AGNI YOGA WEB TV
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„INTRODUCTION TO AGNI YOGA“
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20
Rejoice at Obstacles!
Dear Agni
Yogis,
today we
shall be addressing, after the meaning of life and the meaning of suffering,
the third cornerstone of a happy life: the usefulness of obstacles.
You will actually learn to love the terrible, unspiritual conditions
and the stones which they throw onto your path every day. Thereby, you
transform thorns into roses, and your everyday existence is transfigured into a
paradise.
People should realize that the supermundane path
cannot be one of discontent. Thorns turn to roses when the wayfarer learns to
love the beautiful horizon. (Supermundane 792)
Our topic
is of the utmost importance. That is why the Mahatmas are coming back to it again and again. A different attitude to obstacles
distinguishes the New from the old man.
The
disciple asks, "What kind of
obstacles do you have in mind?"
You know
only too well: Each and every day, a multitude of
difficulties stands in the way of your personal development: Hardship, misery,
poverty, weakness, illness, distractions, temptations, the family, the state,
the needs of others, and much more.
*****
Your plans,
ideas and ideals for improving the conditions in your environment and in the
world as a whole encounter strong opposition every day: The resistance of
matter, the inertia of other people, the inflexibility of the old order, lack
of freedom, oppression, and so on.
Therefore,
it is imperative for you to find the right attitude towards obstacles, these
perhaps most important features of your everyday life.
1.
Difficulties are unavoidable
Léon Bonnat "Job"
"Why are there so many stones on my path? Why
does one not let me move forward unhindered?"
You have to realize: Obstacles are inevitable and necessary.
Without black there is no white, without evil no good.
Satisfaction is within reach of those disciples who
value the clouds, realizing that without clouds the sun would scorch. (Agni
Yoga 110)
No human
being has ever been and will never be able to escape the oppressions which the
sojourn on the material level necessarily entails.
The life of Job is a classic example of the fact that
on the earthly path everyone without exception is exposed to suffering and
hardship in abundance. (Léon Bonnat "Job")
One of the
most important statements of Agni Yoga is:
It is impossible to avoid the obstacles of the path.
(Agni Yoga 656)
Allow this
sentence to melt on your tongue. You cannot repeat it often enough:
You cannot evade obstacles!
With the
precision of a law of nature, they inevitably turn up again
and again each and every day.
"What follows from this? Resignation?"
No! On the
contrary, a new realization: The external circumstances are of no importance.
He who puts the blame for his problems on the difficulty of conditions, has as yet failed to understand the foundations of existence.
People are attempting to justify themselves by the
complexity of life, but it is more accurate to explain this as aimless
dispersion of thinking. (Brotherhood 330)
You have to take the proper mental attitude: Stop moaning about
what is inevitable. Better welcome joyfully anything that is necessary and that
furthermore has a deep meaning.
Let us now
discuss how you can acquire such a more appropriate attitude.
2.
Obstacles and the Law of Correspondence
The law of
correspondence states: Nothing that gets in your way is accidental, meaningless
or arbitrary.
You encounter exactly that difficulty which is
necessary for your further ascent.
Therefore,
be grateful for the wealth of obstacles on your path! They are there for your
own benefit!
Do not even
try to bypass them or to postpone your coping with them. That would only yield
one result: You will meet them again and again later –
and that exactly until you have learned what you are supposed to learn from
them.
Let us accept the greater burden, which will bring us
sooner to liberation. And while those who did not accept the whole burden will
have to return for the part left behind, we shall, with all the joy of our
hearts, fulfill the next coming task. (Helena Roerich
Letters Vol. I, letter of 06.10.1932)
3.
Growth only through Difficulties
First of all you have to know:
Only by obstacles can we grow.
Our
physical existence is constricted by resistance. For the soul, on the other
hand, an obstacle is an occasion for ascent.
We ascend by obstacles. (Infinity II, 648 [248])
Only in spheres where a shadow veils the vision can
the spirit seek the Light. Only where the shadow stands behind its back can the
spirit display its strength. Only where the shadow conceals the far-off worlds
can the spirit reveal its power of discrimination. Therefore, the growth of the
spirit is quickened through obstacles. (Infinity II, 539 [139])
There is a
universal law which applies to everybody and to everything, in physics as well
as in spiritual life, and which we should not bemoan but use. It says:
Resistance is a condition of progress.
