Re: Story of Demon’s Kitchen & SS Delhi #2

Date: Tue, 31 Jul 2012 21:32:09
From: “Mhitosh Deva”
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Subject: Re: Story of Demon’s Kitchen & SS Delhi #2

Baba

== RE: STORY OF DEMON’S KITCHEN & SS DELHI ==

~ Part 2 ~

(This is the second letter in this series; a link to the first letter is below; the following text is an excerpt from the first letter. – Eds)

“When margiis attend DMS, they go for 3 days. But Wts allot 7 days for their stay at DMS. They have 2 days before the actual DMS, 2 days after, as well as the 3 main days of DMS. So they stay at Ananda Nagar for a total of 7 days.

Unfortunately at the recent Ranchi DMS gathering in Ananda Nagar, the mass of workers paid Delhi SS (Ranchi), i.e. Dada Amaleshananda, for their food and meals, yet SS shut down the kitchen during DMS – i.e. the middle 3 days. So general workers were not given food during this period; plus there was a water shortage. Yet side by side SS Dada arranged for a special chef to prepare food for top dadas.

There were many issues and certainly one key matter is: “haves” vs “have-nots”. Specifically certain in-charges treated themselves to delicious delicacies while the general workers were the have-nots, deprived of food during DMS. They were forced to find food for themselves.”

Namaskar,
The food situation for general Wts at DMS was unacceptable; here is further reporting about what transpired. First I wish to also add that, I found the comparison of SS and other top Dadas with the demon king to be totally appropriate.

FOOD NOT PROVIDED TO GENERAL WTS AT DMS

At the May 2012 DMS in Ananda Nagar, SS Delhi Dada Amaleshananda collected 200 rupees from all workers for their food in Ananda Nagar during their 7-day stay. For the first two days and the last two days, sub-standard food was provided for workers. But during the middle three days when the actual DMS was going on, SS Dada closed down the kitchen entirely. That meant there was no food for general workers.

All those field workers then had no access to food during DMS.

Workers were left to wander around looking to feed themselves; plus, there was a serious water shortage. It was an awful condition; and yet our wts had paid for 7 days worth of food. But SS Dada did not arrange for even a single mouthful of food to be served during the 3 middle days of their DMS stay. So our wt workers were left to scrounge around for food. And during the extreme summer heat, water was scarce. All in all, it was a very uncomfortable and inhumane way to treat our workers.

BIG DADAS HAVE THEIR OWN PRIVATE CHEF & SPECIAL SELECTIONS

Yet, side by side, for top Dadas, SS Delhi Amaleshananda arranged a special chef and made sure that high-quality food was served throughout the entire DMS. That means those bosses and big dadas received special, royal treatment: Tasty, sumptuous food for each and every meal prepared for them by a qualified and trained chef. Plus they had boxes and boxes of purified, bottled water during this summer DMS where temperatures reached high levels.

So those big dadas had top-grade provisions for food and drink, while the mass of wt workers were not given any food during the middle three days of their DMS stay – and sub-standard food the other days.

ALL MONEY DIVERTED SOMEWHERE ELSE

This led to a lot of anxiety and frustration amongst the general wts. Their bosses had collected money from them, yet during the 3 days of DMS those same bosses spent that money on fancy meals for themselves, while general workers were deprived even basic food. The whole situation was shameful.

SS collected money from margiis, and non-margiis to feed wts at DMS. Various schools, and BPs also generously donated for the cause, yet that money was funneled somewhere else. People consciously donated money specifically for worker meals during their DMS stay, yet that money was used by big dadas in a separate manner.

Such is the selfish and greedy quality of those top workers. Again, this entire situation of extreme inequality was put into motion by SS Dada and his seniors at the recent summer DMS in Ananda Nagar.

Namaskar,
Mahitosh

Note 1: LINK TO FIRST LETTER IN THIS SERIES

http://www.am-global-01.blogspot.com/2012/07/story-of-demons-kitchen-ss-delhi.html

PRABHAT SAMGIITA

“Toma’re cineo cena’ da’y…” – P.S. 1056

Purport:

Baba, even after seeing You, to truly recognize You is very difficult. Just when I think that I have understood You, and feel that on the strength of my intellect I understand everything, You make me realise my foolishness by secretly giving a blow to my ego. Baba, when I think that I can get anything by purchasing it with my wealth, then by showing me amu’ly ma’ni [1] You make me understand my extreme poverty. Baba, You can only be recognised when You desire; in that situation You will shower Your grace. Only then can anyone realise You…

END NOTES FOR PRABHAT SAMGIITA #1056:

[1] Amu’ly Man’i = Literally meaning priceless jewels, but the true meaning is that supreme spiritual wealth which can’t be purchased with worldly riches.

Note: In this above Prabhat Samgiita Baba is teaching us that not everything can be understood with the intellect; the human intellect has its inherent limitation. Second, material wealth also has its inherent limitation. With the strength of worldly wealth one cannot do everything. One cannot fulfill all the longings nor all the desires. Money is not the be-all and end-all of life. So people should be alert.

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Cause of Crisis & Proutistic Solution

Date: 08 Jun 2012 21:02:37 -0000
From: “Indrajit Deva”
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Subject: Cause of Crisis & Proutistic Solution

Baba

== CAUSE OF CRISIS & PROUTISTIC SOLUTION ==

Namaskar,
The financial crisis in Europe is becoming more severe; the EU is on the cusp of a total collapse. We should understand the problem and present the solution.

THE KEY PROBLEM IN EUROPE

The crux of the matter is that when countries, or regions, that are not equally economically developed, engage in free-trade then more industrially developed countries get the most benefit. They use their might and clout to exploit the situation. And that is exactly what has happened in Europe.

Initially, it may look like all will be winners, indeed that is why such trade agreements are made in the first place; but, it does not work out that way. As noted, a clear case in point is the European Union. They opened the borders for trade and the more economically developed nations (Germany, France etc) prospered while the less financially strong nations (Greece, Portugal etc) crumbled.

Here is more about how this works.

HOW INDUSTRIALLY DEVELOPED COUNTRIES EXPLOIT

For example, Germany is a highly industrially developed country that produces high-quality products. They buy the raw materials from poor countries for a meagre price and use those resources to manufacture high-end, top-notch merchandise. Then they turn around and sell those products back to those poor countries for a comparatively high price, 100 or 1,000 times what they paid for those raw materials from those same countries. So they make a huge profit. In result, industries of those poor countries fail. They cannot compete with the economic prowess and efficiency of those companies from the industrially developed countries; so they file for bankruptcy. Workers in those countries then become jobless – unemployed.

WHAT HAPPENS TO LESS INDUSTRIALLY DEVELOPED COUNTRIES

In this situation, those poor countries fail to produce anything. Their income is wholly dependent upon the service industry: Restaurants, hotels, tourism etc. Either they are appealing to their own native people or outside visitors to drive their service economy. But this is not the way to build a stable economy. They must produce and manufacture goods. But this they do not do because they cannot compete with industries from the wealthier countries. This causes their trade deficit to mushroom; they import far more than they export.

Why is it those poor countries cannot compete. Well it is just like if you are running your own business with just a few resources and with limited means. In comparison, if another company is fully established and has huge resources at their disposal, then how can your small company compete. You cannot. That company will either go under or be purchased by that economically powerful competitor. That is why big companies keep getting bigger and bigger.

Or think of it this way: If smaller, weaker athletes compete in the same events as stronger athletes, then surely the weak will fall. That is why competition is broken down according to gender, weight, and often times age as well. Because in order to have fair competition, both parties must have similar means otherwise the weaker parties will be beaten up mercilessly. That is the universal law.

And this same theorem applies to the current European economic crisis where companies in less economically developed countries get smashed into the ground by bigger, stronger enterprises from industrially developed countries. So those smaller companies go out of business, leading to higher unemployment in those countries.

The next step of the problem – after all the layoffs – is that the people in poorer countries of the European Union do not have the requisite purchasing power to buy the products they need for their day to day life. Because those goods are manufactured in wealthier European countries and are expensive. So they cannot afford those products; nor can they produce anything. So in order to fulfill their daily needs they borrow money to purchase goods manufactured in other countries like Germany, France, the US and China; and, there is no way to pay back those loans.

THINK OF IT THIS WAY

For a month or two, a person or country can borrow at a high interest rate, but how long can this continue – it is unsustainable. One’s debt will grow – and it will be impossible to pay back that loan. After all, their daily needs will not dissipate and since they are not producing anything they will have to continue to borrow at that high interest rate in which case their debt will balloon. It is a recipe for disaster.

That is the painful situation and they will never be able to compete economically because of being industrially underdeveloped.

SOLUTIONS

According to our Proutistic model, there is a way out of this mess.

