This October, the White Mountain Educational Association is celebrating its fifteenth birthday anniversary. With that in mind, it seems a most opportune moment to celebrate the anniversary issue of MMI with a focus upon one of the great principles of life—Beauty.
It is the group’s vision to give beauty to the world through its many classes, service projects, publications, music and meditations, as a symbol of its commitment and gratitude to the many disciples throughout the world who, throughout the history of mankind, have selflessly dedicated their lives to the manifestation of beauty.
In dedication to a Great One whose life’s creative works have given the world a legacy of beauty for many centuries to come, we offer to you, our friends, this poem written by Torkom Saraydarian on December 12, 1981:
Beauty
Everyone
In his essence
Is a beauty.
Everyone
in his essence loves beauty.
To love beauty
is a step
toward manifesting beauty.
All love is for beauty.
Beauty is
the guiding star
for the travelers
of Infinity.
In all your joy,
in all your loves,
in all your
striving,
you look for beauty.
The only real thing
you can give
to someone
is beauty.
The only thing
you must reveal to others
is your beauty.
The only thing
you must expect
from others
is their beauty.
The only way
you know each other
is the way of beauty.
The greatest labor,
The holy labor,
Is to lead people
To beauty.
Beauty heals.
Beauty uplifts.
Beauty brings enlightenment.
Beauty brings
rhythm and harmony
to your life.
Beauty brings
the power of renunciation.
Beauty builds bridges
between you
and the creative forces
in Nature…
between you
and
Infinity.
Beauty is the
Manifestation of Infinity.
The finite
transmutes itself
into Cosmos,
into Infinity,
only through Beauty.
In gratitude to the Great Ones, we dedicate our future to the continuing labor of bringing beauty into the world.
Shanti,
Joleen D. DuBois,
President
The Many Faces Of Beauty
by Raya Urmalsky
Raya Urmalsky is a native-born Russian artist
who lives in the United States.
The illustration is by Raya.
For someone, the higher beauty would be a beautiful sound, it could be a color for another, and it could be a mathematician formula for a scientist, or a harmonized balanced construction for an architect, or a wonderful book that can enrich people’s hearts, or a dear to the eyes’ land, or a beautiful garden....But we all are getting inspired by the experiences of beauty. They uplift us to the higher existence and help us to feel our power of imagination and striving to the Higher Worlds.
In our earthly life we look at our garden— at our planet Earth. Is beauty somewhere deep insight only and somewhere in the connecting to us far-off worlds? Can’t it be transformed into a surrounded us world from the higher dimension? “It is not quite correct to say that beauty will save the world. It is more accurate to say that the realization of beauty will save the world.”1 When we listen to a work of a musician, we are listening to the energy from the world of beauty that is transformed through the art. We have to study psychic energy to know the process of the work in beauty.
We have power to create. Humanity, us, produced this earthly imperfection. And it’s in our power to create beauty instead. Beauty is a creative work. An understanding of beauty will be changing with (accordingly to) the level of creative work. Creative work is not only work of art; it is any work that produces energy that inspires hearts to feel and love the world of beauty. “When I speak about beauty, I have in mind first of all beauty of thought. Thought has form, which means that beauty of thought must be understood in all respects.”2 We construct when we think. Thought is the fieriest manifestation of space, it rules with eternal fire. Even when thought could not be applied on Earth, it can saturate space with creativity. When creating with a condensed thought-form, concepts of the Subtle World will give a possibility to spiritualize them. Power of creativity is unlimited when we fill our life with thought. Beauty—is to strive for refinement of feelings. We have to refine our feelings and have control of our thoughts in order to use our psychic energy to beautify. And we have to remember about partial strivings, they do not bring regeneration.
The matter around our planet is too dense and we with all responsibility have to refine it. New energies will be able to harmonize our planet if we are going to make a bridge for them. We are the bridge builders. And we have to concentrate our energies in this work, because it is up to us how beautiful this bridge is going to be. “The creative ability of the future will emerge on a relatively large scale in the realm of creative living and not so much in the realm of creative art. This creative living express itself through a new world of beauty and of recognised divine expression; through the outer form, the ‘light of livingness’ (as it is esoterically called) will shew.”3
We all have our lessons to go through for better understanding of the meaning of life. Sometimes we wonder how people change their spiritual values after some different experiences, even those we would think have to be born again to feel in more refine way. By getting them inspired, we can help them to avoid some difficult experiences to reach the level of better living. And this way applies to all humanity. We can consciously strive toward the higher light to make our karma shining with beauty.
