Agni Yoga & Education

It is necessary to guide the education of a people from the initial instruction of children, from as early an age as possible. The earlier the better. You may be sure that overfatigue of the brain occurs only from awkwardness. The mother approaching the cradle of her child utters the first formula of instruction: “You can do everything.” Prohibitions are not needed; even the harmful should not be prohibited. It is better instead to turn the attention simply to the more useful and the more attractive. That tutorage will be best which can enhance the attractiveness of the good. Besides, it is not necessary to mutilate beautiful Images for the sake of an imagined childish non-understanding; do not humiliate the children. Firmly remember that true science is always appealing, brief, precise and beautiful. It is necessary that families possess at least an embryo of understanding of education. After the age of seven years much has been already lost. Usually after the age of three years the organism is full of receptivity. During the first step the hand of the guide must already turn the attention to, and indicate, the far-off worlds. Infinity must be sensed by the young eye. Precisely, the eye must become accustomed to admitting Infinity.

It is also necessary that the word express the precise thought. One must expel falsehood, coarseness and mockery. Treason, even in embryo, is inadmissible. Work “as grown-ups” is to be encouraged. After its third year the consciousness easily grasps the idea of the community. What a mistake to think that one must give a child its own things! A child can easily understand that things may be held in common.

The assertion “I can do anything” is not idle boasting but only the realization of an apparatus. The most wretched being can find the current to Infinity; for each labor, of quality, opens the locks. New Era Community, 1926 , para. 102

…A common error of people is to cease to study after leaving school. The Pythagoreans and similar philosophic schools of Greece, India, and China furnish sufficient examples of continuous study. Truly, limiting education to the prescribed schooling indicates ignorance. Obligatory learning is only the entrance to real knowledge. If we divide humanity into three categories—those who are altogether unschooled, those whose education is confined to compulsory schooling, and those who continue their education—the number of the last will prove astonishingly small. This primarily shows indifference toward future lives. In their decline of spirit, men are indifferent even to their own future. There should remain a record that in the present significant year it is necessary to remind people about that which was useful a thousand years ago. In addition to elementary education one should further the education of adults. Several generations exist simultaneously on Earth, and they are all equally indifferent in striving to the future which they cannot evade. Such negligence is astonishing! Learning has become an empty shell. Yet for a simple holiday people like to dress in their best. Is it possible that they do not think it behooves them to secure an attire of Light for the solemn Abode in the Fiery World? One should rejoice not in bigotry, not in superstition, but with an illumined mind, and not only at the schools for children but also at the uniting of adults for continuous learning. Fiery World I, 1933, para. 529

Departing from Our mountains, you will inevitably experience a feeling of anguish. This sensation, with a psychic basis, is unavoidably augmented by the impossibility of relating what has taken place. Apart from exceptional, indicated cases, no one who has been with Us will tell anything.
Striving is the key to the lock. New Era Community, 1926, para. 243

To those who cannot accept the concept of the Leader, let us say: All your words presuppose the priority of something or someone. You yourself do not notice that each of your affirmations is based upon a discovery of something established by someone. There is no man who can get along without being taught. One must not become proud in one’s own heart. The understanding of Hierarchy will help to establish the manifestation of the Leader, who in relation to the Higher Ones is not a leader but a follower. People, under the influence of ignorance, try sometimes to cut the ropes, but any sailor will tell you that masts are cut down when the elements overcome human strength. The same sailor knows that without masts and ropes the voyage is catastrophic. This means that the unavoidableness of Hierarchy throughout the Universe should be affirmed through education. Fiery World II, 1934, para. 80

Urusvati knows that coarseness will be eradicated only by education. But one can be a learned scientist and still remain coarse. Clearly, formal education alone does not necessarily eradicate coarseness, but We should make clear what We mean by this word. A coarse nature cannot deal with subtle perceptions, and the science of the future will require genuine refinement, without which synthesis is impossible. A teacher must have reverence for all branches of science, but an awareness of synthesis is the product of long prior training.

If you ask the ordinary man what he considers coarse, he will probably suggest foul talk, blasphemy, and boorishness. But these are only some aspects of coarseness. The origins of coarseness are not recognized by most people. Only the one who deals with subtle energies can understand that coarseness is a violation of all that is subtle. People should understand that politeness is not a cure for rudeness. One can meet people who are polite, yet coarse, and they will certainly be the last to admit it.

