Selections from the Agni Yoga Series
Presented before the Agni Yoga Society, October 21, 2014
1. Urusvati knows that in every significant event, there are strong cosmic influences, but four levels of human thinking are involved. The first level is that of those who, with full understanding, participate physically in the resolving of conflicting forces. For them each event can be seen as the result of a battle. On the second level are those who participate in the Subtle World. They also have a clear understanding, and are involved no less than the incarnate ones. The third level consists of those who are involved, but without understanding. The fourth level consists of the leaders, whether visible or invisible.
The first two and the fourth levels have been discussed by Us many times, but the third level must be spoken about, for it includes more and more people who, consciously or unconsciously, participate in the most complex events. It can be understood that their thoughts form a powerful force, which can be dangerous because of their chaotic nature.
Irresponsible, with a low level of consciousness, subject to any influence, ready for any betrayal, filled with malice, such people fill space with the debris of their disorderly thinking. Their enthusiasms are unpredictable and can change daily; thus, they become sources of psychic epidemics.
Moreover, they endanger the mental sending of conscious co-workers of Good. They poison the atmosphere, and much energy is required to neutralize their dark sendings. They do not understand the scope of the harm inflicted by them, and do not wish to know what barriers they set up on the path of evolution.
Some may wonder what is new in all this, for malicious ignorance has been recognized as destructive for a long time. But precisely at present, during this time of Armageddon, the legions of destroyers multiply. They render useless the labors of the co-workers of Good, and special warnings should be proclaimed against their madness. Their disruptions of harmony must not be tolerated. The great majority, unknowing, can easily succumb to falsehood.
The Thinker constantly pointed out that ignorance is a most powerful force and therefore dangerous. Supermundane III, 673
2. At times people are ready to admit the power of thought, but they do not apply this admission to themselves. They dream of great thoughts but will not discipline the small ones. They will ask how to transmute thought into action. One must begin by disciplining the smallest thoughts and then, only, create a thought that moves mountains. The advice about disciplining small thoughts is the inception of bringing health to the heart. Do not rely upon a variety of outer pranayamas. The path of Agni Yoga is through the heart, but the heart must be aided by disciplining thoughts. Disorderly thoughts are like vermin, they injure the subtle substance. Heart, 495
3. Hence, take care about your thinking. Also, learn to think beautifully and briefly. Many do not see the distinction between thought for action and a reflex of the brain. It is necessary to know how to cut short reflexive spasms that lead to semi-consciousness. The development of reflexive activity is similar to intoxication.
The community is arrived at in clarity of thinking. The manifestation of thinking produces a clear, inexpressible responsibility. We are very solicitous that the realization of responsibility should not forsake you. Community, 101
4. Urusvati knows how to recognize the various strata of thinking. It is usually believed that the exterior layer of thought is the most perfect one, for it is more easily expressed in words, but that idea is incorrect. Far more significant is the inner layer, which is expressed through feeling. This layer has a much stronger hold on man; from it rise the actions that affect one’s karma. The sensitive, elevated consciousness knows how to heed the inner thinking. It needs no words and knows that ascent is forged in the hearth of silence.
Concentration is a companion to true achievement. Patiently and tenderly is this constant companion summoned. External, chance currents can disrupt the growth of inner thinking. You observed that the collective thinking of crowds is quite primitive, not because the crowd consists of fools, but because the external, random, inter-crossing currents and irregular rhythms destroy the highest expressions….
Solitary thoughts can merge into special currents, and their powerful effects will even dissolve rocks.
The Thinker used to say, “Teach me to hear the Voice of Silence.” Supermundane IV, 710
5. Thought is sometimes compared with the ocean--the comparison is plausible. Each man has three basic currents of thought. A superficial one--from the flesh, connected with muscular reflections, obvious in the external life. The second already concerns the heart, and contributes to improvement and progress in the subtle feelings. And finally, in the depths of the consciousness is being conceived the achievement of self-renunciation--here the Fiery World will be near. Each man can touch all Worlds; even in the routine of his everyday life he can choose the type of thinking he desires. Fiery World III, 603
6. Urusvati knows that the foundations of life should be expressed in every human action. It is not enough just to read and discuss fundamental truths; they must permeate one's life so that they need not be mentioned at all. For this one must learn to distinguish the different levels of thought.
Just as there are three worlds, there are also three levels of thought. Man can think simultaneously on all three levels. For instance, he can be absorbed in mundane thinking, which includes empirical reasoning. Behind this functions his subtle thought, and in the depths of his consciousness a fiery spark may radiate. At times these three layers can merge harmoniously into one, and there results a powerful projection of thought. But, as a rule, people exhibit only discord in their consciousness. Sometimes their earthly reasoning produces seemingly attractive ideas, but their subtle thinking will reject these ideas, knowing their true origin. For them, the fiery sparks may not ignite at all….
It is instructive to observe how the three levels of thought replace one another. An earthly thought is not necessarily inferior to a subtle one. There are cases when earthly thought led people to lofty actions, whereas the subtle thought crept its way upon an outlived path. Of course, the fiery divine spark is always faultless, but it must be kindled….
The Thinker instructed His disciples to strictly control their thoughts and to harmonize them. He called such harmony of thought music. Supermundane II, 303
7. If one can distinguish between the strata of thought, one can also sense various kinds of activity. At first all activity seems to be taking place on the earthly plane. Later, in so-called dreams, straight-knowledge becomes separated, as if it were an independent activity which takes place not on the earthly plane alone. Thus comes the first realization of an entry of other worlds into our existence. Then, in a state of complete wakefulness, instantaneous absences may be observed which have no connection with any ailment. Thus the bond between the worlds and our participation in them can be traced still more profoundly. It is not easy for the consciousness to assimilate the concept of the invisible worlds; due to our dense shell we can realize only with difficulty all the possibilities outside our vision…. However, if it is difficult here to preserve clarity of consciousness, there (in the Subtle World) it is even more difficult because numerous manifestations are encountered of orders of evolution new to us. Thus, one should preserve especially the covenant about clarity of consciousness. This is expressed as true synthesis. And if consciousness is so greatly needed for the Subtle World, how imperatively is it needed for the Fiery World! Fiery World I, 105
8. There are two kinds of logic: the logic of external reasoning, which one attempts to learn from textbooks, and that of mental synthesis, by which one collects and links the sparks of spatial thought. These sparks may seem to be a happy accident, even though this "accident" may have been ripening in space for an entire century. The broadened consciousness provides the best possibility of grasping the nodes of spatial thought. Agni Yoga, 361
9. Urusvati knows about salutary rhythm or the so-called “natural” yoga…. Especially at the present time one should pay particular attention to the natural development of psychic energy, which should be studied and also applied in life. It is true that psychic energy acts independently, but now I am speaking of its conscious application.
You should assure people that each one of them possesses this treasure and can utilize it in thought, amidst daily life. But for this one must first of all understand the process of thinking, which continues unceasingly whether one is asleep or awake. However, there are two currents of thought, one in the brain, and another that registers in the depths of the consciousness. Usually, people are not aware of the deep consciousness, and do not realize that the most precious knowledge is not received through the brain.
People should learn about the process of ceaseless thinking, which works like a pulse and generates a beneficial rhythm. This description is instructive. It indicates that good thinking is also healthy thinking, and produces a benevolent inner fire….
We love to pass through the dark spheres to scatter the sparks of Light. Every man, no matter in what condition, can be a source of Light.
The Thinker said, “Goodness is Light.” Supermundane II, 386