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Home , Helena Roerich, Nicholas Roerich, Theosophy

OCTOBER / NOVEMBER / DECEMBER • 2017 • VOL. XXXIX / NO. 4

Inside This Issue The Sacredness of Daily Life The Sacredness of Daily Life Agni , 1929 ence of the Teaching in the midst of daily life. Page One , 169. Just as Fire is the all-embracing Answer: by the smallest things, by every action, principle, so does Agni Yoga permeate the whole every touch. Denial and habit deprive some stu- Networkers Letter of life. One can notice how one’s consciousness is dents of a great deal. Page Two gradually sharpened, how the real values of one’s Supermundane, 1938 The First Steps surroundings become clear, how one’s understand- Supermundane, 324. Urusvati knows how people of the Agni Yoga ing of the immutability of the cooperation of worlds reveal themselves in everyday life. Biographers Society in America: grows. Thus life fills with the signs of highest under- make the mistake of thinking that the value of a The Beginning standing. Truth as reality enters one’s daily life. person can be measured only by exceptional deeds, By Nataliya Fomin Hierarchy, 1931 and because of this they miss the truth. Celebrities (May 2017) Hierarchy, 176. Verily, if you realize your- are often characterized by the glory of their activi- Page Three self as being constantly in ties, their sparkling eyes and powerful, eloquent speech, the solemn presence of the Approach To Lord, you are already on the but entirely different person- alities are revealed by these Discipleship: shortest path to Us. People “Be aflame in “Rhythm” loathe especially the routine people in their everyday life. of daily life; for them it is heart and create They should be observed in Page Nine the symbol of weariness and their routine work and in descent, whereas for us the in love!” the company of their near ones. Their true mentality, as daily routine is perfectment Welcome and ascent; it opens the gates manifested in thoughts and to Infinity. One can learn to love this daily routine dreams, should be properly understood. For discussions because it tempers the spirit and gives one courage Above all, We value the achievement of har- and posts on the to contemplate the endless chain of the ages of labor. mony in everyday life. Most of human life passes Agni Yoga For some, these ages are a menace, but a refined in such routine, and people should be evaluated Teachings, consciousness will accept them as the source of by how they stand this test of daily life—whether please visit our endless creativeness. Beautiful become dulled they can preserve harmony in their domestic “Agni Yoga – on account of daily routine, but how wondrous is environment, resist petty irritations, and rise the realization that daily devotion and a flaming above boredom. Living Ethics Community” site love are offered to Hierarchy. If I shall say, “I love Many unseen circumstances are hidden in on Facebook: Thee, O Lord, and I am devoted to Thee, O Lord, daily life, and one must find in them the joy and I reverence Thee, Teacher,” by what a mighty that elevates one into the Supermundane. May https://www.facebook.com/ choir will this song of praise be transformed on you all remember that you build your human groups/Agni.Yoga.Living. the far-off worlds! Thus, in each act of devotion dignity amid daily turbulence. This awareness Ethics.Community one can open new locks; and how wondrous it is will make your achievement permanent.... to feel the inexhaustibility of great concepts. The and WMEA on Ordainment can be concise: “Be aflame in heart The Thinker taught that awareness of the and create in love!” resounding of space comes when least expected. the Web: “No human measure can determine when http://www.wmea-world.org Heart, 1932 the harmony of the Supermundane becomes Heart, 508. People will ask how to feel the influ- accessible.” 2 Agni Yoga Quarterly

NETWORKERS LETTER Dear Friends, n , the Nicholas Community Roerich Museum staff has been “Begin to build the community as a I busy at work these past few home of knowledge and beauty.” months with offerings that I would – New Era Community, verse 229 like to share with you. Rev. Joleen D. DuBois First, the NRM archive depart- ment has begun to digitize their archival materials, beginning with https://www.amazon.com/Agni-Yoga- ▪ Adamant their library. You can now go to their Society/e/B01MV46SA7/ website and find the section entitled “Museum’s Archive,” which includes ePub format: books from their digital library, bro- https://www.smashwords.com/books/ chures, and periodicals in different byseries/27789 languages. More materials will even- : tually be added. Here is the link to COLLECTED WRITINGS the “Museum’s Archive”: http://www. https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B06Y49SJ8P roerich.org/roerich-museum-archive.php. The ’s proj- Nicholas Roerich (1874–1947) is ect of publishing the improved versions known first and foremost as a painter. of N. Roerich writings and Agni Yoga His paintings, of which there are thou- books is in . These books are sands around the world, explore the available for many readers in English and mythic origins, the natural beauty, and ▪ Altai-Himalaya Spanish. Books in English now are avail- the spiritual strivings of humanity and able in an inexpensive paperback version of the world. But Nicholas Roerich that can be ordered through Amazon. was as prolific a writer as he was a painter. He wrote books, poetry, and Agni Yoga in Spanish almost-daily essays on life and events Kindle format: (called Diary Leaves). https://www.amazon.com/Sociedad- Many of these writings have been Agni-Yoga-Hispana/e/B072C3C2SJ/ unavailable for decades. They will, ePub format: therefore, be new to many of you. It is https://www.smashwords.com/books/ the Museum’s hope that bringing these byseries/27791 volumes to light again will expand awareness of the vast range and depth Agni Yoga in English of Roerich’s interests and insights into Kindle format: human nature and cultural history. continued on page 11

