Spirit Behind Ananda Marga’s Vivaha System

21 Jun 2013

Baba

This entire posting is composed of 2 parts:
(2) Posting: Spirit Behind Ananda Marga’s Vivaha System;
(1) Prabhat Samgiita #886.

== SPIRIT BEHIND ANANDA MARGA’S VIVAHA SYSTEM ==

Namaskar,
To bring anyone on the path of dharma a proper environment is necessary and for that one human society is needed. Towards this end, Baba has taken numerous steps.

On the one hand He has involved deeply in repairing addressing and solving society’s ills. In this way And He has exposed and given the solutions to cure society from: religious dogmas, casteism, racism, communalism, sentiments, exploitation, untouchability, color, economic disparity, etc. Indeed Baba has addressed so many inequalities and injustices in the society.

Simultaneously Baba has infused one very positive feature for humanity – His revolutionary concept of society building: Which includes both the creation of WTs and the formation of revolutionary marriages.

Society building ensures a certain stability and dynamism as well as the love and compassion necessary for enabling people to grow in a healthy and proper way. So this is one key for developing one human society.

And indeed when that society is formed then there will be huge scope for people to grow in all sorts of ways and devote maximum time for spiritual pursuits and ultimately become one with Parama Purusa.

So society building has a special role.

REVOLUTIONARY MARRIAGES:

IDEAL TOOL FOR SOCIETY BUILDING

Revolutionary marriages (RM) are a special feature of our Ananda Marga way of life and come within the scope of the society building department of AMPS. Actually the main basis of marriage in Ananda Marga is society building.

In the past Lord Buddha also neglected this important social factor so he could not form the society properly. Lord Buddha’s teachings were deficient in this regard. And many religions also have not been able to create solid systems and ideals for marriage. The materialistic societies around the globe are also severely lacking on the point of marriage.

The tantric system of marriage is 7000 years old and holds a special meaning and practical presentation. We have seen this in our lives especially in DMC when Baba used to give blessings to marriage couples.

BABA’S MARRIAGE BLESSING

First the newly married couple would approach the dais and do sastaunga pranam to Baba. And then with both of their hands the couple would jointly offer a flower garland to Baba. Then Baba would then place His own hands around their hands and join them in holding the mala (flower garland).

Then Baba would graciously bless their marriage: “Be like Shiva and Parvati, go on doing your worldly duties along with your psychic and spiritual pursuits, be the assets of the entire civilisation, and by your service the whole society should be benefited.”

Baba also used to repeat the mantra ‘Shubamastu…’, meaning ‘May you be blessed’.

And then He would give the mala to the bride. To English speaking margiis Baba used to say, ‘little girl take this mala and keep it with you’. And when He spoke to margiis in Bengali or Hindi this was the translation: ‘mother keep this garland along with you’.

Hundreds of times during DMC we have witnessed how Baba used to give His marriage blessings. And always He would begin by saying, “Be like Shiva and Parvati…”

Here the special significance of ‘Be like Shiva and Parvati’ is that during Lord Shiva’s entire married life He took care of Parvati and watched over her physical, psychic, and spiritual development; and Parvati took care of Lord Shiva as well. Their marriage was ideal. It was not based on material satisfaction or gain, but rather a high ideal. It was starting point of building one human society.

NO SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN THE PAST

Prior to Lord Shiva’s advent society was not properly formed. One key reason for this was that there was not a proper system of marriage. Instead, most were involved in libertine type of relations – especially the males.

The ones who suffered most then were the children and their mothers, but especially the children. Basically males did not accept any responsibility. So the whole responsibility of the child’s physical, psychic, sentimental, and spiritual welfare rested upon the mother alone. And it was just not possible for a single mother to manage all aspects of raising and providing for the child. The condition of the baby and mother was terrible.

LORD SHIVA’S CONTRIBUTION

Then Lord Shiva took advent. For the first time in human history He graciously gave the system of marriage. And that marriage system was primarily for the welfare of the child. So that child could receive the requisite love and support to one day become a bonafide member of the civilized society.

In this same spirit, Baba has created the society building department in our Ananda Marga.

THE PRESENT SCENE:

WHAT IS HAPPENING IN MATERIALISTIC AREAS & IN OUR ANANDA MARGA

Unfortunately in today’s materialistic countries, the true spirit of society building is not followed. Wherever materialism reigns, children are not properly cared for rather they are a by-product.

That is why we often see that children are not able or allowed to live along with their mothers, or sleep and get love and affection from their mothers even in nighttime. This results for any number of reasons: The parents might be divorced and the mother may have to work 3 jobs, or the parents are grossly involved in their careers and ignore their children, or there are other reasons. Unfortunately this is the common fashion these days: Children are often ignored and neglected whereby the child feels alienated from their surroundings.

In our Ananda Marga society the situation is improving a lot, but in the true sense society building has not yet taken proper shape. If we look back over the history we will find innumerable examples how the letter and the spirit of Baba’s given marriage system has been compromised.

But I have deep faith that with firm determination we will reach to the goal which Baba has established.

MUST PROPERLY PRESENT THE POINT OF VIVAHA

Baba has graciously given various special teachings for building up a spirited & singular human society. Each point has its own unique aspects and beneficial results – including His divine teaching on ‘vivaha’.

However, certain publishers have defined vivaha in an ordinary and mundane way. Yet we know Baba’s grand guideline of vivaha is not common and ordinary, but extraordinary.

POINT SOCIETY TOWARDS A SPIRITUAL GOAL

Since the very beginning in 1955, Baba’s has graciously guided us to form one human society. Because the whole aim of the Ananda Marga mission is Atmamok’s’a’rtham’ jagaddhita’ya ca – ‘self-realisation and service to humanity.’ But without building up one human society this can never be achieved. So Baba has taken strong steps to form a single human society whereby people can move towards their spiritual goal.

NEVER DONE BEFORE

In the past neither Lord Shiva nor Lord Krsna could do this. They were engaged in other ways and could not manage the strong planning necessary to bring the entire humanity within one thread. But Baba has indeed taken up this great endeavour.

BABA’S DIVINE TEACHING OF VIVAHA

Baba’s following teaching makes this subject more clear.

(A) LORD SHIVA INTRODUCED THE IDEAL

OF THE MARRIAGE SYSTEM

“Prior to Shiva, there was no system of marriage in human society. And as there was no recognized marriage system, the matrilineal order was in vogue, because it was easy to identify the mothers. In the case of the fathers, it was impossible to identify them. Shiva, for the first time, introduced the system of marriage which has continued until this day. The Sanskrit word for marriage, viváha (derived vi – vah + ghaiṋ), literally means “to follow a particular system”. This system of marriage is known as Shaeva viváha. According to this system, the bride and the bridegroom will equally share full responsibility for their marriage, without any consideration of caste or community.” (1)

(B) BABA PRESENTS THE HISTORY OF THOSE EARLY HUMANS:

FROM LIBERTINE WAY OF LIFE TO MARITAL FAMILY SYSTEM

“At the beginning of evolution, humans used to lead libertine lives without any consideration for family obligations, but they gradually developed a family instinct. However, that family instinct was no different from that of the elephants, lions, pigeons, etc. Due to this inborn instinct, males and females arrived at a loose but workable compromise regarding family life. But in that there was no sense of responsibility born out of a developed conscience; rather, due to their loose relationships with each other, one person used to desert another and go anywhere he or she liked. The number of such libertines was very high, and they used to disturb the peace and harmony of the so-called family members and become the cause of many serious quarrels.”

“The male libertines would not take responsibility for their offspring. They used to wander freely, and as a result, the entire responsibility for raising the children in their infancy would devolve on the mothers. But it was not possible for the mothers alone to bear the responsibility of maintaining the children, as a result of which many children died in early infancy. Those who survived felt themselves to be in a sea of troubles after they were weaned from their mother’s breast-milk. Then they would be deprived of their mother’s love, since she had to take care of the next baby. Those were the days of the prehistoric humans…The life of the libertines was just like that of the animals.”

“Shiva made the rule that regardless of whether women were capable or incapable of earning a livelihood, men would have to take on the responsibility of supporting them; thus the Sanskrit word for “husband” is bharttá. The word bharttá is derived from the root verb bhr + suffix trń; the root bhr means “to support” and bharttá (in the first case-ending) means “one who supports someone”.”

“As a result of this arrangement, it became easier for the women to maintain the children, since they were relieved of the onerous responsibility of providing their food and clothing. Not only that, when the children became a bit older the direct responsibility for their maintenance shifted from the mother to the father.”

“It was not easy to know the fathers of children even in the case of the so-called householders, far less in that of the libertines. Children would know only their mothers. And after they were weaned, they would forget their mothers also. Thus being deprived of motherly love and affection at a very early age, they had no opportunity to develop the sweeter and finer sensibilities of the human mind. The human mind, the human intellect, was nipped in the bud; those people had no opportunity to blossom, to gladden the heart of the world with their sweet joy. By declaring the males to be bharttá [husbands] Shiva fulfilled a major portion of His task for human society.”

“But Shiva did more than that: He declared that women must be kalatra, which means that women must discharge their obligations to their husbands and their children in such a way that the latter will not have the least difficulty.”

“Those who accepted this new arrangement were declared married, and the other members of their society would be witnesses to the marriage ceremony, to bless the newly-married couple and pledge their cooperation to them. The Sanskrit equivalent for marriage is viváha (vi – vah + ghaiṋ): it means, after the ceremony, the man and woman can no longer live as libertines or as irresponsible so-called family people. They have to discharge their full obligations as bharttá and kalatra, responsible husband and responsible wife.” (2)

(C) VIVAH MEANS TO

LIVE LIFE IN A NEW WAY WITH A SPECIAL TYPE OF RESPONSIBILITY

“Vi – vah + ghaiṋ = viváha. The root verb vah means “to flow, to lead”. Viváha means “leading one’s life in a new way with a special type of responsibility” [in both Sanskrit and Bengali]. In the most correct Sanskrit, however, the word for “marriage” would be formed vi – úh. An alternative spelling is with u (not ú). Vyuh + kta = vyud́há (meaning “a married person”).”

“An unmarried person remains somewhat free from responsibilities. As a result they get the chance to discharge some greater duties outside their small family. Even though they go outside the house for other work, it is not against anyone’s interests. Vyud́há means a “married person who shoulders a greater family responsibility and begins a new style of life.””

“Hence, when an unmarried girl or boy gets married, his or her life begins to flow down a different channel. Various responsibilities devolve on them. They can no longer afford to take their responsibilities lightly.” (3)

Namaskar,
in Him
Diindayal

Note 1: MISTAKE MADE BY PUBLICATIONS DEPT:

OVER AND OVER AGAIN THEY WRONGLY DEFINE VIVAHA

So vivaha is one special way for developing the society; it is a revolutionary form of marriage that brings the fulfillment of human potential through responsibility, commitment and spiritual growth. Vivaha cannot merely be defined by a single mundane term, i.e. marriage. The Sanskrit word vivaha cannot merely be translated or defined as marriage. The ideal of vivaha is so much more than that. That is why Baba Himself takes several paragraphs to explain the meaning of vivaha. Baba never merely defines vivaha as marriage.

As we all know, nowadays marriage mostly means one mundane love marriage where males later divorce when their sensual desires get directed towards some younger female etc. A person might marry 2, or 3, or 4, or 5 times. That is the common way nowadays. And each time it is defined as marriage, but that is not at all what vivaha is all about.

Unfortunately if you search for a definition of vivaha in the note sections of various Ananda Marga books, you will find that certain members of the Publications Dept merely define vivaha as marriage. That means in certain specific sections like the glossary and the footnotes, the publishers themselves chose to define the ideal of vivaha as marriage:

For instance:

(a) In the book, “Sarkar’s Short Stories Part 1” – the publishers inserted a footnote in the story – “The Headmasters’ Contest”. Here is the entirety of that footnote: “Viváha is the Sanskrit word for marriage.” So they merely defined vivaha as marriage when in fact it is so much more than that. Remarkably, the publishers took special efforts to create a footnote for the term vivaha. In that situation they could have described vivaha in so many positive and practical ways according to Baba’s dharmic explanation. But instead they merely defined it as marriage. That is completely misleading to the reader and it undermines the ideal of vivaha.

It would have been far better if those in charge defined vivaha as ‘the special system of a dharmic marriages first introduced in Lord Shiva’s time’ or ‘a union between husband and wife based on fulfillment of an ideal’ etc. Any of these type of definitions would been much more appropriate. Because to only say ‘vivaha = marriage’ is very misleading.

(b) In the book, “The Awakening of Women”, the publishers inserted a glossary and in that glossary they merely defined vivaha as marriage. They wrote one word – that’s it. Here again the publishers created a special place to define and describe the term vivaha but they failed to use any of Baba’s dharmic tenets. Yet vivaha itself is such a key component for the upliftment of humanity and grants women and mothers an entirely new status. And in the book “The Awakening of Women” the publishers utterly neglected to put a proper definition of vivaha in the glossary. That undermines the very purpose of the book.

It would have been far better if those in charge referenced specific sections of Baba’s discourses and direct the reader to learn about vivaha in that manner. Or if they wanted a shorter definition for their glossary they could have defined vivaha as ‘the special system of a dharmic marriages first introduced in Lord Shiva’s time’ or ‘a union between husband and wife based on fulfillment of an ideal’ etc. Any of these type of definitions would been much more appropriate. Because to only say ‘vivaha = marriage’ is very misleading.

(c) The Ananda Marga Dictionary published in 2005 falls into this same problem. If you look up vivaha in the Ananda Marga Dictionary all you will find is the singular mundane term ‘marriage’– nothing more. By this way people will think that vivaha just means one mundane love marriage where males later divorce when their sensual desires get directed towards some younger female etc. It would have been far better if those in charge defined vivaha as ‘the special system of a dharmic marriages first introduced in Lord Shiva’s time’ or ‘a union between husband and wife based on fulfillment of an ideal’ etc. Any of these types of definitions would been much more appropriate. Because to only say ‘vivaha = marriage’ is very misleading.

Just imagine if in the dictionary someone defined dharma as ‘religion’ – without saying anything more. Then people would think dharma was just something dogmatic. How misleading and unjust that would be. Similarly to define vivaha using one simple mundane term like marriage is to do injustice to the ideal of vivaha because nowadays the marriage term is so commonly abused in as the divorce rate is 75% in some states and males regularly cheat on their wives, and vice-versa.

So in this materialistic era where the institution of marriage has nothing to do with the dharmic ideal of vivaha, the publishers of the Ananda Marga Dictionary must not define vivaha as ‘marriage’. The Dictionary definition must carry the inner spirit or dharmic quality of the term. Because Ananda Marga means dharma; so without that, the goal of making an Ananda Marga Dictionary remains unfulfilled, lacking, or faulty.

Note 2: NOT AN ISOLATED EXAMPLE – RATHER A PERVASIVE PROBLEM

The problems associated with the Ananda Marga Dictionary’s definition of vivaha do not exist in isolation. Verily there are dozens and dozens of terms – even hundreds – that are improperly defined in that Dictionary by those publishers. Unfortunately, many of the definitions do not reflect Baba’s given teachings of Ananda Marga. That is why the entire dictionary needs a critical review, not just one single definition.

Note 3: IDEA IS GOOD; PERFORMANCE WAS POOR

Overall, the idea of making an Ananda Marga dictionary is very good – if done properly. That means the dharmic definitions must be given according to the word and spirit of Ananda Marga ideology. Then surely it will be beneficial.

But when a Dictionary itself offers misleading, incomplete, and wrongful definitions, then that undermines the entire purpose of making a dictionary. Rather it is harmful. Best will be if stringent efforts are made to create a proper, well-referenced dictionary based purely on Ananda Marga ideals.

In conclusion, the term vivaha might also be defined in this way: A special union between a husband and a wife based on a dharmic ideal where both parties shoulder a great responsibility in raising a family while caring and watching for each others physical, mental, and spiritual development – plus we should always refer them to Baba’s discourses that offer a more explicit explanation.

REFERENCES
1. Namah Shivaya Shantaya, Disc: 2
2. Namah Shivaya Shantaya, Shivokti 3
3. Shabda Cayaniká Part 19

******** Prabhat Samgiita #886

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

Purport:

O’ Parama Purusa, by Your causeless grace, today I have gotten You in a more loving way in my mind. 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.

O’ Divine Entity, 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. 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.

O’ Parama Pursusa 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 Lord, 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. 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. You are so gracious. Baba, I love You…

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Here Is Our Measuring Scale #1

Date: Tue, 04 Jun 2013 21:00:55

Baba

This entire posting is composed of 2 parts:
(1) Posting: Here Is Our Measuring Scale #1;
(2) Prabhat Samgiita #2945

HERE IS OUR MEASURING SCALE #1

Namaskar,
As we look around, we see various people conducting themselves in different ways. Some actions are deemed as “civilised”, whereas other actions are looked upon as “uncivilised.”

In addition, there are many who consider themselves to be quite civilised when in fact they routinely engage in uncivilised behaviours.

So we should examine what it means to be civilised, as well as understand that each particular case should be looked upon independently. We should refrain from making sweeping generalisations.

ANANDA MARGA DEFINITION OF CIVILISED

According to Ananda Marga philosophy, a person is civilised if their action and overall conduct is supported by logic, reasoning, and rationality.

“We may call those human acts and behaviour civilized that give evidence of this discriminative judgement, in a great measure.” (1)

Here below Baba furthermore describes what it means to be civilised.

“I would say, the greater the support of judgement in action and behaviour, the better shall be the expression and development of civilization.” (2)

So those actions supported by intellect and a keen sense of discrimination (viveka) are civilised.

PRACTICAL EXAMPLES:

INDIVIDUAL CASES

Here are a few examples for consideration:

1. If instead of attending to their trash in a responsible manner, someone is taking garbage away from their house and dumping it on the road, then that action is uncivilised. In other realms of life that person might be civilised, but he is uncivilised on this point of trash disposal and dropping it on the public road where it will become a hazard. So that action is uncivilized because it is devoid of logic and reasoning. If an entire community adopts this method of throwing trash in the street then we can say that entire community is uncivilised on this specific point.

Here again we should remind ourselves of Baba’s teaching about what it means to act in a civilised manner.

“I would say, the greater the support of judgement in action and behaviour, the better shall be the expression and development of civilization.” (3)

So when any person tosses their trash on the street in a thoughtless manner that action is deemed as uncivilised.

2. Similarly, if a person is passing stool on the road because they are too lazy or apathetic to adhere to a more conscientious approach, then that person is uncivilised. The civilised approach is to dig a small hole in an isolated, forested place and then cover it up accordingly. So civilisation – or being civilised – is not a function of economics, but a matter of conscious and considerate action.

For instance, if a moneyed person has a modern bathroom with a flush toilet and marble tiles, but if after defecating or urination they only use toilet paper (blotting paper) and do not use water to clean themselves, then the person is uncivilised – with regards to that particular action. Because their approach to health and hygiene is of a very low standard. Only using paper will not clean the affected area. So it is an uncivilised approach. Whereas, a person who urinates or defecates in the forest and covers it properly and washes his front and backside with water thoroughly is quite civilised. Thus economics is not the operative factor in determining who is civilized.

“I would say, the greater the support of judgement in action and behaviour, the better shall be the expression and development of civilization.” (4)

The overall principle is that those actions supported by logic, reasoning, and rationality are civilised. To go against these tenets is to indulge in uncivilised dealings.

3. Then there are some people who do not want anyone to harm them. If they are punched, cut, or knifed by anyone they will be very upset and furious. And they certainly do not want anyone to kill them. Yet these very same persons are quite comfortable killing animals in order to eat them. Such persons have access to plenty of sentient food and they are not about to die of starvation, even then they insist on butchering and ingesting animals. On this point, that person is uncivilised. Because they fail to use their intellect and sense of compassion to understand that just as they themselves do not want to be harmed or killed, similarly those poor defenseless animals do not wish to be harmed or killed. That is why this person is uncivilised – at least on this particular point of senselessly killing and eating animals.

4. Then there are some who resort to illegal drugs and banned substances or use alcohol in order to feel “happy” etc, but this approach is not at all supported by rationality and logic. To find happiness the mind must be in a balanced state, yet drugs and alcohol put the mind in a depraved state where one can never find happiness or contentment – rather that person will act like an addicted fiend. That is why we say that on the point of drugs and alcohol, this person is uncivilised. If they use their innate sense of logic and reasoning, they can easily understand that alcohol and drugs are harmful. Since they fail to act in the proper manner we can say that their action is uncivilised.

“We may call those human acts and behaviour civilized that give evidence of this discriminative judgement, in a great measure.” (5)

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Here I wish to close with these thoughts:

(a) There is an existing stereotype that the western, materialistic nations are deemed as civilised, whereas certain so-called developing nations in the east as well as in the southern hemisphere are not civilised. This is an entirely wrong analysis and in Ananda Marga we do not subscribe to such generalisations. As we know being civilised cannot be bought, sold, or traded; being civilised means acting in a way that is supported by logic, reasoning, and rationality. For that one need not live in a particular place or own any particular object. Only one must act with a developed sense of viveka (rational discrimination).

(b) So this point of civilisation is related with conduct and to be evaluated on a case by case basis. A person may be civilised in one sphere but uncivilised in another. Similarly, we cannot say that any particular country is 100% civilised and that another country is 100% uncivilised. Not every person in every country is cent-per-cent the same. There are variations between individuals as well as a range of dynamics within a particular individual. That is why we evaluate who is civilised on a case by case, action by action basis. At best we can say, if there is a prevailing trend, that many or most are inclined in a particular way. But never can we wholly declare any specific place or land as perfectly civilised or uncivilised, always. Rather we must look at each case, each incident, independently.

(c) In our Ananda Marga also we see things unfolding in a similar manner. Margiis know that caste marriages and the dowry system are wrong, so if any are still following those rituals then they are uncivilised – on that point. They may be civilised on points of hygiene etc, but on this point of marriage and dowry they are uncivilised. Likewise every Ananda Margii knows that groupism is bad and against neo-humanistic principles etc, so if they are following groupism then they are uncivilised – in that sphere of life. On other avenues, they may be dharmic i.e. civilised, but on the point of groupism they are dogmatic, i.e. unrefined.

(d) Another key point is that there is a distinct link between science and civilisation. The general flow now is that civilisation is lagging behind. That means that the large majority of scientific advancements are directed toward uncivilised behaviour. And this invites one’s ruination. That is what we see happening nowadays with pop films, music, dance, video, drama etc. So much of what science has to offer is used in ways that degrade the mind. That brings psychic degeneration. That is why we say that civilisation is lagging behind. People are not using scientific achievement and the latest technologies in a rational way. Rather people are using such inventions to plunge the mind deeper into pseudo-culture and degrading activities. That is the sad state of affairs in this present era.

CIVIILISATION IS ON THE WANE DUE TO SCIENCE

“In the present age, civilization is on the wane due to science enjoying the pride of place. But developed as science is today, if civilization is pushed up again to the top, people can reach a greater height than ever before.” (6)

Here are some of Baba’s related teachings on this topic.

UNCIVILISED DISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH

“What we see in the market place and railway stations is the exhibition of half-clad street beggars and lepers – all stretching out their begging bowls, the only means of earning their livelihood. They are fortunate if anybody contemptuously flings a copper coin at them. The old blind beggars wait all day long at the bridge and lift their bowls as soon as someone walks past them. Their shrill cries fall on deaf ears only. On the other hand, the affluence of foods kept ready in luxurious houses to entertain the big guns of society ridicules the present human civilization.” (7)

NOT INDICATIVE OF A DEVELOPED CIVILIZATION

“If “a life for a life” is considered an unassailable principle of justice, then there is nothing more to say. But remember that born criminals commit their crimes due to their physical or psychic abnormalities; are not the so-called civilized people who make no effort to cure such born criminals, guilty of the same crime? Does not capital punishment amount to cutting off the head to get rid of a headache? In my opinion to take the life of a born criminal of this type is as much a crime as it would be to pass a death sentence on a patient just because we could not cure the person’s illness. It is the duty of a civilized society to arrange for born criminals to be cured of their ailments. Killing them to lighten the burden caused by their lives is certainly not indicative of a developed civilization.” (8)

SOCIETY OF TODAY IS BEING EXPLOITED BY THE SO-CALLED CIVILIZED PEOPLE

“The vanity expressed by the so-called civilized human beings of today is extremely dangerous. These people hide the cruder propensities of the mind under the cloak of sweet words and decent behaviour. They are more harmful to the well-being of the human race than the so-called uncivilized humans, because they are hypocrites. The defects of the uncivilized humans pale into insignificance before their abominable hypocrisy. The uncivilized humans of the past may have killed twelve people at most in the battles they fought with bows, arrows, sticks and spears, but the so-called civilized human beings of today kill millions of unarmed, innocent people indiscriminately with their dreadful and lethal weapons. Human society of today is being exploited by the so-called civilized people. Such people should not make themselves look ridiculous by claiming otherwise.” (9)

HYPOCRITICAL DEALING, NOT CIVILISED ACTION

“To be civilized means to give a refined form to everything, and it is inseparably connected with education. But if refinement takes second place and hypocritical behaviour becomes the primary means of expression, that cannot be called civilization or education. If a man who is invited to a dinner party only nibbles at the savouries, saying, “I am sorry, I cannot eat any more,” then goes home to devour a hearty meal and later brags that he eats very little, an impression of abstemiousness may be created in the minds of others, but there is a complete lack of straightforwardness in his behaviour. In modern society many aspects of civilization and education are of this sort.” (10)

SO-CALLED EDUCATED ELITE & THEIR IMMORAL WAYS

“However, there is at this time a class of self-styled scholars who want to establish separate clubs for themselves for no particular reason. Is there any altruistic motive behind their demand? None at all. The actual reason is that they feel that if they mix with the illiterate masses their social prestige will be undermined. If you investigate more deeply, you will generally find that in such “gentlemen’s clubs” immorality is rampant and wine flows in abundance. Should we, then, consider the members of these clubs to be civilized, cultured and educated scholars while other people are uncivilized, uncultured and uneducated fools? Such silly nonsense propagated in the name of civilization cannot be allowed to continue.” (11)

THOSE WHO EXPLOIT ARE THE ENEMIES OF THE CULTURED AND CIVILISED WORLD

“As you know, all are the progeny of the same Supreme Progenitor. He created this universe and He created this material world, as well as His living children. Now, when he created the material world, the inanimate world, the plants and the human beings, common sense says that the entire world belongs to His children irrespective of caste, creed, religion, nationality, standard of education, standard of wisdom, or standard of physical, mental or spiritual strength. It is the vested interests, with their mean and base motives, that create disparity among living creatures, especially among human beings. So those who exploit others and want to enjoy this created world by depriving others of their legitimate and paternal rights, are the enemies of society. They are the enemies of humanity, and they are the enemies of the cultured and civilized world.” (12)

SO-CALLED CIVILISED RACES DEPRIVED THEM

“Black people did not lag behind either. True, compared with other races their contribution to human civilization is less impressive, not because of their racial inferiority, but because the so-called civilized races (for their selfish political interests) deprived them of sufficient scope in their development. Furthermore, the hostile natural environment did not allow introversion of their psychic potentialities.” (13)

A CIVILISED COUNTRY WILL CARE FOR THE POOR

“Once I heard about a doctor, standing by the bed of a poor, distressed patient, who said in an authoritarian way, “You must pay my fees at once. I won’t listen to any excuses.” A poor relative of the patient left the house in despair, borrowed money by giving an IOU, and paid the doctor’s bill. I doubt whether a country can be considered civilized if the strictest reform measures are not taken against such human demons.” (14)

Namaskar,
in Him,
Gaotam

REFERENCES:
1. AFPS-6, Civilization, Science and Spiritual Progress
2. AFPS-6, Civilization, Science and Spiritual Progress
3. AFPS-6, Civilization, Science and Spiritual Progress
4. AFPS-6, Civilization, Science and Spiritual Progress
5. AFPS-6, Civilization, Science and Spiritual Progress
6. AFPS-6, Civilization, Science and Spiritual Progress
7. Social Values & Cardinal Principles
8. Human Society – 1, Justice
9. Ananda Marga Ideology and Way of Life – 8, Struggle & Progress
10. HS-1, Social Justice
11. HS-1, Social Justice
12. Ananda Vacanamrtam – 3, The Birthright of the Microcosm
13. Human Society – 2, Human Society Is One and Indivisible – 1
14. Human Society – 1, Various Occupations

******** Prabhat Samgiita #2945

“Saba’re kari a’hva’n saba’i a’ma’r pra’n’…” (P.S. 2945)

Purport:

The clarion call to one and all. Everyone is my own; everyone is my pra’n’a; everyone is close to my heart. We are all collectively singing the song in unison and moving towards the Goal– Parama Purus’a. Nobody should remain left behind. We should carefully see that nobody should cry in the society, remaining as downtrodden or neglected. We are all singing the marching song of life collectively, with one tune and one melody. There is no difference between one human being and another. Everyone’s desires, aspirations, and hopes are the same. We are all moving on one path by the inspiration of the great ideology, which will lead towards greatness…

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Re: How Shudras Are Brainwashed #3

== RE: HOW SHUDRAS ARE BRAINWASHED ==

~ Part 3 ~

Namaskar,

“During the holidays and weekends, companies organise various types of “fun” gatherings like picnics and seminars etc whereby the employees pass even their leisure time under the “protective care” of the company. They even take family vacations with their company. The whole point being that employees are led to believe that the company is actually their family. Once this idea gets set in the mind, those employees will walk to the ends of the earth to get the job done for their cherished company.”

