Author Archives: Joleen

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Agni Yoga: Freedom and Divisibility of Spirit

Divisibility of spirit is a subject of interest to many who travel the path of Agni Yoga, and has certainly been of interest to me for many years. Let me begin by sharing some points from the Teaching of Agni Yoga on this subject, followed by my own insights.

Fiery World I 375. The seed of the spirit and the divisibility of spirit provide the explanation regarding the monad. The seed of the spirit is indispensable to life. The divisibility of spirit makes possible both the enrichment and the dissipation of the monad. [1]

Agni Yoga 346. I already told you about the divisibility of spirit. There is no need to be astonished if a developed spirit generously manifests itself, even at far distances, where it is attracted by the spiritual quality of those present. One should not think that the effects of such projection of the spirit are always invisible. [2]

Letters I, 27, January 1933. You should read in the Teaching about the divisibility of spirit. Like everything else it has its various degrees; but sometimes in its crowning development it becomes of cosmic scale, and then its applications are really of many kinds. Not always is it possible to impress upon the physical brain everything in detail, as in the polluted earthly atmosphere the heart could not stand it. Nevertheless, the essence of events is felt acutely. For instance, practically always N.K. and I know the acute moments in the lives of our co-workers. Sometimes it is a concrete knowledge; at other times it is certain painful impressions precisely corresponding in dates with certain events. Often we know the results quite far in advance. Just as often, we feel as if our psychic energy is departing. Sometimes it is so strong that we even feel dizziness and a transient absence. Then we know for sure that our energy was needed elsewhere. Manifold are the manifestations of divisibility of spirit![3]

Letters II, 14 May 1937 Certainly the mastery of divisibility of spirit can be achieved only when psychic energy is considerably developed.

Where there is no correct exchange of psychic energy, there is also no divisibility of spirit. When the fire is inactive or is about to leave an unsuitable receptacle, then, of course, divisibility of spirit is unattainable. [4]

Letters II, 23, April 1938 Where there is a high degree of spirituality, the divisibility of spirit is so great that the detached particles of psychic energy work unceasingly in full harmony with like particles of energy sent by kindred souls. In fact, the purified energy will participate in the most urgent tasks for the benefit of all humanity. [5]

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First, let us consider the term spirit. Can the spirit be divided? No. So then how do we understand the term divisibility of spirit? To me, it means that the spirit can be everywhere. It is beyond time and space, which means it can be everywhere. Truly, doesn’t this further our dreams of freedom? Freedom of our spirit? No longer confined to the physical, emotional, mental bodies? No longer confined inside the confines of the ring-pass-not?

Yet, divisibility of spirit doesn’t just happen. Helena Roerich, the teacher of Agni Yoga writes to one of her students, “Certainly the mastery of divisibility of spirit can be achieved only when psychic energy is considerably developed.” She is quite clear in letting her students know that in order to experience the freedom of one’s spirit, their psychic energy must be considerably developed.

Psychic energy is developed when we undergo the transformational process of purification, of eliminating obstacles which prevent the development of psychic energy, such as ego, vanity, selfishness, self-centeredness, half-wayness, dishonesty, bad habits and more, replacing such abhorrent behaviors with virtue and nobility. Such behaviors create psychic pollution.

Psychic energy and psychic fire are active in the inner world as the Agni Yogi begins to unfold and develop their psychic energy. This energy, this fire is used to increase the fire of each of their centers, purifying

their channels of energy circulation and burning away etheric webs with hinder the circulation of energy. As the psychic energy develops, the fire of psychic energy will be pulled up to the centers of higher planes and used when the Yogi contacts Higher Worlds.

Here is a glimpse of the freedom the spirit of divisibility brings to us, for well developed psychic energy is not limited to any one area. For example, someone calls you, and asks that you pray for their wellbeing, pray for their balance and equilibrium, pray for a much needed healing. You do not need to travel to that person who may be living in Mongolia. You can tune to the need of that person from where you are and create a network of psychic energy; a network through which the psychic energy circulates.

A spirit can be immature and inexperienced, but a spirit can also be an advanced soul. When the spirit is an advanced soul, that is when you can experience divisibility of spirit. That is when you can be anywhere and everywhere. It is so beautiful. It means there can be intuitive contact. Sometimes we read about a mother and her child having a symbiotic relationship. Where the mother, who may be thousands of miles away from her child, physically, yet knows when her child needs her. But divisibility of spirit is more than that.

In the Teaching we are told to strive. To strive means to progress beyond where our consciousness is today, to strive toward the future, to develop our hidden potentials, our inherent talents, talents unique to our soul.