Agni Yoga Quarterly Copyright 1982–2017 Vol. XXXIX No. 4 White Mountain Education White Mountain Agni Yoga Quarterly can be found Association – All rights reserved. on the Internet World Wide Web Any reproduction in whole or in Education Address: part without written permission is Association http://www.wmea-world.org prohibited. Email: [email protected] Agni Yoga Quarterly 3

The First Steps of the Agni Yoga Society in America: The Beginning by Nataliya Fomin (May 2017)

n far-away 1980, I had and a few were translated into a Call, and I became Latvian, Bulgarian, and Polish. acquainted with amaz- In every case, the Russian lan- ing books that struck me guage editions came first. Iwith their wisdom and depth of Also, a center was estab- thought. In these books, I found lished in the Valley, in the the answers to all the questions Indian , where the that had arisen during my life, Roerichs lived. and was given explanations to These three formed complicated issues. Indeed, these a triangle of power and energy books helped me philosophically through which much was to realize life in its entirety, open- accomplished over the years— ing the way to penetrate into the not just in publishing and depth of human nature and prove teaching Agni Yoga but also the necessity of self-improvement in developing progressive and and self-consciousness. Meeting with the builders of the Master Building, New York, 1929 forward-looking cultural and I knew practically nothing educational activities, and pro- about Roerich, having only seen was a necessity. I was struck by the fact that moting the and the a TV show about his paintings. The show all this colossal work had been done by a Banner of Peace, which was an important was short—about five minutes—not long small group of people. This is an example achievement in the efforts to protect the enough to make an impression on me about of how much can be done by a few people cultural heritage of the world. These were this painter. united by the in High Ideals and devo- the main three centers, but there were oth- At that time, I didn’t even think about the tion to their Teachers. ers that flourished in many places. Activ- achievements of Elena Ivanovna, Nikolay ities developed in Latin America and in Konstantinovich, and their sons. No one, It was in New York that the Roerichs Western Europe. taking these books in their hands, could found and gathered around them their But there were few books. Those who realize how much effort, inspiration, and first students. From the evidence in - could read Russian could find some. But, it creative power were invested in these books. ena Roerich’s notebooks, it is clear that was only after 1924 that some of the books I realized that only when my fate brought these first students had been connected began appearing in English. The books in me to the Roerich Museum in New York with the Roerichs in one way or another English contained material that was added and I had the opportunity to learn about long before and had by fate been brought by , when it was decided the documents of these times in detail. I saw together in one place. These people were that the Teaching was intended not just for the whole picture of the Grandeur Project of carefully chosen to help them fulfill the but for the entire world. It is inter- our Teachers and their students toward the Roerichs’ mission. Not all of them stayed. esting to note that in the first Russian edi- Eternal Good. A few drifted away, and a few even turned tion of the first book, the first line is “Into Reading and sorting documents and against their Teachers some years later. the New Russia, My First Message.” When letters of those days, I can clearly see the Soon, in Latvia, the Latvian Roerich the book was translated into English for picture of the enormous efforts of the peo- Society was established. The Latvian Soci- worldwide use, they were instructed to ple—united by one idea, devoted to their ety was a large and active center, at which change the line to “Into the New Country, Teachers’ Ideals, and assured that this work all the Agni Yoga books were published My First Message.” While living in , 4 Agni Yoga Quarterly