When underdeveloped countries like Greece are unable to compete with industrially developed countries like Germany then what is their fate? How can such countries manage and grow? On this very issue, Prout gives the solution.

Firstly, Greece and Portugal among others must stop competing with more highly developed countries. Greece, Portugal and others, must first strengthen their own economies independently and then trade only with countries of a similar economic standard; failing that, they are bound to continue their negative spiral downward.

The first work then for those countries is to get out of the European Union and block all imports – both from within and outside the European Union. They should manufacture and produce their own products and consume those items. They should create their own local economy.

Although this suggestion may sound archaic in this era of globalization, but creating a local economy is the only solution. Sooner or later all will have to realize this fact. Only by this way can the problem be solved.

The idea is that things should be produced and consumed locally. That is the solution.

This is an entirely new philosophy. If you are interested in knowing more read these articles:

Socio-Economic Groupifications
Developmental Planning
Some Aspects of Socio-Economic Planning
Some Specialities of Prout’s Economic System
Socio-Economic Movements
Decentralized Economy
Block Level Planning
Economic Dynamics

Sooner or later this path of a local economy must be adopted. There is no other recourse.

Namaskar,
Indrajit

PRABHAT SAMGIITA

“A’j toma’y pelum notun sa’je mor manoma’jhe…” (P.S. 886)

Purport:

Baba, by Your causeless grace, today I have gotten You in a more loving way in my mind. Baba, You have come in a new form in my dhya’na. It is Your grace. Earlier my mind was busy and involved in a variety of works – both positive and negative. But now there are no such distractions. My mind is one-pointed and only ensconced in Your love.

Baba, the path that I was moving on was a zig-zag path. There was no hope or relief. My life was covered in darkness, day and night. Baba, by the attraction of Your divine love I looked towards You. O’ my dearmost, my most loving One, by Your grace the wheel of my chariot has just turned. In my dead river, a flood of sparkling fresh water has come. Baba, now my life has become effulgent.

Baba, in the past there was black darkness and after that it was even more black. The whole atmosphere was totally bleak; my whole life was shrouded in darkness. Baba, You are so gracious, You have come with Your
divine effulgence. You have come with more and more divine effulgence. O’ my Baba, now in whichever direction I look it feels very blissful and loving. I feel Your divine presence in my heart and all around me. Baba, You have stolen my mind and made my heart full. Baba, my heart has become full with Your love.

Baba, today You have blessed me by coming to me in a more intimate and loving way. Baba, You are so gracious. Baba, I love You…

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How You Can Save Money

Date: Fri, 25 Nov 2011 19:39:47 -0000
To: AM-GLOBAL
From: J.Deva
Subject: How You Can Save Money

Baba

== HOW YOU CAN SAVE MONEY ==

Namaskar,
In this day and age, people waste a lot of time trying to earn more and more money – laboring anywhere from 8 – 10 hours daily, or even 18 hours in a single day.

Plus most people are totally worried about money – so they think about earning money even when they are not working. They eat, sleep, and dream about it.

In this way their entire psyche and days are consumed.

The general psychology is to earn more and spend more. That becomes their entire life – that is the unfortunate truth. The tragedy is that this human life is about so much more than just collecting money. Human life is far larger than this.

To resolve this critical issue, Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji has given a beautiful way of living that is very easy for everyone to do. And by following His guidelines, you are sure to save huge amounts of money.

So if you are suffering from any sort of financial worry or fiscal need, then read this following letter.

THIS LETTER IS FOR EVERYONE

The guidelines in this letter are for everyone. If you are already an Ananda Margii or a sympathizer of the Marga, you will readily see how much you are saving by following AM practices. Plus you may get some new tips as well.

And if you are not yet an Ananda Margii, then by reading the below you will get a clear-cut vision how following our AM way of life will benefit you financially.

Hence this letter is for absolutely anyone and everyone who wishes to save money and live a financially secure life.

NO INTOXICANTS (Part 1)

In Ananda Marga, as we all know, or as new people will soon learn, we do not use any intoxicants – none. This is the first great way of saving money by leading life as an Ananda Margii.

Cigarettes, beer, wine, and hard alcohol are all getting taxed verily heavily by the city, state, provincial and federal government. So the prices of these substances is skyrocketing.

Indeed recently the tax on cigarettes in NY state went up $1.60 to a total of $4.35 on taxes alone, so a pack of cigarettes now costs $9.20 (on average) in NY, and more than that in New York City. Smoking a pack a day over the course of a year would add up to more than $3,650.00 at a minimum. And this type of increase is happening everywhere. The same thing is going on with regards to alcohol.

Since in Ananda Marga we have no interest in or use for cigarettes, or any of these other legal intoxicants like alcohol etc, we are saving a huge amount of money. Just ask any ex-smoker or ex-drinker and they will most assuredly tell you about all the money they are saving by quitting their dirty habit.

NO INTOXICANTS (Part 2)

Then of course there are the illegal drugs like marijuana, cocaine, heroine etc. These all cost a huge amount of money – it is big business – but for Ananda Margiis this is a non-issue entirely. Hence big $aving$.

Included in this topic are other health costs and legal fees. If one is using intoxicants of any kind they will certainly have to spend more money on doctors fees, health concerns, insurance premiums, hospital care and other medications etc, since those intoxicants will ruin their health.

In addition, drinking and driving is illegal so if one gets caught by the police they will incur big legal fees in order to clear their name and stay out of jail, if possible. Same is the case if they are caught using illegal drugs. Not only are the drugs expensive and addicting, but one have to spend huge money on attorney fees to clear their name in a
court of law.

So from multiple angles, our clean way of living that is free of any and all intoxicants saves us a lot of money. That is the first great savings for being an Ananda Margii.

FOOD

Our style of eating, i.e. our vegetarian diet, is also a big money saver. In most places, fresh fruit and vegetables are far less costly than meat – both on our wallet and our health. Our daily or weekly shopping is less expensive plus we will not face all the health issues that hinders meat-eaters. So we will not have to pay those big medical bills either.

Various studied show how eating home-prepared vegetarian meals foods is cheaper (and healthier!) than a meat-based diet. Also always look into buying foods in bulk – one can save huge money this way.

There is much more involved in this point of food, but I think most of us are aware about them. And already there is a lot of information out there about the extreme financial and health costs of a meat-based diet.

The only further point that is worth raising on the point of food is that as Ananda Margiis we do not dine in restaurants or hotels. Of course the reason we do not do this is because those places are not sentient: The dishes themselves are dirty, the ingredients are unknown, and the cooks are non-sadhakas. So that is why we do not dine in such establishments. But, on the top, eating in these restaurants is an expensive habit. By not frequenting such restaurants we save a lot of money. What average people spend on a single meal in a restaurant is enough funds for wise, vegetarian shoppers to eat for 1 or 2 weeks at home.

GAMBLING

So much of the world indulges in gambling – either in casinos, or on-line, or at sporting events, or in lotteries, etc. The tragedy with gambling is the the “house” always wins. People waste their time and hard-earned money and come home empty handed. Not only do they lose their money, but they lose their mental balance as well as gambling is
an addition. People go so far as to sell their most valued possessions in order to support their gambling habit. Indeed, even the great King Yudhisthira lost his entire wealth and property in a game of dice. Such are the ill effects of gaming and gambling.

Our Ananda Marga does not allow for this at all.

Baba says, “The habit of making wagers is extremely undesirable. You must avoid lotteries and gambling.” (CC-2, Society, pt#38)

When there is no gambling then there is no question of losing money or wasting away one’s time. This is an absolute money-saver.

LOANS

In our present era, this is a big, big point. So many people around the world, especially in the materialistic western nations, make it a hobby or even career in life to spend money which they do not have.

People incur debt by taking big loans to pay for things that they cannot afford: clothes, fancy meals, i-Phones, sports cars, gadgets, and so much more. By this way they lose money in two ways: Firstly by purchasing a costly item which they do not really need; secondly by having to pay the interest on the loan for that item. Hence it is a double loss.

Yet all “modern economies” around the globe are based on this faulty precept. Not only do individuals and families indulge in this, but entire cities, counties, states and even whole nations embark on this defective manner of taking loans to pay for things they cannot afford.

From beginning to end this is a totally costly and mentally taxing affair. People stay awake at night wondering and worrying about how they are going to pay back their loan. And countries even go totally bankrupt – that we are seeing today.

In Ananda Marga, Baba is entirely against the idea of taking a loan or incurring debt for superfluous items.

Baba says, “To purchase, by incurring debt, serge where tweed will do, or gaberdine where serge will do, is surely against the principle of aparigraha.” (GHC)

Indeed the entire spirit of aparigraha is to live in a simple manner, within one’s means. This is only possible if oe can to cultivate the requisite santosa (mental ease), such that a person will not senselessly run after material goods. As Baba points out in many discourses, the practices of aparigraha and santosa are closely linked.