As we strive, as the Agni Yoga student strives, as they progress, they are developing their individuality and becoming highly developed. As their fire, as their psychic energy develops, they can come in contact with various people at the same time. For example, the Yogi can be teaching a group of people in his or her sanctuary, but at the same time, they are registering contact with various people in various locations. We know that a Master can do these things. Can we do the same? It seems so, according to the Teaching. For example, Helena Roerich wrote: For instance, practically always N.K.[6] and I know the acute moments in the lives of our co-workers. (see footnote #3.)

We read that it is even possible to appear in many locations with different images. How can such a phenomenon take place? Only when our soul has developed certain abilities. And these abilities can be achieved only when psychic energy is considerably developed.

The Master has such advanced abilities such as:

1. The Teacher sees in a mirror a picture of all your movements.[7]
2. A mirror of cosmic fires is contained within an Agni Yogi; therefore, the rays thus create and intensify.[8]
3. The Individuality can project him or herself to many parts and be where they want to be.
4. The individuality can impress space with their images, drawing the needs of others to themselves and evoke help.
5. The individuality can exist on various planes and beyond the Milky Way into the other worlds.

Thoughtfully,

Joleen

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[1] © 1943, 1969 by Agni Yoga Society. Updated August 2019.

[2] ©1928, 1997 by Agni Yoga Society. Reprinted November 2016.

[3] ©1954 by Agni Yoga Society. Updated July 2020.

[4] ©1967 by Agni Yoga Society. Reprinted November 2016

[5] ©1967 by Agni Yoga Society. Reprinted November 2016

[6] Nicholas Roerich, the husband of Helena Roerich.

[7] Leaves of Morya’s Garden I, 431.

[8] Infinity I, 343

It is not easy to leave the Supermundane, the Towers of the Great Ones, the Beauty, the magnificence, the freedom there to return to earth, to reincarnate in service. In the Supermundane, there is no betrayal. No darkness. Hard work – yes; constant striving – yes; constant labor – yes, but no deception. No darkness.

But there are cycles of our soul where we must return to the world, to humanity, and leave behind Their Towers. M.M. says, “Those who are unprepared will regret giving up what must be left behind, and others will bemoan the need to leave the vicinity of Our Towers. They forget that spiritual contact is indestructible, and that distance has no meaning.”[1]

There are individual souls, awakened, and enlightened souls who come back into incarnation with a deep and strong desire to serve others. And where they mourn leaving the Towers, in time, their consciousness will reconnect with the Towers once they adapt to the density of incarnating on planet earth. They are ready to sacrifice a personal life to give to those who are in need; and most especially to those who are ready to evolve, to release the light of their own soul, and in time connect with the Towers themselves. We need such Messengers, such servers, those who are ready to sacrifice themselves for the purpose of life.

Always, but always these messengers, whether Messenger, or messenger, they return to humanity to make humanity aware of the great Teachers. The messengers share in sometimes hidden ways, sometimes public ways, sometimes by written parables, or by merely by living a simple life that reflects the Teachings. A life lived that becomes a pathway that leads all of us, well, those of us who are ready, to the Supermundane and the Towers. Not everyone is ready, but those who are will find that lighted and safe pathway to the Supermundane and start their journey; sometimes with the messenger, sometimes alone; although never really alone.

If you read the books of Agni Yoga, you are going to read how Master M. speaks about the Great Ones, great Masters, great Saviors, great Leaders in the world.

We learn about towers by reading Agni Yoga, by concentrating and paying attention to what this Great One says. He speaks about the Towers, where the Towers are. Each of us can be a tower if we have humility. Yes, humility. But to be a tower and share the Teaching with the world, we must be able to digest Their great messages, able to accumulate, to synthesize, to organize and give it out to humanity. That is the work of the Towers there and the towers here.

Hierarchy hears the voices of our suffering and pain and hastens to give help, courage and daring, through inspiration, through the earthly messengers and teachers and through specific refined dreams. Their help illuminates our minds when we are in agony when we are having problems. Their help, their inspiration, is especially heard, recorded, and unconditionally accepted by those whose hearts are empty of ego and vanity and filled with humility.

I remember several years ago a messenger who contacted me, ready to help me prepare for a trip to India. My goal was to travel to some of the locations written about by Nicholas Roerich in several of his books. I barely knew this person and was totally grateful to her for the time she so generously gave to me about navigating and surviving travels in that country. She taught me certain things I could and could not do as a woman in the Indian culture. She told me about Helena Roerich’s stupa and its location. She asked me to give money to a monastery nearby to care for the stupa while providing me with Indian currency. After a few weeks of exchanging emails, she said something to me that I will never forget: “We are watching you.” She was a messenger of the Great Ones.

