Selections from the Agni Yoga Series
Presented before the Agni Yoga Society, March 6, 2012
1. I shall specify the qualities distinctive in those seeking the Common Good. First--constancy of striving. Second--ability of containment, for poor is he who denies but the seeker of truth is worthy to work for General Good. Third--ability to labor, because the majority do not know the value of time. Fourth--the desire to help, without prejudices and without usurpation. Fifth--renouncement of personal property and the acceptance for safekeeping of the fruit of the creativeness of others. Sixth--expulsion of fear. Seventh--display of vigilance amidst darkness. This must be told to those who, possessed by fear, shield themselves with denial. One should point out that millions of people await the opening of the Gates. The shackles of hardships should not be replaced by the fetters of fear. Fear can be compared to leprosy; both cover the man with a rime of repulsiveness. Illumination, III:IV:6
2. You may ask: “How should one conduct oneself so as not to besmirch the chosen portion?” I can give this advice: Instead of a particle, accept the entire chalice of the Common Good. This will shield you against all impurities. Instead of timorous hesitation, resolve as an experiment to adopt for seven years the plan of the General Welfare. If My advice is poor, you can return later to breeding your cockroaches.
To whomever the Chalice of the Common Good seems heavy, I shall say that the Teaching is not sugar-coated nuts and it is not silver trinkets. The Teaching is rich silver ore, destined and treasured. The Teaching is curative resin, revealed and directed. Illumination, III:V:17
3. Now that you have assimilated the distinguishing marks of the Messenger, We shall remind you of the characteristics of coworkers. They are without prejudices, mobile in action, young in spirit, fearless of chasms. It is well not to forget the unknown ones and the orphans… Is it difficult to accept the fact that a group that has acquired knowledge by the path of tenacious labor can be united in the name of the Common Good?… Since Our Messenger does not shout in the market place, so too those who have been with Us know how to guard the Common Weal. Illumination, III:V:18
4. Just now, when an important time is drawing near, it is necessary to disinfect as many children as possible: They will be the ones to think about the cities of the future. They must be given a truthful book about the saintly heroes of the Common Good, but this book has not yet been written… But if you show children Our Domicile, they will joyously walk through all the laboratories and observatories. Our prismatic mirrors will give them unforgettable joy; because they love everything real, and We Ourselves strive for Truth.
Give the children only real, true objects! Illumination, III:V:19
5. The first book summoned to attainment of beauty, simplicity, and fearlessness. The second gives the quality and the features of labor which affirm the expansion of consciousness. The idea of the Community and of the Common Good is the first sign of broadening of consciousness. It should be understood that the necessity of labor is pointed out not for mere information but for application. This book is not for soothing but for the exertion of the rising spirit. Strive to the utmost toward labor. Enwrap each task with the best emanation.
He who performs the most wearisome labor most joyously will be the resolute victor, for he overcomes the burden of boredom. Of course every path, even the path to Our Community, has difficult crossings. The scope of consciousness is measured not through the flowers but across the abyss. Illumination, III:VI:21
6. Say to the hypocritical contemplators that if contemplation is a tension of energy and accumulation for a leap, then from the “Lion” comes ordainment of such action. But if contemplation is an indolence and indifference, then it is impossible to represent this shameful pastime as a great Covenant. A great deal must be removed from the path. It is necessary to examine everything imbedded… One should not reconcile oneself to the thought that someone else is at fault. It were better to calculate soberly one's own feelings. It were better, without a crooked smile, to consider that it is possible to reform beginning with today, and to examine the quality of each one's actions. In this, one should begin checking the most trivial matters. Have you slept too long? Have you spoken with those around you? Have you deferred an urgent task? Have you told false dates? Have you forgotten solicitude about the Common Good? Thus question yourself without hypocrisy. Community, 213
7. First of all, the Teaching is never sold; that is a most ancient law. The Teaching offers perfection as the goal; without this, it would have no future. The Teaching pays no attention to personal comfort; otherwise it would be egoism. The Teaching advocates the beautifying of existence, which otherwise would be submerged in ugliness. The Teaching is always self-denying, because it knows the true meaning of the Common Good. The Teaching reveres knowledge; otherwise it would be darkness. The Teaching is manifested in life not through invented ceremonies, but on the basis of experience. I consider that the way of the Teaching has nothing to do with the husks of outworn ways. Joy is a special wisdom. Agni Yoga, 404
8. Avoid uniformity, as to both place and work. Actually, uniformity accompanies that greatest fallacy, the concept of personal ownership. First of all, the slave of property loses mobility of spirit. Such a slave ceases to understand that each day of labor should be tinged with a special quality of the spirit. He cannot change place, because his spirit will be permanently fixed in his earthly home. Ask yourself--is it easy for you to move to another place? Is it easy for you to change the nature of your work? If it is, this means that you can appreciate the value of the Common Good. Illumination, III:V:6
9. Those uninformed in Great Service may even complain of the difficulty of such an achievement. But those in contact with it already cannot conceive of existence without it. A frightful emptiness appears, it seems, when there is no application of one's forces for Common Good. Without communion with Hierarchy a terrible darkness closes in from all sides. Without Great Service, life itself, like a wilting blossom, loses its meaning. The Fiery World is intangible, and the very concept of it, instead of being attractive, appears menacing. Equilibrium is established by great measures, but affirmation of the Shield of Hierarchy comes after the dedication of oneself to Great Service. The spirit decides its own fate. Without any stipulations the spirit itself determines its sacrifice. The dimension of the sacrifice is decided in the heart. No one can force an enlargement of the offering, but much joy is felt from a sacrifice which is not diminished. The Teacher advises to recognize one's potentialities according to the sacrifice voluntarily accepted by the heart. How great is the law of such good-will! It determines the future, from small to big, and up to great events! Fiery World II, 247
10. Urusvati knows of those moments when one is unable to discern the boundary between the personal good and the Common Good. The mind whispers that personal gain is in conflict with general welfare, but the heart says otherwise. Disharmony will cause a contradiction between the personal good and the Common Good, but it is possible to imagine a point at which the Common Good becomes the personal. It is a harmonious state that requires an equal harmony of all surrounding conditions.