Who can foresee precisely what counterblow will put
new circumstances into motion? But without a blow, matter will not be brought
into motion. Only those who understand the creative substance will realize that
what is said is not merely encouragement but the just assertion of a law. One
may turn the law into a misfortune, but it is correct to apprehend the
usefulness issuing from the foundations of being. (Fiery World I, 271)
The science of aerodynamics teaches us: Airplanes or
kites can only rise against the wind.
"What does that mean for my life?"
Just
consider: How can you manage to get up higher if there are no steps in front of
you that you may climb?
If the mountain is perfectly smooth, one cannot ascend
to the summit. Blessed are the stones that tear the sandals of those who
ascend! (Agni Yoga 406)
One should grow to love all the obstacles, for the
stones on the path are but the steps of ascent. Long ago was it said that one
does not ascend by a smooth stone. (Brotherhood 25)
We even go
one step further: As in physics the rule applies: The stronger the resistance,
the greater the potential for luminosity.
Luminosity corresponds to a certain degree of tension.
(AUM 591)
The inner fires are basically analogous to electric
light. The greater the tension, the more intense the light. (Hierarchy 277)
Take the example of a pump: The stronger the downward
pressure, the higher the jet of water goes up on the other side.
This
example shows: The deeper you are being pressed downwards, the more you are
forced to strive upwards. Thereby you use, develop and strengthen your
spiritual power. Without this pressure, it would remain idle and go limp.
The process by which energy is strengthened is similar to the workings of a pump. Thus, the upward impetus
of energy is sure to be conditioned by the downward pressure. People usually
regard this pressure as misfortune or failure, whereas it is the physical
threshold of ascent.
It is sad to see how uninformed people, not
understanding the law of the pump, fall into oppression. It would be so easy
for these masses to lose sight of the fact that oppression is the gate to
ascent. (Heart 45)
The proper
attitude towards the inevitable obstacles is therefore: Understand resistance
as an incentive to double your efforts, and thus ascend all the safer, the
faster and the higher.
You should look forward to each act of oppression as a
source of the tension preceding a leap. (Heart 228)
Only a spirit impelled to creativeness can be
conscious of that power which is contained in counteraction. It is necessary to
accept the law of counteraction as a stimulus of creativeness; the stimulus
which strengthens each construction. (Fiery World III, 212)
4.
Difficulties are Opportunities
Do you
really wish to lead a life as in the land of milk and honey: Without worries,
hardships and problems, where the brownies take over all necessary labour, and
fried chicken are flying into your mouth? This is understandable, but the wrong
attitude from a spiritual point of view. Recognize:
An easy life does not allow you to make progress: It
offers no opportunities to grow.
For him who wishes an easy life it is better not to
live at all. (AUM 190)
Who would choose for himself the easy way of an
unperturbed existence? Who would choose for himself the role of spectator at a
battle? (Agni Yoga 165)
A refined consciousness tells them that one difficult
earthly life is of more value than many easy ones. (Supermundane 621)
The
slackness of a life without tension and struggle with opposing forces is
terrible.
Without dangers and tensions man goes down.
(Supermundane 313)
The stillness of a cemetery can be more frightful than
the whistling of the wind. (Agni Yoga 151)
Are not the difficulties that arise preferable to dead
silence? (Agni Yoga 444)
What ordinary people regard as a calm life is nothing
but extinction of fire. They have even invented entire systems of extinguishing
fire from early childhood. (Fiery World I, 201)
As an
immortal, you look at all the ugliness and difficulties of your everyday life
from a completely different angle: sub specie aeternitatis, as the ancient
Romans said. From the standpoint of eternity, seen through the eyes of your
soul, you perceive:
All adversities are opportunities that allow your
higher, spiritual self to continue its ascent!
Cast the sunlight of the Self obliquely on the cares
of daily life, and they will swiftly turn to golden opportunities. (From the
Mountain Top Vol. I, lesson “The Golden Opportunity”)
I rejoice if you understand that obstacles are really
opportunities. (Agni Yoga 494)
Every impediment must be made the birth of a
possibility. (Leaves of Morya's Garden II, 349 [353])
Here is one
of the most important phrases that the Masters wish to plant into to our
hearts:
Friends, until impediments appear to us as the birth
of possibilities, we will not understand the Teaching. (Leaves of Morya's
Garden II, 349 [353])
"So what should I
do?"
Change your
consciousness! If you come across an obstacle, no longer think, "What a
hassle!" or "Alas, poor me, that too!" Rather rejoice:
"Thanks, now I may grow greater!"