We are not alone, not really. When I was trekking through India, carrying a necklace once worn by Helena Roerich, I knew I was not alone. She was somehow there, with me. And in this experience, she became a Guiding Hand that drew the right people to me at the right time to help me travel those very same roads traveled by Nicholas and Helena Roerich. Some people, if they have difficulties and problems and fears, the first thing they do is to search for outside help. But not those who remember, somehow remember Their Towers. Such beautiful ones carry a Light with them that will never put them in darkness, not really.

But we must be ready. Our hearts must be free of revenge, jealousy, malice, and envy. We must walk in the aura of Beauty, Truth, Freedom, and sense of Future. We must have, either in this incarnation or hundreds of incarnations ago, made a commitment to serve the Great Ones and the Plan for humanity, to return not for pleasure but for labor. We always return with vision and a desire to uplift those who are ready.

The Teaching of Hierarchy, of the Masters, is not to give us anything. Their Teaching is to make us something, to be somebody, to be our true Self. If you understand this, you will understand the real Teaching. You will not be somebody who is false, who is superficial, who is built by ego, vanity, or, in other words, a false sense of beingness, but you will be Real.

When speaking about the Supermundane World M.M. gives a Supermundane vision which says, that as we are living here and developing our consciousness and evolving from the mineral kingdom to the human kingdom and to the higher kingdoms, the same evolution in different spirals and different substances is going on in all worlds that the Greatest of All made.

When my friend, who passed several years ago, told me “We are watching you,” my entire consciousness expanded and reminded me of Their Towers.

Through my faith and love of Agni Yoga, I have a strong knowingness in my heart about immortality. I see immortality all around me when I carry the Love, Beauty, Truth, and Freedom of the Great Ones in my every thought. And know, I am, you are, never alone. The Supermundane World is within us.

With love,

Joleen

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[1] Supermundane I, para 141.

Agni Yoga: St. Sergius, Buddha, Pythagoras, and Importance of Solemnity

Solemnity means that you respect not only yourself, but you also respect others. Respectfulness of others is a rare treasure; to respect others is to respect the Divine Spark in every living thing. A person of solemnity respects the Divinity in all life.

For example, we are told that the Buddha always adapted himself to the situation of each pupil and listener, giving to them the most needed, in accordance with their understanding. This is but one demonstration of how the Buddha practiced solemnity; he showed respect for all beings, not giving them more than their cup could contain.

Solemnity also means nobility, and an absence of irresponsibility. A person of solemnity has a heart contact with the higher spiritual life; a life beyond the intellect into the world of direct knowledge. An Agni Yogi’s heart is filled with the substance of the fiery world.

St. Sergius was a man of solemnity; a man of fire; he was an illumined being. We are told at the age of 23 St. Sergius went into the desert to live a life in solitude in the forests of Rodonezh where beasts surrounded him and the winters were severe. Several times hungry wolves surrounded his place of retreat and bears came to his dwelling.

One story about his life tells of an incidence that exemplifies his solemnity, even toward wild beasts. Many wild beasts lived in this desert. Some were distant and others approached the blessed one. A bear came to his house every day. Seeing that the animal came not out of wickedness but to receive something to eat, the saint brought a loaf of bread and put it on a tree stump. When the bear arrived, he found his meal, took it in his mouth, and left. When the bread was not there, the bear waited for his usual portion. The saint did not have a variety of food, but only water from a spring and a little bit of bread. When he had no bread, both he and the bear were left hungry. Sometimes when the blessed one only had one piece of bread, he gave it to the bear, not wishing to offend him or let him go away hungry.

Another who was considered one of great solemnity was Pythagoras. A great sage, the Master El Morya telling us of the nature of Pythagoras and solemnity said Pythagoras forbade all raillery among his disciples, because it, above everything, disturbs solemnity. He who greets the sun with a hymn does not notice the small spots. In this command is contained the affirmation of the Beautiful. Let the dark ones retain for themselves the fate of mockery. Those who need jesters will leave no memory of themselves among the wise. His insistence on the solemnity of hymns reveals Pythagoras as a fire-bearer. Let us take an example from such fire-bearers, who have traversed their assigned earthly path in beauty.[1]

You cannot be a person of solemnity and disrespect yourself! When you disrespect yourself you are disrespecting the beauty of your soul.

When disciples immerse themselves in drugs and alcohol, they will destroy rather than create a healthy body; they are demonstrating a lack of solemnity, a lack of self-respect. Agni Yoga students are builders of beauty, health and freedom; not slavery.

