Selections from the Agni Yoga Series
Presented before the Agni Yoga Society, April 29, 2014
1. Verily, man is the highest manifestation of Cosmos. Verily, he is chosen as the predestined builder and collector of all treasures of the Universe. Verily, the term “man” means the affirmation of creativeness. Long ago was the key entrusted to man, but when revelation illumined him there appeared the extinguishers of the fires.
We shall say that when our paths converge within the sun, then you will realize the entire grandeur of Cosmos. Conceive the sun as a guarantee of a new science. Accept the Fire of Infinity as an illumination, as a manifestation of Our real presence. Accept what is ordained by Us. Infinity I, 25
2. When the vision discerns the significance of the Universe, the ways to endlessly manifested existence are revealed. World vision discloses that which exists in life, but the unlimited vision reveals the boundless Be-ness. The creativeness of Cosmos is incessant, and there where the world vision sees boundaries the unlimited vision perceives new horizons.
The Sacrament of attestation of the Cosmic Magnet is the cosmic vision of Higher Reason. Thus, the complex law unravels as the mighty primary power of the Heart of Cosmos. The clarity of cosmic law reveals to man the beauty of the World. Infinity I, 196
3. Perseverance in various directions inevitably imparts to the fire its power and color; therefore it is so difficult to extinguish the consuming fire, which is kindled by the nature of habits. But the Yogi understands the great need of kindling the fire connected with Good. The thought of Good is the measure of consciousness. He who attains begins the ascent in self-abnegation and measures his steps by the criterion of Good. He knows that no mask of Good can disguise him, for deceit is only the illusion of an instant. Therefore, do not forget how the saint revered by you sent greetings to his friend from a great distance. He knew that his friend had set out for an achievement, and their hearts became one in revelation. Nothing can impede the revelation of the heart. Thus, a mutual confession of faith is in itself a foretaste of the language of the Fiery World, where the hidden becomes revealed. It is not surprising that the word of Truth is constantly repeated through the course of the ages. How can Truth be forgotten, though times may vary! One can rejoice at every mention of Truth, for that which we love we speak about, in words and in the heart. Fiery World I, 665
4. We cannot pride ourselves on our cognition so long as the Invisible World does not grow in our consciousness. Thus, let us be on guard against everything which sways our thought away from that of good for others. The revelation of fiery thought will be accessible to benevolent thinking. Fiery World II, 434
5. The Teaching is given in endless succession, for the purpose of affirmation of fiery revelations and the carrying out of highest laws, and, following the same principle as that governing magnetic poles, can be given only to a fiery spirit that has been aligned with Hierarchy for thousands of years. The intensified fiery action extends for thousands of years. The fusion of consciousness is forged over a span of thousands of years. The united path is carved and paved in thousands of years. Hearts are merged in one Great Service in thousands of years. Immutable is the Cosmic Law, and it should be understood that the succession of the Teaching is affirmed through millenniums. There are many who attempt to infringe upon this great right, but a Cosmic Right is given to a creator in the Fiery World. Therefore humanity must purify consciousness for the understanding of the great Right of succession. Fiery World III, 21
6. Daring is the achievement of Beauty which crowns Service. The crown is the revelation of Cosmic Communion. The basis of Cosmic rapprochement can be affirmed as a conjunction of Higher Forces. A great Crown is ordained for the brow which has been shaped by millenniums of achievements of self-sacrifice. The crown of achievement is molded by the heart, and the winged spirit creates its own ascending Karma. With difficulty do the sparks of creativeness seep through on the path of Karma; and still less is understood the Truth of Karmic action. Not from without comes the proper estimation of Karma. Karma is contained in each cell, and the spirit carries its own attainment and its own armor. Fiery World III, 91
7. The consciousness which is impelled to the Higher Worlds, is able to draw from the treasury of the Cosmos. Those who affirm that man has a limited capacity for revelation shut out by this affirmation all possibilities. The fiery consciousness affirms measures which make for the evolution of the Cosmos. The attraction of energies from Space is the basis of creative power, for records and manifested energies can be mutually intensified through conscious attraction. Man is a source of knowledge and is the most powerful transformer of cosmic forces. The symbol of the transmuter must live in the heart. On the path to the Fiery World let us strive for the attraction and transformation of spatial energies. Fiery World III, 306
8. Let us not calculate precisely what kind of manifestation is most important. Sometimes the seemingly small revelations are more significant than the most soul-shaking ones. Learn how to sense the manifestations. Which one will sound deep in the heart? Truth is in the heart, knowledge is in the heart, revelation is in the heart. It is said that the Yoga of Love is the shortest path. Truly, it can be called the Yoga of the Heart….
