority of the sixth race can manifest many signs of the coming New Epoch. Letters Of Helena Roerich I, 31 May 1935. 1.
Precisely, the sixth race must begin the New Era, and this preparatory period is very strenuous. But it would be wrong to think that the sixth race is being born in one particular country or nationality; it is spread widely. Certainly, there is always the main kernel of the sixth race, and in the time of catastrophe its members will be gathered into places of safety. Letters Of Helena Roerich I, 7 June 1934.
I want to remind you about the absolute inevitability of the New Era. The fiery energies are in their greatest tension attracted toward Earth, and if not accepted, realized, and assimilated they will cause terrific earthquakes and other cosmic perturbations, and also revolutions, wars, and new epidemics. We are now at the very entrance of a New Era, a New Race, and therefore our time may be compared with the times of Atlantis, the existence of which becomes more and more evident to our science. Letters Of Helena Roerich I, 28 August 1931.
The significance of the heart is great; in the future it will replace the most complex apparatuses. Verily, in the New Era people will appear whose organisms accomplish this. At present, people invent robots, but after this mechanical fever has abated man's attention will turn to the powers within himself.
In Our Abode all research is directed toward the freeing of man from the machine. In this process one must educate the heart. One must learn to listen to its voice. Supermundane I, 22.
Urusvati knows that at times of upheaval, both enlightenment and negation manifest themselves. Every example of exalted knowledge meets with negation, not only because of savage ignorance, but also due to superstitions based upon bigotry. Science is attacked from both sides. People speak about the freedom of science, but in fact this freedom is limited to physical learning. All that has to do with the Supermundane World is suppressed, no less than during the Middle Ages.
Let us not forget that only strong minds can think freely. Ordinary thinking is constrained by the emanations of negation. This circumstance must be taken into consideration during any discussions about the state of science. At present, the need for liberating science must be proclaimed with all one’s forces.
The best thinkers have suffered enough; they have been afflicted enough by the whistling and curses of the ignorant. There has been enough mockery of all that is not understood by the savages. Let the New Era be distinguished by a veritable liberation of science! Supermundane IV, 737.
Initial experiments performed in the study of emanations have produced discoveries that have already attracted inquiring minds. At present, when scientific instruments have been refined and enhanced, scientists should without delay continue with further experiments. The significance of the study of emanations is enormous. The New Era is in need of affirmation of subtle energies. Supermundane IV, 858.
Try to write different things with both hands at the same time. Or try to dictate two letters or conduct two conversations at the same time. Try to drive a motor car and carry on a conversation about complicated problems at the same time. Try to refrain from quarrels when the changeable mood of your companion invites your irritation. Try numerous examples of dividing your consciousness. Try to pour your energy in several directions without losing its value or weakening its flow.
A one-sided effort is related to Kali Yuga. But the streams of all energies, like a salutary current, will enrich the discoveries of Satya Yuga. In past centuries we have had examples of the successful division of consciousness. But now we should especially affirm the action of all channels of Brahmavidya. Hierarchy, 69.
A valiant eye will not be dulled. A valiant eye will look into the sun of Hierarchy. Not cringing, not irritation, not profit, will be the gates to Hierarchy. But willing Service, a heartfelt veneration, and conscious ascent will bring one to the threshold of Light.
We finish Our writing on this Great Day, when one more step of Satya Yuga has begun. The step of ascent was proclaimed through scriptures long ago, but the dust of the bazaar dulled people’s eyes. So it is today. It will again be asked, “Where is the trumpet call, where are the wings of the angels, where is the sundering of mountains and seas?” The blind ones take the tempest for a call to the repast.
Thus, the cure is in the realization of the Hierarchy of the Heart. The Teaching will be revealed to those who have perceived the right path. The Messenger will knock at their door. Hierarchy, 460.
The New Era can be built only by means of culture. Therefore, culture will be proclaimed as the one defense against disintegration. Nowadays one should strive only in this direction. Our Command is to miss no opportunity of reminding people about culture. Though We be regarded as fanatics on the subject, people will nevertheless harken and become accustomed to it. Thus We introduce brain patterns. Fiery World I, 190.
A striving for flight has been awakened in the people of Earth. Some remember their dreams of daring, others now fly like birds, but in itself, the striving into the heights has put its mark upon this era. The Iron Bird was foretold long ago; this prediction defines the New Era. Supermundane I, 37.
Especially at present, at the threshold of the New Era, one must think about the health of the nations. It may seem that today, when people have lost trust in one another, it is out of place to speak about health, but every teacher must speak about the ways to the future. Supermundane I, 237.
Perfectment of labor is the next task. Not in the distant future, but in the coming years will labor be victorious; along with it will approach the beneficent vibrations of the New Era. Let us not forget that on the eve of the Era of Light one should learn to revere labor.
The Thinker said, “One may respect labor, but one should also understand its lofty purpose.” Supermundane IV, 758.
The book of new discoveries and the light of daring is open before humanity, and you have already heard about the approach of the New Era. Every epoch has its Call, and the calling foundation of the New Era will be the power of thought. That is why we call you to understand the great significance of creative thought, and the first step in this direction will be the opening of consciousness, freedom from all prejudices and from all tendentiousness and forced concepts. Letters Of Helena Roerich I, 1929.
The whole East believes in the Advent of the Lord Maitreya, but there are some who are aware that the Lord Maitreya now dwells in the Image of the Lord of Shambhala. Certainly, His Advent must not be understood as an appearance in the flesh, amidst earthly conditions and Earth-dwellers. The Teaching of the Lord Maitreya will be spread all over the world and it will proclaim the New Era – the era of the awakening of the Spirit, which is also called the era of woman. Letters Of Helena Roerich II, 4 November 1935. 4.
Urusvati. It is time to say that this is the name we have given to the star which is irresistibly approaching the Earth. Since long ago it has been the symbol of the Mother of the World, and the Epoch of the Mother of the World must begin at the time of Her star's unprecedented approach to the Earth. The Great Epoch is beginning, because the spirit understanding is linked with the Mother of the World. Even to those who know the date it is marvelous to behold the physical approach of the predestined. The approach of this very great Epoch is important; it will substantially change the life of the Earth. A Great Epoch! I rejoice so much, seeing how the new rays are piercing the thickness of the Earth. Even though in the beginning they are hard to bear, yet their emanation induces new elements, so needed for the impetus. New rays are reaching the Earth for the first time since its formation.
Today is the beginning of the feminine awakening. A new wave has reached Earth today, and new hearths have become alight; for the substance of the rays penetrates deeply.
It is joyous to feel the approach of the New Epoch. Illumination, II:IV:11.
The Mother of the World appears as a symbol of the feminine Origin in the new epoch, and the masculine Origin voluntarily returns the treasure of the World to the feminine Origin. Amazons were the embodiment of the strength of the feminine Principle, and now it is necessary to show the aspect of spiritual perfection of woman. Illumination, II:V:2.
The New Epoch under the rays of Uranus will bring the renaissance of woman. The Epoch of Maitreya is the Epoch of the Mother of the World. Letters Of Helena Roerich II, 5 April 1938.