Student of the Roerichs. Spiritual teachers of Humanity of the 19th-20th centuries

The names of Elena Ivanovna and Nikolai Konstantinovich Roerich are now known to many in our country. He is a major artist, thinker, archaeologist, traveler, and public figure. She is a spiritual leader, ascetic, philosopher. Her main achievement in life was that she conveyed to humanity the sacred teachings of the Himalayan Mahatmas.

14 books of Living Ethics or Agni Yoga forever entered her name into the treasury of planetary spiritual culture, immortalized it. Books of Living Ethics were published in 20-30. in Riga and Western Europe in Russian. Now this is the most popular series among people striving for spiritual perfection. They have been translated into many languages. All over the world there are societies of followers of Living Ethics.

Elena Ivanovna Shaposhnikova /Roerich/ was born on February 12, 1879. in St. Petersburg, in a noble family. Her family included Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov and composer Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky. From birth she was gifted with many abilities, including supernatural ones - clairvoyance and clairaudience. Elena Ivanovna brilliantly graduated from the Mariinsky Women's Gymnasium, then entered the St. Petersburg Music School, because had excellent musical abilities. After graduating from college, she planned to enter the St. Petersburg Conservatory.

The last two decades of the 19th century. were a period of maturation of self-awareness of the Russian intelligentsia. A period that prompted the intelligentsia to reassess values. Faith and hope in future changes were accompanied by fear of the collapse of established forms of existence.

At this time, Elena Ivanovna, a recognized social beauty, had great success in the world and attracted everyone's attention. This is how one of her contemporary, a witness of those years, remembers her: “She had some kind of charm, charm and unusual femininity in her entire appearance. She loved outfits, always dressed in the latest fashion, very elegant. She had a developed sense of beauty.” She paid some outward tribute to social life, attended balls, as was customary in her circle, but she was a romantic nature with high spiritual aspirations, and social life did not captivate her. She decided to marry a highly talented man in order to inspire him to high deeds, serve and help him. Her dream of meeting a like-minded person came true. A feeling of internal kinship and commonality of views, goals, and aspirations arose. Mutual love of rare purity was born, which went through many years of testing and only grew in adulthood. In 1901 they got married in St. Petersburg, and from that time their lives merged into one, and further we can only talk about the Roerichs - Elena Ivanovna and Nikolai Konstantinovich. In 1902 son Yuri was born, a future famous orientalist, and in 1904. - second son, Svyatoslav, is an artist, like his father.

In 1903-1904 the spouses travel through Russian cities: Nikolai Konstantinovich sought to identify the origins national history and culture. They traveled to about 40 cities in 2 years. At this time, their hobby is collecting works of art and antiques. Gradually, a magnificent family collection was formed, over 300 works, which they transferred to the Hermitage after the revolution.

Somewhat later, Elena Ivanovna’s passion for the East begins. She reads about India, studies the works of Ramakrishna, Vivekananda, Ramacharaka. Subsequently, Elena Ivanovna gratefully recalls these sources of knowledge, calling them “my first teachers.” By this time, Nikolai Konstantinovich was growing into a major artist and public figure. In their family, thoughts about universal, worldwide ways of cultural development, about the approaching general crisis, about the fate of humanity, about new ways of its development come to the fore.

The Russian intelligentsia was divided into two camps: one supported the ideas of the revolution, the other preached death, decadent aesthetics, and hopelessness. The Roerichs see the cause of the coming destruction in the impoverishment of the spirit. Together with the best representatives of the intelligentsia, they looked for a way out of the impasse. Gradually, confidence came: knowledge of the East is the spiritual light that can lead peoples out of the impasse of development. At the same time, there was a premonition of Russia's mission, which is a bridge between the West and the East. This view was not too original and alien to the public life of Russia. The idea of ​​a middle position for Russia was first expressed by Karamzin. The fateful role of Asia in the spiritual and historical development of Russia was seen by Dostoevsky and Tolstoy. The works of Helena Petrovna Blavatsky occupy a special place in the formation of Helena Roerich’s worldview.

From 1907 to 1909 The Roerichs are increasingly immersed in the study of India and Tibet. If Nikolai Konstantinovich sought to comprehend Asia through the study of archeology, ethnography, and folk customs, then Elena Ivanovna strives to study Eastern philosophy, mythology, and religions. She was especially interested in the legend of Shambhala. Elena Ivanovna saw it as a spiritual stronghold of Asia, where esoteric knowledge about man and the Universe was collected. Her thoughts and feelings gradually turn to the Himalayan Teachers. The premonition of a meeting with the Great Teacher does not leave her. The Roerich family met the revolution in Karelia, where they lived for 2 years until 1918.

A long-term attraction to the East results in the decision to make a long trip to India, Tibet and Mongolia to study Indian culture and get closer to the Himalayan ashrams. Such a difficult expedition required serious preparation. In 1919 The Roerich family moves to England. The first meeting of the Roerichs with representatives of the Hierarchy and the Great Teachers of the East takes place in England. Here they meet Rabindranath Tagore and Herbert Wells, who is passionate about Eastern metaphysics.

At this time, Nikolai Konstantinovich receives an invitation to take part in a tour of the USA with an exhibition of his paintings. America, where they hoped to finance an expensive expedition with the sale of paintings, becomes the next stop on the way to India. They stayed in America for 3 years.

Exhibitions of paintings by Nikolai Konstantinovich were a triumphant success, but a new enterprise was conceived - the Peace Pact - an interstate convention designed to preserve the cultural values ​​of peoples during wars. Elena Ivanovna continues to work on the book “The Call”, begun in England. The book represents the Teacher's call to his students to carry the Knowledge of the East.

In America, the Roerichs created several cultural organizations: the International Society of Artists "Flaming Heart", the Institute of United Arts and the Art Center "Crown of Peace".

In 1923 Elena Ivanovna and Nikolai Konstantinovich set off on an expedition equipped with funds from US public organizations under the American flag. In India, the Roerichs study ancient monuments of art and culture, visit monasteries, and walk the route along which Buddha walked while preaching. The expedition lasted 5 years. Together with the expedition members, Elena Ivanovna overcame dangerous passes, climbed high mountain ranges, defended against attacks by bandits, and walked more than 25 thousand kilometers.

At the beginning of the expedition, there was a meeting with the Teacher, which left the deepest impressions on Elena Ivanovna and Nikolai Konstantinovich. They receive another task - to transfer to the Soviet government a casket with sacred Himalayan soil for the grave of Lenin, whose name was highly revered in the East, and a message to the leaders of the USSR, where assistance was offered, based on the knowledge accumulated over millennia.

In 1926 The Roerichs arrive in Moscow, where, fulfilling the will of the Teachers, they convey the message of the Mahatmas to the Soviet government. Help was not rejected, but it was not accepted either. It was postponed "until better times." The return route to India lay through Altai, Siberia, and Mongolia. After long wanderings around Asia, in 1928, the Roerichs again arrived in northern India and purchased a house in the Kullu Valley. The task arose of scientific processing of the obtained materials. During the expedition, rare books, manuscripts, manuscripts, collections of archaeological finds, and religious objects were collected. For this purpose, the Roerichs created an institute called "Urusvati", which means "Light of the morning dawn". Elena Ivanovna becomes the honorary president - the founder of the Institute and its soul. His collaborators included such scientists as Albert Einstein, Nikolai Vavilov and others.

A period of enormous and difficult work has begun. The daily routine was scheduled minute by minute. We got up at sunrise at 5 a.m. and worked until late in the evening, with short breaks to listen to classical music records. Everyone went to their rooms and worked hard. Letters came from all over the world, and not a single one remained unanswered. Scientists from different countries came to Kullu, invited to work at the Urusvati Institute, as well as representatives of international Roerich societies. The reverence that surrounded the family in India was enormous. Their names were surrounded by legends.

All the books in the Agni Yoga series were written here: “Signs of Agni Yoga” /1929/, “Infinity” /1930/, “Hierarchy” /1931/, “Heart” /1932/, “Fiery World” /1935. /, "AUM" /1936/, "Brotherhood" /1937/. The second part of the book “Brotherhood” and the last in the series “Elevated” remained unfinished.

The promulgation of the Living Ethics is the main life feat of Helena Roerich. Her mission was accomplished so brilliantly that the Mahatmas called her the “Mother of Agni Yoga.”

This is a new moral and spiritual Teaching that combines the ancient wisdom of the East with the philosophical and scientific achievements of the West, providing ethical foundations of behavior and means of in-depth self-knowledge. This is a whole encyclopedia of spiritual improvement and transformation. This is a teaching about the hidden resources and capabilities of a person, about creative energies residing in the depths of consciousness. This is a cosmic teaching about the multidimensionality of existence, the immortality of the soul, and the integrity of the universe.

Speaking on almost every page about the revelation of the enormous psychoenergetic potential of man, Agni Yoga criticizes the passion for magic and all purely mechanical methods of awakening hidden forces. A person becomes a slave to artificially caused, incomprehensible forces and runs the risk of turning into a medium. According to living ethics, a person must carry out all work on the internal transformation of consciousness in ordinary living conditions, without interrupting normal activities.

The teaching of Agni Yoga is universal, it was given to the whole world, but in this teaching there was a certainty that it would be accepted, first of all, in Russia. "To the new Russia - my first message" /"Call"/.

World War II was brewing - the largest battle in world history. Elena Ivanovna proposes to establish an interstate public organization - the League of Culture. The creation of such a league was thought of as the unification of all light forces against the onslaught of darkness. The organization was created and existed for some time. Since the beginning of the Second World War, the Roerichs’ connection with societies and circles was interrupted. Scientists from other countries stopped coming. The Roerichs experienced the threat hanging over their Motherland. Throughout the five years of the war, they never once doubted the final victory. We tried to help achieve it. They transferred money to the Red Cross fund and the fund for assistance to the Soviet Union, gave lectures and radio broadcasts. Several times Yuri Nikolaevich and Svyatoslav Nikolaevich applied to the Soviet Embassy to enroll them in the ranks of the Red Army. The Roerichs' patriotic speeches made them many enemies.

After the war, the whole family was going to return to their homeland. Suitcases were packed, boxes with paintings were sent to the port, but Nikolai Konstantinovich unexpectedly dies. In 1948 Elena Ivanovna, together with Yuri Nikolaevich, makes another attempt to return to her homeland. But the visa was not received. Only in 1958 During his stay in India, Khrushchev gave permission to Yuri Nikolaevich to return.

Elena Ivanovna continues active correspondence and leads Roerich societies scattered all over the world. In her latest letters, she increasingly turns to the Russian mission. " Best Country will become the cosmic basis of balance in the world."

Two concepts - “Russia” and “humanity” - are fused together for Elena Ivanovna and Nikolai Konstantinovich Roerichs. In the article “Testament,” which was the testament of a great artist and great thinker, it is written: “This is what I bequeath to all of you: love the Motherland, love the Russian people, love all the peoples throughout our vast Motherland. Let this love teach you to love all of humanity. in separation, but only in the unification of people lies that enormous strength that will help not only Russians survive, but will help create a new state unprecedented on earth, which will be the spiritual reservoir from which, as from a source, all of humanity will draw life-giving forces. "

Introduction
Hierarchy
Jiddu Krishnamurti
Annie Besant
Ramakrishna
Alice Bailey
Vivekananda
Rudolf Steiner
Sri Aurobindo

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Nicholas Roerich studied at the Karl May Gymnasium from 1883 to 1893. Already on the day he entered the preparatory class of the gymnasium, the son of a famous St. Petersburg notary showed such a level of knowledge and intelligence that he attracted the attention of Karl Ivanovich, who called him a future professor. Home education, the nature of the Izvara estate owned by the Roerichs, participation in the excavations of local burial mounds - all this was fertile ground for the discovery and development of natural abilities, which was greatly facilitated by classes at school, especially geography and history lessons.