Helena Roerich pasted a piece of paper were later rewritten by Helena Roerich in over the word “Country” in her copy of her first notebook of the Teaching, adding the book, and wrote “World.” Into the New to the material that she herself recorded World, My First Message. This one line from meetings held without the students demonstrates the broadened growth of the but with her husband. It should be noted Teaching. Nevertheless, the books appeared that the members of the group were slowly—a few in the twenties, a few in the encouraged to try to ‘receive’ their own thirties and forties. Not until the end of messages too and to write them down. the 1950s were they widely available. They all did this, but Helena Roerich chose Daniel Entin’s recollection to copy into her own notebooks only those written by Frances Grant. Daniel Entin: “It is known that the first “After the crisis in 1935, Sina, with her book of the Teaching, The Call, was given adamant persistence, her unquestion- in 1920–23. The dates of all the messages ing loyalty, and her aggressive pursuit of appear in the book. But many do not what she felt was right, kept enough peo- know that these messages were taken from ple together to continue fighting. Fortu- proceedings of the meetings held by the nately, Katherine Campbell was equally Roerichs with their students in New York. Nicholas Roerich aboard the SS Majestic adamant and had the funds to support the upon arrival in New York June, 1929 Sina was there almost all the time. Her own efforts. The Roerichs were despondent, notebooks record all that was said, all that and Helena Roerich even wrote that they was given. For me, it was always interest- recording of the Teaching.” “One interesting and important element undoubtedly had come to the world with ing to hear Sina point to passages in that the Teaching too soon and that the entire first book and say, ‘Oh yes, this message of those early meetings in New York was the insistence by the Roerichs that their Teaching and its dissemination should was for my mother, reprimanding her be shut down for a couple of centuries. for such-and-such; or this was for E.I., students become familiar with the spiritual and religious classics of the world’s reli- When Sina heard that, she protested vigor- reminding her about this-or-that.’ The ously and insisted that so much had been passages in the book acquired an added gions. These include many classics of spir- itual literature, such as the , accomplished already that the Teaching context and enrichment, and I under- should continue to be published, trans- stood when Sina told me that for some the Dhammapada, or the Upanishads of the East; the writings of the European lated, and spread. And so, permission of the earlier students, The Call was the was given from India, and in 1944, the only book they ever loved. mystics, such as Teresa of Avila or St. John of the Cross; the Hebrew Kabbalah; and Agni Yoga Society became incorporated. “After all, at that time there was not yet of course, the entire oeuvre of Blavatsky In 1948, Helena Roerich wrote a letter to a published Teaching. All that was learned and . All this was important, New York assigning Sina and her husband, came from what was spoken by the Sina said, so that no one would think of Dudley Fosdick, all the copyrights to the Roerichs. At that time, Nicholas Roerich Agni Yoga as something in a cocoon but Teaching in the Americas and Europe. took an active part, and much, if not most, rather as a Teaching in the great cur- “The tragic destruction of the Latvian of what appears in the first book was writ- rents of the world’s Teachings. And that Roerich Society in 1940 was a terrible ten down by him. Our Museum still pre- was important, she stressed, because all setback to the development of the Teach- serves in its archives some of those early great Teachings, in essence, are true. ing, as was the equally tragic loss, at the scrolls with writings by Nicholas Roerich. “At that time, Maurice was also the same time, of the Roerich Museum in These writings were called ‘automatic,’ group’s Kabbalah expert, and he brought the United States, which caused the col- but without the suggestions that they much from his own study, as was requested lapse of all the organizations—the schools, were received in a trance state. by the Roerichs, of Kabbalah teaching and the publishing house, and the museum, “Sina said that Helena Roerich was lore to the development of the work. which had been so carefully developed. less active in the meetings of the group, “From the very beginning, it was Sina’s Many important materials were dispersed though always present and participat- duty to write down the proceedings of the and have never been found. Two points ing. It was only when the Roerich fam- meetings of the group—when and where of the triangle were gone, and only one ily left New York for the Far East that the meetings were held, who attended, and remained. Certainly, not a triangle. Super- she assumed full responsibility for the what was asked or said. All these materials human efforts were needed to regain what Agni Yoga Quarterly 5

had been lost, not only in those two places very difficult. People love to listen to sen- but everywhere around the world, because sationalism and to receive toys, but few are all the groups had collapsed, along with ready to refine their consciousness. the major centers.” “ ‘Verily, just as is dead without deeds, so the Teaching is useless without Sina Fosdick was the main engine in its application to life.’”1 launching the Agni Yoga books into life. “Elena Ivanovna revealed the spiritual She was one of the first Agni Yoga students depths of Agni Yoga. Prof. Roerich guided appointed by the Master Himself to be the the thinking toward the all-embracing Guardian of the Teaching and the institu- meaning of culture and its vital need for tions, in order to develop and promote the humanity. He planted many vigorous Teaching. seeds in America, where he founded sev- I would like to refer to the memories of eral cultural institutions. Then came his Sina Fosdick about the first steps of the Agni call to the artists of other nations to unite Yoga Society. She told about the beginning in the name of Art, Beauty, and Cul- in her Talk at the meeting of the Agni Yoga ture; thus the International Art Center— Society in 1975. Corona Mundi—came into being. The Sina Fosdick: “Early in the twenties, the members of the group were active in both Himalayan Brotherhood appointed Hel- institutions, facing many problems that ena and Nicholas Roerich, the high Initi- demanded decisions. Weakness, faults, ates of that Stronghold of Light, to serve human failings came to light, and our lead- as guides and spiritual leaders in bringing Helena and Nicholas Roerich, Valdai, ers pointed out the way of avoiding serious the Teaching of Living Ethics, also known Novgorod province, 1905 errors; for the work was growing and we as Agni Yoga, to mankind in this Era. were compelled to grow with it, practicing They came to America, and a small group the group by Prof. and Mme. Roerich. She patience, observation, and alertness. gathered around them, receiving daily especially stressed the need of applying “Having been told from the very begin- guidance for the understanding of the Agni Yoga in Life. ning about the Mahatmas of the East, we essence of that Teaching. They were taught [In a letter to Frances Grant, Helena had to ponder and ‘choose the manifest to refine their senses and to expand their Roerich wrote:] “ ‘People usually have path of response to the call of Infinity.’2 consciousness. Responsibilities and tasks absolutely no idea how to use the given The call of the heart and striving toward were entrusted to each member in accor- Teaching. When they hear as if a familiar the Masters steadily grew in our con- dance with their abilities and the level of formula, they conceitedly exclaim—again sciousness. Mme. Roerich spoke at length perception. Self-discipline was practiced the same thing, known to everyone! They about Them and their disciples. together with co-measurement. A whole do not try to verify themselves as to what “During the first years, under Mme. new world of knowledge and beauty was extent this familiar formula has been real- Roerich’s guidance, we were studying writ- revealed to them, and the need of apply- ized and applied by them. They do not ings by the Great Teachers of Humanity, ing the principles of Living Ethics in life wish to think that the useful Teaching is by Eastern and Western philosophers, and became paramount. The proclaimed given not for the sake of novelty but for the by revered spiritual toilers. Life became Era of the Mother of the World and of building up of a worthy life. saturated with many revelations and expe- the Buddha was entered with “ ‘The Teaching of Life is not a compila- riences. We were told to keep daily notes deep reverence and full awakening of the tion of unheard of utopias. The existence regarding our progress and put down any heart as ‘the channel to Hierarchy’ (Heart, of humanity is very ancient; and in the one precept of the Teaching successfully 340). The group was to absorb the true course of ages, multifarious sparks of wis- applied, as well as a habit preventing prog- ideals of community; duties and tasks of dom were poured upon Earth; but every ress. both a spiritual and practical nature were circle has its key. “Mme. Roerich used to say, ‘To be hon- assigned to the members. “ ‘If someone can recognize the present est with oneself is the greatest difficulty.’ key as familiar to him, then let him rejoice We were led into a new world in which “It is impossible to describe the joy and be thankful for the Indication which is intolerance, selfishness, and ambition and light which filled the life daily as the close to him. It seems easy, but in fact it is had no place. The members of the group, Teaching was continually unfolded before 6 Agni Yoga Quarterly

