Mary Lee Weir
Belize, South America

Healing Through Fire - A Journey with Agnihotra & Homa Therapy

In my original article, “Healing from Addiction: My Journey Through Fire”, published in Elephant Journal, I shared how divine intervention led me from the depths of addiction to a path of healing through Agnihotra and Homa Therapy. From a near-fatal overdose in 2003 to detoxification in the Amazon and profound spiritual

 
Mary Lee Weir - Healing Through Fire, cont.
 
I was back on my feet quickly—but that didn’t mean the work was done. Sobriety isn’t just about quitting substances; it’s about facing the deeper wounds that led you there in the first place. And I still had a long way to go.
 
Returning to the Fire
Sobriety is a journey—one deeply connected to trauma, healing, and self-awareness. As an extravert, I have a powerful energy that needs an outlet. If I don’t channel it, it can become self-destructive. I am only now, as I approach my 49th year, fully understanding this about myself.
 
I know this: Agnihotra and Homa Therapy have never failed me.
 
Even in my lowest moments, the fire was there. It didn’t judge, didn’t demand—it only offered healing if I was willing to show up. Through every rise and fall, I returned to it. Homa Therapy is more than Agnihotra—it is an expanded discipline of healing fires that has kept me grounded through every stage of my life. The structure, the ritual, the energy—it all provides an anchor, a way back to myself.
 
For anyone struggling with addiction, know this: Healing is not about never falling. It’s about getting back up, over and over again.
      And sometimes, all you need is one thing to hold onto. For me, that thing has always been the fire.
 

 These two testimonies below are excerpts from letters written to Seth Theodore Butcher, their therapist (see page 31):

Bálint Mészáros
London, England, Europe

"I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to share that I completed my first Agnihotra session alone today. The fire burned for around seven minutes, and it was beautiful. I followed the steps correctly and felt deeply moved—I even had tears in my eyes.
I’m confident that, slowly but surely, I’ll learn the right technique.
 Thank you so much for all your support in helping me get started on this journey. It means a lot to me."
(Photo: Bálint in front of Agnihotra.)

Cheaton Bhardwaj
London, England, Europe

"Hi Seth
I have now been practicing Agnihotra for four weeks, the changes in me and my family are profound, thank you.
 
Recently I did Agnihotra at St. Leonards', Truly a magical pause in Time.
I could sense the fabric of reality dissolve in front of me !!  Truly an enlightening process."
 
(Photos left: Cheaton; Agnihotra at St. Leonards'.)

HOMA THERAPY on TREE SEEDLINGS
 
Agronomist Eng. Luis Tafur Gonzáles
 
I have been familiar with Homa Therapy since Shree Vasant Paranjpe arrived in Piura in early 1999, when I worked at the Ministry of Agriculture. Since then, I have been involved with the Homa healing fires on a personal level and also in my work as an agronomist and farmer. I have personally been healed from several illnesses and I was even able to avoid surgery.

Here, I share some recent observations from my farm. I can once again underline the efficiency and effectiveness of Homa Therapy, also in the agricultural field.

Although I have a Homa Resonance Point on my farm, I only apply Agnihotra ash and some other Homa techniques because I don't live on my farm. But I personally practice Agnihotra daily at sunrise and sunset.
My observations are that just by applying Agnihotra ash, either directly to the plant or in water and letting it soak for three days (sometimes just overnight due to time constraints), the seedlings are:
- stronger,
- grow faster,
- have more foliage,
- have stronger roots,
- are more resistant to climate change,
- and transplanting them into the designated field.
With these observations, which I have carried out for many years in different parts in Peru with various climates, I am convinced that plants treated with Homa Therapy have greater healing power and they can fulfill their important role in nature.

The photo on the right shows seedlings that have been in bags for 6 months. This plants’ growth is generally very slow.
The plants are “Romerillos”, a forest tree that grows in Huancabamba (a mountainous area of Piura, Peru) and is primarily used for forestry.
These trees can grow up to 3 meters in diameter and 15 to 20 meters in height.
 
The first four plants are being watered with Agnihotra ash solution,
while the last two (to the right of the stick) are watered only with plain water.

Agronomist Eng. Luis Tafur Gonzáles: Observations on the Application of Agnihotra Ash solution to Tree Seedlings - continued

The photo on the left shows Guayacan tree seedlings.
The Inca called them "Tree of Youth" because they renew body cells. The boiled bark is used for this purpose.
On the right side of the photo, you can see the seedlings watered with Agnihotra ash water,
and on the left, you can see the seedlings where only water was used. These are smaller, with much fewer leaves and yellowish foliage.