*****
You have to recognize: Every difficulty is an opportunity sent
from above, which has only one purpose: To enable you to grow further! You must
not let pass this chance! On the contrary, you have to
welcome it, even to look for it!
The magic
formula for a happy life, for a real transfiguration of your entire everyday
existence is:
Do not skip any adversity, but
make use of each of them for your further ascent!
One must not spill a single possibility. (Community
161)
Every hour
of earthly life offers you a unique, non-recurring opportunity either to get
closer to or to move away from the higher worlds.
Each new day offers new possibilities for approaching
the limitless growth. (Infinity I, 113)
The very
purpose of your existence on the material level is exactly to offer you an
abundance of such opportunities! In the afterlife there will be none of them
anymore! There you will deplore each and every
opportunity you missed during your past incarnation!
Expand your worldview! Then there will soon be no more
obstacles, but just tasks.
A yogi possesses an outlook that is unlimited. For a
yogi, the meeting with opposition is merely a challenge for great victory. Man rarely admits that opposition can be of real benefit to
him. Many examples can be cited of people who gained victory because of their
broad outlook. Even when they encountered seemingly insoluble problems, they
could find their way thanks to their broad approach. Thus
one can affirm that the breadth of perception is the shield of a yogi.
(Supermundane 870)
Life itself
proves: Especially difficult conditions such as poverty or other misfortune,
even physical infirmities can promote the inner development, if one meets them
with the right attitude.
The most onerous conditions contribute to a deepening
of thought. Lack of means favours refinement of consciousness. (AUM 287)
We know of many achievements, when people consciously
overcame physical adversities and made of their shortcomings the best
adornments. Such discipline of the will is in itself an
achievement. (AUM 504)
We see everywhere in nature: Hard conditions produce
particularly strong creatures because they are forced to muster all their
strength to survive.
Even in the most straitened conditions, it is possible
to receive restoration and reinforcement. Often a plant is fortified between
stones far more soundly than in rich soil. The straitened conditions merely
guide the roots into crevices and reinforce them against whirl-winds.
(Fiery World II, 319)
History
teaches: The higher someone wishes to rise, the harder is the path he has to walk.
The high spirit strives to a difficult path, while the
weak one clings to laziness and cowardice. People come to Us only by difficult
paths. Not one Brother, not one Sister can be named who did not come by a
difficult path. Each One could have chosen an easier path,
but did not in order to hasten the ascent.
(Supermundane 83)
Only the
ignorant seek relief. The spiritual disciple strives for achievement!
They should not be enticed by the thought of easy
attainment. Once the choice is made, the strong in spirit will come to love the
difficult path, for how otherwise will they test themselves? It is a great
mistake to think that all inventions are only to make life pleasant. (AUM 522)
It is not an easy life, but a life tensed and
saturated with difficulties that brings achievement; therefore, it is so very
important to learn to love obstacles. (Helena Roerich Letters Vol. II, letter
of 30.03.1936)
Seeking the mirage of alleviation does not lead to
achievement. The most difficult offers the best access. People do not wish to
understand that persistent striving awakens powerful energies. (Fiery World II,
324)
Your
immortal soul is indifferent to the fate of the perishable personality. It
wants to grow! Therefore, obstacles are just welcome to it!
The refined spirit, while on Earth, longs for struggle
and progress. For such a spirit, any pain or shock is but an impetus for
achievement. The refined nature does not seek personal well-being, for it
strives toward perfection. (Supermundane 505)
5. Make
use of Obstacles!
A real
transfiguration of your life takes place when you discover a new way of
thinking:
The wise man actually uses
the physical obstacles in order to grow spiritually.
You may actually employ all the imperfections and adversities of
which your material life is so rich in order to climb
up step by step on the spiritual level.
Although much is spoken about obstacles, little use is
made of them. Understanding how to make use of obstacles infuses joy into one’s
work. Let us learn to rejoice at obstacles, knowing that the welcomed obstacle
can be used to speed success. (Agni Yoga 262)
If you realize that each obstacle is a benefit for the
growth of the spirit, you are already on the Path. (Helena Roerich Letters Vol.
II, letter of 17.05.1937)
The Master
gives a vivid example:
Poor is the master craftsman who does not make use of
all the riches of nature. For the skillful carver, a
bent tree is a precious treasure. Only an impoverished imagination is satisfied
with the limits set by others. The true master develops great sharp-sightedness
and resourcefulness in himself. (Fiery World I, 472)
"What does that mean for me?"
