It is a mistake to call every beginner of any of the Yogas a “Yogi.” Yoga, or communion, is achieved by hard and constant spiritual practice, and can be hastened. . . only by karmic accumulations. Therefore, it is wrong to say that ‘A Raja Yogi sometimes becomes a fanatic; a Jnana Yogi an intellectual speculator; and a Bhakti Yogi a religious zealot who rejoices at the ‘righteous’ punishment of heretics.’ Rather, it would be more correct to say that ‘those who have certain inclinations which may lead them to become in their later incarnations Raja Yogis may first manifest themselves as fanatics; those with tendencies toward Jnana as intellectual pedants; and those with Bhakti tendencies as religious hypocrites.’ Once, however, a high degree of true Yoga is achieved (either Raja, Bhakti or Jnana), there can be no real perversion of the guiding principles in such an intense way. A king of spirit cannot become a fanatic, and a Jnana-Philosopher possessing the eye of Dangma cannot become an idle intellectual pedant; neither can a Bhakti—a lord of the cosmic magnet of the all-embracing heart—rejoice at ‘righteous punishment.’ When the Teaching mentions there are “signs of the Hatha Yogi in the unbearable athlete, signs of the Bhakti Yogi in the hypocrite, and signs of the Raja Yogi in the Fanatic,” it is pointing out characteristic inclinations which, if transmuted by spiritual fire, would lead into one or another of the different types of Yoga. But not vice versa! Letters of Helena Roerich, vol I, 6 May 1934
COMMENTARY:
In this insightful comment, Helena Roerich addresses a common misconception: confusing a beginner’s raw, untamed personality traits with the fully realized state of a true master. She explains that people often unfairly judge spiritual disciplines by the flaws of novices—mistaking the fanaticism, intellectual pedantry, or religious hypocrisy of beginners for the end results of the Raja (will), Jnana (knowledge), and Bhakti (devotion) yogic paths. Instead, Mme. Roerich reframes these negative behaviors not as failures of the Teachings, but as the initial, unrefined inclinations of individuals who are naturally drawn toward those specific paths.
The true essence of any path, H.R. argues, is achieved only through dedication and the “spiritual fire” that purifies these raw tendencies. Once genuine mastery is reached, those initial flaws are transformed completely; the fanatic becomes a grounded spiritual leader, the over-thinker gains profound clarity and vision, and the zealot develops an all-embracing, compassionate heart. Ultimately, this quote reminds us that the flaws we see in ourselves or others at the start of any demanding journey are simply the raw materials waiting to be refined into true excellence.