Baba says, “Human desire knows no end. Millionaires want to become multimillionaires, because they are not satisfied with their million. Ask the millionaires if they are happy with their money. They will say, “Where is the money? I am somehow pulling on.” This answer indicates their ignorance of aparigraha. But such feelings have another adverse effect on body and mind.”

Here Baba continues His discourse.

Baba says, “Out of excessive fondness for physical or mental pleasures people become mad to earn money and amass wealth. As money becomes the be-all and end-all of life, the mind gets crudified. Constant hankering after money results in negligence of one’s health, and this makes the body unfit. Therefore, santos’a sa’dhana’ lies in being contented with the earnings of normal labour, without any undue pressure on the body and mind. To remain contented, one has to make a special type of mental effort to keep aloof from external allurements.” (GHC)

Hence by following yama and niyama and doing sadhana, one can easily become adept at the points of aparigraha and santosa. And this will lead to saving so much money – huge amounts.

Because without aparigraha and santosa, one will become a prisoner to the consumer mentality of “buy this” & “buy that” which is so infested within capitalism.

Hence this topic of loans in highly linked without our mental state and yama and niyama. When the mind is balanced one will steer clear of all kinds of unneeded purchases as well as unnecessary loans, thereby saving tremendous amounts of money.

OTHER WAYS OF SAVING MONEY

BY FOLLOWING OUR AM WAY OF LIFE

Here is a brief list of other ways any sadhaka of the Marga will certainly save money. Again, anyone can follow this approach and get the financial benefits. I invite others to comment and elaborate on these below points.

– Fasting: By fasting 2 or 4 times monthly, we save 1 – 2 months worth of food over the course of the entire year. Plus fasting purifies the body and keeps us disease-free, and away from expensive medical visits.

– Marriage: In some traditions huge money or dowries are paid to get one’s children married. We do not subscribe to such dogmas. Our social ceremonies are free.

– Tiirtha / Pilgrimage: Traveling to so-called holy lands like Mecca, Jerusalem or Varanasi each year is an expensive proposition. In AM, we do not have such destinations – the only tiirtha in AM is Guru cakra.

– Birth & Death: Here again these entail social ceremonies that do not cost any money in AM, whereas in the dogmatic churches and temples, moderate to large sums of money need to be paid. Plus without a large payment, one will not even find a spot in the cemetery or get a good casket, whereas in AM the body is burned at no expense to the deceased or their family.

– Hobbies: In AM, our only hobby is social service and helping others whereas in the so-called first-world nations average citizens spend enormous amounts of money on hobbies and recreational activities. Thus we save a lot in this department as well.

– Psychic Disease: Sadhana keeps the mind balanced and without sadhana people encounter so many mental problems: frustration, depression, angst, phobias etc. In that case they have to spend huge money on psychiatrists and psychologists.

– Inferiority Complex: Anyone with an inferiority is bound to be exploited. Sadhana will free the mind from such complexes.

– Religious Taxes: In most of the religions, the tax for the average member is 10% or so of their total income. In Ananda Marga it is only 2%. Thus we save 8%.

And there are a multitude of other ways in which we save money. Everyone should write in with their experience of how they save money by being an Ananda Margii

BABA’S BLESSING

By Baba’s grace He has given us the perfect system for living in this era of economic struggle and strife. By following His life principles we are bound to save large sums of money and feel relaxed about our financial picture.

So if anyone is suffering from economic turmoil, just become an Ananda Margii or redouble one’s efforts in following 16 Pts. Then one will be worry-free and unencumbered by economic problems.

Let us remember that human life is short and it is meant for sadhana, not getting caught up in financial concerns.

Baba says, “One should not forget that human life is short. From the moment of birth one slowly and steadily advances towards death with every passing second. This short period of time from birth to death is human life. Human beings have come from the world of invisibility and at the end of this short span of time will return to the world of invisibility. Those people can be called intelligent who utilize every moment of their short life engaged in spiritual practice.” (APH-4)

Namaskar,
Jagatmitra

Note 1: BABA’S SPECIAL ORDER ABOUT LOANS

Here furthermore is another of Baba’s special guideline about taking loans.

Baba says, “I am also giving one more advice in regard to aparigraha. If any Margis have to spend on anything in addition to the fixed expenditure (for example, expensive clothing, ornaments, articles of furniture, marriage, building, etc.), they should, before incurring such expenditure, obtain a clear order from their a’ca’rya, unit secretary or district secretary, or any other person of responsible rank. Similarly, permission is to be obtained before taking loan from any businessman or money-lender.” (GHC)

Note 2: GOOD FOR ONE AND ALL

In this materialistic era, the mass of people weigh most of their decisions on money. People want to know what is most economical. This plays into our favour as this entire letter aims to show the innumerable ways how living life as an Ananda Margii is the best bank for your buck. So this is a good pracara strategy: Save money by becoming an Ananda Margii.

In addition, challenging or severe economic times are mounting, so as Ananda Margiis we need not worry so much since in a multitude of ways our way of life is the most economical. It is a better deal fiscally.

By the above listing of points, it is easy to see how and why our AM ways of life is great in all realms of life, including financially.

PRABHAT SAMGIITA

“Ajuta chande esechile tumi nacite nacite ha’site ha’site…” (PS #146)

Purport:

O’ Baba, with the resonance of melody and in the manana [1] of my heart, and the jingling of the ankle bell [2], You came in countless rhythms, dancing and smiling, smiling and dancing.

You came with the resonance of melody; You came with the manana of my heart, You came with the jingling of the angel bell. O’ Lord you came, You came with the resonance of melody, O’ Lord You came.

You came with the manana of my heart, O’ Lord. You came with the jingling of the ankle bell. O’ Lord, with the resonance of melody, and in the manana of my heart, O’ Lord You came. In the manana of my heart, and the jingling of the ankle bell, O’ Lord You came.

If I blossom as a flower on the branch, then You become fragrance and fill me always. If I become the distant sky, then You become blue and fill me always. [3] O’ Lord, You fill me always. As a blue color You always envelop me.

If I become the distant sky, then You become blue and fill me always. O’ Lord, You fill me always. You surround me from all the directions, You came in countless rhythms, dancing and smiling, smiling and dancing.

O’ Baba, I am never alone. You are always with me, no matter what. You are ever gracious, I surrender at Your lotus feet…

NOTES FOR PRABHAT SAMGIITA #146:

[1] Manana: The contemplation or ideation of the Supreme Entity by repeating the Lord’s name in the mind. This special process Baba has described in-depthly in His various teachings of AM devotional and spiritual life.

[2] Jingling of the Ankle Bell: This song carries great symbolic and is the poetic expression of what the sadhaka feels in dhyana. So the “ankle bell” is not a physical bell attached to one’s ankle nor does it refer to some type of bell that Parama Purusa is wearing around His foot. Rather when the sadhaka realises and feels the proximity of Parama Purusa in deep dhyana, then one hears this ankle bell sound within. That is the meaning of this metaphor in the song. One hears this ankle bell sound when in His close proximity. The phrase – Parama Purusa has come with His ankle bell – is just a poetic expression that holds greater symbolic meaning.

[3] Two More Metaphors: The metaphor of the sky and its blue color indicates how they are inseparable. The sky and blueness cannot be made distinct from one another. The two are inextricably inter-linked. In the same way the devotee and Parama Purusa are inseparable. Similarly, the flower cannot be separated from its fragrance; where there is a the flower there is fragrance and where there is flower fragrance there is the flower. The two are completely part and parcel of each other. Here again this refers to the inherent link between the Lord and the bhakta. Parama Purusa is always with the devotee – one cannot remain separate from the other. Parama Purusa comes with His omnkara dhvani (eternal sound) the bhakta gets attracted and merges in Him.