Lately others have brought the point how big capitalists cast their spell on many of their employees. Certainly there are a growing number of citizens whose eyes are opened wide to capitalist exploitation. Yet, at the same time, those capitalists continue to control and steamroll large sections of the workforce. Their special tactic is to brainwash employees into being loyal to the company – when in reality the “company” is the huge profit-making by a few vaeshyans. All others suffer at the hands of their ruthless exploitation.

In response our approach is two fold. First, create more vikśubdha shúdras, i.e. conscious employees who possess the requisite awareness and fighting spirit to stand up to capitalist exploitation. Second, introduce and implement the workings of Prout’s cooperative system. By this dual approach, we can handily overcome the current vaeshyan rule.

COOPERATIVES ARE A KEY ASSET

Once there is a critical mass of vikśubdha shúdras wherein employees and citizens are critically aware of the capitalist exploitative machinery, the Proutistic system of cooperatives is the only way to organise society so it can permanently slip away from the grips of present day blood sucking capitalists.

Prout says, “Cooperatives, run by moralists, are the only safeguard against capitalistic exploitation.” (Prout in a Nutshell – 13, p.8)

Next we learn more about important aspects & vital components of the cooperative system.

Prout says, “The success of cooperative enterprises depends on three factors: morality, strong administration and the whole-hearted acceptance of the cooperative system by the people.” (Prout in a Nutshell – 13, p.8)

So the Proutist system of cooperatives is the main way to re-build the society in the socio-economic sphere. To achieve this, there must be a widespread movement amongst people to seek out a solution to the vaeshyan rule. Other key factors include an organized approach and strict moralists.

HOW COOPERATIVES OPERATE

“in the cooperative model, the fair-minded earnings of the collective are rationally divided between all participants.

Prout theory states, “The total profit of such co-operatives should be distributed amongst the workers and members of the co-operative according to their individual capital investment in the cooperative and to the service they render to the production and management of the co-operative.” (Prout in a Nutshell – 14, p.46)

Thus, as Shrii Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar describes above, in the cooperative system the profits are shared based on the merit system – but all are guaranteed enough funds for the necessities of life. In that way, all members of the cooperative earn a fair portion based on their investment and work ethic. This is one of the revolutionary qualities of the cooperative model.”

The Proutistic model of the cooperative system is quite grand and dynamic. It is a win-win situation. All involved in the cooperative benefit greatly according to the degree of their activity and investment.

Plus there will be cooperatives in all aspects of socio-economic life: Farmers cooperatives, artist cooperatives, banking cooperatives etc. Here below Shrii Prabhat Ranajan Sarkar guides us about how the farming / agricultural cooperative will work:

“Cooperative managers should be elected from among those who have shares in the cooperative. Members of agricultural cooperatives will get dividends in two ways – according to the amount of land they donated to the cooperative, and according to the amount of their productive manual or intellectual labour. To pay this dividend, initially the total produce should be divided on a fifty-fifty basis – fifty percent should be disbursed as wages and fifty percent should be paid to the shareholders in proportion to the land they donated. Local people should get first preference in participating in cooperative enterprises.” (A Few Problems Solved – 9, Some Specialities of Prout’s Economic System)

Similarly, the profits and gains of every cooperative will be rationally and justly shared with all members, according to their level of involvement etc.

NOW VAESHYAN ERA IN FULL SWING:

MANY ARE GETTING EXPLOITED

Currently, however, the vaeshyan era is running at high speed – and that spells disaster for employees.

Here it should be known that employee means all levels of employees from common laborers to high level managers. Some may be thinking that employee only refers to those low paying jobs. But that is not the case. Because in the height of the vaeshyan rule all get exploited – all become shudras.

Prout theory states, “Consciousness should be developed among shúdras in order to protect them from the inhuman greed of the vaeshyas. All non-vaeshyas slip into shúdra-hood on the eve of a shúdra revolution.” (Humans Society – 2, The Kśatriya Age)

The point being that even many fancy white-collar, higher level employees are getting viscously exploited and brainwashed in this current capitalist structure. Because these so-called well-paid employees work day and night to please their executives and in return are left with nothing left in their life but their job, and the mirage that they are great. When in fact they are mere lackeys for their higher ups – carrying cell phones 24 hrs per day and never getting one ounce of time to even consider and reflect upon their own life. But even then they continue on in their toil as they live out their delusion. Certainly not all employees fall in this category, as some are alert to the tendencies and tactics of capitalists. However, a large swath of the labour force are pinned down in this way.

So whether hourly wage earning employees or big-time managers, all are just pawns in the midst of capitalist exploitation. Because those cunning capitalists have convinced everyone to join their team by selling their soul. However, with every passing day, there is a growing rise of vikśubdha shúdras. As this number increases and we spread the name and ideals of Prout, the faster capitalism will meet its end.

THE FALSE FAMILY FEELING STRATEGY

The common theme these days is for companies to not be a mere company but rather to be “a family”. In this way they project themselves – such as the Walmart family, the Microsoft family, the Exxon-Mobil family, the Nike family etc. By this way those top CEO’s suck more of the blood of their employees.

And they get success. One reason being that in our western capitalistic countries the general populace does not have big, extended families. Nor do they maintain a strong connection with their unit family. Devoid of that, the company is able to step-in and brainwash the employees to think that the company is really their main family, and that the employees should sacrifice for the company and think first about the company’s well-being. Like this those company executives train and mold the minds of their employees in order to set the stage for massive, uncontrolled exploitation.

NOT EASY TO AWAKEN THOSE EMPLOYEES

Indeed those manipulative vaeshyans have done such a masterful job of brainwashing and winning over their employees that if anyone tries to awaken those exploited employees then those employees become angry and lash out. In roaring fashion, they come to the defense of their company and become hostile toward any who approach.

So those employees do not like to hear any talk about brainwashing or psychic exploitation. Instead they blame that whistle-blower for being a trouble maker, jealous of their job, etc etc.

Thus when dealing with these exploited and brainwashed employees one must behave in a very delicate and psychological way. It is just like dealing with a very sick person who is not in proper health due to some disease. The mental condition of those brainwashed employees is no different from those sickly people.

This is the state of affairs nowadays.

Ananda Margiis are aware how this is all going on, and in society there is a growing number of vikśubdha shúdras who are keen to overturn capitalist exploitation. They may not know how or what to do, but they see the capitalists for who they are.

So our duty is to awaken more and more the extreme exploitation that is going on. Everyone must be made aware and society must advance into the next era.

THE SUFFOCATING GRIP OF CAPITALISTS

Under the vaeshyan rule, the entire society falls into the grips of capitalist exploitation. All levels and grades of employees get exploited from upper-level management all the way on down to the basic laborers. That is what we see going on today.

Prout philosophy says, “Today the whole human society is subjected to ruthless exploitation by capitalists. Capitalist exploitation has brought the very existence of humanity to the brink of extreme catastrophe by spreading its exploitative tentacles into every aspect of human life.” (Prout in a Nutshell – 13)

ABOUT THEIR BRAINWASHING MANEUVER

Next we see how through their brainwashing maneuvers capitalists have gained control of the society.

“Rapacious Vaeshyas or capitalists are taking advantage of this intellectual inertness [i.e. brainwashing] and have spread a subtle web of exploitation into every corner of society, enabling them to suck the vitality out of the collective body. Through this process the Vaeshyas are insidiously perpetuating their reign of exploitation.” (Prout in a Nutshell – 13, ‘Capitalism Three Spheres’)

WHO IS SHUDRA

Throughout His Proutistic teachings, Shrii Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar has discussed the mind-set of those who get exploited by capitalist in the height of the vaeshayan era. Those who give way to this mentality are verily shudras. Unfortunately, now in the early part of this 21st century, many fall in this category.

“Shúdras live only for physical enjoyment. They neither bother about ideology nor give any value to rationality. Of the three aspects of time – past, present and future – they think only about the present. They have neither the time nor the inclination to think about the past or the future. Religion, spirituality and a genuine social system have no significance for them…”
“Shúdras are always sleeping. They can perform work only if someone wakes them up. Once the work is done, they go back to sleep. In order to maintain the cáturvarńika (i.e. shudra, ksatriya, vipra, & vaeshya) social system, some work will have to be taken from the shúdras. Consciousness should be developed among shúdras in order to protect them from the inhuman greed of the vaeshyas. (All non-vaeshyas slip into shúdra-hood on the eve of a shúdra revolution.)” (Humans Society – 2, The Kśatriya Age)

CAPITALISTS WANT TO RUIN COOPERATIVE SYSTEM

Here following Shrii Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar – the Propounder of Prout – is sounding the call how corrupt capitalists aim to root out the cooperative approach.

“The main reason for the failure of the cooperative system in different countries of the world is rampant immorality which has been perpetrated by capitalist exploiters so that they can maintain their
economic exploitation.” (Prout in a Nutshell – 13, p. 8)

THE SUCCESS OF PROUT IS SURE

More and more are awakened to the extreme degree of exploitation carried out by capitalist leaders. That is enough to spell the demise of capitalism coupled with the rise of the God-centered teachings of Prout.

“We are near the last stage of the Vaeshya Era. If an impact is created, it will help the suffering humanity. It is the most opportune moment for creating an all-round revolution. This is a new sub-theory under Proutistic theory and may be called gati vijina´na – the science of dynamics in PROUT.” (Proutist Economics – Economic Dynamics – 1)

Namaskar,
In Him,
Kalyansundaram

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SHOULD WE BELIEVE IN FATE

== SHOULD WE BELIEVE IN FATE ==

Namaskar,
In the general society, many people think that their “fate” is created by some unknown force and that they have no recourse to affect or change their destiny. That is what is meant by a fatalistic outlook.

Here we have to think how far this is helpful and whether, as Ananda Margiis, we should adopt a similar manner or not.

WHAT IS FATE

(A) According to the tenets of Ananda Marga ideology, humans have free will, perform actions per their choice, and undergo the reactions of their original actions. Thus when you do something and face the consequences that is your “fate”. It is entirely self-created.

In sum: You do something and you face the consequences. That is fate, whether the reaction comes in this life or the next life. But commonly, only when people are not aware of their original action then they call it fate.

In that way, people are inclined to call it fate when they undergo the reaction in their next life. Because then they cannot recall their original action that caused that reaction. However, this is all samskara theory. Thus, in Ananda Marga, we do not give an ounce of credence to the dogmatic notion of fate: i.e. that fate is something doled out by another outside entity, as if fate is something that humans have no control over. Always there is scope for people to redirect the course of their life by making sentient and conscious life choices.

Ananda Marga philosophy says, “Those who are fatalists are also misguided. It is wrong to leave everything to fate without taking any initiative at the time of grave danger. Once a person has created his or her fate through his or her own actions, it is certainly not proper to completely surrender to that self-created fate.” (Ananda Marga Ideology and Way of Life – 11, The Omni-Reflective Cognitive Consciousness)

“WORSE THAN NATURE-WORSHIPERS”

(B) There are many pseudo-spiritual approaches where people indulge in idol worship, nature worship, astrology, etc – including those who are fatalists – yet Baba clearly guides us that the fatalistic outlook is particularly low. Perhaps there reason is that it breeds indolence and lethargy, and is utterly devoid of any devotional feeling. At least nature worshipers are grateful to their Creator. But that type of surrender is not at all present among fatalists.

Ananda Marga philosophy says, “There are many people who are fatalists. They are worshippers of fate. A fatalist means a worshipper of fate – a worshipper of fortune or fate. They are worse than nature-worshippers.” (Subhasita Samgraha – 12, Microcosm and Its Object of Ideation)

FATE:

A TOOL TO MANIPULATE & EXPLOIT

(C) In the past and in the present also, those in power have used the notions of fate and predestination as a tactic to exploit the common people. If everyday citizens feel that the hell they are facing in their day-to-day life is a matter of fate and there is nothing to be done about, then those people will be easier to control and manipulate.

Now in the height of this materialistic era, the top capitalists employ vipras for two reasons: First as a means of side-tracking those very intellectuals lest they openly complain about the vaeshyan exploitative machinery. And secondly, those paid vipras are effectively able to convince the common people to sit back and accept their fate. By infusing this psychology upon the masses, then vaeshayas feel assured there will not be any uprising against them.

Ananda Marga philosophy says, “The vaeshyas use the vipras to try to spread intellectual propaganda among the masses to prevent them from finding any philosophical justification for their suppressed grievances against the vaeshya structure. This intellectual propaganda aims to convince people that they are the victims of circumstance. It argues, “Everything is destiny. Everything is preordained.” Such doctrines help the vaeshyas to perpetuate their structure. They destroy the personal force of people and make them the playthings of fate. People accept the idea that everything is preordained, and support the status quo.” (Human Society – 2, The Vaeshya Age)

YOU WILL BE RICH IN YOUR NEXT LIFE

(D) Here below Baba gives us a more graphic example of how those paid religious priests (vipras) befool and manipulate the masses into accepting their lot in life. Specifically those priests tell that, “You are poor now because of your past misdeeds – behave properly this time and you will be assured a better position in the future. You will be rich in your next life and / or bask in the glory of the afterlife. So do not complain now, just work hard and you will be rewarded in the future. Serve your master faithfully – that is the way to redemption.” This is the psychology and theatrics that such priests employ to quell the disappointment, despair, and anger of the masses. So those low-paid employees should not complain or protest their meagre compensation by those capitalists. This paves the way for the ruling capitalists to crank their exploitative machinery into high gear.

Ananda Marga philosophy says, “The boot-licking Vipras of the capitalist trick the hungry Shúdras or workers into believing that poverty is a result of their previous misdeeds. Hence they will have to be prepared to wait until their next life before receiving the inexorable decree of fate. This makes a group of people passive fatalists. On the other hand, it paves the way for the ruthless exploitation of the capitalists.” (Ananda Marga Philosophy in Nutshell – 4, Prápta Vákya and Ápta Vákya)

THE REQUITAL OF SAMSKARAS

(E) Many commonly believe that samskara theory follows the parameter: An eye for an eye etc. That is to say if someone was pushed down from a tree then it means that in the past that same person had pushed someone else from the tree. Or if someone got in an accident and lost their leg then that means in the past that same person caused someone else to lose a leg.

But Baba clearly guides us that our samskara theory does not work in that way. The physical actions are not the defining point. The physical expression need not be the same at all. Rather, it is the psychic effect that is the determining factor. The degree of psychic pain inflicted on others is the amount of psychic pain one will have to undergo. The physical expression thereof may reflect in a myriad of ways, or perhaps not at all. Because it is the degree of psychic pain and distress that is the key aspect.

Here below is Baba’s exact teaching.

“It is important to clarify here that the actual form of suffering is not predetermined. It cannot be said what might be the actual reaction of a particular action. It is not preordained that if one commits theft his things of the same value will be stolen as a reaction. The suffering is measured in terms of mental suffering to the extent which was inflicted on others by stealing their property. Thus the measure of experiencing the result of an action is mental and is in terms of pleasure and pain, and the actual form of experience has relatively no importance.” (Ananda Marga Elementary Philosophy, What Is My Relation with the Universe and the Cosmic Entity?)

This then leads to another scenario. Some see a person bleeding by the side of the road and think that they should not interfere because that person is burning their ripe samskara. But that is not the proper outlook. As far as possible, we should always help relieve someone’s suffering, because that person can undergo that samskara purely in the psychic realm. It need not take physical expression. Thus we should always be vigilant to come to the aid of those who are suffering. Certainly we should always aim to relieve them. Yet no matter how much we attempt to alleviate their suffering, the cycle of samskara will spin onward and in some way, shape or form they will experience the fruit of their past actions in the psychic realm – either through humiliation, depression, anger, frustration, disappointment or some other way.

“ARGUMENT USED BY VESTED INTERESTS”

(F) Religious leaders regularly tell their followers that you must not blame others or social injustices for your current suffering. What you are undergoing now is because of your own misdeeds in the past. So just accept your situation. In this way the ruling class implements vicious control methods and restrictions, all the while the people remain docile. To find their escape from dire poverty they are encouraged to buy lottery tickets and that according to their fate they might win and become rich. And if that person does not win then it is just their bad luck.

Ananda Marga philosophy says, “The problem of individual or collective suffering due to lack of physical requirements can be easily solved by implementing a system of social justice and social equality. So it is useless to blame the past misdeeds or fate of others. Actually, blaming people’s suffering on their past misdeeds is merely an argument used by vested interests to justify their position, because to admit that these sufferings are the result of social injustices implies that everyone is responsible.” (Human Society – 1, Social Justice)

A GRAND OVERVIEW

(G) Here below Baba gives a grand summary of our samskara theory with the culminating idea being that humans alone are responsible and accountable for the reactions they must experience. There is no question of blaming God or anyone else.

“Human beings keep on performing new actions also, while experiencing the reactions of previous actions. This experiencing of the result of previous actions is called the unknown future or fate (adrśt́a). One experiences the result of one’s actions in a subsequent life and cannot then recollect the actions whose results bring happiness and grief, because a person’s memory is not large enough to remember or know the deeds of their past lives. Reactions which humans experience were collected in previous lives, and in present life they cannot make out the cause of such experiences, and hence term these experiences as fate or the unknown future. People often hold Parama Puruśa responsible for calamities that befall them, but in fact they alone are responsible, as the suffering of fate is only reaction of their own previous actions. How can Parama Puruśa be responsible? Human beings themselves are answerable for their fate as it is their actions alone which create it. They alone will have to bear the consequences of all their actions. No one else can substitute for them. Their good deeds beget good results, while bad ones beget bad results, and they will have to experience both without any exception. This is the law of Prakrti and no one can change this law.” (Ananda Marga Elementary Philosophy – What Is My Relation with the Universe and the Cosmic Entity?)

YOU YOURSELF ARE THE FATHER OF YOUR FATE

By all of Baba’s above teachings, we can understand that fate is just the reaction of one’s past actions. Fate is not something that is distributed by some other entity. You yourself are the father of your fate. That is the overarching idea of Baba’s samskara theory. Yet commonly, the term ‘fate’ is misused and abused. In the name of fate, people suffer from all kinds of dogma and opportunists and exploiters use fate as their cherished tool to suppress the people. Those aware about the real meaning of fate do not get exploited. So it is our duty to educate ourselves and others about fate so they do not get exploited, become confused, or suffer from so many psychic ailments. By this way we can to eradicate all kinds of individual and social problems.

Namaskar,
Laksman

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How Shudras Are Brainwashed

== HOW SHUDRAS ARE BRAINWAHED ==

Namaskar,
The last few years we have seen the pillars of capitalism soften, decay, and nearly crumble. Now the demerits and defects of capitalism seem “obvious” and “clear” to the common people. Even then many still suffer from the ways and strategies outlined below. Few can conceive that something else can work other than capitalism.

Here is one angle of how capitalism got where it is today.

ANANDA MARGIIS ARE AWARE

Every Ananda Margii knows that Baba has given the teachings of the social cycle and that now in this present era we have reached the height of vaeshyan exploitation. The ill effects of this era are rampant and can be seen everywhere. From commercial billboards to the buying and selling of water, air etc, the extreme capitalist presence is quite palpable. Tomorrow we may even awaken to find that one company is selling gravity itself. The whole point being that the rapacious capitalist exploiters are on the prowl. And to achieve their ends they inject numerous types of complexes upon their employees in order to maximize profits. In short, they want more money for themselves.

CAPITALIST COMPANY OUTLOOK

In straightforward language it can be said the main goal of capitalists is to draw more and more blood from the common mass, i.e. to make money off of the efforts of others. In this regard, the greed and devouring approach of such capitalists knows no bounds. Their main strategy is to create a group of employees and manipulate them into working night and day. Then those bosses keep all profits for themselves. This is essentially what top vaeshyas aim to do. Hard-working and dutiful employees get virtually nothing for their all their sweat and blood. Instead, all the cream goes to those top company executives – i.e. those blood-sucking capitalists. That is the chief characteristic of the vaeshyan era – the top people gain control over most of the money while countless others do all the work.

PROUTISTIC OUTLOOK

In contrast, in our God-centered Prout system, there is no single key person who is the owner. Rather the employees themselves are owners. So however hard they work and to whatever degree they are successful, they themselves reap the benefits of their labour. In turn, they must not exploit others and they must abide by all Proutistic principles. The basic idea is that the “employees”, or, more precisely, the members of the co-op, get the direct benefit of their own output. This is part and parcel of Prout’s cooperative system.

BRAINWASHING TECHNIQUE

But in the present day company system, the employees do not get anything. Instead the owners plot & invent strategies how to give them as little as possible and at the same time get the maximum in return. This is the negative mentality of those capitalist owners. And they achieve their ends by imposing a manipulative outlook upon their employees. Here is how that works.

Even though top capitalists are wreaking havoc in the lives of their employees, those same capitalists have simultaneously convinced, nay brainwashed, many of their laborers to feel obligated and verily committed to the company. This is their cunning way of brainwashing “their people” – their employees. Those bosses reached the conclusion that without completely brainwashing their employees then those “hired hands” will not work 100%.

So at the height of capitalist exploitation, those owners have successfully brainwashed many of their employees. Certainly there are some labourers, especially labour leaders, who are keen to the exploitative methods of capitalist owners. Such conscious employees who possess the requisite awareness and fighting spirit are known as vikśubdha shúdras. They put forth sustained efforts to change the system. But until, there are a critical mass of vikśubdha shúdras, the capitalist modus operendi continues on. That is the state of affairs today.

Thus, when owners use psychological strategies to befool and brainwash their staff, many of those employees become completely committed and conjure up the mistaken idea in their mind that they are only surviving only due to the good graces of their capitalist employers – otherwise they’d be struggling to manage. Such employees feel fortunate to be in the hands of their employers. This is the way it works in this vaeshyan era. This is the main qualitative difference between capitalistic and non-capitalistic labor forces. The labor force in the capitalistic era feels grateful and indebted to their employer, i.e. the same employer that is exploiting them.

So, on the one side, those capitalist bosses are breaking the back of their employees by making them work at such a vicious pace whereby they eat, sleep, and dream about their jobs. And, on the other side, those employees are feeling completely committed to those very employers.

This is the harsh reality of many employees involved in the capitalist schema. In fast-paced, western materialistic nations – and in the east wherever materialism has taken root – and in our so-called developing nations, so many working a 40 hour work week breathe the company air and sing the song of their capitalist employers.

When they return home at night, they often continue to attend to their work duties: Checking email, fielding calls, sending tweets, reviewing reports etc. That is how employers have trained their employees in this digital era. All because they have become numb to their own existence – due to extreme work pressure and stressed out conditions at the hands of their capitalist employers.

Yet those employees feel faithful to their employers. In the end, after being devoured whole by their company boss, their leftover energy is goaded toward sexual desires by the film industry or they gossip, talk, and dream about their company. So the whole affair is rather sickly; for all practical purposes the large majority of employees have sold their souls to their bosses. Only those right-minded vikśubdha shúdras understand the deceptive and manipulative ways of those capitalists. But again, until awareness mounts and more vikśubdha shúdras are created, there is no recourse.

SELF-DENIAL AND JUSTIFICATION

Perhaps the saddest part is that so many of those innocent employees do not even recognise what is going on. And if you try to give them a little hint, those employees will defend the matter and state that they are being paid adequately or even handsomely by their employer. This is the extreme degree of their blindness. This is the level to which they have been brainwashed. It is like the syndrome of a battered wife who is willing to defend her abusive husband to the end of the earth. This is the way most employees operate – whether they are willing to admit it or not. And even the majority of those who “complain” about their jobs fall into this same category. Because when given the opportunity to quit and go elsewhere, they become nervous and hesitant to venture away from their employer. In that circumstance, those complainers say, “Actually, my job is not so bad”. Hence, from top to bottom, these capitalist exploiters have just about everyone under their control. That is why it is not easy to create vikśubdha shúdras.

WHAT IS THE WAY OUT IN THESE PRESENT CONDITIONS

The only way out is to truly recognise that those employers are really bloodsuckers. This is evidenced when employees adamantly maintain the approach of not giving any little extra of themselves to those capitalist exploiters. That means that one must not “buy in” to the tricks and strategies of those big bosses. That means one must not become a tool in their hands. For most, this is nearly impossible as they are brainwashed to the core. As Ananda Margiis, even then we have to be extremely careful. It is not entirely uncommon for some to even stay home from dharmacakra under the excuse they have office work to do or that they are tired and need to rest up for the work week. By that way, one can judge how brainwashed anyone is. And like that there are thousands of ways how the negative qualities of the employer-employee relation sneaks into one’s own psyche.

So we all have to be careful and keep a keen eye on our own situation as well as those margii brothers and sisters around us– to ensure that we not get drawn into the deep waters of capitalist employer-employee relations. On this point I hope others will write and share their experiences.

MORE PROUTISTIC TEACHINGS ABOUT CAPITALISTS

(A) Here below Baba points out the key role that vikśubdha shúdras play and why their presence is so vital.

“In a capitalistic social system or in a democratic structure the situation of middle-class people (the vikśubdha shúdras) is generally miserable. This is because they are the greatest critics of capitalism and the strongest opponents of exploitation. An increase in the number of vikśubdha shúdras in a society is an early omen of a possible shúdra revolution. It is therefore the duty of those who want to create a world free of exploitation to help to increase the number of vikśubdha shúdras. It will be harmful for the revolution if these people die or are transformed into shúdra-minded shúdras. All the sadvipras in the world should be vigilant to make sure that the number of vikśubdha shúdras does not decrease due to unemployment, birth control, or other bad practices or policies.” (Human Society – 2, Shúdra Revolution and Sadvipra Society)

(B) In this next teaching, Baba guides us that capitalists will stay in power for a long, long time – until that key moment arrives when there is a rise in mass awareneness. That momment is soon to be upon us – we should ready the soil.

“Vaeshyas believe that only a few people can accumulate material wealth, depriving the rest. Thus there will always be only a few vaeshyas, while those who are the objects and tools of their exploitation form the majority. Like exploited beasts of burden which carry bags of sugar, in their crippled state of mind the majority feel that they do not have the right to taste the sweetness. This feeling is the greatest ally of the vaeshyas, so directly or indirectly they always try to nurture this type of feeling in the minds of the majority. Consequently they propagate various types of isms and ethereal theories with the help of the vipras in their pay whom they have reduced to the level of shúdras. When the majority, unable to tolerate this exploitation any longer or find any other way out, desperately leap into action, the Vaeshya Age comes to an end. But it takes a long time for downtrodden people to understand that the vaeshyas are the parasites of society. Hence thorough preparation is required to end the Vaeshya Age.”
(Human Society – 2, The Vaeshya Age)

(C) Here Baba points out how in the height of the vaeshyan all others get reduced to the status of shudra – all are exploited.

“The vaeshyas increase their wealth by buying the back-breaking labour of the shúdras, the powerful personalities of the kśatriyas, and the intellect of the vipras, according to their needs. The shúdras, just like beasts, sell their physical labour in exchange for mere subsistence. Because they sell their labour, society survives and moves ahead. The powerful personalities of the kśatriyas build and maintain the social structure with the labour extracted from the shúdras. Through their intellect the vipras utilize the personal force of the kśatriyas, and through their money and capitalistic mentality the vaeshyas utilize the vipras’ intellect to increase their wealth.”
“The vaeshyas do not confront any social problem directly. Just as they buy the labour of the shúdras, the personal force of the kśatriyas and the intellect of the vipras with money, so they endeavour to solve all social problems with money. They do not win victory on the battlefield; they buy it with money. In poverty-stricken democratic countries they buy votes. As they accomplish everything with money, their vital force comes from money. They therefore take all sorts of risks in life to accumulate money. For money they can sacrifice their conscience, their sense of good and bad, right and wrong, at any moment. So in order to save the exploited shúdras, kśatriyas and vipras from the vaeshyas, money, which is the source of all their power, has to be taken out of their hands.” (Human Society – 2, The Vaeshya Age)

PROUT IS THE PANACEA

By propagating the name and ideals of Prout, the day is not far when the cooperative system will come into vogue on this earth where workers will be recognised, respected and honoured for their human qualities and potentialities, and not just be pawns of big bosss capitalists.

