Today I received the most beautiful book you can imagine. It is called Karma and Reincarnation by Torkom, a perfect subject to lead us into the new millennium.
Too often karma has been treated as a comedy, most especially in the world of entertainment. In New Age circles it frequently was treated as a “past life reading” and I discovered in certain cultures it was used to place people into fear and caste systems. More recently however, searching through the various Teachings in the Ageless Wisdom, I learned that the majority of ideas and discussions I had listened to, regarding the subject of karma, had been approached with either distorted information or as a result of the individual’s lack of knowledge. The Ageless Wisdom Teaching is always the revealer of Truth.
When I first held the new book in my hands I knew this was “it.” The instruction is so pure and free from distortion; it is very beautiful, inspiring and uplifting. For example one chapter is on the subject of facing one's karma: “All past karma illuminated by the rays of the Cosmic Magnet transforms into beauty, into paintings, drama, poems, music, but above all into life—a life that manifests the wisdom of the karmic law.”1 Another chapter is on the subject of reversing our karma: “The reversing of karma is a very interesting fact. Christ gave the clue to this when He said, ‘Pray for those who do harm to you.’ Buddha said something similar: ‘Hatred cannot be dissolved by hatred, but hatred can be dissolved by love.’ These can work in group, family, and individual cases too.”2
One of my favorite stories is about the life of Socrates, his wife and karma. “[E]very time Socrates tried to discuss philosophy with his friends, his wife would become angry and say, ‘My goodness! Again, philosophy; again, philosophy; again, philosophy?’ They lived together for forty years in these conditions.
Socrates said, ‘I owe something to this woman; that is why she is bugging me. But I am not going to be like her. I am going to change her as much as possible, or use her nagging in such a way that I develop and unfold myself. Her existence assists me in developing myself and in paying my former debts.’
“One day he was talking with one of his friends when his wife entered the room and told them they were making too much noise. So Socrates said, ‘Let's go outside.’ They were outside, talking beneath a window, when Socrates’ wife emptied the wash water onto his head. Socrates said, ‘I knew that after thunder, rain always comes.’ ”3
You can order this book through our bookstore. Call the office (520-778-0638) or e-mail us at: staff@wmea-world.org.
As a reminder, we have included a one-page
description and order form for the
“Living Ethics 2000” annual convention. We have
a wonderful presentation of speakers—all experienced and successful in
their fields.
There will be a special informal discussion with some guest authors of new books, including the well-known esoteric/exoteric astrologer James Davis; Philip Holliday, a social scientist and knowledgeable academic of philosophy, the history of religion, and the Ageless Wisdom; and Ruth Drayer author of the soon-to-be published Rich in Glory, a biography on the life of artist and statesman Nicholas Roerich.
The staff and I are looking forward to meeting with everyone during the convention week, sharing ideas and thoughts about Agni Yoga and the Ageless Wisdom Teaching.
May we all welcome the year 2000 with joy
in our hearts and renewed dedication to transforming our lives in the light
and beauty of the Teachings. Thank you so very much for your encouragement
and support during this past year. We will have many new and wonderful
announcements to share as the New Year unfolds.
Shanti,
Joleen Dianne Du Bois
President
1, 2 & 3 Torkom Saraydarian, Karma and Reincarnation
(Cave Creek, AZ: T.S.G. Publishing Foundation, Inc, 1999), p. 139, 145,
239-240.
Brother Eagle, Sister Sky
a message from Cheif Seattle
In a time not so long ago, an ancient
people were a part of the land that we love
and call America.
When the wars between the white man and the native people were drawing to an end, one of the bravest and most respected chiefs of the Northwest Nations, Chief Seattle, sat at the white man’s table to sign a paper. The government in Washington, D.C., wished to buy the lands of Chief Seattle’s people.
With a commanding presence and eyes that mirrored the great soul that lived within, the Chief rose to speak to the gathering in a resounding voice.
How can you buy the sky?
Chief Seattle began.
How can you own the rain and the wind?
| My mother told me,
Every part of this earth is sacred to our people.
My father said to me,
The perfumed flowers are our sisters.
