A mind obscured by conventional ways cannot accept the Teaching.

Firstly presented below are Agni Yoga excerpts on “the convential” from Leaves of Moryas Garden, Community and Heart as recommended by Summit Lighthouse Masters; then follows upon this crucial subject “the conventional” further elucidation for those interested in probing the depths of the library at Darjeeling of goodwill. -r. //////////////////// Leaves of Morya’s Garden 1925 II, iii, 20.
The symbol of the anointing of kings has the same basis. Absolutely all initiates into the power of the Mysteries agree in the assertion that highest harmony is in manifestations of the power of Illumination. Therefore the king is symbolically the anointed one because without estranging himself from the earthly he expresses the will of heaven. Above conventional formulae that are congealed in the crust of prejudices there is knowledge diffused, as it were, in the air. ……………… Leaves of Morya's Garden 1925 II, vii,17.
Better a few annoyances but then the approach of the events. Better a short fatigue but then the near approach to the Teacher. Better wearisome journeys but then the approach to the Teacher. Better a sinking into dust but then purification of spirit. Better the rejection of conventional measures but then obtainment of light. Better grief about a ray but then the light of Christ. Better to give to others but then lofty ecstasy of Spirit. Better to subordinate the spirit to the Command but then to reach the Teacher himself. Verily, know how to guard and preserve. ………………. Leaves of Morya's Garden 1925 II, ix, 1.
It would be stupid and crude to try to transmit by rough words the light of Knowledge. It would be as ridiculous as are the absurd conventional terms. ……….. Leaves of Morya's Garden 1925 III, i. 10.
A kind of fear has girdled humanity with various artificial circles. Now it is time to put aside conventional formulae. It is time to meet with awakened spirit the manifestation of Earth and Heaven. It is time with open eyes to tell to the brood of the elements: "I do not fear you! You cannot impede the way pointed out to me." ……………. Community 1926 
46. Never did I speak about any ease in bringing new consciousness into life. Not the destroyers but moldy, conventional virtue is the enemy. The destroyers know the instability of that which they destroy, and the principle of remittal is easier for them. But rosy-cheeked virtue loves its chest of savings and will always defend it with eloquence. Such people recite sacred words of Scriptures and will find subtle arguments why they are indeed ready to surrender it not to this but to that man who does not yet exist.
Conventional virtue manifests superlative cupidity and loves to tell lies. And such handsome, rosy-cheeked teachers of virtue are these and so oily in their affection! Achievement, human achievement, is unknown to these teachers of virtue, and their resplendent garments are starched with slavery! …………….. Community 1926 
206. Indeed, the battle is against the evident. Reality is not the obvious. The evidence presented by outward signs does not represent actuality….But the inquiring mind is not concerned with  conventional evidence; it wants reality in the setting of cosmic laws. It understands that the pearl is invisible in the depths and that layers of air can conceal a flock of eagles. …………… Community 1926 
218. When, as is said, the beast in man awakens precisely then individualization without any nourishment by consciousness turns into a cruel egoism. Then begins a campaign against enlightenment and cooperation. Such egoism does not become a noble realization of personality but returns to the animal state, at the same time losing group values of animals. Such a man is worse than a beast. Is it possible to build a community out of these beastlike people who have no common language? Then builders must re-examine the bases of human individuality. Each framework, each conventional program must be verified, but only courageous people who depart from the fetters of conventionalities can make the examination. ……………. Community 1926 229.
Begin to build community as a home of knowledge and beauty. There will be no conventional measuring sticks in this house. Each one will strive to know and to express his knowledge. Only unceasing cognition will be of assistance, only saturated labor will prevent from turning back into dark corners. But We wait for those who strive to abandon the old life. There is nothing worse than to bring along dried up crumbs. Such crumbs take away joy. ………………. Community 1926 248.
