Selections from the Agni Yoga Series
Presented before the Agni Yoga Society, February 3, 2015
1. Even the best additions to the concept of Brotherhood have only lowered it and made it difficult to attain. It has been linked with liberty and equality, but this trinity was conceived in the earthly meaning, that is to say, under conditions in which neither freedom nor equality do exist.
The loftiest freedom can be realized in the Supermundane World, where laws are understood as a beautiful and immutable reality. There, too, equality of the seed of the spirit is understood, it being the sole measure of liberality and balance. Usually the earthly statues depicting liberty are furnished with wings or torches, thus reminding us about the higher spheres and conditions.
About images representing equality there is this anecdote: When a sculptor once received an order to execute a thousand statues depicting equality, to be used to decorate a triumphal avenue, he made one statue and proposed casting all the others from it. (Brotherhood, § 3)
More than two hundred years ago, France conceived this statement: “Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité” as the motto of the Nation. Now, after the horrible events in Paris, many other Nations are wondering themselves about these values.
So, to achieve a deeper comprehension, we can reflect about some paragraphs of the Living Ethics Teaching.
2. Fanaticism is inadmissible. It contains neither devotion, nor love, nor magnanimity, but is only a reversion to the animal state. Fanaticism begets treason, hostility, and cruelty. The fanatic does not reach the Fiery World, because love is the key to it. Fanaticism is like a neglected ailment, if not immediately attended to it becomes incurable. Such a consciousness must encounter great shocks in order to understand true devotion. By repulsion alone one cannot acquire the quality of the magnet. Therefore, I am so concerned that you should not lose a single opportunity for manifesting friendliness. The best fuel should be preserved for the fire of the heart. The store of friendliness generates true compassion, which is directly opposed to the cruelty of fanaticism. Fanaticism knows only the egoism which presumptuously says, “All or nothing.” And since all is impossible, there remains nothing. Therefore, take notice of even the slightest signs of fanaticism. Cure them with the greatest patience as you would a contagious disease. It is precisely fanaticism which has shaken the most beautiful Teachings and corroded the seeds of love. One should carefully prepare everything that can facilitate the access of Agni to one's heart. (Fiery World I, § 661)
3. Fanaticism pertains to the most violent manifestations of cruelty. Other manifestations in the Cosmos which appear so destructive cannot be compared to fanaticism, for this feeling destroys the heart, it destroys all exalted feelings. Verily, Satan himself saturates the world with fanaticism. Truly, the crimes of destroyers do not compare with the frightful blasphemies of fanatics. The actions of fanatics contribute to the dissolution of each higher Teaching; for the Karma of these godless ones, under the mask of faith, affirms the most horrible destruction. The conditions of life reveal the process through which such Karma creates. Truly, these fanaticisms cause streams of blood to flow. The construction of the New World requires regeneration of the consciousness. (Fiery World III, § 330)
Wherever it may be, everyone has the chance to help the “building of a new World “: chaos can be balanced with the constant flame of the Good and with the care taken about daily thoughts:
4. Words and thoughts beget fiery consequences; yet the tongue continues to prattle and thought continues to wound space. Ponder this fiery production! Do not pride yourselves on some dead knowledge as long as you continue to spew slander against the Highest. Remember that this slander will lodge with you forever. The world has been set aquiver by the flames of malice. Its progenitors hope for the ruin of others, but they themselves will perish from leprosy. (Fiery World I, § 71)
5. It is futile to think that chaos is somewhere faraway; it is admitted by humanity during all disorderly thinking. Only a steadfast consciousness can be a protection against chaos.... (Brotherhood, § 129)
6. You see that the world is in a state of war. Diverse are its aspects! In one place they are concealed and in another they are obvious, but their meaning is one. Likewise, revolution takes on a peculiar meaning; it can also occur without this name. Some may think that the process is too slow, but in essence it is even hurried. (Brotherhood, § 123)
The Master said: “….Freedom and Equality are possible only in the Supermundane World”.
It is a very important instruction, because it shows us the next horizon of human consciousness.
7. If the earthly eyes do not yet see, nor the ears hear, still the heart does recognize reality. For progress, one needs to recognize the Supermundane World. Such a broadened consciousness will transform the entire attitude toward life. The time has drawn near when one must prepare the consciousness for broad perceptions. Only in a broad understanding will it be possible to discern the process that is taking place (Brotherhood, § 122)
Let’s end with a reflection about the third great concept: Brotherhood.
8. “Brotherhood on earth is impossible!” Thus exclaim those filled with selfhood. “Brotherhood on Earth is impossible,” say the dark destroyers. “Brotherhood on earth is impossible,” whisper the weak-willed. Thus do many voices try to deny the fundamentals of Be-ness. Yet, so many true Brotherhoods have existed in different epochs, and nothing was able to cut short their existence. If people do not see something, then for them it does not exist. Such ignorance can be traced from ancient times up to this day. Nothing can force a man to see if he does not wish to see. It is time to understand that it is not only the visible that exists but that the world is filled with invisible realities.(Brotherhood, § 130)
….. Do not think that We see many co-workers who can introduce supermundane ideas into their lives. (Supermundane III, § 674)
The following paragraphs, added to these reflections, may suggest other aspects pertinent at this time:
9. Is it possible to discern the real current of evolution if a blinding evidence screens reality and prejudice reigns as the established opinion? When will people realize the mirage of prejudice! In every prejudice is contained an evil design upon the human essence. This is not a moral but a practical warning. What sort of an idea about the Community can be conceived by prejudiced people! It is absurd to speak with them about free broadening of consciousness; they have no conception of freedom, yet without freedom there is no finding the channel of the current of success.(Community, § 225)
10. Urusvati knows how important it is that human thinking be freed. Do not take comfort in the idea that thought is in its nature free, because thinking is chained by many prejudices. Nowadays we do not burn sorcerers, but some scientific domains are regarded by many as akin to witchcraft.
Everybody knows people who consider themselves to be cultured, but whose prejudices do not permit them to accept real scientific achievements....
Those in authority know how to close the mouth of the bold one who dares to speak about freedom of thought. (Supermundane III, § 614)
11. As bees collect honey so you, too, should collect knowledge. It will be asked, What is new in this advice? Its newness is in that one should collect knowledge from everywhere. Until now knowledge had fixed limits, and entire domains of it were kept under prohibition, suspicion, and in neglect. People have not had the courage to overcome prejudices. They have forgotten that a scholar, first of all, must be open to all that exists. There are no forbidden domains for a scholar....
Brotherhood teaches unprejudiced cognition. (Brotherhood, § 599)
12. Do not think that We exaggerate the dangers of superstition and bigotry. The lives of most people are based upon these prejudices, which deprive them of freedom of thought and so fill them with ignorant convictions that they deliberately close their eyes and ears to the most obvious manifestations. If one wants to see, one must have an open mind.... Thus, there remains only one way: the golden middle way....This is not an easy way, for it requires a refinement of consciousness. (Supermundane II, § 357)
13. The Thinker asked people above all to think freely, and said, “Freedom of thought is the path of progress.” (Supermundane IV, § 933)
14. From the enclosure sent by you, a reader might come to the conclusion that someone is against the great ideas of liberty, equality, and brotherhood – ideas which alone keep humanity alive! But if these leading ideas were to be put aside because they seem utopian, as it were, then it would be better for humanity to cease to exist as soon as possible. Unless these ideas are carried in the heart, humanity will sink into unheard-of crimes and depravity and will slowly disintegrate and perish from the calamities engendered by them. If these ideas are utopian, then all Teachings of Life are utopian in like measure. (Letters of Helena Roerich II, 10 September 1938)