| Informal Commentary on
Agni Yoga Sutras | ||
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From the book Agni Yoga 1929 Copyright© Agni Yoga Society, Inc. |
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| Preface | Commentary |
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The Blessed Mahatma who gave the books, The Call, Illumination, and Community, has given much counsel and the Signs of Agni Yoga. These practical indications were gathered by us for the use of those who seek knowledge Sanskrit and Senzar lend a special flavor to the exposition and do not always find their equivalent in other languages. Nevertheless the meaning of the expressions is preserved exactly. And those who take part in contemporary life will read attentively this wise Teaching which emanates from the experience of centuries |
Mahatma means great soul. Atma is the highest, will aspect of the second self, Buddhi-Atma advancing up The books were harvested by Urusvati, out of the garden of the Mahatma, who gave them. Knowledge is the Gnosis. The meaning of this very ancient teaching is preserved in the books. |
| Preface | ~ |
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Yoga
- that supreme
bridge
to cosmic attainment -
has existed through all
ages. Each Teaching
comprises its own
Yoga,
applicable to that step
of evolution. The
Yogas
do not
contradict each other. As the branches of one tree they spread
their shade and refresh the traveler exhausted from heat. His strength regained, the traveler continues on his way. He took naught that was not his, nor did he divert his striving. He embraced the manifested benevolence of space. He liberated the preordained forces. He mastered his single belonging. Do not reject the forces of Yoga, but like light carry them into the twilight of labor unrealized. For the future, we arise out of sleep. For the future, we renew our garments. For the future, we sustain ourselves. For the future, we strive in our thought. For the future, we gather strength. First we shall apply the counsels of life. Then we shall pronounce the name of the Yoga of the time approaching. We shall hear the advancing footsteps of the element of fire, but we shall already be prepared to master the undulations of the flame. Therefore, we hail the yoga of the past — the Raja Yoga. And we affirm that of the future — the Agni Yoga |
Yogas are developed for the times. They appear in their ages. Today we must cross the rainbow bridge. There are many teachings which synthesize into a great step for humanity. Yoga gives strength. We are travelers here, with a destination. See how one must travel circumspectly, embracing benevolence and discovering the forces of our heart and other centers. It is picture of focused effort and self-sacrifice. We have one treasure within us to possess. In the Teaching is the indication, explanation and reflection of our single belonging. Yoga here means many great things: our journey on the highest adventure and our connection with the one united Work. We are offered by Earth the opportunity to find the greatest thing to give and the steepest path to success. And on earth, remedial. We together have taken a pledge. These words echo it in inimitable ways, and affirm our strength. We can literally bathe in the science of the Teachings, and wash away our concerns about ultimate things. These are secure connections with intelligent love. Strength - and these great efforts of women and men are for what this Teaching call the Great Future. All is for application. This Teaching only begins to indicate the future yoga. The fiery element, the promised baptism, is carried within us and radiates its qualities through the energetic heart. It is ours to sustain and master this flame. From the kingly yoga of mind, raja to the fiery yoga of the heart.Some heralds of the new Era carried their thoughts with the greatest dignity. |
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They will ask, "Can the time of Maitreya create a New Era?"
Answer, "If the Crusades brought a new age, then truly the Era of Maitreya is a thousandfold more significant." In such consciousness should one proceed. |
We are challenged because Maitreya and the Crusades have fallen to disrepute in our day. Maitreya's name is susceptible to defamation in our world just like any other Teacher of truth. And since a president was chided for using the term crusade, it has fallen into disrepute. Nevertheless a small Era, one-thousand fold less than Maitreya's was created. In the evolution of consciousness on Earth there are many Eras, some difficult, some utopian. Humanity has traversed many Eras known to the Ancient Wisdom but entirely obscure to history. We are moving inexorably into a New Era. This is normal and expected, desirable and already happening. The popular media has adopted such terms and made them seem diabolical. This is non-sensical. New Era, if you will have it, has already begun. It cannot be avoided and it is not evil. |
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People do not realize the meaning of God or Bodhisattva. As though blind, they ask, "What is light?" But people even lack words to describe its properties, though daily they perceive light. So wary are people of the unusual that they are confused about the boundaries of light and darkness. It is simpler for them to conceive of God inhabiting a palace upon the largest star. Otherwise their God would remain dwellingless. Their manifest lack of co-measurement impels them to demean what exists . |
Today we dispute about 'God' and today there are some who begin to understand Bodhisattva as the teaching reaches us from the East. This is the great vow to sacrifice personal attainment until all beings are assisted to spiritual freedom. Today our words used to describe what is spiritual light are still confused. We ought to take up the eternal system as pioneered for us by those such as Pythagoras. He is ancient enough that people have not been taught to hate him. The ignorant by definition conceal the truth from themselves. But in this way it is also so well preserved. |
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Often you wonder why I do not reply to a question. You must know that the arrows of thought often graze the subject of the answer. Imagine a traveler who is crossing an abyss upon a rope. Would it be wise to begin calling him? The call may disturb his balance. Therefore, one should pronounce names less often, reserving them for urgent need. The ability to use individual names is necessary, but uttering them should be like the blow of a hammer in space. |
Urusvati, with her close connection to the Author of these works nevertheless often found Him unresponsive. This is a hint at the continual work that the Brothers of Humanity undertake. Nevertheless answers are often given in a form that is easy for us to overlook. We must be very keen in discerning the arrows of thought that emanate from such places. Today many of the names of the Mahatmas are bandied about and inferior material is ascribed to them. One can understand Their reluctance to reveal much about themselves as the world is brutally unfair with messengers of truth. |
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