 All the near-sighted mystics and petty conventional literati will be in the place of the ignorant. The banner of newly realized energy is being raised. Each new acquisition must fill every heart with joy. The thinking of the community member must throb at the possibilities of new useful studies of reality. ………….. Heart 1932
69. The complaints against insufficient guidance are customary. People are accustomed to cover their idiosyncrasies with complaints. But precisely, humanity is not bereft of Guidance; it should pay attention to all that is given! Many impulses that arise through spiritual influence are lost not only without benefit but even become injurious by remaining misconstrued in the storehouses of consciousness. It can be stated that a minimum fraction of suggestion finds fitting application; especially obstructive are habits that impel consciousness into conventional paths. They also deplete the abilities of the heart when it is prepared to re-echo to the highest guidance. It is exactly the heart which knows the highest from the lowest; but the enfeebled obscured heart will itself be at the lowest level, where even the lowest will appear to be the highest. Purity of heart is the most essential possession. Wisdom, courage, self-sacrifice cannot be contained in an obscured heart. But guidance will suggest deeds of heroism, and such counsel must not seem extreme or austere. …………… Heart 1932 
125. If here on Earth we do not learn to separate the properties of usefulness from those of harm, where can we acquire this experience? Following the law of the heart, one can clearly discern in each manifestation useful and harmful characteristics. Seldom are all properties of an action good or bad, but the heart understands where are sparks of light and dust of darkness. The new cannot be built according to conventional, prejudicial and earthly thoughts. It is necessary to remember that benefaction is issued broadly; its sparks are swept in to various hearths by a cosmic whirl. You yourselves see how unexpectedly the seeds of plants take hold. ……………. Heart 1932 
525. You know how greatly We oppose any conventional habits, yet one must discriminate between habit and immersion in saving grace. As an example, solemnity combines in itself ecstasy and ascent and a defense against evil and the turning toward Hierarchy. Thus solemnity is a salvation, but it must be absorbed and maintained. In the midst of disintegration and destruction can there be solemnity? But for a solemn consciousness destruction does not exist. It is immediately canopied by a cupola of re-creation in all its beautiful subtlety. Thus the reflection of solemnity is justly considered luminous. Before a journey one must take stock of all provisions. Our friends bring to travelers the best flowers. Solemnity blossoms in purple—thus we gather garlands of heart …… Heart 1932 
550. Christ himself transmitted the healing power by his touch. He gave help in life through the heart. Thus it must be remembered that all forced conjurations are unfit, in accordance with the Law of the Lords. The heart's prayer issues directly even without need of conventional canon. In conjurations we see that the identical words were addressed to God as to Satan. Not with words but the feeling of heart creates the miracle. Thus even in the days of Armageddon one can be successful. Therefore one must eject all that impedes. Everyone who reads the Teaching can understand through the heart where the path lies. ….. ………///////….. Agni Yoga \1929 20.
The abolishment of the use of money will free humanity from blinders that impair its vision. There are moments of evolution when the walls we erect to contain conventional knowledge become obstacles. The time has come for emancipation of knowledge and assumption of personal responsibility for its use. ……………. Agni Yoga 1929 158:
 But in reality the light of knowledge has been replaced by conventional dogma of religion; and man, meant to be a thinker, worships his dark corner of idols, hanging amulets upon himself without even understanding the meaning of their symbols.
Governments that try to conceal their poverty of thought behind a mask of conventional success are doing the work of grave-diggers. Thus it is necessary to point out to younger generations the approach of the Yoga of Life. ………………. Agni Yoga 1929 
171. An agni yogi must renounce the conventional in all national cultures, although temporarily he belongs to one of them. The agni yogi renounces narrow specialization in his work, although he can possess a superior knowledge of one thing and the mastery of it. The agni yogi chooses spiritual relationship over blood relationship. The shield of an agni yogi lies in his consecration to world evolution and in stern banishment of prejudice from his heart. ………………. Agni Yoga 1929 
262. People prefer that everything be done in a usual way, by conventional means. But We prefer unexpected actions and equally unexpected results. People are happy when occurrences in their lives are the most ordinary, but We wish them greater success than this. Teach them to weigh the real harm and usefulness of what occurs. It is difficult to send currents of unusual success to people when they prefer to avoid unusual ways. We all know people who live in self-satisfied comfort. If they could only know what they lose because of their ease! People want to preserve all their petty habits, forgetting that the habits of spirit follow from the habits of body. The spirit weakens and begins to fear courageous action. Thus people become commonplace with the same conventional joys and sorrows. ……………. Agni Yoga 1929
295. The Teaching requires not only an open consciousness but also a desire to commit oneself to its step-by-step application. A mind obscured by conventional ways cannot accept the Teaching. Those not close to the Spirit of the Teaching ignore the usefulness of its books. Such people are not needed even if they are curious. ……………. Agni Yoga (1929) - 397:
Without prejudice and observing all one's surroundings one will reach the conclusion that Our methods are quite different from conventional ways. Life must be directed towards the element of fire, but this cannot be accomplished by  conventional methods of government. …… Agni Yoga 1929 399:
In the West can be encountered many conventional expressions, but this does not prevent one from knowing their true meaning. For this one has only to expel narrowness of thinking. ……………. Agni Yoga 1929
400. Why does support of the Teaching often come so timidly and apologetically? Of course because the problems of existence are of no interest to most of humanity. The questions of existence have no place in their everyday life. Anything unusual is seen by them as an aberration of nature. Their understanding of nature's laws is forged by cowardice. Fetishes and taboos, as before, still stand as overseers of humanity, and teachings of life are constrained by conventional science or are suffocated by the incense of temples. ……………… Agni Yoga 1929
511. One has to summon all one's courage to leave behind one's desire for miraculous manifestations and to turn one's idea of energy toward reality. This is difficult, but one must overcome the limitations of conventional ideas. It is difficult to resist sinking into the ordinary, for the impelling motion of evolution, which involves all aspects of existence is always strangely unfamiliar and does not resemble the past. …………….. Hierarchy 1931
64. It is necessary by every means to dissolve all conventional divisions of ignorance. Let us not be afraid to investigate by all methods - only learn to know! …………….. Hierarchy 1931
278. It can be understood how much more complex are group, state, and national karmas. Their intermingling is not lessened but increased by conventional boundaries of humanity. One can feel how aggravated is the interrelation between powers of light and darkness…You can see how greatly perturbed are weak spirits, how greatly obsessions increase and to what an extent these obsessions complicate karma. So also the earthly battle should not upset anyone because one can understand how it is magnified in infinity. ……….. Fiery World - 1933
83. The dark forces have brought the planet into such a condition that no earthly solution can restore its conventional prosperity. None can regard the earthly standards of yesterday as suitable for tomorrow. Hence humanity must understand anew the meaning of its transitory sojourn in an earthly state. Only through a fundamental defining of one's existence in the carnate form and through an understanding of subtle and fiery worlds can one strengthen one's own existence. One should not think that the delusion of trading can even temporarily insure a secure existence. Life has been turned into trade, but who of the Teachers of Life has ever been a shopkeeper? You know the great symbol of driving the money-changers out of the Temple; but is not Earth itself a temple? Is not Maha Meru the foot of the Summit of Spirit? …………. Fiery World - 1933 
109. The three dimensions are demons' chains - as someone has said. Truly he who chained human consciousness with three dimensions was a veritable jailer. How could it have been possible to conceal the other beautiful higher dimension! In their first questions children often strive beyond the boundaries of conventional limitations. At no time did the ancient wisdom insist upon three dimensions. Only with gradual coarsening of humanity did this limitation take possession of the mind. It is remarkable that when lamps of the heart become extinct people begin to concern themselves with limitations. One can quote numerous historical examples of this self-abasement. But human consciousness prefers to ignore the fundamentals of self-perfectment. Thus it attempts to conceal the most precious possibilities. …………. Fiery World - 1933
134. It is necessary that the conventional conception of the mist should be changed into that of a harmonious fiery universe, but for this consciousness must be transmuted. How many shocks must be experienced in order that visualization of Existence uplift the consciousness in all fearlessness! One must rid oneself of fear of the mist, and, by honest thinking and a developed imagination, one should advance beyond the monsters of superstition. ……………. Fiery World - 1933
171. People usually do not think with their minds but limit their thinking by conventional words of others, thus introducing dead words into the vast domain of thought. ………….. Fiery World 1933
187. Many times have I spoken of the harm of divisions. If life is eternal, if we understand one another not by conventional sounds but by something beyond language, then we are obligated to utilize this force toward unity. He who divides is wrong. He who permits separation is wrong. It is correct that the best ones are the containing ones. This is no time, after the fashion of cave dwellers, to flaunt ourselves as chosen workers. All are workers along the entire line of Hierarchy, but let none obstruct the fulfillment of fiery wishes. ………… Fiery World - 1933
208. Precisely the vital substance of straight-knowledge does not require any conventional apparatus. But of course it is necessary to reciprocally nourish this substance. ………… Fiery World - 1933:
219. Which of the conventional types of humanity expresses the fiery heart? The customary trend of thought may surmise the type to be of sanguinary nature or at least choleric, but this conclusion is an ignorant one. The fiery heart is a synthesized essence and cannot be fitted into purely conventional categories. It can only be asserted that the hypochondriac does not reflect the fiery essence. Thus one must imagine the fiery heart as an all-containing receptacle. The fires of such a heart will also not be uniform. Who can limit Buddhi by blue color? It may be asked of which shade is this vibrating blue color? In any scale there will be a blue tone, depending on outer and inner chemism. …………… Fiery World - 1933 