Some may shrug their shoulders and ask whether a book about good behavior is needed as part of the Teachings of Life. It is indeed, for you must acquire subtlety of understanding if you want to refine your consciousness. We are now speaking about concepts that are almost impossible to express in human words. Many basic principles are indeed inexpressible, and must be intuitively perceived. Such silent understanding and receptivity are bridges to future achievement. Not words, but an inner feeling will be remembered and will help lay the foundation of evolution. Thus, he who is refined in his feelings will never be coarse.

The Thinker said, “Know how to feel deeply, or people will think that you have a pig’s hide.” Supermundane II, para. 326

Urusvati knows the importance of education. It is the nourishment of everything lofty and refined. People can understand that a careful upbringing provides many opportunities for a proper education, but education alone will not complete one’s upbringing. Every child comes into earthly life with an already formed character. It is possible to ennoble and elevate this essential character, but its basic nature cannot be changed. Educators must recognize this truth. They first must discern the unchangeable essence of a child, and educate accordingly.

We would not be distorting the truth if We said that the human essence is formed in the Subtle World. All family and earthly influences are but external and supplementary, since the seed of one’s nature has already been acquired during the subtle sojourn. Fortunately, a mother can sense this essence, sometimes even before birth, and begin to work zealously and sensitively to prepare the child for its earthly life.

But how seldom we meet with such a consciously careful upbringing! Even the best teachers sometimes find themselves in such difficult conditions that they have no possibility of paying attention to the individual qualities of their pupils. In some families the question of upbringing is not considered, and the children are left to themselves with no caressing hand and no parental voice to tell them about the marvelous world.

We insist that teachers be provided with better conditions of life, so that they may devote themselves fully to the most refined methods of upbringing. But such circumstances do not yet exist, although even now the complexity of life and of scientific discoveries demands careful thinking in setting children on their path.

Our Sisters labor greatly by helping in the education of children. The little ones can tell many tales about being visited by beautiful women and even playmates. There are many such phenomena, but adults do not like to listen to children’s stories. These visits are necessary, and sometimes, by one such contact, a child can be reminded of the task that was accepted in the Subtle World. Many children’s tears are dried by these luminous visits. Great is the labor of these Sisters, the Carriers of Light. Supermundane work requires self-sacrifice, for it is performed under the most varied and often extremely unpleasant conditions. To raise children properly one must learn to impart joy, and thus transform daily routine into a festival.
The Thinker appealed to mothers to give their children the best images of the marvelous world. Supermundane II, para. 425

21 October 1931

“The last mail brought us the description of a most characteristic conversation. What an illustration of feeble-mindedness and decay! What can one do if the official representatives of various organizations fail to comprehend the significance of education? For them the word “culture” is synonymous with everything they despise—what they call “abstract ideas,” or else they associate it with something that may interfere with their beloved habits!

“Yes, it would be out of place to mention to such people the names of Pavlov, Bechterev, Pupin, Abel, Millikan, Rutherford, Einstein, Jagadis Bose or Tagore.

“The words of Lord Buddha that “ignorance is the greatest crime because it brings all miseries to humanity” should be, by now, assimilated by the consciousness of people. Until the leaders of the countries possess brilliant intellects and especially a spiritual synthesis, which helps to embrace all the planes of existence, there will be no real progress. But as there is no such thing as immobility in nature, all ignorant humans must retrogress, followed by the usual degeneration and decomposition. Are we not already witnessing such things? Some outstanding scientists have already pointed out the threatening signs of such degeneration, which is demonstrated in increased numbers of psychic diseases and feeble-mindedness among the younger generation. And many people begin to wonder whether such sad abnormalities are not due to wrong education and upbringing. Generally speaking, modern education is lacking a cultural basis, which should include, primarily, a development of synthesis in the abilities of man. One-sided specialization always leads to a loss of balance and results in the psychic diseases which we observe today.

“Let us disregard fear and mockery and let us boldly march to victory under the Banner of Culture! But always keep in mind that you are taking part in a most responsible preparatory stage, which requires the manifestation of a refined intuition and close attentiveness, so that not a single detail, useful or harmful, may escape the vigilant eye. It is also necessary to show a maximum of tact in dealing with people. Remember that open enemies are far less dangerous than masses of small worms. The firmest tread can slip in this mire.” Letters Of Helena Roerich Vol I, Page 108

All art used by permission of theNicholas Roerich Museum.