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You Are Fortunate & Why

From: “Satiish G.D. Bose”
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Subject: You Are Fortunate & Why
Date: Wed, 02 Nov 2011 21:21:59 +0530

Baba

“A’ndha’ra sa’garatiire base base bha’vachi tumi a’so yadi…” (PS 839)

Purport:

Baba, I am sitting on the shore of this dark ocean [1] thinking that if You come, rowing the boat of effulgence [2] with Your own hand across this vast ocean, then I will cross back along with You to the world of divinity [3]. Baba, I am waiting anxiously for Your divine arrival – please grace me by coming.
Baba, I have come onto this earth to do proper work; but, instead of doing righteous work, I have just just wasted my time in useless pursuits. Day after day has passed me by; so many nights have come and gone. All my friends and companions – all those who were close to me – have now left. Baba, I am sitting here by myself, totally helpless. I am waiting by the shore of this dark ocean thinking how You will come. Baba, I want to remain with You always.
Baba, by Your grace the lamp of my heart [4], which has remained with me all along, is like one shining point of effulgence on a pitch black face [5]. O’ Treasure of Nectar, in the hope of Your arrival, I have kept the lamp of my heart burning still today. Baba, I am continuing my sadhana and thinking of You. Baba, I am waiting for Your divine arrival to take me across this vast ocean of darkness.
Baba, You are Love personified. Please be gracious and take me across this ocean of avidya maya…

NOTES FOR PRABHAT SAMGIITA #839:

[1] Dark Ocean: In the song the terms a’ndhara sagar and mahododhi (i.e. vast ocean) refer to the dark ocean, i.e. the ocean of illusion or avidya maya. Submerged and drowned in this ocean, people cannot see properly. They mistake this crude transitory world as their eternal abode. They accept what is wrong to be right, mistaking the fleeting for the permanent. People act as if they will live forever on this earth, but that is not true. No one stays here forever. But drowned in the ocean of ignorance, i.e. their unfinished samskaras, they live as if this ephemeral world is their permanent shelter. When in fact our eternal abode is with Parama Purusa.

[2] Boat of Effuglence (A’lora Noaka): As we know, Taraka Brahma is the linking point between Sa’guna Brahma and Nirguna Brahma. When He comes onto this earth in form that form is Taraka Brahma or Mahasambhuti. In a related manner, when Baba comes in one’s mental plate He also takes form so the bhakta can relate with Him. In this song, the arrival of Parama Purusa in such a form is the ‘boat of effulgence’. That is the symbolic meaning of the phrase. Baba’s true and eternal identity is Nirguna Brahma, so He graces the bhakta and comes in form so the one can ideate and communicate with Him.

[3] World of Divinity: The various religions preach the concept of heaven. In AM we do not subscribe to this view. Rather, Baba guides us that there are various layers of mind. The higher kosas lead to divinity, and the lower kosas lead to ignorance, darkness or crudity. Indeed the highest kosa – hiranmaya kosa – is the union with Parama Purusa. So this is totally a psycho-spiritual phenomenon. One need not go anywhere physically. Thus, “Take me to the world of divinity” does not refer to one material place or land mass etc. The meaning is that highest stage of mind (turiiya), i.e. the abode of Parama Purusa, which is in your mind. So this is not like the dogmatic religious concepts of resurrection or rapture. Rather, hiranmaya kosa is a universal idea. This is something all margiis must must know as this is recurring them in Prabhat Samgiita.

[4] Lamp of My Heart (Pra’ner Pradiip): The significance or inner meaning of this phrase is one’s own personal ista mantra and guru mantra. A sadhaka uses their ista mantra for calling Baba and their guru mantra for remembering the fact that “He is always watching me.” Keeping one’s inner lamp lit means using these two mantras each and every moment in one’s day to day life. So long as one is either calling Him or remembering Him, then one’s inner lamp is lit and one’s devotional life is alive.

[5] Black Face & Point of Effulgence (Ka’lera kapa’le a’lora je t’ip): In life, people are surrounded by the dark ocean of avidya maya. That is what is meant by “black face” in this song. At the same time, so long as one recites their ista mantra, then they always have one “point of effulgence”. And this “point of effulgence”, or calling Him in a loving and devotional way with their personal ista mantra, is enough to pierce through the darkness attain the Supreme rank, by His grace.

== YOU ARE FORTUNATE & WHY==

Namaskar,
By Baba’s divine grace, we are all extremely fortunate and this letter explains exactly why. We should consider this matter seriously as we together embark on life in this new era.

SOLUTION EMBRACED IN A TIME OF NEED

A person’s talents, skills, and qualities are more valuable when they are needed.

Suppose a baker just baked dozens of loaves of bread, and suddenly victims of a famine were brought to town, naturally the baker’s bread is going to be highly valued. Because that bread is the solution for the present problem – the bread will help nourish those emaciated by the famine.

In contrast, if the baker is walking around with his breads and the entire populace is well-fed, then no one will seek out that baker. In that case his services and his breads will not be so highly valued.

Same can be said of a doctor. If he lives in a place where all are suffering from an outbreak of a disease, then the doctor’s services will be placed at a premium whereas if the doctor resides in a district where all have perfect health, then he will not be needed much.

In essence, if nobody is suffering or in need, then the solution to that particular problem is of little value. Whereas, if a person has the skills to solve an urgent issue, then they will be highly regarded.

Soon we will apply this theory to the life of Ananda Margiis.

YUGA SANDHI

We live in what Baba terms – yuga sandhi.

Baba says, “What does “yugasandhi” mean? “Yuga” means “age” and “sandhi” means “joint”. Therefore yugasandhi means “juncture between ages”…you can see for yourself how the social movement is grinding to a halt. When social progress loses its velocity it is called “yugasandhi” (transitional period) in Sam’skrta.” (AV-7)

Ours is the transitional period, marked by a severe lull – wherein society is enmeshed in so many problems. In addition, during the yuga sadhi there is a strict dichotomy: Some very, very good people as well as some very, very bad people. And in between are the masses who are at the mercy of the exploiters. A struggle between the two sides erupts.

Baba says, “You have all been born in such a transitional period and have assembled here today. In the future, the honest and virtuous people of the society will respond to Your call and will unite. The same polarization is taking place now as occurred in the past: the honest people are with you and will remain with you; the dishonest people win oppose you now and will continue their efforts to block your progress in future. Whenever there is a war between dharma and adharma, you are sure to be victorious. You are not alone – dharma is with you, the benevolent intellect is with you, and I am also with you.” (AV-7)

So in this yuga sandhi, society is devastated and all are looking for a way out. The good people are providing the solutions and the bad people are aiming to maintain their exploitative grip on society.

THE ERA IN WHICH WE LIVE

Ours is the transitional period. Taraka Brahma has taken His advent to lead the society out from the darkness, and now the great drama is going to play out.

At present, we can see the polarization: good and bad on either side. Smart and courageous people are involved in saving the planet from environmental destruction, addressing social issues, leading healthier lives, learning meditation, and serving others, while side by side, the exploiters are entrenched in cheating, butchering, and suppressing the masses. There is extreme good and extreme bad.

In between, the masses are suffering from so many problems: Food shortages, housing issues, wars and destruction, disease, financial upheaval, invasions, terrorism and more.

Problems abound.

We live in a time where we are surrounded by gigantic problems in all directions.

BABA HAS GIVEN ALL THE SOLUTIONS

By His grace Baba has come and given all the solutions.

Baba says, “A correct spiritual ideology is the only solution to the problems confronting the world. From this perspective we can call Ananda Marga ideology the philosophers’ stone. Just as the philosophers’ stone is meant to transform everything into gold, Ananda Marga ideology can, most definitely, find a just and rational solution whenever it is applied to any problem.” (POD #36)

So here is the thing:
1) Our human society is suffering terribly;
2) Baba has graced the humanity with the answer to every problem;
3) The exploiters are involved in their evil dance;
4) The masses are looking for the way out – they are seeking solutions;
5) Every Ananda Margii has some, most or all of those solutions in the form of AM ideology and our AM way of life.

I think you can see where the situation is headed.

The unfortunate affair is the out of desperation most of the populace is looking in the wrong places for the answers. They are like hungry infants who are picking up paper, pens, sticks and stones and putting them in their mouth – yet that will not satisfy their hunger. Same with the masses. They are looking emphatically in all directions and trying all kinds of things, but they are not getting the right solution.

TIME TO STEP FORWARD

Enter Ananda Margiis.

Baba has blessed us and placed us in a very special position. There are problems in the world and He has given us the answers. Ours is a needed role and never before has the situation been more urgent.

So you are fortunate. Your services are going to be highly regarded – that means you have been blessed with the opportunity to serve. There is no higher or more noble endeavor. All that is needed now is the right and proper action. Start teaching and role-modeling all that you know.

If we had been born 200 years from now, most of today’s problems will have been solved and society will be rapidly moving ahead. In that case, one does not have the opportunity to truly help humanity. Because already most are on the proper path.

But instead we have been born in this most ragged and ravaged era where struggle and strife are rampant throughout. And we have all the solutions: spiritual, moral, political, economical, personal, emotional, social, and individual. In every sphere of life Baba has given us the solution.

You have the medicine or cure for the day – in a time when those solutions are highly needed. Things cannot get any worse – we have hit rock bottom.

Thus those who know about AM and practice AM teachings have much to offer, teach and distribute to society. That means you and all Ananda Margiis are a vast wealth of experience for the masses.