“PROUT is the only panacea. The ideas of PROUT are spreading throughout the world. This new day is yours.” (Prout in Nutshell – 18)

Namaskar,
in Him,
Vinay

Note: WHO IS SHUDRA

Throughout His Proutistic teachings, Baba has discussed the mind-set of those who get exploited by capitalist in the height of the vaeshayan era. Those who give way to this mentality are verily shudras. Unfortunately, now in the early part of this 21st century, many fall in this category.

“Shúdras live only for physical enjoyment. They neither bother about ideology nor give any value to rationality. Of the three aspects of time – past, present and future – they think only about the present. They have neither the time nor the inclination to think about the past or the future. Religion, spirituality and a genuine social system have no significance for them…”
“Shúdras are always sleeping. They can perform work only if someone wakes them up. Once the work is done, they go back to sleep. In order to maintain the cáturvarńika (i.e. shudra, ksatriya, vipra, & vaeshya) social system, some work will have to be taken from the shúdras. Consciousness should be developed among shúdras in order to protect them from the inhuman greed of the vaeshyas. (All non-vaeshyas slip into shúdra-hood on the eve of a shúdra revolution.)” (Humans Society – 2, The Kśatriya Age)

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HOW TO AVOID WAR

Baba

This entire email is composed of 3 parts:
(1) Posting: How to Avoid War
(2) Trailer Quote: Real Wealth
(3) Prabhat Samgiita #980;
Each section is demarcated by asterisks (***).

== HOW TO AVOID WAR ==

Namaskar,
As we have seen in this modern era, the US has been very aggressive in taking up military action in the Middle East; not coincidentally, the US is the top consumer of oil and that quota is primarily filled from reservoirs around the globe – especially those in the Middle East.

For this reason the US has built up the biggest army in the world. That way the US can secure raw materials in one of two ways. Either the US makes deals with those foreign leaders and easily gains access to raw materials, or the US goes to war. War results when outside rulers are not cooperative and do not give way to US demands. In that case, the US will try to remove that ruler and insert their own hand-picked stooge. This is their long-standing approach.

France adheres to this same tactic, and verily this is the common trend around the globe. Rich countries exploit poor countries to gain control over their natural resources and raw materials. To avoid this, Prout has given a very meaningful and rational formula. By this way, we can bring back peace and tranquility onto this earth.

OF CONCERN TO ALL

The issue of energy is of great concern around the globe. All want to create a renewable, sustainable energy policy. Yet in the practical sphere, for various reasons it has not taken shape on the societal level. The teachings of Prout offer some important solutions, and outline key underlying cause(s). As Ananda Margiis, we should be keenly aware of our Proutistic outlook.

IDENTIFYING THE PROBLEM:

RAMPANT EXPLOITATION OF RESOURCES

As with any problem, it is critical to identify the root cause.

“According to PROUT, economic exploitation involves the unrestricted plunder of the physical and psychic labour of a particular community together with the natural resources in their local area.” (1)

So materialistic economic policies and programs have led to the rampant destruction and manipulation of natural resources. This has severely threatened the earth’s ecological balance and led to an environmental crisis.

To date, there has been an unrelenting push to scour the earth’s natural resources for maximum economic gain. With money as the main priority, sound environmental policies have either been absent or overlooked.

Due to this type of economic exploitation and plunder, the globe now finds itself in an energy crisis.

Prout teachings offer numerous solutions to this dire problem.

NATURAL RESOURCES USED LOCALLY

One key principle is that each and every area or district should be developed using their own natural resources. Countries should not depend upon oil etc from other outside regions.

Prout philosophy says, “In a healthy economy raw materials should come from the local area. Industries which are based on imported raw materials are always weak industries, sick industries. A sick economy depends upon raw materials from outside – it depends upon import. For example, the Barauni Oil Refinery in Bihar is a sick industry because it depends upon crude oil from Assam. If there is any disturbance in Assam or if India is balkanized, then the refinery will have to close down. The establishment of this refinery was a foolish act. It does not represent a healthy economic structure. It is a sick industry, a foolish industry, a stupid industry!” (2)

The guiding approach is that raw materials and natural resources should be used locally. They should not be exported. Those economies that depend upon imported raw materials are weak.

Relying on oil from afar is a misguided way to build up one’s economy. Yet that has been the prevailing approach around the world. The US has relied heavily on the Middle East. Russia has become an increasing player in providing oil to countries around the globe. Rare is the case where an economy wholly depends upon their own local resources.

The Proutistic response is that each and every land should be developed using their own natural resources. There are practical solutions for each and every area to create their own fuel. Here following is one such approach.

“Many healthy industries based on local raw materials can be developed. For example, high-quality concentrated alcohol fuel can be produced from sugar beet and sugar cane. Concentrated alcohol can replace fossil fuels, as the stock of crude oil is fast diminishing.” (3)

Further down in this email is a listing of Proutistic solutions for how cities, states, and countries can develop their own energy.

THERE IS PLENTY FOR ALL

First it should be clearly recognised that there are sufficient natural resources for all. By a careful, thought out approach we as a humanity will realise that all that is needed has been provided. To date, human error has been the cause of shortages in resources.

“If there were maximum utilization and rational distribution of all natural resources, pressing socio-economic problems could be easily solved. It is a law of nature that a mother is provided with sufficient breast milk to feed her newly born baby. In the same way nature has generously provided sufficient resources to meet the food and other essential requirements of all human beings. People need to utilize these natural resources in a proper way. Shortages of food or space cannot be blamed on nature. These problems are essentially the results of the mistakes made by human beings.” (4)

So the energy crisis of today is not due to a lack of resources but rather stems from the misutilisation and misappropriation of those resources. Each and every area has the requisite raw materials for building a healthy social order.

Prout philosophy states, “Nature has been kind enough to provide abundant natural resources to every region of this earth.” (5)

As a case in point, even the economically impoverished region of Rarh has all the energy resources it needs.

“In Ra’r’h there are extensive deposits of coal, coal gas and natural gas.” (6)

By all this it is quite clear that one need not live in the Middle East or in Alaska to get the oil they need. If we remember His guidelines and look carefully, then we will find that in each and every land, there are sufficient deposits of natural resources to meet the energy requirements of that area.

ENERGY SHOULD BE A NOT-FOR-PROFIT INDUSTRY

Here Prout teachings give more insight into and significant solutions for the world’s energy crisis.

“The local administration will have to supply locally generated power such as solar energy, thermal energy, bio-gas, hydroelectricity, nuclear energy, pneumatic energy, electromagnetic energy and tidal power, or any other power which is easily available locally. The generation of power is a key industry which should be run on a no profit, no loss basis so that the cost of production is minimized and the purchasing capacity of the people is increased. For example, if batteries are produced through cottage industries, power should be supplied on a no profit, no loss basis, but the battery producers will be able to sell their batteries at a rational profit. Here the power that is used to manufacture the batteries is not an industrial commodity but a raw material. The power for such things as transportation, communication, schools, colleges and hospitals should also be supplied on a no profit, no loss basis to maintain social dynamism.” (7)

So here above Prout guidelines give some key concepts about the generation and distribution of energy.

1. Local governments have to create their own power.
2. Power can be generated from any number of avenues: hydro, nuclear, tidal, solar etc.
3. This industry must run on a no-profit, no loss basis.

Looking around the globe, anyone can easily see that part and parcel of the energy squeeze today is that capitalist multinational corporations are using gas and oil to pull in huge profits. At present, Exxon-Mobil – that massive oil corporation – is the wealthiest company in the world. Indeed, a high percentage of the most profitable companies in the world are oil companies such as: Royal Dutch Shell plc (Netherlands), PetroChina Company Limited (China), Petroleo Brasileiro SA Petrobras (Brazil).

These corporations accumulate huge profits while stripping near and far distant lands of their natural resources. This type of capitalistic plundering and profiteering goes entirely counter to our Proutistic outlook. And that is why the problem is growing today.

Whereas as soon as the above Proutistic methods are followed, then that will ease the energy crisis immediately.

NO NEED FOR CONCERN AND WORRY

Some may now be losing hope and thinking that it will be impossible to institute these types of changes. But actually, due to the current & ongoing energy crises, there are many who are already considering and implementing such type of Proutistic methods. In each and every area this is happening. More about this is discussed below.

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES

Some may think that alternative energy can only be supplied in certain key areas. For example, a few may be thinking that solar power can only be generated in the sunny desert etc, but this is not at all the case. In these next series of quotes, please find countless solutions and suggestions how alternative energy can be created and found in all the regions of the world. According to Prout teachings, there are innumerable sources of good, useable energy.

“Two types of power can be developed in Bangladesh – power from oceanic tides, and solar energy. Oceanic tides can be harnessed in the Bakargang subdivision of Noakhali district where the Meghana River enters the ocean, and in the Chandpur subdivision of British Tripura district where the Dakatiya River enters the ocean. Many waves and turbulences are created by the impact of these rivers when they enter the Bay of Bengal. Tidal power would be very cheap to harness there. Solar power can also be harnessed, but this source of power is not so developed yet. It will become increasingly important in the future.” (8)

So in the above guideline, it is clear that tidal and solar energy is important and will play a big role in the future. Here below are more ways for how to generate solar energy.

“There is no need to purchase coal from outside as is being done now. Solar power can also be generated in the plain areas where the land is wavy.” (9)

And with His broad based perspective, the Propounder of Prout philosophy has given innumerable ways how to generate energy from a variety of sources.

“Energy and transportation: Until solar energy can be manufactured cheaply, other energy sources can be utilized, like hydroelectricity, coal, thermal power, tidal power, geo-thermal power, wind power and natural gas. All the raw materials necessary for transportation are also available, including rubber, steel, mica, mica chips, mercury, silver, copper, quartz and manganese.” (10)

PETROLEUM ALSO WILL NOT BE IN SHORTAGE

And in those areas where there will be continued use of petroleum, Prout philosophy offers these two important guidelines.

“Petroleum can also be recovered from certain types of river valleys. Where the river bed is broad there is a chance of finding petroleum.” (11)

“There may be a shortage of petroleum but elements for creating petroleum are available in the world. We will be able to produce synthetic petroleum.” (12)

Thus even petroleum will be abundantly available in the near future.

ESTABLISHMENT OF PROUT IS FAST COMING

None should hopelessly ponder that Prout will never be established – already it is getting manifest. And quickly too.

As we all know Baba has graciously given Prout in the year 1955. And in those days the world was not at all willing to move in that direction. For one reason or another the leaders and citizens were quite satisfied with the way things were going. The ideas of Prout seemed like a far-away dream. But now only 54 years later, huge progress has developed towards adopting Prout. Due to extreme social and economic circumstances, many communities and businesses are consciously or unconsciously moving in that direction. People have been forced to think in that way.

The magic wave has been created for all His Proutistic guidelines to be implemented. Some are getting established by right thinking Proutists and other Prout guidelines are taking shape simply because the ways of old are no longer working. And this global transition is occurring at a marked rate, i.e. quickly. The speed will only increase exponentially in the coming months and years.

Thus none should think that they will not see the implementation of Prout. Already the hard part is over: the psychic seeds and awareness has taken root. The conditions are ripe. And very soon, more and more, we will see the sprouting of Prout in each and every land and community around this globe.

As we – as a humanity – continue to search for solutions and alternatives in the escalating energy crisis, more and more will turn to the ideas of Prout.

IDEALS OF PROUT

Here following is the divine assurance and blessing that our human existence will become better and better in all the spheres. Only by implementing the aforementioned Proutistic measures on energy resources will there be joy and peace on this earth.

Prout philosophy says, “The progressive availability of the maximum amenities of life will be guaranteed in PROUT, satisfying physical needs. The satisfied physical needs will lessen the physical obstacles which inhibit human progress, and human beings will experience all-round development, especially in the intellectual stratum. Human beings will get the opportunity to develop in the intellectual stratum without any hindrances. The truth of humanity, the veracity of humanity, will go on increasing in different areas of expression….the whole existence of human beings will become effulgent in the attainment of the Supreme.” (13)

Namaskar,
Vinay

REFERENCES:
1. Prout
2. Proutist Economics
3. Proutist Economics
4. A Few Problems Solved – 9, ‘Population Growth & Control’
5. Prout in a Nutshell – 21
6. Proutist Economics
7. Proutist Economics, ‘Decentralised Economy-1’
8. Proutist Economic
9. Prout in a Nutshell – 19
10. A Few Problems Solve – 7, ‘Parts of the Economy’
11. AFPS-9, ‘Geology and Human Civilisation’
12. AFPS-8, ‘Rule of Rationality’
13. Prout in a Nutshell – 17, ‘Min Req & Max Amen’

The section below demarcated by asterisks is an entirely different topic,
completely unrelated to the above material. It stands on its own as a point of interest.

**************************************
Real Wealth:

One Should Ponder, Assimilate, and Practice

Parama Purusa BABA says, “Those who seek to attain the permanent cessation of afflictions in their lives, have no other way than to follow this path of sadhana. Imagine that a certain person had accumulated vast wealth due to his life long’s diligent labor. It may be that the person, in the days of his prosperity, was a central figure in the society. But at the end of his life he may suffered a wretched existence, bemoaning his losses in the arid desert of his heart. The reason is that the person had an insatiable thirst for material objects and never tried to identify his individual flow with the cosmic flow. On the other hand, a person living in a thatched hut may not forget Parama Purus’a even in the midst of abject poverty and never deviates from the goal of his life. Such a person’s life can never lose its charm. Every dust particle of this earth will seem to be as sweet as honey to him. Likewise, his existence will acquire the sweetness of honey.” (Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell – 4, pg 290)
**************************************

**** Here begins the Prabhat Samgiita ****

“Tumi esecho, bha’lo besecho, bhola’ye sakal vyatha’ sab ha’ha’ka’r…” (PS 980)

Purport:

Baba, O’ Parama Purusa, my heart was sunk in sorrow and woe; I was forlorn and had lost all hope. I was crying, thinking I am all alone and that in this world no one is mine. Baba, You have graced me by coming and blessed me with Your love. You have made my heart and mind overflowing in Your divine bliss. By Your causeless grace, all my pains, lamentations, and tragedies have been wiped away. You have filled my life with bliss.

O’ my Lord, You are so gracious. You have responded and come to me with Your sweet smile. Baba, with Your infinite beauty and charm You have won over everyone’s heart. Baba, my love knows only You. You are everything for me. There is no one else; nothing else can attract me; I only love You. Baba, it is Your grace: I am always ensconced in Your tune, melody, and Your divine attraction – in pleasure, in pain, and also when my pride is wounded. Baba, You belong to everyone, even then in my heart I know that You are only mine. You belong to me and me alone.

Baba, Your presence is everywhere. The mark of Your love is found on the flower and the leaves – on every spot in this panoramic world. Even then the black bee of my mind wants You alone. Baba on my worst days, when all hope was gone, when I had lost everything, in that desperate circumstance when no one else was there to help me, You always came and resolved all my troubles, pains, and problems. Baba, You are the sweetest of the sweet. You are only mine; You are only mine.

Baba, You have graced me by coming. It is Your grace; it is Your grace…

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One of the Main Causes of Balkanisation in AM

Date: Mon, 25 Feb 2013 21:38:21
From: Satish@infinity….
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Subject: One of the Main Causes of Balkanisation in AM

Baba

This entire email is composed of 4 parts:
(1) Prabhat Samgiita #3057;
(2) Posting: One of the Main Causes of Balkanisation in AM
(3) Reader Comment: On – Misleading Baba Story & More
(4) Trailer Quote: Searching Outside Is A Waste

Each section is demarcated by asterisks (***).

**** Here begins the Prabhat Samgiita ****

Baba

“A’ndha’re tumi ele, a’loy bhariya’ dile…” (P.S. 3057)

Purport:

O’ Parama Purusa, You have graciously appeared in this Cimmerian darkness. By Your holy advent, everything has become filled with Your divine aura & effulgence. By Your causeless grace, all my dirt, staticity, negativity was removed in a flash. Amazingly, the Cimmerian darkness has been instantly transformed into effulgence by Your divine Presence.

O’ Supreme Entity, the clusters of clouds of confusion and dilemma which enveloped my life for ages were blown away in an instant by Your sweet momentum. The force of Your sweetness pushed them away. When my heart felt for You then no dilemma remained – they vanished. O’ my Lord You have magically removed all my burdens and pains and pulled me very close to You – in Your closest proximity. Baba, now I understand that by Your divine compassion I am never alone – nor am I ever neglected. You have graciously appeared in this Cimmerian darkness.

O’ Parama Purusa, You are always along with me close by – lovingly taking care of everything. I am always surrounded by You. Even knowing thus, I have cried. O’ My Lord, You blessed me by making me forget that cry. You are so gracious, now You are here by my side, along with me. You have graciously manifested Yourself in this Cimmerian darkness…

Baba, You have come to the darkness and illumined everything with Your light and love…

== ONE OF THE MAIN CAUSES OF BALKANISATION IN AM ==

Namaskar,
Expulsion has been a critical issue in our Ananda Marga since 1990. It has adversely affected our organistation by creating a “culture of fear” and undermining our unity – leading to terrible balkanisation. To resolve this issue we must better understand our Ananda Marga’s stand on expulsion, as well as investigate how it has been misused.

ANANDA MARGA POLICY ON EXPULSION

There is no scope for expulsion in Ananda Marga: As long as one follows Ista and has faith in adarsha, they can’t be expelled. That is the main idea.

MUST NOT GO AGAINST ISTA

The key point in this topic is that one must not go against Guru.

As we all know, Vishokananda was a traitor to Guru. As a defector, he had already categorically removed himself from Ananda Marga. Thus, his expulsion was a mere formality.

Because when one does not accept or follow Ista that means they have basically disconnected themselves from Ananda Marga at the most fundamental level. In that case their life itself is contrary to the main principle of being an Ananda Margii.

Think of it in this way:

If a person is loyal to their country then they are a citizen. And if they act in a way that is disloyal to that nation they will lose their right to live in that country as a citizen.

Likewise, if one observes non-compromising strictness and faith regarding the sanctity of Ista and adarsha, they are an Ananda Margii. If one renounces Ananda Marga ideals and plots against Ista, they have withdrawn themselves from Ananda Marga and their expulsion is a mere formality – as they have already disconnected themselves from Ananda Marga from the very root.

HOW EXPULSION HAS BEEN MISUSED SINCE 1990

In essence, since 1990, whoever has been at the helm has used expulsion as a weapon to maintain their exploitative hegemony over the organisation. There have been many expulsions over the years and none have been warranted. None were done to safeguard and protect the sanctity of Ista. Those sadhakas who were expelled were whistleblowers who pointed out bad deeds going on in Centre.

They were sadhakas committed to Ista and Ananda Marga ideology. The only thing they were “guilty” of was taking a dharmic stand against wrongdoings and injustices in the upper echelons of the organisation.

Indeed, since 1990, certain key Dadas have used expulsion again and again as a tool for (a) seeking revenge (b) getting rid of dharmic whistleblowers, (c) creating an atmosphere of fear, (d) threatening and wiping away any in their path for more power, and (e) maintaing the status quo.

This is the very dark way in which expulsion has been used – and the results have been horrific.

OPEN COMMUNICATION IS A MUST

In every organisation and community, there must be scope for the free expression of ideas. By this way wrongs can be corrected, injustices can be undone, and an environment of trust is created.

If open communication is not allowed, then by the weight of their own injustices, that organisation will crumble. So within every organisation and community, there must be adequate and ample scope for the free expression of ideas. There must be open avenues wherein opinions can be expressed and evaluated. That is an absolute need for the survival and growth of any organisation or community. Unfortunately that is missing nowadays in AMPS.

Since 1990, expulsion has been used by groupist leaders to put a clamp on open and free communication just like a communist regime does so no one will point out their atrocities and wrongful dealing.

Those who took a dharmic stand were systematically eliminated using expulsion; and, side by side, others were silenced under the threat of expulsion. That has been the harmful trend since 1990.

By veritably shutting down the air-waves and eliminating the voice of the people, the stage was set for the organisation to move along the harsh pathway of injustice after injustice, and one vengeful deed after another. All done in order to grab hold of more power and keep others at bay.

ANOTHER NEGATIVE OFFSHOOT OF EXPULSION:

THE RISE OF SPLINTER FACTIONS

Another harmful offshoot of expulsion is the rise of splinter groups and competing factions, i.e. balkanisation. When people are expelled on false pretenses and when others are fearful of expulsion, then naturally such persons will seek out a new home. When they can no longer survive under such suppression, oppression, and repression, then they themselves will form a splinter group or competing faction. And that severely threatens unity; rather it shatters all attempts at unity.

This we have all been witnessed in AMPS since 1990. All because expulsion has been used as a weapon of revenge and a tool for destruction where innocent people have been harmed and dharmic voices have been outcaste or silenced.

OUR IDEOLOGICAL STANDPOINT

There is no scope for expulsion in Ananda Marga: As long as one follows Ista and has faith in adarsha, they can’t be expelled, irrespective of what they have done. That is is the main idea.

And in the case of those who have been expelled since 1990, they were not involved in any wrongdoing or misdeed. They were firm in morality and Sixteen Points. So there is no question of any wrongdoing; they were jettisoned for blowing the whistle on unjust and corrupt dealings by various top Dadas. Because of this, such sadhakas were expelled.

HISTORY OF HOW WHISTLEBLOWERS HAVE BEEN SIDELINED

BY UNJUST LEADERS

Here Baba points out the long history how those in power regularly attacked and exiled dharmic persons who opposed the injustices of the ruling elite. Remember, hundreds and thousands of years of history show that whenever people stood up to exploitation and pointed out the status quo then those in power misused their authority, and harassed and outcasted them. Baba strongly condemns such dealing.

Unfortunately a similar thing has happened and is happening in AMPS, as described in the prior para. We should read Baba’s teachings to understand more in-depthly: How in the past atrocities occurred and that the same is going on at present in AMPS.

“In the Vipra era, humanity was affronted by the creation of divisions between high and low. People of high-birth would lose their caste if they merely stepped on the shadow of the so-called low-castes. Even worse, if a Vedic Brahman touched a person from a low family he was declared an outcaste. In no other age has humanity suffered such hatred and insult. Rabindranath says, “By standing aloof from your fellow man daily, you have hated the God enthroned in his heart.”” (1)

“Nor did the Samskrta scholars give any importance to Bengali: it was considered nothing short of blasphemy to translate the religious scriptures from Samskrta into Bengali. The Nabab Hussein Shah personally tried to develop the Bengali language. With his active support Krttivása Ojah translated the Ramayana, Káshii Ram Dash translated the Mahabharata and Máladhra Vasu translated the Bhágavata from Samskrta to Bengali. This caused a furor among the community of scholars. They tried to brand Hussein Shah as a saboteur of the Hindu religion because, according to them, to translate the holy scriptures into Bengali was to defile the Hindu religion. Máládhra Vasu had to bear the stigma of being a Moslem convert and was widely ridiculed as Guńaranjiṋa Khan. So incensed were the Samskrta scholars over the translations of Krttivása Ojah that he was declared an outcaste for committing an act of sacrilege. All this took place only 450 years ago.” (2)

“The Shákadviipii Brahmans spread (prasár) Ayurveda throughout northern India. In Bengal, however, there was little use of Ayurveda; mainly the Vaedyaka system was in vogue. In contrast to Ayurveda, the Vaedyaka treatises provided for the dissection of corpses; that is, the Bengali physicians did not limit themselves to the Ayurvedic theories. They paid attention to the practical side also. Later on, the demonic dogmas of the Shákadviipii Brahmans in north India extended their limiting influence over the physicians as well and slowly the Vaedyaka practitioners abandoned the dissection of cadavers. When Shrii Madhusudhan Gupta began practising western medicine during British rule the caste injunction against touching dead bodies made him a social outcaste.” (3)

“In vaedyak shástra there is a provision for the dissection of dead bodies; but in northern India, there is no such provision. Anyone doing so will run the risk of becoming an outcast. And so there is a standing rule in northern India that the Vaedyas of Bengal are not recognized as Brahmans, although, according to the liberal social system of Bengal, the Vaedyas should be recognized as Brahmans. I do not believe in casteism; I am just trying to point out the facts.” (4)

“The Atharva was mixed with Tantra at nearly every step. At one time the orthodox priests declared the followers of the Atharvaveda to be socially outcast; they said atharvánnaḿ má bhuiṋjiitháh, that is, the food of the followers of the Atharvaveda should not be accepted.” (5)

“PROTESTED AGAINST INJUSTICE AND WRONGS,

THE EVIL FORCES FORTHWITH PLOTTED AGAINST THE PERSON” ~ BA’BA’

“History bears testimony that whenever a person states the absolute truth in any sphere of life, whether it be spiritual, social, economic or otherwise; sought clarification of doubts or protested against injustice and wrongs, the evil forces forthwith plotted against the person, administered poison, slandered and assaulted that person with rage, misused authority and mercilessly dealt blow after blow; but the blows boomeranged and ultimately the evil forces were annihilated by those very blows. Remember, by an unalterable decree of history, the evil forces are destined to meet their final doom.” (6)

“The unity of Ananda Margis should not be allowed to be jeopardized for any reason. Unity should be maintained even at the risk of your life.” (7)

ANANDA MARGA IDEALS:

HOW GRAND SOCIETY WILL BE

Following is grand ideal of Ananda Marga where there will not be any exploitation or expulsion; and, where leaders will not crush whistle blowers with their steamrollers nor harrass them as ruling communists have done. The following ideal has yet to be achieved that is why such a struggle is going on.

“Ananda Marga forms a society in which laws have been framed always keeping in view the common ideal, and thereby developing the idea of the oneness of all humanity. This society is radically different from any existing society, for it provides a society with a common bond where there is no distinction, whether of class or sex, where no one can be outcast or punished so that one may not be incapable of reforming oneself, and where no laws are framed keeping in view the interest of a few individuals only. In such a society, no one would be weak or downtrodden, and no one would allow oneself to be exploited by others. Such a society had been dreamt of and spoken of earlier by moralists and idealists, but never before has a practical approach to achieve it – as has been discovered by Ananda Marga by producing people who combine all the qualities of the different economic classes of the world in one individual – been conceived of by any of the numerous thinkers or lawgivers of the world.” (8)

Namaskar,
In His service,
Satiish

REFERENCES:
1. Prout Nutshell – 7 , Social Values and Human Cardinal Principles
2. Human Society Is One and Indivisible – 2
3. Ananda Vacanamrtam – 10, The History of Bengal
4. Ananda Vacanamrtam – 10, The History of Bengal
5. Shabda Cayanika -2, Rk to Rkśa (Discourse 11)
6. Ananda Vanii #41
7. Caryacarya, Part 2, Society, pt #13
8. A Few Problems Solved – 7, Ananda Marga: A Revolution

The sections below demarcated by asterisks are entirely different topics,
completely unrelated to the above letter. It stands on its own as a point of interest.

*******************************
COMMENT FROM READER:
Re: Misleading Baba Story & More

Subject: Re: Misleading Baba Story & More
Date: Mon, 25 Feb 2013 06:46:50 GMT
To: am-global@earthlink.net

BABA

Namaskara!!!

I had no idea how much negativity Devashis has written in his book. The comment about BABA using avidya techniques is sacrilege and slanderous.

We must do something about this. Devashis had denigrated Guru. Baba said that we should go any length to protect the Sanctity of Ishta.

Perhaps, we need Devashis’s email and first ask him to change the passages?

We cannot assume that he gets emails from AM GLOBAL because if he did he would have changed that cover photo of Baba that we complained about a long time ago.

We must not allow any further negative comments about SadGuru!!! We should provide lawsuit for slander!!!

BABA!

Link to Initial Posting:
http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2013/02/misleading-baba-story-more.html

*******************************
Searching Outside Is A Waste

“…Toma’y ceyeche kato nar na’rii svadeshe videshe tiirthe ghuri
pa’yani kotha’o shato klesh vari ye na’i khunjeche antare.”

(PS #4537, last stanza)

One precious guideline is in this Prabhat Samgiita:

O’ Parama Purusa, O’ Baba, those who do not search for You within their mind do not get You. Baba, so many people are in search of You. In their ignorance they are looking for You in one country or another, wandering around various holy lands and tiirthas. Even after facing hundreds of troubles and difficulties, they do not get You by searching for You externally. They do not even get a tiny fraction of Your divine reflection. Baba, You are residing within their hearts but they can’t see…

Note: Unfortunately a few naive margiis and Wts search for Parama Purusa outside: Wandering from this tomb to that tomb, from this place to that place, and from this quarters to that quarters. In order to go close, they give large donations to the residing priests of those holy places. In that way, priests benefit economically. Tragically, those seekers cannot feel that Parama Purusa Baba resides in their heart. They cannot understand this so they do not want to see within.
*******************************

Read Full Post »

Misleading Baba Story & More

Date: Fri, 22 Feb 2013 22:21:09
From: Govinda gk1955@u.colomb.edu…
Subject: Misleading Baba Story & More
To: am-global@earthlink.net

Baba

This entire email is composed of 4 parts:
(1) Prabhat Samgiita #2209;
(2) Posting: Misleading Baba Story & More
(3) Comment From Reader: Misuse & Abuse of Public Funds #2
(4) Trailer Quote: Shortcoming of English Language

Each section is demarcated by asterisks (***).

