Helena Roerich: Writer, Philosopher and Peacemaker
The graceful Helena Ivanovna Roerich (1879 – 1955)
(By Tsem Rinpoche and Joy Kam)
The graceful and talented Russian writer, artist, theosophist, explorer, healer and philosopher, Helena Ivanovna Roerich was born on February 12, 1879. She was the beloved wife of the famous painter, Nicholas Roerich.
They were both disciples of Master Morya, the teacher of Helena Petrovna Blavatsky (Madame Blavatsky), founder of the Theosophical Society. With the help and collaboration of various teachers from the East, Helena and Nicholas Roerich founded the Agni Yoga Society in New York in the early 20th Century. The Agni Yoga Society advocated the philosophical teachings known as Living Ethics.
Master Morya, whose spiritual teachings called Agni Yoga were disseminated by Helena and Nicholas Roerich. He was also the teacher of Madame Blavatsky, the founder of the Theosophical Society.
Helena and Nicholas travelled to and explored many remote, hard-to-reach regions in Central Asia. It was part of their quest to learn about the culture, life and spiritual beliefs of the East, and how it related to human consciousness and the enlightened mind. They were very spiritual at heart and believed that their purpose on this planet was to spread the message of the Divine.
Helena was not just a great philosopher; she was an inspiration, a great leader and a prominent contributor to the world of art and culture. She was the founder and honorary President of the Institute of Himalayan Studies, also known as ‘Urusvati’ in India. Among her many publications are translations of two volumes of Helena P. Blavatsky’s ‘Secret Doctrine’, and a selection of Master Morya’s letters known as ‘Cup of the East’.
She also co-wrote the ‘International Treaty for Protection of Artistic and Scientific Institutions and Historical Monuments’, better known as the Roerich Pact, and is still revered around the world for her wisdom and her profoundly spiritual books.
Young Helena
The five-year-old Helena Shaposhnikova, 1884
Born in St. Petersburg, Helena Roerich was the daughter of a famous Russian architect, Ivan Ivanovich Shaposhnikov, who designed the St. Petersburg Choral Synagogue. Her mother was Ekaterina Vassilievna Shaposhnikova who came from the ancient Golenischev-Kutuzov family from Novgorod.
When Helena was young, she was a very sensitive child and would often fall ill. What is interesting is that when she was ill, she would see two very tall men who would suddenly appear from nowhere and come to her aid.
When she related these visions and experiences to her family and other adults, they would dismiss her tales and tell her to stop imagining things. They obviously did not believe her, so she decided to keep her thoughts to herself and refrained from sharing them.
Helena at 10 years old. Even when Helena was young, she was very graceful and had a regal presence.
Little Helena often spent summers at her aunt, E.V. Putyatina’s estate. Her aunt was married to Prince P.A. Putyatin and they resided in Bologoe in the Novgorod region. It is said that when Helena was staying there, she would go outside to feed the animals every morning and when they saw her coming, they would all rush to greet her.
Another picture of Helena when she was young
A Love for Learning
Helena came from a family of intellectual and highly-talented individuals like Arsenii Arkadievich Golenischev-Kutuzov, a well-known 19th Century poet; Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky, a composer; and Mikhail Illarionovich Golenischev-Kutuzov, a field marshal.
Helena was an intelligent, inquisitive and highly independent child with a natural artistic talent. From a very young age, Helena showed exceptional abilities — she could play the piano and was able to read and write in three different languages when she was just seven. Even at such a tender age, she showed an interest in spirituality and started reading philosophical, spiritual, artistic and historical books.
Coming from such a rich, cultured background and being surrounded by highly-educated relatives, it is not surprising that Helena had the privilege of receiving a very good education. By all accounts, she enjoyed it very much.
The beautiful and elegant Helena in her younger days
Helena received a gold medal for excellence when she graduated from St. Petersburg’s Mariinsky Gymnasium in 1895. Apart from a formal education at school, she took the initiative to study a variety of other subjects on her own. She learned to paint and became well-versed in Russian and European literature, religious history and philosophy. Helena was especially interested in the great works of illustrious Indian philosophers such as Rabindranath Tagore, Ramakrishna and Vivekananda.