Episodes from his school days are sometimes found in memories of him. Thus, the American employee of the Roerichs Z.G. Fosdick (1889–1983) noted in a diary entry dated July 21, 1922:
"N.<иколай>TO<онстантинович>told a fun fact. The director of the gymnasium where he once studied congratulated him on Easter: “Christ is Risen, congratulations, Karl Ivanovich!” And he usually answered: “Me too.”

The visual-historical teaching method, combined with thematic school performances and educational excursions, aroused the student’s interest in a deeper study of the events of distant antiquity. School performances, both geographical, where he, for example, played the role of the Volga River, and dramatic, more often based on the works of N.V. Gogol, whom he loved for his high spirituality and subtle otherworldliness, was allowed to show success in drawing, since he was offered to participate in the design of scenery and programs.
Studying at the gymnasium proceeded with varying degrees of success; From year to year, knowledge of history was assessed with the highest score; natural subjects were more difficult to comprehend. In addition to drawing and archaeology, Nikolai also showed himself in the literary field. Nicholas Roerich's literary abilities manifested themselves during his years at school; The first publication dates back to 1891, when his stories were published in the Okhotnichnaya Gazeta. Since this year, essays (some of them published under the pseudonym Izgoy) and drawings can be found on the pages of such magazines as “Zvezda”, “Russian Hunter”, etc. Classes at school were repeatedly complicated by the unsatisfactory state of his health, for which the damp St. Petersburg climate was unfavorable. So, in the spring of 1888, from March to the end school year, including the examination period, Nicholas Roerich was absent from classes, which entailed repeating the fourth grade course. Four years later, in the spring of 1892, the situation repeated itself. This time he had to study a lot in the summer so that before starting last year study to pass missed exams.
Almost from the first lessons of history, the then young teacher of this subject earned respect in the eyes of high school student Roerich, as evidenced by the inscription on the photograph taken at that time: “To dear Alexander Lavrentievich Lipovsky in good memory from Nicholas Roerich. St. Petersburg 25.X.92.”

Nicholas Roerich graduated from the eight-year gymnasium course in the spring of 1893 fourth in academic performance with an average score of 3.73. Among the nine other graduates of this class were the future major hydraulic engineer Ivan Vasilyevich Petrashen (1875–1937) and the future major architect of the Art Nouveau era Friedrich-August Fridrikhovich Postels (1873–1960). The certificate he received stated that “his behavior was generally excellent, his efficiency in attending and preparing lessons, as well as in the execution of written work was exemplary, his diligence was exemplary and his curiosity in all subjects was very lively.” Evidence of this latter character trait can be found in the List of Initial Guides for Self-Education, apparently written in the early 1890s. It was carefully preserved for many years by Lyudmila Stepanovna Mitusova. It contains 12 sections - mathematics; mechanics; astronomy; physicists; chemistry; physical geography, geology, meteorology; physiology (biology); logic and psychology; sociology; philosophy (with the subtitle “systematization of sciences and the question of the meaning of life”); studying Russia; fiction - which characterizes the wide range of interests of the young man.
Subsequently, Nicholas Roerich, already a student at the Academy of Arts, created a self-education circle on the basis of this program, which did not last long, however.
N.K. Roerich entered two higher educational institutions at the same time - the University at the Faculty of Law, in accordance with his father’s wishes, and the Academy of Arts, in accordance with his clearly discovered abilities and his own attraction. Having learned about this, V.A. Krakau, as N.K. wrote in his diary in 1894. Roerich, “said that, in addition to everything else, I already have a great advantage over many artists - this is education and knowledge of many things that others do not know.” The diary author commented on this opinion with his characteristic modesty: “Lord, help me justify his words. In the depths of my soul I realize that I do not deserve such a review, except, perhaps, for Russian history.”

With his work and unsurpassed achievements N.K. Roerich not only justified these words of V.A. Krakau and the prophecy of K.I. May, but also became one of the greatest humanist thinkers of the twentieth century, the author of thousands of wonderful paintings. In 1897 N.K. Roerich successfully graduated from the Academy of Arts, receiving the title of artist for the painting “Messenger. Rising gens against gens,” immediately acquired by P.M. Tretyakov from an exhibition at the Academy of Arts. Next year with the defense of the diploma " Legal status artists Ancient Rus'» His university education was completed. His entire further life path, more or less studied and illuminated in numerous literature, was devoted to creativity, which found increasing recognition every year. Already in 1901 he was elected secretary of the Imperial Society for the Encouragement of Arts, in 1906 he became director of the School of this society, and in 1909 the Academy of Arts elected N.K. Roerich as a full member. The range of his creative directions is very wide - here is a huge number of canvases on mythologized historical themes, and decorations for performances, and monumental painting, and landscapes, and sketches created during various scientific expeditions, serious archaeological research and, of course, essays. If we add to this numerous exhibitions in various countries of the world, organizational activities in various societies and concerns about the family that arose in 1901, in which two sons grew up, one can only be amazed at how, with all this, he always managed to remain the way he was superbly described younger son Svyatoslav. According to his memoirs, he was “a man with a clear and thoughtful face. He always had a calm voice, he never raised it, and the whole expression of his face reflected that amazing restraint and self-control that were the basis of his character. It was the calmness of an extraordinary person, serious and friendly, thoughtful, with a remarkably sharp sense of humor. There was a balanced harmony in all his movements. He was never in a hurry, and yet his productivity was amazing. He wrote in a large and clear hand, never correcting or changing his sentences and words, and least of all his thoughts. Under all circumstances, in the most difficult situations, he remained calm and self-possessed and never wavered in his decisions.”
Nicholas Roerich tried to maintain contact with his native school. When the gymnasium moved to a new building, the venerable artist, who by that time headed the World of Art association, responded to this event with a congratulatory telegram with the following content: “I welcome the consecration of the new building of the Gymnasium, I sincerely wish brilliant success to this great useful work, I regret that I cannot be there in person. Nicholas Roerich. Oct 31 1910." He expressed his attitude towards the appearance of a new house at his alma mater not only in short lines of telegraph text, but also - four years later - in an article in which he described in detail the historical office of the school, which, naturally, was closest to his interests. This office also contained exhibits from Roerich’s first burial mound excavations, which he later recalled: “Several of my mementos remained from my school years at the May gymnasium. There were objects from the first burial mound excavations near our estate Izvara, Tsarskoye Selo district.” The content of the above-mentioned article, the thoughts expressed by the author, their relevance, provide the basis for reproducing most of it in the context of this article.

Achievements

...Secondary school, from the junior levels, thought about what until recently remained discarded, remained funny. Created for the meaning of life, for beauty, enters the horizon junior schoolchildren. This is already a victory! The charm will turn into life. I'm very happy. I look at the book. You and I have never seen such books. She could only appear now. “Educational and auxiliary institutions of the gymnasium and real school K.I. May, edited by director A.L. Lipovsky. I. Historical cabinet.” I have long known the brilliant work of Alexander Lavrentievich Lipovsky and am glad that it is he who leads in new conquests high school in History and Art. Look through the book. Look at what the gymnasium equips its pupils with from the first stages of their conscious horizons. All the best editions are available. All auxiliary tables. Reproductions of paintings by the best artists. A living unity of antiquity with modern art. Personal works of students are carefully integrated into the artistic setting. Modeling. Drawings. I can imagine how much joy it would be for the kids to apply their skills to such construction. In addition to publications, paintings and models, the office has its own museum of original items. This side of the cabinet can be developed even more extensively. If each student brings at least one object of art and antiquity, how many hundreds of things will immediately be added! And the students will carry it. Everyone is interested in leaving at least one thing for the common benefit and joy. They'll bring it themselves. They themselves will learn to vividly and accurately describe a thing and protect it firmly. It's a living thing. We were not allowed near him. Young people have new paths ahead. In these ways, all life will be renewed, and we must do everything in our power to help the secondary school with the best measures to expand the tasks that will lead to beautiful conquests. I rejoice at the secondary school movement also because, going down to the small ones, capturing a wide circle, the study of art and antiquity will go beyond the limits of something special, beyond the limits of patriotism and nationalism and will move, like ordinary literacy, into the wide area of ​​feelings and knowledge of universal humanity. Will move on to wise, calm appreciation and joy. While the importance of art is strengthened, if someone says that in the name of art they reproach him and slander him, let us say: Can those at war interfere with rejoicing, working, creating? No one can stop you from knowing and creating.”

Final words sound like an optimistic motto that defines the basic meaning of life at all times and for all peoples. The school director, who was on vacation in Pyatigorsk at that time, immediately responded to the publication with a letter of gratitude to Smolensk, where N.K. Roerich then worked on the estate of Princess M.K. Tenisheva (1858 – 1928):
“Dear Nikolai Konstantinovich! I read your note in “Russian Word” and deeply appreciate<ельности>to you for your kind attitude towards<о мне и>for your flattering review of our<каби>nope and in general for sympathy<вие>modest aspirations<едней>schools to the highest “achievements”. My sincerely devoted A. Lipovsky.”
Shortly before this, on December 5, 1913, the school sent a letter to the Committee of the Society for the Encouragement of the Arts with a request for a donation of art publications for the history cabinet, the description of which is attached. N.K. Roerich immediately made a corresponding order, as a result of which a letter with the following content was sent to the Society he headed: “The Pedagogical Council of the Gymnasium and Real College of K. May brings to the Committee of the Imperial Society for the Encouragement of the Arts its sincere gratitude for the donations of the society’s publications: “Treasures of Russia”, “ Russian ornament” and “Russian folk ornament”. Director A. Lipovsky April 16, 1914"
The venerable artist, wherever he was, always willingly maintained relationships with school teachers. “...I spoke kindly with Sakovsky and Solntsev - after all, May’s teachers...”, he wrote to his wife from Kislovodsk on June 19, 1913. When Nikolai Konstantinovich found out that he was turning 25 pedagogical activity A.L. Lipovsky, he did not fail to send a large congratulation full of kind words. In turn, the school, which always rejoiced at the successes of its students, did not forget to celebrate a similar anniversary of N.K. a year later. Roerich, sending him a short but succinct congratulation:
“Dear Nikolai Konstantinovich! The Pedagogical Council of the K. May Gymnasium, which had the good fortune to cherish your adolescence and youth, greets YOU, THE PRIDE OF RUSSIAN ART, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of your glorious artistic activity and wishes you many years to come. Director A. Lipovsky Secretary F. Nechaev December 11, 1915.”
IN post-revolutionary years, when the no less fruitful life of N.K. Roerich's studies took place abroad, it was no longer possible to maintain direct contact with the school, however, in the years 1935, 1937 and 1947. In the “leaves of his diary” he included many kind words relating to his school years. But the defining chapter in this book of biographical, deeply philosophical essays is the one called “Signs of Life.” The lines written in it show great depth comprehension of N.K. Roerich of earthly life; sometimes it seems that this man alone was able to formulate the concepts of human existence and the essence of his noble aspirations. And the fact that an outstanding artist and philosopher was once an ordinary student at K. May’s gymnasium is a special symbol of the continuous connection of times, the unity of the simple and the great. “If someone said that he had no time to think about the past,” wrote N.K. Roerich, - for all his consciousness is directed only into the future, then one could regret his limitations, but still understand this peculiar aspiration. But when people, due to laziness and lack of curiosity, even forget about the immediate past, and at the same time, due to squalor and inertia, do not allow themselves to even think about the future, then the result is some kind of inanimate state of the body, because an organism with only digestive functions cannot be a human being.” , which, naturally, is unacceptable for any person, regardless of his level of development.
The information page is entirely based on materials from N.V.’s books. Blagovo.

Literature:
Blagovo N.V. School on Vasilyevsky Island. St. Petersburg, “Science”, 2005. Part 1.
Blagovo N.V. The Roerich family in the K.I.May gymnasium. St. Petersburg, “Science”, 2006

Frolov Viktor Vasilievich,

Doctor of Philosophy, Professor,

Deputy General Director of the N.K. Roerich Museum for scientific work,

Head of the United Scientific Center for Problems of Space Thinking

at International Center Roerichov, Moscow.

“Once in Finland I was sitting on the shore of Lake Ladoga with a peasant boy. A middle-aged man passed us, and my little companion stood up and took off his cap with great respect. I asked him afterwards: “Who was this man?” And with particular seriousness the boy replied: “This is the teacher.” I asked again, “Is he your teacher?” “No,” the boy answered, “he is a teacher from a neighboring school.” “Do you know him personally?” – I insisted. “No,” he replied in surprise... “Then why did you greet him so respectfully?” Even more seriously, my little companion replied: “Because he is a teacher.” This short story from N.K. Roerich’s essay “Guru – Teacher” perhaps most accurately expresses his attitude towards the Teachers, who played a huge role in the Master’s life.

A document has been preserved certifying that Nicholas Konstantinovich Roerich was born in St. Petersburg in 1874 on October 9 (September 27, O.S.) in the family of the notary Konstantin Fedorovich Roerich and his wife Maria Vasilievna. Roerich was lucky with his teachers. He studied at one of the best educational institutions of the then St. Petersburg - the K. May gymnasium. His first mentors, who gave all the heat of their hearts to their students, set an example of a highly moral attitude towards their work. By their example, they helped Roerich to form his highest qualities, to which the Master was faithful throughout his life - a deep consciousness of personal responsibility for everything that he had to do, and the personal duty that life placed on him.

N.K. Roerich writes about his teachers with amazing warmth and cordiality. “We ourselves, remembering our school and university years, turn especially warmly to those teachers who taught clearly and simply. It makes no difference to the thing itself whether it will be higher mathematics or philosophy, or history, or geography - absolutely everything could find clear forms from gifted teachers.”

After graduating from high school, he simultaneously studied at the law department of St. Petersburg University and at the Imperial Academy of Arts. Already as a student, Roerich communicated with famous cultural figures - V.V. Stasov, I.E. Repin, N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov, D.V. Grigorovich, S.P. Diaghilev, A.N. Benois, A. .A.Blok and others. During this period, N.K. Roerich was engaged in archaeological excavations, wrote his first literary works, and created paintings. In 1897, Tretyakov purchased N. Roerich’s diploma work “The Messenger” for his gallery.

Huge influence on moral and general creative development young Roerich was assisted by A.I. Kuindzhi, with whom he studied at the Academy of Arts. “I remember,” wrote N.K. Roerich, “in the most sublime words about my teacher, Professor Kuindzhi, the famous Russian artist. The story of his life could fill the most inspiring pages of biography for the younger generation. He was a simple shepherd in Crimea. Only by a consistent, passionate pursuit of art was he able to overcome all obstacles and finally become not only a respected artist and a man of great potential, but also a real Guru for his disciples in his high Hindu concept." What, besides the rare hard work and determination, sincerity and love for his students in the guise of Kuindzhi, inspired Roerich to exalted veneration of his teacher? Kuindzhi was a Teacher in the highest sense of the word. He was the Guru. Once, Roerich recalls, students at the Academy of Arts rebelled against the vice-president of the Council, Tolstoy. And no one could calm them down. The situation became very serious. Then Kuindzhi came to the meeting and said, addressing the students, that they had come to the Academy to become artists, and therefore he asked them to start work. The rally stopped immediately. Such was Kuindzhi’s authority.

Nikolai Konstantinovich was selflessly devoted to his teacher. His wife, E.I. Roerich, wrote about this quality of Roerich: “Kuindzhi was a great teacher,” recalled Elena Ivanovna. – But only the student N.K. who appreciated him. he himself became great. Those same students who were not averse to belittling him and even calling him simply “Arkhip” behind his back gradually completely deteriorated and faded away.” N.K. Roerich carried his sublime veneration of the Teachers, gratitude and devotion to the Teachers throughout his life. I cannot resist citing Roerich’s memoirs about the Indian Gurus, in which he reveals the essence of teaching and his attitude towards teaching.

“Many years later,” Roerich wrote, “in India I saw such Gurus and saw devoted disciples who, without any servility, enthusiastically revered their Gurus, with that sensitivity that is so characteristic of India.

I heard a delightful story about a little Indian who found his teacher. He was asked: “Can the sun darken for you if you see it without the Teacher?”

The boy smiled: “The sun must remain the sun, but in the presence of the Teacher, twelve suns will shine for me.”

Roerich's first teachers helped him find himself in the space of true culture and beauty. His wife E.I. Roerich, nee Shaposhnikova, had no less influence on Roerich. Roerich met her in 1899, and in 1901 Elena Ivanovna became his wife. The Roerichs will spend their entire lives together, spiritually and creatively complementing and enriching each other. E.I. Roerich, who announced to the world a new, cosmic worldview in the books of Living Ethics, will become the spiritual leader of all N.K. Roerich’s creative endeavors, and Nikolai Konstantinovich will sensitively listen to the advice of his “friend” and implement her ideas in artistic and scientific and literary creativity.

N.K. Roerich had an unusually high regard for E.I. Roerich. He published many of his books with dedication: “To Elena, my wife, friend, companion, inspiration.” Elena Ivanovna was the bright genius of the Roerich family, who inspired all its members to spiritual and creative achievements. N.K. Roerich translated into his artistic work the inspired ideas and images that arose from Elena Ivanovna. Their sons, Yuri and Svyatoslav, took part in the cultural activities of the Roerichs. The Roerich family was a single whole and lived with a constant and unshakable striving for culture, knowledge and creativity in the name of the Common Good.

The creative heritage of N.K. Roerich, inseparable from the cultural heritage of his family, is so multifaceted that everyone who embarks on the path of spiritual improvement will find priceless spiritual treasures in Roerich’s heritage, without the development of which true human development is impossible. Roerich’s books cannot simply be read as one reads a historical narrative or a literary essay, for each of his works, as it were, opens a window into an absolutely amazing world - the power of Roerich. This is a world of unique discoveries and deepest insights of a thinker-artist, helping to feel the enchanting beauty of the Universe. In Roerich's power the synthesis of religion, art and science is embodied, fusing all the spiritual accumulations of humanity into a single whole. There, cowardice, weakness of will, betrayal and many other things that a person needs to free himself from are completely unwelcome. The borders of this power are guarded by selfless people, devoted to the common cause, with an unshakable will and a pure heart, always ready for heroism.

N.K. Roerich never stood still in scientific, artistic creativity and cultural projects, he was constantly improving. For him it was a way of existence. He did this solely for the sake of the Common Good and serving Culture, to which Roerich dedicated many of his works - “Culture - the veneration of Light.” “Winner Culture”, “The Value of Beauty” and others. People who serve Culture are truly happy. Happiness does not lie in gold, Roerich notes, but in beauty, which is personified in nature, human relationships and works of art. Those who are drawn to Culture, making it the basis of their lives, endure and win in the most difficult life situations, since Culture gives a person confidence in his abilities. Although victory may be invisible, because its space is ultimately the spiritual world of man. That is why Culture is the basis of Teaching, the sphere of which is the spiritual improvement of man.

In his artistic work, Roerich revealed the originality of Russian culture, rooted in ancient Slavic traditions. His paintings depicting the life and culture of the Slavs were exhibited at the largest exhibitions in St. Petersburg and Moscow. At the same time, he saw in Russian culture such facets that connected it with the culture of the East and West. Studying the culture of past eras and defending it from destruction and oblivion, Roerich saw in it the grains of the imperishable, eternal, which sprouted with fresh, green shoots into the future. He viewed the future as a slice of history that is rooted in the past and without the past has no prospects for development.

N.K. Roerich was focused on the future, bright and beautiful, all his life. It was for the sake of a better future that he carried out unique expeditions and wrote philosophical works, created paintings and cultural organizations, taking an active part in their work. “They sometimes think about the future,” wrote N.K. Roerich in his essay “A Better Future,” but very often it is not included in everyday discussions. Of course not in human power fully determine the future, but you should strive for it with all your consciousness. And we should not strive for a vague future, but precisely for a better future. This endeavor will already be a guarantee of success.” Nikolai Konstantinovich did not think of a better future outside of Culture and Beauty. Roerich was convinced that only Culture and Beauty would help a person overcome many negative qualities and imperfections and reach a higher stage of evolution.

N.K. Roerich not only comprehended possible ways of shaping the future, he built it throughout his life. It came to life under the pen of the thinker with the deepest ideas and under the brush of the artist - with beautiful images of nature and the inhabitants of the countries that Roerich visited. The future arose in the ascetic cultural projects of the thinker, in numerous cultural organizations created on his initiative, and in many other things into which the titanic energy of the Master was poured. N.K. Roerich was a kind of pioneer who paved the way to the future for his contemporaries and those who replaced them. For him, the past, present and future were united into a coherent flow of history, thanks to enduring cultural values.

Beauty plays the most important evolutionary role in the life of the Cosmos, humanity and humans. It, according to Roerich, is a multifaceted energetic phenomenon and serves as the basis for the spiritual improvement of man. The energy of Beauty contained in the fruits of the creativity of spiritual ascetics, such as V.S. Solovyov, A.N. Scriabin, M.K. Ciurlionis, N.K. Roerich, imbues the energy of people who come into contact with their beautiful creations. This helps people overcome life's difficulties and become better people. Therefore, a person, if he wants to improve his life, cannot help but strive for Beauty. N.K. Roerich, as if developing the thought of F.M. Dostoevsky: “Beauty will save the world,” said: “Awareness of Beauty will save the world.” It is the awareness and creation of Beauty by a person in the life of every day that will transform the person himself and the world in which he lives. The clearest example of this is the work of N.K. Roerich, who created Beauty as an artist, philosopher and cultural figure. In this N.K. Roerich saw the meaning not only of his life, but also the objective meaning of the life of every person. “After all, everything strives for beauty in its own way,” wrote N.K. Roerich.

In comprehending the beauty of life and establishing high ideals, Nikolai Konstantinovich had someone to follow as an example. One of the mentors deeply revered by Roerich was the priest Father John of Kronstadt, who played a very important role in the spiritual formation of N.K. Roerich and in general in the life of his parents and brother Yuri Nikolaevich. The life of N.K. Roerich himself, which took place under the sensitive guidance of the Teachers, is not perceived as anything other than a feat. The difficulties that accompanied Roerich were comparable to the planetary scale of his personality and the enormous power of his spirit. Roerich, together with his family, with honor overcame all seemingly insurmountable obstacles and adversity, purposefully and unwaveringly carrying out his mission. By nature, Roerich was a builder, a creator of Culture. “Roerich’s entire active life,” writes V. Ivanov, “growing from the Russian soil, is constant and useful, persistent and benevolent construction. It is not for nothing that he often repeats in his writings the French proverb: “When construction is underway, everything is underway.”

"Friendly construction..." These words, perhaps, express the pathos of Roerich’s entire life path. This path was marked by the cultural discoveries of the Master, the formation of which was influenced by the spiritual traditions of Russia, whose origins go back to the distant past. To the past when Saint Sergius performed his asceticism. Five centuries have passed since then. But the appearance of Sergius still “also shines, teaches and leads.” For the entire Russian people, Sergius remains a spiritual Mentor and Teacher. N.K. Roerich could not help but accept his ideas. He was not alone in this. E.I. Roerich, who wrote an excellent work about Sergius, emphasized the enormous importance of the asceticism of St. Sergius for the construction of the Russian Land. “...The memory of Sergius,” wrote Helena Roerich, “will never die, for the great magnet of the spirit that he placed in the soul of the Russian people is great. The history of the development of spirituality in the Russian soul and the beginning of the gathering and construction of the Russian Land are inextricably linked with this great Ascetic.” Roerich, by painting church churches and creating canvases based on Russian history, seemed to continue the cultural and moral traditions formed by St. Sergius. Working in churches and visiting ancient Russian cities, Nikolai Konstantinovich felt the currents of history converging in the space of cultural construction and unification of the Russian Land. Sergius also laid down the traditions of construction and creation, setting an example of community life, which was based on the high moral authority of Sergius himself. The monk instilled in the community members the spirit of self-sacrifice and asceticism primarily by personal example. Later, Sergius’s ideas were embodied in the art of icon painting by the great painter Andrei Rublev, who created the world-famous “Trinity”. Its plot was based on Sergius’s views on peace and harmony. The result of Sergius’s ascetic activity was the unification of the Russian lands, which made possible the victory of the Russian army in 1380 over the Mamaev hordes.