**** Here begins the Prabhat Samgiita ****

Baba

“Mor ma’nas sarovare tumi son’a’li kamal…” (PS 2209)

Purport:

O’ Parama Purusa, in the pool of my mind You are the golden lotus. Looking towards You – ideating and meditating on You – is my dance and my life. I dance keeping You as my Goal. Baba, You are the sweet vibration of my heart. I dance keeping You fixed as my Goal. You are the very hope and vitality of my life. You are the golden lotus.

Baba, the garden of paradise is filled with the sun’s rays; the glow of Your beauty is resplendent. Your beauty is expressed in every particle of Your creation. In grove after grove, the buzzing bees get the pure, sweet honey from that lotus. Baba, You are the golden lotus.

Baba, pleasing You is my sadhana. You are my Goal. Except You I want nothing. I will act according to Your desire. By Your grace, I will follow Your every direction. O’ my Dearmost, O’ the Liila Personified, please fulfill the longing of my heart. You are the golden lotus.

O’ Parama Purusa, please be gracious and shower Your causeless grace on me…

== MISLEADING BABA STORY ==

Namaskar,
One writer has expressed in his book that Baba would use avidya tantra on some sadhakas during those Jamalpur days.

Let us see what avidya and vidya are according to Ananda Marga philosophy. By this way we can examine how far this claim is legitimate or not.

AVIDYA TANTRIKAS HURL STONES

According to Ananda Marga philosophy, avidya is the path of scaring, harming, torturing and killing innocent persons – all done due to one’s own “wicked nature.”

“If people such as this happen to be wicked by nature, they can cause the disembodied entity to hurl pieces of bone, brick, etc., into someone else’s house. Sometimes the cots on which people recline are also found to be tilting. All these actions are done by the ectoplasmic structure of a powerful person, not by that of the dead person. So to stop this nonsense you should find the real culprit and give the person a good shaking. You will find that the throwing of pieces of bone, brick, etc., will immediately stop. All this comes within the scope of Avidyá Tantra. It often turns out that the person who was responsible for the throwing of the bricks is found sitting quietly in a corner of the burial ground, and their ectoplasmic structure is getting that hapless disembodied soul to do all those wicked things. If you hit their arm with a good stick then their wicked deeds will immediately stop. And when you see a cot rising from the ground with the ectoplasmic strength of that person (though you cannot see the ectoplasmic arm that raises it, as ectoplasm cannot be seen), just brandish a stick at random. It will turn out that the arm of that wicked Tantric gets broken. Perhaps that person was seated three miles away from the actual site of occurrence. These are all interesting things – Avidyá Tantric things.” (1)

NEGATIVE DEEDS AND HELLISH WAYS OF AVIDYA TANTRA:

KILL, CONTROL / EXPLOIT, UPROOT, HYPNOTISM, HARM, DANGER

Here is more about the devious and destructive pathway of avidya.

“Now let us analyse the six actions of Avidyá Tantra.”
1. One part of Avidyá Tantra is to kill or cause the death of someone through mantra or through some related technique or in some artificial way. This is called márańa. [Mára literally means “annihilation”.]
2. Bringing somebody under one’s control by means of a mantra or a dravyaguńa [some plant or other natural substance which projects psychic effects], or by wearing a squirrel’s tail like a ring on the little finger of the left hand and chanting the mantra hriiḿ kriiḿ klu, or by feeding that tail to a person in a chánci pán [a betel preparation], is known as vashiikarańa. But remember that this action must be accompanied by purashcarańa [raising the kuńd́alinii, the dormant force] as per Avidyá Tantric style. When under the influence of vashiikarańa, a person becomes completely controlled and behaves like a servant.
3. Cat́ana or cát́ana means one’s residence. When somebody is uprooted from his or her residence by means of a mantra or some mystic power or some dravyaguńa, the process is called uccát́ana. It is said that if a particular mantra is written on a brick in red ink and buried under the northeast corner of a house by a naked person on a rainy night, the owner of that house becomes uprooted within three days. This process may or may not fructify, but if it actually does the effect is disastrous. Keeping this fact in mind, I have deliberately refrained from giving the mantra in this book.
4. To get someone to do something by hypnotizing the person with light waves or by fixing one’s gaze on him or by breaking or overpowering his personality is called sammohana. In English this process is called hypnotism. The [European] physician Dr. Mesmer did some research on this method to find out if this process could be utilized for the benefit of the public; hence this process is also known as “mesmerism”.
5. Stopping the flow or movement of something is called stambhana. Stambha means “pillar”. Since any moving thing will be stopped when it hits a pillar, stopping the movement of something by means of a mantra and some dravyaguńa is called stambhana. By using some mantra and holding under the tongue a kánt́ánat́e root fitted into a silver ring (like a hub circled by its wheel), one can stop another person’s movement or action. Suppose someone is about to urinate. The flow of urine is stopped. In the science of áyurveda, the medical condition of constricted urination is known as mútrastambha [just as this Avidyá practice is known as mútrastambha]. Vákstambha [stopping the flow of another person’s voice] is a similar Avidyá Tantric practice. But the Avidyá Tantric should be cautious about trying to maintain the stambhana for a long time, because it requires him or her to remain in an abnormal condition [sometimes physiologically abnormal], which will eventually harm the person.
6. The shántikarma of Avidyá Tantra means to save someone from a danger or a disease by means of certain rituals, and then redirect that danger or disease towards another person: that is, to help one person to survive by killing another.”
“When the Kálacakrayána and Vajrayána Tantras of the Buddhist school of philosophy were popular in Bengal, these six actions of Avidyá Tantra were widely practised. But when the Kálacakrayána and Vajrayána vanished from Bengal, the six actions also fell out of use. And the six actions of Vidyá Tantra fell out of use simultaneously. It is good that the actions of both have been forgotten by people. What is desirable is that people move towards spiritual elevation along the paths of jiṋána, karma, and bhakti with a healthy and rational outlook.”
“The secret processes of Vidyá Tantra and Avidyá Tantra are called guhya vidyá. The motivation behind the practice of Avidyá Tantra is Máraya máraya náshaya náshaya uccát́aya uccát́aya mama shatruńám [“Kill my enemy, kill. Destroy my enemy, destroy. Uproot my enemy, uproot.”] This sort of mentality should not be allowed to develop in a person. This sort of prayer should also be avoided.” (2)

So those adhering to the path of avidya senselessly harm others, make use of occult powers, and indulge in all sorts of selfish and destructive acts.

“Their goal is not noble, and will result in their ultimately being converted into inert matter.” (Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell – 6, Vashiikára – 2)

Such avidya tantrikas have a very bad effect on society and themselves.

MEANING OF VIDYA

In stark contrast, the path of vidya is the path of benevolence and supreme realisation.

“The six branches of Vidyá Tantra are: to awaken benevolent intellect, to awaken noble propensities, to arouse a sense of humility, to arouse a sense of dharma, to arouse a sense of self-surrender, and shántikarma [propitiatory rites for others’ welfare].” (3)

So vidya tantra brings about universal welfare and spiritual attainment. As the Marga Guru, Baba Himself is the pure embodiment of vidya and all noble qualities. As His disciples, every sincere sadhaka of Ananda Marga is on the path of vidya, not avidya.

COMPARISON OF THE TWO:

ANANDA MARGA IS THE PATH OF VIDYA

Here below is a very clear, concise distinction between vidya and avidya

“The śat́karma [six actions] of Vidyá Tantra are applied in order to elevate human beings in the world of spirituality by goading them towards auspicious thoughts; whereas the śat́karma of Avidyá Tantra are applied in order to exploit human beings and utilize them for one’s own self interest.” (4)

Baba has graciously blessed humanity with all the tools and teachings to advance along the path of pure spirituality.

Thus who can equate Baba with practicing avidya. Everything Baba has said and done is for the upliftment of humanity – to bring all along the path of Divine realisation and Supreme fulfillment.

Below are many more teaching about the distinction and differences between avidya and vidya for study and awareness. All those guidelines furthermore demonstrate and prove that Baba was only vidya, and never avidya.

WHY THE WRITER DID LIKE THIS

There seem to be only two reasons why anyone would write and publish in their book that Baba “sometimes used avidya techniques.”

(1) The writer wrote like this because he himself is naive and ignorant;

(2) The writer wrote like this because he himself is a deliberate sinner.

In either case, it casts severe doubt that such a person has the worthy credentials for publishing a book on Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji, as he [the writer] believes and tries to prove that Baba was an avidya tantrika.

FURTHER READING ON AVIDYA

“The word guhya as commonly used means something mysterious, something concealed, something like a dreadful nightmare, some secret chant, some mystical occult power; or witchcraft. Or finally, it may indicate the five branches [exclusive to] Avidyá Tantra – márańa, vashiikarań, uccát́ana, sammohana and stambhana.” (5)

“Endeavouring to exercise greater control over the mundane world. This is the path of Avidyá Tantra. In this endeavour the practitioners remain totally preoccupied with the attainment of name, fame, prosperity, and material enjoyments – these are their goals. The purpose of their spiritual practice is to make the mind increasingly subtle, in order to be able to exercise further control, not only over the physical world, but over the crude minds of other microcosms as well. Their goal is not noble, and will result in their ultimately being converted into inert matter. So the final result of Avidyá Tantra is extreme crudity. I have attempted to explain this in some of my ghost stories. Try to find time to read them.” (6)

HALLUCINATIONS

“Avidyá Tantrics make use of this sort of process. With the help of their sense organs and ectoplasms they create positive hallucinations. In Sanskrit this science is called rákśasii vidyá. (Rákśasa does not refer to any monstrous type of animal, but to a particular group of humans. With the help of your mental eyes and your psychic power you can create an image visible to the eyes of an ordinary person. You can actually suspend the power of vision of another person so that he sees the object you want him to see. This is called rákśasii máyá.” (7)

HURLING BRICKS AND BONES AT OTHERS

“Such negative practices are common in Avidyá Tantra. For example, suppose a wicked person may be sitting in a solitary place where bones are scattered around. Using his or her psychic power, the person can create ectoplasmic “hands”, and command them to throw the bones into the house of the person whom he or she wishes to harm. The inhabitants of the house, ordinary people no doubt, will certainly be terrified by such occult phenomena. They will think it is the work of a ghost and will probably decide to move out of the house. Instead of bones, bricks or stones could also be hurled. To do this, one does not require great power – rákśasii máyá is an occult power of inferior degree.” (8)

OF NO USE

“If I were to analyse the positive and negative paths you would be fascinated, but it would be of no use whatsoever in attaining Parama Puruśa.” (9)

ACCEPT HIM AS YOUR OBJECT OF ADORATION

“Human beings practise sádhaná in order to become one with Brahma, not to become ghosts or ghouls. To become one with Brahma, they must practise Vidyá Tantra, and not Avidyá Tantra. Of course through either kind of sádhaná, sádhakas gain freedom from the páshas and ripus. But the difference between the two sádhanás is that the practitioners of Vidyá Tantra channelize their spiritual powers towards the attainment of Paramátmá, whereas the practitioners of Avidyá Tantra utilize their acquired powers for mundane benefits. Through Vidyá Tantra one “binds” [wins] Paramátmá, while through Avidyá Tantra one binds [dominates] living beings. Vidyá Tantrics accept Paramátmá as their object of supreme adoration, and in order to become one with Him, they channelize all the powers they have acquired towards Him.” (10)

SUMMARY

As the Marga Guru, Baba is the embodiment of vidya – Supreme Benevolence.

Tragically, the person behind the book “The Jamalpur Years” (2010) has revealed his own state of mind and understanding by labeling Baba has “avidya”. Devashish (Deva’shiis’a / Devashish / Devashiisa) a.k.a. Donald Acosta is the one who did like this:

“While most of Baba’s tests fell well within the range of the disciples’ normal experience, he sometimes used avidya techniques to add to these challenges.” (Jamalpur Years, p.155)

In fact, in order to prove Baba as avidya, he narrated not less than 5 stories in his book on pages 155-6.

No true bhakta and disciple of Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji can think in that manner.

All sincere sadhakas in Ananda Marga understand well in their heart that Baba is Love Personified and He has come to uplift humanity and bring all unto His Supreme Abode.

Namaskar,
At His lotus feet,
Govinda

Note: ABOUT THOSE STORIES

Baba is Sadguru and whatever He thinks takes expression. His every thought is for the welfare of sadhakas. What happend in those stories portrayed in that book was for the well-being of those devotees.

REFERENCES
1. The Real Culprit
2. Vidyá Tantra and Avidyá Tantra, 1 July 1990, Calcutta
3. Vidyá Tantra and Avidyá Tantra, 1 July 1990, Calcutta
4. Vidyá Tantra and Avidyá Tantra, 1 July 1990, Calcutta
5. Vidyá Tantra and Avidyá Tantra, 1 July 1990, Calcutta
6. Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell – 6, Vashiikára – 2
7. Ekendriya – 7
8. Avidyá – Excerpt A
9. Ekendriya – 8
10. Tantra and Supernatural Power

The sections below demarcated by asterisks are entirely different topics,
completely unrelated to the above letter. It stands on its own as a point of interest.

**************************************
COMMENT FROM MARGII READER

Subject: RE: Misuse & Abuse of Public Funds #2
Date: Fri, 22 Feb 2013 15:25:02 -0800
From: Paul Taylor
To: ‘AM-GLOBAL’

In Vancouver the 2010 Winter Olympics were hosted. The same massive expenditures of public funds went on with all exacted promises (during the bid process) of social housing and definitive requirements surrounding the low-income populace broken, one after the other. The local collection of community activists held, in 2008, 2009 and 2010 the Poverty Olympics. It picked up awareness and by 2010 it received global media. The preceeding Olympics, held in China in 2008, had exactly zero such examples of dissent, and they claimed to have spent $50 billion on venues and over 300,000 poor were forcefully relocated. In England in 2012 the same kinds of dissent occurred but got less media. All to say that researching the history of the Olympics will give the same kind of scenario over and over. PROUT is the only answer; compromises with the proponents of these billion $ scams are a chimera and virtually any agreement will be made just to shut the protestors up. As Baba has put forth – uncompromising strictness & faith.

Pra’n’ava

**************************************
Shortcoming of English Language:

Lack of Spiritual Terms

Baba says, “In Sanskrit the term Mantra means Manana’t talrayet yastu sah mantra parikiirttiah– ‘Manan means ‘inner suggestion’, ‘repetition within’. And Tarayet yastu – ‘after this manan, when that entity liberates you from all metaphysical, all psychic and suprapsychic and also from all spiritual bondages, then it is known as mantra: Manana’t ta’rayet yastu sa mantrah parikiirtitah.”

“Whereas the English term incantation just means ‘repeating something again and again’. That is incantation. So incantation does not lead to liberation. Whereas the repetition of mantra leads to liberation. So incantation and mantra are not the same thing.”

“There is no proper English word for the Sanskrit word mantra, but we use the word ‘incantation’ for mantra but it is not the proper word for the Sanskrit word mantra.” (Morning General Darshan, 14 Nov 78, Silchar, W.B.)

Note: If one repeats, ‘Tom, Dick, and Harry’, ‘Tom, Dick, and Harry’ again and again, then that very repetition is an incantation. But repeating ‘Tom, Dick, and Harry’ will not lead to liberation. So that is the essential difference between incantation and mantra. Because the repetition of mantra leads to liberation.
**************************************

Read Full Post »

Misuse & Abuse of Public Funds #2

Date: Fri 22 Feb 2013 13:03:36
To: am-global@earthlink.net
From: Lokesh@spiral…..
Subject: Misuse & Abuse of Public Funds #2

== MISUSE & ABUSE OF PUBLIC FUNDS ==

~ Part 2 ~

(Note: This is the second letter in this series. A link to the first letter titled – “Big Questions About World Events” – has been appended below. All italicised sections in brown are quotes from the first letter. – Eds)

Namaskar,
The unfortunate trend is that the wealthy and the powerful leaders use public money for their own gain, at the expense of the well-being of the poor and suffering people. This problem is acutely evidenced during the planning & preparation of certain events like the Olympics etc. Such planners feel entitled to use the money in a way that suits them best, and utterly overlook the needs of the local, impoverished populace.

WEALTH OF ENTIRE UNIVERSE IS PROPERTY OF PARAMA PURUSA

Our Proutistic outlook is entirely different. Baba guides us that Parama Purusa – not any unit being – is the owner of all mundane wealth.

“The universe is the thought projection of Brahma [the Supreme Entity], so the ownership of the universe lies with the Supreme Entity, and not with His imagined beings. 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.” (1)

In that case, where is there scope for the misuse of public funds in pursuit of self or group interest. There is none. Only materialists can indulge in this way.

MORE ABOUT THE PRESENT SITUATION

“At present, Brazil is gearing up to host both the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics, both of which will be hosted in Rio. At minimum, estimates are that Brasil will spend nearly $35 billion to host these two events…While all these tens of billions of dollars are spent on these sporting venues, not less than 25% of Rio’s population, or 1.5 million people, are suffering and live without the basic necessities. The million-plus residents of Rio de Janeiro’s shantytowns (favelas) still find their lives controlled by violent drug gangs and that the crime rate in Rio ranks among the highest in the world, and many of them will be uprooted and relocated before 2014. Their lives will not improve an ounce due to the spending of $35 billion, just they will be forgotten.”

DISTINCT LACK OF FAMILY FEELING

Those who advocate the construction of extravagant new sports stadiums for the Olympics or the World Cup etc proclaim that life is not just about food, clothing, and shelter, but entertainment and amusement as well. For this reason, they feel it acceptable to spend massive amounts of public money on Olympic stadiums despite the presence of widespread poverty in that host nation.

The following analogy sheds light on this matter.

Suppose a child is sick, lacks food and medical treatment, and is living in a house that has a leaky roof, yet his parents are spending all their money on films, dancing, drugs, and night clubs, and there is no food or medicine for the child. In that case, who is going to be sympathetic to those parents? No one.

Similarly, we have to reconsider the ethic of those who build stadiums at tremendous public expense while much of the local population suffers and lacks the minimum requirements of life: food, shelter, clothing, medical care, and education.

Such persons do not look upon the entire population as their own. They suffer from a narrow-minded and selfish outlook, i.e. atma sukha tattva, or principle of selfish pleasure. They are involved in gratifying their own unit self, not thinking about others.

Proponents of the extravagant stadiums suffer from atma sukha tattva. Blinded by their own selfish vision, the wealthy leaders of society fail to see the pain experienced by common people who struggle for their daily needs. In turn, those wealthy leaders exploit the masses by adhering to their own selfish agenda. That is what we see happening in nations hosting the Olympics and World Cup etc. If those wealthier, empowered leaders were infused with sama samaj tattva (principle of social equality), then their priority would first be meeting the basic needs of the common people. Once accomplished, one could discuss other projects like stadium construction etc.

In that case, the issue of exploitation and suffering would not arise. Then those with means would help those in need and not indulge in their own selfish gratification.

Here the point is that only those with a very narrow and selfish outlook can think that vast amounts of public monies should be used for fancy stadiums for the Olympics etc, when large numbers of people in that country are starving and living in unsanitary conditions. In contrast, if one cultivates the ideal that this whole humanity is my kith and kin, then there will be no scope to waste money on extravagant sporting venues while naked children in that country beg for food and lack drinking water.

Please bear in mind that I am fond of sports and encourage participation and healthy competition in sporting endeavours. What I am not in favour of is extravagant spending on superfluous projects when brothers and sisters are suffering from lack of essential needs: Food, clothing, shelter, medical care, and education. As we all know, this goes directly against the approach of Ananda Marga.

Only when the minimum requirements have been provided to all can we then think to invest in sports stadiums.

WHY MISUSE OF PUBLIC FUNDS

Another cause behind the misuse of public funds is over-accumulation of physical pabula. There are some in society that have so much money that they literally do not know how to spend it – they just indulge in misuse. They pay extraordinary sums of money for clothing, intoxicants, x-tra fancy airplanes, huge number of cars, and in other frivolous and degrading ways. When in their own private life they are accustomed to the misuse of money, then they casually apply that same approach to public money. Because of their extreme over-accumulation of money, they do not know how to use money in a rational manner for social good.

IT IS A RECURRING THEME…

…PROUT IS NEEDED

So this is a recurring theme. Time and again, those in power spend huge amounts of public money on structures that will supposedly bring them prestige and fame, and the common people lay impoverished. So many extravagant structures were constructed at the expense and well-being of the public good. Such buildings include the Taj Mahal etc. Misusing public funds in this way invites crime, social unrest, and chaos. All because the state forces people into a situation of being have-nots.

When a nation indulges in constructing extravagant stadiums to impress others – while their own denizens lack the basic necessities – then that is just a superficial show. It is tinsel – nothing more. They have no substantial good to portray.

The only answer is Prout. Only the practical approach of Prout takes into consideration the welfare of the common people and encourages the rational distribution of public resources. Big money decisions based on a leader’s prestige will never get support in a Proutistic system.

Our policies are for the welfare of the people and Proutistic leaders are linked with the heart-beat of the masses. The torchbearers of Prout are not living in golden castles, aloof from the worries and needs of the general populace.

Prout Philosophy says, “The Proutistic social order follows the principle sarva jana hita’ya – that is, PROUT is for the welfare of all. Nobody is suppressed or oppressed. PROUT supports the rule of sadvipras. Only sadvipras can guarantee the all-round welfare of all groups of people because sadvipras represent the interests of all classes in society.” (2)

FINANCIAL REGULATIONS NEEDED

In both Caraycarya part 2 and “A Guide to Human Conduct”, Baba has given the strict guideline that individuals and families are not to go into debt to host social functions like marriages, baby-naming ceremonies, and festivals etc. That same type of approach should be taken with nations and international bodies. Host cities and nations of the Olympics regularly go deep into debt and often never recover, as happened with the 2004 games in Athens, Greece etc. So there should be strict regulations and guidelines about this.

I appreciate the solution offered in the prior letter:

“Various international organisations like the United Nations etc do not build new offices every time they hold a meeting. Rather they return to the same venue again and again. The same should be done with the Olympics. There can be 4 fixed sites around the globe. The Olympics can simply rotate through those 4 venues, returning to the same site every 16 years. That way each facility can be of a premium standard and well-maintained. An international board will manage the sites and distribute profits to all nations. During “off years” when the Olympics is not being held at a particular site then that location can be used for the Asia games or other competitions. This will bring regular use and income to each site. It will not be like the way things are now where an entire Olympic sporting complex is built for the Olympics, only to sit unused and fall into disrepair as soon as the games are over.”

PROUT POLICY:

SUPPORT COMMON PEOPLE;

DO NOT ALLOW PUBLIC FUNDS TO BE CONTROLLED BY CENTRAL GOVT

While we are in this transition phase of the height of the vaeshyan era, particular attention must be paid to those impoverished people. That is our Prout policy

In those lands where the World Cup and Olympics are held, and in those lands where huge airports are built and fancy rails are put in place for the wealthy, there are millions and millions of people living below the poverty level. They are overlooked by their governments and ignored by the educated elite. This must be corrected – the course must be changed. The way to proceed starts with the health, safety and welfare of the downtrodden masses. Failing that we will continue to see so many fall prey to starvation, neglect, and premature death. And a proper society will never be built.

Along these lines our Proutistic teachings put forth this following warning:

“It is desirable that the management of industrial, agricultural, trade and commercial enterprises not be in the hands of the central government or the world government (after the establishment of the world government). If it is, the common people will not get the direct or even the indirect opportunity to participate in the management of these enterprises. In such cases capitalists, opportunists or self-seeking politicians can easily take control of them and misappropriate public wealth.” (3)

THE SOLUTION IS PROUT

Baba has blessed us with all the resources and the right philosophy (i.e. Prout) to ease the pains of humanity. We are to act fast and protest the wrongs being carried out at present wherein huge monies are misused and wasted by the state for lavish events like the Olympics etc, while the people of that land lack even the most basic necessities to survive. There is growing awareness about this tragic issue – good people everywhere want to help – we should keep the flame alive and bring welfare to the people.

THE TEACHINGS OF PROUT:

WHAT ARE THE MARVELS OF CIVILIZATION FOR, IF PEOPLE ARE PREVENTED FROM MANIFESTING THEMSELVES

“To sadvipras [spiritual revolutionaries] the value of human life surpasses all other values. So states and scriptures, societies and religions, acquire significance only insofar as they develop humanity to the maximum through learning, culture, physical health and economic plenty. It is for the sake of developing humanity that civilization has so many institutions of different kinds, that states take their various forms, that theories proliferate, and that the scriptures abound in ordinances and regulations. What in the world does the state stand for, what is the use of all these regulations, and what are the marvels of civilization for, if people are prevented from manifesting themselves, if they do not get the opportunity to build good physiques, to invigorate their intelligence with knowledge, or to broaden their hearts with love and compassion? If, instead of tending to lead human beings to the goal of life, the state stands in the way, it cannot command loyalty, because humanity is superior to the state. According to Rabindranath Tagore, “Justice and law at the cost of humanity is like a stone instead of bread. Maybe that stone is rare and valuable, but it cannot remove hunger.”” (4)

“HUMAN VALUE TAKES PRECEDENCE OVER SOCIAL VALUE”

“It is customary to give preference to social value over human value. Sadvipras want to strike at the root of this custom. For them, human value takes precedence over social value. Human beings form the society, and hence human value must lay the foundation for the social value. In other words, those who show respect to human value will be entitled to social value. It was mentioned earlier that human value means nothing but to treat the joys and sorrows, hopes and aspirations of human beings sympathetically, and see them merged in Cosmic Consciousness and established in divine majesty. And if one is to elevate oneself to that sublime height, he or she will have to be supplied with an environment suitable to his or her physical, mental and spiritual existence. It is the birthright of everyone to make headway in their trifarious existence. It is the duty of society to accord recognition to this human right. Society has failed to do its duty, and that is why life is full of sorrow and suffering.” (4)

A GOOD NUMBER OF GREAT PERSONALITIES ARE WITHERING AWAY IN THEIR EMBRYONIC STAGE

“No one can say for certain that no great person might have emerged from among those wayward urchins whom we are wont to slight and hate. Women who have turned to prostitution for the sake of their physical existence might have grown into noble personalities if their agony had been appreciated sympathetically, and if they had been rehabilitated by society. But since society has nothing to do with human value, a good number of great personalities are withering away in their embryonic stage. The sadvipras will undertake to revive this neglected section of humanity. To them no sinner is contemptible, no one is a rogue. People turn into satans or sinners when, for want of proper guidance, they are goaded by depraving propensities. The human mind goaded by depraving propensities is satan. If their propensities are sublimated, they will no longer be satans; they will be transformed into gods. Every course of action of society ought to be judged with an eye to the dictum “Human beings are divine children.”” (4)

WE SHOULD NOT JUST GO AHEAD AND LEAVE THEM IN THE LURCH

“The significance of society lies in moving together. If in the course of the journey anybody lags behind, if in the darkness of night a gust of wind blows out anyone’s lamp, we should not just go ahead and leave them in the lurch. We should extend a hand to help them up, and rekindle their lamps with the flames of our lamps…”

“…Stop we must, otherwise the spirit of society is in jeopardy.”

