Selections from the Agni Yoga Series
Presented before the Agni Yoga Society, May 12, 2015
1. Success will not abandon those who are striving impetuously, for it is difficult to strike an arrow in flight. How swiftly approaching are the dates of those predestined ones, yet in movement yesterday must be distinguished from tomorrow. Nations have rebelled, kings are departing—is this by chance? Only the blind do not perceive the movement of evolution. Every youthful heart quivers with a presentiment of new forms. In these movements each new form, though imperfect, is more valuable that the polished old one. <...> Illumination, III:V:16
2. Our thoughts are about you. We are sending you the Teaching—how to walk upon the steep rock, transforming it into a wondrous valley. Humanity feels that the of the Gates. Success is only a sign of the correct direction. Success is but the understanding of the moment. The Teaching is but the lifting of the curtain of the theater. How wonderful it is to be an actor in the world's mystery! Walk in joy! <...> Illumination, II:II:8
3. Least of all do people understand success. Usually, when the success of a task commissioned by the Hierarchy, and imbued with the help of the Hierarchy, is attributed by the spirit steeped in selfhood to its own merit, the success turns into a heartache of the spirit. When a co-worker requires adoration of himself for fulfillment of the task given him, he closes by this very act the records of space. The records of life passing on in all earthly glory reveal so many beggars in spirit! A co-worker who presents to the community the idea that the Hierarchy will act in accordance with the affirmation of the successful co-worker introduces truly a belittlement of the Hierarch. How difficult it is to introduce among the co-workers the true concept of success! Indeed, only humility of the spirit and the feeling of gratitude are appropriate. Who gave all possibilities? Who has given the direction? Who has manifested all good? Only the Hierarch, only the Leader, only the Forces of Light. Successful co-worker, examine thy armor; on each link is inscribed—Hierarchy. Not I myself, nor mine, but Thine, O Lord!
Hence, on the path to the Fiery World one should remember that humility is the companion of success. Co-worker, pretend not to luck, for fiery energies are subtle, and crude egotism does not contain the fires. Thus, let us remember about humility when we wish to be truly successful. Fiery World III, 52
4. The man who feels himself unlucky has been called an obscurer of the heavens. He has collected gloom around himself and has infected the distant space. He has harmed himself, but still more all that exists. He has proved himself to be an egoist, forgetting about his surroundings. Depriving himself of good fortune, he has become a breeding ground of afflictions. As the self-satisfied one loses the thread of advance, so does he who is filled with self-pity cut away his own success. It is not fitting for man to doom himself to calamities. Long-sown wails and groans turn into a ruinous vortex. The itch of envy changes into leprosy; from malice the tongue grows numb. A whole hotbed of disasters is built by the man who gives himself over to the illusion of bad luck. Such poisoners are intolerable in the Brotherhood. Yet many dream about Brotherhood without thinking what a burden They bear! How strong is the man who realizes the good fortune of being a man! Brotherhood, 392
5. How can one attain success? Remember, through joy—not through despair, but joy. Do not for an instant believe that We ponder the probability or improbability of success. The thought is, Does your joy suffice to quicken the ascent? We always counsel joy. It is necessary to realize and remember that you have succeeded when you rejoiced. Certainly this is not the frisking of a calf on the meadow, but the creative joy which transforms all difficulties. The play of the Mother of the World is in joy. She enfolds the enlightened ones in Her veil of joy. Rejoice amidst flowers; and in the midst of snow—equally redolent—also rejoice! Fiery World, 1, 663
6. Urusvati knows how unpredictably the mosaic of life falls together, but such unexpectedness is only from the earthly point of view. A person may think that he speaks or writes with a certain intent, but he is directed to an entirely different goal by the Higher Forces. He may think that he is finding success in a desired direction, when in reality he is achieving greater success in some unexpected way. He may, for example, write to a certain person, then find that the response comes from an unexpected source. Supermundane I, 176
7. The measures of success and failure are quite idiosyncratic. The immediate surroundings of Earth prevent proper examination of what lies ahead, and without a supermundane understanding it is not possible to judge the earthly equilibrium. You know how varied Our help can be. It may be unrecognized, or perceived as misfortune. So many cannot understand what is happening to them, but in order to save the most valuable one must learn to give up the less important. Supermundane III, 505
8. People speak about cruel shocks in their lives, but do not mention the chief obstacles to their successful development. They forget that a shock is like an explosion that can reveal deep-hidden riches. But earthly life is overwhelmed with petty quarrels that obscure, like the smoke from a leaky oven door. It is impossible to ascend when each day is filled with such poisons. Therefore, people should not complain about the explosions and cruel shocks, and should ponder how to free themselves from the small vipers. Supermundane IV, 776
9. Learning about sacrifice, you receive power. Success follows sacrifice. His Teaching is firmly grounded because it is based on sacrifice. Success is nothing else but the counterstroke of sacrifice. The success can be in advance of the sacrifice, as a loan, but inexorable is the fate of the debtor. If today one can pay with little, within a year the payment due will increase. Before the year elapses the debtor becomes stooped with his burden. <...> Illumination, II:VI:13
10. By what power wilt thou gain strength?
How wilt thou attain the fulfillment of Our Work?
By the Power given to Us.
Shall I speak of power when all folly,
all ignorance, all vanity, strive for power?
But I say, and affirm, Our Power is different.
Our Power is sacrifice.
I will explain briefly….
When the Teacher, Origen, committed body and spirit,
Gave all to spread the last teachings of Christ,
He still bore the burden of a long life of teaching….
When Akbar, called The Great, laid the foundation stones
of a unified religion,
His soul longed to be under the Tree of Wisdom,
Where He received enlightenment.
Nevertheless, He remained upon the steps of His throne.
Knowing wherein is podvig, Knowing that power is sacrifice,
Whilst affirming the victory you will say,
“Lord, let this triumphal cup pass from me.”
Then will you attain the right to create,
And your spirit will be unassailable.
Remember this Book of Sacrifice.
For it reveals the Gates of Fulfillment and Readiness. The Call, 353