Selections from the Agni Yoga Series
Presented before the Agni Yoga Society, October 7, 2014
1. Now, about the messenger: Even as in life one hastens to meet the postman, in the same way must one stretch out one's hand towards Our sending. A front of barbed obstacles impedes Our messengers, but you have miraculous shears for cutting the obstructions. By keeping the aura clear, help the messengers to reach you.
It is difficult for a dove to fly in the fog. I lead you by the speediest path and at the moment of obscuration I am ready to send a messenger. But open the doors to him; it is difficult to stand knocking in the rain.
Love the solitude of thought, when the sparks of understanding weave a wreath of knowledge. And as I have vouched for you, so entrust yourselves to Me. With the Hand of Power I affirm the path to the Heights. Apprehend the Good when My Envoys will bring the tidings: “He has come!” The hour of happiness is ordained, and on the way there are flowers. What do the far-reaching hands, dogs and tigers matter to you? Perform the great tasks of the living God. Illumination, I:VIII:3.
2. The path of life is one of mutual help. Participants in the great task cannot be humanity-haters. This term denoting a shameful hatred is a long one. But perhaps people will the better remember it and be ashamed. New Era Community, 5.
3. Human intolerance toward everything high has converted people into degenerates. Upon all concepts and principles man has imposed his stigma. In each higher affirmation man has displayed his blasphemy. Not the World is cruel, but man. Not the World affirms injustice, but man; for man's choice of the path of isolation and selfhood has brought on a most threatening destiny. Intolerance toward everything high and enlightened has become the disgrace of humanity. The purification of the consciousness is the great task on the path to the Fiery World. Fiery World III, 337.
4. The structure of the earthly atmosphere and of supermundane spheres is mutually tensed. The composition of the earthly strata is saturated by all the emanations arising from all the actions, thoughts and vices of humanity. One need not be astonished at the quality of the manifest interaction, for the currents are intermingled and the composition of the atmosphere becomes a reflection of what is taking place on the Earth. The equilibrium of the World can only then ensue when humanity shall manifest higher radiations, because all the spheres surrounding the planet are infected by the emanations from earthly actions. Only purifying radiations produce those gases which rarefy the condensed strata; thus each good cleansing produces its own channels. On the path to the Fiery World the purification of space is the great task. Fiery World III, 343.
5. Urusvati knows that many decisive moments pass in silence. First may come a storm, with lightning and thunder, but the foundation is silence. When We suggest unification in silence, then somewhere something significant is taking place. Such concentrated silence gathers a special energy, which potentially is more powerful than even the loudest words. Very few understand silence as action. Our entire Abode sometimes merges into profound silence when something of great importance is taking place.
Often people feel the need to go into silence before undertaking a dynamic action. Thus, an experienced speaker will be momentarily silent and take a deep breath before uttering a decisive word. Some know the importance of such an intake of prana, but others do it quite unconsciously. The potency of one's psychic energy increases with the expansion of consciousness. There is joy in Our Abode when We learn that some great task was performed consciously. Thus, a current of striving can benefit human endeavors.
Perhaps just now an event of great significance may be taking place, but no one realizes how essential it is. Only in years to come will historians evaluate the true meaning of present events. Supermundane I, 139.
6. Urusvati knows how difficult it is to find room for great tasks in the midst of earthly life. There is a saying, “To find a place for good is as difficult as packing a trunk.” This saying alludes to the problem one faces, when packing a trunk, of finding room for the many small objects that have accumulated. Similarly, in earthly life the human consciousness is so full of petty concerns that there is no room for great tasks. This situation is not perceived by those who do not carefully observe their own lives. Their trunks are often so full that there is no space left for even the smallest object, and the most harmful details go unnoticed.
In a crowded life there is often no place for even minimal trust. There are many instances of developing events that were disrupted because of the lack of trust. One can well imagine how these failures affected those whose trunks were all in order! People refuse to understand how their thoughts and deeds are reflected in distant events. In addition to earthly matters there are supermundane ones to be considered, and even with the best intentions, reasonably good people can cause disruptions.
Sometimes it seems as if there is no way out, but feelings of hopelessness are impermissible. At times of particular tension, a feeling similar to despair may arise. This is not a hopeless condition, for it carries within it the seed of resolute decisiveness. At each turn of the path, one feels this tension. There may be a decrease in strength, but this is only a reflection of the inner tension that is felt most strongly when an important decision, not yet realized, is ripening within. In such a case We advise great caution. Care should be taken of one's health, for the centers can become inflamed and vulnerable.
We always stress work, but advise rest during such times of tension. This kind of relaxation has nothing to do with idleness; it is a sharpening of forces. However, understand that We are now talking about great tasks that require complete sacrifice.
The Thinker loved to say, “Can we not find even more that we can sacrifice?” Supermundane II, 262.
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. Remember this, and welcome the obstacles. Only these obstacles will show the wonderful design of our luminous battle. Does not the great victorious conclusion come at the last moment? Many times we have witnessed this wonderful law. Stand firm! Great right is with you, and there has never been a case where the predestined was not fulfilled if the nearest co-workers were firm and devoted. Battle with all your might and with a joyous spirit. Draw into the treasury of your experience every page of difficulties, for only these pages and nothing else will bring you a crown of victory and will affirm your name in the history of culture. The joy of battle is a fundamental note of Being. Through struggle come the great power of spirit and the great gift of immortality. Do not exaggerate the significance of the temporary failures. Try to learn your lesson from everything, and please be ready--ready for further surmounting and advancing. There is nothing stronger than the human will when it is directed with concentrated power and is sharpened with love toward the Hierarchy of Light. Rejoice in the great task entrusted to you! All will come, all is ready--only help with your firmness and devotion to the Hierarchy. Letters of Helena Roerich I, 13 May 1931.
9. In the group which studies the Living Ethics, there should be inculcated first of all the idea of good deeds and self-renouncing service to one's neighbor and for the General Welfare. All pseudo-occultism, all exercises for the development of psychism, are strictly forbidden. The pupil must try to develop spiritually and to awaken straight-knowledge, which is possible only by purifying the heart and the thought of all prejudices and preconceptions; precisely when the consciousness is broadened and the heart is aflame with the desire to accept the great tasks. True, such a program is possible only for a minority, as few understand and appreciate true beauty and its companion--simplicity. The majority prefer to encumber the consciousness with complicated formulae which they scarcely understand and, most of all, to revel in psychic phenomena. They do not realize that all psychism, without the Higher Guidance, is an obstacle on the path of true spiritual development. Letters of Helena Roerich I, 8 September 1934.
10. I believe that you would fulfill a great task if you could take a stand for the defense of the Teaching. There are so many opportunities where you could say a good word, and one need not look for special occasions or deliver unusual speeches. An appropriate word, spoken at the right time, often leads to great deeds, or arrests ruinous results. Letters of Helena Roerich II, 22 July 1935.