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New Era Community (1926) - 44:
Those who are unfortunate and without kin may more easily accept this thought. Earthly fetters are not so lasting for them. In the worst position of all are people provided with comforts. Easily enough can the blind accept this thought, but it will be most difficult for the cross-eyed, because a false crossing of currents will always distort the distance of the striving. Try rifling a cannon with different spirals; the result will be a poor one. True, what has been said refers only to a certain state of cross-eyedness which involves the nerve centers. Agni Yoga (1929) - 10:
When a child plays with a newborn kitten, his mother rejoices at his courage, loathe to note that the kitten is still blind. When a youth toys with the soul of his comrade, the spectators marvel at his daring, not seeing the shackles binding the wretched soul. When a man denounces an assembly of judges, the witnesses admire his courage, not knowing that the daring of his threat has been bought with the jingle of gold. When an aged man comforts himself by deriding death, his friends delight, unmindful that fear has fashioned his mask of derision. Agni Yoga (1929) - 232:
232. Who will accept useful Guidance? The one who has left behind all thought of life's comforts. To whom can be given arms for battle? To the one who will not desert the battlefield. Agni Yoga (1929) - 427:
427. As little as people have gained from changing their clothing styles, so little have they gained from acquiring the comforts of life. The basic requirements for comfort necessitate an improvement of physical conditions and a simplification of the details of everyday life. But quite the contrary, people try to complicate things and reject each possibility of expanding the consciousness. It is no exaggeration to say that society does not tolerate any growth of consciousness. Families are destroyed and kingdoms perish when consciousnesses expand and manifest themselves. The Teaching of Life, like an orphan, seeks shelter in some out-of-the-way place, while the parades of death thunder in the public squares. Agni Yoga (1929) - 637:
637. I do not say it is easy, I do not say it is impossible, but I point out the path on which the comforts of earthly life are justly granted, yet the highest is not rejected. But, of course, the hour is not easy. The Teaching will proceed by unexpected ways, but one may rejoice. Fiery World - Book 1 (1933) - 167:
167. Where, then, is the mite that can turn the lever of events? Where is the mite that can decompose that which is already composed? It is not necessary to seek a mountain of Good, it may appear as a grain of sand. One should not seek shelter from a black cloud only. Calamity creeps in more easily than the smallest worm. In all circumstances it is necessary to apply small measurements also. The atom is small, but it contains many a destiny. Thus, as we approach Fire, small is the boundary line between burns and the pleasant warmth that comforts the freezing one. By all similes I am striving to bring you an understanding of the subtlety of the fiery element. Supermundane - The Inner Life - Book 2 (1938) - 267:
Very few accept the fullness of Service in its vitality and its achievements. These few know how the steps of Service have been formed and are ready to carry the living word wherever it will serve the General Good. Such heroes are ready to renounce the comforts of life in order to be able to offer inspiration to others. These few realize that, in addition to making scientific discoveries, it is necessary to unearth the spiritual treasures. Now, when multitudes of people are hurriedly shifting and seeking, it is especially difficult for mankind to reconcile material progress with higher spiritual values. The present age resembles a certain period of Atlantis, when the Atlanteans, too, could not find the necessary balance. But today people are aware of this discord, and this gives Us hope that the most vital nations will find the needed equilibrium.
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