The former Mariinsky Gymnasium in St. Petersburg
After graduating, Helena wanted to further her studies in the St. Petersburg Conservatory but her family opposed it. They were afraid she would become interested in revolutionary ideas popular among the students there. Therefore, Helena continued her studies at home, mastering foreign languages and becoming well-versed in many different subjects.
Falling in Love
It was 1899, in Bologoe, that Helena crossed paths with Nicholas Konstantinovich Roerich. Nicholas soon became attracted to Helena and would often request her company at all kinds of exhibitions and performances. They shared many things in common and eventually fell in love. Despite her family’s objections, Helena married Nicholas Roerich in 1901 in St. Petersburg.
To commemorate their love, a monument was built in 2001 at the spot where they first met in Bologoe; it is named ‘Monument of Love’. The monument has inscribed upon it a beautiful quote from Nicholas Roerich’s essay called ‘The University’, which was a declaration of his love for Helena:
“I met Lada, my partner in life and inspirer, at Bologoe, at Prince P.A. Putyatin’s estate. Joy!”.
Nicholas Roerich fell in love with Helena and they tied the knot in 1901
The monument celebrates the love and union of one of Russia’s most prominent artistic couples who shared the same vision for the world around them. After they married, Nicholas again wrote about their love:
“We passed amicably any obstacles. And the obstacles turned into possibilities. I devoted my books: To Helena, my wife, friend, partner and inspirer.”
Nicholas and Helena Roerich in 1908
Many of Nicholas Roerich’s artworks were born from the common creativity the couple shared. In Roerich’s books as well as his paintings, he refers to Helena as “She who leads”. He also said many times that there should have been two signatures on his paintings, his and his beloved Helena’s.
“We created together, and not without reason it was said that the works must have two names, women’s and men’s.”
She who holds the world (1933)
She who leads (1943)
From beyond (1935)
Helena and Nicholas had two sons together. The elder, George, was born in August 1902 and the younger, Svetoslav, was born in October 1904. George grew up to be a renowned orientalist and scientist while Svetoslav took after his father and became a talented painter.
Helena (right) with her two sons, George and Svetoslav
Her husband and sons admired Helena and she was considered the foundation of the Roerich family as well as their spiritual leader. Always supportive of Nicholas’ initiatives and projects, she would study deeply whatever subjects he was exploring. They travelled together often and explored around forty ancient cities in Russia searching for places of national history and culture in 1903 alone.
It was during these travels that Helena captured the beauty of various architectural monuments, paintings and ornaments with her photography skills. She was also skilled in restoration and together, she and Nicholas recovered many precious masterpieces from great artists like Van Dyck, Breugel, Rubens and van Orley, where their originals were hidden behind many layers of new paint.
Being an artistic person, Helena collected many antiques and works of art during her travels. She also composed over 300 written works, many of which can be seen in the Hermitage Museum today. Another of Helena’s interests was archaeology, and she and Nicholas would often help in excavation works in Novgorod and Tver.
Nicholas Roerich with his sons, George and Svetoslav.
In 1916, Helena fell very ill with pneumonia. A doctor strongly advised her to move to a warmer place. The Roerichs decided to move to Finland and lived along the shores of Lake Ladoga in Serdobol. Finland became independent in 1918 and closed its borders to Russia and this made it difficult for the Roerichs to return to their homeland.
In 1919, the Roerichs moved to England and made London their home. It was here in London that Helena began to collaborate with a group of great thinkers and Eastern philosophers. They were called “The Great Teachers” (Mahatmas) according to the Indian spiritual tradition and, together, they started the works of Agni Yoga.
Nicholas and Helena Roerich in Novgorod, Russia, 1905
Helena’s Travels and Works
Not long after their move to England in 1920, Nicholas Roerich was invited to the United States on a tour to exhibit his amazing artwork. The entire Roerich family then moved to New York.