“A rśi [sage] has said: Samamantreńa jáyate iti samájah [“Society is the collective movement of a group of individuals who have decided to move together towards a common goal”]. That is, whether people are pápii [sinners], thieves, criminals, or characterless individuals, they are so only superficially; internally they are filled with the potential for purity. The principal object of the sadvipras is to explore and bring this potentiality into play. They will accord human value to everyone without exception. Those who have done hateful crimes must be punished, but sadvipras will never hate them, or put an end to them by depriving them of food, because sadvipras are humanists. The pandits puffed up with vain glory could turn their attention to their books instead of attending on the ailing non-Hindu Haridas, but Chaitanya Mahaprabhu found it impossible to remain indifferent to him. He took Haridas in his arms and nursed him carefully, and thus showed respect to human value.” (4)

MORE PROUTISTIC GUIDELINES

“That is, these days, a person who possesses wealth is respected and revered whereas a person without money is a person honoured by none. The poor, whoever they may be, have to woo the rich just for the sake of earning their livelihood. Human values have become meaningless, for human beings have become the means for the rich to earn money. The rich, having purchased the human mind with their money, are busy playing a game of chess with the other members of society. Bereft of everything, people toil round the clock to earn a mere pittance. Today the motto of people is, “I have to send some food particles into the apathetic stomach after somehow taking a dip in the muddy water amidst hyacinths.”” (5)

“Those who are at the helm of society, constantly suspicious of others, forever count their losses and profits. They have no desire to think about the plight of humanity. Rather, to gratify themselves they are ready to chew the human bone, and suck human blood. For the self-centred there is no place for feelings of mercy, sympathy or camaraderie. The railway stations and market places are full of half-clad beggars and lepers desperately stretching out their begging bowls, earning their livelihood in the only way they know. They are fortunate if anyone contemptuously flings them a copper coin. The old blind beggars sitting all day long on the steps of a bridge automatically lift their bowls whenever anyone walks past. But their hungry pleas fall on deaf ears. On the other side of the social coin, sumptuous dishes are being prepared to entertain the rich dignitaries. These contrasts ridicule the present human society.” (6)

“Today, those who occupy high posts are also respected. Dignity is attached to post or rank. A station master will take great pains to prepare the railway minister’s visit, but will never trouble himself with the inconveniences faced by the ordinary passengers. Luxurious houses are built for high-ranking officers while the poor live in shanty towns, barely protected from the elements. I don’t say that large houses should never be built, but that everyone should be provided the minimum requirements. “I admit that both rice and tasty dishes are necessary for people, but I shall not demand a sumptuous dish from the goddess of food until I see that India has been overflooded with an abundance of rice.”” (7)

“These days educated people are so proud of their erudition that they detest illiterate people and avoid the company of commoners. Thus they shun village life and live in towns. When the question of returning to the village crops up, they say, “What on earth would we do in a village? There’s not a single person to talk to. Only idiots live there.” This explains why almost all attention is focused on the urban areas to the detriment of the villages. While soliciting votes, political leaders pay a short visit to the villages with a mouthful of attractive promises. They promptly inform the ignorant populace about their great achievements in constructing huge dams; though perhaps village cultivation is becoming impossible due to want of irrigation. They give detailed descriptions about their plans to build bridges and bungalows and install television sets, though perhaps in that village people die for want of medicine, or beg for food in poverty-stricken desperation. And yet the common villagers constitute the backbone of society. Even in the towns not everyone gets equal opportunities. The pavements have become the home for so many people. Rabindranath says, “There are always a number of uncelebrated people in the human civilization. They are the majority, and they are the medium, but they have no time to become human beings. They are raised on the leftovers of the national wealth. They are poorly dressed and receive little education, yet they serve the rest of society. They give maximum labour but are rewarded with ignominy – they die of starvation or are tortured to death by those they serve. They are deprived of all life’s amenities. They are the candlestick of civilization: they stand erect with the candle resting on their head. Everyone gets light from it, while they suffer the discomfort of the wax trickling down their sides. In this way, the dishonest of humanity or the neglect of human values has become a social malady.””(8)

SUMMARY STATEMENT AND REVIEW

Here in review: The point is that only those with a very narrow and selfish outlook can think that vast amounts of public monies should be used for fancy stadiums for the Olympics etc, when large numbers of people in that country are starving and living in unsanitary conditions. In contrast, if one cultivates the ideal that this whole humanity is my kith and kin, then there will be no scope to waste money on extravagant sporting venues while naked children in that country beg for food and lack drinking water.

Namaskar,
in Him,
Lokesh

Note 1: FINAL THOUGHT

As mentioned above, I am not against games and sports, only my concern is the commercialisation thereof. In the US, obesity is rampant, and games and sports are highly commercialised. The unfortunate result is that people think they should watch, not play. Yet real use of games and sports is for keeping a population healthy, active, and vibrant, but in the US and other nations that tenant has sadly been lost.

Note 2: COMMENTS FROM COMMON PEOPLE ABOUT THE OLYMPICS

The following comments are from this website: http://www.debate.org/opinions/are-the-olympic-games-a-waste-of-money

– I believe that the Olympic Games are a waste of money because there are more important things that the money used for these events could be spent on. If we stopped the Olympic Games, a lot of extra money could be donated to child hunger, cancer cures, and child hospitals. Think about the people in third world countries, starving and living without shelter. All charities ask for a small amount of money, yet countries spend millions on a sporting event. The Olympic Games boost economies and also boost pollution at the same time! We are trying our best to stop global warming and this is NOT helping! The native animals of each country loose their habitat to just a stupid car park or an expensive stadium. This can ruin the food chain. The Olympic Games just puts everyone against each other and puts hatred between each country.

– It’s a ridiculous waste of money for a 3 week sporting event – all because of the need to compete against other countries and win some medals!! Feed the poor, educate the masses, give the money to worthwhile needy charities!

– The Olympics are a waste of money

The money spent by countries on international sporting events, such as the Olympic game and World championships, is money wasted. It should be used for more important things such as curing malaria in LEDCs, improving infrastructure, and providing proper education for the adults and children from poorer countries.Billions of pounds are spent on these events just to watch people throwing javelins and shot putts around when it could be donated to charities so they could at least make a difference to this world by helping the people.

-Priorities

The Olympics represents a criminal diversion of funds away from the kind of projects and policies which would actually effect improvements in the health of the population. Merely claiming that ‘striving’ for the best compensates the masses who are paid off with a few weeks of sports saturated T.V. is not where public money is best sent. Society, as a whole, has greater, and certainly, more pressing needs. Hunger, poverty, ignorance etc. I do not propose aid to have succeeded when applied to foreign lands, however when spent domestically it can reap huge rewards.

– The Olympic Games are a waste of money!

If we stopped the Olympic Games, a lot of extra money could be donated to child hunger, cancer cures, charities, and child hospitals. Think about the people in third world countries, starving and living without shelter. All charities ask for a small amount of money, yet we spend millions on a sporting event. Athletes may get publicity, but aren’t human lives more important?

We are trying our best to stop global warming and this is NOT helping! The native animals of each country loose their habitat to just a stupid car park or an expensive stadium. This can ruin the food chain. The Olympic Games just puts everyone against each other and puts hatred between each country.

– of course it is

It is kind on stupid to have the olympics in the first place. They are a waste of money and very much a waste of time. Who cares if you win a gold medal in swimming or some other sport. That does not prove you are the greatest athlete in the world.

-of course it is a waste of money!

all you really need is a track to run a pool to swim a court to hit and a field to ride it doesnt have to big cant you just agree with me and give this money to the people who need it and inspiring someone this is like WE ARE SHOWING OFF how much money we can spend

– Pakistan and Afghanistan practice a pates but still want to kill loads of people.

Pakistan and Afghanistan are lead by the group of people – the Taliban who smashed the twin towers yet they compete in the Olympics. They destroyed Bali, yet they compete in the Olympics. It doesn’t provide friendly competition because their are still wars going on across the world yet almost every country competes even though they create wars. They don’t allow friendly competition so I conclude that it is a waste of money because it can’t provide friendly competition.

– The money can be use for other reasons.

The millions of dollars used building the facilities of the Olympic games should be used to give to the poor in Africa. Only when all the poor people have enough money to have a healthy lifestyle should we even think of spending millions of dollars building massive facilities that we don’t need.

– Olympic games are a waste of money!!!

Facts clearly state that where ever the Olympics were held; the country had to spend a big sum of money on advancements. A clear example is the recent London 2012 Olympics where Britain earned millions of USD through people who had a craze for watching this game. I mean the making of the movie in which the Queen jumps it had a a cost too, which included graphic designing etc.

– Yes

Because what about the poor people in Africa, Why think about money all time. What about people they have feelings (Naduh) but why think about money all the time when you can give to poor people instead of Having the money all by yourself when you earn enough already? Seriously what about people?

– Yes, believe the Olympic Games are a waste of money, this money could be spent on much better things.

I believe that the Olympic Games are a waste of money because there are more important things that the money used for these events could be spent on. There are starving kids who could eat if the money was given to them instead. There are also natural disasters that could be better controlled if there was more funding for them.

– There are so many other things we could spend money on!!!

I understand that there is a strong sentiment which surrounds the Olympic games, and it’s not that I have anything against them in and of themselves, but I think the amount of ceremony, media hype, and flare which is used is certainly excessive. Instead of using that money to further lavish the leaders of the globe and create a spectacle, we could be using these resources to SOLVE PROBLEMS!!!!

– Not the only competition

The games have put more than one economy in debt; one need not look further than Greece’s current state. Also, this is not the only forum for athletes to get together. There is also the pan-am games, the commonwealth games, and the world cup. The billions spent on the Olympics are just thrown away, and could be given to much worthier causes.

– Recall way back to 1972, and Colorado had been chosen for the ’76 winter games. We voters took the initiative on a state-wide ballot and voted by a good margin to deny the use of any public funds for the Olympics. It only took days to withdraw, and the IOC moved the ’76 winter games to Austria.What happened is that Colorado got a black eye in the world press (no big deal), and also a national reputation for being green, clean, low tax, frugal and smart. People and hi-tech firms moved to the state in larger numbers than ever, and our economy has been doing fine ever since.

– My rule of thumb: whenever a sports stadium or arena is touted as the centrepiece of a city’s long-term prosperity (as opposed to the prosperity of the developers, construction firms, and various cronies and hangers-on), it’s a grift. The IOC and local committees are no different in this regard than are major-league team owners.Spending taxpayer and/or private dollars on urban infrastructure is great, but that can be done without spending billions of extra dollars on short-term events and soon-to-be under-used facilities

– The Olympics is one big rip-off.

It’s all about making money, money, money for a few big companies and assorted Fat Cats.

£350 per household in the UK? With all the cuts you’re suffering? You’ve been ripped off.

– The Olympics are very much a second prize in today’s world. It can and probably will saddle us with huge debts ala Montreal and do little, if anything for anywhere outside of London. The World Cup is the biggie and we came NOWHERE in the run off for that blockbuster which would at least have spread the money around the country instead of centralising it in London. The attitude of people from the Midlands Northwards is, its London’s, nothing to do with us, we won’t benefit but we will be told to pay for it. At the end of the day the Government refused point-blank to consider bids from other cities.Stick them where the sun doesn’t shine.

– Have been to Montreal and the Olympic village is like a strange ghost town, apparently it took Montreal almost two decades to pay off the debt left from it’s olympics. British Columbia is left with a big sales tax after the Vancouver winter olympics and is saddled with debt.

– I think we ought to build a permenant olympics site somewhere for re use every 4 years so we don’t waste time, money and resources building these big nationalistic monuments

– The Olympics is a waste of money. The current bill is £3.3B, but apparently we can afford this whilst we make 100,000s redundant and stop spending money on the NHS.

– It’s a classic example of ignoring the real problems in the country and going for a project that only caters for 1/3rd of the population – if that – of the UK.

http://www.sailpay.com/blog/hosting-the-olympics-is-a-waste-of-money-read-these-lessons-from-greece-and-china-to-avoid-similar-investment-mistakes/

– The Olympic Games could have been made less extravagant and millions could have been saved to help the needy. Indeed, watching this spectacular event unleashing is like living a real boost of emotion.But then, is the feeling of these temporary emotions more prominent than the health of a human being ? We all know it isn’t yet we keep on hosting it. It is sad therefore to realise that mankind has adopted an egocentric culture.

– Athens Olympics Venues In Decay 8 Years After 2004 Games (PHOTOS)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/03/athens-olympics-venues-photos-abandoned_n_1739264.html

There’s still one group that loves the training pool for athletes at the former Olympic village in Athens’ northern fringe. Frogs.

They appear to delight in sitting on debris that floats on the half-filled pool’s murky waters.

The athletes village itself has fared somewhat better, turned into housing for workers.

Eight years after the 2004 Athens Games, many of the Olympic venues Greece built at great expense remain abandoned or rarely used. They are the focus of great public anger as the country struggles through a fifth year of recession and nearly three years of a debt crisis that has seen a surge in poverty and unemployment.

At the southern Athens venue for softball – a sport unknown in Greece and already out of the Summer Olympics – the occasional weed is all that remains on the dried-out field.

With no shortage of real beaches in Greece, the purpose-built beach volleyball stadium has seen minimal use in the past eight years, mostly just concerts.

Other Athens venues have fared better. The badminton hall has been converted into a popular theater venue, the former international Olympic broadcast center is a shopping mall and what was the main press center now houses ministry offices.

The old baseball venue has been used for the past two years by a fourth-division local soccer club – although some of the stands could do with a lick of paint.

The hockey venue hosted the Special Olympics last year, but material used in that event still lies abandoned around the rim.

The taekwondo and handball arena is occasionally used for non-sports events.

The main Athens Olympics complex is now mostly open to the public and its sporting venues are used by local teams or to host national championships.

Greek politicians, meanwhile, are still struggling to deal with those years of excess spending, and many economists still question the country’s future in the 17-nation common euro currency.

Note 3: LINK TO PRIOR LETTER ON THIS TOPIC

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2013/01/big-questions-about-world-events.html

REFERENCES:
1. Problems of the Day, pt #1
2. Prout in A Nutshell – 15
3. Problems of the Day, #11
4 – 8. A Few Problems Solved Part 2, Social Values and Human Cardinal Principles

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Baba Story & Many More Things

Baba

This entire email is composed of 4 parts:
(1) Prabhat Samgiita #1389;
(2) Posting: Weapon to Bring Revolution;
(3) Posting: Baba Story – Blissful Days in Piskamor Office;
(4) Trailer Quote: Well Irrigation Is Disastrous.

Each section is demarcated by asterisks (*).

To: AM-GLOBAL
Date: Sat, 09 Feb 2013 22:38:04 +0000

Baba

“A’loker va’n baha’ye diyecho, a’ndha’r marute pra’n’ ja’gayecho…” P.S. 1389

Purport:

Baba, O’ Divine Entity, You have brought the flood of divine effulgence; You have given new life to the dark dry desert. Those hearts which could not bloom, now, by Your grace, they are blooming. You have filled those hearts, which were dry and barren, with Your love; they have started thinking & ideating in a devotional way. Baba, victory is Yours, victory is Yours. O’ my Lord, O’ Prabhu, victory is always Yours.

Baba, You have granted the prana of life to the stream that was lost in the burning desert, and to the flower bud which fell down and became one with the dust. That also was given life again by Your causeless grace. You also granted life to those green flower buds green and made them full of fragrance. You have showered them with Your causeless grace. Baba, nobody can understand Your liila.

O’ Supreme Being, You have healed the intellect that was battered by a host of obstacles. The rehearsed melody which was suppressed by the blow of crudeness, You filled that melody with the music of the seven notes, with the sweet soft touch of Your divine hands. In this way, the musical octave came onto this earth. Baba, it is Your grace You have brought music on this earth.

O’ Parama Purusa, O’ Baba, You have brought the flood of divine effulgence; You have given new life. O’ Lord, I surrender at Your lotus feet…

**** End of Prabhat Samgiita and start of the first letter ****

== WEAPON TO BRING REVOLUTION ==

Namaskar,
When Baba gave Prout He also detailed that our own Ananda Marga media outlets must be developed. At first, some margiis felt overwhelmed, even confused, thinking that this was beyond their means and abilities. But soon enough, with Baba’s pressure and grace, we had our own Prout newspapers and soundboards. Via this experience, all got the teaching that to propagate any new idea having mass media outlets is a must.

Whenever Baba would arrive in any unit or locale, then He would often insist on reading our local Prout newspaper or magazine before taking food. Only after reading our own periodicals, He would read the local or national newspaper.

Baba did all this to practically show us how important it was to have our own independent news outlets and be aware about what is happening with the media.

Today, every margii knows that we must have our own Prout journals, websites, films, talk shows, and printed media etc. Only by this way can we get our message out to the common people. This must be our approach in Ananda Marga.

PEOPLE GET DUPED BY CAPITALISTS’ MANIPULATED MEDIA

Baba’s overall guideline about the mass media is quite straightforward.

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Radio, television, films and other media must be free from exploitation and vested interests. (1)

By the talk on the street in democratic states where they tout freedom of the press, one would be led to believe that the press is categorically free – neither purchased nor affected by the ruling vaeshyas. This is what one is “told” & “taught”, but even in places like the US, the media is tightly run by capitalist enterprises. On the outside everything looks glossy and free, but it is not.

Baba says, “In liberal democracies, capitalists manipulate the mass media such as the radio, television and newspapers.” (2)

The sad thing is that the general public is not aware about this. They innocently rely on the media thinking they are getting the truth. They do not realise that the media is in the hands of capitalist interest groups. In that case, the people are bound to be duped and manipulated.

Baba says, “Demons in human framework – are really responsible. They come to the world and leave it in great ruins. During their lifetime, they fully utilize all the mass media. The common people become confused and cannot think beyond that which the mass media tell them. It is a general weakness of common people that they are inclined to believe whatever is printed in books and journals.” (3)

INSTEAD OF WRITING THE TRUTH, JOURNALISTS TURN DAY INTO NIGHT AND NIGHT INTO DAY

ACCORDING TO THE WISHES OF PROFITEERING CAPITALISTS

Here Baba explains how the media just becomes the mouthpiece of top vaeshyaas.

“The economic exploitation of the vaeshyas relegates the vipras to the level of intellectual satans, and the money of the vaeshyas controls the brains of those satans. In the Vaeshya Age intellectual progress occurs on many levels: new inventions are brought forth, new types of deadly weapon are invented, and people learn how to produce many types of commodity to increase comfort. Many people believe that these things are creations of the Vipra Age, but actually they are expressions of the Vaeshya Age. The vipras who sell themselves to the vaeshyas for money produce such items at their behest.”
“A deep analysis reveals that many of those whose creative and inventive ability once commanded the respect of innumerable people, become dependent upon the mercy of the vaeshyas for their food and clothing. Poets and [[authors]] write according to the dictates of their vaeshya publishers or in the hope of winning prizes from the vaeshya-controlled governments. Artists wield their brushes according to the demands of the market, or are compelled to produce commercial art, neglecting more subtle art forms in the process. Instead of writing the truth, journalists turn day into night and night into day according to the wishes of profiteering newspaper publishers because they are afraid of losing their jobs. They go against their own consciences and pervert the truth in order to help unworthy people become leaders. They create spectacular lies with their pens.” (4)

CONSCIOUSNESS RAISING:

ENSURE MASSES ARE CONSCIOUS ABOUT BEING EXPLOITED

Next, Baba poignantly alerts us that without first raising the awareness and standard of the masses, it is useless to try and mobilise into a revolutionary movement. First through our media outlets and pracara programs they should be taught how they are being exploited. Without that, they will never understand how or when to come forward.

“Before launching any movement, you should make sure that the masses are conscious of their exploitation, otherwise the movement will not be successful. Although it may take some time to raise the consciousness of the masses, ultimately you will be victorious.”
“A leader of the Maethilii community in Bihar wanted to start a movement against the exploitation of the Maethilii language, so he organized a massive rally and started to lecture the people about the suppression of Maethilii. Initially, everyone listened to him attentively and supported his ideas. At the end of his address he told the masses: “We will live for Maethilii, we will die for Maethilii.” But one person amongst the crowd shouted out: “Yes, we will live for Maethilii, but why should we die for Maethilii? Rather, I choose to die in Kashi.” According to mythology, if one dies in Kashi one goes to heaven. Immediately all the people started supporting this view, and as a result the meeting was disturbed. This happened because the people were not conscious of the suppression of their mother tongue, and they followed the path of religious dogma instead.” (5)

BABA’S WARNING

Here again is a final warning by Baba about the dangers of letting the media fall into the hands of the exploiters.

Baba says, “Psycho-economic exploitation is the latest form of dangerous and all-devouring capitalist exploitation. It is a special type of exploitation which first weakens and paralyses people psychologically in various ways, and then exploits them economically…placing the control of different mass media, such as newspapers, radio and television, in the hands of capitalists.” (6)

RELATED TEACHINGS

“Create a great social consciousness…In all spheres of human existence…humanity should live collectively. You should live in unison. You should vibrate together to the same music. You should move in a common psychic flow. You should fight collectively against your common enemies. Unitedly you should face all problems, mundane and supra-mundane. In a word, you must reflect the spirit of harmonious collective living in conformity with the spirit of the Vedic mantra Samgacchadhvam sam’vadadhvam.” (7)

“Without arousing social consciousness, it is next to impossible to bring about social welfare.” (8)

“Revolution may not take place unless the exploited masses are psychologically prepared for revolution. If the people do not support revolution, the clarion call for revolution will not be heeded.” (9)

“In order to save humanity from economic exploitation (whether politico-economic or psycho-economic), you must raise the people’s consciousness, otherwise they will never be able to successfully resist psycho-economic or politico-economic exploitation.” (10)

THE DAY IS NOT FAR WHEN…

Baba has given the proper technique for doing AM pracar: Media controlled and run by sadvipras.

As we know, Baba has graciously come on this earth and given Ananda Marga, neo-humanism and Prout and so many dharmic teachings. It is our duty to inform and awaken the people through our own Ananda Marga media outlets. Otherwise the message will not be delivered. To bring revolution the main weapon is the right use of media. Not only that, to do anything in any sphere of life, a proper media channel is needed. Without that, one will never get success.

In democracy, capitalists run the media; in communism the state controls the media, in totalitarian or theocratic regimes, the ruling dogmatic heads control the media. Exploiters know that to keep control having the media in their pocket is a must.

The day is not far when the revolutionary ways of Proutists will deliver the right message to the people. Once educated and mobilised, the people will have the requisite knowledge and courage to stand up and fight for justice in all the spheres of life.

It is our duty to empower the people with the right ideas via our media outlets.

Baba says, We are near the last stage of the Vaeshya Era. If an impact is created, it will help the suffering humanity. It is the most opportune moment for creating an all-round revolution. This is a new sub-theory under Proutistic theory and may be called gati vijina’na – the science of dynamics in PROUT.” (11)

Namaskar,
In Him,
Prakash

REFERENCES:
1. Prout in A Nutshell – 18
2. Prout in a Nutshell – 21
3. Liberation of Intellect: Neo-Humanism, Disc: 10
4. Human Society – 2, The Vipra Age
5. Prout in a Nutshell – 16, Three Cardinal Socio-Political Principles
6. A Few Problems Solved – 9
7. Namami Krsnasundaram, Disc: 26
8. Namami Krsnasundaram, Disc: 26
9. Prout Nutshell – 21
10. Liberation of Intellect: Neo-Humansim, ‘Exploitation & Pseudo-Culture’
11. A Few Problems Solved – 9

**** End of the first letter and start of the Baba story ****

To: AM-GLOBAL
Date: Sat, 09 Feb 2013 23:02:47 +0000

== BABA STORY: BLISSFUL TIMES IN THE PISKAMOR OFFICE ==

Namaskar,
Those days, at the Piskamor Central Office of Ananda Marga, one special type of kiirtan was going on. Kiirtan itself had just recently been introduced and this is the story of those blessed occasions.

Baba’s cot was placed in the lawn of the Central office, especially in the evening hours. This cot was in the middle of a small, grass circle that had a radius of only 3 feet. The outer band of that grass circle was a section of flowers, 1 ft in width.

And then Wts and margiis were dancing around Him singing kiirtan.

The cot itself was placed on the ground directly; there wasn’t any dais. We were also dancing on ground. So we were all on the same level and Baba was sitting in the nucleus – on that cot – just three feet away from the periphery. He was so very close. He was looking so attractive and we were moving closely around Him chanting His holy name.

All the devotees were ecstatically dancing around Baba while He was graciously sitting in lalita mudra. Baba’s cot was in the nucleus and we were all making a circle around the Him, singing Baba Nam Kevalam.

The whole scene was blissful and charged with devotional feeling. It was completely His grace. There was an unparalleled spiritual vibration that Baba created where all were pulled towards Him like small pieces of iron towards one massive, very strong magnet. Those present had very rare and unique devotional experiences. With that vibration, everything in the surrounding atmosphere was blissful. That was because of His divine grace.

So those were really blissful days in Ananda Marga. Even today when I think about that devotional scene then I feel goose bumps all over my body and a strong devotional pull in my heart. The memories bring on one spiritual surge.

SITTING IN LALITA MUDRA

The whole flow of that kiirtan was so charming. Baba was in lalita mudra – sitting with one leg crossed over the other with His one knee just a little bit raised above the other leg. So that one knee was about 2 feet above the cot and Baba had both His hands on His knee. All the time looking so attractive.

Many may also remember how in DMC Baba used to also sit in that mudra. Certainly sometimes He was also sitting in siddhasana and sometimes in easy posture; but many times He was in that lalit mudra. So it was Baba’s style to occasionally sit in like that.

And when sitting in that pose during those kiirtan sessions, then always Baba had a very calm and peaceful look on His face. Just He was sitting there quietly, closing His eyes. Indeed He looked so beautiful in that pose and during those kiirtan sessions the whole environment was saturated with His divine love.

Now when I think about that beauty, then I can feel as if some heaven descended on the Earth. Thinking about this gives a surge of vibration even now.

REPORTING WITH BABA

Side by side, many glorious Ananda Marga reporting sessions were also going on at His Piskamor office those days. And while on the outside in superficial way it was looking like Baba was very angry and being very harsh, but all along everyone present felt His divine sweetness. We felt that everything was going on was just His grace.

Because those days Baba was giving huge pressure for work and He was taking report while sitting on His rotating chair. And the air was electrified with His divine grace. Because even though scolding was going on, but internally everyone was feeling blissful and that their burdens of samskaras had been removed. Full feeling of freshness was there. So it was just His grace.

But on the outside it was looking very strict and serious. Because Baba was giving huge work targets, which were impossible to attain – like doing pracar in several thousand villages in just one week’s time. Yet side by side maximum pressure was given to satisfy those demands. And when Baba was taking report and seeing that all the work was not completed then all sorts of dramas were done and huge punishments were given.

That time Baba Himself was playing His drama and beating us with stick and if that was not enough then He ordered us to do 10,000 tik-tik. And as most know, tik tik is a code word & the full meaning is to catch both your ear lobes (lower part) with your opposite hand and sit down and stand up and sit down and stand up. And Baba would order us to go on doing 10,000 times.

This was all His loving drama. And all the devotees were enjoying and fulfilling their punishment by doing one tik-tik & counting out 50 or 100. And by this was their number would reach to 1000, 2000, and some 3000 etc. And then in grand fashion Baba would call out that everyone who finished 3000, they had fulfilled their quota. Because Baba being the Parama Purusa knew exactly what was going on.

So it was just His divine liila and we always we felt how this punishment was all given with His great compassion. Because at the time while all this was going on, then each then every devotee could feel Baba’s divine love radiating in their heart – even though on the outside His behavior was looking very tough.

And later on, by His grace, we realised that by giving us huge pressure of work, Baba was actually goading our minds unto the path of beatitude. Because this world is full of allurements and it is so easy for the mind to go astray. But when everyone had huge work demands on their head, then their was no scope to get caught up in the negative ways of maya. Rather by paying heed to Baba’s pressure for work, and concentrating in that way,then the mind remained in a completely positive stance. Always thinking and planning to do more and more selfless service for the humanity. So like this those heavy work demands which were impossible to complete, that was Baba’s special way of watching for our welfare and bringing us closer to Him. Because that pressure of forced us to keep our minds focused in His direction. So it is His blessing.

Hence all along, those days in the Piskmor office were ensconced in His blissful flow. Everyone felt cared for and loved. His grace was tangibly felt by one and all– whether by getting scolded or punished and feeling their samskaras peel away such that their whole body was feeling light and energized. Or devotees were feeling His grace by singing His name in kiirtan. So in all the ways being in Baba’s presence meant being ensconced in the blissful showering of His causeless grace.

BABA’S DIVINE MANNER

Here are some Ananda Marga guidelines that are highly related with the special, unique ways of Baba, the Sadguru.

Baba says, “Only to love is not the work of the Guru. One who only loves you is your enemy, and one who only punishes you is also your enemy. But the one who both loves and punishes in a balanced way is the real Guru.”
(Yoga Psychology, 98, p. 174)

Baba says, “Nigraha’nugrahe shakto guruityabhidhiiyate– ‘the guru must possess the capacity both to punish and to love, or bless, his disciples’. Punishment alone without love is not good. Love and punishment should go together, and the degree of punishment should never exceed the degree of love. Then only can one be called a real spiritual guru.” (15 March 1981)

BABA’S BLESSING

Here following are some especially inspiring words that show how He is eternally linked with one and all.