A few years ago when I was doing research on marijuana to determine what kind of damage it could do to the human body I learned something most shocking, marijuana damages the brain!

Marijuana impacts the brain first and foremost. The brain controls the rest of the body, and as such marijuana affects the body by affecting the brain.

Imagine the brain as the head surgeon in the middle of an important operation. The rest of the body parts are the surgeon’s assistants who are taking orders from the surgeon and can only participate in the operation under his or her direction and supervision. If the head surgeon is somehow distracted or cannot give correct orders to the assistants, how does the operation continue?

We are told that the inner guide inspires us through the pineal gland, a gland, which is in the brain. We are also told that all our chakras have centers in the brain. If we are disrespecting ourselves by taking drugs, drinking, and smoking, how can one ever be an Agni Yogi?

The great ones were most fiery when they reminded us about the potential, the beauty of one’s soul, for within the unfolding human soul is found the seed of solemnity, a vessel which takes the practioner of Agni Yoga to the Higher Worlds. If you want to be a light-bearer, if you want to inspire and uplift others, you must have and practice the virtue of solemnity.

Every time you escape from living and practicing solemnity, you are dimming the light of the soul. Solemnity is persistence in striving toward your goal. If you are doing things that are taking you away from your goals, you are not solemn person. Solemnity means to engage yourself in one direction, a direction that is a goal oriented, a goal that is purposeful toward beauty, health and freedom.

When you do things that are against your own predestined goal, you are just fooling around and those who fool around are not solemn people. The Hierarchy takes from them the responsibilities that they are going to give them. This is very dangerous.

The Master M writes, “You see how powerful is solemnity. You see how precisely through solemnity, you can attain. Therefore, not only must you advise solemnity but demand it as salvation. We have but begun the path of solemnity. If you succeed in pursuing it, you will see miracles. Already for a month We have been on the solemn ascent. Despite the battle We gather in solemnity. We have rejected everything planted in malice and have collected the manifested store of good. Above all achievements of the heart, solemnity radiates. We sound the summons toward it, We indicate it! [2]

You are invited to share new insights, experiences you have had with the practice of solemnity, or just a friendly comment.

Love to you all,

Joleen

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[1] Fiery World I  (1933) paragraph  358

[2] Heart. 1932, para 491

Dear Friends,

Seekers of wisdom frequently ask, “What is Agni Yoga?” We could answer by saying: Agni Yoga is the path of striving toward fiery Self-perfectment. It is the path to enlightenment; to Truth. Agni Yoga is linked inseparably with infinity and Hierarchy.

Let me share with you one of the very unambiguous working definitions of Agni Yoga that can be practiced today and on into many more of your incarnations.

“Urusvati knows that it is easier to see a dragon at one’s door than a nest of worms. But who can say which is the more dangerous? Worms will come crawling, bringing with them suspicions and doubts. They will whisper, “We do not know the meaning of Agni Yoga, perhaps it is just an empty sound, leading to delusion. Would it not be better to express its essence in a simpler way that can be discussed and considered?”

“All right, let it be as they wish: Agni Yoga is service to good. Understand this definition in its full meaning. Learn to serve good. Learn devotion to the Great Service. Find the fiery forces that will help to manifest courage on all difficult paths. Understand why these paths are difficult. Learn to accept naturally the fires of your nature. Understand all the great manifestations of the Universe. Do not become fatigued with daily labor, which is the best pranayama. Assist all seekers, on all paths.

“Experience the greatness of thought that lives in the Infinite. Allow no fear in yourselves, and protect others from it. Immerse yourselves in knowledge, because ignorance is a terrible crime. Welcome the young ones with a smile, for you build the bridges and roads for them. Choose for yourself the heaviest labors, and be an example for all. In this way, you will reveal to all the full meaning of service to good. Do not fear the whisperers of doubt, who will always be with you as your shadow. Let your shadow be a long one. Concentrate upon your work and your achievements, gained in a natural way.

“The Thinker taught, “Only that which is achieved naturally will create the luminous future.”[1]

“The Teachings of Agni Yoga, the yoga of Living Ethics, is understood as the Teaching of Life. It is a Teaching whose Sutras number in the thousands[2] generously offering spiritual disciplines to practice, the science of life to contemplate, exploration in an understanding of art, beauty and culture, an education to direct one’s thinking toward immortality and the continuity of life, insight into the higher spheres of life, higher thought, joy and the future, and more. “Joy is about the future and cannot live in the past.” [3]

 

There is also a beautiful feminine side to Agni Yoga quickly recognizable as the seeker studies the nature of the heart, the Cosmic Magnet, and the Mother of the World. “The significance of the heart is great; in the future, it will replace the most complex apparatuses.”[4]

 

The Master M. in writing about Helena Roerich, the founder of the Agni Yoga Society says: Urusvati treasures thought about the Mother of the World. [5]

They are rending the Raiment of the Lord. 