Nicholas Roerich Museum, an International Art Centre in New York
It was in New York that the cultural activities under Nicholas Roerich’s leadership began. Helena played a huge role in supporting her partner during this creative manifestation. It set the foundation for the growth of cultural centres such as the Nicholas Roerich Museum, the International Art Centre, “Corona Mundi” (“Crown of the World”), and the International Painter’s Association “Cor Ardens” (Flaming Hearts).
Roerich’s esteemed cultural centres had great influence on America’s cultural development and sparked many more creative clubs, societies and educational institutions that brought together many artists and intellectuals. It was a time of great joy as many inspiring people collaborated and united to explore and expand their consciousness in order to find a counter to the increasingly materialistic world that was creating roadblocks in their journey of intellectual exploration.
Three years later, in December 1923, Helena and Nicholas decided to move the whole family to India. Helena had always been interested in, and was fascinated by India. She adored the richness of its culture and the deep spirituality integral to its soul. Many Russian intellectuals were attracted to India’s spiritual traditions, a trend that was especially true towards the end of the 19th Century. They were seeking morality and found that Indian traditions taught them to live better, simpler lives.
From 1924 to 1928, Helena joined her husband on a grand expedition to Central Asia organised by Nicholas. The expedition took them to some very hard-to-reach places in Russia, India, China, Mongolia, and Tibet.
From left to right on the elephant: Nicholas Roerich, Svetoslav Roerich, Helena Roerich and George Roerich in India, December 1923
They saw regions where few had traversed before, many of which were largely untouched and some even unknown. They would pause at each location and research its geography, archaeology, ethnography, history, philosophy, arts and religion.
Unknown mountains and passages were discovered and mapped out. They also found some very rare manuscripts and collections of important linguistic texts. Special attention was paid to the historical unity of the cultures of different people separated by vast distances.
The expedition was certainly not a leisurely task; they had to withstand extreme weather conditions, especially when they were travelling through the Himalayas. Local rebels, armed bandits and caravan looters were a constant threat; the expedition lost horses to poisonous grasses and were even very close to losing their own lives.
They endured all this, conquering 35 mountains and crossing the Gobi Desert in search of the mystical kingdom Shambhala. Although Nicholas did not find Shambhala, descriptions of it appear in his writings and depictions can be found in his paintings.
Nicholas Roerich’s Most Sacred – Treasure of the Mountains is a painting depicting the King of Shambhala
When Nicholas decided to stay in Gulmarg in April 1925, Helena took the opportunity to translate the book ‘Mahatma’s Letters’ from English to Russian. It had been written by A. Trevor Barker based on the letters between the Theosophical Society and two English Theosophists, A. P. Sinnett and A. O. Hume in India.
Helena Blavatsky or Madame Blavatsky was a Russian spiritualist. Her works introduced the Roerichs to Shambhala.
The letters discussed the theosophical cosmos and spiritual hierarchy. In that same year, Helena wrote and published ‘Chalice of the East’ under the pen name Iskander Khanum.
In 1926, the Roerich’s expedition group stayed in Urga, which is known as Ulaanbaatar today. It was here that Helena’s manuscript, ‘Foundations of Buddhism’ was published.
This book presented Helena’s understanding and interpretation of the fundamental teachings and philosophical concepts of Buddha’s teachings. It explained complex Buddhist principles and the moral foundation of the Buddha’s teachings in a simple, easy-to-understand manner, and this ignited the West’s interest in Buddhism. The following year, one of the series of the Living Ethics books called ‘Community’ was published at this same place. Needless to say, Helena was one of the pioneers who played an important role in introducing Buddhism to the West.
When the Roerichs had completed their Central Asian expedition, they decided to stay on in the Kullu Valley in Himachal Pradesh, India. This is where they established the Institute of Himalayan Studies – Urusvati, which in Sanskrit means ‘Light of the Morning Star’.
Institute of Himalayan Studies, ‘Urusvati’, which in Sanskrit means ‘Light of the Morning Star’. Today, it houses the memorial research library compiled by the Roerichs and several zoological and botanical collections. It is also considered the Himalayan Folk Art Museum, and exhibitions such as The History of the ‘Urusvati’ Institute, The Roerich Pact: History and Modernity, and Nicholas Roerich: Life and Creative Work have been held here.
