References compiled from the Agni Yoga Series
Verily, Ashrams have a great importance for the earthly and for the Subtle World. Ashrams may be defined as magnets and ozonators. Being filled with heart energy provides a conduit for many things.
Fiery World II, 203
Powerful is the significance of the human spirit. Hence We value the Ashrams where purified Agni is being gathered.
Fiery World I, 664
94. Prayers to the Creator are offered not only in
temples — the wax of the candle burns also in the
labors of life.
II.X.1. On certain steps a clean place is indispensable. Our Ashrams are distinguished by cleanliness. The hygiene of the spirit presupposes the hygiene of the body. Human emanations are harmful for a certain aspect of spiritual life. Many of Us with a special sensitiveness cannot endure the emanations of the world.
196. I also wish you to keep one room, or even a corner of a room, in absolute purity, dedicated to the Teacher. You can keep near the window an armchair, in which no one is permitted to sit. Also, do not admit the curious. For them, you should behave in a most ordinary way, so that their intrusiveness will pass lightly over your aura. All these counsels are salutary for Yoga.
413. Placing the Teacher's seat in the most revered spot in the home is not a superstition. This is the place for the One invited to the Holy Supper. He may arrive at any moment, and it should be made clear to Him that He was awaited. This constant mark of expectancy and readiness is like a call through an open window. Amidst constructions and battles, let us spare enough time for a fleeting smile.
287. Let us turn to devotion. This concept is also subject to many distortions. Devotion does not resemble a windmill, or a hired singer of praises. Rather, it resembles a firm tower upon a summit, which the enemies avoid in awe, but in whose chambers a shelter is ever prepared for a friend. Devotion is the opposite of doubt, which is nothing but ignorance. It means that devotion rests upon enlightenment. Thus, validity of learning is akin to devotion. It is not credulity, not levity, but firmness and steadfastness. Truly, the tower of devotion is not constructed by haphazard toil or by petty decisiveness; and devotion can be violated only by perfidy, which is the same as betrayal. But valuable are the towers of devotion! Such ashrams, like magnets, attract powerful hearts; they are nurseries of spirituality. Even material nature is transformed in the proximity of these towers.
358. Humanity must build its strongholds as a wondrous indivisible circle. Each creative inception must be built in integrity and indivisibility, affirming itself in the orbit around the Center. Only thus by a radius one may reach all points and establish the right scope. One should understand that each stronghold must be nurtured from the Center. The more superficial is the receptivity the more perilous it is in all directions. Therefore one should hearken to the inner manifestation of the Center. The indivisibility of the stronghold is its might. Integrity is its beauty. The Center is the Hierarchy of Benevolence. Thus the highest step is being 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 the world is being constructed.
361. There is one place where the magnetic needle never fluctuates. The scientists know that it is in Asia. We shall broaden this concept. Certainly, there is a focus on the planet which is attracted by the Comic Magnet and which holds all the threads of the Common Good of humanity. The existence of this Center affords equilibrium for Earth.
8. The spiritual consciousness impelled to Our heights accumulates treasures and offers those gifts to Space.
113. Thus, it is necessary with the utmost simplicity and joy to sail to the White Island, as We sometimes call Our Site.
664. If we look on our planet from above, we will observe, besides the evident volcanoes, special vortices of light and darkness. The human spirit can create powers manifestations of energy. One may state that the tornadoes of Light are saviors of the equilibrium of the planet. Nor is it far from the truth to state that the tornadoes of darkness contain a destructive gas which not only deadens the crust of the planet but can alter the climate and even significantly effect a shifting of the poles. Thus powerful is the significance of the human spirit. Hence We value the Ashrams where purifies Agni is being gathered. Many teachings have pointed out the importance of purified sites where psychic energy could be affirmed. References to the importance of pure sites are found in the Ancient Scriptures, in the Bible and in the Rig-Veda. Taoism likewise contains knowledge of these treasure-places of Earth. We rejoice when We notice the establishing of new Ashrams, but people are seldom to think of the power of their spirits!