while of different races, nationalities, and were the directors of the corporation. natures, were nevertheless united in their I cannot avoid mentioning Vladimir aspirations. One goal was supreme—to Anatolyevich Shibayev and his role in the find one’s Master! activities of the Agni Yoga Society and his “We had the rare privilege of being guided work in other institutions. Being a long- for thirty-five years by both Prof. and Mme. time secretary for Nicholas Roerich, he was Roerich. During those years we founded known as an extremely responsible and the Roerich Museum, collecting the great efficient coworker. His duty was to mail art of Prof. Roerich. The Roerich Pact out correspondence, type Nicholas Roerich’s and Banner of Peace were launched. The articles, write answers to letters, and trans- Central Asiatic Expedition, begun by our late manuscripts into English. leaders in 1923, was most successfully ter- Vladimir Anatolyevich Shibayev was minated by them in 1928, and they settled born on the 27th of November 1898 in in India. Several unique new ventures and Helena Roerich, Naggar, India, 1930s Riga. He received a good education. He institutions dedicated to art, science, and met the Roerichs in 1919 in London. Then general welfare were brought into life. We So, the work on the translation of the first in 1920, the Roerichs went to America, were in constant, close contact with them, book from the Agni Yoga series began in and Vladimir Shibayev traveled to Riga. at times through travels together but mostly 1923. In the museum’s archives, there are From Nicholas Roerich’s letter to V. Shiba- through continuous correspondence, manuscripts of these first translations. The yev: “Yesterday we got an order from MM working in the many spheres of activities main translators were Sina Fosdick, Esther to publish all of His Messages in one book, entrusted to us. The teaching of Agni Yoga Lichtmann, Maurice Lichtmann, and Fran- Leaves of ’s Garden, and publish it was steadily spreading; its books were pub- cis Grant, who, being a brilliant journalist, through you in Riga.” In Latvia, Mr. Shiba- lished in several languages besides English. edited the text. yev created and was the head of the World Numerous Agni Yoga groups sprang up in The work went like this: the text was typed Service agency, which was built along the America, India, and Europe.” and then the translation was made, and same system of other Roerich organiza- So, in the 1920s there was no AY Society, after that, the translation was sent to Hel- tions. Those who were interested in East- but a group of disciples who gathered at the ena Roerich, who put in her corrections and ern philosophy and admired N. Roerich’s meetings, led by the Roerichs themselves. notes and sent it back to New York. Then, ideas and art gathered around V. Shibayev, All efforts were applied to the establishing the text was given to the publishing house, and the Roerich Society was born in Riga. of cultural institutions. A lot of attention and galleys were made; and after editing the was given to the translations of Nicholas In 1924, V. Shibayev, together with the text, the master copy was ready and directed Roerich’s articles, his talks; to developing Roerichs, traveled to India. “Days in India for publishing. contacts with American cultural centers, were marked by hard work together,” wrote In 1933, the Agni Yoga Publication Com- universities, libraries; and to the corre- V. Shibayev when he left India—because mittee was organized to get all the books spondence with theosophical and spiritual the Roerichs were starting to prepare for together, assembling them in one place and centers. Activities of the Master Institute, their Central Asian Expedition—“a lot of having a full statement of them. After that, Roerich Museum, and the Corona Mundi manuscripts I carried with me for mailing Agni Press was formed and then incorpo- Cultural Center were widely advertised along with other tasks from the Roerichs.” rated on the 17th of November 1936. But in the press. Soon, the hard work began to He returned to India on the 1st of Octo- the activities of the Agni Press, as a part of bear fruit. Every member of the “Circle” ber 1928 and had been working with the the Roerich Museum, stopped after 1938, had their own responsibilities. All of them Roerichs as a secretary for a length of ten and it became a part of another institution, had strong personalities and, of course, they years. “Life with the Roerichs in India was the Roerich Academy of Arts, which was sit- experienced tension in their relations. Each the most significant period in my life,” he uated at 200 W. 57th St., New York. of them wanted to be the only one, and be wrote.3 In 1944, the Agni Yoga Society became closer to Helena and Nicholas Roerich. In the sixties and seventies, living in incorporated. Prof. Roerich and Mme. Nicholas Roerich wisely eliminated these England, V. Shibayev took an active part in Roerich were the founders, and Sina Fos- tensions saying, “Whoever works harder is the work of the Agni Yoga Society in New dick, Dudley Fosdick, Katherine Campbell, the leader.” And really, all of them worked York through correspondence, having no Gisela Ingeborg Fritchi, and Joseph Weed very hard. opportunity to be present in person. He Agni Yoga Quarterly 7

