Selections from the Agni Yoga Series
Presented before the Agni Yoga Society, April 4, 2017
1. Free will is a subject that is interpreted in many ways. One sees it as willfulness; another as irresponsibility; a third as the madness of the ego. Only the one who has gone through the discipline of spirit can realize how strict the reality of freedom can be. The abuse of freedom is a festival of ignorance. People cannot reconcile themselves to the Hierarchy of Knowledge, nor can they respect discipline of the will. But is any Yoga possible where there is no responsibility for one’s will? Each yogi wields his sword directly over his own heart; to that degree is he responsible for every action of his will. The consequences resulting from the will of a yogi may be indescribably severe, but he has chosen them consciously. Thus, one can see the yogi as a tireless warrior, always on guard.
Whoever is sure in his will — let him enter! Agni Yoga, 222
2. The pupil must not be obsessive, and the Teacher must not be seen as a dictator. Indeed, there is demanded of the student a realization of Hierarchy and harmony of action — the reconciling of the free will with acceptance of the Teacher. The weak mind is usually confused. Of course, the conditions and limitations imposed by the Teaching contradict the meaning of freedom in its vulgar sense…. The realization of the significance of the idea of the Teacher is a passing through the first gates of evolution…. The Teacher is the One who gives the best advice for life. This practicality will embrace knowledge, creativity, and Infinity. Agni Yoga, 43
3. The law of free will does not permit Us to exert direct influence on a person’s immediate actions…. We have to seek out the criteria governing close guidance, cautiously straining the essence of free will. So the task is becoming very complex. Even the slightest infringement of free will leads to consequences with all kinds of ramifications. The job of coordinating the entrusted missions with karmic conditions might be compared to walking a tightrope, but this rope has to be woven out of the most contrasting materials. … With a single unrestrained outburst a coworker might cause a work of long duration to grind to a halt, which is why I am advising special caution…. For the Teacher, it is valuable to have the definite certitude that each brief Command he gives will be understood and carried out. So we are advancing toward the language of the heart, which has no need of verbosity. Heart, 578
4. One should in no way violate the free will of people. The Teaching of Light transforms life when the spirit voluntarily recognizes the necessity of ascent. Therefore, do not burden others with admonitions. People will improve and attain by themselves. In the history of mankind one can see how the spirit of people finds its way toward Light. By its light each spirit finds the path in its own way. Many are unwilling to accept everything proffered, seeking by themselves some secret approach to Truth. One must exercise the greatest care with such independent aspirants; not everyone likes the principle of a chorus. Observation will prompt the most appropriate measures. However, one must calmly accept human peculiarities. Even grains of sand differ from one another. But who should revere individuality if not the servants of Light! Thus, one should establish nothing by force. It is said, “Though today a man may not search for Light, tomorrow he may weep for it.” Fiery World I, 622
5. In the acquisition of qualities one cannot keep to one system or one order of sequence. Whoever feels at heart the need of acquiring patience, let him set himself this task. Whoever strives to develop courage, let him gather this experience. One cannot forbid him who wishes to think of compassion or express himself in cooperation. Still worse are conventional coercive methods which force the disciple to strive for the quality farthest from him, which cannot yet be assimilated. With all the discipline of the Greek schools of philosophy, imposition on a pupil’s free will was forbidden. For example, all abusive words were forbidden by mutual agreement, without coercion, otherwise a man could send mentally still worse abuse. One should definitely indicate to the beginners the need for improving their qualities, but in the sequence of predilection. Fiery World I, 632
6. How to reconcile the existence of free will with the influences about which much as been said? Free will does exist, and no one will deny it, yet one may constantly observe certain non-conformities with the actions and thoughts of the Supermundane Forces. The point is that the will may be harmonious with the Higher Forces, or it may be chaotic and working against construction. It is deplorable that the chaotic will predominates among people. It does not improve with formal education. Freedom of will is a prerogative of man, but without harmony with the Higher Forces it becomes a misfortune. Brotherhood, 103
7. We are far from menaces. We may remind and caution, but not one of Us makes use of the dark force of suggestion through terror. Free will remains the distinctive quality of man. It is to be regretted if this marvelous energy propels madmen into an abyss. One can take warning measures, but it is inadmissible to break the law of free will. In the course of the fate of Atlantis one may see that plentiful forewarnings were issued, but the madmen did not listen. Likewise, in other epochs reminders can be perceived. Brotherhood, 524
8. Because of their partial understanding, people insist upon their own ways, but Our disciples will never forcibly hinder the decision of their Teacher. They understand how to harmonize their free will with Our decisions. One must possess great equilibrium to understand the wisdom of Our Guidance without crippling his own free will. We care a great deal about such balance. The best leaders of nations had this balance, and it was therefore easier to send them Our decisions. Supermundane, 25
9. Urusvati knows how much one’s free will contends with the more profound Primal Energy. Sometimes it may seem that the free will acts without higher control, but greater than the most powerful will there is a certain force that can completely transform the sendings produced by will power. In spite of the mind’s desire, the pendulum of life points out a different, unchangeable solution. Any honest observer can testify that often it is not his own reason that determines his actions. In addition to the reasoning will that is based upon the experience of everyday life, there is another, profound wisdom, which abides in the depths of the consciousness.
Contact with the higher worlds is not achieved by an increase of will power, but through the deeper consciousness, the repository of pure Primal Energy. Unfortunately, people do not distinguish between free will and the action of Primal Energy. They assume that the physical action of the will is the most tangible and thus the most effective.
People’s dependence on free will is reinforced by their passion for technology, and We have already spoken about the danger of this attraction. The free will must not contend with the Primal Energy, for this would bring great pain and even ruin. And so we arrive once again at the idea of the golden mean.
How beautiful can be the role of a flexible free will, which, through discrimination, can recognize higher wisdom and subordinate itself to it. Supermundane, 270
10. Urusvati knows the true meaning of willfulness. Some people do not understand the difference between willfulness and the free will, though there is a distinct difference. Free will, properly applied, acts according to the law of cosmic rhythm. It produces good, whereas willfulness produces disharmony. One who lapses into willfulness can cause unimaginable calamities.
Ignorance is the mother of willfulness. A person in this miserable state knows nothing about the Supermundane World. He believes that he is, in every way, a self-willed creator of his own fate. When the supermundane laws become known, it will be seen that the path of willfulness is a wrong one. The process of Cosmic Justice cannot be set aside. It would be like a diver trying to find pearls in the depths of the ocean without being properly trained. Willfulness is a bad adviser, and carries destruction with it.
… Let the children understand how beautiful is the way of free will, when man, through universal law, will be the builder of the Future. Supermundane, 899
11. It is unavoidable for one to encounter ugly monsters, yet the free will will liberate one from fear and lead beyond all obstacles.
Freedom of spirit is the gate into the Supermundane World. One’s entire earthly life can be transformed through the manifestation of the free will. A free man will not dispute with ignoramuses, but will offer them alms in such a way that they will not even notice it, though this small generosity will help them on the way to the Supermundane World. Everyone passes on this way, and the free will is a wise leader. But be certain that the will is truly free.
The Thinker warned, “Do not turn the luminous gift of free will into a kind of madness.” Supermundane, 778