The voice of my ancestors said to me,
Each ghostly reflection in the clear waters
|
postcards available through WMEA |
| The rivers are our brothers. They quench our
thirst. They carry our canoes and feed our children. You must give to the rivers the kindness you would give to any brother. The voice of my grandfather said to me,
When the last Red Man and Woman have vanished
Will there be any of the spirit of my people left? My ancestors said to me, This we know: The earth does not belong to us.
The voice of my grandmother said to me,
Hear my voice and the voice of my ancestors,
The destiny of your people is a mystery to us. What will happen when the buffalo are all slaughtered? |
The wild horses tamed?
What will happen when the secret corners
When the view of the ripe hills is
Where will the thicket be? Gone. Where will the eagle be? Gone! And what will happen when we say
This we know: All things are connected
We did not weave the web of life,
Whatever we do to the web,
If we sell you our land, care for it as we have cared for it. Hold in your mind the memory of the land
Preserve the land and the air and the
|
| Agni Yogi and
Creative Fire An Agni Yoga Compilation
|
The Teacher by Nicholas Roerich (Roerich Museum, NY) |
While observing the fiery signs one may note certain subdivisions of people. Some strive eternally and cannot exist without this uplifting movement—be assured that these belong to the element of fire. Even though they err, they cannot remain inactive. Observe them, and you will invariably discover the flaming force. But do not seek the creative Fire in the inertia of earth, the rolling undulations of water, the gusts of air.
We do not wish to extol the fiery people unduly, but in truth it must be said that they move the world. One should not forget that these people do not find it easy to be in the midst of all other combinations. What is said about the Fiery Angel with scorched wings is correct. When he rushes to save the world, his phosphorescent wings brush against the rocks of Earth and are scorched, and the Angel is weakened thereby. Thus is disclosed the marked difference between the earthly world and the Fiery.
The earthly eye, though it be highly sensitive, does not usually assimilate even the subtle manifestations. But, in turn, the Subtle World does not discern the fiery dwellers to whom the flaming heart can lead one. Thus one can understand the veneration for Fire. Human strivings are needed for a natural affinity with the World of Fire. From early years they bear in themselves, as it were, a reflection of the Higher Fire. It is as if these sparks compel them to withdraw from contact with other elements; and those elements do not like these fiery orbs. Yet one cannot traverse the earthly path without contact with Fire, hence it is better to know its essential nature. Fiery World (1933), paragraph 2
When we speak of the non-scorching fire, we must also not forget the consuming Fire. When the nun moans, “I burn, I burn!” no physician knows how to alleviate it. The physician may even apply cold water, forgetting that oil cannot be submerged in water. Fire can be allayed only by fire—in other words, by the energy of the heart, which flows during so-called magnetism. We treat inflammation with a current; such inflammations may flare up in various centers. But, actually, the chief danger lies close to the heart, the solar plexus and the larynx. These centers, being the most synthetic, may be exposed to the most unexpected attacks. Whoever has even once experienced the inner fire understands the danger of the conflagration of the centers. He knows what agony is experienced when the fire breaks through. In most cases man is not responsible for this, except perhaps because of irritation. Often the fire bursts out due to extraneous influences, and in the case of a refined state of the organism, from cosmic causes. Fatigue of the heart actually opens the gates to the enemy. Thus the creative Fire can be transformed into a destructive flame. This should be remembered, for the outbursts develop from small beginnings. It should also be remembered that the use of fiery energy requires care. Great is the evil of needlessly spending the fiery energy of another. An Arhat can never be a vampire—this is a fundamental law of life. Therefore, wise is the law of eternal giving. It may seem that there is nothing in common between sacrifice and Fire; however, flaming sacrifice is mentioned in all Covenants. Fiery World I (1933), paragraph 5
A fire is not kindled under water. Achievement is not created in the comfort of a hothouse. In the midst of human burdens let us ask ourselves, “Is this not already an achievement?” In the midst of oppression let us ask, “Is this not forcing us toward the gates of achievement?” In the midst of explosions let us ask, “Have we not sufficient strength within us to ascend by ourselves?” Thus, let us examine every manifestation as to whether it leads to achievement. Thus, let us note everything that moves us toward achievement. Who can foresee precisely what counterblow will put new circumstances into motion? But without a blow, matter will not be brought into motion. These blows upon matter are called “hearthstones of achievement.” 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 (1933), paragraph 271