We build in Unity and in Unity we learn about higher dimension of the Beauty. When heart is kindled by all fires it can realize higher unities. Universe is created by the beauty of the Cosmic Union. There is one heart of all our hearts. When we can enlighten hearts of others, we get our heart enlightened more. In this Unity, Beauty is Infinite. It could be a formula of Unity of Beauty. We create with the vibration of the heart. “We, brothers of Humanity, create through the lever of the heart, and We say: ‘The beauty of striving opens all paths.’4 Our heart has a magnetic power. We can send our salutary thoughts into space and when we do not know exact place of destination they “will find the right course and will be joined magnetically with Our Help. Beauty is found when, from diverse quarters of the world thoughts of salvation come flying—in this each one will emulate the Brotherhood.” 5
Every day brings to us a chance to develop more and more
of our qualities to hear a beautiful symphony of them. It is said that
every day life is a sister of Infinity. By everyday building we are getting
closer to the cosmic understanding, to the understanding of the law of
fiery striving. Humanity is a part of a cosmic energy; we create vibrations
to harmonize our planet in unison with the Cosmic Magnet. Our participation
in Infinity is beautiful. Beauty—is to study cosmic constructivenes and
creativeness for better achievement in striving. We charge ourselves with
Beauty with every achievement.
____________________________________
1. New Era Community 1926,Verse 27, (New York: Agni Yoga Society,
Inc., second printing 1978).
2. AUM -1936,Verse 439, (New York: Agni Yoga Society, Inc.,
second printing 1980).
3. The Seven Rays of Life, p. 92. (New York: Lucis
Publishing Co., 1995).
4. Infinity II -1930, Verse 285, (New York: Agni Yoga Society,
Inc., second printing 1980).
5. Brotherhood 1937,Verse 585, (New York: Agni Yoga Society,
Inc., second printing 1980).
Compilation on
Beauty
by Peggy Pace
“The miracle of Beauty in the adornment of our daily lives will exalt mankind. Uphold thy light. Illumine the beauties of My Temple. Teach the joy of Beauty. Teach the happiness of wisdom. Teach the Bliss of Love. Teach the Glory of Unity with God. I will grant thee the power and fleetness of Mercury. (Leaves of Morya’s Garden, Book one, Verse 45, p. 20)
“If human hearts were filled with beauty, no sacrifices would be needed....” (Ibid., Verse 202, p. 58)
“...Repeat Beauty again and again, even with tears, until you reach your destiny.” (Ibid., Verse 252, p. 71)
“...Blessed are you who aspire to Beauty.” (Ibid., Verse
271, p. 77) 
“... if you desire the gates to be opened, pronounce My Sign. I said Beauty in combat and victory. I said Beauty, and failure was covered by Beauty. Mountains blossomed with Beauty. And you must open the way for the flowers of Beauty. Let the children approach and bow before Him Who brought the Beauty of the great UniVerse....
“There is one thing alone—Beauty. And to thee I entrust it. Guard, expound and affirm this Beauty. Therein lies thy way. With Beauty shall I meet those who will attain me, and they are already on their way.” (Ibid., Verse 333, pp. 105-106)
“Kindle with love, the light of beauty. And with action manifest to the world the salvation of the spirit.” (Ibid., Verse 354, p. 119)
“I give you a shelter. I give you strength, I give you a path of beauty....” (Ibid., Verse 424, p. 148)
“They will ask thee how to traverse life. Answer: Like crossing an abyss upon a taut string—Beautifully, carefully, and fleetly.” (Ibid., p. 159)
“Know how to meet the waves of life in beauty....” (Leaves of Morya’s Garden II, Verse 8, p. 78)
“Urusvati has developed her musical talent beautifully.... music should not be understood in the narrow sense of music alone, but as participation in all the harmonious arts. In singing, in poetry, in painting, in sculpture, in architecture, in speech, and finally, in all manifestations of sound, musicality is expressed…. Beauty is an uplifting concept, and each offering to beauty is an offering to the equilibrium of Cosmos. Everyone who expresses music in himself sacrifices, not for himself, but for others, for humanity, for Cosmos.