From now
on, you look at every resistance as a task that you have to
deal with. You do not complain. You do not scold. You do not curse. Rather, you
strain all your forces in order to overcome the obstacle.
By doing so, you increase the power of your spirit, and in the end you will have grown greater and stronger than before.
*****
Even if you
fail on the material level, your spiritual power grows alone through the
fighting. None of your efforts will ever be in vain. Each one takes you one
step further.
When you
realize that, you can make the apparent disadvantage serve you and turn it into
an advantage.
No motion is possible without tension. Know that no
obstructive tensions will occur without being of benefit. (Agni Yoga 656)
St.
Catherine of Siena revealed the appropriate attitude towards the oppressions of
earthly life: She endeavoured to turn every misfortune into a benefit by
deriving a profit from it, namely, progress on the spiritual path:
Here is significant feature of Catherine: Every attack
of the demons, every hostility on the part of the people worked to her benefit.
She said: If we only knew how to use the grace of God, all that we receive
could bring us nothing but profit and no harm. If you meet something new on
your path, be it luck or misfortune, always think to yourself: I certainly will
extract a profit from that! (Raymond of
Capua, 122, 123)
All things are working together for good to those who
have love for God. (Romans 8, 28)
6. The
Usefulness of Enemies
Albrecht Altdorfer "The Battle of
Alexander"
Properly
used, even your enemies can only benefit you.
Know how to turn attacks to advantage. Desire many
enemies, but do not make them. (Leaves of Morya's Garden II, 111)
Enemies are the source of straining of energy. Nothing
can so greatly increase the energy as opposition. (Hierarchy 319)
You should not forget that persecution is the greatest
success. Only a taut string can resound. (Heart 24)
Every
struggle with an enemy compels you to strain the power of your spirit to the
utmost, whereby it grows ever stronger.
A victory achieved is a step in the ascent. (Helena
Roerich Letters Vol. I, letter of 18.06.1935)
Growth is achieved only through fighting with opposing
forces. (Albrecht Altdorfer
"The Battle of Alexander ")
Each stone cast at you raises your tower. (Leaves of
Morya's Garden I, 363 [426])
Every stone brought by the enemy will provide a step
for the victory. Thus, We truly utilize each obstacle.
(Infinity II, 716 [316])
The Teaching presents an impressive picture:
When a bird of paradise was asked from where its
brilliant feathers came, it answered, “Many poisoned arrows glanced off me and the most virulent poison gave me the best hue.” (Agni
Yoga 453)
"Thus I am grateful even
to my enemy for the development he enables me to take?"
Yes! In
fact, Agni Yoga says:
Your enemy is no less important to you than your
teacher!
The Teacher and the enemy are cornerstones. My advice
is that the significance of the Teacher and the need for enemies must be
understood. (Agni Yoga 656)
To the deceiving one say, “How useful is thy deceit to
me.” To the usurping one say, “Evidently the time has arrived for me to receive
new things. But verily it is better for thee not to touch my things. (Leaves of
Morya's Garden II, 123)
When you
are great, you will surely have many and eminent enemies!
Everyone has his enemy. The importance of one’s enemy
indicates one’s own importance, just as the size of a shadow is determined by
the size of the object. (Agni Yoga 270)
The stronger the light, the denser the darkness.
(Brotherhood 580)
The strong
one rejoices at every new enemy.
Much energy is generated precisely by the actions of
our enemies. A famous Ruler used to say, “Today I become considerably stronger,
for I face a new and powerful enemy.” One should view enemies as steps of
ascent. (Supermundane 483)
Akbar, called the Great, regarded his enemies with
attention. His favourite counselor kept a list of his
enemies. Akbar often inquired, “Has not some worthy name appeared on the list?
When I see a worthy name, I will send my greeting to the friend in disguise.”
(Agni Yoga 270)
Therefore,
popular wisdom says:
The more enemies the more honour.
7. The
worse, the better
It sounds paradoxical, but is proven by experience: Especially hard
times offer particularly great opportunities for spiritual ascent.
Let the straitened times also be blessed. Precisely at
such times do we learn to distinguish the significant from the mediocre. In the
days of contentment our vigilance becomes obscured. Hence oppression and
tension are so precious. They not only increase vigilance and impetuosity, they also force new fires from our innermost depths. Thus,
let us grow to love the unexpected as the source of new joy. (Fiery World I,
10)
Let us keep in mind that the most difficult hour can
be the threshold of new achievement. (Brotherhood 467)
In his book, "On Providence," Seneca advises
the strong one to ask for a hard fate, because that is the only way he can
prove his value.