Helena was the Honorary President-Founder of Urusvati and she was actively involved in organising the work and research conducted at the institute. Since she was both an art connoisseur and a philosopher, she understood very well the scientific problems researchers would face and would often direct their research herself. Her main focus was the study of ancient Eastern philosophies.
The Roerich family in Kullu Valley, India
Urusvati focused its studies on the Asian region which has had a substantial influence on the development of world culture. The complex study of the human psyche and physiological aspects were one of the main subjects studied at Urusvati.
Helena had a dream and a vision of a city of knowledge and wisdom in the Kullu Valley, which would be an international centre for philosophy and science. This dream came true when Urusvati became a well-known institute where famous philosophers and scientists from all over the world would congregate, share and teach.
Rabindranath Tagore, Jagadish Chandra Bose, Albert Einstein, Robert Andrews Millikan, Louis de Broglie, S. Gedin, R. Magoffin, N.I. Vavilov and S.I. Metalnikov were some of the brilliant scholars and scientists who collaborated at Urusvati.
Helena Roerich in Darjeeling (1924)
When Helena was in Kullu, she focused on writing her book, Living Ethics. The great laws of the cosmos, the meaning of human life, the importance of culture for human evolution, and mankind’s great teachers were some of the contents of Living Ethics.
Another very important subject Helena worked on was Cryptograms of the East, written in Russian and published in Paris in 1929 under another pen name Josephine Saint-Hilaire. It has been published in English as On Eastern Crossroads: Legends and Prophecies of Asia.
In this book, Helena presented the mythical legends and fables of great spiritual teachers and Enlightened Beings who have inspired the world and taught mankind invaluable lessons. Buddha, Christ, St. Sergius of Radonezh, Apollonius of Tyana and Akbar the Great all appear in this tome. With deep reverence for St. Sergius of Radonezh, the saviour and defender of Russia, she wrote and dedicated a special essay called ‘The Banner of St. Sergius of Radonezh’ to him.
Helena’s Later Years
Helena spent the first half of 1930 translating two volumes of Helena Blavatsky’s fundamental work, ‘Secret Doctrine’ from English to Russian. Helena’s letters to over 140 people from different parts of the world give incredible insight into the inner thoughts and sound logic of a woman who was a pioneer in so many fields.
These letters contain answers to all kinds of questions from friends, cultural workers, her followers and even political leaders. She explains complex philosophical views, problems that scientists face, and the foundations of Living Ethics.
In 1940, a book titled ‘Letters of Helena Roerich’ was published in Russian in two volumes. Later, the complete set was translated into English and published by the International Centre of the Roerichs. This is also where all of Helena’s precious letters are safely kept today.
It was during Nicholas Roerich’s Manchurian expedition that Helena wrote to many international organisations to garner support for the Roerich Pact. The Roerich Pact is an international agreement, a treaty to protect historical monuments as well as artistic and scientific institutions.
The signing of the Roerich Pact — the first international treaty dedicated to the protection of artistic and scientific institutions and historical monuments. The Pact was signed by leaders of 21 countries, including the President of the United States Franklin Roosevelt.
Helena’s hard work paid off when the leaders of 21 countries, including the President of the United States, Franklin Roosevelt, signed the Roerich Pact on April 15, 1935.
Nicholas Roerich’s Banner of Peace is illustrated in this painting called ‘Madonna Oraflamma’. It is a symbol of the Roerich Pact.
Nicholas Roerich passed away on December 13, 1947. This unfortunate event led Helena and her eldest son George to move to Delhi, and after that to Khandala in 1949. Eventually, they settled in a quaint little hill station on the Eastern Himalayan slopes called Kalimpong, north of Bengal. Helena liked living in Kalimpong; she was fond of the locals and integrated well with the Gurkhas, Bengalis and Tibetans living there.
She lived in the two-storey ‘Crookety House’ built in the 1940s by the British. The last few years of her life were spent here working, writing, painting and meditating.
Today, Helena’s Crookety House is a museum that attracts many artists and visitors from all over the world. A visitor from the U.K., Ian Graham, wrote an interesting review on a popular travel site saying, “The atmosphere in the house is one of tremendous stillness. One goes almost immediately into a meditative state on entering.”
