Introduction to Agni Yoga

Fall 2019

Book Review

Introduction to Agni Yoga: The Way to Sham- that results from separation from the Divine, balla, by Vicente Beltrán Anglada, translated and from the loneness that manifests on the and edited by José Becerra, Fundación Vincente path when intellectual considerations, deceptive Beltrán Anglada, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 2017. mental formulations and faith begin to give way Paperback, 250 pages. List price US $10.95. to the silent voice of the heart. Available at: Amazon.com. Agni Yoga is an advanced, synthetic yoga, one he term Agni Yoga has been variously de- that is indicated for the emerging advanced T fined as the “Yoga of Fire,” the “Mergence souls of the race. VBA links this yoga to the with Divine Fire,” and the “Yoga of Synthesis.” discovery of a new dimension in life and to the It was first introduced to the West in 1920, by influx of the Fourth Ray, which no longer Nicholas and Helena Roerich. Agni Yoga, as demonstrates as conflict in the disciple’s life, given by the Roerichs, has been described as a but “as the harmony of the silent heart of Divin- “living ethic,” a constant “fiery striving” dedi- ity expressing through Humanity.” However, it cated to self-perfection, the common good and would be a mistake to think that the “Yoga of a cognition of the Divine. The Agni Yoga the Heart” is a form of Bhakti or devotional teachings consist of 14 books that are presented Yoga, or that it is “a new discipline that is im- as a series of profound, sometimes complicated posed upon the mind to overcome a given state aphorisms with no structure in the traditional of consciousness.” The latter is the goal of Raja sense. Furthermore, there are no specific tech- Yoga, the yoga for the current racial conscious- niques and disciplines, which can make these ness. Neither is its goal self-perfection, since inspired teachings for spiritual awakening diffi- “perfection” implies rest, fixity and immutabil- cult for some students to utilize or fully com- ity, a state of being that is completely contrary prehend. to the ceaseless dynamism of Divine creative In this book, which was originally written in action. Perfection, as VBA maintains, is “an Spanish in 1981, Vincente Beltrán-Anglada ascending spiral emerging from the heart, as (VBA), takes a more structured approach in his light, in a never-ending motion.” depiction of Agni Yoga. Yet, his approach is Agni Yoga provides no road map, no goal- “exquisitely simple.” It combines a first ray oriented course of action. And, as mentioned approach with what might be described as a above, it offers no techniques or disciplines; for second ray approach in which the “voice of si- “Truth,” as VBA states, “cannot be revealed by lence” is the primary factor. As such, Agni the force of discipline.” Truth arises from the Yoga represents “a Science of the Heart,” or depth of consciousness realized through the what VBA describes as “a practical exposition attitude of serene expectancy. of the mystical but intensely dynamic life born in the heart when the mind stops reflecting its The concept of serene expectancy is, in fact, external circumstances and surrenders to its pivotal to VBA’s conception of Agni Yoga. spiritual purpose.” Such an attitude is predicated on facility with the system of Raja Yoga—the yoga of the mind The first part of the book considers the occult and will—as well as the creation of the principles underlying the psychological makeup Antahkarana of causal light. Thus, only those of a human being and the importance of estab- who have integrated the three-fold-personality lishing a center of unalterable peace in the heart and centered it in the soul are capable of recog- that alleviates tension, fear, conflict, separate- nizing the “insatiable thirst for spiritual life” ness, and a lack of true purpose. Emphasis is which unseals the doors to an inner vision and given throughout the book to the problem of the life of higher service. human loneliness and the sense of isolation