The reason
for this is: The commitment to high ideals is only one side of the coin. The
crucial progress is their realization in earthly life. For this, difficult
conditions offer the best opportunities:
The more adverse the circumstances, the greater the
achievement of the one who overcomes them!
Therefore,
if you want to show what lies hidden within you, you will be asking for great
difficulties.
Again people will
approach with the question as to how to deal with obstacles. Some are
handicapped by family, some by distasteful occupation, some by poverty, some by
attacks of enemies. But a good horseman likes to practice upon untrained horses, and prefers the obstacle of rough ground and ditches
to a level roadway. (Leaves of Morya's Garden II, 349 [353])
To the strong spirit the difficult time shows the
shortest path. Let us welcome all the difficulties. (Helena Roerich Letters
Vol. I, letter of 11.02.1929)
We had
already talked about the example of Plato: Being one of the greatest thinkers
in human history, he nevertheless welcomed being sold into slavery because by
this terrible test he was able to accelerate his ascent even further.
The Teacher [Plato] allowed Himself to be sold
into slavery so that His earthly path might be
fulfilled as quickly as possible. He knew and profoundly felt all earthly
hardships in full measure, and succeeded in gathering
vast experience during His life on Earth. (Supermundane 179)
"Thus, we should be grateful for today's
particularly grave and spiritually hostile times, because they offer us better
opportunities to rise than calmer epochs?"
Yes, just
harken:
You, whose karma has brought you into the thick of the
fight of the 19th and 20th centuries, and has given you
opportunities for advancement spiritually, mentally and physically, far beyond
those given to any race. Not a day passes over your heads which does not bring
to you tests and opportunities, which, if taken advantage of, may place you far
on the path leading to Adeptship. (Teachings of the
Temple Vol. I, Lesson 14 “Dangers of the Astral Plane”)
We can even
go so far as to say:
The worse, the better.
The more attacks there are the more possibilities
approach. (Infinity II, 775 [375])
It may be noticed that sometimes especially large
upheavals have far less destructive effect on the organism than small ones. The
reason is that during the large upheavals psychic energy begins to act in a
special manner, manifesting a powerful protection. During small agitations the
protection may not be so strong.
Long ago it was said that through great upheavals the
spirit grows strong and the consciousness is purified. But in such processes
the primary energy will be the principal factor. Therefore, let us not be
distressed if it be brought into action in one particular way.
It is far worse when something petty undermines the organism, and the salutary
force is inactive.
Such a situation must be recognized; otherwise people will begin to strive for the small and will
be content with the mediocre. The store of psychic energy must be supplemented.
Without pressure it does not receive the Higher Help. Even the enigmatic
saying, “the worse, the better,” has a certain foundation. (Brotherhood 240)
On the Spiritual Path, as opposed to a material way, actually
applies: The heavier the load, the shorter the path.
Let us be ready
to take any burden, remembering that the heavier the burden the shorter will be our path.
(Helena Roerich Letters Vol. I, letter of
15.01.1931)
Let the
most difficult be the most beautiful.
(Supermundane 767)
8. Striving causes Opposition
Inevitably, your striving will encounter resistance. This is
already taught by physics.
When a large ship increases its speed the resistance
of the waves increases too. Similarly, many obstacles are brought about by our
own striving. (Agni Yoga 257)
An abutment of a bridge is far more assailed by the
waves than is a swamp. The sand of the swamp does not undergo as much from the
movement of the water as does the pier standing firm against the current.
(Fiery World II, 264)
He who strives forward must face the storm. There are
few who would stand in a downpour of rain or pelting hail even for the sake of
hastening their progress! (Supermundane 198)
"Who or what causes this resistance?"
The forces
of darkness, who else! When you enter the spiritual path, you may be sure: With
all their means they will throw obstacles on your way!
One should not forget how many stones are cast upon
the path of ascent. (Fiery World I, 200)
A man who ascends feels much more deeply the assault
of the unbridled elements. (Fiery World II, 91)
This is not
an old wives’ tale about the devil and his comrades. This is an experience
based on facts.
Constructive striving always evokes opposition; hence,
there are such battles under Our Shield. (Infinity II, 636 [236])
According
to the law of correspondence, your pursuit of good will attract evil forces as
well.
Just as a galloping horse raises a cloud of dust, the
magnet of psychic energy stirs up a whirlpool of chaos. (Supermundane 278)
Every evolutionary step evokes the fury of chaos.