N.K. Roerich appeared in Russia much later than Sergius. At the same time, the asceticism of Sergius and the creativity of Roerich touched in some deep moments. The actions of Sergius and all the undertakings of Roerich united the motives of creation for the sake of the Common Good. Both the monk and the artist showed in all their deeds that cultural and moral construction lies at the basis of such creation. Nicholas Konstantinovich and Elena Ivanovna Roerich deeply revered the moral precepts of St. Sergius. This seemed to manifest their heartfelt and reverent attitude towards Orthodox shrines and in general towards true Orthodoxy, which was one of the sources of creative inspiration for the Roerichs in their work on works of art and philosophical works.

Many years later, images of St. Sergius would appear on icons. “Church icon painters,” notes L.V. Shaposhnikova, “will carefully and prudently paint it with an unearthly, holy detachment in their eyes. However, history will bring to us another Sergius of Radonezh. Philosopher and thinker, warrior and politician. The man-builder of Russian culture and Russian statehood. An earthly tireless ascetic and worker. Sharp features, visionary eyes and strong hands accustomed to hard physical labor. This is how we see Sergius in the paintings of Nicholas Roerich.” It can be assumed that it was precisely these qualities of Sergius that inspired N.K. Roerich when he depicted the Reverend in his paintings. For Roerich, the image of Sergius was a collective one, absorbing the best qualities of the Russian people. “Sergius,” wrote E.I. Roerich, “is just an example - beloved by the people themselves - of clarity, transparent and even light. He, of course, is our intercessor. Five hundred years later, looking at his image, you feel: Yes, great is Russia! Yes, holy power was given to her. Yes, we can live next to the true power.” Roerich, of course, felt the influence of the ideas of St. Sergius on Russian culture. And this could not but affect his work. In addition, the life of the great Russian Ascetic for Roerich was the highest moral example of service to the Common Cause. Therefore, Sergius can without a doubt be considered as a spiritual Mentor, a Teacher of Roerich. Roerich associated with St. Sergius all the best that was in Russia. Contact with the spiritual feat of Sergius, which influenced him through the centuries, work on the image of the monk gave Nikolai Konstantinovich a lot to determine the main milestones of his future life.

N.K. Roerich not only constantly improved himself, learned from his teachers, but also, being an excellent teacher and educator, helped others learn. Together with E.I. Roerich, he raised his sons - Yuri and Svyatoslav, whose scientific and artistic achievements entered the golden fund of world culture, primarily due to the fact that Nikolai Konstantinovich was able to instill in his sons a sense of reverence for Beauty and raise them as people of high culture. It is very important. But no less important is the fact that the sons of N.K. Roerich possessed the highest human qualities. And this was largely the merit of Roerich - father and teacher.

In addition to the sphere of family education, N.K. Roerich showed his gift as a teacher in the public sphere. He took an active part in the education of young people, to whose problems he devoted a number of his works. One of these problems was the relationship between generations. Elders, Roerich said, complain a lot and attack young people because they prefer dancing, avoid lectures, and do not want to read. The youth are also facing other charges. But if, Roerich believed, we think about the reasons for all this, then the older generation should take on a significant share of responsibility for the moral state of youth. Roerich always believed in youth and tried to encourage and support them. In youth he saw, first of all, aspiration for high human tasks. Despite the enormous difficulties that many young people face, they find the strength to affirm good milestones. Aren’t these the wonderful sprouts of the new, which Nikolai Konstantinovich noticed with his keen eye, being in the thick of life and communicating with young people. Roerich especially valued among young people the aspiration for high quality work, which, according to Roerich, is more often found among working youth, whom his family met more than wealthy and wealthy youth. Therefore, Roerich advocated for a serious attitude towards young people, for trusting them and involving them in responsible matters. Roerich assigned a special role to the teacher in working with youth. “...Educate a people’s teacher,” wrote Nikolai Konstantinovich, “Give him a tolerable existence. Call young people as collaborators in all matters. Show young people the beauty of creativity."

N.K. Roerich knew the life and work of the teacher firsthand, since for more than ten years he worked as the director of the Drawing School of the Imperial Society for the Encouragement of the Arts in St. Petersburg, and also taught in other educational institutions. Colleagues and students always respected and loved Nikolai Konstantinovich. This was the case at the Drawing School. Roerich was able to direct its work in such a way that the School began to enjoy great authority both among young people seeking to receive an artistic education, and among the artistic intelligentsia of St. Petersburg, the best representatives of which worked at the School. N.K. Roerich had his own pedagogical principles, which he firmly and persistently pursued in his work with beginning artists. He considered the main thing to be the education in them of creative thinking and responsibility for the quality of work. Roerich was a very demanding teacher. And he had the moral right to do this, since he showed high demands primarily on himself. These qualities of Roerich, along with devotion, gratitude and love for the Teachers, allowed him to steadily ascend along the path of ascetic construction.

Wherever Roerich collaborated, he became a special spiritual magnet, attracting interesting, talented people. N.K. Roerich had an amazing gift - to unite like-minded people for the sake of the Common Good. He saw unity as the key to the successful creative activity of his employees, whom he approached with a very high moral standard. This includes heartfelt trust, widespread good work, selfless love for culture, devotion to it, and much more that a person needs for his improvement. When people striving to live up to this ideal find each other, a community arises, which Roerich calls a center of good work. “Commonwealth – what a sweet and heartfelt word,” writes Nikolai Konstantinovich. It contains mutual understanding, mutual respect, and cooperation. This means that it is in it, in the word – community – that the most essential thing lies. A community cannot live if the people who come together in it do not know what mutual assistance is and do not understand what self-improvement is.”

These beautiful words fit so well on the heart because a person can truly find what he needs most in the community. And the reason is that the community is based on the internal spiritual discipline of its employees. They support each other not only in the midst of difficulties, but also in joy. At the same time, they completely lack envy and malicious whispering, so often found in formal societies. Commonwealths can form a bulwark of true statehood, because the fellows accept the natural hierarchy that underlies true state power. The energy of communities is aimed at creation; they have nothing to do with destruction. The Commonwealth should not be abstract; it always has specific goals and acts in accordance with them. Relationships between friends should be free, benevolent and based on cordial trust. In serving humanity, according to Roerich, lies the duty of “comrades”. It is all the more joyful because it is carried out for the benefit of one’s neighbor. Only then will the commonwealth be viable. This is how N.K. Roerich imagined the commonwealth. It was for him the ideal of future human relations, to the implementation of which he encouraged his closest collaborators.

To a certain extent, this ideal was and continues to be realized in Russia in the pedagogy of cooperation, the ideas of which throughout the history of mankind were developed by spiritual ascetics, outstanding educators and teachers. In Russian pedagogy, these ideas were actively put into practice in the 30s. of the twentieth century, finding further development today in the works of such famous teachers as E.N. Ilyin, V.F. Shatalov, S.N. Lysenkova, Sh.A. Amonashvili and others.

Roerich has already done a lot in Russia. But he had even more to do outside his homeland, which Nikolai Konstantinovich had to leave shortly before the revolution. On the recommendation of doctors, in 1916, Roerich and his family left for Finland and settled in the quiet town of Serdobol, and a little later on the shores of Lake Ladoga. The climate of Finland was beneficial for Roerich. It was assumed that after recovery, Nikolai Konstantinovich would return to St. Petersburg. But this did not happen, since in 1918 Finland separated from Russia and after some time the border was closed. Thus began a new and very important period in Roerich’s life.

The life of the Roerichs on the shore of the lake was outwardly quiet and measured. “Ladoga,” writes L.V. Shaposhnikova, “opened up before them in all its amazing and unique beauty. There was softness and severity in her, she smelled of deep antiquity and the purity that the eternal combination of water, rocks and pine forests gives. Purple-orange sunrises rose and scarlet sunsets blazed over a huge sea-like lake. The water absorbed the generous blue of the sky and was saturated with it. The wind drove clouds across the sky, bizarrely changing their shapes, and it seemed that these were not clouds, but bizarre visions floating over the lake and the earth. Visions that contain something special, as if they were carrying a message from somewhere far away and trying to convey it in unexpected symbols and figures.”

At the same time, despite the outward calm, the consciousness of N.K. Roerich increasingly entered into the premonition of some significant changes, in anticipation of which every day of his life passed. But Roerich did not just wait, he worked hard. In the paintings painted during that period, Roerich expressed his inner state - the expectation of something new and significant: “Waiting”, “Waiting”, “Eternal Waiting”, “Waiting on the Pier”. Waiting for some important events It was painful and almost unbearable also because Nikolai Konstantinovich felt more and more clearly the signs of future changes. N.K. Roerich’s experiences and reflections were reflected in his poems contained in three cycles: “Signs”, “Messenger”, “To a Boy”. At first glance, the poems seem somehow unusual, perhaps expressing the fabulous world of northern nature and the very difficult inner states of the author himself. But at the same time, in these poetic cycles, Roerich comprehended the deepest philosophical problems that were relevant primarily for Roerich himself. Due to lack of space, I will try to give only general characteristics poetic creativity of the Master. Roerich's poetry essentially contains his entire worldview, but taken not as a ready-made set or system of positions, but manifested as a process of spiritual formation and development of the thinker.

Poetic cycles were created by Roerich in the period 1911 - 1921, largely coinciding with that stage of Nikolai Konstantinovich’s life when his spiritual essence as a thinker, artist and cultural figure was formed and defined. P.F. Belikov gives a very capacious description of this facet of N.K. Roerich’s spiritual evolution: “Answering some questions about the book “Flowers of Moria,” S.N. (Svyatoslav Nikolaevich Roerich - approx. Author) wrote: “...Poems by N.K. already from the very beginning contained the inner key to his subsequent aspiration” (letter dated April 11, 1963). It is in this light that one should approach the revelation of the true meaning of N.K.’s poetic creativity, in which behind poetic images and allegories there are hidden autobiographical moments associated with the experience of understanding the primary tasks of the era and one’s role in their implementation.”

These tasks relate to the transition of humanity to a higher level of development. And in their implementation, the Roerichs were given the mission of pioneers, paving the way for humanity to hitherto unattainable heights of the spirit. This mission, very responsible and difficult, was entrusted to the Roerichs by the Teachers of humanity, whose role in evolution requires explanation.

According to N.K. Roerich’s worldview, the Universe is a majestic spiritualized system in which there is a constant exchange of energy between its structures. The vital activity of the Universe, the Cosmos is supported by this energy exchange. Therefore, Cosmic Evolution is an energetic process. Man, being a part of the Cosmos, is also included in this energy exchange. In the process of energy exchange, energy accumulation occurs, increasing the energy of a person, peoples, countries, the Earth and preparing the preconditions for their further advancement along the spiral of Cosmic Evolution.

Evolution and involution are two sides of the same process. Quite often, involution is understood as a fall, a descent to a level lower than what has already been achieved. Meanwhile, “in order for any evolution to begin,” writes L.V. Shaposhnikova, “the fiery spark of the spirit must enter or descend into inert matter. For spirit this is involution, for matter it is the beginning of evolution.” Having descended into matter, the spark of the spirit with its energy creates a difference in the potentials of the spirit and matter and thereby forms the energy for ascent. The role of such a spark of spirit is usually performed by a High Essence. This Essence, “having completed the cycle of its earthly incarnations,” further writes L.V. Shaposhnikova, “can continue its ascent in the Higher Worlds. But some of them, mastering the energy mechanisms of evolution, voluntarily return to Earth again in order to begin a new stage, or a new round of the Cosmic evolution of humanity with the spark of their spirit.” In India, such High Beings are respectfully called Mahatmas or Great Souls. These are the Great Teachers of humanity, with whom N.K. Roerich and E.I. Roerich were lucky enough to meet more than once.