“Perfection of thought is an expression of beautiful musicality. The highest rhythm is the best prophylaxis, a pure bridge to the highest worlds. Thus We affirm Beauty in Our Abode. Urusvati has noted that the music of the spheres is characterized by a harmony of rhythm. It is precisely this quality that brings inspiration to humanity....” (Supermundane I, Verse 42, pp. 71-72)
“Urusvati knows that thoughts about the Beautiful lead to the Teacher. Even in the most difficult hours, thoughts about the Beautiful will create the best bridge to Brotherhood.
“Thoughts should be directed to the Beautiful, as a salutary medicine. People do not understand what a powerful remedy has been given to them, and they prefer to complain, feel discontent, and weep, not understanding that such ways only limit the best possibilities....
“Amidst the most grievous struggles, remember the Beautiful. It can be a panacea for the heart of the toiler. Know that this Advice is given not only to you; in Our Abode it is also applied. Everyone has his dangers and sorrows, but it is a joy to know that there is the one protecting remedy for all.” (Ibid., Verse 135, pp. 215-216)
“...People should not compete to be innovative, but should train themselves to think about the useful and the Beautiful. It would be better to think about essentials and how one can contribute the utmost good to the world. The most useful thoughts are those dedicated to Beauty....” (Ibid., Verse 226, p. 340)
“The filling of the Chalice determines the quality of action. Each thought leading to the mighty understanding of Hierarchy uplifts the spirit. Therefore, as striving grows, the broadening of consciousness leads the spirit to the understanding of the Origins. Creativeness of the spirit can build a bridge to higher understanding only through the subtlest energies. Therefore, the accumulation in the Chalice gives the best possibilities and attainments. Man must strive to fill the Chalice and expand the consciousness. Thus, the subtlest receptivity, and limitless striving opens the Gates to Beauty.” (Hierarchy, Verse 55, p. 38)
“...The indivisiblity of the stronghold is its might. Integrity is its beauty. The center is the Hierarchy of Bliss. Thus the highest step is built. Each spirit must realize that all lives through the light of integrity. Each Ashram is nurtured by integrity and lives by the Light of Hierarchy. Each atom lives by integrity. In this is beauty. Thus is the world constructed.” (Ibid., Verse 358, p. 196)
“...Thus the Banner of Beauty and Peace unites the world....” (Ibid., Verse 366, p. 202)
“Treatment by means of music is already being applied, but the effects are not always perceptible. The reason is that it is not customary to develop perception of music. From childhood one should be accustomed to assimilating the beauty of sound. Musical faculties are in need of education. It is true that in each man has been implanted an inclination for sound, but without cultivation it remains asleep. Man ought to hear beautiful music and song. Sometimes a single harmony will awaken forever a sense of the beautiful....” (Brotherhood, Verse 292, p. 149)
“...And in Brotherhood, first of all, the members hearten and inspire each other with affirmations of beauty.” (Ibid., Verse 293, P. 150)
“The happiness of the Teacher is in encouraging the disciples to dare toward Beauty. Long lists of tedious, torpid incidents do not promote this achievement. The Teacher himself must be aglow so that his approach alone may be passed on fierily. Such an everyday task is difficult, yet people are tested precisely in everyday life, which is the sister of Infinity.” (Ibid., Verse 471, pp. 226-227)
“Great beauty is contained in the acceptance of full responsibility. The vouching of the heart will be that feeling of pathos which will uplift the primary energy. It will often be asked, How to increase this power? By the vouching of the heart. Conscious responsibility will be the beautiful impeller of energy. Thus does the Brotherhood teach.” (Ibid., Verse 579, pp. 272-273)
“...Know how to regard gratitude as the union of joy and beauty” (Agni Yoga, Verse 98, p. 62)
“...He who is afflicted with ‘imperil’ must repeat, ‘How beautiful is everything!’ And he will be right; because the flow of evolution is rational, in other words, beautiful....” (Ibid., Verse 15, p. 16)
“Let a child describe his conception of the New Country. In this way one may follow the realization of the unseen. Inspire in the child the impulse to realize his dream. Afterward let him describe a common piece of granite. That will be a test of resourcefulness. Perhaps the stone will give him a conception of the strongholds of the far-off worlds. Out of the usual one may evoke the sparks of beauty.” (Ibid., Verse 68 p. 47)