passed away on the 6th of March 1975 in Cardiff, remaining an Agni Yoga student July 1935 – Kullu till the end of his life. V. Shibayev was asked one and the same 1) Mr. Shibayev will be glad to send out question many times, “You worked with pamphlets of all Agni Yoga Publications Nicholas Roerich so closely and for so long. which have so far appeared, with his book- What did he value most of all in the Teach- lists, which he sends out continuously and ing?” Vladimir Anatolyevich immediately would therefore appreciate receiving at gave his opinion, that Nicholas Roerich least 50 copies of each of the pamphlets. valued the Teaching about the phenome- 2) Mme. Roerich is happy to announce non of thought. As proof of this statement, I that our Society in Riga at the meeting has would like to read an extract from Nicholas passed the resolution to publish on their Roerich’s Talk to the students of a drawing own means the second volume of Mir class at the Master Institute in 1923. Ognenny (Fiery World). One of the students asked this question, 3) It was also contemplated to print “How can one apply Agni Yoga to everyday Nicholas Roerich, Naggar, India, 1936–1942 afterwards the book New Era in Russian life?” in Riga. N. K. Roerich: “So often we repeat the 4) We would like to have a copy of the the records of the meetings, minutes, and let- word ‘thought,’ that it is very good to real- magazine The American Theosophist for ters in the museum’s archive. The work was ize that thought is the highest motivating our files, in which a review ofOn Eastern performed in New York, Riga, and Kullu. power. But very seldom do we apply this Crossroads appeared. Great contributions to the work of the power of thought, and very seldom even do 1934 – New York Committee were done by Katherine Camp- we control ourselves, and very seldom do bell and Ingeborg Fritschi. Most of the Miss Grant reported that galley proofs we direct our thoughts in the proper paths. documents were collected and organized had been received and read on half of the “The question in everything in life is by Ingeborg. This woman was extremely book Heart and that the rest of the gal- how to apply the principles. First, we must responsible and neat, and stored all doc- ley proofs will be received today. She also realize that psychic power exists and is umentation regarding the activities of the reported that the entire revised copy of within ourselves, and then we must learn Publication Committee, saving every piece Infinity has been mailed to Mme. Roerich to release it. In all fairy tales, we hear of paper, letter, and order. as well as 16 pages of Fiery World. about closed doors, hidden treasures, to be opened only by the magic key. Within Here are some examples of the Agni June 4, 1934 – New York ourselves the poisons of anger and irrita- Yoga Publication Committee activity 1) As per request of Prof. Roerich, Mrs. tion collect and are closed; and to over- according to the records in the minutes, Lichtmann requests the Committee to come the power of these, we must release 1933–1935: give her 10 books of St. Sergius to send to them. In the same way, cancer is formed, Metropolitan Sergius, Tokyo At the first meeting were present– holding the gathering poisons which 2) Some books were sent to the Theo- Mrs. Nettie Horch, Chairman destroy us if they are not released. There sophical Society in Wheaton, Ill. Mrs. Helen Seidel, Secretary have been cases of cancer being cured by 3) To send a book to Mme. Kuvshinova Mrs. Sina Lichtmann psychic power. to the magazine Russkiye Polya to have a Mr. H. J. Forman “Learn to release all poisonous review on St. Sergius; to send 10 books to Dr. Charles Fleischer thoughts—see the sparks and lights, and Harbin Miss Francis Grant study these lights, and then you will cre- 4) Given to Dr. Sonck of , Agni Miss Ingeborg Fritschi, Acting Secretary ate something for the future of humanity Yoga, 1 copy in Russian, and Hierarchy, 1 which is really unusual.” copy in English It was mentioned already that the activity 4) In reference to No. 6 paragraph of on the translations and publication of the Urusvati minutes, No. 26, the Committee Active work started after a long break books of the Agni Yoga Series began in 1933, decided to have a stamp made with the only when the Agni Yoga Society was incor- when the Agni Yoga Publication Committee address of 310 Riverside Drive, as near to porated on the 4th of November 1944. The was created. One can find more informa- the type as possible, and stamp the books Society grew bigger, new people approached, tion about the work of the Committee from “Agni Yoga Publications.” new helpers appeared. Dudley Fosdick, Sina’s husband, became 8 Agni Yoga Quarterly

