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Heart of Asia
Nicholas Roerich was fond of saying, "Blessed be the obstacles--through them we grow." He was well qualified to know, for obstacles were a constant in his life. A superficial glance at his life would reveal only creativity and adventure, far more than is generally allotted to any one person in a lifetime. But beneath that surface lay ever-present difficulty.
It is hard to know why certain people are given greater portions of trouble than others. Roerich came from privileged people, and his life could have been easy. But he never chose the smooth path and seemed even to seek out life's obstacles as if he found nourishment in them.
He was an indefatigable he climbed mountains, and he also climbed life. Another saying that he liked to repeat, also related to obstacles, was, "It is easier to climb a rocky slope than a smooth one. The rocks provide steps on which one can find the force to move upward. And so it is in life." This book is about a life that was precisely devoted to climbing, to finding the rocks on which to gain a foothold, and to exploration and creative activity.
Roerich ranged through Central Asia with the full force of the curious and subjected it to the eye of the scientist, the adventurer, the artist, and the spiritual seeker. Everything was there to be explored, to be dug up, to be recorded on paper and canvas. For him, Central Asia was the repository of the wisdom of the ages, the heart of the planet, the place to which one returns and from which one emerges reborn.
Roerich devoted himself to the search for the seed of Good on Earth. He wanted to learn how this seed can be made to flourish, how it can be used to solve humanity's vast array of problems in order to reach the goal of peace and planetary harmony. This search took him to many parts of the world, but Central Asia--the Heart of Asia--was for him the true source, the field in which this seed of Good could be found. Shambhala was a reality to Roerich, an unquestioned fact, the heart of the planet, the place to which we owe our existence, our spiritual survival, and our knowledge. The search for Shambhala is the search for the solution to the problems of existence, for the vanquishing of obstacles, and for the discovery of the great freedom that lies beyond difficulty, tragedy, and destruction.
Of course, Heart of Asia can be read as metaphor. Few of us can climb these high passes or search for the great Shambhala, except in our hearts. And therein lies the value of such a book. It is not just a guidebook to the countries traversed. It is a guidebook for our hearts, one in which we can explore just as Roerich did and find everything that he the obstacles, troubles, and tragedies, yes, but also the victory and the liberation.
It is hard to know why certain people are given greater portions of trouble than others. Roerich came from privileged people, and his life could have been easy. But he never chose the smooth path and seemed even to seek out life's obstacles as if he found nourishment in them.
He was an indefatigable he climbed mountains, and he also climbed life. Another saying that he liked to repeat, also related to obstacles, was, "It is easier to climb a rocky slope than a smooth one. The rocks provide steps on which one can find the force to move upward. And so it is in life." This book is about a life that was precisely devoted to climbing, to finding the rocks on which to gain a foothold, and to exploration and creative activity.
Roerich ranged through Central Asia with the full force of the curious and subjected it to the eye of the scientist, the adventurer, the artist, and the spiritual seeker. Everything was there to be explored, to be dug up, to be recorded on paper and canvas. For him, Central Asia was the repository of the wisdom of the ages, the heart of the planet, the place to which one returns and from which one emerges reborn.
Roerich devoted himself to the search for the seed of Good on Earth. He wanted to learn how this seed can be made to flourish, how it can be used to solve humanity's vast array of problems in order to reach the goal of peace and planetary harmony. This search took him to many parts of the world, but Central Asia--the Heart of Asia--was for him the true source, the field in which this seed of Good could be found. Shambhala was a reality to Roerich, an unquestioned fact, the heart of the planet, the place to which we owe our existence, our spiritual survival, and our knowledge. The search for Shambhala is the search for the solution to the problems of existence, for the vanquishing of obstacles, and for the discovery of the great freedom that lies beyond difficulty, tragedy, and destruction.
Of course, Heart of Asia can be read as metaphor. Few of us can climb these high passes or search for the great Shambhala, except in our hearts. And therein lies the value of such a book. It is not just a guidebook to the countries traversed. It is a guidebook for our hearts, one in which we can explore just as Roerich did and find everything that he the obstacles, troubles, and tragedies, yes, but also the victory and the liberation.
142 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1929
About the author
Nicholas Roerich
163 books65 followersNicholas Roerich, also known as Nikolai Konstantinovich Rerikh (alternative transliteration) (Russian: Никола́й Константи́нович Ре́рих), was a Russian painter, writer, archaeologist, public figure, mystic, enlightener and philosopher.
Born in Saint Petersburg, Russia to the family of a well-to-do notary public, he lived around the world until his death in Punjab, India. Trained as an artist and a lawyer, his interests lay in literature, philosophy, archaeology and especially art. Roerich was a dedicated activist for the cause of preserving art and architecture in times of war. He earned several nominations for the Nobel Prize. The so-called Roerich Pact was signed into law by the United States and most member nations of the Pan-American Union in April 1935.
Born in Saint Petersburg, Russia to the family of a well-to-do notary public, he lived around the world until his death in Punjab, India. Trained as an artist and a lawyer, his interests lay in literature, philosophy, archaeology and especially art. Roerich was a dedicated activist for the cause of preserving art and architecture in times of war. He earned several nominations for the Nobel Prize. The so-called Roerich Pact was signed into law by the United States and most member nations of the Pan-American Union in April 1935.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 8, 2021
It was an entertaining but not easy read. Mostly because of the places and names (crazy amount of the names lol) you never heard or knew anything about. Still, the journey described in this book is a true kick-ass trip. I don't know how the Roerich's family survived all the challenges... maybe it was fate :) Ah, and what if they've found the real Shambhala-land? Perhaps, if I'll read all their books, I'll find the way to the gates :)
It is recommended to people interested in agni-yoga, Asian philosophy, new age philosophy, and those who've been in Asia or Tibet.
It is recommended to people interested in agni-yoga, Asian philosophy, new age philosophy, and those who've been in Asia or Tibet.
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November 20, 2025My copy has an extra novella called Shambhala attached so it's two Roerich pieces in one. In the Heart of Asia is a travel journal and it was fascinating to learn about a region at a time when adventure, exoticism and the divide between east and west was just beginning to ease somewhat.
Roerich also writes about sacred concept of Shambhala and other other esoteric traditions. An amazing character, worth learning about.
Roerich also writes about sacred concept of Shambhala and other other esoteric traditions. An amazing character, worth learning about.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews