Dear Networkers,
This issue of Meditation
Monthly International is focussed upon a portrayal of the woman, a
most appropriate theme for the upcoming celebration of Mother’s Day. Esotericists
recognize that the celebration of Mother’s Day not only refers to women
who have born a child, but as a day to honor the principle of the woman—the
Mother of the World.
Helena Roerich, the Mother of the Agni Yoga Teachings, was a woman many considered as “one born ahead of the time.” She was an outstanding champion for the rights of women, recognizing a need for women to universally unite—not as a strategy for woman to organize herself against her counterpart—man—but rather to gather together into educational and cultural groups all over the world for the purpose of creating standards and principles consequent to planting a new Garden of Beauty for all mankind, everywhere.
In 1929 Helena Roerich wrote, “The woman who strives to knowledge and beauty, who realizes her lofty responsibility, will greatly uplift the whole level of life. There will be no place for disgusting vices which lead to the degeneration and destruction of whole countries.”
She also believed “The approaching great
epoch is closely connected with the ascendancy of woman.... Mother, the
life-giver, has every right to direct the destiny of her children. The
voice of woman, the mother, should be heard amongst the leaders of humanity.
The mother suggests the first conscious thoughts to her child. She gives
direction and quality to all his aspirations and abilities. But the mother
who possesses no thought of culture can suggest only the lower expressions
of human nature.”
Even in the early part of the twentieth century Helena
Roerich portrayed a vision for women all over the world, saying, “the future
epoch will again offer woman her rightful place alongside her eternal fellow
traveler and co-worker, man.”
Today, as we move into the twenty-first century,
we are slowly seeing her vision come into manifestation. Increasing numbers
of women around the world are holding leadership roles in every field of
human endeavor—politics, education, communication, the arts, science, religion
and economics.
Torkom Saraydarian, who wrote the book Sex, Family, and
the Woman in Society in 1987, gave a foundation where women could build
knowledge of themselves and their rights. He encouraged women to stand
for their rights, and spiritually and academically to educate themselves,
thereby preventing suppression and misuse. He believed a woman is humanity’s
key to the future, saying, “When women of a nation hold themselves in dignity,
in purity, beauty, and solemnity, that nation will progress. When the women
degenerate, their nation will fall.”
Torkom Saraydarian also wrote, “If materialistic or separative people want to exploit or destroy a nation, they begin by exploiting and demoralizing its women,” and he gives several ways such exploitation and demoralization occurs.
To all the honorable and noble women in the world, those of the past, the present, and to those noble and self-sacrificing women who will return to humanity in the future, carrying the Banner of the Mother of the World, the staff of the White Mountain Education Group sends their gratitude into the world!
Shanti,
____________________________
1. Hierarchy, verse 426 (NY: Agni Yoga Society, third edition,
1997).
2. Brotherhood, verse 540 (NY: Agni Yoga Society, 1962).
3. Letters of Helena Roerich, Vol. I (NY: Agni Yoga Society,
1954), p. 105.
(All of the above quotes are printed with permission of copyright holder.)
Mother of the World
by Joleen D. Du Bois
In
the Ancient Wisdom it is written that two constellations—the Great Bear and
the Pleiades—are the two parents of our solar system. The Great Bear, the masculine
or positive polarity, contains seven major stars, and the Pleiades, the feminine
or negative polarity, also contain seven major stars. The seven stars of the
Great Bear are named Rishis and the seven stars of the Pleiades are named the
Seven Celestial Virgins. The legend of these two constellations recounts
the tale that the Rishis of the Great Bear proposed marriage to the seven celestial
virgins and, our solar system is the offspring of this legendary celestial marriage.
When our system was created, one of the seven Rishis
could not find his bride and she was considered to
be lost. The Lost Pleiad, in not being found by the Rishi, remained a Virgin.
The Pleiad had gone to the Earth—the newborn child—to be its mother. The Lost
Pleiad is known as the Mother of the World.
The Mother of the World is a group soul. According to the legend, the World Mother gathered up all of Her advanced women in the world to form themselves into a beautiful lotus. These were women who had achieved a level of great purity and who had also surpassed the stage of Transfiguration.1 The legend goes on to say that once all the women were gathered, a beautiful Cosmic Lotus was formed in space from which the petals, age after age, incarnate to later give birth to the worlds heroes, leaders and also to Great Ones. The Mother of the World is a group, but each individual petal of the group is also called the Mother of the World, for each petal represents the full measure of the World Mother.
It is believed Helena Roerich was such a petal and, as such, was called Urasvati—Light of the Morning Star. We also believe other women, such as Mother Teresa; the Mother Mary, Mother of Jesus; and Maya, the Mother of Buddha, were petals (incarnations) of the World Mother. “The Mother of the World takes physical incarnation again and again, age after age, giving birth to all Great Ones who want to come to this world to guide humanity.”2 They are women who stand for unity and reflect the highest compassion for all, without bias of race or religion. They stand for Beauty, universality and Life. They portray a profound practicality, which is given birth through a highly cultivated intuition and then reflected in the activities and manner by which they live their life.3
It is insightful to read of the lives of some of the First Ladies from the United States of America and the leadership guidance they gave to their husbands. Eleanor Roosevelt—it becomes increasingly evident of the guidance she gave to her husband President Franklin Roosevelt on many serious occasions. Since the death of President John F. Kennedy much has been said about the influence his mother, Rose Kennedy, had upon the decisions he made in his political career. Mrs. Rosalyn Carter was and continues to be a close advisor and co-worker to former president Jimmy Carter.
Women are equipped with the gift of intuition. Intuition is a spiritual endowment, which can place women into leadership positions in the arts, the social sciences, children’s protection groups, national and international councils for women, hospitals and health care organizations, religious and spiritual organizations and councils, educational institutions and counseling, as well as different service type organizations. It is the woman’s sense of intuition, her desire for knowledge, beauty, and freedom, and her inner drive for unity that will advance her into continuing higher levels of private and public leadership as she moves into the twenty-first century.
It will not be until the World Mother has fulfilled Her responsibility to humanity that She will then be free to join the lonesome Rishi from the Great Bear, the One who has been waiting for Her throughout the ages to complete Their marriage.
The Era of the
Mother of the World
a compilation
With the slowly ascending role of women today holding distinguished and noble offices in leadership around the world, and in respect of the celebration of Mother’s Day—the day of Women—we so dedicate this issue. It is in gratitude that we offer in this article the thought-provoking wisdom of Helena Roerich, Messenger and Mother of the Agni Yoga Teachings.
The star of the Mother of the World is the planet Venus. In 1924 this planet for a short time came unusually near to the Earth. Its rays were poured on Earth, and this created many new powerful and sacred combinations which will yield great results. Many feminine movements were kindled by these powerful rays. (Letters Of Helena Roerich, Vol. I, p. 376)
The Mother of the World appears as a symbol of the feminine Origin in the new epoch, and the masculine Origin voluntarily returns the treasure of the World to the feminine Origin. Amazons were the embodiment of the strength of the feminine Principle, and now it is necessary to show the aspect of spiritual perfection of woman. (Leaves Of Morya’s Garden II, 1925, para. 2, pp. 74–75)
It would be very desirable if the members of the Woman’s Society could start their work with the tasks of self-perfection and self-education, and would try, with united efforts, to apply them in life. In the coming era of the Mother of the World, great numbers of cultured women are needed—women educated in various branches of knowledge, arts, crafts, etc. Every woman should be also a trained nurse, or at least should know elementary hygiene and medicine. In addition, would it not be wonderful if they could learn also spiritual healing? (Letters Of Helena Roerich, Vol. 1, p. 155)
According to the Sacred Teaching, the fall of humanity began from the time of the abasement of the Feminine Principle. Therefore, with the beginning of the Epoch of the Mother of the World, woman should realize that she herself contains all forces, and the moment she shakes off the age-old hypnosis of her seemingly lawful subjugation and mental inferiority and occupies herself with a manifold education, she will create in collaboration with man a new and better world.(Letters Of Helena Roerich, Vol. II, p. 359)
Let them understand that the lofty mission of women must be manifested by women, for in the Temple of the Mother of the World should abide the woman. The Temple should be connected with the Temple of the Spirit—it is an easy architectural task. (At The Threshold of the New World, p. 106)
...In the hands of woman lies the salvation
of humanity and of our planet. Woman must realize her significance, the
great mission of the Mother of the World; she should be prepared to take
responsibility for the destiny of humanity. Mother, the life-giver, has
every right to direct the destiny of her children. The voice of woman,
the mother should be heard amongst the leaders of humanity. The mother
suggests the first conscious thoughts to her child. She gives direction
and quality to all his aspirations and abilities. But the mother who possesses
no thought of culture can suggest only the lower expressions of human nature.
The woman who strives to knowledge and beauty, who realizes
her lofty responsibility, will greatly uplift the whole level of life.
There will be no place for disgusting vices which lead to the degeneration
and destruction of whole countries.
But in her striving toward education, woman must remember that all educational systems are only a means for the development of a higher knowledge and culture. The true culture of thought is developed by the culture of spirit and heart. Only such a combination gives the great synthesis without which it is impossible to realize the real grandeur, diversity, and complexity of human life in its cosmic evolution. Therefore, while striving to knowledge, may woman remember the Source of Light and the leaders of Spirit—those great Minds who, verily, created the consciousness of humanity. In approaching this Source, this leading Principle of Synthesis, humanity will find the way to real evolution....
…Western woman is awake and realizes her powers. Her cultural contributions are already evident. However, the majority of Western women—as with all beginners—start with imitation; whereas, it is in original self-expression that real beauty and harmony are found. Would we like to see man losing the beauty of manhood? The same is true about a man who has a sense of beauty. He certainly does not wish to see a woman imitating his habits and competing with his vices. Imitation always starts with the easiest. But we hope that this first step will soon be outlived and that woman will deepen her knowledge of Mother-Nature and will find true original ways of self-expression....
Have you listened to your heart? Does it beat in rhythm with the Perfect Heart which embraces all of you?Thus, I shall finish with the words about the heart. Let woman affirm this great symbol, which can transfigure the whole of life. Let her strive to transmute the spiritual life of mankind.