They scoff at its tatters.

But the daughter of the world and the

Mother of the Universe will join the

   Pieces of this Raiment.

And thou wilt come ready to receive thy

   Vestment.

For, wherefore the power and wherefore

   The sacrifice, if there be no joy?

And where is compassion,

And where is devotion,

And where is the love of creation,

If their shoulders are not bedecked with the

   Raiment of the Mother of the World?[6]

 “The Mother of the World appears as a symbol of the Feminine Origin in the New Epoch and the Masculine Origin voluntary returns the treasure of the World to the Feminine Origin.”[7]

Of Agni Yoga, the Master M wrote: “I affirm that Agni Yoga is a light on the path. It is of no consequence how travelers make use of this blessing. The way is indicated to them. Those who discern the signs of fire will come.

“Thus do I wish to strengthen those who have realized the urgency of the Teaching of Agni Yoga. One should not delay until the time when the torrent drives the crowd in search of salvation. This would only be knowledge gained under threat and terror, and such knowledge is of no value. It is necessary to know those who are guided by a free consciousness. Only those who know the purpose of a battle can participate in it. Slaves driven by force are not needed. I consider it right to protect sincere striving rather than to search for the fragments of a broken vessel.”[8]

“What is Agni Yoga? Probably the simplest and most profound definition is that Agni Yoga is related to light, energy, and fire. For years and years as students, we try to comprehend. ‘What is fire?’ It seems to have such a mystery behind it. Well, here are some very simple yet profound definitions: Fire is life. It is also purity, cleansing, and abundance. Fire also means the inner essence of a person. Think of this, even if we’re not on the path of Agni Yoga, even if we’re not on any path, we are still fiery beings. If a person is dead, there is no heat in their body, nor in their emotions, mind, or spirit. I remember when a dear friend made his transition, and at his funeral, I walked up to the coffin and touched him. It was the first time I had ever touched a dead person. The body is cold. There is no heat; there is no Light, there is no radiation coming from that body. In other words, there is no fire. It is the inner fire that gives Light to all beings. It is that Divine Spark, which we call the Monad, that gives us the Light, and that Light is the inner fire.”[9]

“As we finally enter into the path of Agni Yoga, the path of fire, we begin to ask ourselves, “Just what part of me is real?” Then it becomes quite challenging to awaken to who we really are.”

If you want to travel the path of Agni Yoga, the path of Life, here are some questions you can ask yourself as you begin your journey in earnest. “Who am I, really?” “Just what part of me is real?” What part of my nature has changed and evolved (or not changed or evolved) since I began to live a spiritual life? You can take a look over the past several months or year and see where you failed and where you were successful then continue to work on yourself. If you start striving as a yogi of Truth, you can begin to achieve success and will not repeat your failures. Let us strive toward fiery Self-perfectment.

“You should also remember that there is nothing forced in the manifestations of an Agni Yogi, as the Agni Yogi is his own laboratory. He, himself, by the force of his spirit, transforms his fires. The Teacher gives the Indications of the Teaching for broadening the consciousness, but the pupil himself must apply it. The Teacher watches over the process of igniting by covering the centers with layers of soma when the ignition threatens to become a conflagration. But without the participation of the spirit of the pupil, no transmutation is possible.”[10]

If you have any questions, and you are very much invited to do so, please post them in the comments section. 

With Love,

Joleen

[1] Supermundane 586.

[2] To learn more about the Sutras of Agni Yoga go to www:agniyoga.org for a complete listing of the series of books on the teachings of Agni Yoga

[3] Supermundane, Book I (1938). New York, NY: Agni Yoga Society, Inc. [1994] 2016

[4] Ibid., verse, 22

[5] Ibid., verse, 38.

[6] Leaves of Morya’s Garden (1924), Book One. 3rd ed. New York, NY: Agni Yoga Society, Inc. [1923] 1999, repr. 2016.

[7] Ibid., p. 74

[8] Agni Yoga, verse 300 (1929), 6th ed. New York, NY: Agni Yoga Society, Inc., 1997, repr. 2016.

[9] Sunday Talks III: Discipleship & Human Progress. Joleen D. DuBois. Prescott, AZ: White Mountain Education Association, Inc., 2008.

[10] Letters Of Helena Roerich I, 11 September 1929