That is why you are fortunate. Because you hold the key to the very issues most ailing the society. What could be a more blessed position than that.

BABA’S BLESSING

By His grace He is depending on you to lead the people forward. That is His cherished gift unto you – to lead the society out of the darkness. For this reason you are fortunate.

Baba says, “You boys and you girls, you are to establish yourselves as developed human beings and as blessed with the glory of human excellence at the helm of every affair. Society will recognize you because of your service, because of your sacrifice. And not only that, everybody is expecting that they will get your help, your assistance, your guidance, when there is a dire necessity for the same. You boys and you girls, you should know that I solely depend on you for the translation of our lofty ideology.” (AV-34)

Namaskar,
Satiish

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Solution of Nightmares

Baba says, “You may ask, “How can I do pun’yam while sleeping? In the wakeful state, I may do Pun´yam. But while sleeping, how can I do Pun’yam? Can you? Yes, you can. What’s the difference between habit and nature? When habit becomes one with your existence, it is called nature…By constant practice or under pressure of circumstances, one becomes habituated, and by encouraging this habituation, it finally becomes nature.”

“This is auto-suggestion. “Now it is time for my meditation”, what is it? You are trying to habituate yourself. But when you cannot live without puja, then it has become your nature. Try to make it what – habit or nature? Nature. I never take a drop of water without doing puja. Why? It has become my nature. And I want that all of you should
make it your nature also.”

“When auto-suggestion will become your nature, what will happen? While sleeping you will be repeating that japa (repetition of mantra) in your unconscious mind. You are sleeping, so conscious mind is not active. You are not having any dream, so your sub-conscious mind is also not active. But unconscious mind is there. Automatically there will be japa. 24 hours you are doing Pun´ya. While you are sleeping, you will be engaged in doing japa and using your incantation. Kuru pun’yam Ahora’tram.” (AV-14)

Note: In this materialistic era, people suffer from so many psychic problems such as nightmares etc. Because what difficult things one encounters during the day then the untrained mind will turn those events into nightmares during sleep. For example one might dream that their business went bankrupt, or one might dream of quarreling with a friend, or one might dream of being scared about unknown events in the future. All these types of disturbing ideas may take place in the mind during sleep. And even worse is that when one wakes up then they feel depressed and worried because of such types of crude dreams and nightmares. In His above teaching Baba carefully describes to us that if we train our minds to repeat our Ista mantra during the day time then the same will happen at night. In which case all our dreams will be sweet and blissful– ever
floating in His divine vibration.
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Prout: Antidote to Today’s Economics

From: “Vinay Deva”
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Subject: Prout: Antidote to Today’s Economics
Date: Sun, 18 Sep 2011 21:16:13 +1000

Baba

== PROUT: ANTIDOTE TO TODAY’S ECONOMICS ==

Namaskar,
As we enter into the culminating phase of the vaeshyan era, there are many issues that abound. One is that the capitalist exploitation is becoming more & more intense; and a second matter is that capitalism has spread its web across the 7 seas such that now the strings of those top-level vaeshyas wrap around nearly each and every community across the globe.

Then of course there is the use of the immigrant work-force as well as corporations which outsource all their work to China and the third-world nations etc.

So many tricks and imbalances are in vogue. Everything has been hitched and stitched together. A problem in one place leads to a problem in another. That is in part why today’s economy is in such a precarious position.

Here is a Proutistic look to a variety of these key issues.

CAPITALIST EXPLOITATION: WORKERS SUFFER

As we all see, capitalists are infamous for creating industry wherever they can get the facilities. This is one black trait of their exploitative ways. Because in their avarice they are only concerned with cheap labor and low costs in order to maximize their own profit– regardless of what kind of effect this has on the rest of the region. One of the negative off-shoots is that capitalists mercilessly force innocent and hungry workers to go where the industry is, thus leaving particular areas desolate and creating unrest all around.

Hence in their imbalanced and opportunistic methods capitalist exploitation paints a bleak picture in multiple ways. Here is one such example as it relates to our topic of immigration.

Baba says, “Where there is no proper economic development, surplus labour develops. In fact all undeveloped economic regions suffer from surplus labour, and when the surplus labour migrates to other regions the region remains undeveloped forever.” (PE, p.17)

And this is what we see happening today. A few such examples are the undeveloped economies of Central America (i.e. El Salvador & Honduras where unemployment abounds and surplus labour /workers head to the US for work. Once there, they receive low wages & (naturally) capitalists delight in their arrival. Plus, worker migration is at an all-time high throughout Asia.

Greedy capitalists, intoxicated with the prospect of making money, should not get scope to disrupt the whole economy and railroad all the profits and resources into their own bank accounts. All the while pressuring workers to migrate from place to place for their daily bread.

All in all, amongst other reasons, in capitalism big business swallows up smaller ones and things are cheap but the money is tied up in the hands of a few; so the common people cannot afford the commodities. Thus money gets centralised in one area and the gap between rich and poor is huge, almost insurmountable. This we see heightening each and every day.

In contrast, Prout creates an active economy with money rolling in local areas. So that workers need not be subject to all sorts of tortures and trials by having to move all around in search of work, leaving their families behind. Rather a strong economy should be created in each and every samaj and the various samajas should have relationships characterized by coordinated cooperation. In that way, Prout is concerned with the holistic development of the entire community.

SELF-SUFFICIENCY PROTECTS THE PEOPLE & INVITES GROWTH

Thus in grand fashion Baba has introduced His samaj theory based on self-sufficient socio-economic units. In this system, industry gets developed where there are raw materials and an existing labour force. Where those living in an area get ample scope to work in that area, at the same time keeping an open door policy to others interested in residing in that samaj.

Hence in the Prout system raw materials are not wrongfully sent out from the samaj so that other more powerful regions can get rich off those resources. And secondly workers are not dragged out from their homes and forced to travel hundreds of miles away. Rather the buildup of the samaj system guarantees that people will get jobs locally close to home and that others may freely immigrate to that very samaj– or any other area according to their liking, so long as they have become linked with the socio-economic ways of that place. That is our policy.

Hence Prout is concerned with the needs of an area and is geared towards making communities self-sufficient and the whole Prout philosophy is working in the favour of the exploited mass– so that the common people can rise up and develop themselves.

About these above points Baba has given the following guideline.

Baba says, “Local people are those who have merged their individual socio-economic interests with the socio-economic interests of the socio-economic unit they live in…Those who have not done so should be branded as outsiders.”

“No outsider should be allowed to interfere in local economic affairs or in the system of production and distribution, otherwise a floating population will develop, causing outflow of economic wealth from the area. If this occurs the area will become vulnerable to outside economic exploitation and decentralized economy will be undermined.” (PE, p.214-15)

THE PROTECTION OF LOCAL RESOURCES

Prout further advocates that goods should be produced and sold locally. What is produced is for the local public to utilise.

However if export businesses do develop, then only finished products can be sold directly in those markets. It is not that local raw materials should get sucked up by an exploiting state or country such that they can reap the benefit of that.

That means that natural resources should not be shipped out. The refinement process should be handled in the locale. They should benefit from their own local resources. All these things should be cared for. In that way, with a healthy economic base, people will be able to freely choose where they wish to work and be provided opportunity to stay in their home area.

Hence side by side the problems of immigration due to capitalist exploitation which is now so common not only between countries but within each and every state, province, and township– all such negative effects will be eliminated.

Baba says, “Howrah district, for example, produces sufficient crops in a season to feed the local people for seventeen months, but due to immigrant labour the produce is consumed in six and a half months. The elimination of the floating population will also protect the social life of the cooperative from the possibility of adverse social influences.” (PNS-14, p.49)

ECONOMIC FREEDOM PROVIDED TO ALL

Taken altogether then, everything should be provided within. In that way there will be guaranteed employment for all. Laborers and workers should not have to scour the earth in order to find employment. Hungry, starving workers should not be pushed out from their own homes– separated from their loved ones– and forced to go far away in search of a measly paying job.

Nor should laborers have to take extreme trouble to drive hours and hours in order to get to work.

Jobs should be available locally so that people can live with their families and make a proper income. And of course if anyone has an honest desire to move to another area then they are welcome to do so. Prout supports all these things.

However if greedy persons are trying to fill their own wallets by going outside their area in order to exploit another samaj then that will not be permitted.

Because Baba’s Prout philosophy is for the welfare of all, especially the common people, who for centuries have been exploited.