a valuable and irreplaceable coworker, as achievement.’ But this is not altogether it. did David Fogel, Cassie Michaelis, Melany My sincerest gratitude for your work. May Adams, Frank Svengalis, Bernard Lentz, the Light be with you. Elizabeth Meeker, Elina Yussupoff, and Val- G. Roerich” entina Dutko. I would like to read the extracts from Another wonderful woman, Elizabeth Mme. Roerich’s letters, which give us an Meeker, was very active and totally involved idea of how the hard work on the transla- and devoted to the process of translations. tions went on: Besides, she had a deep knowledge of The- “30/9/49 F.W. III, par. 60 Zealot (not osophy. Her hard work on the indexes to the liked by E.I.) perhaps best to say earnest Agni Yoga Books and compilations from toilers or zealous toilers, but the translation the Teaching for the brochures Mother of is very fine.” Agni Yoga, Woman’s Heart, and Mother of “5/6/50 Community 47 – each word is a the World was highly appreciated by Mme. thunder-bearing arrow.” Roerich and The Great Master. Here are Helena, Nicholas, and George Roerich, “Community 66 – Each revolution (cor- some sayings about E. Meeker in E.I.’s letters: Naggar, India, 1940–1945 rect!)” E.I.’s letter of October 9, 1953: “22/9/50 p. 142 – there is no mistake. Leonidovna expressed her desire and “Publish Brotherhood at the beginning Sound is the reaction of light. Sound took responsibility for translating Mme. of 1955, Infinity and AUM in 1957, also becomes a light and the light sounds.” Roerich’s Letters. Two volumes of these the brochures of Miss Meeker. She will We must be grateful to another member Letters were published in Russian, in Riga, live a long life; she was The Great Master’s of the Agni Yoga Society, who perfectly right before World War II. The work on co-worker (a nun) in the 14th century, in translated two volumes of Mme. Roerich’s the translations lasted for twenty years.4 Rothenburg, and so that is why she is so Letters. It is Valentina Leonidovna Dutko close to Sina.” 1909–1983. From Mme. Roerich’s letter of Nov. 21, She was born in Harbin to a family 1953: E.I.’s letter of December 17, 1954: of colonists who worked on the East- “My beloved one, “This wonderful message also came in ern-China railroad. Her talents mani- the letter. The Great Lord said: ‘I give my The Letters must be completed by Jan- fested from early childhood: she sang, cooperation in this work. Let her gather as uary…. Keeping of the dates is essential. danced, played the piano, wrote poems, much as possible and if it will be necessary The letters should have been completed in and learned different languages. She to abbreviate, We shall do it later. autumn, but we are approaching winter. became a professional dancer. The Great Master approves your transla- ‘My Care about her health and her Valentina traveled a lot through Europe tion and wishes you to translate even the devoted work is constantly with her. I send because her husband Pavel Nikolayevich second volume. I would like you to finish her My Blessing.’” was a diplomat. They lived in France, Ger- this work too.” many, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, E.I.’s Letter of March 4, 1955: and Ireland. Then they came to Canada From George Roerich’s letter to Valen- “Thank Elisabeth Meeker for her touch- and later to the USA. After years of popu- tina Dutko on February 12, 1956: ing letter. She is a fine spirit and help will larity, she was the leader of small dancing “Dear Valentina Leonidovna, be sent to her needed work. She will not groups in Toronto. In 1956, a small troupe leave until she will complete the work I am returning your translations of Elena under her conduct laid the foundation for ordained to her. Ivanovna’s Letters, which I have perused the German-Canadian Ballet. She will understand the difficulty of In 1956 her career as a ballet dancer (numbers 13–24). Similarly, your translations remarkably my position and will not expect letters ended, and she set up residence in Flor- in English from me—a language which I ida. In the early forties of the twentieth reflect the original. I allowed myself to make a few remarks by pencil. Certainly have almost forgotten, not having oppor- century she became a pen pal with Sina tunity for any practice in it. Only when my and then with the Roerichs, who lived in many words are, in general, difficult to translate. For instance, the wonderful son Svetoslav and his wife come to visit me India at that time. Mme. Roerich became am I able to refresh a bit of knowledge.” Valentina’s spiritual Teacher. Valentina Russian word podvig. Yes, perhaps ‘great Agni Yoga Quarterly 9

