18.05.04
Agni Yoga school and Roerich museum
in the Spanish city Bilbao
On April, 3, 2004 Roerich museum in the city Bilbao is 26 years. This wonderful place is situated in the picturesque North of Spain among mountains and magnificent vegetation of coniferous woods. It seems, that nature itself disposes to spiritual conversations on themes of Living Ethics.
A continuous leader, initiator and the founder of the centre is Leonardo Olazabal Amaral who is an outstanding activist in the Roerich movement of Spain. On his account there are some books devoted to Agni Yoga and to the Roerichs and also a lot of articles in various magazines. For example, recently his book "Living Ethics for the modern world", in which he shows to the readers eternal value of Living Ethics from the point of view of modern realities, was published.
Today in Spain it is possible to buy such Leonardo's books, as "Agni Yoga for schoolchildren", "Pearls of conversations" and others. All the Leonardo's books are devoted to the Roerichs and to Agni Yoga.
At Roerich museum there is the association "Darjeeling Agni Roerich", which carries on cultural and educational meetings. It is seven years. The association carries on exhibitions of the
N.K.Roerich reproductions of pictures, lectures in different institutions, publishes its own magazine "Kalimpong", album of the Roerich pictures, brochure devoted to the Roerich Pact, it has a professional Internet site. Besides, the association has cultural connections with such Roerich organizations, as Mexican Roerich institute in the city Toluca (director Maria del Pilar Gallego Vargas), the Roerich centre in Puerto Rico, Spanish Agni Yoga association and others. The association "Darjeeling Agni Roerich" occupies an active position in dissemination of Leaving Ethics. The association calls for active cooperation of all Spanish roerichites in the name of spreading of cultural ideas, that are in Living Ethics, pictures and works of the Roerichs. Especially members of association pay honour to the Banner of Peace which they have made their symbol in cultural activity. On pages of their site they tell about prehistoric origin of the Banner symbol, quoting the article "The Banner of Peace" by N. K. Roerich, in which he gives examples of ancient roots of the Trinity symbol. Also in the site it is told about fortune of the Banner symbol, the sign of the Roerich Pact, which is still in force.
For the roerichites of Bilbao the Banner of Peace is a distinctive symbol of their membership in the world Roerich family. Everyone who uses the Banner symbol in their activity is regarded by Spanish roerichites as their spiritual brothers and sisters. Such a position can make only happy and at the same time can cause a sad smile…
At the museum there is a Living Ethics school. Every Saturday meetings, on which the Agni Yoga questions are discussed, are carried on. An authoritative teacher of Agni Yoga is the museum director Leonardo Olazabal Amaral. Everybody is admitted to school, but it is necessary to have a preliminary meeting with its head.
On the question: "What is Agni Yoga?", Spanish roerichites give such an answer: "Agni Yoga, the yoga of Fire, is called also Living Ethics, the Doctrine of Life or the Doctrine of Light. It is synthesis of all the Doctrines transferred earlier by Teachers of the East. The Doctrine is given in such a way that at any stage of consciousness it allows to contain possible amount of knowledge and thus to participate in an active life, forming the consciousness according to events and opportunities which are met at each stage. Though Agni Yoga also shows the way of development, it never forces and always gives full freedom of decision to an individual. Being the Supreme Yoga, it can be accepted by anyone, for it teaches creation of the light's bridge between a heart, the supreme mind and a causal body. Ability to serve Culture unselfishly and permanently shows, that the bridge is being built and the qualities of heart are awaken. It is a purpose of Agni Yoga."
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After acquaintance with the Roerich site of the Spanish society in Bilbao, in conclusion we can say that the Roerich movement has really a world scale, which, undoubtedly, will extend. Sooner or later the Roerich movement will settle the matter of a world conference of Living Ethics, which can solve a lot of problems, as it is said, that our force is in unity. But it is necessary to work for joining up! The World Roerich Community is not far, it is only at the friendly handshake distance.