Is not fear of Fire caused by the fact that only its destructive aspect is apparent to the physical eye, whereas its fiery creativeness is not realized in the physical state? One must with especial conviction disclose to people that by reason of their very nature they have a unique path to fire. Can the physician who has an aversion to his patient be a good physician? Or will the warrior whose spirit trembles with fear be victorious? Hence, we shall set before us the highest task, and in this way we shall not notice the steps of transition. Each element primarily precludes fear. To overcome fear momentarily does not mean to eradicate it. We must not be like small children, who are courageous today but may tremble with fear over an empty phantom tomorrow. Nor must we be like the pampered ones who seek daring adventure today but on the morrow will bury themselves in downy pillows. Let us not be under the threat of tomorrow, for of all the elements precisely Agni will not tolerate fear. We must comprehend Agni not as a destroyer but as a creator! In these two aspects of Agni lies the true touchstone of our nature. Fiery World I (1933), paragraph 499
You, my young friends, who have approached art and creation, you should be able to utilize your gifts as a condensation of your forces; for sound and color, thought and rhythm are the foundations of the Universe and of our existence. Sound and color, knowledge and creation are the chalice of Amrita, the Chalice of Immortality!
Eternal, continuous creation of the universal
Life surrounds us, and we, being part of this great creation, should create
every moment of our life—create by thought, by word, by action.
My young friends, fill up the treasury of your spirit.
Absorb all the sounds, all the colors, all the rhythms from the fathomless
sources of space. These finest vibrations, consciously absorbed, will refine
your receptivity and your thought.
The refinement of receptivity will give you
the possibility of penetrating into the Sanctuaries of Space, and will
open the joyous path of achievement and continuous, endless ascent.
My friends, labor with all the tension of your forces
because only by reaching the limit of your tension do new possibilities
come to you. The laws are alike in everything. We know that sublime energies
are born of the greatest efforts. Therefore, only increased activity and
intensified strength will bring the achievement of beauty.
And I beg you, do not fear difficulties.
Display readiness to meet all obstacles, for each obstacle strengthens
you and leads you to the future victory. Try to love the difficulties,
and say, “Blessed be the obstacles, through them we grow.” Courageously,
inspired by striving, realizing the majesty of the endless perfecting of
creative life, strive toward the calling Infinity—infinity of lives, infinity
of achievements, infinity of knowledge, infinity of construction, infinity
of beauty!
My young friends, hearken to the Call of Creative
Infinity! Letters of Helena Roerich, Volume 1 (1929-1938), pp. 4-5
Creative Fires of the Spirit
and Shamballa Energy
A Sunday Talk by Joleen DuBois
Spirit is the source of all creativity. Manifested form is the outcome of the creative fires of the Spirit. As we move into the coming holidays and on into the Wesak 2000 cycle of Shamballa energy, all of humanity in general, and disciples and initiates in particular, should be taking advantage of the cyclic increasing fires of creativity. I will explain this cycle a little later in this morning’s talk.
What is an esoteric definition of fire? Helena Blavatsky said, “Fire is a divine thing.” How is this? The physical flame is the objectified medium of the highest Spirit. Ether (Space) is Fire and the lowest part of Ether is the flame, which you see. Fire is understood as Divinity in its subjective presence throughout the universe. The flame you apply to the candle has nothing to do with the candle itself. The Fires of Space are the source of all life, in any form.
Fire is in everything; it even manifests as water, air and earth. The ancient writings of truth tell us that Creative Fire is the one Element in our visible Universe, which is the Kriyashakti, the life-giving divine fire in all forms of life.
To understand our relationship to the Creative Fire, we must grasp that in esoteric teachings, the human soul is also called the Spark. We are told that the Spark was first “buried in the physical planes as a fiery essence.” This Spark, through millions of years, builds bodies to come in contact with the physical, emotional and mental planes and uses them to develop consciousness. Gradually the Spark—the human soul—reaches a point in evolution when our human body is built with the help of angelic beings, who in the past were also Sparks Themselves. In our earth globe, some of these angelic beings are called Solar Angels, Who inspire the human soul on Its journey back Home.