The Thinker said, “Let everybody find thoughts that are good both for himself and for humanity, because then his ego will be equal to the heart of humanity.” Supermundane III, 472
11. Urusvati knows that the Yogi can be called a peacemaker. The Yogi radiates peace for the sake of the Common Good. The Yogi ends quarrels. The Yogi does not tire of talking about the Good. Much patience is needed to overcome human conflicts. What is the source of this invincible patience? It grows from the realization of the Supermundane World. Supermundane IV, 951
12. In the whole of Cosmos the endless battle is taking place, and all of us, visibly and invisibly, are involved in it. It is time to realize this because by realizing, by strengthening our spirit, we shall become the real victors. Directed by the High Wisdom, which indicates to us the right direction, we shall cross over all abysses! And without being dazzled by the vision, joyously and luminously we may look into the future. Where are other similarly fortunate ones who can say this? Think of the advantage this knowledge gives us! What an assurance it gives to all our actions and decisions! Is it not the greatest happiness to be able to move ahead to the indicated goal, fully realizing the events and knowing that our destiny is to achieve a maximum broadening of our consciousness for the best service to the Common Good? The threatening time is very near… And we who know about it must urgently transmute our inner fires in order to assimilate the approaching fiery storm, as only this will give us stability in the battle, will bring us near the Hierarchy of Light, and will help to fill the chalice. Thus, let us transmute all our energies. We should start from the most stubborn energy, which is egoism (that furious dragon of selfishness with its long tail); self-conceit; love of power; self-love; touchiness; irritability; fear; doubt and other similar decorations. And we should replace them with the wings of affirmed unity; complete solidarity with all the co-workers; acknowledgment of Hierarchy; joyous strengthening of the given tasks; tolerance and gratitude for the right directions. We should conclude with--trust to the very end. All this transmutation is so simplified when hearts burn with devotion and love to the One who calls to construction and who points out the way to the Tower. Letters of Helena Roerich I, 15 January, 1930
13. Yes, each one entering upon the Path of Service for the Common Good is unavoidably subjected to all kinds of tests, which are the results of his increased spiritual and mental work, and also of the hastening of the karma that is being outlived by him. Each thought process changes something in our karma; therefore, if it is directed toward benevolent construction, a corresponding purification takes place, but these purifications may be painful. It is good if we learn to love difficulties, because only personal experience, personal trials and sufferings teach us great patience and compassion, those qualities which lie at the basis of all achievements. Letters of Helena Roerich II, 23 April, 1938
14. Energy and will are the true rulers of karma. He who renounces self, who strives for the Common Good, who is devoted in battle and joyous in labor, acquires, at least for a moment, an Arhat's enlightenment, which makes him lord of his own karma. Agni Yoga, 127
15. One should recall that in the early dawn of mankind it was ordained that subtle and beautiful ideas be brought to Earth. Indeed, everyone who is ready to incarnate is instructed to fulfill a task for the Common Good according to his individual capacity. Each one may reject these instructions in the whirlpool of free will, but someday will have to return to pick up the scattered grains. Amidst Our intense labors it is especially difficult to continually remind people of their mission. In spite of the fact that people connect Us with the Invisible Government, they refuse to follow Our simplest Advice. Just think how often the best advice has been ridiculed! They call Us sages and saints, but will not listen to Us. Supermundane I, 105
16. I advise you to curtail your correspondence as much as possible. Take time for a serious study of the works of H. P. B. and of the Teaching of Living Ethics, and to become acquainted with the newest scientific discoveries, and attainments in the field of medicine. Avoid all kinds of “esoterics,” not they will build the new world, but the spiritual toilers who give their souls for the Common Good. The revaluation of values will touch upon many things. It is astonishing to see how, in time, many terms lose their meaning and become completely unacceptable. Prepare for a new step, which is being laid broadly and powerfully. Letters of Helena Roerich II, 6 August, 1938