Baba says, “Local people must be given preference in employment, and all local people should be locally employed. If this policy is followed, there will be no surplus or deficit labour among the local people, and if many people do come from outside areas, they will not find a place in the local economy. Where a floating population exists in a particular region, the outflow of capital remains unchecked and the economic development of the area is undermined.” (PE, p.221)

CONCLUSION

Hence Baba has given beautiful solutions to all sorts of socio-economic problems in the form of self-sufficient samajas. Where production is geared towards local consumption and where people get scope to live and work in the comfort of their own area as well as have the option to move to a new place should they so desire. These are all important aspects of Prout’s policy on the point of immigration.

Overall, Baba has given numerous clear-cut policies on this significant matter of immigration. Which Baba has explained beautifully in so many discourses. Please reference: ‘Some Specialities of Prout’s Economic System’, ‘Decentralized Economy 1 & 2’, ‘Principles of Balanced Economy’, ‘Economic Dynamics’, ‘Cooperatives’, ‘Agrarian Revolution’ and more. All these discourses are filled with Baba’s golden Prout policies for building up a great human society.

BABA’S BLESSING

Here following Baba guides us that Prout is the way of forward movement.

Baba says, “PROUT is dedicated to the service and welfare of one and all. You should immediately build a one and indivisible human society without further delay by popularising PROUT.” (AFPS-8, p.50)

Baba says, “PROUT equips human beings with their own Prana Dharma and thereby reinforces and strengthens their march along the path of progress.” (PNS-18, p.30)

Baba says, “PROUT is the panacea.” (PNS-18, p.53)

Namaskar,
Vinay

Note 1: WHO CAN MOVE

It should also be understood that in the Prout system, people are entirely free to move from one country to the next, from one samaj to another. In this regard, personal freedom and individual choice stand at the forefront; people may travel & live where they desire. Indeed, so long as one has merged their socio-economic interest with a particular samaj, then that is enough to take up residence in that locale. In that way people may live and work where they like.

Note 2: GUIDANCE FOR ALL REALMS OF LIFE

We know that Baba is the dharma Guru and that in each and every sphere of life He has graciously bestowed upon us clear-cut guidelines for how to proceed. And in our social life those guidelines have taken shape in the form of Prout philosophy. Hence not just on the point of immigration and labor issues, but from birth to death, from village life to global government, from unit to collective, and from start to finish, Baba has beautifully given us the way how to advance and move ahead. Hence there is no question that Prout does not have any policies. Rather Baba’s precise, diamond-like strategies and pin-pointed teachings are our polices. Indeed, it is by these very crystal clear policies that Prout will be established and the entire humanity will grow and prosper.

PRABHAT SAMGIITA

“Tumi eso, tumi eso a’ma’r ghare…” – P.S. 3190

Purport:

Baba, please grace me by coming to my abode. I go on waiting for You on and on, constantly– all the while keeping the lamp of hope lit in my heart. Baba, You are always gracious. I get You in my dreams. By Your grace, I get You in those blissful dreams. And when I wake up then I go on thinking of Your sweet tales and divine presence. On my each and everything, the sketch of Your love is painted. Baba, I always remember You; even if I want to forget I cannot. By Your grace, always each and every second I remember You. When I yearn for You so strongly, then in my heart I feel pain in longing for You. It is then that the thought comes that I should forget You– because by that way at least life will be peaceful. But it is difficult for me; I cannot forget You. Baba, in the deep core of my heart You are always residing there. The whole universe is saturated with Your divine love. You shower Your causeless grace on everyone. Baba, please come in my mental abode; You are my everything…

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Suda’ma’ and Arjuna

Baba says, “Arjuna and Suda’ma’ were great devotees. But while comparing their devotion by this yardstick, we have got to say that Suda’ma’ was a greater devotee than was Arjuna. You know the story in the Maha’bha’rata – Arjuna refused to fight when Shrii Krs’n’a asked him to do so. This shows that Arjuna did not have full faith in and complete surrender to Shrii Krs’n’a. Had there been complete surrender, Arjuna would have done as directed by Shrii Krs’n’a. On the other hand, we notice a complete surrender by Suda’ma’. He never desired anything from Krs’n’a, his sakha’ [friend], who could have given him anything and everything. Howsoever he was, he remained content. Even when his wife forced him to go to Shrii Krs’n’a to request Him to remove his poverty, he went to him but didn’t ask for a thing. Suda’ma’ was a greater devotee than was Arjuna.” (AV-31)
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Eating Petroleum

To: AM-GLOBAL
From: Cinay Deva
Subject: Eating Petroleum
Date: Wed 20 Jul 2011 14:12:06 -0400

Baba

== EATING PETROLEUM ==

Namaskar,
Some people are eating petroleum without realising it. This post examines who is most prone to ingesting petroleum, how to recognise it on your food, and how to remove it.

WHO IS AT RISK

Those who get their fruit and vegetables from large-scale supermarkets, those who live in big cities (especially in the US and Europe), and those whose food comes from far away locations are all eating petroleum on a regular basis – whether their produce (i.e. fruits and vegetables) is organically grown or not.

If you fall in one of the above categories then certainly you are are eating petroleum on a regular – if not daily – basis.

This is an acute problem in the western nations which means that sooner or later all are at risk. Because the western lifestyle is being mass-replicated all around the globe.

Really speaking then, this is a letter for everyone.

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM

The main problem is that a coating is applied to most of the fruits and vegetables that are sold in big food markets. The food comes from far away places – sometimes shipped from even half-way around the earth. So they apply a “coating” to protect and preserve the food, i.e. fruits and vegetables. Most often this coating is petroleum jelly, and sometimes jelly from a plant source. By this way the fruit and vegetables look bright and shiny even after being transported for weeks on buses, trains, trucks and airplanes.

TRYING TO EAT HEALTHY

Here it should be understood that this problem is not limited to conventional (i.e. non-organically grown) produce i.e. fruits and veggies. Petroleum is also applied to organically grown fruits and vegetables.

As sadhakas, we all try to make healthy choices in life. To that end, some may be spending a little extra to purchase organic produce. We see the label; we see the quality of the vegetable or fruit, and we think, “Yes, this is the healthy choice to make.”

In His Ideal Farming book, Baba provides us with many excellent techniques for growing food organically, i.e. without pesticides and chemical fertilizers. So in Ananda Marga we strongly support organic farming.

But the way organic farming is done in today’s ultra-capitalist schema is not totally pure. In this big-business, high-profit era, organic produce (fruit and vegetables) has become a high-stakes market. The mega corporations have jumped into the organic food business. Even Walmart now sells organic produce.

It is commonly known that big business bends the laws in their favour to increase profits. Nowadays it is legal for organic food distributors to coat their fruits and vegetables with petroleum jelly.

This is standard practice. What they are doing is affecting our health, so we should all be acutely aware.

MOST ARE UNAWARE

The application of petroleum jelly is especially common with harder fruits and vegetables or items with a distinct peel. These include: Apples, tomatoes, zucchini, squash, cucumbers, citrus fruits, and many other items which are far too numerous to name here. Suffice to say that most fruit and vegetables are affected in this way.

Here are some of the most common responses to this unhealthy protocol:

1. The majority of the public simply does not notice. They think that they are eating a fruit or vegetable and therefore it must be healthy. They do not know that with every bite they are ingesting petroleum.

2. Then there are still others who simply think that since their produce is “certified organic” then it must be perfectly pure. Such persons are also in the dark and we may or may not be able to wake them – though certainly we should try.

3. Those who are somewhat aware generally haphazardly rinse their fruit and vegetables in water and then eat it or cook with it. But a simple rinsing is not enough to remove the wax or jelly.

4. Some are more aware and use a brush to remove the petroleum. This is a step in the right direction but does not entirely solve the matter.

5. And there may be other techniques which people use. What do you do?

6. Further down in this letter is a very good method to fully remove the petroleum coating from your food.

TESTING YOUR PRODUCE

Firstly, you must determine if there is petroleum on your fruits and vegetables. The tricky point is that petroleum jelly has no taste so you will not notice it if you take a small or large bite.

One of the best ways to determine if your fruits or vegetables have this wax or jelly is to submerge your organic tomato or apple etc in warm water. Let it sit there for 5 – 10 seconds or so and then touch it with your hand. If it feels sticky, slimy, greasy or waxy then you know that it was coated with petroleum jelly etc. To be perfectly sure, compare that with a locally grown item (i.e. the same fruit or vegetable) and feel the difference.

If you do not have access to warm or hot water, then simply put your fruit or vegetable in the sun or any warm area then the jelly will become apparent. Here again if you touch it, it will be sticky, slimy, and gooey.

HOW TO REMOVE THE WAX

There are a few ways to remove this petroleum jelly from your newly purchased produce (fruit and vegetables):

1. You can peel your fruit or vegetables. This works with apples, carrots, cucumbers and so many others – but not with peppers and tomatoes etc. But then you have to realise that you are losing the nutrients of the peel, and even more critically the nutrients on the inside of the peel.