 
An agronomist who came to my farm, noticed that my bamboo seedlings have many roots. I explained to her that I don't use any agrochemicals nor bio-liquid for my seedlings. I just use water with the Agnihotra ash and put Agnihotra ash in the bags, and that's enough. She observed that my plants have more than double the number of roots than she gets by applying bio-liquid.
Generally, using bio-liquid surpasses the rooting achieved with agrochemicals.
When I told her I use Agnihotra ash, she asked me: "Engineer, what is this ash? Where can I get it? How much does it cost? I'm willing to pay any price."
I promised her I would give her some Agnihotra ash. However, she will have to learn the Agnihotra technique to have this powerful ash readily available and be independent.

Truly, my seedlings produce a large number of roots, and this is important because roots are like the mouth of the plant. They absorb water and nutrients. So, if there are more roots, they absorb more water and more nutrients. This way, they grow stronger in every way. The root system is the key for plants. The agronomist and her advisor were astonished and asked, "How is it possible that this can happen?"

We have been given an enormous potential with Agnihotra and its' ash; it is a truly amazing thing.

The true service consists of teaching people interested the practice of Agnihotra!

Another experience worth mentioning is that a family lives near my farm where all the children had parasites. They had been given pills for this, but the parasites were not expelled. So, I gave Agnihotra ash to the grandparents and explained them how to take it. They sieved it finely and gave it to their grandchildren. After three days, I happened to walk by their house again, and they told me that the children had gotten rid of lots of parasites, worms, and all that stuff and that they feel fine.

This Agnihotra technique is so generous to all who practice it and take its healing ash. The Earth needs us to do this practice daily. Thinking carefully about what she gives us daily, Agnihotra is the least we can give back to her: 5 minutes at sunrise and another 5 minutes at sunset. OM SHREE

WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF SYNTHETIC CLOTHING ON OUR HEALTH?

 Synthetic fabrics are man-made fibres created from non-renewable resources (such as oil, coal, or gas). They are so common today because they’re cheaper to manufacture and easy to

produce en masse... synthetic fabrics are usually finished off with a toxic chemical cocktail that gives our clothes their bright, rainbow hues...  By Rosie Tretheway
To read this informative article about your health, please enter:
https://colechi.com/what-is-the-impact-of-synthetic-clothing-on-our-health/

GMO OMG - Documentary 2013
 
Synopsis: GMO OMG director and concerned father Jeremy Seifert is in search of answers. How do GMOs affect our children, the health of our planet, and our freedom of choice? And perhaps the ultimate question, which Seifert tests himself: is it even possible to reject the food system currently in place, or have we lost something we can’t gain back?
 
To watch this important and beaurtiufl documentary, please enter:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKFCbaxZvdk

HOW TO BE
PREPARED!

In the city of Piura, situated in northern Peru, there are 3 places where Agnihotra healing fire is being shared regularly, and where anyone interested or in need is invited to experience its healing effects and receive Agnihotra ash.
At these places, Professor Abel teaches about Homa Therapy and shares beautiful and profound teachings of the Fivefold Path that help us achieve greater mental clarity and feel happier.
 
Out of the 3 locations, 2 are

The teaching of classical yoga, according to the Himalayan Yoga Tradition and the Ayurvedic Tradition, is now taking on an important role in the city of Piura. Prof. Abel combines Agnihotra and other Homas with these Therapeutic Yoga Techniques, and the results are fascinating in every way, showing improvements in physical, mental, and emotional health. These classes take place outdoors, by grounding the feet on Mother Earth and letting the spirit soar freely and safely to peaceful and joyful heights...

“Agnihotrais ancient science. It is not a meditation. It is not religion. Anyone can apply it to daily life and still continue following his own religion and cultural customs and beliefs. Work is non-stop now.”
 
-Master Shree Vasant-

Prof. Abel teaches classes every day at different times, mornings and afternoons.

Adults & children learn while playing and enjoying ...

“There is no love that can really fulfill anyone, other than DIVINE LOVE.”
 
-Master Shree Vasant-

Growing together in a loving environment...

Photos above: Homa Technology in Agriculture was presented by Abel Hernandez at the Ministry of Agriculture. The invitation came from the Director of the Ministry of Agriculture via Eng. Luis Tafur.
 