Daniel Entin told me that of all the mem- countries where we have members. bers of the Agni Yoga Society, Sina Fosdick “My correspondence with Miss Meeker loved Elizabeth Meeker the most and found was frequent; at least twice a week we in her the closest friend and soulmate, and wrote to each other. was greatly upset when Elizabeth passed “On January 5th, 1964, she wrote to me: away. Two Agni Yoga meetings were ded- ‘Yes, I have faith and hope for the Future, icated to the memory of Elizabeth Meeker, and realize the great responsibility each where those who knew and loved her shared of us bears. How wonderful it will be to their memories about her. receive Letters of H. Roerich, Vol. II, and Here are Sina Fosdick’s recollections: the other translations you are working on. May you be blessed in your labors of love “I first knew Elizabeth Meeker in for the Hierarchy of Love.’ 1930; she took an apartment at the first “On February 2nd, 1965, she passed Roerich Museum building. She loved Prof. Helena, Katherine Campbell Stibbe, away, at the age of 92. She was a strong pillar Ingeborg Fritschi, Kalimpong, India, 1951 Roerich’s art, was interested in the books of of our Society and that pillar stands in testi- Agni Yoga—in fact she even volunteered her. He praised her work and encouraged mony to her service in the Master’s work.” to help in the library. She moved out later her to continue. and I lost all traces of her. Nicholas Roerich and Helena Roerich “At that time she received an unexpected have left the earthly , but the work of “We moved into our present building inheritance which she offered to donate the Teaching continues. in 1949 and started the Roerich Museum for the publication of the two brochures. In the sixties the most active members of here. Mr. Montagu, an artist and his wife, Later she was told to prepare the third bro- the Society were Bernard Lentz, Torkom came to see the Roerich paintings around chure—Woman—which the Agni Yoga Saraydarian, Frank Svengalis, Edgar Lans- 1951. A year later they came again with Society published. bury, and Elina Yussupoff. Edgar is the pres- E.M., she being related to Mrs. Montagu. “From the time she became a member ident of the Agni Yoga Society at present. He “We immediately recognized each other of the Agni Yoga Society, she devoted all worked on the translations and has contrib- and were happy to meet again. She came of her life to the Teaching and the work for uted a lot toward the understanding of the alone a few times later, talked about the the Master. She worked from morning to Teaching. Teaching, and it was not long afterward night, assembling material, doing exten- In the seventies, there was Daniel Entin, that she joined the Agni Yoga Society. sive research work in all the books of the Cortny Collier, Robert Lesser, Jeff Clark, Most of her earlier life, she was a Theos- Teaching for the Compilations and Glean- Emiko Tanaka. ophist and very active in the Eastern Star ings that she was preparing. Actually, the In the eighties Daniel Entin and Aida Tul- (a branch of the ) for majority was done by her. We were in con- skaya worked hard on the translation of the many years. She eventually left that orga- stant correspondence as to which themes book Supermundane. were of great importance for the members; nization. Nowadays Aida Tulskaya and Jeff Clark then, she would start assembling material “She lived at that time in Hanover, N.H., worked on the improvement of the transla- from all the books, e.g., the paragraphs and came a few times from Hanover to visit tion of the book Heart. that referred to these concepts. Later on, the headquarters in N.Y., was present at To Himself she herself began to choose important several members’ meetings, and expressed With love concepts, preparing various compilations. a desire to work actively in the Society. The format, paper, binding was all done “Blest are they whose hearts are “She offered, on her own initiative, to pre- according to her own ideas. The com- pare compilations on various themes from pleted work was sent to the society. enfolded by Thy great Heart of Love. the Teaching, and at first began working “Due to Miss Meeker, who was the Blest are they whose lives are on Mother of the World and Mother of Agni originator of the work, and Mrs. Michae- encompassed by Thy holy Presence. Yoga, which later became two brochures. lis, her fine co-worker, we now have an Blest are they who are permitted to “When E.M. joined the Society, Mme. impressive Lending Library of Compi- share Thy heavy burden. Roerich, to whom I wrote about her, heart- lations, Gleanings, and Leaflets, which Alone, even Thou canst not remove ily welcomed her. She subsequently sent to are being lent to all the members of the it entirely. me several messages from the Master for Agni Yoga Society in America and other – Elizabeth Meeker 10 Agni Yoga Quarterly

APPROACH TO DISCIPLESHIP: “RHYTHM” Thoughts on Agni Yoga A Talk before the Agni Yoga Society, We invite our readers to send us their January 24, 1963 thoughts on a quote from Prepared by Elizabeth D. Meeker the Agni Yoga Teachings

