References compiled from the Agni Yoga Series
The attitude toward death is a very important indicator of the character of the Teaching, for in it is contained the understanding of reincarnation.
Illumination, III:V:13
A beautiful step is prepared for everyone. Find the path of thinking about immortality!
(Infinity I, 70)
n the morning hour as well as in the evening let us get accustomed to the thought of the crossing into the Beautiful World.
Let it be Beautiful for us.
(Fiery World II, 21)
The spirit cannot die, nor can the mind devastate the Miracle of the Creator.
(The Call, 211)
Great is the knowledge of the absence of death.
(Illumination, II:IV:12)
Man is eternally being born, and particularly at the moment of so-called death.
(Illumination, III:V:13)
Death is no more than the shearing of the hair, for in the same way is matter cast off.
(Illumination, II:II:4)
It is said, “We shall not die, but change.” It is impossible to speak more briefly, it is impossible to speak more affirmatively.
(Heart, 170)
Resurrection of the spirit—what a sublime concept! It should be understood as the call of Beauty. Resurrection of the spirit can mean not only a succeeding step in the sense of incarnation but also a magnetic transmutation in life.
(Fiery World III, 142)
Existence itself affirms eternal renewal. Each man dies for yesterday and is regenerated for tomorrow.
Let each one by the quality of his thinking further his own ascent and his perception of the Higher World.
(Aum, 119)
High Guidance does not forsake the aspirants, but for assimilation of Guidance devotion is needed.
Thus the being may ascent the ladder—there is no other symbol which can more accurately define the ascent of the spirit.
(Fiery World I, 621)
One may imagine the state when death will be no more, and the transition of existence will be a simple attainment.
(Fiery World I, 616)
There are some who suppose that man is continuously dying; others know that man is perpetually reborn. The former are motivated by fear, the latter by joy. The former suggest death to themselves, the latter recognize life. Thus man to a large extent predetermines his own future. One may be confident that he who destines death for himself does not know about the Higher World. He may display outward ritual but his heart is far from the truth.
Affirmation of life is affirmation of Light. The human spirit is immortal.
(Aum, 118)
When people speak of death, they often, even without thinking, express things that are true. People sense that it is helpful for the departure of the astral body to be gradual, and that sudden death can cause problems. But the most important consideration is not talked about — that the quality of psychic energy is the dominant factor. Man can overcome all obstacles through his consciousness. When the consciousness has expanded, then transitory conditions have little importance. When the bond with the Higher World is strong, then all tasks become easy. But it is strange that people generally prefer to talk about details, and overlook what is most important.
(Agni Yoga, 559)
When new currents eject the old encumbrances, then verily a great interchange of energies takes place.
It is correct to regard death as a life-generating exchange. How may one ease the most poignant hour? Through realization of the exchange of energies. Great is the law of exchange, and the direction of his destiny depends upon man. Cosmic Decree ordains for each one a progressive step, but the spirit itself decides the rejection or acceptance of it. But the interchange of substances and energies is without end.
(Infinity I, 143)
When consciousness penetrates the essence of Be-ness, the conception of Oneness is confirmed. When the spirit understands how ceaselessly the manifestations of life flow, the continuity of all chains may be indicated. The chain of thought, the chain of action, the chain of effects, the chain of strivings, the chain of lives—each chain predetermines the succeeding one. The creativeness of the magnet of life lies in these chains.
(Infinity II, 51)
The preparation for the higher spheres entails first of all the purification of consciousness, in the development of the life of the heart. But these conditions should be remembered. Usually people remember about them only during idleness or repose, but when it is necessary to apply them, they are forgotten and are replaced by irritation.
(Heart, 328)
When the spirit, faced with breaking away from the Earth, realizes how it has used its energies, then the consciousness can atone for a great deal; but the consciousness must be impelled toward the thought about the Higher Worlds.
(Fiery World III, 103)
The bond between worlds must occupy the thoughts of humanity. How else could one explain certain invisible processes which nurture life? One may become imbued with that knowledge only when the spirit apprehends in the heart the manifestations of the Invisible World.
(Fiery World III, 109)
At the threshold into the Subtle World striving plays a decisive role. Striving into the higher spheres gives the spirit the strength to break away from the Earth. The greatest task is to teach every living being to aspire.
(Fiery World III, 298)
The spirit which realizes in life the power of tension of psychic energy can count upon the strength of psychic energy also during the crossing into the Subtle World. Our subtle body is fed by these saturations, and the fluids of psychic energy from the subtle body. Indeed, through transmutation of the centers psychic energy acts increasingly strongly, and the centers gather these powerful fluids for strengthening of the subtle body.