What is creativity? Creativity is the ability to utilize the highest Fire by manifesting it into a creative form—a fiery, creative form that expresses a great ideal, principle or purpose. Creativity is recognized as one’s ability to create a spiritually charged form, which expresses purpose and mission. Creativity is the relationship between the highest level of realized Spirit—of consciousness and matter—a relationship that is continuously changing. The higher your level of consciousness, the more Divinity will be found infused in your creative labor—the purpose of your life.
“Creativity is an ever-changing relationship
between Spirit and matter
to express the purpose of the Power behind the manifestation.”1
To understand this instruction is to understand that soul advancement, the evolution of your Divine Spark, transpires through one’s spiritual labor, and through striving toward new levels of achievement. Soul advancement is the result of fiery creativity. Fiery creativity occurs through dedicated effort, striving and the urge to surpass one’s present life conditions and limitations.
For example, each of us has a Divine seed, a soul. When this seed is nurtured, it begins to grow, unfold and blossom. It is the Spirit that nurtures the seed. It is the activity of fiery creativity, which urges the human soul to grow, unfold and blossom. For many millions of years, the Divinity within the seed remained dormant, seemingly devoid of creative fire. As is explained in Divine Cosmology, when this occurred, we fell behind the schedule of the Solar System.
For example, we are told that in two million years, the students who came to our globe should have reached the degree of the Fourth Initiation, but they did not make it. We are told these students were like animals—”some half-animal, half-human. The whole scheme was dependent on their progress. It was in trouble.”2
So a new plan was devised to help the seeds of humanity on this planet progress and evolve. You can read in the writings of Torkom Saraydarian the story of Cosmology and evolution of the soul. “The Planetary Logos had a consultation with the Solar Logos. As a result of the meeting, They decided to bring one hundred and five great Beings, called Kumaras, from the Venusian scheme and 60 thousand million Solar Angels....”3
The first wave of Solar Angels came and watched
humanity, but They could not do anything. Millions of years passed before
They called the second wave of Angels. These Solar Angels came and said,
We can see that a little part of the mental body is now prepared; let us
put a Spark in it. A Spark of Fire, the seed, was planted in the mental
body of the human being so that he could eventually progress.
Then, the third wave of Solar Angels came, saying, “The
human being is ready.” It was in the third wave of Solar Angels when, due
to the readiness of the mental body, They “took residence.” And when They
did, we are told that millions of humans cracked and died, yet such a forceful
entrance was needed in order to save humanity, enabling it to progress.
Solar Angels are also called “Lords of Flame.” Why is this? We are told that the Solar Angel within us is a fiery creative center.
The Solar Angel, in deep meditation, tries
to contact the human soul with Its magnetic love, to pull the soul up and
awaken it. Love is one of the Creative Fires, or flames of the Spirit.
The Creative Fires of the Spirit rend the shell of the
seed because creativity is the urge toward freedom.
Last week we talked about the Self and the lower selves.
The Self is the Spark within our human soul. For many ages the Self was
confined within this seed. Over many incarnations of experience it began
to feel an urge, an urge toward freedom. The urge toward freedom is a response
to the call of the Cosmic Life to return home.
When our life is stuck in non-creative activities, we are immersed in inertia, where our Soul becomes identified in the matter of our dense, or lower bodies. There It remains, being confined until “something” or “someone” liberates It. Rather than wait for “something” or “someone” to liberate your soul, you can begin the ascent right now, for the ascent of the soul occurs through creative and fiery striving.
There is a story about Helena Roerich. In her diary she wrote, “Tonight, with a Great One, I visited Shamballa.” She was a young woman when she accompanied her husband Nicholas Roerich high into the Himalayas for a very long expedition. One day when their tents were set up in the valley she said, “I want to climb to that mountain peak.” Later, M. M. wrote about that event with these words, “That was the symbolic spirit of Helena Roerich. She always strove to the heights.” He called her “the Bird of the Heights.” The Ageless Wisdom explains that striving slowly connects us with the “Center where the Will of God is known.”
Striving is the determination to annihilate the limitations in which we are living.