Agriculture in most countries is compromised with the use of agrochemicals. People consume these toxic substances daily, and many diseases are rooted in this constant consumption of poison, which accumulates in the body. In addition, there are other pollutants such as those of chemtrails, which are being massively sprayed daily over cities and countrysidew, not only in Peru, but in many other countries as well. Here in Peru, there are also some fast areas, where now NOTHING grows anymore.
If leaders awake and decide to act pro the health of humans, animals, plants, and minerals and to promote food security, then Homa Farming Supertechnology can help reestablish the natural cycle quickly on large scales. Should we leave our children a healthy planet on which to live well and where they are able to realize their full potential?

Attendees have all ages (from 3 years old to 90+ years old) and they come with a multitude of problems... and little by little, their bodies and minds become more flexible, joyful, and start blossoming like a tree with the specific care, love, and discipline they learn and receive in these free therapeutic Yoga sessions.

Several students have now become interested in becoming Yoga & Fire Teachers for the well-being of the community.

“Reduce anger, pride and greed with ONE step, LOVE.
Humility is born of Love.”
 
- Master Shree Vasant -

“Where there is Love, there need be no fear, no worry, no doubt, no suspicion. You have been cleansed in such a way that Light can now filter through you and fill the heart of all around you.”

-Master Shree Vasant-

“If it pains you, take His Name.
If it worries you, praise His name.
If your body aches with Love let it come forth through your eyes.
No matter how He tests us,
 we must keep loving all we meet.
 Then He gives us all we
have come for and in the
most magnificent way.”  

-Master Shree Vasant-

“Quiet your mind.
Why always thinking?
Just let the mind be still.
So you do your Mantra intensely next few days.
Prayer and meditation
will take you higher and
 you have answers
to all the problems.”
 
-Master Shree Vasant-

“Surrender means "Not my will but Thy Will be done" in all things. Not just when you attend church or synagogue, not only at times of meditation, not only on one's day off, not only when it suits you. Be vigilant. Be one pointed. In all you say and do at the back of the mind should be "Thy Will be done,
 Thy Will be done, Thy Will be done.”
 
-Master Shree Vasant-

“All day long we can go on questioning and intellectualising.
It is of no use.
No need.”
 
-Master Shree Vasant-

Psycho-therapist Seth Theodore (photo below right) from Croydon, South London, wrote: "I continue to practice Agnihotra because I see the benefits in my environment and in my intuition. I feel beings of light around me when I practice Agnihotra, offering healing and guidance. Here are some photos of clients now practicing on their own. Om Shree"

Homa Fire Festivities in Honor of Mahashree at the
Arrival of His Padukas at the Agnimandir in Nasik.

“Time is crucial. This work must be done.
Work as if you had to escape from a building on fire, and it was your only way out, only way out.”
 
-Master Shree Vasant-

“Do not allow one day or one incident to deter you.
 Keep making effort and things will become clear to you.”
 
-Master Shree Vasant-

 
THE FIVE tools around which Homa Psychotherapy revolves sometimes seem to concentrate so much on Agnihotra that the other 4 can get little or no attention if care isn’t taken.

Homa Psychotherapy, like the Fivefold Path, has five tools—Yajnya (Agnihotra), Daan, Tapa, Karma and Swadhyaya.
Sunrise/Sunset Agnihotra copper pyramid healing fire normally gets the most attention, as through their own experiences, people are intimately and repeatedly convinced of the manifold benefits of Agnihotra — physically, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually, So it may not be surprising that steps 2-5 of the Fivefold Path get much less attention.
 

 
engaging in thoughts and actions that in most cases are universally derided, and instead attempt to access our Higher Selves and, in a nutshell, behave properly at a minimum, and at high standards ideally .

Failure to take advantage of the wisdom behind this step may stall our progress and potentially lead to regression—moving backward.

So, to be clear, whether one has just begun doing regular Agnihotra or has been doing it for quite some time, the challenging—some might say, ‘horrific’— times we live in demand that we push aside halfway measures, put our big persons’ clothes on and at the very least see what happens if we decide to dive into the pool of Daan, Tapa, Karma and Swadhyaya.

Should that appear too daunting, perhaps choose 1 or 2 of these 4 and work at them for a specific time period. Just as Agnihotra surprised many of us with such profound benefits to our physical, emotional and spiritual progress, so may this action serve to enhance.

So far we have centered on the person doing Agnihotra. What about all of the other people in our lives? Mahatma Gandhi said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” That is how we begin to help the planet.

And by becoming a better person, we affect all those with whom we come in contact.

Plus, the wide-ranging effects of Agnihotra—1 1/2 kilometres diameter on Earth from where it is done, and 12 kilometres vertically into a part of the atmosphere badly in need of repair—makes doing the fire truly a win-win situation. Everyone and every place benefits.

