Friday, October 17, 2008

Mohammed the Prophet

Mohammed the Prophet (1932) by Nicholas Roerich.

Mohammed the Prophet (1929) by Nicholas Roerich - Tempera on canvas 74.2cm x 117.3cm

Beautiful, intense and filled with awe, this painting captures the essence of spiritual inspiration. Magnificent!

Mohammed and Gabriel - Miniature illustration on vellum from the book Jami' al-Tawarikh Mohammed was  born in 570 CE in Mecca. Orphaned at a young age, he was brought up by his uncle. He married at age 25 and worked as a merchant. He was discontented with his life so went into the mountains to meditate and reflect. At age 40, in the month of Ramadan, Mohammed received a revelation from God. The illustration right shows Angel Gabriel giving Mohammed his first revelation. Three years later he began speaking about his revelations. The Noble Qur'an is a collection of God's teachings through Mohammad. It says...

59:24. He is the One GOD; the Creator, the Initiator, the Designer. To Him belong the most beautiful names. Glorifying Him is everything in the heavens and the earth. He is the Almighty, Most Wise.

5:16. GOD guides those who seek His approval. He guides them to the paths of peace, leads them out of darkness into the light by His leave, and guides them in a straight path.

Nicholas Roerich (Himalayas, 1929) says ...

"Highly interesting are the words of At-Tabari about the prophetic mission of Mohammed (“History of Prophets and Kings”): “The revelation of the divine messenger began with impartations of truth, which came to him as the morning glow. Then he was filled with the desire for solitude and remained in the cave on Mount Hira. And so to him came the eternal True One and said, ‘Mohammed, thou art God’s messenger. I knelt,’ God’s messenger says, ‘and I waited. Then I slowly left. My heart was trembling. I came to Hadija and said to enwrap me, enwrap me, and my fear left. And He came again and said to me. 'Mohammed, I am Gabriel, and thou art the Messenger of God...' '” The exclamation 'Enwrap me' gives authentic occult character to the narrative." 

Roerich Nicholas Roerich (1874–1947) — ). Russian scholar, mystic, painter, and designer. He cofounded the Agni Yoga Society with his wife Helena, a channel of El Morya. Master Morya's heartfelt messages became the foundation of Agni Yoga. The messages from El Morya are available at agniyoga.org. Nicholas Roerich Museum contains a collection of his paintings. Prints of Roerich's paintings are available at agniart.ru.

~Bonnee

2 comments:

James said...

"El Morya"

There is no such name as "El Morya" in the Agni Yoga writings. It is simply, "Morya" or "Master Morya."

The name "El Morya" was invented later by writers who did not reflect the original writings. In such subtle changes are born the "glamours" of the path.

James
http://www.bookreader.org

Bonnee Klein Gilligan said...

Greetings James

I wondered about the 'El' myself, thanks for your astute comment. I asked Morya about the 'El' this is what he said...

"The 'El' is honorific, a title that some chelas utilize when addressing their teacher. Similar to the words Rinpoche or Sensei but a little more 'el'evated. I suppose it could be misread or misinterpreted by the egoic self as creating specialness. However it was said from the highest respect and love. Any teaching can be misinterpreted, as can any intension. One is not necessarily better then another. Every striving toward enlightenment is welcome. The core Agni teachings are clear with pure intent. But then so are the teachings through Innocenti, Bailey and others. Read with the heart and you will feel the correctness or Truth contained within. Love touches, wisdom follows. These are indicators.

Morya