Refining through suffering?

Supermundane II, 339. Urusvati knows that man's true nature is revealed at times of calamity—such is the way on Earth. We do not call this a law, because the conditions for each misfortune are different. It would seem that exaltation and happiness should have more effect than misery, but even the illusion of well-being renders people numb. How lamentable it is that most people can refine their feelings only through suffering!

Over many generations people have developed an awe for misfortune, and claim that it is the gods who send calamities. Man never forgets to pray for help, but he seldom remembers to give thanks for his happiness. It may seem hardly worthwhile to speak about such a thing, but it should be examined from the scientific point of view. The projected image of feelings of distress is an agitated one. We can observe their zigzags flickering on the screen, whereas rapture and exaltation produce perfect circles. It can be proved that disturbance not only produces poison, but also deadens the organs, whereupon the entire laboratory of the organism falls into disorder. This condition can be compared to the death of psychic energy.

The time will come when people will be amazed at the idea of refining oneself through suffering, while ignoring the many other possible ways that We have offered.

The Thinker said, “Could it be that man evolved from stone, since we see that a sharp blow is needed to ignite a spark in him?”

-Agni Yoga