Helena at her busy desk
She felt that her work on earth was to spread the teachings of Agni Yoga’s Living Ethics.
“I exist only due to the ray of the Great Master, who said it was necessary for me to remain because no one could replace me as I worked under the highest Cosmic Sign, and this century was in need of my attainment.”
Although Helena loved living in India, she had hoped to one day return to her homeland, Russia. She wanted to bring back all the treasures she had collected during her expeditions, and to share her experiences with her fellow Russians.
When Helena lived with her son George, after Nicholas’s passing, they tried to board a steamboat to return to Russia but their visas were denied. In her later years, Helena wrote several times to the Soviet Embassy to attempt to return home, but never received a reply.
It is indeed unfortunate that her own country refused such a brilliant philosopher who contributed so much toward the development of arts, culture, science and human consciousness.
The Crookety House in Kalimpong, where Helena spent the last few years of her life working, writing, painting and meditating, is now a museum which attracts visitors from all over the world.
Helena’s Death
Helena was almost 70 when she moved to Kalimpong and her health started to deteriorate. However, she never showed any outward signs of illness. On October 5, 1955, at age 76, Helena Roerich passed away. It is said that she experienced two heart attacks in her sleep.
Following her wishes, Helena’s body was cremated and her ashes were placed in a stupa in Zang Dhok Palri Phodang Buddhist Monastery in West Bengal, India. On the stupa is an inscription that reads, “Helena Roerich, the wife of Nicholas Roerich, thinker and writer, old friend of India.”
Helena Roerich’s ashes were placed in a stupa in Zang Dhok Palri Phodang Monastery, India
Even her funeral was a melting pot of cultures – Indians, Chinese, Afghans, Tibetans, Mongols, Nepalis, Bhutanese and Japanese people came to pay their last respects to Helena. Seeing the amount of people who came really touched her sons, George and Svetoslav, as well as her daughter-in-law Devika Rani, a famous Indian actor, very much.
Svetoslav Roerich, the second Roerich son married Devika Rani, a renowned Indian actress, producer and singer. They were married for almost 50 years.
Famous author and healer, Ruth Drayer, wrote in her book, Nicholas and Helena Roerich: The Spiritual Journey of Two Great Artists and Peacemakers that Helena “worked heroically to consolidate the (family’s) spiritual legacy for future safekeeping.”
The more we discover about Helena, the more we are inspired by her as someone deeply attuned to the spiritual world. Her selfless courage is evident in her efforts to ensure that creative and philosophical institutions, as well as teachings, were preserved and protected for posterity. There is no doubt that Helena Roerich has left an indelible mark on this planet through her many contributions to the evolution of the human spirit, arts and culture.
Monument to Nicholas and Helena Roerich in Moscow, Russia.
Agni Yoga (1929)
A painting of Helena Roerich – Mother of Agni Yoga
Mother of the world (1924) – a painting by Nicholas Roerich. This painting seems to encapsulates Helena’s energy.
Helena Roerich’s Written Works
The texts below were downloaded from the Agni Yoga website (agniyoga.org) and all copyrights are held by the Agni Yoga Society, Inc. They are made available here for purely educational, non-commercial purposes. For full copyright information and terms of use, please visit http://agniyoga.org/ay_en/downloads.php
Letters of Helena Roerich I: 1929-1935
Helena Roerich was an unusually gifted woman, author of many books. Her collected Letters, in two volumes, are an example of the wisdom, spiritual insight, and simple advice she shared with a multitude of correspondents—friends, foes, and co-workers alike.
Letters of Helena Roerich II: 1935-1939
Helena Roerich was an unusually gifted woman, author of many books. Her collected Letters, in two volumes, are an example of the wisdom, spiritual insight, and simple advice she shared with a multitude of correspondents—friends, foes, and co-workers alike.
On Eastern Crossroads
Often the so-called Apocrypha preserve many traces of reality taken from authentic texts. In these unexpected tales and parables scattered among the peoples of Asia we learn precisely what images live in the folk consciousness. To gather these Cryptograms of the great thought means to glimpse the souls of the peoples.