Baba says, “Now, the entity by whose grace one comes into contact with sat (sat, the non-changeable entity, the non-changeable stance, the non-changeable nuclear entity around which so many electrons move) – that entity, or rather, that framework through which Parama Purus’a is working or Ta’raka Brahma is functioning, is the Sadguru, `Sadgurum’ tvam’ nama’mi’ – `I do my namah before You, at Your altar’.” (Ananda Vacnamrtam part 3, p.48)

Namaskar,
at His lotus feet,
Pramod

Note 1: ABOUT PISKAMOR OFFICE

Baba’s office in Piskamor Ranchi was in one rented house approximately 1/2 kilometer from the old jagrti.

Note 2: IMPLICIT FAITH IN GURU

Those days most everyone was feeling how Baba’s every action was blissful. But a few unfortunate people could never get adjusted. So due to lack of devotion, or poor samskara, or whatever the case, due to these things they ran from the scene. Means some persons like Dada Nirmalanandaji Avt, Ac. Tadgatanandaji Avt, Ac. Prakashanandaji Avt., Ac Prashantanandaji Avt., Ac. Prajinanandaji Avt, they all left. So those who left are in the small, small minority. And their future is mostly dark till they rectify themselves. In contrast, devotees never have such problems because due to strong love for Baba they have implicit faith that what Guru does, that is based in supreme welfare motive.

The section below demarcated by asterisks is an entirely different topic,
completely unrelated to the above letter. It stands on its own as a point of interest.

****************************************
Well Irrigation Is Disastrous

“Question – What are the drawbacks of well irrigation?”

“Answer – Well irrigation causes the level of the water table to go down until the subterranean flow of water eventually dries up. Shortages of water due to well irrigation are not easily perceptible.”

“The negative effects of well irrigation include the following:”

“(1) All neighbouring shallow wells dry up creating the problem of the lack of drinking water.”

“(2) Trees, orchards and large plants don’t get sufficient water so they may wither and die. Green countryside will become a desert after 30 to 45 years of intensive well irrigation.”

“(3) In some deep tube wells elements or minerals which are harmful to the soil get mixed with the water, causing salinity, for example. As a result the land becomes unfit for cultivation and eventually becomes infertile.”

“(4) When the flow of well-water stops, irrigation tanks supplied by these wells also dry up.”

“Thus, well irrigation should be used only as a temporary measure because of the devastating effects it can have on the surrounding environment. Alternative methods of irrigation are river irrigation, irrigation from reservoirs, shift irrigation and lift irrigation.”

(Prout in a Nutshell – 14, Questions and Answers [on Society] – 3)

Note: Although some may think that impending water shortages and resultant disaster are fear mongering, but that is not the case. There is a limited supply of underground water. Around the globe, people are using underground water for drinking and irrigation by using pumps etc. Using underground water for drinking is ok, but it is extremely harmful to use underground water for irrigation purposes.

By this way, the water table is rapidly diminishing and a severe water crisis is threatening the earth.

Due to a lack of proper knowledge, serious problems are cropping up around the globe. Our duty is to follow Baba’s guidelines and educate others. To overlook the problem is to invite disaster.

Becuase of deep well irrigation, the water table is dropping. Plants and trees become dry and brittle. Extreme dryness invites fires. The vegetation gets destroyed. Without trees, there is no more rain. This brings drought which then leads to starvation, and ultimately death.

This is the eventual outcome wherever groundwater irrigation is in vogue.

So then what is the answer? How to irrigate? Rain water should be collected in ponds and reservoirs and used locally. That will solve the problem and offer an environmentally sound, renewable resource for our water needs, most critically, irrigation.
****************************************

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Why Baba Gives So Much Importance to Cultural Artifacts

To: AM-GLOBAL
Subject: Why Baba Gives So Much Importance to Cultural Artifacts
From: Shankar@passport4….com
Date: Fri, 01 Feb 2013 22:58:33

Baba

== WHY BABA GIVES SO MUCH IMPORTANCE TO CULTURAL ARTIFACTS ==

Namaskar,
Every Ananda Margii knows that Baba has taken great interest in artifacts and archeology. We should understand why, what our role should be, and how this relates to a recurring issue taken up around the globe.

To begin, here is Baba’s first-hand account.

“I went there to do archaeological research on Angadesh, in the Lachmiipur jungle area by the eastern border of the Khirkhiriya (Kśiirakśiriká) Hills. I found there many cave paintings from the Buddhist era. I even came across some artifacts that dated back to the beginning of humankind’s history in old Angadesh. In these hills humankind depicted its existence through many different varieties of drawings. From these it can be understood just how far back Angadesh’s history goes. If Karna is accepted as Anga’s first king, then Anga’s political history is over 3500 years old, but these cave paintings are signs of the first stage of prehistoric humans’ ascension through the annals of history. They are approximately twelve thousand to fifteen thousand years old. No writings are found with them because at that time humankind had not yet invented script.” (1)

The key point here is that Baba uses artifacts and archaeology as a means to create a proper history of that area. Thus far, around the world, what is often accepted as “history” presents a poor portrayal of what really happened. Through archaeology and the study of artifacts, Baba presents the proper historical record. And that is what He wants that we should do as well. Ananda Margiis and local archaeologists should unearth the truth about their area and tell the real story of those indigenous peoples. Their greatness and glory should be told, not forgotten.

“It heartens me to see young men like you,” I told the young man. “Go ahead and rescue Rarh’s archaeological artifacts from the ground and reconstruct the history of Bengal. Remove the defects from India’s historical record. Make the history of humankind resonate with the great message of humanity.” (2)

Indeed, the whole of human history needs to be retold based on the evidence gotten from archaeological findings. Because, tragically, up until today, the right and correct history has not been told.

““I am a child of Magadha. History has never done full justice to this land of Magadha. Every dust particle of its villages and markets is mixed with the gold-dust of its heritage but no one has properly recognized it or recorded it. The little that has been written about it has been written by foreign historians – some out of sport, some out of merriment.” (3)

Outside agents – primarily from imperialistic, western nations during the people of colonization – have created a skewed historical account and in so doing vastly undermined and exploited the feelings and sentiments of those native peoples and communities. Thus a double loss occurred: The right factual history was not presented and an inferiority complex was imposed on native populations.

Baba wants archaeology and artifacts used for telling the true history and boosting the morale of local peoples.

ARTIFACTS UTILIZED TO DISTORT HISTORY

To date, western powers have essentially scoured this earth for resources, power, wealth and more. Cultural artifacts were pillaged from lands around the world in order to heighten the economic dominance of those imperialistic nations and rob the local people of their self-worth, dignity, and self-esteem. Instead of using those artifacts as a means of recounting the real history and contributions of those native populations, foreign invaders stripped the land and the people of their wealth and integrity. In prior eras, various Mughal rulers exploited from inside the country (India), whereas western agents came from outside and returned back with their treasures.

Today, we see that the gems and jewels from Lord Krsna era embedded within the British crown, and the massive gold peacock throne (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peacock_Throne) unearthed from Indian soil by Mughal kings. This is the story of so many lands, not just India.

Yet now, various nations exploited in the past are demanding that their cultural artifacts be returned and their legacy restored. From South America to Greece and Turkey, and from the far east to Africa, those nations exploited and colonized by imperialists are demanding their cultural wealth be returned. This has been a recurring dialog, but is often met without much success.

CONTEMPORARY DEMANDS:

RETURN THEIR PRECIOUS ARTIFACTS

More and more countries now want their precious, cultural artifacts returned to their respective homelands.

The Greeks, the Egyptians, the Indians, the Filipinos, the Africans, the Peruvians, and so many others are now demanding that museums in places like New York, London, and Paris etc return their precious artifacts.

This stands as one recurring theme these last few years in newspapers, dailies, magazines, blogs, and discussion forum across the globe. Some of the important questions include:

(1) Why were those artifacts stolen / taken in the first place?

(2) Who now is the rightful owner of those pieces?

As the issue comes more and more to the fore, it is needed that we discuss, understand, and know the Proutistic position.

WHAT ARE THESE ARTIFACTS

&

BABA’S ARCHAEOLOGICAL TOURS

By the term ‘artifacts’, we are talking about statues, engravings, idols, sculptures, carvings, paintings, books, manuscripts, cave drawings, and pottery etc that are thousands of years old – all of which are priceless and provide a unique window into the cultural heritage of a people.

So these artifacts are of great importance, and we should also remember that Baba Himself places a huge emphasis on this as He has spent countless days and tours unearthing and examining artifacts of old.

Baba says, “Each day I would go to one or two different spots in the Suvarnarekha River valley in search of archaeological artifacts of ancient Rarh. One day, while searching in a spot near Muri in the Silli area, I came across a fossilized fragment of a mammoth jaw with part of the tusk still attached. I knew I had found something important. There was no doubt that it would add lustre to the cultural heritage of Rarh.” (4)

And indeed, so many of the documented accounts in Shabda Cayanika are about Baba’s various archaeological explorations, plus in 1984 He did an entire DMC tour of north India which focused exclusively on the ancestry and archeology of so many regions & places.

Hence, the overall importance of such artifacts cannot be denied.

Certainly, today, all these artifacts have become priceless – whether they be from ancient Greece and Rome or from the hillsides of Nepal or Chile. Even then, money was not always the main aim behind the capturing of those artifacts ages ago. There was something else at stake.

INFUSE AN INFERIORITY COMPLEX

Wherever imperialists made colonies they stole and / or destroyed artifacts and treasures and enslaved the local people by injecting an inferiority complex. By this way they became easy targets for further exploitation by those imperialistic powers.

The history of those colonies was written by European scholars. They painted the picture as if before they arrived, those indigenous people had nothing. This left a deep inferiority complex upon that populace for future generations. Those local people felt they were the descendants of forefathers that had no greatness or glory. When that is not at all correct. Yet by this way, those local communities were pushed down and exploited by imperialists year after year, generation after generation etc.

Here is more of that dark history.

ROBBING A PEOPLE OF THEIR HERITAGE & CULTURAL HISTORY:

USE MISUSE ABUSE AND THEFT OF CULTURAL ARTIFACTS

When the various colonial powers scoured the earth in the 15th, 16th, & 17th centuries and beyond, then their chief aim was power and control. In brief, they wanted to rob & pillage various peoples and communities of everything they had. In order to do that, they needed to break the cultural backbone of those people. So they stripped those people of their very own cultural history and legacy.

Baba says, “Whenever the sentimental legacy of a group of people is undermined, they become easy prey to the economic, political and psycho-economic exploitation of vested interests. Such a strategy of cultural suppression was adopted by the English, French, Dutch, Spanish, American and other colonial powers.” (5)

Thus, the taking of those artifacts – like Parthenon / Elgin Marbles or the pottery and artwork of the Incas – was not only done because those colonial powers thought that one day those artifacts would become priceless, but because they wanted to deny those cultures of any self-worth. Then those subjugated peoples would be prime targets of exploitation.

Baba says, “It is proper for human beings to struggle for political freedom, for social emancipation; but if their cultural backbone is broken, then all their struggles will end in nothing…If one’s spine is shattered, it is impossible to hold one’s head erect.” (6)

So that was the essence behind the thievery. Those colonial powers wanted to annihilate the life-force of those peoples in order to steal everything they had and dominate them. And the fastest method of doing so was denying them of their cultural heritage.

That was the chief reason why those colonial powers stole those artifacts. Yes, they wanted to display those precious items in their museums. Yes, they thought those artifacts were priceless. But the main factor was to smother the spirit of the people and thus perpetuate their cycle of exploitation..

REMOVE ALL PSYCHIC INFERIORITY COMPLEXES

Here below, Baba points out that in order for a people to restore themselves and stand up again, then they must become in tune with the immense value of their cultural heritage. Once they develop respect and pride by understanding their own cultural heritage, then they can no longer be suppressed or exploited.

To this end, Baba traveled all around to correct the history and make it proper using archaeology as His chosen tool. By this way He is teaching us that archaeologists and margiis should do the same in their country and provide the correct history to the people. Local communities should not be subjected to exploitation by outside forces. Those native populations should be fortified with their own self-worth. Otherwise they easily fall prey to the prevailing dominant culture.

During his travels, wherever Baba went, He documents the ways and specialties of the common people. He documented their history and highlighted their contributions and efforts such as their crafts and art. This was His regular manner wherever He went.

Plus in Lake Gardens, He had His own museum to safely store artifacts and fossils found in Ananda Nagar and other local areas. Those items included dinosaur eggs, bones, stones, rocks etc.

Thus, whether while traveling or in Ananda Nagar, Baba did not collect fancy stones or jewels per se, but rather those common items that told the story of those peoples and lands.

This was Baba’s way of showing us how to document and preserve the talents and dignity of those peoples.

IGNORANCE OF CULTURAL HERITAGE BRINGS INFERIORITY COMPLEXES

Baba says, “If local people develop a sublime awareness of their cultural heritage they can readily throw off all psychic inferiority complexes which prevent them from attaining socio-economic self-reliance.” (7)

So one’s cultural heritage is a key facet of being able to stand up in this world. And here below Baba emphasizes how cultural heritage – such as the preservation of artifacts – is a significant aspect of our samaj theory.

Baba says, “Those who share a similar cultural legacy and uniform socio-economic potential will then be well-established in each region.” (8)

PROUTISTIC VIEW:

THE STOLEN ITEMS MUST BE RETURNED

According to Ananda Marga and Prout, the various museums in England, New York, France, and Boston etc must return those cultural artifacts to their respective communities.

Thus today when the Greeks are asking for the return of the Parthenon / Elgin Marbles, and when museums in the western powers are filled with artifacts made by the ancient peoples of faraway lands, then there is no option but to return the cultural legacy to those respective communities. That is what must be done.

HOW COLONIAL POWERS SUBJUGATED FORMER COLONIES

In order to exert continued dominance over their former colonies, western imperial powers created museums featuring all the artifacts and cultural legacies from those land which they had ruled. Now in this present era, they continue to justify why they should be the curators of those artifacts.

“Museums furnished by colonial looting have largely shaped the way a nation imagines its dominion, the nature of the human beings under its power, the geography of the land, and the legitimacy of its ancestors, working to suggest a process of political inheriting. It is necessary to understand the paradoxical way in which the objects on display at museums are tangible reminders of the power held by those who gaze at them. Eliot Colla describes the structure of the Egyptian sculpture room in the British Museum as an assemblage that “form[s] an abstract image of the globe with London at the center”. The British Museum, as Colla describes, presents a lesson of human development and progress: “the forward march of human civilization from its classical origins in Greece and Rome, through Renaissance Italy, to modern-day London”.”
“The restoration of monuments was often made in colonial states to make natives feel as if in their current state, they were no longer capable of greatness. Furthermore, sometimes colonial rulers argued that the ancestors of the colonized people did not make the artifacts. Some scholars also argue that European colonialists used monumental archaeology and tourism to appear as the guardian of the colonized, reinforcing unconscious and undetectable ownership. Colonial rulers used peoples, religions, languages, artifacts, and monuments as source for reinforcing European nationalism, which was adopted and easily inherited from the colonial states.” (from Wikipedia; reference below)

Arguments for repatriation
* Encyclopedic museums such as the British Museum, Musée du Louvre and Metropolitan Museum of Art were established as repositories for looted art during imperial and colonial rule, and thus are located in metropolitan cities out of view and reach of the cultures they were appropriated from.
* Precedence of repatriated art has already have been set in many cases but the artworks that museums currently refuse to repatriate are the most valuable and famous artworks.
* Foreign-led excavations have justified colonial rule; in the pursuit of obtaining knowledge about the artifacts, there was a need to establish control over the artifacts and the countries where they were located.
* The argument that art is a part of a universal human history is a derivative of colonial discourse that appropriated ancient art of other cultures into the Western historical narrative.
* The encyclopedic museums that house much of the world’s artworks and artifacts are located in Western cities and privilege European scholars, professionals and people.
* The argument that artwork will not be protected outside of the Western world is hypocritical as much of the artwork transported out of colonized countries was crudely removed and damaged and sometimes lost in transportation. The Elgin marbles for example, were also damaged during the cleaning and “preservation” process.
* Art is best appreciated and understood in its original historical and cultural context.
* Art taken out of the country as a spoil of war, looting, imperialism, and colonialism is unethical, even if it isn’t reflected in legislation. The possession of artwork taken under these conditions is a form of continued colonialism.
* The lack of existing legal recourse for claiming the return of illicitly appropriated cultural property is a result of colonization.
* Cultural property is a symbol of cultural heritage and identity and the appropriation of historical artworks is an affront to a nation’s pride. (from Wikipedia; reference below)

On the positive side, there are some few cases where imperialistic nations are returning the artifacts to their country of origin – such as France’s return of artifacts to Korea.

http://www.balanceofculture.com/2011/05/france-returns-cultural-artifacts-they-stole-from-korea-in-1866.html

But such instances are not the norm – still tremendous numbers of cultural artifacts critical to a country’s cultural legacy remain in the halls and showrooms of imperialistic nations.

THE STAND OF PROUT

By Baba’s grace, rationality will prevail and the cultural legacy of the people will be restored, thus helping to undo some of the countless harms done during the Colonial Era. As Proutists, we must encourage all the peoples of the world to stand up and have a voice – and to do that they must be aware of the greatness of their own cultural heritage.

Baba says, “PROUT always stands for the cause of exploited people, irrespective of race, nation, religion etc., and always opposes all types of exploitation.” (9)

BABA’S RELATED TEACHINGS

(A) This below account from Baba demonstrates how He puts history together from archaeological findings.

“The first step forward in human civilization was the discovery of fire. The second step forward was the discovery of iron. The third step forward was the invention of the wheel. That human clan of the prehistoric era which first discovered fire was considered the most civilized and advanced clan of its time. Gradually the use of fire became prevalent in all human communities. Thereafter, that community which first learned the use of iron leapt over the boundary of the stone age, bone age and bronze age, and was considered to have the most advanced civilization. The use of iron brought a new unfolding to the movement of human history, a new radiance. At that time the wheel had not yet been invented, and thus there were no vehicles. Later, with the help of iron, human beings produced the wheel. They learned to wage war seated in vehicles mounted on wheels. By sharpening the edge of the wheel they invented a weapon called the discus. The boomerang is also a type of discus used by the Maoris of Australia. In India and Central Asia people learned the use of the wheel in very ancient times, but no matter how long ago they learned it, they learned it after they learned the use of iron. That is, first they invented the chariot wheel, then afterwards turned the wheel into a weapon.”
“At one time, the ancient Mayan civilization of America was more advanced than many other civilizations, but because they lagged behind in the invention of the wheel, they were forced in subsequent times to acknowledge their defeat at the hands of other civilizations. The oldest existing artifacts of the Mayan civilization give evidence to advanced ways of life but no wheel. One should keep in mind that the Sanskrit name for America, Máyádviipa, came from the name of the Mayan civilization. During the Chola, Páńd́ya, and Pahlava dynasties of the Indian Middle Ages there was contact between America and India – this was before Columbus’s discovery of America.” (10)

(B) Next Baba recounts how in the past thieves stole artifacts thereby denying people fo their cultural legacy.

“During the Buddhist and Puranic eras, indeed, even during the Pathan era as well, the Dákrás used to gather gold particles from the sand of this river which they would then melt down to remove the base metals and extract the pure gold. During that time many of the archaeological artifacts made in this Suvarnarekha valley were fashioned of pure gold, but they fell into the hands of thieves so they are no longer found today.” (11)

(C) Here Baba explains how those early artisans used to work.

“At the beginning of civilization, the desire to create arts and crafts arose in the human mind. At that time artisans used to work at home, and arts and crafts were produced in cottage industries. Men, women, boys and girls – all participated in the creation of arts and crafts. Later people realized that some arts and crafts could not be produced in every village, so certain artifacts were produced by a few combined villages. If artisans had not combined together, they would have suffered losses in the market place, and their numbers would have been significantly reduced. So gradually human beings started to go and work in places where production was done collectively, or the first factories. At that time the few industries that existed were decentralized.” (12)

(D) This following excerpt is a description of one outing Baba made.

“I had gone at the time to a village in Nawada subdivision of Gaya district in search of archaeological artifacts from Magadha. This place was more or less in the Kśuri river basin. At the southwest it bordered the historically renowned Grdhrakút́ mountain where the Buddha performed spiritual austerities and later gave his spiritual teaching.” (13)

(E) This next teaching show how asian nations came under exploitation by outside powers.

“The Asian countries, in spite of their long heritage of morality and spirituality, have been subject to great humiliation during periods of foreign invasion. While the higher knowledge of philosophy propagated by the oriental sages and saints has been accepted as a unique contribution to the store house of human culture and civilization, the people of these lands could not resist the foreign invaders. The history of all the Asian countries, a region of so many religions, has been dominated by foreign powers for centuries together. This imbalance brought about their material deprivation and political subjugation.” (14)

(F) This is a formula for how people get trapped under a heap of inferiority complexes and become subject to exploitation.

“The use of non-local languages as the medium of instruction only results in the suppression and subjugation of the local language and inevitably means the suppression of the local culture. This in turn leads to psychic demoralization, inferiority complexes and a defeatist mentality. Whenever the sentimental legacy of a group of people is undermined, they become easy prey to the economic, political and psycho-economic exploitation of vested interests. Such a strategy of cultural suppression was adopted by the English, French, Dutch, Spanish, American and other colonial powers. If local people develop a sublime awareness of their cultural heritage they can readily throw off all psychic inferiority complexes which prevent them from attaining socio-economic self-reliance.” (15)

(G) Next Baba highlights how museums should faithfully and aptly preserve all cultural artifacts.

“Deities should be preserved in museums, and temples should be restored to maintain the cultural and historical heritage of the country.” (16)

(H) Here is Baba’s call to all peoples in all lands.

“We have to save our cultural life, we have to save our heritage, by linking the bright past to the brighter future with the golden cord of universalism.” (17)

Namaskar,
In Him,
Shankar

REFERENCES:
1. Shabda Cayanika – 2, Discourse: 9
2. Shabda Cayanika – 2, Discourse: 8
3. Shabda Cayanika – 1
4. Shabda Cayanika – 2 (Disc: 8)
5. A Few Problems Solved – 9
6. Liberation of Intellect: Neo-Humanism, Disc: 7
7. A Few Problems Solve – 9
8. Proutist Economics
9. Prout in Nutshell – 13
10. Shabda Cayanika – 1, Áṋka to Ád́hya (Discourse 4)
11. Shabda Cayanika – 2 (Disc: 8)
12. Decentralized Economy -2
13. Shabda Cayanika – 1, Discourse: 6
14. Prout in a Nutshell – 18
15. A Few Problems Solved – 9
16. Prout Nutshell – 16
17. Prout Nutshell – 17, The Significance of Language

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Who Can Follow Dadaji’s “Great” Examples #2

To: AM-GLOBAL
From: Shantatma.93@add-ont-
Date: Wed, 30 Jan 2013 23:22
Subject: Who Can Follow Dadaji’s “Great” Examples #2

== WHO CAN FOLLOW DADAJI’S “GREAT” EXAMPLES ==

~ Part 2 ~

(Note: This the second letter in this series. A link to the first letter has been appended below. – Eds)

Namaskar,
“Dada Shivananda [a.k.a. Ac Samanvayananda Svt] left Baba and the AMPS organisation, and in a challenging display created his own separate organization, “Prema Marga”. That time, Dadaji established his own office in the foothills of the Himalayas at Dehradun.”

“Let us not forget that in those days, Baba was in jail. It was during those difficult times in Ananda Marga when maximum support was needed that Dada Samanvayanandji left and created his own organization to compete against Ananda Marga. The need of the hour was to stand firmly by Guru and raise the flag of Ananda Marga. Those days, so many margiis and acaryas withstood the onslaught and backlash of the negative forces, i.e. Mrs Indhira Gandhi’s exploitative machine. Margiis and wts were forced into hiding, imprisoned, tortured, and humiliated. All the while Guru was in jail. No true Ananda Margii could ever think to leave in such a moment – never.”

“Yet, in that critical moment, when Baba was in jail and workers margiis were also suffering, Dada Samanvayanandji left to enjoy his own self-created guru-ship, and establish his own separate organization: Prema Marga. So while dedicated Ananda Margiis stood by Guru, Dada Samanvayanandji fled to establish his own so-called glory. This is not the quality of a disciple, but rather a case of betrayal. Or what should we call it.”

FURTHER REVIEW OF DADAJI’S APPROACH

When Guru was in jail then true Ananda Margiis bravely took a strong stand and faced a lot of trouble and suffering in various ways. We all have deep respect for them.

But what respect should one have for Dada Samanvayanandji when he betrayed Baba and left Him during that very crucial time when Baba was in jail. Then years and years after Baba was released, Dada Samanvayanandji painted his own black face with white oil paint and appeared before margiis around the mid of 1984 as a great saint, as if nobody knew about his hypocrisy and betrayal to Baba.

“In this calculated manner, Dadaji did not return to Ananda Marga in 1977 when Baba graciously pardoned and welcomed everyone. Nor, did Dada Samanavayananda return when Baba Himself was released from jail in August 1978. Weeks turned into months, and months turned into years.”

“Ananda Marga was growing by leaps and bounds. Baba performed the grandest dharma samiiksa in the history of humanity. Ananda Marga was fast spreading all around the globe. The organization was growing in size exponentially. Still Dada Samanvayananda was nowhere to be seen. Dadaji was still leading the life as “guru” in his ashram. Time and again, Dadaji’s friends like Aksarananda had pleaded with him to return, but to no avail.”

“It was not until around 1984 or so, that Dada Samanvayananda showed up…”

“All in all, Dadaji was away from Ananda Marga for 11 years. When he was needed most to help in difficult times, he was entirely absent – just enjoying the high life as a self-appointed guru.”

“Even worse, after that time, Dada Samanvayanandji never expressed repentance or remorse for what happened in those days.”

When the good days of Ananda Marga came, Dadaji returned back because his fake guruship of Prema Marga was not as beneficial / enticing as posing as a great avadhuta in Ananda Marga and befooling margiis to enhance his prestige. Such was the extent of his hypocrisy.

Then after ’90, Dadaji jumped into a very high post. Who will appreciate his hypocritical behavior. I don’t think that any true margii and worker will appreciate Dadaji’s manner.

As a brother we certainly love him, but he is not an example to follow.

In his later years, one ruling group made Dada Samanvayanandji their priest; and Dada Samanvayanandji moved all around the globe giving his sermons like the Pope of Rome. And he praised himself along with his so-called illustrious past. So he was shameless up to the very end. Never did he express an ounce of repentance for his betrayal and wrongdoing.

WHAT WE CAN LEARN FROM DADAJI:

WHAT NOT TO DO

About hypocritical people Baba’s guideline is very strong. Please read below.

Baba says “Hypocrites must not be tolerated.” (1)

Baba says “Hypocrites are those who betray. Don’t forgive till his nature is reformed. Immediate forgiveness is a special weakness of mind. It results in worse harm to society.” (2)

“Sincerity is reflected in actions, not in words only. One who displays sincerity in words but not in actions is a hypocrite. You should not tolerate hypocrites.” (3)

Everybody in this universe can forget Dada’s back-stabbing to Marga Guru. But true margiis and Wt’s cannot.

Not forgetting means, not following Dada Samanvayananda’s negative example. No matter the circumstances one must stand with Guru and not drift away seeking glory elsewhere. Yet that is what Dadaji did. He left Baba and he left Ananda Marga.

As a brother we love him, yet as an acarya and disciple, his example is nothing but a black stain. None should fall into a similar demise. That is the learning we should take from his life on this earth: What not to do.

HOW A DISCIPLE SHOULD BE

Here below Baba uses the analogy of a pitcher of water to delineate who is a proper disciple.

“The worst category [of disciples] are likened to pitchers placed inversely in a tub of water. Such pitchers contain water as long as they are kept in the tub, but as soon as they are taken out, all the water pours out. These disciples acquire spiritual knowledge when they are in close contact with the preceptor, but as soon as they are apart from the preceptor they forget all his teachings.”

“The best category of disciples are like pitchers positioned right side up. When such pitchers are put in a tub of water, there is water both inside them and all around them; and even when they are removed from the tub, they remain full to the brim with water. These disciples carefully preserve in the jewel caskets of their hearts whatever they learn from their preceptor.” (4)

So Baba is very specific. The lowest grade of disciples immediately forget all they have learned from the Preceptor the moment they are separated from the Preceptor. They are like the pitch that is upside-down in the tub. Once of of the tub – once away from the preceptor – they forget everything.

In contrast, the best disciples always remember Sadguru’s teachings always. They are like an upright pitcher – filled to the brim with Guru’s guidelines. Nothing gets lost – ever. Always they keep His teachings near and dear to them. Such a disciple can never think to run off in the hour of need and create their own ashram.

All should consider which category Dada Samanvayananda falls in.

SEE WITH PROPER EYES

In the general society, people’s quality, qualifications and attributions are measured on the grounds of superficial measures, but we do not follow such an approach in Ananda Marga.