Myths, legends and tales of all peoples of the world tell about the Teacher - a sage, an educator, a mentor. The image of the Teacher, rooted in ancient times, is revered in all cultures. It occupies a special place in the culture of India, where Teachers are still revered - gurus who help people make their way to spirituality and beauty. It was precisely these Teachers that N.K. Roerich saw in India and wrote a wonderful essay about them, “The Guru-Teacher.” The image of the Teacher permeates the entire Indian history in a continuous line, as if refracting in specific cultural milestones the “Great Law of the Hierarchy of the Animated Cosmos”, in the space of which, thanks to the Teacher, the spiritual improvement of man and humanity takes place and their connection with cosmic evolution is realized.

Therefore, it is no coincidence that the leading theme of Roerich’s poetic work was the theme of the Teacher, for Nikolai Konstantinovich reflected in his poems his feelings and impressions caused by his communication with the Teachers. Roerich perceived the first appearances of the Teacher in a dream. Here is how Nikolai Konstantinovich writes about this in one of his poems:

You, who comes in silence,

silently say that I am in life

wanted and what did I achieve?

Lay your hand on me -

I will again be able and willing,

and what you want will be remembered at night

In the morning

In the poems “Light” and “Drops,” Roerich reveals his perception of the Teacher as the personification of something very perfect and beautiful, which manifests itself through the beautiful appearance of the Teacher both in his shining light and in his grace, which pours onto the earth like precious moisture. This is described in the poem “Light”.

How can I see Your face?

All-pervading Face,

deeper than feelings and mind.

Intangible, inaudible,

invisible. I urge:

heart, wisdom and work.

Who knew what

that knows no form,

no sound, no taste,

has no end and no beginning?

In the dark, when everything stops

desert thirst and salt

ocean! I'll wait for the shine

Your. Before Your Face

the sun doesn't shine. Doesn't shine

moon. Neither stars nor flames

no lightning. The rainbow doesn't shine

the northern lights do not play.

Your Face shines there.

Everything shines with its light.

They sparkle in the dark

grains of Your radiance.

And in mine closed eyes

your wonderful one is dawning

light .

In the poem “Drops” Roerich writes:

Your grace fills

my hands. It flows in abundance

she's through my fingers. Can't hold

everything for me. I don't have time to differentiate

shining streams of wealth. Yours

a wave of goodness flows through your hands

to the ground. I don't see who will pick it up

precious moisture? Fine splashes

who will they fall on? I won't make it home in time

get there. With all the grace in your hands

I will only convey those tightly squeezed

drops .

The image of the Teacher gradually fills the entire being of N.K. Roerich and awakens in him the highest feelings - devotion and love for the Teacher. These qualities of a student, and this is exactly what Roerich was in relation to the Teacher, opened up for Nikolai Konstantinovich the possibilities of true apprenticeship, in which the Teacher became Roerich’s Driver and Mentor in all his endeavors. N. Roerich describes this facet of his apprenticeship in one of his poems, feeling both the trust of the Teacher and the responsibility for the work that the Teacher entrusts to his student:

The messenger again. Your order again!

And a gift from You! Vladyko,

You sent me a pearl

Yours and ordered to include it in my necklace.

In another poem, Roerich writes:

You left me the work you started.

You wanted me to continue it.

I feel Your trust in me.

I approach my work carefully and strictly.

After all, you did this work yourself.

Poetic creativity not only gave Roerich the opportunity to comprehend the spiritual depths of discipleship and Teaching, but also to fully realize his responsibility to the Teacher and internally prepare for the fulfillment of his very difficult mission.

The period of Roerich’s forced imprisonment in Ladoga was ending. New opportunities opened up ahead, the implementation of which Nikolai Konstantinovich would devote his whole life to. “The wait was coming to an end, and he clearly felt it,” writes L.V. Shaposhnikova, characterizing one of the most crucial moments in Roerich’s life. - The deadline was approaching. Everything in him was heightened to the extreme. He understood quite clearly that, having taken the step that he had waited and desired for so long, he would not return to Petrograd. He was leaving his homeland, with which he had so much to do. He left her for her. Knowing this didn't make the separation any easier. He wanted to delay, prolong the last moment.

I'm coming. I'm in a hurry.

But one time, one more time

the last one I'll go around everything

left.

“But one time, one more time” sounded like a plea.”

The destined dates came, and in 1919 the Roerichs left Finland. On their way there were new countries and cities where the Roerichs had to work hard. But they had to do even more for the Common Good in India, which the Roerichs had long awaited. N.K. Roerich, leaving Finland to embark on a great journey through Central Asia, made his choice very responsibly. He understood that no one else would make this journey except him and therefore considered it immutable to fulfill his duty. Roerich's determination to fulfill his mission is reflected in his poetic work. In the suite “To a Boy” N.K. Roerich turns to himself, as if testing his strength, readiness for action to achieve the goals outlined by the Teacher. This suite begins with the poem “Eternity.”

Boy you say

that you’ll be ready to hit the road by evening.

My dear boy, don’t hesitate.

We'll go out with you in the morning.

We entered the fragrant forest

among the silent trees.

In the icy shine of dew,

under a bright and wonderful cloud,

we will go on the road with you.

If you are slow to go, it means

you don't know what it is yet

beginning and joy, beginning and

eternity .

After leaving Finland, the Roerichs did not reach India immediately. To get there, they had to overcome many difficult obstacles that arose on their way in Europe and America until 1923, that cherished year when the Roerichs arrived in the port of Bombay. And before that there were Sweden, England, America, France. Exhibitions were held in these countries, hard work was going on, and important meetings were taking place. Among them were those who determined the entire future life of the Roerichs - these were meetings with the Teachers of mankind.

The first apparitions of the Teachers were recognized by Elena Ivanovna at the age of six and accompanied her throughout her life. E.I. Roerich describes their phenomena in the third person. “Very early, the girl began to have significant dreams and even visions. Already six years old, the girl had an extraordinary experience, which was imprinted in her heart for the rest of her life, almost without losing its original freshness and strength of feeling. This happened in late spring. Her parents moved to their dacha in Pavlovsk, and on the very first morning the girl, getting up earlier than usual, ran to the park, to a small pond where goldfish lived. The morning turned out to be wonderful, the air seemed to tremble and sparkle in the rays of the sun, and nature itself seemed to have donned a festive robe, and the blue of the sky was especially deep. The girl, standing on the pier, absorbed the beauty and joy of life with every fiber of her being. Her gaze stopped at a blossoming apple tree that stood on the opposite bank, and against its background the girl saw a tall male figure in a white robe, and the memory instantly arose in her mind that the Teacher of Light lived somewhere far away. The girl’s heart trembled, and her joy turned into delight, her whole being was drawn to this distant, beloved and Beautiful Image.”

What is written about the connection with the Teachers of E.I. Roerich in the context of the theme of N.K. Roerich’s teaching is not accidental, for Elena Ivanovna was the spiritual leader of the family and Roerich carried out all his undertakings together with his “friend”. Nicholas Roerich's thoughts about the Teacher, his awareness of His role in the life of the artist, the first appearances of the Teacher Helena Roerich were reflected in the artistic creativity of Nicholas Roerich. “Shadow of the Teacher”, “Fiat Rex”, “Burning of the Darkness”, “Treasure of the Mountains” - these and other paintings are dedicated to the Teachers. The paintings depict unusually beautiful figures from which streams of light emanate.

Helena Roerich first met the Teachers in 1920 in London, where an exhibition of Nicholas Roerich was held. In this city, at the gates of Hyde Park, Elena Ivanovna received advice about the future trip of the Roerichs to India. Later, meetings with the Teachers took place in New York, Chicago, Paris, Darjeeling and other places. Throughout their lives, the Roerichs met with the Teachers many times and felt Their support. N.K. Roerich described the meetings of the Roerichs with the Teachers and much connected with Them. But he did this very carefully, realizing that his words could be interpreted in some other way. Roerich’s essay “Milestones” is very informative in this regard, in which Nikolai Konstantinovich compares the meetings of the Roerichs with the Teachers and Their help with the milestones of life. Nikolai Konstantinovich, describing these cases in an allegorical form, on behalf of his friend, has in mind many things that were connected with the Teachers in the lives of the Roerichs. At the same time, in this essay, Roerich advises others to be attentive, because ignorance and conceit often distract people from “milestones” that speak about many things that can be useful in life. life path.

In India, Roerich was told a lot about the Teachers, or Mahatmas. Therefore, his story about the Teachers looks very convincing. “While in Europe they argue about the existence of the Mahatmas,” writes Roerich, “while the Hindus are heartfeltly silent about them, how many people in the vastness of Asia not only know the Mahatmas, not only saw them, but also know many real cases of their deeds and appearances. Always awaited, unexpectedly, the Mahatmas created a great, special life in the vastness of Asia. When needed, they showed up. If necessary, they passed unnoticed, like ordinary travelers. They do not write their names on the rocks, but the hearts of those who know keep these names stronger than the rocks. Why suspect a fairy tale, imagination, fiction, when information about the Mahatmas is captured in real forms... Not divorced from life, not distracting, but creative - this is the teaching of the Mahatmas. They talk about scientific basis existence. They guide you towards mastery of energies.” Traveling through Central Asia, the Roerichs were lucky enough to meet the Teachers more than once. Thus, during their stay in India, the Roerichs met with the Teacher in Darjeeling, in a small roadside temple. This meeting with the Teacher influenced their entire subsequent lives, since at it the Roerichs received advice from the Teacher on the Central Asian expedition, which they were to carry out in the near future. Studying the cultural traditions of the East, N.K. Roerich became convinced that the theme of the Teacher and Teaching is present in many myths and legends. Roerich collected them during the Central Asian expedition and published them in the diaries “Altai-Himalayas” and “Heart of Asia”, as well as in the essay “Shining Shambhala”.

“Another lama of the red sect,” Roerich wrote, “told us about the wonderful Hindu-looking Azars, long-haired, in white clothes, sometimes appearing in the Himalayas.

These wise people know how to control internal forces and how to combine them with cosmic currents. The head of the medical school in Lhasa, the old learned lama personally knew such azars and maintained direct relations with them.”

Historical evidence speaking about the existence of the Great Teachers of mankind, and personal meetings with them allowed Roerich to realize that Teaching lies at the basis of the evolution of man and humanity.

Thus, upon birth, a child immediately becomes a student of his parents, who help him get on his feet both physically and spiritually, instilling in him the basics of morality, including him in social relationships. In turn, parents turn into teachers. Later, the child meets his first school Teacher, who, at times, determines the direction of his entire life. And if this is a Teacher who loves children and is creative in his work, then his students will remember their school years as one of the brightest pages of life. A striking example of such teaching is the life and work of the famous teacher, Sh. A. Amonashvili, the author of the treatise “School of Life”, developing the ideas of humane and personal pedagogy. These ideas are summarized as the works of outstanding teachers-thinkers who lived in different eras in different countries, as well as the pedagogical experience of Shalva Aleksandrovich himself. Today, humane-personal pedagogy attracts many children, teachers and parents, primarily because it is imbued with cordiality and kindness. The main characters of the School of Life are the student and the teacher, whose cooperation gives rise to a relationship of true Teachership. Much in these relations depends on the teacher, about whom Sh.A. Amonashvili writes: “The teacher of the School of Life is a person who leads service for the highest goals of humanity, for the sake of planetary and cosmic evolution, and such conditions must be created for him so that he can devote himself entirely to the subtlest work of education.”