(Fiery World III, 415)
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.
(Agni Yoga, 130)
The Subtle World is as unavoidable as our earthly life, and when realized, being the sublimation of the earthly world, it will open to us unutterable beauty.
(Letters of Helena Roerich I, 15 January 1932)
In all religions, the one departing from Earth has been accorded an accompanying Guardian in the aspect of a Saint, Angel or departed relative. Thus was affirmed the existence of a world beyond the grave and the need of a Guide. One should become accustomed to this thought of the need of a Guide. Thus in all religions the Guide and Teacher was affirmed. Hence when we speak of the Teacher, We recall that which is inevitable.
(Hierarchy, 62)
Each religion, as the link with the Highest, seeks to express the ineffable transition into the Subtle World. Nevertheless the earthly consciousness retains possession of all its senses, which are found in the Subtle World, though in transmuted form.
(Fiery World I, 335)
Upon leaving the earthly sphere the spirit is intensified in the consciousness of the achievements which were dominant in that life. The life of a man has, as it were, its leitmotifs, and upon these songs, or laments, the spirit is intensified. The achievements of the spirit lead upward, and departure from the earthly sphere is always a joy for the spirit which has realized the luminous achievements of Service. Even during physical pains the spirit surmounts all earthly infirmities. In the breaking away from Earth the bond with the Higher Worlds, to which the spirit aspires, is affirmed. The ladder of ascent is built upon the devotion to Hierarchy.
(Fiery World III, 68)
Each man bears a secret within himself. Rarely does the curtain of the past roll back—only when subtle energy abounds during one's earthly life. Only by transcending the boundary of Earth is man enlightened in the realization of a portion of his secret. Remarkable is the process when subtle energy reveals the Chalice of accumulations; the memory is suddenly illumined, and the past stands out in all justice. Amazing is the extent of man's transformation at the moment when he leaves the earthly sphere. People call this death, but it is really birth; therefore, how pitiful it is when the subtle body sojourns long in sleep. Especially noteworthy is the transition wherein consciousness is preserved. Then it can be clearly imagined how the earthly tatters fall off and the imperishable accumulation emerges, revealing itself to be a true treasure. It can be understood why this most subtle treasure cannot be revealed amid crude conditions.
(Aum, 153)
Essentially, transition into the Subtle World ought to be painless. People having completed the earthly path ought to take up quite naturally the next proceeding.
(Brotherhood, 211)
The liberated spirit always aspires into the higher spheres, but the spirit attached to Earth remains for a long time enchained in the lower strata of the Astral World.
(Fiery World III, 296)
For a consciously developed spirit the period of sojourn on the astral plane could be limited to an interval of forty days.
(Illumination, II:VIII:16)
Religion says: He who goes to his fathers will dwell with them; he who goes to the angels will dwell with them; and he who goes to God will dwell with Him. It means that he who has ordained for himself the utmost progress arrives at the best attainment. Therefore, the best bidding to the one who departs from Earth will be—"Hurry, without looking back."
What about the dear ones? But the higher you ascend, the better and closer you will see them. Of course, the cause of the delay is usually in the last remaining near ones. Therefore, the abbreviation of the sojourn on the astral plane depends upon a proper cooperation.
The higher up, the more pleasant the stay; and on the border of the mental plane the spirit can rest, because there the spirit is already subject to lofty attractions. But one must consciously avoid the lower strata. It is necessary that an explosive impulse of the consciousness propel the kernel of the spirit upward as far as possible. Therefore, the moment of transition is so important, for in it one may dispatch oneself to the higher strata. Once the lower strata are contacted, it is very difficult to rise afterwards.
If the condition of spirit permits, it is far better to use the last flash of the nerves' emanation for flight. Thus the lower strata will be more sparse. It is important to dissolve the atmosphere of the lower strata so that it will not press upon the Earth. Cooperation from above and below will give the speediest results.
Transition without consciousness has been correctly noted. It is easy to assist in this, if beforehand there be strengthened the desire for lofty flight. Then the emanation of the nerves acts almost automatically.