2. You may blanche it: Simply place it in a pot of boiling water and remove the peel. This works very well with tomatoes since the peel is easily removed this way. Plus the peel of tomato is essentially indigestible and should be removed anyway.

3. Another way to avoid the petroleum coating on your food is to purchase your fruit and vegetables from a local grower. It may or may not be organic, but since they need not ship it they will not be applying the petroleum jelly. Best of course if it is organic, i.e. grown without herbicides and pesticides. If it is not organic then it will be covered with poisonous chemicals.

4. Finally and this is perhaps the best way. If in fact you are sure that there is petroleum jelly on your fruit or vegetable. Then wash or scrub it with a wheat flour or baking soda mixture. Just take a partial spoonful of wheat flour or baking soda and mix it with just a touch of water on your hand. The mixture should be more like a paste than a watery solution. Then rub the mixture briskly all over the surface area of each piece of fruit or vegetable. It must be done one by one. Both wheat flour and baking soda are grease-cutting agents and will thus remove all the petroleum jelly completely. Rub strongly and then wash thoroughly with water to remove all remnants of the flour or baking soda. Then your fruit or vegetable will be perfectly clean and ready for eating.

SUMMARY

Usually people think that they are eating “healthy” if they are eating fruits and vegetables. But they do not recognise that they are eating petroleum jelly also. That is an unwanted chemical for the body. Our body does not run on petroleum – we are not automobiles etc. If we ingest petroleum then it causes problems. Petroleum is not sentient – you will notice on the below list of sentient food, petroleum is not included.

Baba says, “Sáttvika Áhára: All the staple food-grains such as rice, wheat, barley, etc.; all the pulses except masúr [an orange-coloured lentil] and khesári; all fruits and roots; all kinds of vegetables except violet-coloured carrots, white brinjals [white eggplants], onions, garlic and mushrooms; milk and milk products; all green and leafy vegetables except red puni and mustard.” (Caryacarya-3, Procedure for Eating)

Baba says, “As a result of eating sentient food and performing spiritual practices, the cells of the human body become sentient. Naturally, an effulgence emanates from these cells creating an aura around the physical body of the spiritual aspirant. This is the reason why many pictures of mahápuruśas [highly-evolved persons] show them with radiant auras. If cells are affected by food and water, and if the nature of the cells affects the nature of the human mind, obviously human beings should eat the correct diet, because food and mind are closely related to each other. Any food item, whether good or bad, must not be taken indiscriminately because it may lead to mental degeneration. Sincere spiritual aspirants must follow the dictum: Áhárashuddhao sattvashudhih [“A sentient diet produces a sentient body”].” (Yoga Psychology, Food, Cells, Physical and Mental Development)

Namaskar,
Cinmay

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Same Goal But 2 Opposite Approaches

Subject: Same Goal But 2 Opposite Approaches
Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2011 21:05:28 -0400
From: “Gaurishankar Deva”
To: AM-GLOBAL

Baba

“A’ma’r pran’a’m na’o tumi prabhu, toma’y a’mi bha’laba’si…” (2692)

Purport:

Baba, O’ Prabhu, please grace me by accepting my pranam & surrender at Your lotus feet. Baba, I love You. Your divine flute goes on calling me continuously– in my sleep, in my dreams, and in my awakened state.
Baba, by Your grace I long for and search You in each and every activity. Keeping Your name in my heart I go on fighting against all difficulties & dangers of my life. Baba, in this entire universe only You are most adorable for me. Baba, by Your grace, my body, mind, and heart have become one with You. My whole existence is saturated in You.
Baba, with a smiling face You always shower Your grace on me. Whatever are my needs, You go on fulfilling them. Baba, You have removed all the cimmerian darkness from my mind. By Your causeless grace You are doing everything for me.
Baba, I love You, please accept my sastaunga pranam…

== SAME GOAL BUT 2 OPPOSITE APPROACHES ==

Namaskar,
In an LFT meeting in 1988, Baba revealed the reason why communist leaders do not leave their political post until they die. For them their position is lifelong. But that is not at all the case in capitalism. Capitalists do not want to sit in the chair and hold a political post. Thus, communists and capitalists harbor two opposite approaches, yet their goal remains the same.

The question stands, “Why is it that communist leaders are unwilling to leave their post?” The answer – which Baba gave in the LFT session (1988) – is below.

“THEIR SEEDS ARE THE SAME”

To begin, let’s explore the basic nature of capitalism and communism.

Firstly Baba states that capitalism is totally rooted in materialism where people do anything and everything to gain material wealth.

Baba says, “In capitalism the psychology of the acquisition of material wealth, be it land, money, metal or other property, strongly predominates. Such crude psychic urges and psychic pabula remain unchecked and unbridled in capitalism and turn into a hungry profit motive in the market system.” (A Few Problems Solved – 8, The Transformation of Psychic Pabula into Psycho-spiritual Pabulum)

Next Baba says that communism is also based on crude materialism.

Baba says, “Communism is also a socio-economic-political theory based on materialism. In communist society people’s psychic urges and psychic pabula instinctively run after material acquisition and crude enjoyment.” (A Few Problems Solved – 8, The Transformation of Psychic Pabula into Psycho-spiritual Pabulum)

Thus, in both capitalism and communism, the main goal of life is 100% materialistic: To chase after and acquire crude wealth and ultimately hold onto that wealth for one’s personal enjoyment for as long as possible.

Baba concludes then that both capitalism and communism are born of the same seed.

Baba says, “Capitalism and communism are the same internally. Fruits of the same variety may have different colour skins, but their seeds are the same. Capitalism and communism are fruits of the same variety.” (Prout Nutshell – 16, Decentralized Economy – 2)

BABA’S ANSWER:

WHY COMMUNIST LEADERS DO NOT LEAVE THE POST

As we all know capitalists acquire their economic empire by exploiting the masses – by riding the backs of the common people. Capitalists use their massive, ill-begotten wealth to finance and send their chosen people (stooges) into the political fray. With their millions and billions of dollars they purchase all kinds of politicians and even entire political parties. By this way those capitalists bend the rules of the land in their favour. Thus such capitalists hoard material wealth without occupying any political post.

In contrast, in communism, those political leaders hold onto the post for as long as they possibly can – right up until their death. They never leave their position.

So the question is: Why do they not leave their post?

In one LFT meeting, Baba told the answer. He explained that the reason communist leaders do not want to leave the post is that they do not want to part with their wealth. And the only way they can keep their wealth is to be a leader of the state. In communism there is no “personal wealth”; the state owns everything; Baba calls it “state capitalism”.

So when those communist leaders leave the post they will have to give up their luxurious lifestyle. Because in communism all the wealth is the property of the state. Thus to be wealthy and live in the lap of luxury one must be controlling the state. The common people do not have anything in communism.

So when in communism the goal is material wealth, then naturally those greedy leaders will hold onto their post to satisfy their desires – to hoard all the resources. It is for this reason that they occupy the chair right up till their death.

That is the answer given by Baba in that LFT meeting of 1988.

CONCLUSION

Here the central idea is that neither capitalism nor communism has any higher ideal in life. For them, matter is everything. In order to acquire material wealth, capitalists follow one approach and communists adopt another. They are diametrically opposite in their style. Yet both share the exact same goal: Crude wealth.

Unfortunately some naive and foolish people think that capitalism and communism are two totally different philosophies. When in reality, they are different in only the most superficial of ways. Truly speaking they both share the same aim; their ultimate goal is the same.

Namaskar,
Gaurishankar

Note 1: OUR PROUTISTIC OUTLOOK

Now let’s just take a comparative look.

(A) In capitalism, the basic concept is that the wealth belongs to individuals; capitalists own all the movable and immovable property.

(B) In communism, all the material wealth belongs to the state. All the gold, all the food, all the luxuries – it is all in the hands of the state.

(C) In our Proutistic approach we see things in a whole different light. We think that everything belongs to Parama Purusa – the Cosmic Father.

Baba says, “None of the movable or immovable property of this universe belongs to any particular individual; everything is the common patrimony of all, and the Father of all is Brahma.” (Problems of the Day, pt #1)

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Why Red Dress

Baba says, “Ta’n’d’ava is a heroic dance, showing the fight between life and death. The knife represents life, represents your vital stamina, and the skull represents the death that wants to destroy you. You are fighting against death with your weapon, be it a knife or a trishula (trident). And as per the rule, during the day, if one so desires, one may use a live snake in place of the skull; and at night one may use a fire masha’la [torch] or a d’amaru [small drum]. This is the rule. So ta’n’d’ava represents the eternal fight, the fight for survival, the fight to maintain existence, the fight to establish oneself as a man in this world.”