Foundations of Buddhism
The Great Gotama gave to the world a complete Teaching of the perfect construction of life. Each attempt to make a god of the great revolutionist, leads to absurdity. Previous to Gotama there was, of course, a whole succession of those who bore the common welfare, but their teachings crumbled to dust in the course of millenniums. Therefore the Teaching of Gotama should be accepted as the first teaching of the laws of matter and the evolution of the world.
Leaves of Morya’s Garden I: The Call
Leaves of Morya’s Garden I (The Call) is the first book from the Agni Yoga Series which is composed of fourteen books.
Though not systematised in an ordinary sense, Agni Yoga is a Teaching that helps the discerning student to discover moral and spiritual guide-posts by which to learn to govern his or her life and thus contribute to the Common Good.
Leaves of Morya’s Garden II: Illumination
Leaves of Morya’s Garden II (Illumination) is the second book from the Agni Yoga Series which is composed of fourteen books.
Though not systematised in an ordinary sense, Agni Yoga is a Teaching that helps the discerning student to discover moral and spiritual guide-posts by which to learn to govern his or her life and thus contribute to the Common Good.
New Era Community
New Era Community is the third book from the Agni Yoga Series which is composed of fourteen books.
Though not systematised in an ordinary sense, Agni Yoga is a Teaching that helps the discerning student to discover moral and spiritual guide-posts by which to learn to govern his or her life and thus contribute to the Common Good.
Agni Yoga
Agni Yoga is the fourth book from the Agni Yoga Series which is composed of fourteen books.
Though not systematised in an ordinary sense, Agni Yoga is a Teaching that helps the discerning student to discover moral and spiritual guide-posts by which to learn to govern his or her life and thus contribute to the Common Good.
Infinity I
Infinity I is the fifth book from the Agni Yoga Series which is composed of fourteen books.
Though not systematised in an ordinary sense, Agni Yoga is a Teaching that helps the discerning student to discover moral and spiritual guide-posts by which to learn to govern his or her life and thus contribute to the Common Good.
Infinity II
Infinity II is the sixth book from the Agni Yoga Series which is composed of fourteen books.
Though not systematised in an ordinary sense, Agni Yoga is a Teaching that helps the discerning student to discover moral and spiritual guide-posts by which to learn to govern his or her life and thus contribute to the Common Good.
Hierarchy
Hierarchy is the seventh book from the Agni Yoga Series which is composed of fourteen books.
Though not systematised in an ordinary sense, Agni Yoga is a Teaching that helps the discerning student to discover moral and spiritual guide-posts by which to learn to govern his or her life and thus contribute to the Common Good.
Heart
Heart is the eighth book from the Agni Yoga Series which is composed of fourteen books.
Though not systematised in an ordinary sense, Agni Yoga is a Teaching that helps the discerning student to discover moral and spiritual guide-posts by which to learn to govern his or her life and thus contribute to the Common Good.
Fiery World I
Fiery World I is the ninth book from the Agni Yoga Series which is composed of fourteen books.
Though not systematised in an ordinary sense, Agni Yoga is a Teaching that helps the discerning student to discover moral and spiritual guide-posts by which to learn to govern his or her life and thus contribute to the Common Good.
Fiery World II
Fiery World II is the tenth book from the Agni Yoga Series which is composed of fourteen books.
Though not systematised in an ordinary sense, Agni Yoga is a Teaching that helps the discerning student to discover moral and spiritual guide-posts by which to learn to govern his or her life and thus contribute to the Common Good.
Fiery World III
Fiery World III is the eleventh book from the Agni Yoga Series which is composed of fourteen books.
Though not systematised in an ordinary sense, Agni Yoga is a Teaching that helps the discerning student to discover moral and spiritual guide-posts by which to learn to govern his or her life and thus contribute to the Common Good.
AUM
Aum is the twelfth book from the Agni Yoga Series which is composed of fourteen books.
Though not systematised in an ordinary sense, Agni Yoga is a Teaching that helps the discerning student to discover moral and spiritual guide-posts by which to learn to govern his or her life and thus contribute to the Common Good.