(Illumination, II:VIII:16)
One should be very solicitous about the last hours of sojourn on Earth. Often the final strivings can predetermine the succeeding life, also the stratum in which the spirit will dwell. Indeed, it is inadmissible to recall the spirit into the earthly spheres when it already has broken away. Tissues which already have been freed from earthly attractions much be strained in a terrific effort in order again to be assimilated into the earthly atmosphere. People should learn to think during someone’s departure, as well as during birth, and should be able to ease the processes. As delays are harmful during birth, they are likewise harmful during death. The subtle formation of the new body must be taken into consideration.
(Fiery World III, 97)
Recall the useful Burmese custom of reminding those who are seriously ill or dying of their best deeds. Even from a medical point of view such reminders undoubtedly are beneficial. As to the spiritual, they of course prove how many wise customs still exist among the most diverse nations. These customs are born of a profound knowledge. They prove the connection with the other world, vitally indicating how attentively one should regard the customs of nations.
(Fiery World I, 422)
Speaking of the qualities of love, let us note the love which holds back and the love which inspires. In essence the first love is earthly, and the second heavenly. But what a multitude of constructive efforts were destroyed by the first! And a similar multitude winged by the second! The first is aware of all the limitations of space and consciousness; but the second one has no need of earthly measurements. It is without handicaps of space or considerations of death.
(Heart, 242)
I send you this consolation. Pure thoughts do not die,
they flourish though the earth congeal.
(The Call, 178)
Very helpful are prayers about the “wandering of the soul.” The one thing wrong in them is that they reiterate about rest, whereas it would be better to stress haste.
Everyone should read and remember this, for it will not only help the individual but also advance the world plan.
(Illumination, II:VIII:16)
We are not lovers of the world of bodily survivals, the lower Subtle World—the Astral World—but, like everything else that exists, it cannot be avoided in spiritual development. The world of bodily survivals contains certain elements needed for the intercourse between the worlds. For example, the means of transportation are very little understood by the dwellers of the Subtle World. Although they have the possibility to strive upwards they are busy with the constructing of dark houses, in imitation of the earthly ones. But if still during their lifetime they had broadened their consciousness, they would have been able to measure the hem of the garment of the Mother of the World.
The better possibilities can be awakened by those who are able to perceive with a spiritual consciousness. But for the preservation of consciousness it is necessary to sense this during one’s lifetime. Then the state of the contemporary world of physical survivals will be almost erased. Not the prayer “rest in peace”, but “learn in the space of Light.” With all your consciousness remember the problems of evolution. When the striving for repose disappears then are the Gates drawing near.
(Community, 21)
Prayer is the realization of eternity. In prayer there is beauty, love, daring, courage, self-sacrifice, steadfastness, aspiration. But if in the prayer are included superstition, fear and doubt, then such an invocation is related to the times of fetishism.
How then should one pray? One can spend hours in aspiration, but there may be a prayer of lightning speed. Then instantaneously, without words, man places himself in continuity with the whole chain into the Infinite. Resolving to unite with the Infinite, man inhales emanations of the ether, as it were, and without mechanical repetitions establishes the best circuit for the current. Thus, in silence, without wasting time, one can receive a stream of refreshment.
Only developed spirituality can uplift the human consciousness in a single sigh. But We must repeat about prayer, because people will inquire about it.
Needless are conjurations, needless are entreaties, needless is the dust of humbleness, needless are threats, for we alone transport ourselves into the far-off worlds, into the treasuries of possibilities and knowledge. We feel that they are predestined for us, and we approach them daringly.
Thus understand the Covenant: “Pray in no wise but in spirit.”
(Illumination, III:IV:I)
Prayer on the way to the Sacred and Hallowed Dwelling:
O Lord of my spirit, forsake not the pilgrim! …
Yet with Thee I fear not my ignorance.
The phantoms reveal not their faces.
Lead me upon the path, O Thou Blessed One.
Touch my eyes that I may see Thy Gates!
(The Call, 12)
No dogma can forbid conversing with the Highest. The more beautifully it is done, the nearer will be the approach. But if help is needed, it suffices to express oneself with—“Help.” But even for such a simple word attractiveness is needed.
(Fiery World II, 38)
O can easily approach the principle of Existence by a sense of beauty. Precisely, amidst the dissolution of the planet, one must turn to the most health-giving principle. And what can more strongly unify than the mantram—“I love Thee, O Lord!” In such a call it is easy to receive a ray of cognition. Observe this.
(Fiery World II, 296)
I give this farewell bidding to the disciple: “Let thy prayer be — ‘Thee, O Lord, I shall serve in everything, always and everywhere. Let my path be marked by the attainment of selflessness.’”
(Fiery World III, 7)