The condition of Planet Earth cries out for help. Those of us in position to hear those cries can do service beyond our wildest expectations.

 
Releasing Fears

It is said that fear is a basic and primitive reaction, and in a way, its function is a tool for our survival as it allows us to provide an immediate and rapid response to a threat.
Of course, there are several types of fear, and we have all, in some way, experienced some of them. For example, fear of abandonment, fear of failure, fear of loneliness, fear of death, fear of spiders, fear of people, fear of open or closed spaces, etc. We will not stop to analyze each one of them, but will focus instead on the act of letting go of our fears, which have undoubtedly created conflicts and difficulties in our lives, limiting our potential, which is why it is so important to free ourselves from them. We do this not by ignoring our fears, but by recognizing them, and then changing our focus of attention.
 

                (The best way to win confidence in yourself is to do what you are afraid of.)
 
This process of freeing ourselves from our fears allows us to live with greater freedom, joy and, above all, allows us to be more authentic, cultivate self-confidence and strengthen our ability to face challenges.
Here are some simple exercises that can be developed in the circle, although we must be aware that sometimes there is a long way to go before we feel liberated.

 

We always begin with the practice of a fire, ideally Agnihotra, or a Vyahruti.
 
1: Initial Reflection (5 minutes)
 
Reflect on the fears you have been experiencing. What situations or thoughts trigger these fears? How do they affect you in your daily life and decisions?
 
2: Identifying Fears (10 minutes)
 
Take a piece of paper and pencil and write a list of your most significant fears. Be honest with yourself and allow yourself to identify both big and small fears. Reflect on the origin of these fears and how they have affected your life.
 
3: Liberation Visualization (5 -7 minutes)
 
If the fire has already been extinguished, close your eyes and imagine that you can still see the flame burning. Then visualize your fears as dark clouds floating around you, but still keep the image of the fire burning in front of you. Now, imagine the bright, warm light emerging from the pyramid, slowly dissipating these clouds. Feel a light emanating from you and joining the light of the fire, feel this light filling you with courage and peace, freeing you from the fears that have been holding you back.

Then open your eyes, stretch, smile, stand up and dance for a few minutes, and if you want to sing a melody, you can do that too.
 
4: Sharing with the Group (optional)
 
If you wish, you can share your fears with the other women, listening with empathy, understanding and compassion. Together, you can explore strategies and practices for facing and releasing fears, creating an environment of mutual support and growth.

 
REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS

To deepen the release process, you can answer some questions and share your answers if you wish to and there is enough time:

What fears do you feel have had the greatest impact on your life and how have you dealt with them so far?
Example: “Fear of failure has been a significant barrier in my life, but I am learning to see it as a tool for growth.”

What practices or tools do you find most helpful in managing and releasing your fears?
Example: “Meditation and deep breathing, and practicing the Fivefold Path have helped me calm my mind and face my fears”.

How can you cultivate a mindset of courage and resilience in your daily life? Example: “I am working on adopting a more positive attitude and focusing on my accomplishments and strengths, rather than my fears”.
 

To free ourselves from our fears is to live more fully, and it allows us to open ourselves to greater possibilities in our lives.

“One cannot rid oneself of fear by focusing on the fear or trying to reason with fear or find its origin. Certainly, it is helpful to understand oneself, but this mental exercise is not enough to uproot deep-seated fears. Fear can truly be extinguished by strengthening one’s faith in the Almighty Power. Practice of Swadhyaya (Self Study) will be helpful…”.

Shree Vasant Paranjpe

“The brave woman is not the one who does not feel fear, but the one who conquers that fear”.

Anonymous

 
We saw earlier that the seed, in order to germinate, must break its shell and begin to interact with the environment in which it lies. The human being has free will and, depending on how he chooses to live life, he can harden the shell (ego) of the seed or transform that life into a favorable environment for the development and manifestation of the spirit that struggles to manifest within.
 
What can make the seed’s shell become harder and that complex called the human body turn into a shell that isolates the inner being and does not allow it to develop and manifest itself?
 
The human body is a vehicle, an interface, an instrument that allows us to live in a specific environment and interact with this environment, but that psycho-physical complex is only a shell, a space suit and is not the being that lies within. Fears, habits, tendencies, traditions, desires, superstitions come from the culture in which that body was born, from past lived experiences, or from the limitations that the functioning of those bodies impose.
 
In short, what can contribute to hardening the shell is not being fully aware that we are not the body, but that we are something more.
 
There is no doubt that the physical needs for the human body to survive must be resolved, but the longings of the inner being, the true being, must also be satisfied if we want to live HAPPILY and in a healthy, organic and sustainable environment.
 
