|
Leaves of Morya's Garden - Book 2 - Illumination (1925) - 2.4.3:
Not in remote laboratories, not in monastic cells, but in life shall you gather the truthful records. Where Christ, not in the folds of a chiton but in the beauty of toil, gathers the seekers of the freedom of the spirit. Agni Yoga (1929) - 13:
13. The book of Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ, has long been appreciated in the East not only by virtue of its content but because of the meaning of its title. In the midst of medieval idolatry of Christ, the voice of Thomas à Kempis resounded in protest. From behind the walls of a Catholic monastery rang out a voice to clarify the Image of the Great Teacher. The very word imitation comprises a vital action. The formula - Imitation of Christ - is an achievement of daring innate in the conscious spirit that accepts all responsibility of creation. Truly, the conscious pupil dares to approach the Teacher in imitation. Such an example brought light into the musty darkness and behind the monastic walls provided the impetus to strive toward creative daring. Agni Yoga (1929) - 13:
Each step of blessed daring must be cherished as a milestone in the progress of humanity. We do not give attention to monastic utterances. Thomas had no need to climb to the stake - his task was to proclaim not the forbidden but the inspiring formula. Infinity - Book 1 (1930) - 165a:
165a. It is you who did call the difficult Path luminous. It is you who did accept the "chalice of fires," exulting at each new affirmation. It is you who did accept a mission which no one else could have fulfilled because of its unusual conditions. Usually this experiment takes place under the exclusive conditions of monastic cells or mountain heights, or seclusion. But your striving spirit took up this chalice. If you could see the cliche of past events and the records of your fiery processes, you would understand this offering. The most subtle and pure is invisible. There is so much that is not revealed in the life of an Arhat! Fiery World - Book 2 (1934) - 191:
191. On entrance into the monastic life all difficulties of such a path were usually pointed out. Some would say - all is easy; others would warn - all is difficult. To people with fiery heart one may say - all is easy; but for the ordinary consciousness it is better to caution - all is difficult. If someone takes to flight at a single warning about difficulties, then he, all else being equal, is unfit for persistent labor. One should not gather together people who are obviously unfit. Fear of labor is already a treason. Supermundane - The Inner Life - Book 1 (1938) - 111:
111. Urusvati realizes the multiformity of the Great Service. This great concept of Service is usually completely misunderstood, or if accepted at all, it is mistaken for monastic monotony. But the Great Service responds to earthly needs, and the true servant of humanity must know all conditions of life. He must spare the feelings of the ignorant, he must soothe the desperate, and must appreciate the various fields of labor in order to be able to give wise encouragement. In this way Service will bring benefit everywhere, and the servant of Good will know how to find the word that will lead people to a brighter future.
|