“For me, ethics is the way of acting in daily life to contribute to the harmonious coexistence of society and the common good, setting aside individual interests that often lead us to seek our own benefit without regard for whether we harm others with our actions.”
This is the response of an 18-year-old first-year Communications student in Santa Fe, Argentina, to my question about her understanding of “ethics.” Essentially, she speaks of reconciling individuality with harmonious coexistence and the common good.
We live in a dualistic world: positive-negative, superior-inferior, day-night, hate-love, masculine-feminine, spirit-matter…
What is the purpose of this duality?
On Venus for example we are told that only spiritual life exists; the evolution that exists on Earth, rooted in conflict and difference, is absent. These conflicts and differences are the stimulus, the richness that allows us as humanity to evolve, to reach a higher state of being—that is its purpose. The point is how we do it, how we find unity in diversity—one of the meanings of the Banner of Peace—hence the great importance of seeing conflict as a great opportunity, not an obstacle. “Welcome obstacles,” said Nicholas Roerich, “for through them we grow.” Let those who think differently from me not be my enemy, but rather the challenge of finding common ground to build together. We evolve by overcoming these conflicts, which even exist within ourselves, moving from separateness toward unity.
And how can we overcome these conflicts? Ethically.
Ethical laws are the expression of how the Universe moves on different planes and in different worlds. From the collaboration and cooperation manifested by the organs of our human body to that of the planets in our solar system and beyond, passing through infinite gradations and combinations.
The Teaching of Living Ethics places within our reach these ethical laws that guide us toward the highest realms as we journey through life on Earth. It establishes the direction in which the human mind must be propelled to traverse this stage of darkness and arrive triumphantly at the station of light, the one toward which we are inexorably advancing.
Our mind, our thoughts, our aspirations must be directed toward the Subtle Worlds. Why?
…because predestined discoveries cannot be revealed to an animal consciousness. I will not weary of reiterating it, for each hearth of enlightenment of the spirit is important (Fiery World II, 166)
In other words, it is our obligation, our responsibility, if we wish to contribute to the Plan, to refine, purify, and expand our consciousness, to refine our bodies to reach that plane where we can receive Instructions from Above, to connect with our hearts, for it is there that we receive Instructions. In the silence of the heart, we can hear the music of the spheres, where we experience the unity of life, the balance, and the origin of all that exists.
There we will know with certainty if our thoughts, words, and actions are ethical, if they are oriented toward achieving the greatest good for the greatest number, where the self merges into the we without losing its individuality—that wisdom of the heart that illuminates the discernment of the mind, and the mind that unites with the path of the heart. The synthesis of life.
The path of Service, selfless and pure, as a bridge between the Worlds.
In the words of Helena Roerich, taken from the Letters she wrote to her disciples:
…The Teaching of Living Ethics embraces all domains of life, touching upon all manner of improvement…
…In the group which studies the Living Ethics, there should be inculcated first of all the idea of good deeds and self-renouncing service to one’s neighbour and for the General Welfare… (8 September 1934)
…Indeed, all the foundations of the Living Ethics must be applied in life, as otherwise life is impossible…(8 March, 1935)
…Without the purification of the heart and the broadening of consciousness by the methods of Living Ethics, no true knowledge can be obtained… (12 April, 1935)
…..there is a profound reason for the fact that the books of Living Ethics often contain not ready formulae but only hints. Precisely so. There is a rule in the foundation of the Teaching (or rather a law) that “all must be performed by human hands and feet.” This formula expresses the full value of independent achievements, the kind of achievement that is our own and inalienable… (June 24, 1935)
The Teaching of Living Ethics is by no means for the weak-hearted…We are searching for free souls, unfettered by any fears. “The Teaching is not sugar-coated nuts and it is not silver trinkets. The Teaching is rich silver ore. (July 22, 1935)
We, the Humanity of Earth, are granted the right and the duty to elevate the Earth to the Kings of Beauty; ethics in daily life are essential to achieving this.
Thank you.
By Estela Tustanovsky, Litoral Group, Santa Fe-Argentina
Reference Material:
Agni Yoga books: https://agniyoga.org/ay
Cosmogonic Records” by Helena Roerich