Selections from the Agni Yoga Series
Presented before the Agni Yoga Society, April 24, 2007
Stand firm, stand more firmly than a rock. The miraculous fire is intensified by steadfastness of spirit. Fiery World I, 68.
Under My Banners will I assemble new followers./ Dedicate yourselves to the task of gathering the people and, with them, erecting My Temple.
Tarry not at M.’s call./ Be steadfast and build your path to Me. The Call, 160.
My Hand is above only the steadfast ones./ Weakness and light mindedness foster treachery.
Treason is judged not by its causes but by its effects./ Each one is free, but is judged by his deeds./ Initiation is not found through heartless action./ Happiness is gained through labor. The Call, 384.
That man is called hero who acts selflessly, but this definition is not complete. He is a hero who acts self sacrificingly, unwaveringly, consciously, and who, acting in the name of the Common Good, thus brings nearer the current of cosmic evolution.
Heroes may be encountered in present day life. One should not consider this concept inapplicable. If we fear to introduce such a concept, we ourselves break away from the pathleading into the region of truth. One should recognize heroism in life; one should remember that the sword is the staff of the hero. Knowing how to turn sword into staff must find a place in the day’s work.
How all magical formulas droop before the irrepressible leap over the abyss to the life giving Sun! Only those who cognize reality can speak about the Sun without superficial tearfulness.
We wish to see you steadfastly conquering. Each victory teaches prudence, but this restraint palpitates with flights. Be not afraid of bad definitions, but, setting forth for an achievement, see that you have food prepared for the morrow. He who moves toward achievement must proceed as
if summoned by a work bell. For the striving one the thinnest surface is sufficient. Aspire! New Era Community, 147.
Someone will say “Is vigilance, or co measurement, or mobility, or devotion difficult? Here, I feel that I can contain all these conditions; will you not take me on the distant journey into the Community?” But has this hasty traveler thought about a certain requisite in the qualities mentioned by him? Steadfastness was forgotten. Little fires flickering only for an instant contain all the qualities of flame, but darkness engulfs them as swiftly as a brazier does a snowflake. One cannot trust an isolated moment of containment; only steadfastness, tempered by toil and by obstacles, results in a trustworthy containment.
A true musician does not think about each finger's calling forth a sound; only a pupil considers which fingers are convenient to use. The true coworker does not think about the intended application of the qualities of labor. The music of the spheres is blended with the song of progress of labor.
Ponder how like a fiery ladder is steadfastness. New Era Community, 153.
One of the mighty qualities of spirit is steadfastness. How can one develop and expand one's consciousness when steadfastness is lacking? How else can one verify intentions and actions if there exists no such mighty impulse as steadfastness? For each one on the path there is but one immutable Might Hierarchy. Upon this sacred Principle one may construct; from this sacred Summit one may contemplate the world; upon this Stronghold the spirit becomes winged; upon this Summit can be built a mighty evolution. Therefore, when the spirit tries to create an illusory world of selfhood, it is certainly difficult to advance. Thus, in limitless creativeness there is the beacon fire Hierarchy. Thus, by steadfastness in Service one can broaden one's consciousness and encompass the law of Fiery Hierarchy. Hierarchy, 217.
It is necessary to become as accustomed to battle as to daily labor. One should understand a battle not only as a test of excelling in strength but also as a source for the accumulation of energy. We cannot think of mastering the elements without a battle. And how ready must we be at a call, for otherwise we may waste the action of the Higher Forces. Hierarchy does not mean the steadfastness of repose, but steadfastness in the midst of battle. Can something else be substituted for battle, when Our Magnet is tense and each victory is the joy of the entire Hierarchy? If it is difficult for some to accept Hierarchy through love, let them accept it as a fundamental necessity. Hierarchy, 233.