The example of school teachers is the most famous. But the relationship “Teacher - student and student - Teacher” permeates other aspects of people’s lives. Moreover, this attitude, which is of a natural nature, is inherent in the entire Universe. “If the Teacher and the student,” writes L.V. Shaposhnikova, “follow the Great Laws of the Cosmos, if they are both harmoniously, as required by the laws, inscribed in the infinite series of Infinity, then each link or element of this series carries two functions - Teacher - student. Every Teacher, having a Teacher, is a student. Each student, in relation to those who are below him on the hierarchical ladder, is a Teacher. The cosmic phenomenon of Teacherhood carries within itself the complementary functions of Teacher-student. Any kind of deviation in this cosmic series is a violation of the Great Cosmic Laws. Any disrespect for the Teacher is a deviation from the path of evolution and development.” True teaching is the “silver thread” that connects, if not every person, then humanity as a whole with the Great Teachers.

The Great Teachers have been fulfilling their planetary-cosmic mission for many millennia, helping humanity to ascend along the spiral of Cosmic Evolution, the meaning of which in Teacherhood is most fully manifested. First of all, through the Teaching, Evolution draws into its upward movement those who strive for it. This happens if the student is grateful and devoted to the Teacher throughout his life's journey. At the same time, it is very important that the student voluntarily accepts apprenticeship and entrusts himself to the Teacher. “Teaching,” we read in the essay “Shining Shambhala,” “is the highest connection that can only be achieved in our earthly vestments. We are guided by the Teachers, and we strive for perfection in our veneration of the Teacher." N.K. Roerich, like no one else, understood the evolutionary significance of the Teachers, for he was connected with the Teachers and carried out all his ascetic deeds under the guidance of the Teachers. The forms of Teaching are as diverse as life itself is diverse. But regardless of this, the essence of Teaching is always the same - the Teacher passes on his knowledge and experience to the student, helps to improve spiritually. Thus, He contributes to his ascent along the steps of Cosmic Evolution. A teacher has the moral right to teach only if he was and remains a real student. A clear confirmation of this is the life of N.K. Roerich. IN early years, as throughout his life, he was a devoted student. It is enough to recall his reverent attitude towards school teachers, towards A.I. Kuindzhi, not to mention his apprenticeship under the leadership of the Great Teachers. At the same time, Nikolai Konstantinovich was a true Teacher. He fulfilled this high mission with honor. He was very loved in India and was considered Mahatma. The heroic life of Roerich, filled with examples of inflexibility of will and dedication in fulfilling duty, teaches many to overcome difficulties, and the paintings and philosophical works of Nikolai Konstantinovich contain invaluable knowledge, so necessary for everyone who takes the path of spiritual improvement.

In the 20th century, humanity faced challenges related to the transition to a higher level of evolution. Solving these problems was vital for humanity. Then people appeared who, based on their spiritual accumulations, were ready for their implementation. These were the Roerichs. They came into the world as ordinary people, although with special spiritual qualities. And only meetings with Teachers helped them realize and fulfill their evolutionary mission. The Roerichs, with their entire ascetic life and spiritual discoveries, showed humanity the path of spiritual transformation.

The example of the ascetic life of the Roerich family inspires many people to search for truth, helps to be persistent and unshakable in moving towards this high goal. L.V. Shaposhnikova chose the statement of Viktor Shklovsky as the epigraph for the book “Master”, dedicated to N.K. Roerich: “For small journeys it is useful to study great journeys: they help not to be afraid of fatigue.” These words largely reveal the meaning of the great spiritual feat of the Roerichs, the shining facet of which is the unique Central Asian expedition. It was the main work of N.K. Roerich’s life. Elena Ivanovna and Yuri Nikolaevich Roerich also took part in it. Its goals, presumably, were determined at the meetings of the Roerichs with the Teachers. N. Roerich almost does not touch on the content of conversations with Teachers in his works. At the same time, from some of the works of Nikolai Konstantinovich and, most importantly, from the actions of the Roerichs that followed the meetings with the Teachers, one can understand that the Teachers gave instructions to the Roerichs on the Central Asian expedition and provided them with assistance along the entire route of the expedition.

The objectives of the expedition were varied. “Of course, my main aspiration as an artist,” wrote Nikolai Konstantinovich, “was in artistic work. It’s hard to imagine when I will be able to embody all the artistic notes and impressions - these gifts from Asia are so generous.” The expedition route passed through the lands ancient cultures Asia, and each of these cultures was a huge field for the researcher. Roerich looked for common points that united different cultures and was interested in the problems of cultural interaction between peoples. At the same time, the expedition was faced with one very important task, not inherent in expeditions of this kind. It was of a planetary-cosmic, evolutionary nature. “The expedition,” writes L.V. Shaposhnikova, “was supposed to perform a historical action, which is called “laying magnets.”

A magnet, according to the Roerichs’ worldview, is energy that attracts other energy. This creates conditions for energy exchange, thanks to which the Universe lives and develops. Magnets vary in shape, structure, and also in their energies. Thus, the magnet is the energy of the spirit. It interacts with matter and organizes it. The energy of the spirit manifests itself in the structure different levels. One of them is the Cosmic Magnet, a very complex phenomenon that has not yet been studied by humans. The action of the Cosmic magnet is universal, for it manifests itself at all levels and in all forms of existence of the Cosmos. An important condition for a person’s spiritual development is his awareness of the universal nature of the manifestation of this magnet and interaction with its energy. The connection of a person with the Cosmic Magnet is possible only through a spiritual Teacher - earthly or heavenly. “The Cosmic Magnet,” writes E.I. Roerich, “is the Cosmic Heart or the consciousness of the Crown of the Cosmic Mind, the Hierarchy of Light.” That Hierarchy of Light, whose endless links go into Eternity and Infinity. The energy of the consciousness of the Mind of the Cosmic Hierarchs is accumulated in the Cosmic Magnet. Its manifestation can to some extent be explained by analogy with the human mind. But this analogy must be approached very carefully. For in comparison with the human mind, the energy of the Cosmic Mind is a phenomenon of a different order. The Cosmic Magnet has very high energy compared to the energy of our Planet and influences the energy of the latter. This process is complex, multifaceted and still waiting to be studied. But there is some information about this. And the Roerichs had the most direct relation to them.

In 1923, a parcel arrived in a Parisian bank addressed to the Roerichs. When they opened the plywood box, they found in it an antique box covered in leather. “Nikolai Konstantinovich opened the box and saw a Stone in it, a piece of a dark meteorite. He immediately felt a slight tingling in his fingers; his centers responded to the energy of the Stone. But it was only a fragment; the main meteorite was located in the Reserved Country, where the Teachers lived and where they conducted their evolutionary research. Millennia ago, the earthly refuge of the Cosmic Hierarchs began with this meteorite. The legend told that a meteorite came to earth from the distant constellation Orion."

The stone, located in Shambhala and energetically connected with the worlds of other states of matter, contributes to the formation of a higher energy of the Earth. In this process, an important role is played by Teachers, who, with the help of the Stone, during their “night vigil” imbue the space with high energy. After the story about the Stone, the image of the legendary Shambhala takes on somewhat greater relief. For Shambhala is not only the main place of residence of the Teachers. In Shambhala, energy exchange occurs between the Planet and worlds of other states of matter, the energy necessary for the advancement of the Planet and earthly humanity along the spiral of Cosmic Evolution is formed. It was with the help of a particle of such a Stone, which they received in a Parisian bank, that the Roerichs carried out the “laying of magnets” along the route of the Central Asian expedition. Thus, they completed the main task of the expedition, the route of which passed through India, China, Siberia, Altai, Mongolia, and Tibet. In these areas, the Roerichs formed an energy field, in the space of which a number of highly developed cultures and countries would arise in the future. The unique route of the expedition ran through the most beautiful and historically significant places. The Roerichs discovered dozens of unknown peaks and passes, archaeological sites, and found rare Tibetan manuscripts. N.K. Roerich summarized his impressions of the expedition in his diaries, created about five hundred paintings, and collected, together with E.I. Roerich and Yu.N. Roerich, a huge amount of scientific material. The Roerichs studied this material through the prism of the universal philosophical concept, according to which the past, present and future constituted a single historical process, within the boundaries of which the future not only determined the milestones in the study of the cultures of various peoples, but also the main directions of their development. This was the scientific significance of the expedition.

After returning from the expedition in 1928, the Roerichs settled in the Kullu Valley (India), where the last period of Nikolai Konstantinovich’s life passed and the international science Center– Institute of Himalayan Studies (“Urusvati” or translated from Sanskrit as “Light of the Morning Star”). This scientific center was, as it were, a continuation of the Central Asian expedition and represented a Center of a completely new type. His work combined both traditional methods that were used in ancient Asia and those that had yet to be formed. The work of the Institute was characterized by constant mobility. Researchers who lived in Kullu regularly went on expeditions. There were many scientists who collaborated with the Institute while in other countries. Therefore, the Center was international. It studied the culture of the peoples of Asia and conducted comprehensive studies of human qualities.

The Central Asian expedition, which became N.K. Roerich’s life’s work, was successfully completed. This expedition, as well as other undertakings, Nikolai Konstantinovich was able to carry out only thanks to the leadership of the Teachers, whose most devoted student Roerich was all his life. At the same time, his apprenticeship with the Great Teachers helped Nikolai Konstantinovich develop the highest spiritual guidelines and become a real Teacher - Guru. These guidelines were not abstract concepts; on their basis, the entire life of N.K. Roerich was built, who was an extremely purposeful person who possessed extraordinary spiritual strength, as well as amazing tolerance for the views of other people. All spiritual discoveries of Nikolai Konstantinovich - the paintings and philosophical works he created, as well as cultural endeavors - are imbued with Beauty and continue to serve people, helping them to become familiar with Beauty. More than a hundred institutes, academies, cultural institutions all over the world Roerich was elected an honorary and full member.

While traveling around different continents and stay in India, N.K. Roerich never abandoned the thought of returning to his homeland. As soon as the war ended, he immediately began to bother about moving to the Soviet Union. “...As long as there is strength,” wrote N.K. Roerich, “I would like to use it for the benefit of my native land.” But his dream was not destined to come true. Permission to enter his homeland never came, and on December 13, 1947, he passed away. “Nicholas Konstantinovich always thought,” wrote Svyatoslav Nikolaevich Roerich, “that in the end the main task life is about self-improvement. Art or any other creative achievements can be very large, but the focus of everything remains the life of the person himself, his personality. He believed that he creative life, his art is only an accomplice to self-improvement. He always worked on himself first and foremost. He wanted to rise above who he was and end his life as a more perfect person. And in this he succeeded. He became an absolutely exceptional person, a wise man with remarkable personal qualities. I have met a lot of people all over the world, but I have never met another person like Nikolai Konstantinovich.”

These words of S.N. Roerich express the main quality of N.K. Roerich, inseparable from his entire life - constant self-improvement. Thanks to this quality, Nikolai Konstantinovich was able to remain a devoted student of his Teachers all his life. And at the same time, Roerich, constantly working on himself, became a true Teacher, awarded the most honorable title in the East - Guru. Outstanding Achievements N.K. Roerich in the field of culture are recognized throughout the world; In 1935, in Washington, twenty-one countries of the American continent signed the Roerich Pact on the international protection of cultural monuments during hostilities, which was the basis for the adoption of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict. Together with the Pact, Roerich proposed a distinctive symbol to designate cultural institutions. Later it was called the Banner of Peace, which is a white cloth with three red circles enclosed in a red circle. This Banner has been adopted by many cultural and educational institutions throughout the world.

Museums in many countries exhibit paintings by N.K. Roerich and S.N. Roerich. The International Center-Museum named after N.K. has been operating in Moscow since 1990. Roerich, formed on the basis of the cultural heritage of the Roerich family, which was donated to Russia in 1990 by S.N. Roerich. Why does N.K. Roerich’s worldview and ascetic life attract more and more attention from the cultural community of Russia and the whole world? The attractiveness of Roerich’s life feat is that it reveals the Master’s unshakable faith in a better future and encourages him to strive for the highest peaks of Knowledge and Beauty.