VBA portrays serene mental expectancy as an the Fourth Ray; the 4th or Buddhic plane, and attitude of profound attentiveness toward life the mysteries of the 4th Initiation. This initia- where all events and happenings are “contem- tion—the Renunciation—deals with the myster- plated through the mystical center of the heart,” ies of the Solar Angels, with Words of Power or the center of tranquil reconciliation, which re- mantras that confer power over a certain group veals the truth that lies beyond the confines of of Devas. These mantras give the initiate con- the concrete mind. The challenge of Agni Yo- trol of forces that actively contribute to devel- ga, as he explains: “is the apparent absence of opment of the Plan, making him or her an “Ar- activity on our part, used as we are to weigh, chitect” or builder of primordial substance. measure and calculate everything, building The nature of free will, and the movement, structures at all levels.” He goes on to say that through the path of Agni Yoga to the Spiritual “the apparent absence of activity is … a dynam- will, are considered along with the great re- ic action of the highest transcendence.” sponsibility that power or creative Fire confers Submission to the fiery ordeal of silence, is the on the initiate. A section on the workings of key to Agni Yoga, because it reveals the true space and time is included in which Agni Yoga nature of the spiritual Soul which expands into is portrayed as the path of liberation from fixed the immensity of the Buddhic plane. The deep perspectives, karma and one’s ancestral past. silence of the heart when balanced with the will Eventually, the initiate overcomes the illusion is what allows the disciple to strengthen the of time and learns to extend the mind through Antahkarana and extend “it into the light of the Space.” As this takes place, the initiate “be- Buddhic plane.” It is here, says VBA, that “the comes a container for Solar mysteries and not practitioner of Agni Yoga is immersed into the just the container of knowledge.” great creative void of consciousness where all Another effect of this yoga practice is Thauma- ephemeral things are dissolved.” Such an expe- turgy (from the Greek “wonder” or “miracle”), rience is an “arid desert,” a “trial by fire” that which is traditionally defined as the art and sci- offers no security and threatens us with annihi- ence of using magic to create change in the lation as we lose our self in the ocean of lumi- world. In the context of Agni Yoga, “Thauma- nous light. Thus, says VBA, practitioners of turgy is the higher energy of the Buddhic plane Agni Yoga, must “live fearlessly without any expressed as the magnetic and healing energy… mental speculation about their fate or any other through the power of [spiritual] radiation.” living thing.” They must trust in their own Thus, Agni Yoga is a powerful healing art that great nature and not recoil from the blinding can be applied on physical, emotional and men- light of consciousness with its great rewards. tal levels. These rewards being the appearance of the intu- ition and the higher psychic powers, as well as In his Introduction to Agni Yoga, VBA provides “the infinite activity of eternal motion,” which a luminous and immensely practical elucidation the author equates with the great possibilities of of the Yoga of Fire—of what it is and how it the human heart, and “life of the great Solar might be achieved. This profound and deeply Heart.” inspiring work is a beacon on the Path. It is filled with sublime insights which awaken the Elsewhere in the book, VBA touches upon Ag- reader to the deeper mysteries of the heart and a ni Yoga and Pranayama, the Science of the transformative way of living—insights that Centers, and Samadhi—the exquisite equilibri- could only have been garnered through direct um or peace that is realized on the 4th Buddhic experience. The book is a must read for every Plane—and its relationship to the constellation student of the Ageless Wisdom. I am grateful to of Libra, which establishes harmony in the hu- have read it and could not recommend it more man heart and in the heart of the Solar Logos. highly. Also discussed are the various connections be- Contributed by Donna M. Brown tween Agni Yoga and the number 4: the 4th Washington, DC Human Kingdom; the 4th center or heart center;

Book Review

Living on the Inner Edge: A Practical Esoter- successes and failures. Above all, Living on the ic Tale, by Cyrus Ryan. Alresford, England: Inner Edge describes not a search for meaning Axis Mundi Books, 2018. Paperback, 232 pag- but the laying bare of an authentic unfoldment es. US $16.35. Available from Amazon. of the soul within, the Essential Nature, of the author. Ryan makes several journeys to India, he gnostic or esoteric way of knowing re- visits various sacred sites, and has extraordi- lies on the development of the esoteric T nary experiences along the way that make for sense, a way of perceiving into and through an entertaining read. His depiction of the dan- words and experiences to arrive at their deeper gers, the struggles and the challenges that face meanings, to grasp the essence in terms of in- the dedicated seeker are portrayed with inner truth and spiritual purpose. The develop- sightful explanations. The strange manifesta- ment of the esoteric sense requires an innate tions of the astral, the latching on of Elemen- disposition or some sort of pre-existing esoter- tals, the confrontation with the consuming ic hardwiring, along with training in medita- Dweller on the Threshold, are all described in tion to cultivate the ability to indwell for sus- rich detail. The path is long, enlightenment is tained periods, and guidance in the form of far away, and the journey begins when the esoteric knowledge. To begin with, the esoteric seeker strips away the delusion that they have way of knowing forges a connection between already arrived at some point of high achieve- the personality and the soul or Essential Nature ment. and starts the long process of aligning the will of the personality with that of the soul. This Ryan has a gift for explaining the complex and process of discriminating between personality abstruse in the most lucid and accessible fash- and soul natures is the first major step on the ion without losing the true essence of meaning. path of spiritual evolution and takes immense There is an awakening, stimulating, attuning effort, discipline and perseverance, all of charge to the writing, the memoir told by which occur both inside and beyond medita- someone with decades of practical experience tion experience and should become central to and a sincere heart. daily life. This memoir will appeal to readers with at Living on the Inner Edge portrays this journey least a passing knowledge of Theosophy and and makes it a lived reality for the reader. the esotericism of the East, as found in Hindu Many books detail the “hows” and “whys” of and Buddhist philosophy, and a healthy dose meditation, few explore the experiential side. of esoteric empathy. Living on the Edge is a Ryan’s testimony sounds a clear note in our journey on the inner planes, where unfoldment current age of confusion. Importantly, Ryan occurs at that interface of exoteric and esoteric cautions against blind adherence to any spir- realities. At the end, Ryan provides appendices itual teachings, repeating them, parrot like, as containing further explanations and meditation if that were an indication of spiritual progress. techniques, in what amounts to a very sound and useful guide. The memoir opens in Toronto in 1975 when a spiritual group is formed around a teacher, RN, Contributed Dr. Isobel Blackthorn and goes on to depict the evolution of the Queensland, Australia group, the highs and lows, the tests and the