The inner beings that lie inside each human body must be able to manifest and relate, to realize themselves, to be happy and give and share the fruits (of light and love) that each one has inside.
 
What is the way of life that permanently makes it easier for us to remember who we really are? What is the method that permanently allows us to observe our thinking, speaking and acting in order to avoid the hardening of the shell and

  
encourage communication and interaction with other beings?
 
The principles of the Fivefold Path of the Vedas give us the tools and lines of work to cultivate our environment and our behavior, to minimize and identify the conditions that contribute to hardening the psycho-physical shell, preventing the manifestation of the seeds of Love that lie within each human being.
 
The third principle of the Fivefold Path called Tapa, Self-discipline or self-imposed disciplines, which promotes the use of energies to seek the spirit and the overcoming of negative habits, warns us of the existence of six “crocodiles” that lurk, inhabit within us representing the fears, tendencies, habits, desires that we spoke of earlier. These six “crocodiles” are Pride, Envy, Attachment, Anger, Greed and Passion (and all the derivatives).
 
If we observe these crocodiles, they are looking towards our environment, but not towards the transcendent. They are occupied with the needs of the body or the ego and influenced by transitory cultural situations:
 
Pride: image in front of others; Anger: for something done or not done by others; Envy: of what others have; Passion: appetite of a body that is not mine: Greed: to satisfy external needs excessively and that are not necessary for my inner being; Attachment: to things or aspects that are transitory, perishable, ephemeral.
 
The Fivefold Path, Purification, Sharing, Self-discipline, Right Action and Self-knowledge, are lines of work that help us observe and correct our attitudes and behaviors and reinforce the awareness that we are not the body.
 
While we advance in overcoming the influences of the "crocodiles" in our attitudes and behaviors, and as Master Vasant advised us, we must always be attentive on how to SERVE our fellow men, in order to take advantage of every opportunity to observe ourselves, weaken the shell, and allow our true being to manifest.

 
  Over the years I have had the food fortune of working and travelling with Shree Vasant. One time in Ghana, Africa teaching Agnihotra, Shree Vasant and I travelled into the bush to search for suitable farmland on which our Ghana family could practice Homa farming.

We drove as far into the bush as was permitted and then set out to walk the las few miles into the village. Our guides used their machetes to clear a path as we followed behind. It was quite an adventure. Arriving in the center of the village we were greeted by the Elders who, to my surprise, bowed before Shree Vasant. The Chief Elder, speaking through a translator, said, “You are the One we have been waiting for.” Shree Vasant then spoke to the Elders about environmental destruction and pollution and how we can restore harmony and balance to our Earth.

Upon our return to the city of Accra, our guides were eager to share their thoughts about Shree Vasant with me. It seemed that out of all the events of the day, what had touched them most deeply was that, as they swung their machetes, downing as much brush as possible to make a path for such a special guest, Shree Vasant has asked them instead, to cut as little brush as possible. Such respect and care for Nature impressed them profoundly. It was a valuable lesson for all of us.

When I started doing Agnihotra in 1973, everyone in my home embraced morning and evening Agnihotra right away and although I did love the fire, I still felt some reluctance. One day, Lucille Clifton and Odell Wilson were scheduled to meet with Shree Vasant and asked me to drive them to the meeting. Since I was the only driver in our group, I consented.

 
Upon our arrival, I was taken to an area where I was welcomed warmly by Shree Vasant. Speaking to me as if He had always known me, he told me about the Fivefold Path and that it leads to peace and joy.

He explained that at the rime of death, so many are regretful that they did not live a certain way, but that we have the power and capacity to live life full of love and in service to others. He told me that I was full of love, and that love is to be shared with all regardless of race, religion, age or color of skin.

By the time He was finished, my reluctance had vanished. It was like ‘Light at first sight’. I felt as if He intuitively knew the burden I had carried for so many years; walking in picket lines, going to jail for the right to eat in a restaurant, and suffering through the process of racial integration. As Shree talked, I felt the bias and fear, the pain and negative feelings being lifted from my spirit. He was setting me free.

I will never forget travelling by car with typewriter or word processor on my lap, typing to keep up with dictation of Shree Vasant’s numerous articles, letters and writings. The very thought of Him makes me want to sing:

“Were it not for our Beloved Shree, tell me where would I be.
I never knew so much joy, it’s amazing to me.
When I thought that hope was gone, Shree lifted me.
Turned my life around. Turned my life around.”

He has promised that He is closer than the skin and He keeps that promise all the time.