Works by N.K. Roerich presented in this collection, express not only his pedagogical views, but also contain the deepest philosophical ideas that reveal Roerich’s worldview, without mastering which true Teaching is impossible. Therefore, the works of N.K. Roerich will provide invaluable assistance to everyone who, perhaps, has already moved forward along the beautiful, albeit difficult, path of Teaching, or is just preparing to set foot on it.

Great journey. Book one. Master. – M.: MCR, Master-Bank, 1998. - P. 141 Roerich N.K. Favorites / Comp. V.M. Sidorov; Artist I.A. Guseva. – M.: Sov. Russia, 1979. - P. 100.

Information about the Cosmic Magnet, Stone and Shambhala is presented on the basis of the book by L.V. Shaposhnikova “Commands of the Cosmos”

Elena Ivanovna Roerich. Letters. T. II. – M.: MCR, Charitable Foundation named after. E.I. Roerich, Master-Bank, 2000. – P. 492.

B.N. Abramov was born on August 2, 1897 in Nizhny Novgorod in the family of a hereditary nobleman and military serviceman. There were two children in the family, the eldest son Nikolai served as an officer, Boris also graduated from the Krondstadt Naval School, leaving the Faculty of Law at Moscow University for family reasons. The head of the family dies of a serious illness in 1917 and B.N. emigrates with his mother to China, to Harbin. Here he works in a chemical laboratory at the Chinese Eastern Railway, at the same time heads the student club in the Christian Young People's Union, was a consultant to Chinese teachers of the Russian language and a teacher of Russian at the Harbin Polytechnic Institute. B.N. was a multi-talented person. He not only loved and knew literature, music, and painting well, but he himself wrote poems and stories, painted, and composed music. B.N. mastered it perfectly English language, knew Chinese, could communicate in Japanese and read German texts, was very interested in various philosophical and religious systems. The Teachings of Christ, Buddha, Plato, Confucius, Zoroaster were close to him, and he thoroughly studied their Fundamentals.

The appearance of B.N. can be described in one word: “nobility”. Outwardly, he was absolutely harmonious: his height, his figure, his gait, and everything about him was beautiful. Calm, restrained manners, not a single unnecessary gesture, not a single unnecessary movement, and at the same time full of energy. The intonation of the quiet voice was even and the timbre of the voice was soft and euphonious. Bright, piercing eyes looked into the very soul. The nobility of spirit shone through the shell of his form. And behind all this one could feel an unbending will. Fatigue was regulated by changing the rhythm and activity of the centers, when mental stress was replaced by physical stress. B.N. He loved nature very much and in his free time he rushed to it, doing some work to communicate and establish contact with the forces of nature.

In 1929, he married Nina Ivanovna Shohrai, with whom he shared great love, which over time turned into tender care and attention to each other. They went through life the same way, their inner world was filled with common interests and aspirations towards the Light.

In 1934, during a scientific expedition, N.K. Roerich came to Harbin together with his eldest son Yuri. The Roerichs stop to live with their brother N.K. – Vladimir, who lived next to the Abramovs’ house.

Abramov’s meeting with Roerich decides his entire future life. At this time B.N. was 37 years old.

From the many Harbin residents who came to N.K. Roerich, he chose a small group of people who were spiritually most ready to cooperate with him. Of the entire group of recognized students, N.K. singled out two and presented them with discipleship rings brought from the Himalayas as a sign of special trust. These chosen ones were B.N. Abramov and A.P. Haydok. N.K. sought to instill in the members of the circle a special spiritual culture inherent only in the East, and this meant the sacred concept of the Teacher.

B.N. I absorbed this wisdom with dignity, with full depth and responsibility. Subsequently, E.I. Roerich wrote to B.N. a letter about his purpose and their connection in past lives. This letter made a very strong impression on B.N. After that, he acquired all the books of Living Ethics and began to study them carefully. With the departure of N.K. Roerich to India, the established contact was not interrupted; correspondence continued.

Back in the 40s, B.N. I began to perceive thoughts coming from space and write them down. And so on until the end of his days, in the most difficult living conditions. “My dear Boris, cast aside all doubts... with joy, I triple confirm what you convey to me as coming from the Supreme Source...” (From the letters of E.I. Roerich to B.N. Abramov)

Spiritual work, uninterrupted by any circumstances, is carried out by B.N. in several directions: comprehension of the Teaching of Living Ethics, application of its provisions in the life of every day, acceptance of the Records and transfer of accumulated experience to young friends - their students. B.N. created a small group of students, where under his leadership they studied ZHE books. In 1941, N.D. joined the group. Spirina, a young musician-teacher, who later became his spiritual student. N.D. studied in a group with B.N. about 20 years. E.I. Roerich herself took care of this group, having from B.N. detailed information about each of his students. Often one felt a concrete manifestation of the unceasing care of the Hierarchy, expressed in a form accessible to them through the channel of B.N.

Acceptance of the Records required B.N. complete renunciation of oneself, exclusion of all personal thoughts. There was not a day or an hour without working on oneself, without control over one’s thoughts, feelings and actions.

Students of B.N. they never saw him “out of spirit, out of mood.” He was always calm, collected and firm. Doing any daily work carefully and skillfully, he was internally free from the tightness of everyday life and vigilantly guarded this internal freedom. In the midst of any everyday affairs, he could begin to talk about spiritual things and always spoke clearly, briefly and intelligibly, without unnecessary words. And he always talked about what was most important at the moment. And he taught his students to talk to a person about what interests him and how he lives, completely excluding his own interests. He was stern, but unusually kind and sympathetic. He taught me to share my psychic energy and make parcels for the sick and needy. He treated, helped with the inescapable generosity of his heart, without thereby disturbing his internal harmonic structure. When in the mood on a certain key, one could feel that waves of warmth and light emanated from his personality.

B.N., while studying with a group in Harbin, always believed in his departure to Russia, and as soon as the opportunity arose in 1959, at the age of 62, he and his wife went to their homeland. N.D. Spirina followed them.

There was a lot of worry about whether they would be able to smuggle the Teaching books across the border, but everything went surprisingly well, because on the eve of B.N.’s departure. accepted the following words Vel. Masters “...we are waiting for your shift and are preparing to Help.”

B.N. endured many ordeals. when settling in the homeland. For about a year he and his wife lived in Novosibirsk, renting a room. Almost immediately upon arrival, B.N. went to Moscow to meet with Yu.N. Roerich. They met and had a conversation that was extremely important and significant. Yu.N. B.N. asked about everything in detail. - and how I got settled, and how are things going with the pension that B.N. it was very difficult to obtain, although he had more than 40 years of work experience. And when B.N. came to the meeting for the second time, a cruel blow awaited him - the news of the death of Yu.N.

Having lost all hope of getting housing in Novosibirsk, B.N. went to Kyiv. But he could not get a job either in Kyiv or in Moscow, where his friends invited him. He and his wife settled in the small town of Venev, Tula region (4 hours drive from Moscow). There they eventually gave him a small apartment without amenities.

B.N. was modest and unpretentious; he was content with the minimum in everything, even in food: his lunch consisted of a bowl of soup and a small amount of vegetables. B.N. He sawed wood himself, carried coal, carried water from a water pump on the street, maintained a vegetable garden, and looked after his sick wife. He handled the household chores that were alien to him very conscientiously. He performed housework duties calmly, gracefully, and often with jokes. At B.N. had a great sense of humor, he had a tendency to use very funny expressions and greatly appreciated displays of humor in others. B.N. in my personal life I noticed that when life was especially burdensome, my thoughts became especially fertile - as if there was compensation for what I had to endure.

Muscovites came to him, who for many years had been studying first theosophy, then Living Ethics. They met and went to him for conversations, including the artist Smirnov-Rusetsky B.A., who subsequently painted the painting “Venev in the Snowy Mist,” from the “Memories” series.

Every year, during her vacation, N. Spirina came from Novosibirsk. I stayed at a hotel and went to study with him every day. B.N. gave her new Notes to read, allowed her to rewrite something. N.D. helped with housework.

There was no case that B.N. did not respond to anyone’s problems, despite the fact that his situation was extremely difficult - he had a sick wife on his hands, he had to work all day to earn a living, and a very modest living.

And yet, his heart responded to everything, from the global phenomena of politics, in which he was always interested - he knew everything that was happening in the world - to the smallest needs of his students. He helped everyone without fail, both financially and, most importantly, spiritually. Rarely did a class go by without helping someone collectively in spirit.

Compassion, kindness and responsiveness were his integral qualities, he helped many mentally, and after that it became easier for a person to fight and overcome something in himself.

There were moments in the life of B.N. when obstacles lined up in front of him like a solid wall, it seemed that dark forces surrounded him on all sides and there was no way to escape from their ring, and only his heart knew and recalled the words of the Teacher, “This too shall pass.”

One more feature of Abramov should be noted - his determination to fulfill his duty. Helena Roerich wrote to Boris Nikolaevich that his purpose was to create and strengthen a direct line with the Hierarchy of Light. This process came at a heavy price, but he fulfilled his duty despite any obstacles. B.N. mainly received messages in the morning on the verge of sleep, before waking up. He prepared small pieces of paper in advance, numbering them, because he wrote while still half asleep, by touch; wrote and threw them on the floor. And then, in his free time from housework, he sat with these pieces of paper for hours, deciphering what was written for a long time and copying it into a notebook in the smallest handwriting. This took a lot of time away from sleep. It is not easy to accept messages from Above. To do this, the receiver must always be tuned accordingly, always in full readiness and balance. A special balance was required, since the difference between the higher vibrations and environment.

“These records are of great importance for the spatial saturation of the surrounding spheres with clear and definite forms of thoughts, shaped by consciousness... Space is cemented by them,... the aura of the planet is enriched by these forms.” (GUY, No. 651)

“Write, write for the future generation. It must have materials on which their spirit will ascend. And the ascent of humanity is the ascent of the planet... Where will they get knowledge if you don’t give it to them?! After all, you have the opportunity to receive from the Primary Source. ...Write not for yourself and your pleasure, but for humanity, for the future of the planet.”

At B.N. devotion and love for the Hierarchy of Light was strongly expressed; he was in the midst of life “as if alone, as if abandoned.” He especially loved his Guru, N.K. Roerich, and firmly hoped to meet him and his whole family in Russia. But he had to endure the severity of the loss. He met his Guru only for a short time, correspondence was irregular, and then completely interrupted due to the departure of the Guru. What remains is a connection in the spirit, which is not at all simple and easy, requiring the greatest spiritual effort. Elena Ivanovna and B.N. remained. lived in hope of the happiness of meeting her.

A year before the departure of E.I. under the leadership of Vel. Lords, the process of complete opening of B.N. centers is coming to an end. and wife Nina Ivanovna. The quality of his notes improves, his thoughts gain accuracy and volume. At the end of 1954, the couple enters a painful and painful process of fiery transmutation. E.I. closely monitored the state of health of the Abramovs, gave her advice and passed on the Advice of the Teacher, who also carried out practical correction of the process itself.

On the eve of his departure, E.I. consoled B.N. : “Don’t be upset by the thought of my leaving. When this time comes, you will already be fully armed and will continue work that has no end. Soon you will reach the stage of Arhat. The Great Lord will not leave you, and I, after some rest, which I will need, will be able to give signs of greetings” (6.11.52).

