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
[1] Fiery World I (1933) paragraph 358
[2] Heart. 1932, para 491
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