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Heart (1932) - 162:
162. It is not sufficient to affirm one's own consciousness; one must become accustomed to safeguarding it, under various conditions. One blade is used for cutting paper, another for wood, and a completely different one for metal. One can compare the physical, the subtle, and the fiery worlds to the resistance of paper, wood, and metal. Verily, one must continuously accustom oneself to the realization of the Subtle and Fiery Worlds; various exercises can lead up to it. Thus, one must become accustomed to a state of constant labor, endless and untiring. Such tension of consciousness is irreplaceably useful for the Subtle World, because people usually labor only for rest, not for limitless perfecting. Therefore, on finding themselves in the Subtle World, facing the Image of Infinity, they fall into consternation and fog. Likewise, for the Fiery World one must accustom oneself to walk fearlessly, as if along the rim of a precipice. Only the highest self-control and readiness for danger can prepare one for the fiery spheres. Heart (1932) - 216:
216. Right strivings annihilate the manifestations of contamination. A striving man verily is full of immunity. So it is with those who cross on the rim of the precipice. The best wings are woven by strivings. Even the best antidote will also be striving. The fire born of impetuous tension is the best shield. The ancients have explained how arrows never reach those who are striving. Contemporary physicians could point out the development of a special substance during spiritual striving. Apply it to life as a life counsel. I point out how the striving spirit, with the velocity of light, changes its position and becomes elusive. Thus, one must train oneself to strive, manifesting it physically as well as spiritually. The teaching that is devoid of striving is like a sack with holes. One must assimilate the essence of what is said, because a study of the words alone will remain only upon the tongue. But beware of the striving tongue with a dead heart. Thus, let us not forget about the antidote of pure striving. Heart (1932) - 412:
412. Even the Highest Beings must become aflame in spirit in order to act. The expression "to become aflame" is truly exact. Precisely, one must become aflame! This means that one must fill oneself with an abundance of the spirit. But does it not signify that one must enter into contact with Hierarchy? Only in drawing the spirit from the Highest Source do we receive renewal and tensity of the fiery energy. Hence, it is not indicated anywhere that one must isolate oneself in spirit; on the contrary, one must fill oneself with the power of the spirit which leads to Light. You correctly recalled standing at the rim of the precipice, as if at an intensifying boundary. Only these crests of the waves will raise up the spirit and kindle it. But he who thinks of self, of self-affirmation, will never draw from the Eternal Fire. Thus, let us apply our striving toward spatial measures. I can hail you, mighty warriors, who are aware of the Phoenix rising from the ashes.
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