References compiled from the Agni Yoga Series
86. True calmness of spirit is tested by the trifles of
daily life.
Comfort is given you by the assurance of Our Protection
on the path of Good.
I send you My Shield-know to defend M. as I defend
you.
112. M. fills your being with the power of calmness.
138. Realize the healing power of prana.
The torpor of life is dispelled in the pure rays
of the sunset.
Be calm and assert your wisdom.
142. I will grant you power to see and hear.
The first essentials are purity of air and clarity
of spirit.
216. Unfathomable is the Calm of the Creator amidst
the manifold turmoil of events.
I.VIII.1. I speak of alien bridges and gates. On the way, alien bridges are encountered. One must cross them hurriedly, not looking downward, having but one wish—to reach quickly the other side. Also, do not pause before foreign gates, but demand the right of way without disturbing your calmness, because your way is determined. One must with pure thoughts close one’s pores to bad air. But when times are difficult repeat: “Nevertheless, I am going into a Garden of Beauty. I fear not the predestined gates. Why is the shield above me? To safeguard me. If new dams arise I shall cross them, because I do not fear!”
II.III.17. Resolve to act in calmness, bearing in mind that Our spring flows through you incessantly. And when you ask yourself—where are They Who made promises? — We are standing behind you; and We rejoice, measuring the growth of the flower of your aura. We rejoice because this is Our Garden. Beyond bounded vistas the Light unites the hearts.
III.III.19. At the approach of certain Signs and Images ordained by dates, a specially saturated atmosphere gathers, as if clouds of smoke were overcasting Heaven and Earth. That which had been clear begins to crumble, and, as if in a whirlwind, falls to pieces. Even physically this period is difficult, but during this period certain dates are being pronounced which stand as milestones on the road.
However, knowing that the predestined people belong indefeasibly to the ordained dates, we must calmly pass through this period, like one becoming acclimated to new gases. Remember that during this period not only the Teacher but the whole Brotherhood is watching, and if individual voices are heard you need not be astonished. It is good to have flowers near during this period.
II.IV.7. A message to the newcomers: There is so much for you to learn in order to acquire the wisdom of calmness and of actions. You must discern masked faces and know how to make My Name the armor of each action.
II.VI.5. The manifestation of unlimited possibilities will give you calmness for perception.
III.IV.2. Our Ray dispatches myriads of purified atoms, which enwrap the man if there is no astral whirlwind around him. This is the reason for the calmness of the spirit, as otherwise the remnants of Karma will obscure the object of the sending.
229. Firmness, calmness, resourcefulness, quickness—thus inquire of each one professing devotion to the community. Yet calmness may appear during sleep, firmness in inaction, resourcefulness at mealtime, and quickness in the obtaining of money.
130. You will say to him, “It behooves us, even in the midst of great turmoil and revolt, to preserve our calmness of spirit.”
He will reply, “Your truth is not new. But why should I strain for calmness of spirit when my body trembles with tension?”
Answer him, “This is the law of self-perfectment.”
He will reply, “This too is not new. Where are the advantages of self-perfectment?”
You will answer, “The exercise of calmness leads to mastery of moving through the various bodily states.”
At the change of body, the spirit that has not sought to advance enters a condition of torpor and wanders about depressed by its vague memories. Indeed, memories of the low physical state plunge it into complete darkness.
It is essential to avoid indifference while changing the body. Refinement of striving will provide calmness during the transition from one state of existence to another. Thus is achieved the quality of an Arhat, who never interrupts the flow of consciousness and constantly strives toward the future.
201. The health of a yogi rises and falls like the wings of a soaring eagle. The eye of the yogi sees like the eagle's eye … The calm of the yogi is like the tensed power of the ocean.
282. Not ascetics, not fanatics, not the superstitious, but those who know the Yoga of Fire are the ones who will choose not to abandon the rudders of life. Truly, their sacrifices will be great. They will constantly be confronting new explosions although they could have chosen a calm existence. But rest is not a property of fire, for fire must constantly destroy in order to create. Such fiery strivings test one's feelings, as in a crucible.
523. For experiments with psychic energy a patient and steady process of accumulation is needed. It is harmful to send out energy without co-measurement, for impulsiveness can undermine the quality of the accumulations.
545. Be assured that the manifestation of the New Era will penetrate even the simplest of souls. The best ones will carry the burden of controversies and battles. The lesser ones can be given the simpler ways. Let them keep their calm when the flames and explosions begin to rage.
81. When we reach a conscious communion with the subtlest energies, much of that which did not find its place yesterday becomes fully comprehensible today. Thus we learn to rejoice and to be calm, where yesterday we sorrowed. It is useful to observe how our consciousness is purified through everyday labor.
186. We are definitely against narcotics which calm and deaden the intellect. How, then, will the quality of thoughts, so needed for the future life be developed if we dull it with poison? But medical science is lavish in producing living corpses.
308. An experienced sailor frowns at a dead calm of the sea, foreseeing the gathering of a storm, and smiles at the blustering wind, perceiving a successful navigation. Of such a sailor it is said that he knows the sea. We say that he knows life if he knows how to understand the difference between the inner and outer manifestations.