(Supermundane 320)
The higher
you climb, the stronger this resistance will become.
The brighter the light, the denser the darkness.
(Supermundane 266)
With gradual ascent the ferocity of the attacks will
increase. (Supermundane 562)
When a definite cosmic possibility is affirmed, all
obstacles are intensified. Space then resounds with the tension of cosmic fires
and the dark forces are very taut. Consequently, decisive battles take place.
(Infinity II, 859 [459])
You cannot
imagine all this lively enough: You are actually being
attacked for the purpose of hurting or even destroying you.
The higher the personage, the more spiritually
inclined the individual, the greater the glee on the part of the Disintegrator
if indention or cleavage can be made upon the aura. (Teachings of the Temple
Vol. II, Lesson “If we knew”)
The
onslaught of the dark forces is actually the best
proof for your being on a high, bright path: The higher you ascend, the more
dangerous you become for the sinister side.
The greatest manifestations are especially bespattered
with refuse. (Heart 134)
Persecution, slander and obstacles grow in proportion
with progress. Thus, if your intention is firm, be prepared for tests. (Helena
Roerich Letters Vol. II, letter of 17.05.1937)
Every worker for good is attacked by the dark forces.
They should understand that it was their very presence that provoked chaos. A
strong individual will recognize that it is preferable to arouse chaos than to
allow himself to become part of the unmanifested substance. The fury of chaos
is the highest recognition of the worker. (Supermundane 240)
When you do
not meet any resistance or enemies, you are probably on a humble path only.
It is a sad situation if one is not subjected to
attacks. This means that one’s energy is in a very weak state and does not
provoke any counteractions. Only the unenlightened consider attacks as
misfortune. (Brotherhood 94)
When on the
contrary destiny puts major obstacles in your way, it certainly has big plans
for you.
The growth of obstacles is the best indicator of the
greatness of the task. (Infinity II, 842 [442])
9.
Obstacles strengthen the Spirit
Nicholas Roerich "Forging the Sword
– Nibelung"
When you
rest firmly and securely within yourself and in the Order of the Cosmos; when
you are on the right track and know your destination; when you are selflessly
striving to promote the truth and the good – then, but only then obstacles can
but work to increase the power of your spirit.
He who carries the knowledge of the future can walk
boldly even upon shaky stones. (Leaves of Morya's Garden II, 217)
When the step is firm, the counterforces are
beneficial. (Agni Yoga 257)
The
difficulties and struggles of life steel the forces of your spirit.
It is correct that the spirit can be tempered only in
life. The overcoming of life’s difficulties will bring the spirit its spark.
(Fiery World III, 94)
A sword is tempered with fire and cold water;
likewise, the spirit will be strengthened in the fire of exaltation and under
the cold of defamations and ingratitude. (Brotherhood 182)
One’s weapon is sharpened by battle, otherwise it will
become rusty. (Supermundane 928)
Agni Yoga
chooses a most impressive picture:
The forging of a sword in the flame under the blow of
a hammer is the best illustration of how one tempers one’s psychic energy.
(Agni Yoga 602)
If you just
stand firm and do not deviate from the path, you cannot but grow on obstacles.
Swimmers, if you do everything possible within your
strength, whither can the most destructive wave carry you? It can only bear you
upwards. (Community 41)
Despair is destructive, but the extreme limit of
tension is constructive. (AUM 438)
Already the
ancient Romans proclaimed:
Ex adversis rebus fortior resurgo – From adverse
circumstances, I emerge stronger.
For a
strong spirit, there is no difficulty that could not be overcome.
The obstacles of life cannot influence the quality of
aspiration. (Community 227)
This is the liberty of a yogi: nothing can hinder his
progress. (Agni Yoga 259)
There is no obstacle that cannot be overcome by the
human will. I do not say this as a consolation, or for encouragement, but as an
immutable fact. (Agni Yoga 393)
"But there are problems which I am unable to
solve."
Certainly.
But as long as you are walking the spiritual path
unwaveringly, your Eternal Individuality will grow even if your perishable
personality fails on the material plane.
Man can overcome all hindrances if the goal of his
journey is clear to him. When he sees the Light in the distance, he will pay no
attention to the hardships of the journey. He will not count the steps to this
Light, for it shines also in his heart. (Supermundane 634)
He who wishes to live, lives. Amazing is the ability
to withstand danger when the meaning of life is clear. (Community 268)
A wealth of
examples from history shows that the character, power, and greatness of a human
being develop exactly by overcoming difficulties!