“It is not ordinary discipleship that we are discussing this evening, but a disciple- ship that will last throughout this incar- nation and all that are to follow until we, servers. Is it presumptuous to think that The other five were unprepared—and ourselves, become like unto Him who is we have been called? There are those who the door was closed. Doubtless they con- the Great One we now would serve. We say, ‘When the pupil is ready, the Teacher soled themselves by thinking, ‘When are here because His Teaching has drawn will appear’ and, resting upon that adage, we are ready, the Bridegroom will come us. Perhaps in former lives we have served take their time in getting ready. But the again,’ but the great evolutionary impulse, humanity under His guidance, so there Teacher knows the cosmic dates when to which the others had responded, had is already a powerful bond between His people must be called—ready or not— already left these far behind. all-encompassing Heart and our hearts in and so He comes. We are reminded of “So let us take stock of ourselves and see which a tiny flame has been kindled. ’s parable of the Bridegroom and that our lamps are alight, that the flame the ten virgins. Five, whose lamps were “His Call goes out to all the world, to does not flicker, that the vehicle is without already lighted, rose and followed Him. gather together one vast army of loving a smudge. But, even so, how do we know that there is anything in us, individually, that would make us seem worthy of the consideration of the great Teacher? How can we fit into His great Plan? How can we adapt ourselves to His rhythm? Disci- pleship is not static. As the disciple grows in the consciousness that he abides in the of his Master, his vibration is raised and he becomes stronger emotionally, mentally, and spiritually; but he is repeat- edly reminded that he must safeguard his health, for it is not easy for the physical body to adjust to the higher rhythms and to live purposefully and effectively in his earthly environment; yet this is what he must learn to do.

Krishna, Kulu Valley Series by Nicholas Roerich, 1929 continued on page 11

The WMEA is celebrating its 35th Anniversary! Fall classes are ongoing through December. Be sure to check Agni Yoga Society International Headquarters: the calendar on our website. Agni Yoga Society, Inc. 319 W 107th St. For our calendar of events and more about the WMEA, visit New York, NY 10025 www.wmea-world.org www.agniyoga.org Agni Yoga Quarterly 11

Thoughts on Agni Yoga Community (continued from page 10) (continued from page 2)

“Just thinking about the approach to ▪ Fiery Stronghold discipleship stirs within us an awareness ▪ Flame in Chalice of our many shortcomings. We would do ▪ Heart of Asia well to ponder these and strive to over- ▪ Invincible, The come those that should be obliterated and ▪ Realm of Light carefully cultivate the qualities which will be of lasting value. ▪ ▪ Himavat “‘Order is ’s first law’ we have been taught since early childhood. There ▪ Himalayas – Abode Of Light can be no order without rhythm, and In closing, it is my joy to announce ‘Rhythm’ has been selected as the theme that the thirty-fifth anniversary cel- for this evening’s discussion. There are ebration of the founding of the White many, very many, references to this theme Mountain Education Association, Inc., in the books of the Agni Yoga Teachings. is taking place the weekend of Octo- A few of them follow: ber 14th and 15th. This celebration In a tensed tempo of labor there St. Francis by Nicholas Roerich, 1932 is coinciding with the 100th birthday is concealed a remarkable celebration of Torkom Saraydarian. To quality. No tension of the will what- learn about the celebration activities soever can yield the results attain- of a rhythm. Thus even in daily work and to register, please go to: able through strenuous labor. The are expressed the great laws of the tempo and saturation of rhythm can Universe. It is especially needed to http://wmea-world.org/wmea/calendar/events/ coalesce with cosmic tension. become accustomed from childhood to continuous labor. Let the better With love, You have already heard about the sat- evolution be built upon labor as the uration of rhythm of labor as a par- measure of value.2 ticular quality possessed but rarely by people. Its beneficial influence has The rhythm of truth is as an invin- a far deeper significance than it may cible stronghold. Not a pile of words Joleen Dianne DuBois appear to have. Yet the ancient mys- but a rhythmic sound bears decisive teries used these two expressions: “to significance. Why try to conquer President and founder of the WMEA labor in the wave of Sublime Nature” with words when the lightning of and “to work with the heartbeat of rhythm can drive away the most SUNDAY WEBINAR REGISTRATION the Mother of the World.” harmful beings?3 http://wmea-world.org/live.html Those who have studied profound [T]he new rhythms are like a new WHITE MOUNTAIN WEBSITE subjects must have known this labor armor unexpected by the dark ones. of saturated rhythm, so that noth- One can continuously create new http://wmea-world.org ing could hinder them. The Teacher vibrations and thus repel darkness.4 SUNDAY LECTURES Buddha took much care that His dis- http://youtube.com/wmeaworld/videos ciples should know about changes of 1 Leaves of Morya’s Garden (1925), Book Two, JOLEEN’S BLOG rhythm. Before great attainments He Illumination, verses 349–350. © 1952 Agni Yoga advised not repose but labor of satu- Society, Inc. http://www.wmea-world.org/blog 2 New Era Community (1926), verse 8. © 1951 rated rhythm. Keep this in mind.1 AGNI YOGA LIVING ETHICS COMMUNITY Agni Yoga Society, Inc. Cooperation must be based upon 3 Agni Yoga (1929), verse 156. © 1952 Agni https://www.facebook.com/Agni.Yoga.Living.Ethics.Community Yoga Society, Inc. sound rules. This teaches orderli- ZODIAC NEWSLETTER ness; that is, it helps the acquirement 4 Heart (1932), verse 49. © 1944, 1975 Agni Yoga Society, Inc. http://www.wmea-world.org/zodiac_newsletter.html 12 Agni Yoga Quarterly

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