Let us turn to devotion. This concept is also subject to many distortions. Devotion does not resemble a windmill, or a hired singer of praises. Rather, it resembles a firm tower upon a summit, which the enemies avoid in awe, but in whose chambers a shelter is ever prepared for a friend. Devotion is the opposite of doubt, which is nothing but ignorance. It means that devotion rests upon enlightenment. Thus, validity of learning is akin to devotion. It is not credulity, not levity, but firmness and steadfastness. Truly, the tower of devotion is not constructed by haphazard toil or by petty decisiveness; and devotion can be violated only by perfidy, which is the same as betrayal. But valuable are the towers of devotion! Such ashrams, like magnets, attract powerful hearts; they are nurseries of spirituality. Even material nature is transformed in the proximity of these towers. Hierarchy, 287.
One should also not forget that all the details of these days take on a highly confused aspect. One should not demand customary thinking from people when the air itself is unusual. One must accept the difficulties of the period, preserving steadfastness. Consolation lies in that we can mentally affirm the future. Thus, hold firmly; beyond the heart’s thread there is nothing. Heart, 346.
Lack of steadfastness was especially condemned in antiquity. It was called ruination and was regarded with reproach, as the barrier to advancement. Wavering was considered to be ignorance and failure in the primary education. It was assumed that the disciple would not wander away from the true basis, but would continue persistently to perfect himself. Aum, 253.
Do not drive any one away if he wishes to study the energy with a purely scientific aim. Only ascertain that the goal should not prove to be pseudo scientific. A scientific task is based on tolerant acceptance, but the pseudo scientific is full of negation. Likewise, do not burden investigators with preconceived methods. Each investigator has the right to his own path. Even if his path be a complicated one, he may discover an unexpected new detail. Poor is the method of pedagogues who ridicule each attempt at an original solution of a problem. Quests of new approaches of truth should be welcomed. If one's conviction is so steadfast that Truth is one, there can be no fear that some other truth will be found.
One should manifest the broadest tolerance, only thus is it possible to build up cooperation. Aum, 484.
In general, fearful wayfarers are not fitted for the path. Can one imagine a swimmer who is afraid of the water? Likewise harmful is fear before advancing into the Subtle World. Only steadfastness and aspiration to the Highest can further the ascent. He who strives toward something beloved does not count the steps of the ladder. Thus, it is necessary to love in order to attain.
Brotherhood teaches this means of ascent. Brotherhood, 321.
When I call, “Help through thought.” I show a special trust. Not everyone can be asked to help in thought. One must be certain of the quality of thought and the concentration of heart energy. Such choice thoughts are like a powerful radio. One should know how to muster complete devotion, and how not to encumber thoughts with irrelevant feelings. A hurricane is necessary to carry sendings—steadfastness also will be urgently needed. It is erroneous to think that thought is important only for the earthly plane; perhaps it is even more important for the Subtle World, to create a powerful collaboration. During the tension of the world, equilibrium can often be created precisely by thoughts. Fiery World I, 94.
It is possible to issue decrees, to make promises, and to intimidate; but only understanding impels. What could replace the understanding of applicability?
People will say, “How beautiful! How powerful! How sublime!” But all these outbursts are like will o the wisps over a marsh, and are extinguished as easily as they are generated. Pure but superficial thoughts are like multi colored dust particles; the first wind carries them away into space. The value of such particles is negligible.
We appreciate a thought which has engendered a decision. The decision is valued according to its applicability. Applicability is judged by spirit knowledge, and then an action results at which one may rejoice. Whoever rejoices has faith also. Even faith must be well grounded, and thus can the Teaching live.
We compute well, We apply well. If you are accused of economy, do not reject this either; for economy is opposed to madness, and madness is opposed to spirit knowledge. But whatever circle of reasoning we choose, we shall inevitably return to the great knowledge of the spirit.
I do not vaguely feel, I know! Not superstition, but certainty. When we are filled with immutability, it is as if we have contacted the magnet of the planet. Then we stand steadfast. Illumination, III:V:5.