The mother, the life-giver, the life-protector—let her become also the Mother, the Leader, the All-Giver, the All-Receiver.(The Letters of Helena Roerich, Vol. I, pp. 6-9)
The Mother of the World! It would seem that in one sounding of these words the meaning of the grandeur of the concept would be made clear, but life shows otherwise.
Poets and singers frequently glorify woman, but governments are unable to recognize simple equality of rights. It will be a shameful page of history which will record that even now equal rights have not yet been established. Woman’s upbringing and education are not on a level with man’s, and motherhood itself is not protected.
Whoever is first in carrying out such an action of universal import will be proceeding in harmony with evolution (AUM, 1936, para. 415, p. 203)
The Bard's Corner
The Queen’s Choice
by Kathryn Agrell
Queen Gertrude had three daughters, Grace, Patience, and Fortitude. Grace was the youngest, a beautiful girl who loved to spend her days walking about in nature, listening to the songs of the birds. Patience, the second child, spent all of her time reading and praying; and Fortitude, the eldest daughter, organized all the castle activities, telling everyone else what to do and how to do it. The Queen looked upon her three daughters with some dismay, because she knew that soon one of them would have to be chosen as queen.
One
spring morning, Queen Gertrude called each daughter to her sitting room. “Grace,”
said Queen Gertrude, turning to her youngest, “I have a favor to ask of you.
I need you to read this report on the state of the kingdom and then tell me
everything I will need to know.” “Read?” said Grace. “By all means,” answered
Queen Gertrude.
To the middle daughter, Patience, the Queen said, “There is an important banquet that will be held at the castle in two weeks time. I need you to organize it for me.” The daughter simply stared at her mother, too astonished to say a word.
Fortitude entered the room before her mother had a chance to invite her in. “What is it, mother?” she said in a hurried tone. Queen Gertrude smiled patiently. “My child, I’ve been worried about you. You overwork yourself and I insist you take a break.” “A what?” asked Fortitude. Queen Gertrude nodded her head. “You will spend the next two weeks at the lake house, by yourself.” Before Fortitude could open her mouth to object, the Queen rose from her chair and left the room.
Grace spent the rest of the day sitting in her bedroom staring at the voluminous report. Patience hid behind the tapestries, trying to gather enough courage to speak to the servants. Fortitude was escorted to the lake house and left there in complete solitude.
When the servants in the castle learned that Patience was in charge of the state dinner, they went to her en masse and asked what they should do. She told them to pray for inner guidance. Then Patience retreated to her room and waited for the servants to accomplish the task she had been assigned to do. With each servant acting as if he or she was in charge, chaos ensued.
Fortitude, who, after only a few hours, was becoming quite agitated by the serenity of nature, decided to take a long walk. As she jogged through the forest, she came upon a woodsman, who was busy building a small shed. She saw it as the perfect opportunity to explain to him exactly how the shed should be built.
After observing a blue jay from her bedroom window, Grace sat down and with great determination began to read the state of the kingdom report. The report, which had been compiled by the government ministers, had nothing but glowing things to say about life in the kingdom. After five straight days of reading, Grace decided to journey to the nearest villages and farms. She wanted to experience the peacefulness and joy that was said to reign in the kingdom. Disguised in servant’s attire, Grace left the castle. She quickly learned that the state of the kingdom did not at all resemble the report. She saw people who were overwhelmed by the struggle to survive. She met children who could neither read nor write, and elders who were ill or infirm and had no one to whom they could turn for help.
At the end of two weeks, Queen Gertrude had her three daughters brought to her sitting room. There she asked each one of them to tell of their experience. Fortitude was the first to speak, saying that she had enjoyed her time in nature immensely by showing a local woodsman how to build a shed. The mother remained silent but breathed a rather heavy sigh. “Patience?” said the Queen, turning to her second daughter. “Are all the arrangements for the banquet complete?” “I suppose so,” replied Patience. The Queen looked at Patience askance. “Well, I did what you said,” replied Patience. “I spoke to all the servants and told them to ask for God’s help, which I’m sure they did.”
“And the result?” asked the Queen. “I don’t know,” said Patience. “I returned to my room and have prayed ever since that everything will work out as it should.” The mother shook her head, then asked Grace to come forward. Grace stood before her mother with the report in her hands and her eyes downcast. “I have failed, mother,” said Grace softly.
“Continue,” said the Queen.
“I read your minister’s report.... but when I visited the nearby villages and farms, I did not find the same conclusions.” The Queen’s eyes focused keenly on her youngest daughter. “The people are not peaceful and prosperous and content,” continued Grace. “Their lives are hard and there is much suffering.” Tears fell upon her cheeks as she spoke.
That afternoon, two of the daughters were dismissed and one remained in the Queen’s company for many days to come.
Not long after the time of testing, Queen
Gertrude passed away. By her mother’s wishes, Grace was chosen to take
her place as the head of the kingdom. Though the other two daughters failed
to understand their mother’s choice, Fortitude agreed that it would be
best if she took care of all the preparations for the coronation, and Patience,
who prayed daily for greater understanding, agreed to perform the ceremony.
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