(a) In present-day Indian Politics, brutality and hypocrisy is the criteria for gaining a high post. In the past it was not like that. There was hypocrisy but now criminal behaviour is the top-most qualification. This is a dogma.

(b) In general religious Indian psychology, the saffron robe has a lot of meaning. It gives deep respect. There is a religious teaching that “Don’t see the merit and demerit of the person who is wearing saffron dress. One must think that person is great. Whoever is using that dress is God’s representative. Don’t see their character and behaviour.” But all Margis know that this is one dogma.

(c) In the general Indian society, age is also one of the factors. White hair, white beard, wrinkled skin is one qualification. Even if that person is a hypocrite. This is also dogma.

(d) And in general capitalist society, money is the criteria to measure someone. In town, if you ask “who is most important”, the answer will be that person who is the richest. Money is the main qualification. And this is also dogma.

CONDUCT IS THE MAIN PARAMETER IN ANANDA MARGA

In Ananda Marga all these above characteristics have no value, as they are all superficial parameters that have nothing to do with the person’s behaviour and conduct. It is on this standard – i.e. conduct – that every sadhaka should evalauate Dada Shivananda / Samanvayananda. Indeed, history itself will evaluate Dadaji in this way.

“Actions and not logic establish one’s superiority.” (5)

“Conduct is the principal factor in dharma.” Be a sadácárii, a person of good conduct, and you will surely attain Paramátman.” (6)

“Your ideal is represented by your conduct. Your learning, your social or economic status have nothing to do with your ideal.” (7)

HE CREATED HIS OWN PARALLEL BOOK OF SUTRAS

Here is one highly objectionable point that is completely related with this topic. As we all know Baba has graciously given Ananda Sutram as the seed teaching of Ananda Marga philosophy. Those sutras are eternal truths that perfectly outline His divine teachings and ideology. They are extraordinary and wholly unique. They come directly from Cosmic Mind and they cannot be imitated by anyone else. For any true disciple it is unthinkable to write a book of sutras that would in any way parallel, challenge, or undermine Ananda Sutram.

Yet that is exactly what Dada Samanvayanandji has done. He wrote his own separate book of sutras – titled Ananda Shatakam – which is distinct from Sadguru’s teaching.

And in his book – Ananda Shatakam – Samanvayanandji is proclaiming that if his sutras are followed then one will achieve liberation.

Ac. Samanvayanandji wrote in his book Ananda Shatakam on p.131 last para “Bhagavat….Paraman Padinca…”

Then Dadaji explained: “Those who not only read but follow the instruction noted herein (of Ananda Shatakam) with interest and care, they will surely overcome the delusion of this world and cross the stormy ocean of living in this world.” (p.131, Ananda Shatakam)

Thus Dadaji guaranteed liberation by following his personal teaching. Such is his audacity: To guarantee liberation and write a text that challenges the authority of Ananda Sutram.

JUST A COPY OF HINDU DOGMA: HANUMAN CHALISA

Actually, Dada Samanvayanandji’s approach is nothing but an offshoot of Hindu dogma – the Hanuman Chalisa. The Hanuman Chalisa was written to impose and inject a fear complex into the general public. The aim was to force people to worship the god monkey, Hanuman.

To this end, the poet Tulsidaas wrote “Hanuman Chalisa'”. The edict was made that by reciting the Hanuman Chalisa daily, one will attain liberation. And if anyone does not recite the Hanuman Chalisa they will suffer. If the dogmatic poet of the Hindu religion would not have injected the fear complex then surely nobody would have appreciated to worship the monkey.

Human psychology is that people like to believe or pray that some divine being in human form is their god – not some monkey. So it is the power of the fear complex of that poetry that misguided / forced Hindu people to chant every day the Hanuman chalisa hymn, means the monkey god eulogy.

Following is the stanza of that dogmatic monkey god hymm: ‘Jo satbar…mahasukha hoi’. The meaning is that those who repeat those Hanuman Chalisas (eulogy of Hanuman monkey god) will get liberation and be free from all worldly problems, like money, matter, ghost etc.

So with fear Hindu dogmatic people are repeating this.

In the same way our Dada Samanvayanandji tried to impose his book Ananda Shatakam on margiis by creating a fear complex. It is obvious to all that Dada Samanvayananda did the same dogmatic technique as the dogmatic Hindu poet did.

MORE ABOUT THIS DOGMA

Certainly, those living in India know very well about the monkey god Hanuman but for overseas readers let me please tell something more. The god Hanuman belongs to the ape family. He has a long tail and his face is like a monkey. It is not even a human being; Hanuman is one monkey. That is why one name of the monkey is Hanuman. And Chalisa’ means eulogy. Every Hindu dogmatic person is well aware of these things but for the benefit of overseas margiis it is meaningful to explain the matter in full.

However, the main point is that this dogma of the monkey god is deeply rooted in all fundamental Hindus’ mind. And every day they must repeat it minimum one time – especially when they feel fear of ghost. The dogma is that by repeating the monkey god name, ghosts will not come and monkey god worshippers will ultimately reach the goal of liberation and all desires will be fulfilled. And those who disrespect this will themselves burn in hell fire. Because of this dogmatic belief, Hindu people are afraid and they are repeating the Hanuman Chalisa with deep reverence.

So Dada Samanvayanandji unfortunately also suffered from the attachment to Hindu dogma. Clearly Dada carried this dogma on his head – otherwise what was the need for him to write his own separate book of sutras, that goes totally contrary. Dadaji imposed one falsehood that if any margii will believe,respects, and chants his sloka then surely they will get liberation, as if there is no need of astaunga yoga sadhana. Only his Ananda Shatakam will work as the divine ship to across the ocean of maya.

Such is the audacity of Samanvayananda Dada.

FINAL THOUGHT & GUIDELINE

Here I close this letter with Baba’s guideline: Ananda Marga acaryas must lead by their conduct. That alone is what qualifies them as an acarya. So those whose conduct is not good are not…

“Those who have the responsibility to show the path to others should be of superlative character with the most refined conduct. They and their followers must move constantly towards all-round development and shreya [ultimate spiritual attainment]. Persons who teach such well-regulated behaviour to others by their own conduct are called ácáryas.” (8)

“An ácárya or ácáryá should always instruct by his or her exemplary actions and words.” (9)

Namaskar,
in Him,
Shantatma

Note 1: LINK TO PREVIOUS LETTER IN THIS SERIES

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2013/01/who-can-follow-dadajis-great-example.html

Note 2: REFERENCES

1. Carycacarya
2. Caryacarya – 2, Society, #6
3. Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 23, Silent Action
4. Ananda Marga Ideology and Way of Life -9, Tantra and Sádhaná
5. Caryacarya – 2, Sadhana, pt #15
6. Subhasita Samgraha – 21, Niiti and Dharma
7. Ananda Vanii #13
8. Ananda Vacanamrtam – 31, Conduct of An Acarya
9. Ananda Vacanamrtam – 31, Conduct of An Acarya

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How An Ordinary Person Becomes An Intellectual Satan

Date: Mon 28 Jan 2013 22:47:31 -0000
From: “Liiladhar Deva”
To: AM-GLOBAL
Subject: How An Ordinary Person Becomes An Intellectual Satan

Baba

== HOW AN ORDINARY PERSON BECOMES AN INTELLECTUAL SATAN ==

Namaskar,
Here following is one critical teaching from Baba about how those who accrue knowledge, without the spirit of welfare, pollute their own mind and endanger the greater society.

“The endeavour to assimilate things in the spiritual world is harmless and blameless. And the attempt to assimilate something in the psychic world, if it is directed towards the welfare of humanity, is also harmless. Otherwise, it pollutes the minds of people and makes them intolerant: it leads to conflicts between dogmas and theories and degrades people to the level of animality.”

“In the past, the world has witnessed many struggles between dogmas, which have caused much bloodshed; this was a regular occurrence in the Medieval Age. And in the present day also, we witness clashes between one theory and another, which cause no less bloodshed; rather the bloodshed is greater than before. The degree of intolerance has increased immeasurably. People have lost faith in their fellow human beings; one state has lost faith in other states. In all spheres of life these days, people think one thing, say another thing, and do something entirely different. That is, hypocrisy is now at its peak.”

“Now the question is: What is the motivation behind this? It is the tendency to assimilate ideas without the spirit of welfare – and, still more than this, the tendency to acquire the objects of material enjoyment in ever-increasing quantities.”

“So whether in the material world or in the intellectual world, the predominant tendency that makes today’s people, both individually and collectively, rush headlong without control, is the instinct of greed. The propensity of greed, if not controlled by rationality, or benevolent intellect, or spiritual practices, will lead to premature death. Nothing can save human beings from this. This instinct of greed has brought the present humanity to such a state that people no longer consider anything as sinful. Rather, they consider the “sin psychology” as a mental weakness, and the worst of sins are being glorified as the height of intellect, not only indirectly, but also openly.” (Shivas Teachings – 1 (continued) (Discourse 10))

CHIEF CAUSE:

ACQUIRING KNOWLEDGE DEVOID OF ANY WELFARE MOTIVE

In His above teaching, Baba clearly warns us that when people gain knowledge goaded by self-interest and not the motive of welfare, then the outcome is extremely harmful. That is the main guideline which Baba has expressed above. Tragically, that is what we see happening in this modern era.

In result, this earth has become “poisonous”, where people have lost faith in their fellow humans. The root cause is one: Assimilating ideas without the spirit of welfare, i.e. acquiring knowledge for a selfish agenda, devoid of concern for others.

In their persistent quest for expansion, people are gaining more and more knowledge. Yet when that knowledge is not fortified with a benevolent outlook and a welfare motive, it is misused. People are employing their brains and intellect for harming, cheating, and deceiving others. They engage in clashes over one theory and another which cause tremendous bloodshed. In result, this earth has become unlivable for the common person.

The chief cause: Acquiring knowledge devoid of any welfare motive, just for selfish ends.

Most are increasing their intellectual capacity so they can gain the upper hand to achieve their selfish agenda. With their insatiable hunger for acquisition, people are hoarding psychic and physical wealth. Out of greed, they are willing to harm and hurt innocent people. This leads to conflicts over various dogmas and theories. There is a blatant lack of concern for others – what to speak of those high ideals of selflessness and sacrifice. Those ideals are essentially absent.

For these reasons, people have literally lost their regard for their fellow human beings. They look upon others with suspicion, fear, ambivalence, hatred, jealousy, and skepticism. All trust is gone. That is the unfortunate trend of this modern era.

And again the chief cause is one: Acquiring knowledge devoid of welfare motive and using that for selfish endeavors.

Bear in mind, knowledge is very important. One should learn. When accompanied by a benevolent intention, that knowledge can be used to help others and do great things on this earth. Goaded by self-interest, that knowledge will only harm society. In that case, knowledge is dangerous. Those who thirst after knowledge for selfish reasons are deadly. That is the main problem on this globe nowadays – knowledge for selfish pursuits leads to conflicts between dogmas and theories in the form of war, exploitation, and the imposition of harmful doctrines. These poisons are engineered by demons who have a lot of knowledge but are extremely selfish and crooked. They are the cause of countless massacres, and much bloodshed and infighting.

Beware of intellectuals who acquire knowledge without any service mentality – they are very dangerous. That is Baba’s explicit warning. We should be careful.

Namaskar,
Liiladhar Deva

The section below demarcated by asterisks is an entirely different topic, completely unrelated to the above letter.
It stands on its own as a point of interest.

********************************************
Common People, Who Through Their Sweat And Blood,

Provide Vitality To Human Society – We Can’t Ignore

“Social progress is not and can never be achieved by individual effort. Some people lend their brains, others their hands, and others their legs. If we consider things carefully, to say that the legs are inferior and that the brain is superior, or that the brain has no value – that intellectuals are always exploiters and manual labourers are all that count – are both equally dangerous ways of thinking. The most important point to consider is who has utilized his or her ability and to what extent. Hanuman [the mighty monkey, a devotee of Rama in the mythological epic the Rámáyańa] fetched huge boulders to build a bridge across the sea, while the squirrels collected small pebbles. Yet intrinsically both these actions have the same value. We have no right to question anybody’s sincerity, nor can we scoff at it. We cannot give more appreciation to those who have not utilized their potentialities properly but have done more work than to those who have fully utilized their talents.”

“Days roll on. Empires, wealth and valorous human deeds ride on the wings of time, creating only brief flashes of brilliance. Against this panorama the efforts of common people, like those of the squirrels, do not receive recognition – they are like stones lost in the shadows of towering mountains. The leaders of society perform outstanding feats which are recorded in glowing letters in the annals of history. The students of later ages do research on them. But the common people, who carried the golden banners of these heroes, disappear into oblivion. If we try to think of all of them, we will never finish. Is it possible to print everyone’s obituaries in the newspaper? Is it possible to arrange commemoration services or to build shrines in memory of everybody? But in my opinion there is no use thinking about whether it is possible or not. Those who are magnanimous will openly recognize the greatness in the outstanding achievements of those who lived in the past, regardless of their intellect, education or rank. Those who through their sweat and blood provide vitality to human society do not need our approbation; but even so, why should we commit a social injustice by ignoring the work they have done, their karma sádhaná?” (Human Society – part 1, Social Justice)

Note: Baba’s above teaching and guideline applies to all realms of life, including the struggle, growth, development, propagation, and establishment of our own Ananda Marga. There are countless nameless, faceless devotees who underwent tremendous hardship in order to propagate the ideals of Ananda Marga. They never came in the spotlight; their names were never in the newspaper; and their addresses may never be known; but, they sacrificed much for the great cause of dharma and universal well-being.

Here they are:

1. The widow whose only son or daughter became a wholetimer in Ananda Marga. In her old age, she suffered because no one was there to take care of her. Her progeny left to serve the greater humanity and due to a lack of governmental or other support, she could not get proper care. The latter years of that widow’s life were filled with emotional challenges, loneliness, and physical hardship. To that widow, we pay our regards. Who can forget her sacrifice.

2. The mother whose children became LFT’s to valiantly serve humanity. Instead of earning and bringing home funds for their laokik family, those idealistic youths sacrificed for the greater good of humanity. Yet their mother was faced with the prospect of “losing” her children – the very ones she raised. To see this unfold before her very eyes was painful and disheartening. No one can understand that woman’s pain. Even then she held on – amidst the struggle and hardship. Who can forget her sacrifice.

3. Those sadhakas (male and female) who faced victimisation, humiliation, and torture by standing up to organised and non-organised religious and social dogmas like caste marriages, racial hatred, and women’s rights etc. Who can forget their sacrifice.

4. The hundreds and thousands – wts and margiis alike – who were unjustly jailed by one tyrant trying to wipe out Ananda Marga. Such innocent sadhakas were arrested, put in isolation, and deprived of the basic necessities like proper food. Some were sentenced to grueling chores and work detail, while others were tortured outrightly. Their sacrifice cannot be forgotten. Who can forget their sacrifice.

5. Those sadhakas who held firm to Ananda Marga ideals in the face of huge backlash and oppression from the government, communists, local social pressure, and the various dogmatic religions. Through no fault of their own, they were sidelined, attacked, and rejected by the status quo. Yet these great sadhakas never bent – they maintained their ideological vision and standard. They sacrificed everything for Ananda Marga. We cannot ignore the work they have done – their karma sadhana. Who can forget their sacrifice.

6. Those brave Wts & Ananda Margiis who lost their lives in massacres and barbarous attacks by the communists. Their grand contributions for the cause of dharma will never be forgotten. Who can forget their sacrifice.

7. Those wives who shouldered more of the domestic responsibilities while their husbands were deeply involved in spreading the name of Ananda Marga and the glory of Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji. Their husbands were unable to properly attend to their domestic responsibilities. Those margii wives had to maintain the home without proper support from their spouse. Yet they carried on, endured the hardship, and managed well. Their determination and hard work continues to stand. Their sacrifice can never be forgotten.

8. Those children who grew up only with their mother because their father was involved in the callings of Ananda Marga dharma pracara and service projects. Due to a lack of paternal guidance and support, their emotional needs were not adequately fulfilled. Yet they tried as best they could – many becoming strong sadhakas and devotees of Marga Guru. We cannot overlook their hardships and how they continued to strive. Who can forget the sacrifice of those young children.

10. All those who faced opposition – whether they be educated or illiterate, rich or poor, or ordinary or not – we should recognise everyone’s contribution. That is what Baba’s teaching tells us. Because of their dedication to the aims, disciplines and tenets of Ananda Marga, they faced so much trouble and animosity, yet they remained firm and spread the teachings of Ananda Marga by their own conduct and sacrifice. No matter how unimportant they may be in the eyes of the public – they are honoured and regarded by sadhakas around the globe. Those brave souls have put forth unparalleled contributions to establish Ananda Marga. Who can forget their dharmic efforts – who can forget their sacrifice. We cannot.

11. Those Wts who left worldly attachments to spread Ananda Marga ideology and the gospel of neo-humanism. Such workers experienced tremendous hardship – a number were jailed and killed. They all faced difficulties, and in some cases life-threatening, problems. Yet they remained true to the dharmic ideals of Ananda Marga as given by Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji. Their efforts will live on and on in the hearts of sadhakas – all over. We cannot ignore the work they have done – their karma sadhana. Who can forget their sacrifice.

How can we forget the hardships, sacrifice, and tenacity of all those who endured struggle for the sake of propagating and establishing a great ideology. Forever they remain in our hearts and minds. Parama Pita Baba Kii – Jay!
********************************************

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Harmful Competition

From: “Mirabai _”
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Subject: Harmful Competition
Date: Sat, 26 Jan 2013 21:54:33

Baba

== HARMFUL COMPETITION ==

Namaskar,
After years of heated debate and public pressure, the Pentagon (US military headquarters) lifted the ban and gave approval for women to fight on the front lines of the battlefield. In some western nations like the US, this has been a critical issue. Yes, women were allowed to serve in the military. No, they were not intentionally put in dangerous combat zones. Now – at least in the US – that has all changed. Over time, female soldiers will be put in positions of direct combat.

Event then the debate continues: Some women state that women should not be put in harm’s way on the front lines, while a very vocal group of women is demanding that women must be given the right to fight on the front lines and battle the enemy face to face.

In our Ananda Marga, we have our stand based on Baba’s teachings. As we know, males and females have different physical characteristics and capacities. In particular, males are also physically stronger than females.

Baba says, “”There are people who, in the name of giving equal rights to women in all spheres of life, want them to engage in heavy physical and mental labour which is unsuitable for them. Such an outlook is deplorable. It must be accepted that the physical bodies and nervous systems of women are not as strong as those of men, so men and women cannot work in identical areas. Apart from this, for physical reasons women cannot work in the same way every day of the month, and during pregnancy and the post-delivery period the ability to work strenuously is severely restricted. These points must not be overlooked.” (1)

“As in the societies of most other species, in human society also females are physically weaker than males. Because their nervous systems are weaker, their minds are also slightly weak. Nevertheless women have no less value in human society than men. Selfish men, however, have disregarded the value of women; they have taken full advantage, and are continuing to take full advantage, of their weakness. Although men have publicly declared that women should be respected as the mothers of society, they have actually relegated them to the status of domestic cattle and sheep.” (2)

“The physical and mental structure of a woman is such that even though she may have all the requisite ability to take care of her children, it is extremely difficult for her to bring them up properly and to adequately provide for food, clothing, education and medical care all alone; at the same time she has to keep her children with her or near her, or else it becomes difficult for the children to survive. Therefore if men, instead of women, take the main responsibility for providing food and clothing, while women, after duly attending to the needs of the children, where possible or in cases of necessity earn money by working either at home or outside, neither the children nor society will be adversely affected in any way.” (3)

“As the physical strength of women is less than that of men, the latter should always endeavour to save the prestige of women…Special attention should be paid to the comforts of women during festivals, at spiritual conferences, and on other occasions.” (4)

Furthermore, because males are stronger that is why games and sports are done separately: Women compete against women and men compete against men.

Clearly then females do not have the physical strength & stamina that males have. So less physical strength is a critical reason we do not support the recent decision to allow women to fight on the front lines.

STICK TO STRENGTHS & BE AWARE OF LIMITATIONS

In our Ananda Marga, we believe that one’s inherent capacity should be used for the welfare of society. Among their qualities, men possess physical might so they be the ones involved in strenuous activities like fighting on the front lines. In contrast, women possess their own set of strengths that can be applied for the betterment of society.

For instance, males do not have the right temperament or sentiment to raise infants. That is why in the west we see a rash of Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS): “Shaken baby syndrome (SBS) is a form of physical child abuse that occurs when an abuser [predominantly male] violently shakes an infant or small child, creating a whiplash-type motion that results permanent brain damage and even death.” So it is the males that feel emotionally overwhelmed and challenged by the prospect of caring for infants. (See Note 1)

In contrast, females have greater sentimental feeling and greater attraction toward the baby. Naturally women are more suited to raising young babies and infants. In addition, Baba has furthermore said that Didis should demand running all the primary schools of Ananda Marga. Here the point is that wherever emotion and sentiment are paramount, then females will do that work better than males.

Whereas physically tough jobs like using a bulldozer or working on a garbage truck, or managing a chain saw should be for men.

Certainly, anybody can do anything – there are always exceptions – but generally women will harm themselves doing hard physical labor like fighting on the front lines. So the basic rule is that males should do physically demanding work and females should attend to sentimental jobs. When these roles are switched – i.e. when men involve in things that demand sentiment or when women attend to duties that demand physical might – then problems invariably arise.

This letter is not intended for fault-finding with or accusing any gender. This is for everyone’s welfare. We all have our limitations. Humans cannot glide or fly like birds without a machine so sane people do not jump out of tall buildings and try to fly in the sky. Likewise, regardless of our gender, we should be aware of our inherent strengths and limitations.

Around the globe, in the general society, females have been exploited so much that there has developed a certain competition between the sexes. Rather than being complementary to one another, there is the feeling of competition to outdo the other. Hence, many women have turned to trying to outgun their male counterparts in traditionally male areas of ability. This is an unfortunate development born out of years and generations of the exploitation and suppression of women.

ANOTHER CRITICAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN

Physical strength is not the only physical difference between males and females.

For instance, the female cranium is smaller than the male cranium. That is one basic physical difference. Generally speaking, a bigger cranium means more brain power. We see that in any species where the brain is smaller then it is less developed. And when the brain is bigger it is more developed.

However, humans are unique in this regard. Much of the brain capacity of humans goes unused. The human brain has a tremendous capacity. So regardless of whether one is a male or female, much of their brain power is unused. There is very little practical difference between males and females in this regard. You will find foolish males and intelligent female and vice versa.

Here is Baba’s teaching about the size of the cranium.

Baba says, “Generally the cranium of a female is smaller than that of a male. If you see the skull of a female skeleton, you will notice that the upper portion of the skull is smaller. Those who are eunuchs by birth have still smaller craniums…If a male becomes a female by biological processes, he will not suffer from headaches as such; he will have no difficulty. But if a female becomes a male, she will suffer difficulties because the cranium is smaller; that is, the brain is smaller.” (5)

Here the overall all point is that Baba clearly points out that there are distinct physical differences between males and females. But there is no need to develop a complex about why males and females are not equal in the physical might. Those trying to rebuff this idea are harming themselves.

REASONS WHY WOMEN SHOULD NOT BE PUT ON THE FRONT LINES

Here are some of the stated reasons being championed by women who feel women should NOT be on the front lines:

(A) “The female skeletal system is less dense, and more prone to breakages. There is also a concern that, in aviation, the female body is not as adept at handling the increased g-forces experienced by combat pilots…Furthermore, health issues regarding women are argued as the reason that some submarine services avoid accepting women…The Center for Military Readiness, an organization that seeks to limit women’s participation in the military, stated that “Female soldiers [are], on average, shorter and smaller than men, with 45-50% less upper body strength and 25-30% less aerobic capacity, which is essential for endurance”.” (Wikipedia)

(B) In order to compete with men physically, many women sacrifice their womanhood and take steroids to develop muscles etc. But this creates hormonal imbalance as well as psychic imbalance. In many cases, they lose their fertility. This point is embedded within a greater schema. When women aim to compete with men in male-oriented activities, then they end up harming themselves. Allowing women on the front lines to engage in combat is only going to exacerbate this problem. More women will suffer the ill effects of competing with men in male-driven endeavors.

(C) Another argument against the inclusion of women in combat units is that placing women in combat where they are at risk of being captured and tortured and possibly sexually assaulted is unacceptable. In a Presidential Commission report it was found that male POWs, while being subject to physical abuse, were never subject to sexual abuse, and women were almost always subject to sexual abuse.

CONCLUSION

It only stands to reason then that in our armies and combat troops, women should not fight on the front lines. That type of hand-to-hand combat should be done by males only.

We should not allow females to compete with males in this way: Females will be harmed, society will be harmed, and children will be harmed. There is no benefit in any direction.

Males and females are both the creation of Parama Purusa. Parama Purusa has made those physical bodies so we should not destroy them needlessly by competing with one another on the wrong front.

MORE OF BABA’S TEACHINGS ON THE ROLE OF WOMEN AND GENDER ISSUES

“In every sphere of life men have either substantially limited the rights of women, or made the ability of women to exercise their rights subject to the whims and caprices of men. Such an attitude never existed among the primitive human beings who lived at the dawn of human history. Nor had primitive men conceived of the deceitful practice of establishing their supremacy by keeping women in bondage in the name of social purity. Even today among primitive races we do not find significant lack of magnanimity concerning the freedom of women.” (6)

“Actually, when there is no question of women’s rights having been snatched away, there is no need for a movement styled on the trade-union movement. Whatever responsibility there may be in this regard, it is entirely that of men. If at all a movement is required, it must be implemented by men themselves. Today men should consider the needs of women and gradually restore to women the rights which women once entrusted to men out of feelings of helplessness or in response to their heartfelt sentiments.” (7)

“It must always be remembered that freedom, or liberty, and license are not the same thing. The concept of women’s freedom is good, but license should not be encouraged in the name of liberty. Giving license to either men or women could destroy the social structure in a short time. Hence those who are the most vocal in proposing the freedom of women must carefully consider the form this proposed freedom shall take.” (8)

“When we pay recognition to any simple truth, we should not be carried away by sentimentality. Only rationality based on humanism is acceptable. As children of nature, women should have the same access as men to light, air, earth and water. In fact, it is not a matter of granting rights to women, but rather a case of recognizing their rights. If, however, the recognition of women’s rights is treated sentimentally, it may result in great social disaster.” (9)

“In most countries society is patrilineal. The patrilineal system has some advantage over the matrilineal one. There are two main advantages.”
“The first advantage stems from the fact that it is not as easy to determine the identity of the father as that of the mother, and in the absence of any direct blood relationship the mother’s affection for her children is generally greater than the father’s. Under these circumstances the patrilineal system is much better, for it awakens in the father a proper sense of responsibility for his children and precludes the possibility of the children’s identity remaining unknown or concealed. And the father is compelled by circumstantial pressure to take responsibility for bringing up his children; and therefore makes an effort to properly preserve the structure of the family. (Among less-developed creatures, fathers rarely take care of their offspring due to the absence of this sort of circumstantial pressure.)
“The second advantage of the patrilineal system complements the first. Since the relationship between the father and the child is known, the mother naturally does not feel so very alone in rearing the child. The physical and mental structure of a woman is such that even though she may have all the requisite ability to take care of her children, it is extremely difficult for her to bring them up properly and to adequately provide for food, clothing, education and medical care all alone; at the same time she has to keep her children with her or near her, or else it becomes difficult for the children to survive. Therefore if men, instead of women, take the main responsibility for providing food and clothing, while women, after duly attending to the needs of the children, where possible or in cases of necessity earn money by working either at home or outside, neither the children nor society will be adversely affected in any way.” (10)

“I do not support the supposed wisdom of those who advise women to spend their lives with ladles, [[tongs]] and spatulas, because this is unrealistic. Necessity often compels women to discard this convention. Such a system may suit a handful of rich or upper middle-class people, but it has no value for day-labourers or the poor. Many of those who loudly advocate equal rights and the freedom of women, in reality keep their women behind a purdah or covered with a burka. Even among such families I have noticed poor housewives going to the market with their husbands to buy and sell, or to the fields, farms or coal mines, voluntarily taking on light work. Evidently, they cannot afford to behave ostentatiously and live indolently behind a lace curtain.”
“However, there are people who, in the name of giving equal rights to women in all spheres of life, want them to engage in heavy physical and mental labour which is unsuitable for them. Such an outlook is deplorable. It must be accepted that the physical bodies and nervous systems of women are not as strong as those of men, so men and women cannot work in identical areas. Apart from this, for physical reasons women cannot work in the same way every day of the month, and during pregnancy and the post-delivery period the ability to work strenuously is severely restricted. These points must not be overlooked.” (11)

“Social interaction: There are diverse views among those who formulate social codes concerning the free mixing of men and women. It does not require much logic to convince people that the final outcome of free mixing in an undisciplined society is unhealthy. It is also true, however, that the absence of social interaction creates a suppressed longing, a special attraction or an unhealthy curiosity, as does the denial of other desires. This may lead to illicit mixing, which eventually undermines social purity. A system that thwarts social interaction is nothing but an attempt to suppress the mind. Where there is illicit mixing, the only harm done to men is that they degenerate morally, but the damage to women is far greater, because they may be cast out of society in disgrace. Thus on the one hand, men and women will have to be free to mix together socially, while on the other hand, a well-thought-out code of self-control will have to guide their social interaction.”
“Those who want to keep their daughters away from the influence of modernism, and are therefore reluctant to send them to school and college, perhaps do not realize that long ago the waves of modernism intruded into the privacy of their homes without their knowledge. So their efforts to protect their daughters and themselves by following the custom of purdah and making women wear burkas, are entirely farcical.”
“The trend of the age is irresistible, for in this too there is dynamism. It is the duty of intelligent people to channelize the trend of the age towards the path of benevolence by applying their intellect. Neither the individual nor the society as a whole is capable of resisting the powerful spirit of the age. It knocks down anyone who tries to thwart it, and proceeds ahead with irresistible speed. Those knocked down and sprawled on the ground stare at it in utter helplessness, with dazed minds and vacant eyes, as it marches by.” (12)

Namaskar,
In Him,
Mirabai

Note 1: MORE ABOUT SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME

Shaken baby syndrome happens primarily with male guardians, less so with female guardians. A mother who is truly attached with her baby can never do such things. Males are more apt to get frustrated and act inappropriately with the baby. Sometimes paid nannies and baby-sitters also act in this way. Why does this happen? Because, at that young age the baby cries, cries, and cries. Those not wholly attached with the baby can get frustrated and unnerved by that crying. They might shake the baby violently, but not the mother. Unfortunately, some mothers work full-time – i.e. competing in the male-dominated workplace – and then when she returns home tired in the evening, she might hire a nanny to help care for the baby. And that nanny may act inappropriately. This is yet another reason why females should not compete with males, neither on the battlefield nor in the workplace. Females must have their dignified place in society where they are not bound or coaxed into competing against males.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000004.htm

Note 2: REFERENCES

1. Human Society – 1, Social Justice
2. Human Society – 1, Social Justice
3. Human Society – 1, Social Justice
4. Caryacarya 1, “Social Relationship between Men and Women”
5. Yoga Psychology
6. Human Society – 1, Social Justice
7. Human Society – 1, Social Justice
8. Human Society – 1, Social Justice
9. Human Society – 1, Social Justice
10. Human Society – 1, Social Justice
11. Human Society – 1, Social Justice
12. Human Society – 1, Social Justice

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Practical Approach of “See The Bright Side”

From: Satiish K Bhatia”
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Subject: Practical Approach of “See The Bright Side”
Date: Sun, 20 Jan 2013 21:53:33 +0530

Baba

== PRACTICAL APPROACH OF “SEE THE BRIGHT SIDE” ==

Namaskar,
Every Ananda Margii is aware that Baba guides us to “see the bright side of everything”. And while at first glance the phrase seems quite simple, there is a greater meaning and application which we should explore. To date, some still have some fundamental misudnerstandings about this key guideline from Sadguru.

