I was touched by the fiery bird, the messenger of the Supermundane World.β
At the time of the Wesak Festival the Forces of Enlightenment are brought more intensely near to humanity. The Buddha returns and, together with the Christ, pours forth the blessing of illumination on all who invoke it in service to a thirsty world.
We are told that βillumination is focussed graceβ [Heart 503] and that βA heart that has dedicated itself to goodness radiatesΒ grace unceasingly, without depending on intentional transmissions. Likewise, the sun sends forth its rays without premeditationβ¦ The heart of goodness sows around itself health, smiles, and spiritual wellbeing.β [Heart 63].
As the heart turns towards the source of grace, a constant blessing emanates and touches all to the degree their heart is open to receive. βWhen a man returns from the pure outdoor air he emits a fragrant odor. Equally fragrant is the consciousness over-shadowed byΒ Grace.β [Aum 89]
The new world of the heart is emerging through the illumined mind which thinks with the heart: βWe remind people about the distant worlds, but it is the heart, not the brain, that can remember about Infinity. So let us not belittle the organ that has been bestowed upon us to be a receptacle ofΒ Grace.β [Heart 277]
And, as we observe our current world, it is becoming so very clear that: βThe new cannot be built according to thoughts and intentions that are conventional, prejudiced, and worldly β¦grace flows far and wide; its sparks are swept into many different hearths by the cosmic whirlwind. You yourselves see how unexpectedly the seeds of plants establish themselves. Similarly, there are all kinds of differences among humans…β [Heart 125]
This is a time of utmost opportunity β of grace β when the Enlightened Ones through all traditions, together, focus extra potency for us, beyond the constant outpouring that is always available to the uplifted heart. Β Β βAt all times the Teaching of Life is being poured forth upon the Earth without interruption. It is impossible to imagine earthly existence without this link to the Invisible World. As an anchor of salvation and a guiding light, the Teaching strengthens oneβs advance through the darkness. But amidst the unceasing shower ofΒ Grace, one can notice a rhythm like the swelling of the oceanβs waves, in which a special expansion distinctly appears; it is then that the Teachings manifest. In this way you can explain the rhythm of the entire world as one of expansion and submersion; in other words, you can outline the evolution of Being.β [Heart,Β 17]
So let us turn our hearts towards the gentle, eternal rain of grace. The attentive heart knows that:Β βDrops ofΒ Grace fall into the chalice of heart’s joy.β [Fiery World II, 393] and: βIn the same way that a magnet attracts certain metals, the heart acceptsΒ Grace.β [Heart 33] βfor in the heartβs power of comprehension, and also in Grace, there is fundamentally no feeling of self β in other words, there is an absence of the principle that most hinders progress.β [Heart 336]
βPrimary energy,Β grace, psychic energy, fiery energy, pranaβthere have been many names over the centuries, but the meaning is one. Life-giver, channel of the creative force, impeller to knowledgeβthus can people understandΒ graceβ¦the energy must be acknowledged, invoked, and accepted β¦ one must know how to invoke the energy. The pure will must be tensed so that the fiery magnet is activated. β¦It is also difficult for man to acceptΒ grace in earthly life. Like a bird of paradise,Β grace will beat its wings against its cage, losing its best feathers. He who acceptsΒ grace must keep the wonderful bird free, but how to treat it so that it does not become a pitiful prisoner? People have invented many different ways to adapt their everyday lives to the grandeur of the beautiful energy, but often without giving a thought to the meaning of the wordΒ grace.
The Thinker rejoiced when he sensed the presence ofΒ grace. He said, βI was touched by the fiery bird, the messenger of the Supermundane World.β [Supermundane IV,Β 851]