“Besides the Teaching let us not forget the battle. It is unusual that amidst the unprecedented attack we talk about the heart, the beautiful. Our talks can be termed the affirmation of calmness.” (Heart, Verse 393, p. 227)
“But beauty is contained in each participation in the construction of the New World. This is the true realm of the heart. This desired purification of life gives that solemnity which is like an inextinguishable Light.” (Ibid., Verse 593, p. 342)
“New circumstances will indicate the path to the future. Truth is the same, but combinations vary according to consciousness. How much of the beautiful is destroyed owing to the ignoring of the temple—the heart! But let us irresistibly strive to a realization of heartfelt warmth, and let as begin to feel ourselves as the bearers of the temple. Thus one can cross the threshold of the New World....” (Ibid., Verse 5, p. 10)
Creativity and
the Principle of Beauty
by Kathryn Agrell
Beauty is a great principle. A great principle creates an urge in all life to bring that principle into manifestation. Beauty affirms the existence of divinity, and we create beauty, or deny it, through our daily thoughts, words, emotions and actions. As one strives to expand one’s beingness, the need for beauty and the search for beauty becomes vital. A person who is on a spiritual path may find himself at first unconsciously gravitating toward beauty. He may move out of a city to get closer to nature. Flowers may begin to make a regular appearance in the home. As one is exposed to beauty not only does the physical environment change, but so do one’s expressions as well as the results of one’s creative efforts.
The principle of Beauty affects all life in all kingdoms and on all planes of evolutionary development. At its source, let’s say Beauty emanates a million watts of electricity, but as It filters down through the levels from spirit to matter, the wattage decreases and is more dispersed. When Beauty is touched, it releases psychic energy into an artist, which is then reflected in the art itself. One person can paint a picture of a rose and it can be uninspiring, while another painter can paint a rose and it inspires all who view it. The second painting contains a high degree of this fiery energy of Beauty, which makes the artform magnetic and alive. A work of creativity is only as beautiful as the beingness of the one who creates it.
Man functions for the most part on a physical, emotional and mental level. The mental plane is composed of levels that make up the lower mind and the higher mind. The lower mind, also referred to as the concrete mind, is a place where ideas take form and become concretized. The higher level of the mind is the place of abstract ideas. Higher still is the Intuitional Plane from where ideas originate and from where impressions come. Creativity is measured by our ability to reach into higher levels, touch upon a higher principle, assimilate it, and actualize it in form. Mahatma Gandhi, impressed with the principle of Freedom, taught the people of India how to become more self-sustaining and gain their independence through powerful non-violent acts. Responding to the principle of Love, Mother Teresa opened centers throughout the world to help those who were abandoned, sick, and dying; and she has trained others to engage in this work. Mahatma Gandhi and Mother Teresa are but two examples of those whose creativity also reflects the principle of Beauty.
There were three men who were working on a building. A little girl came by and asked the first man, “What are you doing?” The first laborer replied, “I’m laying bricks.” The little girl went to the second laborer and asked, “What are you doing?” The second laborer replied, “I’m making $10 dollars an hour.” Then she approached the third laborer. “What are you doing?” she asked. He replied, “I’m helping to build a beautiful cathedral.” The third laborer was inspired by a vision greater than himself, and he saw himself as a participant in the creation of something beautiful. The Teachings say that “Creativity is the labor to manifest beauty.”1 As one engages in sacrificial labor, in the practice of seed thought meditation, and the practice of right human relations, one can transform one’s nature and expand the mind’s ability to touch into greater and greater levels of Beauty. The task then is to bring this beauty into manifestation by living a life of true creativity.
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