222. Such protests indicate a knowledge of the manifestations of the subtle world and an understanding that vivisections can become new sources of contamination. In the future an adequate prophylaxis together with application of finer energy will make diseases entirely non-existent. But meanwhile it is necessary as far as possible to stop the cruelties of vivisection and to reiterate about finer energy. Through such a constant reminder energy itself will become more manifest. For fiery thinking is also a kindling of the torches. ……………. Fiery World - 1933 475. It may take decades to perceive through intellect what fiery illumination effects almost instantaneously. ……………. Fiery World - 1933
505. Freedom from fear will not come through convincing oneself in each separate instance. On the contrary, such suggestions drive the feeling of fear inward, permitting it to return with full force at the first opportunity. Moreover, the terror will increase in proportion to the pressure of artificial suggestion. Imprisoned fear is a very dangerous convict, and it is essential to rid oneself of fear - so declare all Teachings. Fear can be eradicated by comparisons. Point out the terror of facing ferocious beasts to the man who is threatened by fire, and he will say "I would know how to escape wild beasts, but how can I escape this blaze?" Thus collect all possible causes of fear, and one after another they will fall away like dry leaves. ………. Fiery World 1933
615. but pure Ego is like a radiant Adamant! ………… Fiery World 1933 632. Whoever feels at heart the need of acquiring patience let him set himself this task. Whoever strives to develop courage let him gather this experience. One cannot forbid him who wishes to think of compassion or express himself in cooperation. Still worse are conventional coercive methods which force the disciple to strive for the quality farthest from him which cannot yet be assimilated. With all discipline of the Greek schools of philosophy imposition on a pupil's freewill was forbidden. For example, all abusive words were forbidden by mutual agreement without coercion, otherwise a man could send mentally still worse abuse. …………….. Fiery World 1934 85. The fact is that it is better to preserve even fragments of the cognizance of Hierarchy, even in conventional forms than to be cast into the abyss of chaos. When people hear about the unattainability of the highest they began to reject in general everything invisible. Therefore by My command godlessness, which has assumed the aspect of most obvious Satanism, will be adjudged. One cannot tolerate any longer such involution. …………… FW 1934
141. It may be observed how furiously people are now objecting to the concept of Leader, and at the same time they are ardently awaiting him. It is instructive to observe the disunity of the processes of brain and heart. The brain follows conventional thinking and repeats sing-song formulas. But the heart even though it be weak and unbalanced preserves grains of truth. Where the brain finds strength in negation the heart though timid still is atremor with joy at the nearness of the manifestation of a solution. People who raise objections against a constructive move usually have nothing to propose in its stead. Indeed such objectors are among the first to follow a leader. They will whisper about disagreement but willingly and precisely will they carry out a command. Not because of their slavish nature will they accept Hierarchy but due to the labor of their hearts. This means that in a moment of danger it is necessary to maintain equilibrium around a strong authority. Therefore let the Leader not be confused by these phantom voices. ……………… Fiery World 1934 236:
 you must prepare yourselves for direct communion. All conventional measures are already mediocre in themselves. In these days when fiery energies have been so intensified precisely this fire helps the heart to understand the higher command. This Command is propounded in the very midst of life. …………… Fiery World - 1935 
3. Much of that which is sacred and great will not necessarily appear so outwardly. The dimensions assume true magnitude in t inner consciousness. One may foresee various conditions, but one cannot foreknow how or when the Messenger will come. People by their own conventional measures impede the transcendental manifestations. … But without a sun neither the macrocosm nor the microcosm can exist. … One must fully realize the greatness of the hour; and for this solemnity is ordained. If you sense it - good for you! …………. Fiery World - 1935 
248. At first it is necessary to become accustomed to the refinement of one's feelings in order to saturate the spirit with necessary attraction to the world of Beauty. Thus the conception of conventional standards will be replaced by the true concept of Beauty. The revelation of refinement of feelings must certainly be introduced into life. ………….. AUM 1936 102:
Not conventional rites but prayer of the heart brings the world of Beauty near and makes it a daily sustenance. One can approach the highest with the chalice filled with the best thoughts. One can offer the best experiments by warranting them to be directed to Good. When the Good lives it opens all gates to the higher world. …………. AUM 1936 
174. It is more appropriate to speak about humanity as a whole than to speak conventionally about the interlacing of branches. …………… AUM 1936 
441. A cooperative is not a closed community. Cooperation based on the law of nature contains within itself the element of infinity. The exchange of work and mutual assistance must not impose conventional limitations. On the contrary the cooperative opens the doors to all possibilities. Besides, cooperatives are interconnected, and thus a working network will cover the whole world. ……….. AUM 1936
533. Each conventional subdivision inflicts damage upon the principle of unity. Realization of the fundamental force helps to liberate one from unnecessary accumulations. Most conventional terms have arisen from the egoism of individuals, each desiring to name an object in his own way. One should concern oneself with the crystallization of clear unifying definitions. …………… AUM 1936 
598. Pedants cannot tolerate multiformity, and therefore in place of a basic unity they substitute conventional divisions, giving them invented names. Through ages there have evolved the most harmful confusions, and few dare to turn again to fundamentals. ……………… Brotherhood 1937 26.
