Agni Yoga

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  • Nicholas Roerich. Agni Yoga. Diptych. Left part. 1928.

  • Nicholas Roerich. Agni Yoga. Diptych. Right part. 1928.

Agni Yoga (known as Living Ethics for Western cultures ) is a theosophical script and is attributed to the so-called Tibetan Mahatmas of a (not verifiable) brotherhood of masters of wisdom . The text was given to the Russian Helena Roerich in the first half of the last century , who together with her husband, the painter Nicholas Roerich , made it known to the public.

Agni Yoga continues the teachings taught by the Masters of Wisdom in the Mahatma Letters (to be viewed in the British Museum in London) (see article Masters of Wisdom ), by Helena Blavatsky and her publications, and in the temple teachings (see article Temple of Mankind ) had developed.

The scripture of Agni Yoga

Agni Yoga consists of the following 15 individual volumes: Leaves of the Garden Morya I and II, Community, Agni Yoga, Infinity I and II, Hierarchy, Heart, Fiery World I, II and III, AUM, Brotherhood I, Brotherhood II 1st part and Brotherhood II 2nd part.

The original fonts are written in Russian. They are now completely in English and German and partly u. a. Translated into Latvian, Bulgarian, French, Polish, Italian, Dutch and Spanish.

Agni Yoga groups and Roerich societies

Agni-Yoga groups and Roerich societies exist today, especially in the successor states of the USSR, but also among others. a. in the USA, Switzerland, Germany, England, Spain, the Netherlands, Italy and Greece.

Agni Yoga was spread in Germany in the 1960s and 1970s by the Austrian Leopold Brandstätter (pseudonym Leobrand , died 1968) and his Ethical Society Welt-Spirale .

Self-image and external assessment

Agni Yoga sees itself as a continuation of the teachings of theosophy. He claims the authority of a transmission from a higher, occult source.

Teaching

The goal of Agni Yoga is to prepare a new, higher level of human development.

The most important individual topics are:

  • Evolution: The whole of nature strives for ever greater heights. A natural development from stone, plant and animal to human beings can be seen on earth. But this does not mean that evolution is over. Like his predecessor, the ape, humans are only an intermediate stage towards even higher forms of life that already exist elsewhere in the universe; man is not the highest creature in the cosmos. Agni Yoga teaches that the higher levels, "sons of God" like Jesus or Buddha and far beyond rulers of solar systems and universes, naturally developed from lower levels. Ultimately, this also applies to God: there is no God who was not even human, is a central statement.
  • Hierarchy: There is a hierarchy of souls that extends from stone to God according to evolutionary development. The higher creature expresses the indwelling divine spark (spirit) to a greater extent than the lower. Every level (including that of man) has higher species above and lower species below. There is a natural connection between the levels. Like on earth, creatures of different heights live side by side. Just as the animal seeks its master, the human being, so also the human being looks further up for connection with even higher beings.
  • Immortality: The principle of infinity applies to the entire universe, including humans. The immortal soul, the existence of which many religions teach, is the true essence of man, not the perishable body. Man achieves immortality by identifying himself with his soul instead of with the body as before. A central statement is: Man has no soul, he is a soul. Man must learn to live an unlimited existence that is not limited to earth.
  • New person: The aim of Agni Yoga is the formation of a new person, the next higher level of evolution. This is characterized above all by the awareness of one's own immortality, by a self-image as a spiritual - soul -, not a physical being. Immortality leads to inviolability and complete freedom of action, to overcoming suffering and finally joy in all circumstances: Resistance, attacks and difficulties are opportunities; they serve spiritual ascent; when they are overcome, the mind emerges strengthened.
  • New World: The aim of Agni Yoga is to create a new, better world, a higher culture. People who see themselves as souls, as immortal, spiritual beings, can act completely selflessly. They do not work for personal gain, but rather for the implementation of ideals like truth, justice, beauty and love. That can change the world. So z. B. the establishment of justice to overcome poverty and unemployment: the earth is rich enough; if only the necessary labor and its products are fairly distributed, there will be more than enough of both for everyone.
  • Meaning of Consciousness : Consciousness is the real reality. What exists is real to man only insofar as he is aware of it. There is much more (higher, spiritual worlds, higher beings with influence on the material level) than today's human being is aware of. Every change begins in the head, in people's thinking. A higher, wider consciousness, especially the knowledge of immortality and the laws of the cosmos, are a prerequisite for a better life on earth.
  • Rebirth: The immortal soul goes an infinite path through the most diverse worlds, times, cultures and levels of existence. She also returns to earth ( reincarnation ) until she has learned everything there is to be learned on this planet. After that she continues her way in higher worlds.
  • Cause, Effect and Responsibility - Karma : The free will of humans requires that responsibility for thoughts, words and deeds is taken. Freedom and responsibility are inseparable. There is no redemption from sin ; man himself must purify himself and make up for wrong done.
  • Union of Science and Religion: Spiritual knowledge goes beyond intellectual. But it must not contradict the laws of reason. An exploration of the supernatural, otherworldly world - the home of the soul - is possible scientifically through observation and experience. However, in addition to the methods of the classical natural sciences, emotional and heart knowledge must be applied. The connection with higher spheres in meditation is completely natural and therefore scientific; it demonstrably leads to an influx of consolation, strength, joy and knowledge.

confrontation

Russian Orthodox Church and the Doctrine of Living Ethics

The position of the Russian Orthodox Church against the teaching of the "living ethics" was formulated during the Bishops' Council on December 2, 1994.

"Paganism and astrology have reappeared, as have the theosophical and spiritualist societies that were once founded by Helen Blavatsky and which claim to have a certain" ancient wisdom "hidden from the uninitiated. "The doctrine of living ethics" is also strongly propagated, brought into circulation by the Roerichs family and also referred to as "Agni Yoga". [...] According to apostolic tradition, the inaugurated Bishops' Council testifies that all of the above-mentioned sects and new religious movements are incompatible with Christianity. People who share the teachings of these sects and movements and especially contribute to their dissemination have excommunicated themselves from the Orthodox Church. "

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ The Bishops' Council of the Russian Orthodox Church, November 29 - December 2, 1994, Moscow. Moscow Patriarchate Publishing House, Moscow 1995. p. 178