Every Center is a Fire. For example, there is the heart center in our etheric body. 4 It is one Fire but we are told it has twelve flames. Each flame radiates a particular kind of energy called a virtue. These flames radiate currents of energy which we called virtues. To learn more about the twelve flames of the heart, we suggest that you read The Flame of the Heart by Torkom Saraydarian.
When the flame of the heart is lit, it links you to the creative energies in Space, making you a source of creativity. The heart nourishes the fires of each atom, of each cell in your physical, emotional and mental bodies, which glows throughout the aura with a golden hue. We are told that each flame emanates from our Spark.
It is said that in the year 2000, during the Wesak full moon, we will experience the full thrust of fiery energy from Shamballa. This energy is cyclic, though according to a Great Sage, no one really knows the exact cycles because the knowledge of these cycles is very subtle and very deep.
As each of us prepares for this beautiful event, we must organize ourselves in such a way that we do not create obstacles with this incoming energy. It is that simple. How? We will be striving to remove many things from our physical, emotional and mental bodies—to purify ourselves. It seems most logical to do this, because we surely don’t have the power to stand against the fiery energy of Shamballa while ladened with our imperfections. This means we must elect to put ourselves through spiritual discipline, for we want the energy to flow through us; we must purify ourselves psychologically, individually and personally. In this manner we can enter into the current of Shamballa. We will move with that energy and whatever the energy is going to do according to the Purpose. The Purpose is carried with every shock of Shamballa. We are told that the shocks are seven, and each shock has its sub-shocks so that it organizes all the levels and subplanes of our sevenfold nature.
Here are some suggestions to prepare yourself:
1. Detach yourself from whatever is not
real, from whatever is not you. You are not your husband, your money, your
knowledge, your inferiority and superiority complexes. If you are stuck
to them, you cannot strive, progress, evolve or advance. So, the first
step is to detach yourself from whatever is not real.
Those who are the most miserable human beings are those who are totally identified with their unrealities. In such identification we deny our True Self. When the human Spark identifies Itself with that which it is not, it degenerates and falls into inertia.
2. Next, strive to be in contact with the source of ideas and the Plan for humanity—the Planetary Center of Fire. This step occurs when the Spark contacts energy of the Fourth Cosmic Ether—the Buddhic Plane—which is the source of ideas and the source of the Plan. It is also known as the Planetary Center of Fire.
Creativity occurs when we touch an idea, clothe it with a form, and find ways to make it manifest. As a group is impressed with the creative energies of Shamballa, it will unfold and reach great heights of achievement. It will be able to utilize the creative energy on higher planes, converting the energy into a multidimensional form. We first prepare ourselves as individuals, like a musician preparing himself to perform within the symphony orchestra. Once our instrument is prepared and we, as musicians, have a certain amount of control over our instrument, we will then be ready to add our creative talent to and participate in the group. Why is this important? We are told it is only in group formation that we can safely and appropriately assimilate and transmit the creative fires coming from Shamballa during the Wesak cycle in the year 2000.
Dear friends, let us strive, step by step, in the rhythm of fiery beauty.
*************************************
1. Torkom Saraydarian, The Creative Fire (Cave Creek, AZ: T.S.G. Publishing
Foundation, Inc., 1996), p. 19.
2. & 3. Torkom Saraydarian, The Solar Angel (Sedona, AZ: Aquarian
Educational Group, 1990), pp. 41-42.
4. The Tibetan explains that “the etheric body is primarily composed of the
dominant energy or energies to which the man, the group, the nation, or
the world reacts in any particular time cycle or world period. The etheric body
has many centers of force, responsive to the manifold energies of our planetary
Life....” (A.A.B., Telepathy and the Etheric Vehicle (New York: Lucis
Trust, [1950] 1978), pp. 141 and 143.
******** 2000 ********
|
(Suggested Donation $10) Globilization: Integration of World Culture Time- 9:30 – 12:30 Presentation 12:30 – 1:00 Brown Bag Lunch 1:00 – 1:30 Q & A Location – Mountain club |
Annual WMEA Convention Living Ethics 2000 A convention celebrating the Teachings of Agni Yoga and the community
of discipleship. |
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