96. Sickness rises from sin—says the Scripture. We say that sickness comes from the imperfections of past and present. One should know how to approach the cure of sickness. To the regret of physicians, the process toward perfection is the true prophylactic measure. It can be understood that the process toward perfection begins with the heart, and it has not only a spatial but also a narrow material meaning. Mothers carry their children close to their hearts as a panacea for calming them, but usually one is unaware that this holding close to the heart creates a powerful reaction. Thus, also in the Subtle World we gather people close to the heart for strengthening and for cure. Of course, the heart loses a great deal of energy through such strong application. But, then, more than once has the heart of a mother been represented as transfixed by swords and arrows, a symbol of the acceptance into the heart of all actual pains.
Not only in developed sicknesses but at their inception is the cure through the heart especially potent. At present, this remedy is almost forgotten, but it is no less powerful than a blood transfusion, for through the reaction of the heart the finest energy is transmitted without the unpleasant low admixture of blood. When one thinks about the process of perfectment, one must not forget solicitude for the heart that gives.
122. The convulsion of the world is like a convulsion of the heart. Nothing can influence the threatening ones to abandon the assault; so, too, nothing can exempt the sensitive heart from quivering when something precious to it is subject to assault. But it is necessary to tell everyone not to be terrified, for as long as unity is strong nothing can penetrate. However, the quiver of the heart is inevitable, not only on the Tower but also wherever there is devotion. Let us distinguish this feeling from the atmospheric influences, which even during tension cannot produce that reaction afforded by the psychic reflexes. I affirm calmness as much as possible, because We are vigilant.
240. After courage comes calm. The coward cannot arm himself with calm. But how wonderful is the calm of the sword of truth; therefore one must repeat to oneself about courage as about the essential gates.
298. It is necessary to understand all the rhythms of alternating events. The train travels over the fields, but when it disappears into a tunnel only a child screams over the disappearance of the train. Thus, let us preserve calmness at the varied movement of events.
315. Calmness is the equilibrium of tension. The unification of consciousness is, first of all, the preservation of energy. This important rule is usually forgotten. When, instead of limited physiology, psychophysiology shall be introduced, everyone will be able to understand what significance the economy of energy has.
379. Calmness of the heart does not mean the soothing of the heart. The burning heart cannot be soothed. Calmness of the heart means firmness and unfalteringness. Through this understanding one can reach the tension that leads to Nirvana. But how many steps must one cross courageously in order to realize unfalteringness of the heart. It is easy to speak during seemingly calm surroundings, but one should not seek the tempering of the heart through inactivity. Naturally, action does not consist in waving of the hands, but in tension of the heart.
393. 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.
201. Not only by song and the rhythm of music but by every machine a vibration is created which contacts fiery energies. So, also, each tension, or rather, shock, is a conductor of the very same manifestations of Agni. Hence, one must become accustomed to distinguish and recognize the spark in each tension. One need not emulate the morbid people who avoid tension. One should welcome each fiery vibration as a purifying principle. 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.
218. Actually, the red light does not betoken calm. One must perceive how tense is space. If only the heads of governments would understand that cosmic conditions have a certain significance! But, unfortunately, even the few astrological efforts are surrounded by absurd explanations. One should, as in everything, return to the simplest and most precise. All Teachings are infiltrated with arbitrary commentaries. The past must be understood as interpreted by an honest historian.
344. At times it is useful to sit calmly, directing one’s spirit to Infinity. It is like a shower from the far-off worlds. We ourselves must attract the currents, otherwise they may glide by without leaving a trace. Thought attracts positive currents like a magnet and repels negative ones like a shield.
231. One should not be inordinately grieved perceiving human darkness. If We should exercise our grief in proportion to this darkness, it would be impossible to exist. It is sad to see how people impede their path, but the centuries teach one to assume calmness about the qualities of imperfection. Indeed, such qualities are especially deplorable when time is so short. But let us devote ourselves to Hierarchy.
588. Worry is a chasm of misery. ... One must avoid worry. Yet calmness is not absence of feeling nor inaction.
591. You already know how necessary it is to reiterate, but repetition itself is in need of art. It is almost, but not quite, the same as the rug on the stairs. To be wearied by the mere fact of repetition itself is impossible, as witness a pavement of identical stones. And those to whom endless repetition is offered may proceed as calmly as they walk along the pavement where each stone has been laid with care.
22. A ship succeeds in returning when the sea is calm, but seamen know how storms arise and they plan ahead for unforeseen delays. Thus, in the very best decisions it is possible to foresee elemental difficulties. But there are no frightful outbreaks of chaos where the spirit is striving toward the higher worlds—it soars above the waves of chaos.
30. The same awakened energy enables people to provide themselves with calmness in observing events. An investigator must not be irritated or agitated during observations. The manifestation of calmness will be a sign of Service. It is impossible to be devoted to Service if one’s essence be billowing like waves under a cross wind.
132. A reflection is clear on a calm surface. Each agitation distorts the clarity. Likewise, the primary energy requires calmness in order to reflect Truth. It should not be assumed that calmness is decline and enfeeblement. Only disorderly agitation can distort the mirror of energy.
People talk much about the tranquility of wise men, but it is really a great tension, so great that the surface of the energy becomes mirror-like. Thus, calmness must not be taken for inaction.