Brotherhood
Brotherhood is the thirteenth book from the Agni Yoga Series which is composed of fourteen books.
Though not systematized in an ordinary sense, Agni Yoga is a Teaching that helps the discerning student to discover moral and spiritual guide-posts by which to learn to govern his or her life and thus contribute to the Common Good.
Supermundane
Supermundane (in 3 volumes) is the fourteenth book from the Agni Yoga Series which is composed of fourteen books.
Though not systematised in an ordinary sense, Agni Yoga is a Teaching that helps the discerning student to discover moral and spiritual guide-posts by which to learn to govern his or her life and thus contribute to the Common Good.
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References:
- http://irmtkullu.com/the-roerich-family/helena-roerich/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helena_Roerich
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agni_Yoga
- http://esotericotherworlds.blogspot.my/2012/12/helena-roerich.html
- http://agniyoga.org/ay_en/downloads.php
- http://wmea-world.org/TEACHINGS/HR.htm
- http://en.icr.su/family/hir/
- https://www.rbth.com/blogs/tatar_straits/2017/03/18/when-helena-roerich-called-kalimpong-home_721753
- https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/why-the-soviets-sponsored-a-doomed-expedition-to-a-hollow-earth-kingdom
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Helena Ivanovna Roerich was a Russian philosopher, writer, and public figure. She was the daughter of a prominent architect at that time. Roerich grew up and was educated in rich cultural traditions of her family. Since childhood she was inquisitive, independent and purposeful. Extremely talented in many ways played piano with great excellence and by the age of seven could even read and write in three languages. Wow…she even started reading artistic, historical, spiritual and philosophic books. She must be someone with outstanding abilities from her previous life. Her life journey was truly inspiring and amazing , was an author of many books.
Interesting read of a great Russian philosopher Helena Roerich. I have booked marked this article, to read those books written by her.
Thank you Rinpoche for this inspiring sharing.
This is my first time to heard about the Roerich’s family. It’s amazed that they were the one who worked out the signing of the Roerich Pact, the first international treaty dedicated to the protection of artistic and scientific institutions and historical monuments, which also involved the leaders of 21 countries, including the President of the United States Franklin Roosevelt. I’m very into art and spiritual world, I feel thankful for what the Roerich’s family did.
I admire the adventurous of the family too, they were great explorers, with also intelligent. They had lots of expeditions, were even very close to losing their own lives. But they never discouraged by all the obstacles, conversely they endured and conquered all of it. The wife, Helena did a lot translating work, from English to Russian. She letters to over 140 people from different parts of the world. I feel the strong faith to offer of this family, they are really committed to what they can contributed to the world.
I can related when she felt that her work on earth was to spread the teachings of Agni Yoga’s Living Ethics. She was clear with her life purpose to worked under the highest Cosmic Sign. Their journeys has shown through the paintings, the energy of Helena inspire me a lot, its like the path I would love to live and go through.
No outsiders know more about Himalaya before the Roerich. As people say, the family are the pioneers who introduced Himalaya to the world. Their contributions to the evolution of the human spirit, arts and culture, make India see them as old friend of India. Hope I have a chance to visit Helena’s stupa and also would like to read more about her.
Helena Roerich , a multi-talented Russian writer, artist, theosophist, intrepid explorer, healer and philosopher, was a great inspiration to her husband Nicholas throughout their lives.
I wonder what kind of karma she had or the life she had lived before this life for her to be spiritual since young.Thank you for the inspiring article.
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Although I haven’t read the book of hers but as one of the pioneers who explored Buddhism in the East such as in Tibet, Mongolia and China~ places where mostly untouched by the outer worlds, I have a feeling that whatever her experiences, thoughts and feelings that she had gained were genuinely pure without much fabrication.