203. The three Worlds are far closer to each other than one may think. One can see how corresponding vibrations create cooperation. You know how certain individuals from the Subtle World who are close to us act to assist a common task. Even not so long ago they were unable to serve the common purpose because of differences of vibrations, but now your vibrations and their endeavors for communion make them useful co-workers. Thus is created useful labor in common. It is the more useful because the adversaries have similar co-workers. Certainly, it is joyous to watch each cumulation of consciousness. Ur. has seen how in the beginning the atmosphere is dim and in the course of successive meetings it becomes lighter, and a day ago Ur. saw completely conscious cooperation. Such an enlightenment is very rapid, yet for this the Ashram is of significance. Verily, Ashrams have a great importance for the earthly and for the Subtle World. Ashrams may be defined as magnets and ozonators. Being filled with heart energy provides a conduit for many things. Therefore, when I am concerned about spiritually pure atmosphere, I have in mind a very important consequence. Without spiritual accumulations, the command to take everything upon oneself has no meaning. This command can be given only where there is a heart bond with the Subtle and Fiery Worlds. Only such a bond, during the present earthly conflict, can strengthen those to whom the order has been given. The currents are too complicated to be opposed by earthly forces. But you know about the bond with the two Worlds. Precisely in this communion are found forces for the passing by the most unexpected path. In this, do not hesitate to take care of yourself, in order not to expend energy superfluously. One should not in any manner be diverted from inner concentration. The affairs of the whole world are in a grave state.
392. A certain prior on a monastery, when sending the monks on a journey, always exhorted them with the words: “Again is our cloister expanding.” He knew that there can be no spiritual estrangement, and that such affirmations of the journey only augmented the dimensions of the cloister. Thus ponder when some of the brethren begin a new march.
393. Drops of Grace fall into the chalice of heart’s joy. Could there be a greater joy than that during the fulfillment of a Mission of the Brotherhood? Thus must it be understood for those who go forth or remain guarding the Ashram. Very important is the vigor which grows out of the Power of Grace.
181. A noted physician treats cases not with medicines alone, but by psychic energy. Such manifested energy needs supplementing — such reinforcement proceeds out of the Ashram. In such a manner you see cooperation at long distances. Those who transmit the energy can only sense its outflow, but in their turn they receive a useful ray.
20 December 1934. Please distinguish thoroughly between the White Brothers, Members of the Himalayan Community, and the ordinary white brothers, who are people following the Teaching of Light.
The majority of the Great Brothers are now using densified subtle bodies. And Those who are still in Their physical bodies are gathered now in the main Stronghold. All the Ashrams in Tibet are hidden in closed, impassable defiles. The dreadful effluvia of the earthly atmosphere does not encourage the presence of the Great Teachers among people. Moreover, at the moment, Their work does not require Their physical presence. Such terms as “Initiate,” “Adept,” “White Brother” are terribly profaned! It would be a good thing to ponder upon the words of the Great Teacher K.H.: “An Adept is the rarest flower of a whole series of generations of seekers.” Yet indeed, how many times this flower has been born among the host of these self-sacrificing Sages! Thus, let us manifest here the highest care, and let us not profane the greatest concepts! It is truly impossible to imagine the entire majesty of an Arhat of the Hierarchy of Light! It cannot be comprehended by our limited minds and imagination. Only the tremor of the heart will indicate the spiritual exaltation of a devoted disciple, who feels the approaching Ray of the Teacher of Light!
1 August,1934. “Aryavarta” means the country of the Aryans. This is the ancient name of Northern India, where, after the destruction of Atlantis, the first newcomers from Central Asia settled. This name applies principally to the mountain valleys of the Himalayan ridges, but not to all the plains of India. Our Ashram* is located in the most ancient and the most sacred Aryavarta. The Fire of Aryavarta signifies the great spirit and potentiality of this nation. The Indo-Aryan people also call themselves Aryavartas.
25 March 1935. “H.P. Blavatsky … spent three years in one of the Ashrams of Tibet, and then returned to the World with great knowledge and resplendent evidence regarding the Mahatmas. …”