Note 1: By Baba’s above guideline we can outline the system for doing Tandava like this. During daytime in the left hand the tandava dancer may hold either (1) a skull, or (2) a live snake. And when doing tandava during the nighttime then in the left hand the dancer can hold either (3) a fire torch or (4) a d’amaru, which is a small, one liter size, hand-held, double-sided drum that has a string and two knots attached which twist around and create a beautiful sound when they strike against either face of the drum. Lord Shiva was using one of these.

So the point is that during tandava, depending on the time of day etc, any one of these four items (skull, live snake, fire torch, or d’amaru) are held in the dancer’s left hand. And all four items symbolize the force of death and destruction.

Then in the dancer’s right hand he will hold a dagger or a trishula (trident). In AM, a dagger is a knife where both edges of the knife are perfectly straight and angle towards each other to create a distinct point at the end. So a dagger is a pin-pointed, dual-edged knife; thus not just any ordinary type of knife is a dagger. And the second option for the right hand is the trishul (trident). This is similar to the western “pitch-fork”. It is a three pronged, pointed iron tool attached onto a bamboo handle of variable length from 3 to 6 feet long.

Note 2: By Baba’s grace I was also present at that special darshan on 20 April 1979 in Kolkata where Baba revealed the secret why tandava dancers wear a red-coloured outfit. Because in AM it is a commonly known fact that tandava dancers always wear that unique red uniform when dancing. Everyone who attended DMC, DMS, or any of Baba’s darshans saw this thing. And on that special day in April ’79 Baba explained that red is the color of rajoguna (the mutative factor) and that by wearing red the tandava dancers are expressing the idea that they are above the mutative factor. It is a representation that they are not controlled by rajoguna. Rather they are established in the sattvaguna (sentient sphere), by Baba’s grace. So the red uniform has this unique meaning which Baba Himself beautifully described in His darshan of 20 April 1979.

Note 3: Those doing kapalik sadhana also use a red mark on their forehead when practicing this meditation. And the meaning behind that red mark is the same as tandava. Namely, red mark signifies that the kapalika is above the mutative sphere of life– above rajoguna.
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Gradually All Will be in Jail

Date: Thu 30 Dec 2010 06:38:25 -0000 (GMT)
From: Pradiip Bauer
Subject: Gradually All Will be in Jail
To: am-global@earthlink.net

Baba

Introduction to PS #2327: In the following song Baba is lovingly guiding
one disciple who is confused and totally immersed in materialism.

“Cora’ba’lir pa’r’e keno gar’e ya’o ghar…” – P.S. 2327

Purport:

Why are you building castles in quicksand. Have you never examined the
matter carefully. That structure is shaking profusely because of the
soft foundation. Since ages you have been wasting your time in
constructing that castle on quicksand. You have invested huge energy
along with blood, sweat & your own hard labour to build it. All the
while you were indulging in your own dreamland– foolishly thinking that
this “thing” will give you permanent satiation. You were never ready to
admit that this is temporary and ephemeral…

Note: In the above song quicksand means materialism and castle means
building one’s life.

== GRADUALLY ALL COUNTRIES WILL BE IN JAIL ==

Namaskar,
Security checkpoints, I.D. requests, curfews in cities, bodyguards,
metal detectors in schools, police barricades…

Terrorist attacks, pirate ships, car bombs, explosions in the market,
hotels under siege, open gunfire at crowds…

Luxury mansions, corporate profits, exploitation of resources, 1st World
vs 3rd World, starving villagers, disease-plagued communities, 1
dollar-a-day sweat-house factories…

So long as this grossly materialistic vaeshyan era is in vogue, the more
our global family will be held in check, until finally literally
everyone will be living in jail, not even able to go out to buy food or
get a drink of water without being frisked, questioned, ID checked, and
watched.

MATERIALISM BRINGS FEAR

There are finite, limited resources on this earth. And capitalists are
gobbling them all up. Whether it be oil, bananas, land, diamonds, coal,
timber, or whatever, capitalist enterprises are fast identifying and
swallowing up every perceivable resource– whether that resource exists
in their own backyard or not.

We are fast reaching that point where 99% of the world’s resources are
owned by 0.1% of the world’s people. With each and every passing day, we
move closer and closer to strangling the common citizens for the last
bit of wealth on this planet.

This is what is happening in this abhorrently materialistic era where
humanity’s infinite longing is sidetracked into the pitfalls of limited
worldly wealth.

Baba says, “Human beings have unquenchable, infinite physical longings
and out of these physical longings capitalism came into existence.”
(‘Talks on Prout’)

Baba says, “Capitalism must be forced to abandon its ferocious hunger by
taking strong measures.” (POD #2)

So when a few are gobbling up all the resources and wealth to satisfy
their misguided longing for material gain…

…In that case, there is bound to be a backlash. There is bound to be a
reaction. That is why those top capitalists are ever more fearful about
such a retaliation and increase security in every conceivable corner of
social life.

The United States employs hundreds of thousands in their intelligence
operations. Because they know well that when the US has taken all the
world’s resources then other people are not going to be happy about it
and will retaliate, sooner or later. We have now reached that point in
human history.

CAMPING TRIP EXAMPLE

Today’s global climate can be likened to one camping trip where a small
group of people embark on an outing to a small place where there are
limited resources. Then if one or two persons were to quickly hoard all
the resources on that island or hilltop, and the rest of the people had
little or no means to live, then naturally those common campers would
strike back at those who had snatched up all the resources. This is
human nature. Even people who would not normally fight or seek revenge
will rise up if a few are stealing all the wealth and forcing the rest
to live as paupers.

TERRORISTS ARE NOT THE ROOT CAUSE

So while terrorism cannot be espoused in any way, shape, or form, it
would also be foolish to deny the fact that today’s global terrorism was
born more out of capitalist exploitation than by Muslim extremism.

No doubt the Muslim religion is dogmatic and misguided in its ways, but
the current terrorist attacks did not suddenly appear out of thin air.
They are a response to a certain set of conditions: Capitalists stealing
all the world’s wealth and then legalising that process.

Thus whether they be pirates from Somalia, car bombers from Pakistan, or
hijackers from Egypt, all such terrorist attacks are a secondary
problem. The main cause is extreme capitalism where all the wealth has
been sucked up by a few. And then to retain that wealth, millions and
billions are spent on security, surveillance, and the like.

In which case, everyday citizens are forced to both (a) live in the
danger of a terrorist attack at any moment, as well as (b) be looked
upon as suspects by those greedy, fearful capitalists.

Before the rise of extreme capitalism, political leaders would casually
roam the streets without any fear or problem. But now even low-grade
politicians move around with a small army of security guards. The ripple
effect of that fear is that everyday citizens must show their ID card at
every street corner – or nearabouts.

YOUTH FEEL THEY HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE

When certain countries have snagged all the wealth– and it is visible
for all to see on the internet– then innocent youth in far distant
lands take a vow. They think, ‘Why should I live surrounded by flies in
these slums when those people from afar have stolen our resources and
exploited our people for labor’. When such youths realise that despite
their best efforts they will never be able to become part of the
well-to-do, they reason that they have nothing to lose.

In that way, they join street gangs, or get involved in guerrilla
warfare, or sign-up in a terrorist training camp. They think this is the
only way for me to get ahead, otherwise those capitalists will just suck
me dry, just like they did to the rest of the people in my community or
country.

With this ‘nothing-to-lose’ attitude, youths take to the streets, and
today we are seeing the results.

BABA’S BLESSING

So long as capitalism is the leading system, then people’s minds will be
diverted to material gain and exploitation will be the theme of the day.
A few will have everything and the rest will have next to nothing. That
is the capitalist dream. To date, they have gotten success. And their
success has given birth to terrorism and this age where our airports and
streets are turning into maximum security prisons. This problem will
only increase with the continued rise of capitalism. By Baba’s grace we
must usher in that era of spirituality and Prout and rid the world of
the noose of capitalism.

Baba says, “These capitalists are the unworthy sons and daughters of the
Cosmic Father because they go against the principle of cosmic
inheritance. They should be cured of their ailments. To fight capitalism
is therefore within your goal.” (‘Talks on Prout’)

Baba says, “We have to divert physical longings to psychic and spiritual longings to
avoid a fratricidal war, and thereby safeguard human rights.” (PNS-15)

Namaskar,
Pradiip

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Uniqueness of Ta’raka Brahma

Baba says, “A Maha’kaola is one who makes others kaola by his infallible
spiritual guidance. But Ta’raka Brahma is a different Entity, a unique
Entity for He is the spiritual preceptor, social preceptor, Kaola, and
Maha’kaola, all in one. He is also something more: He acts as a compass
in every stratum of society.” (NKS, ’97 Edn, p.50)
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