10.
Obstacles are Tests
Nicholas Roerich "The Temptation of
Christ"
Obstacles
are tests of your progress. The whole earthly stay is one great test.
Every shock is but a touchstone. (Heart 228)
How can you
know whether you are truly invulnerable, invincible and fearless? You will not
find that out on the sofa at home, but only in an hour of danger.
The same
goes for all other qualities: They have to prove
themselves in the middle of earthly life. In order to
make this testing possible, fate keeps putting you in difficult situations again and again.
The degree of courage is tested by the power of the
danger being confronted, true courage waxing stronger as the intensity of the
danger increases. (Heart 484)
The true measure of devotion is revealed only at times
of difficulty. (Agni Yoga 251)
One ought to test all useful qualities. It is not
enough to imagine courage, tolerance, devotion, and all that goes to make up
the armour of achievement. Each one can imagine himself brave, but in action it
often turns out to the contrary. One needs to oppose oneself to great terror in order to prove to oneself whether or
not fear can creep in. When I speak about growth’s dependence upon
obstacles, I have in mind just such testings in
actions. (AUM 504)
"Fate places obstacles in my way; that again is
somewhat abstract."
It is best
to regard all the adversities piling up before you on each new day as sent by
your teacher! He sets you tasks in order to test you
and to supervise your progress. You will do your best to solve them as well as
possible.
Only according to action, and through testing, can the
Teacher ascertain the degree of fieriness. (Fiery World I, 364)
Such a test
means: The teacher gives you the opportunity to rise to a higher level.
Tests lie as thresholds to the gates of Beauty.
(Leaves of Morya's Garden II, 337 [341])
Each testing is a threshold to progress. (Brotherhood
483)
Therefore,
will not the enthusiastic disciple ask for hard exams to prove his suitability
for a higher position?
He who appeals to the Brothers of Light for the
opportunity, at the same moment of his appeal, demands the trial by fire, i.
e., he demands an opportunity to prove his fitness for life on higher levels.
(Teachings of the Temple Vol. I, Lesson 87 “The Mystery Language”)
Examine me, O Lord, and prove me. (Psalms 26, 2)
Sometimes,
a situation on the edge of the abyss seems hopeless. Even then, you have to be able to choose the relatively best from all the
bad options.
To select the best from the worst is also part of an
Arhat’s task. Often you may find yourself surrounded by the worst on every
side, but even then you must find the self-control to
select the least harmful. In the midst of the ocean it is not easy to select a better wave, but all the
same it is possible. (Heart 583)
11.
Difficulties are Guideposts
Apparently
insurmountable obstacles are not the end, but only the beginning of a path.
How can one intensify energy if not by an extreme
situation? Such situations should be regarded not as end points but as
beginnings. For some people everything is definitely an
end, but for Our disciples everything is a beginning. (Heart 30)
Obstacles
are guideposts! They show us the direction in which we are to go on.
The challenge facing you now is the next step on the
ladder of your ascent to God! When you have climbed it, you will stand stronger
and one step higher than before.
Darkness is as a carpet to the Fiery World. (Fiery
World II, 364)
When joy for the future lives in the heart, then each
impediment is merely a step for ascent. (Fiery World III, 239)
Difficulties
are the milestones on the spiritual path: They are not piling up before you
accidentally. They have the profound meaning of showing you the new, greater
tasks lying ahead of you which will take you even higher.
The overcoming of obstacles leads to that what is
predestined. (Infinity II, 528 [128])
Many obstacles will be encountered in the search for
perfection, and the surmounting of these obstacles will be a true perfectment. Overcome, and ascend! (Supermundane 799)
"It is said so beautifully: Love adversities as
your best friends, who only do you good!"
Yes! When
you are walking the spiritual path, every life problem is actually
a teacher that takes you one step further: It forces you to apply the
principles of life, to affirm and enforce your ideals, and thereby strengthens
your spirit.
Every day is a teacher who teaches you what no other
day can teach. (Johann Kaspar Lavater)
The true devotees learn to love all the obstacles and
sufferings which they encounter on their path. Verily, these obstacles become
our teachers; they initiate us into the further mysteries of the opening of the
flower of spirit. Those who declare that it is possible to attain spiritual
growth without suffering speak a great untruth. But these sufferings are
transformed into joy, into a new spiritual ascent, provided there exists the
fire of true love. (Helena Roerich Letters Vol. I, letter of 07.03.1935)
It is wise
not to complain, but to be grateful to the people and situations standing in
your way, for they allow you to learn!