Then the news came about the sudden departure of E.I. B.N. endured this with great courage and dignity. this such a grievous loss. Then a connection was made in spirit. Help and support M.A.Y. was immediate. Feeling dizzy, B.N. writes: “The severe dizziness and nausea you just experienced are associated with certain yogic processes and movement in the centers. There is no danger in this, but a certain amount of peace is required...” Or another time. (M.A.Y.) “There is no such thing as a coincidence. Therefore, your poisoning is not just a misfortune, but a misfortune that aims to open the centers and sharpen sensitivity. Some will say - cruel. The opening of centers is always accompanied by suffering; it is inevitable.” And here is the Guru’s note: “The Beam of the Hierarch is sent to the disciple. The energies of the Beam fill his body, they are transmuted in his body. And the Teacher carefully monitors how this transformation of His energy takes place into rays that self-emanate from the microcosm of His student. What type of creativity does this transformation result in and how will the student deal with the Good sent to him...” And in addition to his main work, the adoption of the Records of B.N. was a wonderful, subtle artist and poet.

He painted paintings and poems casually, he did not concentrate on this, but all his poems are beautiful in terms of form and very deep in content. In his poems B.N rushes to To the Higher World, to the light:

Dreaming of a boundless, clear distance

Starry sky a country

A beautiful sphere of sparkling colors,

The homeland of my spirit.

B. Nu saw his departure from life as liberation from earthly bonds and burdens; he saw it as a reward for a hard-lived life, when the spirit can join the vastness, beauty and joy of Infinity, when the spirit can serve the cause of the Great Lords.

He always said: “After I pass away, never think of me as dead, but only as alive.”

It is impossible to take into account how many good seeds of his spiritual labors sprouted.

And how bright his poems sound:

The bridge is woven with a wonderful arch

Bridge between heaven and earth,

The thread between the world of distant stars

And the human soul.

You can't bend an arrow in flight,

Do not drown out the calls of space,

Wonderful bridge - the shortest way

For the ascent of a new life.

And the words of Vel sound with a solemn note. Masters: “In the crucible of trials, the nations are preparing for the Hour of My Coming. She walks the path of battle. And you are in it, where the battle is raging. Realize your meaning, My warrior, placed on patrol by Me. You and your loved ones, all of you, bear the burden of My labors. Good for you, and I will not forget you, who have not forgotten Me in the hour of struggle, need and tension.” (GAI, X111, 14-a)

References:

"Aspiring Heart" Spirina N.D.

The material was prepared by a member of the Tambov Roerich Society

Egorova O.V. October 2010

Nicholas Konstantinovich Roerich - the great Russian artist, writer, archaeologist, philosopher, traveler and public figure - was born in St. Petersburg October 9, 1874.(December 13, 1947 - Departure Day).

The life of N.K. Roerich was a continuous stream of giving and service.

Nikolai Konstantinovich was amazingly able to organize his time without wasting a single minute. He did not have a single unnecessary movement, his speech was friendly, but stingy and laconic.

Svyatoslav Nikolaevich Roerich recalls: “There was a balanced harmony in all his movements. He was never in a hurry, and yet his productivity was amazing. When he drew or wrote, he did it with calm deliberation. When he wrote... he never corrected or changed his sentences, least of all his thoughts. It was a constant progressive striving towards a certain definite goal, and this can be said about his whole life.”

When becoming acquainted with the spiritual teachings of the East, Roerich came to understand the unity of the foundations for true spiritual Teachings. He liked to repeat: “The best roses of the East and West are equally fragrant.” He wrote: “I do not belittle either the West, or the South, or the North, or the East, because in essence these divisions do not exist. The whole world is divided only in our minds. But if this consciousness is enlightened, then the torch of a fiery union is kindled in it and truly we will not break the fiery enthusiasm.” (N.K. Roerich. Power of Light)

“Lighting the lights of the spirit, isn’t it wonderful to realize that in other countries the same lights are sparkling”.(N.K. Roerich. Power of Light)

“The Light is one, and the gates to it are truly international...” (N.K. Roerich. Power of Light)

The culmination of all N.K. Roerich’s spiritual aspirations was his expedition, as he put it, to the Heart of Asia.

This expedition had hidden meaning , which was associated with a special planetary mission that the Roerichs were called upon to fulfill.

The mission was , to give a shift to the consciousness of humanity, to help it rise to a new stage of spiritual evolution through the acquisition of a true understanding of the fundamentals of life, through familiarization with Cosmic Knowledge and Beauty, which comprise the Teaching of Life - Living Ethics, or Agni Yoga.

Roerich was supposed to become a herald of Culture and Peace in their updated understanding, as a herald of the spiritual foundations of life.

N.K. Roerich was initiated into the very depths of spiritual knowledge. He personally knew Those Who gave this Knowledge to humanity. But “the more knowledge, the more difficult it is to recognize its bearer. He knows how to guard the Ineffable,” (Brotherhood, 562), After all, N.K. Roerich was easy to use and never demonstrated his knowledge.

After returning from the Trans-Himalayan expedition, Roerich’s activities acquired particular intensity and significance. In front of him stands high goal, which was expressed in a short fiery appeal - « Peace through Culture».

He speaks to huge audiences in various cities of Europe and America with lectures on issues of science, art, philosophy, writes numerous articles and books, and maintains contacts with many progressive scientists and organizations.

A special place in all his activities is occupied by cultural issues, as a spiritual and universal phenomenon.

Roerich reveals the concept of Culture in a completely new way. He's writing: " ...Culture It has two root- the first is Druid, the second is Eastern. Kult-Ur means Honoring the Light.” (N.K. Roerich. Power of Light)

The ZhE emphasizes the special importance of works of art in dark times of crisis. The book "Supermundane", 122 says: “The forces of darkness are well aware of how many powerful emanations emit from objects of art. Among the onslaughts of darkness, such emanations can be the best weapon. The forces of darkness strive either to destroy objects of art, or at least to turn the attention of humanity away from them. It must be remembered that a work that is rejected and deprived of attention cannot radiate its beneficial energy. There will be no living connection between the cold viewer or listener and the closed creation...This is how each work lives and contributes to the exchange and accumulation of energy.”

A deep awareness of the value of Culture and art led N.K. to the idea of ​​the need to protect them in the face of impending chaos and the danger of the collapse of human civilization. This is how one is born Pact for the Protection of Cultural Property in Time of War.

The idea of ​​the Roerich Pact aroused warm support from many states, outstanding figures of science and art, and the public.

On April 15, 1935, in New York, the Peace Pact was signed by US President Roosevelt and representatives of all countries of South America.

Roerich said that only awareness of culture and its introduction into all areas of human life will provide a path to peace and harmony between peoples, will provide the basis that can unite people in their noblest aspirations.

The Teaching of Living Ethics says: “My first message is to New Russia.” (Leaves of the Garden of Moria. Call. Preface)

Light New Russia carried N.K. Roerich throughout all countries of the world, giving the opportunity to other peoples to get closer to the Teaching New Age, not by chance given in Russian.

The life of N.K. Roerich was a Great Service that was never interrupted.

E.I. Roerich wrote: “...The Guru does not have a single personal thought, everything is decisively directed and given to serving the Common Good.” (Letters to E.I. Roerich. 12/17/1930)

During his life, Nicholas Roerich wrote from above seven thousand beautiful and unique paintings. The artist's canvases represent crystals of condensed Light, with which the creations of his hands are saturated, which is why they produce a beneficial effect on those who perceive them.

Roerich's paintings elevate the spirit, teach you to see the beauty of the Universe, and in addition, they carry healing properties.

“...The exhibition of his paintings gathered tens of thousands and raised their vibrations higher in an enthusiastic perception of the wonderful colors and Images that were close to them. Many retained the memory of this wonderful upsurge of their feelings for a long time. How much good has flowed through such influences. Who knows how many people have walked away cured of an incipient evil illness, having forgotten about a grave insult or bad intention - under the influence of new vibrations, new thoughts.” (E.I. Roerich. 04/9/1948)

Once the famous biologist Bose demonstrated to N.K. Roerich the process of dying of a plant: “Now I will give poison to this lily, and you will see how it shudders and droops,”- he said. But instead of drooping, the lily rose even higher. The scientist exclaimed: “I have long foreseen that the emanations of certain strong energies should influence the surrounding physiological processes. You are preventing the plant from dying, move away." And indeed, when Roerich departed, the life of the plant ceased. The beneficial energy emanating from the great humanist artist neutralized the effect of the poison on the plant.

“There are no miracles in the world!THERE IS ONLY one or another DEGREE OF KNOWLEDGE.” ( Mahatma)

N.K. Roerich, artist who created over 7000 paintings, thinker and public figure, scientist-researcher, philosopher, outstanding fighter for peace on earth, fighter for Culture...

This far from complete list of defining characteristics characterizes the activities of Nicholas Roerich, who left the world such cultural heritage, which we will have to comprehend for many more centuries.

Many volumes of research have already been written about each aspect of his multifaceted activities. Today we will emphasize the main thing.

For the first time in the history of mankind, a call was made from the lips of a Russian artist, who had absorbed all the power of Russian culture: "Peace through Culture". This call becomes the slogan of the coming New Age.

Roerich believed that the dome of Culture should cover everything - any sphere of human activity.

Only through Culture it is possible to solve humanity's most pressing problems, in other words - this key concept is the only condition that can be laid as the basis for the purification and transformation of life on earth.

We all must realize that culture today is a decisive moment, a lifeline in the revival of former principles of morality.

It is impossible to transform society overnight, directing it towards spiritual guidelines. Drop by drop, long and hard work lies ahead, which must begin with yourself.

Life and work of the great Master

“Life is always bright. You still can’t invent anything better than life itself!”

Biography of Nicholas Konstantinovich in audio format, prepared by the Siberian Roerich Society:

Assessments of N.K. Roerich and his work

At Roerich's request in the spring of 1919L. Andreev wrote an article "Roerich's Power":

...One cannot help but admire Roerich... the richness of his colors is limitless... Roerich's path is the path of glory... Roerich's brilliant imagination reaches those limits beyond which it becomes clairvoyance.

Nikolay Gumilyovpraised Roerich’s work:

Roerich - here highest degree modern Russian art... The manner of his writing - powerful, healthy, so simple in appearance and so refined in essence - changes depending on the events depicted, but always reveals the petals of the same soul, dreamy and passionate. With his work, Roerich opened untold areas of the spirit that our generation is destined to develop. .

Prime Minister of IndiaJawaharlal Nehru :

When I think about Nicholas Roerich, I am amazed at the scope and richness of his activity and creative genius. A great artist, a great scientist and writer, an archaeologist and explorer, he touched and illuminated so many aspects of human endeavor. The sheer quantity is amazing - thousands of paintings, and each of them is a great work of art .

Academician Russian Academy sciencesDmitry Sergeevich Likhachev wrote about N.K. Roerich:

N.K. Roerich was an ascetic of culture on a global scale. He raised the Banner of Peace, the Banner of Culture over the planet, thereby showing humanity the ascending path of improvement .

Likhachev also considered Roerich, along with Lomonosov, Derzhavin, Pushkin, Tyutchev, Solovyov and others.one of the “most powerful and original thinkers in Rus'” who contributed to the knowledge of the world through its artistic interpretation .

In October 2011, at the presentation of the Nicholas Roerich Prize,Leon.Mich. Roshalsaid the following:

Roerich for me is a huge admiration for a humanist man who was always searching, who had plans, who carried out plans. In everything, he had the idea of ​​uniting people and opposing everything that is bad in the world.

In October 1975, the Prime Minister of IndiaIndira Gandhi, who personally knew N.K. Roerich, expressed the following opinion about the Russian artist:

His paintings amaze with their richness and subtle sense of color and, above all, wonderfully convey the mysterious grandeur of the nature of the Himalayas. And he himself, with his appearance and nature, seemed to be to some extent imbued with the soul of the great mountains. He was not verbose, but a restrained power emanated from him, which seemed to fill the entire surrounding space. We deeply respect Nicholas Roerich for his wisdom and creative genius. We also value him as a link between Soviet Union and India... I think that the paintings of Nicholas Roerich, his stories about India will convey to the Soviet people part of the soul of their Indian friends. I also know that N.K. Roerich and his family contributed greatly to creating a more complete picture of the Soviet country in India.