 In their earthly customs people often interpret letters in their own way, not being concerned with precise meaning of the words—such conventional egoistic practices have to be abandoned on the paths to Brotherhood. ………….. Brotherhood 1937 116.
Too few are the travelers who pay attention to extraordinary manifestations. On the contrary frequently the most exceptional evidences are dismissed by the most trivial explanations. People as if blind are unwilling to observe the evidence; they hasten away from it in order to shut themselves up in their conventional illusions ……… Brotherhood 1937
291. It is especially difficult to perceive the instantaneousness of action of the subtle body. People have so bound themselves with the conventional concept of time in its earthly sense that it is impossible for them to get away from the idea of lengthiness of time. Only those who have already become accustomed to issuing forth into the subtle world know how much one can feel in an instant. Much can be sensed in the spirit, and each perception must be preserved. ………… Brotherhood 1937
338. In conceiving of Brotherhood the science of thought has enormous significance. When concordance is based not on conventional agreement but on heart cooperation the manifestation of thought is especially intelligible and authoritative. One need not be surprised that the concept of brotherhood requires so many consonances. These vibrations are joyful ones. ………. Supermundane 1 1938 18:
Our manifestations and help are different. We save worthy people at moments of danger. By gentle contact We draw the attention of seekers whom We forewarn about their harmful decisions. We help to create and assist the Good. Our Work is dedicated to knowledge. We help each useful worker, unhindered by conventional distinctions of race and class. We watch diligently to discover where the ray of self-sacrificing achievement will flash. Our Temple is the Temple of Knowledge. We bring to it all the highest and We guard there all affirmations of the future. ……………… Supermundane 1 1938 75. each one invents his own fetters, not realizing that in his former lives he has already experienced the many ways of existence. Such a conventional life on Earth in complete ignorance of the past does not allow one the opportunity to think about the future. …………. Supermundane 1 1938 115. conventional written records contain many harmful errors. Dense ignorance can obscure small parts of the given truth, and deliberately malicious statements distort even the most obvious facts. One can imagine how much effort is needed to direct human thought to intelligent eradication of such shameful distortions. ……………… Supermundane 2 1938 268:
Do not imagine that the Teacher remains isolated. Every one of you can sense mental messages, but the Teacher feels them more strongly. We call these perceptions supermundane, yet they include all earthly feelings. We do not separate Existence by conventional divisions. …………….. Supermundane 2 1938 410:
One may ask in what language and in what terms it is best to appeal to the higher spheres. We will answer that this is possible in any language, but it is best to use your native tongue, which most easily expresses the thought. Let your expressions and your way of thinking be your own; why use the memorized words of another when you can freely express your own feelings? … People should understand that highest consciousnesses need not be addressed with conventional formulas or memorized verses when a direct appeal from the heart is more personal. In everything a heartfelt expression should be used without embarrassment, for the simplest words are always the most potent. …………. Supermundane 2 1938 418:
judgments are too often formed under the influence of the words of others, and it thus becomes impossible to return to one's first, immediate impression. People forget how many obstacles they themselves create. ……………….