Only the foolish fall into despair. Every hour brings
its lesson, and therefore one must be grateful for each experience. (Fiery
World I, 394)
I have learned silence from the talkative, tolerance
from the intolerant and kindness from the unkind. I should not be ungrateful to
those teachers. (Kahlil Gibran)
Even
mistakes which you will necessarily make, and setbacks that will inevitably
come, you may turn into steps of ascent by recognizing them and learning from
them how to do better next time. Then you will emerge even stronger from the
mishap.
Every mistake must be a bridge to new knowledge, not
an obstacle. Every erroneous stumbling can be used to build the future. There
are many mistakes in life; they can all be turned into fiery good if they have
not undermined one’s courage. (Supermundane 829)
Let each mistake be a stepping stone to a new victory.
(Supermundane 878)
You will
experience: The ideals of the higher world develop a necessity of their own. He
who sets out for realizing them in his daily life will soon encounter
difficulties. These resistances are an expression of the needs, imperfections
and sufferings of the time.
They are
not personal but general in nature. They affect all spiritual fighters of an
epoch alike. Those who overcome them defeat the misery of all. This applies to
both inward and outward difficulties.
Obstacles, like the flow of the waters, help one to
sense the main salutary current. (Supermundane 755)
12. Joy
at Obstacles
Nicholas Roerich "Krishna"
Your
entering the spiritual path leads you to new standards: The old mortal man
fears obstacles and tries to avoid them by all means.
The New immortal Man, on the other hand, welcomes them joyfully as stages of
further ascent.
A Yogi values the many earthly oppressions which fall
to his path. Each suffering is called the hastened way. Sharpening of feelings
cannot take place without overcoming obstacles. (Brotherhood 397)
One must welcome the most difficult tasks as a
purifying cloak. (Heart 548)
At the beginning of this Broadcasting
we had complained: An abundance of difficulties seems to be blocking our path
to self-perfection. At the end of the Broadcasting, we are wiser and say
joyfully: Hardship, poverty, weakness, illness, distractions and temptations open up so many new paths to self-improvement. (van Gogh "Crows in the Wheatfield")
"How may I find that joy?"
For the
last time we say: You have to change your thinking,
your consciousness, your mental attitude. Then you realize: Dangers and tests
offer you the opportunity to increase your strengths and to decrease your
weaknesses!
I teach you to face cheerfully the experiences of
life. (Leaves of Morya's Garden I, 114 [127])
The old,
mortal man threatens to be broken by the difficulties which are piling up
before him. The immortal thinks differently: He always bears in mind the
purpose of his life, which is to grow greater.
The meaning of life is to grow greater. The meaning of
suffering is to grow greater. The meaning of obstacles is to grow greater.
The path of the soul is the ascent to ever greater
heights, to a Great Soul ("Mahatma"). Therefore, your Eternal
Individuality really rejoices at everything that pushes it along on this path! (Selvarajan
Yesudian "You are the sun of your life")
Every traveller who is enlightened by thought about
the eternal path can proceed in joy. (Fiery World II, 425)
To rejoice
at obstacles is the surest way to deprive chaos of any power over you.
Why do not the tribulations that we endure for Christ
taste well for us? Then Satan would be completely defeated, he had already
played his last trump. The enemy cannot do anything against him who finds his
pleasure in Christ's Cross. (St. Bernard of
Clairvaux, Sermon for the Feast of St. Andrew)
When the
force of your spirit has become so great that you can enjoy the difficulties,
hardships, and sufferings with which the others are struggling, you have
reached the highest level of transfiguration of life through mental work,
expansion of consciousness, and the power of the right spiritual attitude.
A slave can toil in depression, but the fiery spirit
transforms everything by very luminous joy. (Fiery World III, 597)
One who thinks about the meaning of life, about
soaring over earthly obstacles, knows how to feel joy. (Supermundane 578)
Listen to
the Master: He promises:
We send the light to those who smile at darkness.
(Leaves of Morya's Garden I, 6)
He asks us:
Have you finally learned to rejoice at obstacles? Can
We be assured that what seems like an obstacle will multiply your
resourcefulness tenfold? Can We accept you as conquering warriors? (Agni Yoga
72)
He gives us
a mantram to accompany us on our path which we should
engrave deeply into our mind and ponder in our heart each and
every day:
Blessed be the obstacles,
through them we grow! (Leaves of Morya’s Garden II, 349 [353])