from Letters of Helena Roerich
Man, who builds life full of sunlight
When talking about the personality of N.K., it is very important to point out how N.K. gives to everyone who comes into contact with him a creative stimulus, and how he demands the highest quality of work. Point out his wonderful ability to get the best out of everyone, and what powerful results are achieved by such guidance! How he teaches to draw benefit from every circumstance by concentration on the positive aspects! N.K. is not only a benevolent prophet who calls for pure thinking, abstinence and all-forgiveness, as people do see him, but he is also a true leader and builder, for he knows the battle of life and he arms his co-workers for participation in this battle. He strikes at everything dark and ignorant. Sometimes it seems that his wisdom and foresight are endless, and his near ones can confirm how he has predicted events which later came to pass and were witnessed by many. Has he not also, so often, pointed out the right direction humanity should choose in order to avoid misery?
The main condition for salvation is in his call for the unity of the whole cultural world and for educating the young people in a new understanding of creative thought and broad cooperation, based on the concept of great culture, the Cult-Ur, or the Cult of Light… Can you sense all the power, the invisible power of this
man, who builds life full of sunlight? The sun of his life burns up all that is dark, malicious, and destructive.
21 October 1931
In his essay, N.K. has given a remarkable definition of culture. He says: "An ignorant person must become civilized first of all; then educated; then after education is acquired, a person becomes intelligent; then comes refinement and realization of synthesis, which is crowned by the acceptance of the idea of culture."
Not a single narrow specialist, regardless of how high his professional skill, can be considered a cultural leader. Culture is synthesis; culture understands and knows the foundations of life and creativeness because it is the cult, or worship, or reverence of creative fire, which is life. But who has realized the foundations of life?
29 May 1931
It is most gratifying to me that you have emphasized so strongly the universality of N. K.'s personality, and that you regard his creative work as harmonious with the rhythm of cosmic constructiveness. How right, how excellent is this estimation: "From the Beauty of the world he gathers the sacred dew of the spirit into his heart, until finally it is brimming like the Chalice of the Grail." Verily, N. K. is a carrier of the chalice of heroic deeds in the name of Truth and Beauty. Likewise, you have subtly pointed out his ability "to mark and greet in each one the positive creative aspirations, to affirm in him every spark of Light, and to preserve and fan it into still brighter flame."
Indeed, this "benevolent eye" is basic in his relations with people and in his efforts to give them hope of success and joy of creative work. This "eye of the heart" actually helps him to embrace the whole beauty of the creative life and to apply it simply and clearly, without conventionalities and limitations, so that it can resound in sensitive hearts. His constant deep sense of Beauty and his enthusiasm make his creativeness inexhaustible.
11 June 1935
The art of N.K. is valued for purity, translucency and an endless diversity of color combinations which go together with an unusual power and depth of tone. Each painting is a beautiful symphony of color consonances. We know that the colors, the shades and their harmony create an occult impression upon the viewer. It is known that beautiful paintings have the power of healing, and we have had many opportunities to witness this. But, of course, for such reactions one must have "an open heart and an open eye." As it is said, "It is possible to remain in full darkness even while facing the most beautiful art creations, if darkness is in us."
But no less attention should be paid to the quite exceptional gift of N.K. in composition, which, by the way, is very rare. All strange—to put it mildly—deviations in the life of art, which we notice periodically, come mainly because of this lack of the gift of composition. But each creation of N.K. is striking by its harmony in the combination of all its parts, and this harmony carries real conviction. Nothing can be added, nothing can be taken away. Everything is just right. This harmony of form and color, this mastery, is that gift which is characteristic of a great creator. The creations of N.K. are also dear to me because of the beauty of their thought, expressed in majestic but simple and sometimes profoundly touching images.
For me, a constant witness of his art, it is a source of endless amazement—this inexhaustible thought combined with daring and unexpected color combinations! Just as remarkable is the ease and certainty with which he calls forth his images. They truly speak, live on his canvases, and very seldom has he had to change something or to abandon the first sketch. Verily, in watching the process of his work one does not know which is more amazing—the beauty of the painting or the virtuosity of its execution.
19 June 1933
And now, regarding N., K. not speaking of present day Russia. It should be understandable for any sensitive spirit. N. K. deeply loves his country and is most devoted to it. This feeling is so sacred that to talk about it among those who do not understand or who are hostile would be simply sacrilegious. In the East it is customary not to talk of the most sacred, and in this respect N. K. belongs to the East. His heart sees and knows that which others are still unable to understand. Evolution creates its immutable cosmic course, and a great historical selection is taking place throughout the entire span of the planet. All who sincerely love their country understand how solicitously one must treat it during a difficult and painful period of transition toward a new construction after a gigantic explosion has shaken it to its very depths.
17 December 1935
Verily, life is full of miracles if we approach everything with an open heart and with striving to beauty and self-perfection. And not by way of all sorts of artificial meditations and concentrations and other mechanical means, but in the great deed of everyday life. This great deed of life in all its severe beauty is practised by N.K. His life is the life of complete renunciation; he lives for the great service to humanity. Nothing belongs to him and he himself belongs not to himself. The greatest tolerance is his nature, and, like a magnet, he attracts the most diverse people and groups them around his name. The wisdom of the Master is his wisdom. Had it been otherwise, how could he be such a prophet? How could he succeed in the entrusted mission in spite of the dreadful obstacles which are raised by the dark ones at the end of Kali Yuga, during the dreadful Armageddon?
17 February 1934
The noble idea of the Banner of Peace must gradually enter life and, as one writer has said, "Every scientist, every creator, every teacher, every pupil, everyone who thinks about the meaning and purpose of history, must hasten to follow the call of N. K. Roerich, who raises the Banner of Peace over the entire world. Of course, we realize that this peace is also a struggle. But it is not a selfish struggle, a struggle for one's own welfare, but rather a defense against the dark forces, who are attacking the treasures of the spirit.... It is not statutes that are important, but the will of the individual cultural workers. They are not yet united, but they must be merged into one current, one flowing river, surging toward the entrance into the great ocean of ideas...."
The idea of defending the creations of human genius is so beautiful and so essential that it is imperative to put it into practice as soon as possible. Just think how many years will have to pass before the consciousness of the masses will be prepared to respect what the Banner proposes to protect! But time does not wait. In Spain there was recently destroyed a very ancient church, together with the paintings of some of the best masters. Long is the list of priceless treasures that have been destroyed. It is time to arrest this vandalism.
18 October 1934
The path of the Teaching, the Path of Service, first of all, is the path of self-denial and sacrifice. But joyous is this path when the heart is full of love toward the Hierarchy of Light – the thorns become like fragrant freesias! An example of such service is given by N. K. If only you could know his burden you would be terrified, as verily his burden is enormous! But he is so full of love, of devotion and striving, that he accepts everything with great joy and is ready to give his whole self for the General Good.
2 June 1934
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