I would like to read more about her and also Madame Blavatsky when I can find the time. Learning Dharma just by reading consumes quite a bit of my time but I love to read. When I read, I will know more about their culture and especially the reasoning behind their journey and their Dharma knowledge and practices. https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/travel/madame-blavatsky-mother-of-modern-spirituality.html
Will come back with more thoughts on this. Maybe will download a book or two from here ~ there’s a section dedicated for this featuring some of her books by of the Agni Yoga Society. https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/free-downloads-texts
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Helena Roerich’s life was rich with adventures and contributions to the society through her many talents, like artistic, linguistic and her extraordinary comprehension on philosophical and spiritual topics. It is an inspiring article. Thank you for sharing.
It is so inspiring to read the story of the Roerichs, they contributed so much to the modern spiritual movement of today. The Roerich gave their lives to the service of others so it is inspiring to read.
This is truly an inspiring lifestory. Although Helena Roerich has done so much and translated so many works into Russian, she was refused to visit her homeland Russia again.
Her writings, paintings and works have inspired many and together with her husband Nicholas Roerich, they have created many important works such as the Institute of Himalayan Studies, ‘Urusvati’, ‘Light of the Morning Star’ in Sanskrit language.
Thank you Rinpoche and Joy for this meaningful article.
It is only fitting that Helena Roerich and her husband Nicholas are referred to as artists and peacemakers on a spiritual journey together in this life in a book about them and their works by Ruth Drayer -“Nicholas and Helena Roerich: The Spiritual Journey of Two Great Artists and Peacemakers”.
Helena Roerich , a multi-talented Russian writer, artist, theosophist, intrepid explorer, healer and philosopher, was a great inspiration to her husband Nicholas throughout their lives. Her two sons , greatly influenced and inspired by Helena and Nicholas ,worked strenuously to preserve the powerful legacies of their parents.
One of Helena Roerich’s most outstanding contributions to the world was the setting up of the Institute of Himalayan Studies – URUSVATI, which in Sanskrit means ‘Light of the Morning Star’ in the Kullu Valley in Himachal Pradesh, India. This institute became an international centre for philosophy and science to which great philosophers and scientists came to share and corroborate -great names like Rabindranath Tagore and Albert Einstein were involved with this institute.
Another outstanding contribution was the Roerich Pact, “the first international treaty dedicated to the protection of artistic and scientific institutions and historical monuments”. The Pact was signed by leaders of 21 countries, including the President of the United States Franklin Roosevelt.
Her spiritual works included ‘Chalice of the East’ ,’Living Ethics’ and ‘Foundations of Buddhism’ . There was an indomitable spirituality that abided in her and she lived her live expressing it tirelessly and selflessly through her works and her endeavours.
An inspiring lady indeed, is Helena Roerich. She really must ahve been amazing to make her life so rich and encapsulating it in her writings. I wonder what kind of karma she had or the life she had lived before this life for her to be spiritual since young. And, to have this thirst and focus for the philosophies of the east and spirituality.
Thank you, Joy for an inspiring read.
Helena Ivanovna Roerich was a Russian theosophist, writer, and public figure. In the early 20th century . Helena Ivanovna Roerich was a strong lady with determination as she and Nicholas travelled to the remote area to learn about the culture, life and spiritual beliefs. The spiritual journey of these two great artist have inspired many . Roerich did translated from English to Russian books been well-versed in Russian , European literature, religious history and philosophy. She did contributed so much toward the development of arts, culture, science and human consciousness. . The greater part of works created by this outstanding woman only recently became the property of the cultural and spiritual life of Russia.
Thank you Rinpoche and Joy Kam for sharing these inspiring article of a wonderful lady who has created many wonderful things seen by distance.
Truly inspiring and admire Helena Roerich who is multi-talented, and her passion towards her spiritual path. And has so much in common with her husband Nicholas to benefit others with the support from each other. Such a wonderful couple who hero worship each other with common interest. Thank you Rinpoche and Joy for this beautiful and inspiring story??
Thank you Rinpoche and Joy.
It is inspiring on her passion towards spiritual path and work. Till today, many have benefited from her written works.
Thank you Tsem Rinpoche and the blog team. It was such a wonderful and interesting article about the honorable Helena biography and her career as writer and translator. With just her simple career that makes everyone remember her and she was cremenated and put into stupa after she passed away. Great to know about Helena background and about her family and illnesses too. A remarkable biography and she even writes so many books. Wow. ?