The Thinker taught, “Every teacher must be a pupil of the heart, without it all our aspirations will end in destruction. Woe to those with hearts of stone.” Supermundane III, 689
9. I may cheer you up by saying that, although the path of preparatory discipleship is long and there are many obstacles and trials on this path, the mastering of these difficulties bring its own joy, achievement and revelation. Also, you must know that these tests are not artificially created but deal with the inner attitude and presence of mind of the disciple, giving him a chance to show how he will act in cases of sudden difficulty and amid general trying circumstances. In Theosophical literature seven years is usually mentioned as the first period of trial, followed by the next period of seven years. But these periods can be shortened or prolonged indefinitely. All depends upon the karma of the disciple and on his inner development and aspiration. For one must achieve the gradual opening of the higher centers; otherwise it is impossible to become an accepted disciple. But remember that until the age of thirty years is reached, not all the centers can be awakened without terrible harm to the organism. To force their opening is equal to suicide. Letters of Helena Roerich I, 29 August 1934
10. You are quite right in surmising that in the plan of evolution there are some ungrateful roles which have to be played by someone. Often these roles are performed by spirits not so utterly bad as they are usually thought to be. And these roles are distributed by the great impresario, the law of Karma. Very probably, even these concepts are not easily assimilated by the unprepared consciousnesses, who never think about the grandeur and inevitability of the law of cause and effect. If we look without prejudice for the reasons for this or that calamity, we shall come to the most amazing "revelations." Letters of Helena Roerich I, 21 May 1935
11. It is said that the true faces of people will be revealed because the purification of space must take place. But you should not be terrified by any such revelation. Long ago it was said that "Ivan" (in hundreds of thousands) will save his country! Tragedy occurs from lack of understanding, as many do not want, or rather fear, to realize that the consciousness of the people has changed--that a whole new generation has grown up, entirely separated from the old one. If our thinking differs so strongly from that of our parents, in spite of the slow tempo of the last century, what can be said of the psychology of the generation reared in a revolutionary environment! How utterly different must their psychology be! Verily, lack of imagination is a great impediment and a drastic limitation of possibilities. Therefore, meet calmly the attacks. "To be afraid of wolves means to avoid the forest," and "God leads the brave." The experience of life confirms these wise proverbs. The cultural constructiveness of the New World needs people of a brave and firm consciousness, who are devoted to the Service of the Good and who are ready to defend at every instant the Great Hierarchy of Light. Letters of Helena Roerich I, 6 July 1935
12. We are witnessing a great world-reconstruction. New laws are already written into the Tables of Eternity, but the great Revelation is not yet accepted. Woe to those who reject the spirit and who prefer to vegetate in ignorance, in debility, and in moral mire! The New World comes in realization of human dignity, in austere understanding of duty and the responsibility of each one to humanity and the whole of Cosmos. Cooperation always and in everything must become the order of the Day. Letters of Helena Roerich II, 11 October 1935
13. Sow the useful seeds as broadly as you can, but always bear in mind the level of the consciousness. Garb the great truths in the most acceptable garments. Great compassion is revealed in veiling the Light in order not to blind the weak-sighted. Always, and in everything, we should be guided by the heart. It is said that only a small consciousness proudly attempts to display all its imagined brilliance, but a great consciousness does not fear to conceal itself if it is obvious that many concepts cannot yet be absorbed. Letters of Helena Roerich II, 18 January 1936