SEEING THE BRIGHT SIDE: HOW IT WORKS

In dharmic fashion, Baba sets the tone that in our Ananda Marga we are to see the bright side of everything and side by side oppose all sorts of dogmas, exploitation, and wrongdoings in order to guide the society on the proper path. However a few people do not understand how this is all working together. They reason that seeing the bright side means not pointing out the negativity in society, and / or not fighting against injustice – i.e. just remaining meek and passive etc.

For greater clarity we should see Baba’s practical working style and other related examples to best understand the inner sense of “see the bright side”. By this very system we can clean the organisation – ridding it from dogmas and groupism.

MOTHER ANALOGY

In one regard, it is just like how parents view their children. Proper parents always see the bright side with regards to their children’s growth and development. With love and affection they see everything; they never overlook the lesser qualities. And, by this way, they are seeing the bright side and watching out for their child’s welfare.

For example a mother may think, “Okay my child has 80% good qualities but to help them improve and make them more bright certain aspects of their life need correction.” So the mother lovingly tells her child, “Don’t be lazy. Study more. Go and prepare your lessons.” All those things she tells the child. By this way she identifies and addresses the defective behaviours of the child. All done with the benevolent motive to correct those wrong habits and thus increase the brightness of her child.

So the mother is seeing the bright side, and that means trying to make it more bright. The way to do that is to find the dark elements and have them corrected or removed. Then the bright side will become more brilliant. No one can accuse the mother of criticising the child or seeing the dark side. Who can blame that the mother is not seeing the bright side when addressing her child and only seeing the dark side.

Seeing the dark side occurs when a person does not want to make someone else better. In that case they will only abuse others with the intention of putting them down. Many persons do like that. But this is very bad and this is not at all working hand in hand with seeing the bright side.

That’s why Baba guides us that we should have a sympathetic opinion regarding the person to whom we are dealing. And then find out their mistake, and remove it.

POINTING OUT THE DEFECT AND SEEING THE BRIGHT SIDE GO HAND IN HAND

The whole spirit behind “seeing the bright side” is to rectify the defects in order to build up a seamless and vibrant society. The present humanity is suffering from many ailments. In dharmic fashion Baba exposes all the various problems and ailments that are present in the society. Such as dogma, negativity, exploitation by capitalism, crudity of communism, and many more things. Baba is highlighting the fact in bold letters that now society has very little on the good side. To rectify the situation, Baba guides us to think in a pointed way and remove the disparities and exploitation. Then society’s brightness will come forth and shine.

Hence, by seeing the bright side, the main intention is to fix the problem. To make others aware about the defect and address and repair it. And make the situation better and better. So in Ananda Marga our aim is to fix society’s various problems. Toward that end, Baba has also graciously given the solution to each and every problem as well. So ours is the practical approach.

In contrast, those who just criticize and abuse others without ever offering any solution– that approach is negative. And no well-intentioned person will do like this.

For example, a mother doesn’t only criticize her child. Rather the mother instructs, “Don’t be lethargic and negligent about your health & hygiene. Go and take a bath.” So here the mother’s basic point is: ‘don’t be lazy on the point of cleanliness’. So this is not mere criticism. Because immediately following comes the direction to go and take a bath. And by that way the child will be clean. So the intention of the mother is to improve the child’s condition. This is seeing the bright side.

Similarly if someone says that “My neighbor often gets drunk and may one day hurt himself. We should help him.” Out of a feeling of concern if someone talks this way about their neighbor, then that is not a negative action. Rather, it is positive. Because the person wants to make their neighbor better – he wants to see his brightness more shining. And in that way a solution has been given to help him.

Likewise people wash their clothes with the same positive motive – to remove the stain and make their clothes more fresh. So finding out the stain does not mean one is seeing the negative side or indulging in anything detrimental. Rather by taking the time to remove the dirt one is making everything brighter and cleaner.

DHARMA SAMIIKSA & REPORTING SESSIONS

ARE IDEAL EXAMPLES OF SEEING THE BRIGHT SIDE

The best example of all is Baba’s divine role during Dharma Samiiksa. There, in historic fashion, Baba goaded so many sadhakas unto the path of supreme beatitude by lovingly pointing out their defects and mistakes; by this way, He graciously rectified them and removed their ills. This allowed those bhaktas to move ahead with increasing speed toward their cherished Goal. If Baba had merely praised each person who came before Him for dharma samiiksa, those sadhakas would not have been able to progress. That would have been useless. So Baba lovingly pointed out the defects to help sadakhas become clean and pure, i.e. blemishless. No one can stand there and say that Baba only saw the dark side. One cannot blame Guru in this manner. He lovingly highlighted the wrongs so they could be removed, thereby allowing the sadhaka to feel pure, light, and bright. That was Baba’s magnificent approach during dharma samiiksa, and verily in every reporting session as well. This was how Babs practically showed us how to follow: See the bright side. Who can say Baba was seeing only the dark side and not seeing the bright side.

“SEE THE BRIGHT SIDE” IS DONE WITH BENEVOLENCE

So in this process of “Seeing the bright side”, the benevolent motive is the main factor. Whereas those seeing the dark side criticize without the intent to help. That is where their approach is wrong and completely poisonous.

For example, take the case of the communist’s approach. Communists always try to destroy capitalists, with that mindset they abuse capitalists.

A related approach happens with political parties in the democratic system as well. One party leader’s only aim is to sabotage the other party’s programs to make them look bad. This manner has nothing to do with “seeing the bright side.”

If one group endlessly involved in undermining and mudslinging,then that is not “see the bright side”. Because their only intention is to put the other group down and gain the power. Righting the organisation by following ideology is not their way.

EXAMPLE OF SEE THE BRIGHT SIDE

Whereas our true approach in Ananda Marga – Baba’s example – is not like that and the directive ‘See the bright side’ works in a completely different way.

Regarding the defects of capitalism Baba outrightly exposes the short-sighted, materialistic, and selfish nature of capitalism. And side by side He provides the Prout – the perfect solution. By implementing Prout everybody will become healthy, and everybody’s face will shine with joy. Step by step, the physical problems will vanish, the psychic ailments will be identified and solved, and people will be able to advance in the field of spirituality. They will thus build up a strong and healthy God-centered society.

No one can blame Baba that He Himself did not follow the teaching that He gave for others: See the bright side of everything. From the getgo Baba was seeing the bright side of human society and by pointing out the ills and defects of capitalism He best helped those capitalists and society.

So all around, Ananda Marga’s teaching is ensconced in the motive of welfare: By pointing out the injustices and negativity, fixing the problem, and leading the whole society along the path together to the final desideratum.

Thus, seeing the bright side goes hand in hand with pointing out the faults. Without pointing out the defects, the bright side will never be able to become more bright. Well-wishers never ignore the problem. When you go to the doctor then that doctor does tests to find the problem and make you healthy – i.e. brighter than before. Same is the case when you bring your scooter to the mechanic. In that moment, the mechanic does not praise all the good qualities of the scooter – rather he finds the problem and fixes it.

And that is what we must do in order to rid our Ananda Marga from groupism: Identify the problem and solve it by implementing Baba’s neo-humanistic teachings.

OUR DUTY

Hence the supreme spirit of “See the Bright Side” is imbibed in each and every moment of Baba’s working style and is embedded within the entire Ananda Marga ideology. Who can say Baba was seeing only the dark side of those He was point out and not seeing the bright side.

Thus as Ananda Margiis we are living in the world, and our duty is that we should help clean the society and make it better. Likewise we are living in this organization (AMPS) so our duty is to not overlook the wrongdoings.

Rather, we should find out the problems and fix them. If something is not going according to Baba’s teaching then we should rectify that. By this way our organization will be better and better.

By properly following the inner spirit of Baba’s divine guideline of “See the bright side” that is the only way to move ahead and build up a healthy and vibrant society free from exploitation.

SUMMARY

Well-wishers always point out the defect in order to remove it and enhance the bright side. Those who refrain from talking about the ills are not seeing the bright side. They may be meek; they may be cowardly; but they are definitely not seeing the bright side. Those who only talk about the negative side with the intent of suppressing others are followers of the dark side. Here is one such example:

Baba says, “There are many teachers who wound the sentiments of a student by ridiculing either his caste or his father’s profession saying, “The plough suits you better than the pen, my boy,” or “You had better join your father at the potters wheel.” Even today such utterances come out of the mouths of many teachers.” (1)

Such a teacher’s sole intention is the put the boy down. That is the dark side.

In Ananda Marga, we only see the bright side: The intention is to purify by removing the stain and making everything bright, shining, and brilliant.

WARNING: HOW BRIGHT SIDE IS MISUSED

Often the statement – “See the bright side” – is misused by selfish and opportunistic exploiters. They try to convince others not to point out the wrongdoings etc. They want people to overlook their defects and talk only of their good qualities. Hearing this, some very naive people are misled and they remain befooled. But this is not the way. So be alert if any immoral elements try to teach you not to oppose wrong wrongdoing.

BABA’S GUIDELINES FOR DEVOTEES

“We cannot call people “good” if they cannot lead people of all walks of life towards welfare. We can call them “goody-goodies” but not good people. Those who are truly good people will move bravely forward and provide inspiration and strength to those mute masses to fight against all kinds of obstacles, and give a clarion call to them to march ahead.” (2)

“Intelligent people should no longer remain silent…They must not act like goody-goodies, seeing evil but continuing to tolerate it. This is very bad.” (3)

“The establishment of an ideal society depends on the mutual help of the members and their cooperative behaviour. This cooperative behaviour depends on the practice of the principles of Yama and Niyama; so, spiritual practices, especially the practice of Yama and Niyama, are the sound foundation of an ideal society…All Ananda Margis, when they see other Margis acting against the principles of Yama and Niyama, must make them shun this habit either by sweet or harsh words or by dealing even more strictly. Thus they will have to make the society strong. Henceforth I direct every Ananda Margi to keep strict vigilance on other Ananda Margi to make them practise the principles of Yama and Niyama.” (4)

“The characteristic of good people is to fight against injustice, to firmly adhere to truth and righteousness, to protect the helpless and fight against all evil persons. Those who are merely simple and are of a meek and goody-goody nature are not good people.” (5)

“By observing people’s conduct one will easily notice those who are absorbed in divine love…Those who have attained Iishvaraprema can never and will never exploit others. They will raise their voice against all sorts of tyranny, injustice, and exploitation. Those who do not possess that kind of honest courage to oppose all wrongs are nothing but fakes – they are never genuine [devotees].” (6)

“I have already said that Ananda Marga is the first movement aimed at liberating spirituality from the unwholesome influences from dogma. Hence you must not in any way encourage dogma. Rather, you should carry on an endless fight against dogma. And while fighting against dogma, you will realize the actual truth, and when you will come in contact with truth, you will be established in real spirituality…human beings have got to be established in human excellence and carry on a ceaseless struggle against dogma.” (7)

BABA’S SPECIAL TEACHING FROM THE ORIGINAL HINDI DISCOURSE NOTED BELOW

If a family member or close person is doing something wrong then one must point out their defect. Never tolerate such things. Ironically, the general tendency is to overlook the faults of your close people etc. But that is very dangerous – it is more dangerous than if they were distant. If someone is insincere and does not have a sadhu mentality, then they must be pointed out, opposed, and rectified. Only then will that person be able to grow. This series of guidelines is especially critical if that person is close to you.

Think in this manner: A snake in the wild is not as dangerous as a snake that is in the house. Thus close persons must always be pointed out and corrected. That is the gist of Baba’s following teaching noted below in the original Hindi.

“साधना की जो मुख्य बात है, कि—सत्याश्रयी बनना | “सत्याश्रयी” माने यहाँ, sincere बनना | कहा गया कि आज के जीवन में मनुष्य में बहुत कुटिलता तथा जटिलता आ गई है | मनुष्य पहले के माफ़िक, सीधे नहीं रहे | यह बात आज से दस हज़ार साल पहले जितना सत्य था, आज उससे भी अधिक सत्य है | अर्थात्‌ दस हज़ार साल पहले भी देखा गया था कि—मनुष्य क्षणिक लोभ के लिए, क्षणिक सुख के लिए, धर्म से हट जाते हैं | और, तुलसी जी भी कहते थे कि—”कौन मनुष्य कितना perfect है, उसका प्रमाण मिलता है विपद के समय में | धैर्य, धर्म, नारी, और मित्र का परिचय मिलता है, विपद में |

छोटा-सा लोभ, ख़ूब छोटा-सा एक सामयिक लाभ के कारण मनुष्य धर्म के रास्ते से हट जाते हैं | प्राचीन काल में ऐसा नहीं था | क्रमशः मनुष्य के मन में जितनी जटिलता बढ़ रही है, मनुष्य उतना insincere बन रहा है | और इसके लिए मुख्य ज़िम्मेवारी है, so-called intellectual लोगों की | अपनी कमज़ोरी को ढाँकने के लिए, छिपाने के लिए, उन लोगों ने क्या किया ? बड़ी-बड़ी बात जनता को सुनाई है | मगर अपने ज्यों का त्यों रह गए |

मूड़ मुड़ाए जटा रखाए, मस्त फिरें जैसा भैंसा |
और खलड़ी ऊपर ख़ाक लगाए, मन जैसा तो तैसा ||

तो, यह जो intellectuals, यही आम जनता को विभ्रान्त किए हैं | और हम बोले, क्या ? sincerity first, sincerity second, sincerity always | साधनामार्ग में sincerity सबसे बड़ी चीज़ है | और, sincerity क्या है ? Sincerity is always सत्याश्रयी | Sincerity माने ही सत्य में रहना, मज़बूत रहना |

अपना आदमी हो, घर का आदमी हो | कोई सत्य से इधर-उधर हट गया, sincerity की कमी जिनमें है—उसका विरोध करो, बर्दाश्त मत करो | अपना आदमी है तो क्या है | अपना आदमी अगर असाधु है, insincere है, तो, और भी अधिक ख़तरनाक है | क्यों ? बाहर में अगर साँप रहा, वह जितना ख़तरनाक है, घर में अगर साँप घुस गया तो और भी अधिक ख़तरनाक है | इसलिए, और भी, उसका अधिक विरोध होना चाहिए |” (8)

Namaskar,
in Him,
Satiish

NOTE 1: NEGATIVE LEFTIST APPROACH

We have seen how communists only indulge criticism after criticism without any practical intention to remedy the situation.

Baba says, “Those who are leftists in the world are even more dangerous…they are deliberately seeking out the dark and dirty aspects of life and, like flies, growing fat on the secretions of society’s festering sores. It must be remembered that flies do not heal sores– rather they exacerbate them, because the very puss of these sores provides them with their vital juice. So the filthy aspects of society are the only wealth on which these [leftists] subsist.” (9)

Note 2: REFERENCES

1. Human Society – 1, p.8
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam – 22
3. Liberation of Intellect: Neo-Humanism, Disc: 2
4. A Guide to Human Conduct
5. A Few Problems Solved-5
6. Ananda Vacanamrtam – 7, p.12
7. Prout in a Nutshell – 18
8. EGD 25 November 1978 Bombay, NP,Taking Shelter in Satya is the Essence of Sadhana
9. Prout in a Nutshell – 10, p. 24

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Light at the End of the Tunnel

From: “Gagan”
To: AM-GLOBAL
Subject: Light at the End of the Tunnel
Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2013 21:33:08 -0000

Baba

== LIGHT AT END OF THE TUNNEL ==

Namaskar,
We all know that we need to “jumpstart” our AMPS in order to make it dynamic and vibrant once again.

However, one should not think that this has never happened before. In the past also our organisation experienced a distinct lull, verily a full-blown crisis, and by His grace we did bounce back with tremendous momentum. So the situation we find ourselves in today is not new – there is a precedent.

This below Baba story offers the perfect strategy for transforming our AMPS into a sterling, bustling society once again.

Your thoughts and reflections are most welcomed.

BABA STORY:

“NEWSLETTERS ARE MY FOOD”

During Emergency, when Baba was in jail, then the mood of our Marga was a bit sullen. There were court cases, controversies, tales of scandal, and quite a bit of intrigue. Devotionally margiis were managing alright, by His grace, but in the social sphere things were a bit gloomy. People were hesitant to do pracara or go out in public and talk about Ananda Marga. Our Ananda Marga train was moving slowly.

Baba, the all-knowing Parama Purusa, knew the perfect remedy.

While fasting in jail, Baba forcefully declared, “I need newsletters, that will be my food.”

Baba’s dynamic proclamation set the wheels of our Marga in motion. Immediately, word spread how Baba wanted to hear news about what was happening in the Marga around the globe and that this would be His food.

Certainly, in His mind’s eye, Baba was intuitively aware about each and every thought, word and deed so His declaration for newsletters was more of strategy for rejuvenating the Marga. And indeed how well it worked.

VERY POSITIVE EFFECT

The effect of Baba’s call was very dramatic. Ananda Margiis from around the world jumped into action.

Each district and locale realised that they needed to create a newsletter. And to write a newsletter they needed something to write about. In order to have something to write about they needed to do something. This was the way it worked.

So margiis began vigorously involving themselves in all kinds of social service projects and good deeds. Once done, then they could and would write and print that news and mail it to Baba and that would be His food. Everyone became quite active; all were feeling blissful.

Plus, everyone was vigilant to write news that was accurate and true. Nobody wanted to give Baba bad food and we all knew that He knew what was true or not. So the social service endeavors were done with full feeling and accurately reported.

Then the various units thought that since we are printing news for Baba, why not print more copies and send it to other units and regions as well. This created a whole network of newsletters. No longer were various margiis or units sitting alone in isolation worried about the fate of Ananda Marga. Now the scene was abuzz with news coming in all kinds of directions. Margiis were more active than ever: Schools, pracara, talks, mass feeding, clothing distribution, university seminars etc. And when one unit would read about what another was doing, then they would implement that program in their area as well. Such newsletters had a wonderful domino effect.

By all this activity, our Marga was growing by leaps and bounds and the sullen skies in Ananda Marga cleared and everyone had a bright, positive vision for moving ahead, despite the difficulties.

Then, when Baba was finally cleared of all charges and released from prison, our Ananda Marga society was in full-swing. It was a driving force. This was all His grace and His divine planning.

Baba understood perfectly that in order to turn things in the right direction there needed to be dynamism in the social sphere. And newsletters were the perfect way to get things going. Then people would feel that they are part of some larger movement. This made everyone feel connected, engaged, and hopeful.

What worked so beautifully those days will have an equally beneficial effect today.

GREAT WAY TO OVERCOME GROUPISM

Now when the mood is a bit down in AMPS due to rampant groupism, there are various calls for how to bring things back to life. Some are making organisational handbooks, some are attempting peace meetings, some are trying to merge the groups, and some are just working independently.

Whatever may be, we should certainly aim for Baba’s approach: newsletters.

“BUT WE ALREADY HAVE NEWSLETTERS”

Some may naively declare, “But we already have newsletters – I get lots of emails.”

In truth however, we do not have lots of newsletters. There is not a single organisationally sanctioned newsletter. Only the various groupist forces are sending out their own biased views and news – most of which is either tainted by group interest or completely false.

A newsletter – whether it be electronic or otherwise – should be true, rational, and unbiased. Yet today, everything coming out of this or that organisational channel is just one concocted groupist portrayal. If their group is involved then the event is reported like gold and if their group is not involved then it is reported like mud. Everything is drawn along party lines.

Actually this type of thing has been going on since 1990, in one form or another. So much false news has been reported that people have lost interest in these reports. And they have lost interest in reporting what is going on in their area.

This has all had an extremely detrimental effect.

Now is the time to turn all this around. We should actively support and adhere to Baba’s newsletter strategy.

WHAT TYPES OF NEWS SHOULD BE CIRCULATED

The first question might be: What type of things are newsworthy. And the answer is anything that tightens the bonds within our Ananda Marga.

That means things like births, baby-naming ceremonies, akhanda kiirtan, social service, developments in schools, pracar, deaths, retreats – each and every event can be reported. And there should be organisationally sanctioned channels, 100%-free from group interest.

By sharing all these types of news in a fair and truthful manner – on the regional, sectorial, and global level – our whole Ananda Marga family will be benefited.

This is Baba’s distinct approach.

MANY ORGANISATIONS DO LIKE THIS

Actually, every organisation hoping to succeed on this earth keeps their internal structure strong by keeping their members “in the know” and inspired. Whether the organisation be environmental or social, or any other type, newsletters, grass-roots sharing, and open and truthful lines of communication are a must. They all do it.

ANANDA MARGA WILL ONCE AGAIN BECOME

A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH

Now there may be some news clippings moving around our Ananda Marga society here and there. But that is not enough, especially when the hand of groupist networks are on the rise.

By implementing Baba’s system of oranisationally sanctioned newsletters – employing a multi-tier approach – covering local and global events, all will feel more connected and inspired. It will encourage others to implement the ways of Ananda Marga into their own lives and that of their community.

Living alone or in isolation is not at all good. We are social beings. Having healthy, productive, open newsletters will improve the overall climate and psychology of the Marga.

We will realise how many like-minded sadhakas are in our grand Ananda Marga family. Baba has brought us together – and with good reason: To learn and grow with one another as we embark on leading a life dedicated to Him and serving humanity.

With these newsletters, all will feel closer and part of some greater whole. No doubt on the spiritual level we all feel linked with Baba, by His grace. But that social connection is very important for building a strong, cohesive movement. That will give us force.

So at the earliest this program should go on – in all units and in all areas. One newsletter will lead to the next and inspire everyone to move ahead. It will create boundless energy and much zeal.

THE SPECIALTY OF ANANDA MARGA

Baba has graciously given us a great example. Whatever the situation, Baba has already provided us with the pathway to move ahead. Now when groupism has taken hold, one excellent way to move forward and bring a dynamic flow in Ananda Marga is by creating newsletters. Baba graciously declared this to be His food and today such newsletters will be the staple for creating a new AMPS family, unshackled by groupism and factional interest.

Baba says, “When people hesitate and doubt whether they can accomplish something, and if they start to work in that hesitant frame of mind, they can never accomplish that task. But if they plunge into action thinking of their goal with courage, imbued with spiritual inspiration, they are sure to be crowned with success. No action is greater than the human capacity to perform it. Of all the manifold entities in this expressed world, human beings are the most powerful.” (1)

Baba says, “Ananda Marga is against all kinds of exploitation, because exploitation always breaks the pace of advancement. These feelings of anti-exploitation have to be given a shape through the medium of social organization. A healthy social outlook has to be adopted. The parasites which live on exploitation do not want that the throes of inactivity should disappear from the society as it is on this filth of stagnancy that they exist and grow. They are like sores on the social body. External application of ointments will not cure this type of sores. So long as the blood affected with the harmful germs of the sore is in the body, the sore will come out again and again. So the best way of treating such sores is to keep them clean by washing and sponging them externally or to apply mild medicines and to increase the supply of fresh blood corpuscles in the body. To increase the blood within, the speed of every limbs and joints has to be increased and do you know on which depends this speed in case of the society? The more is the adjustment between the social body and the elements; – time, place and person, the greater is the speed. The social customs of Ananda Marga have been formed with a view to intensifying the speed to supply fresh blood to the body – to stream fresh spring water into blocked water storages.” (2)

Namaskar,
In Him,
Gagan

REFERENCES:

1. Ananda Marga Ideology and Way of Life – 11
2. Táttvika Diipika – Part 4

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Who Can Follow Dadaji’s “Great” Example

From: “Kalyan_Deva” kalyan.1971@sole….
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Date: TUE, 08 JAN 2013 17:22:31 00:00)
Subject: Who Can Follow Dadaji’s “Great” Example

Baba

== WHO CAN FOLLOW DADAJI’S “GREAT” EXAMPLE ==

Namaskar,
Many of our revered senior workers are moving on. They are rising in years; and, after all, the body is but a temporary housing for the mind. Our duty then is to remember all with respect and reverence and learn from their example.

HOW TO EVALUATE ONE’S STANDARD

“I had established an ashram at the foot of the Himalayas…in Dehradun District of UP.” One of the senior-most avadhutas wrote this in his own book, describing about the time when he left AMPS to establish his own ashram.

We all know that in the general society, people’s quality, qualifications and attributions are measured on the grounds of various superficial variables.

But according to Baba’s Neohumanistic philosophy, character, dealing, behavior, conduct are one’s true qualifications. Baba says such things everywhere in His countless discourses. Here below is one significant example from our holy Ananda Vanii.

Baba says, “Your ideal is represented by your conduct. Your learning, your social or economic status have nothing to do with your ideal.” (Ananda Vanii #13)

In the above Ananda Vanii, Baba’s message is quite clear and without ambiguity: We Ananda Margiis are to evaluate others – and oneself – on the point of one’s character and conduct – not on points of money, power, avadhuta dress, purodhaship, kapalik sadhana, vishesha yoga, age, seniority, and Central Committee, Acarya board and Purodha board, or even post of Purodha Pramukha.

According to Baba’s above teaching, we should evaluate one’s calibre by their conduct alone. Other relative factors like money, post, and power are so-called qualifications and essentially valueless.

To evaluate the quality and qualifications of this senior avadhuta, the late respected Dada Samanvayanandji, we should look to his conduct. Specifically, how far did Dada Samanvayanandji’s conduct go in accordance with Baba’s teaching.

GURU-DISCIPLE RELATION

In tantra, the Guru-disciple relation is most significant. That is why Baba has given various conduct rules in Caryacarya about serving Guru.

Baba says, “The best service to Márga Guru is to work according to His wishes.” (Caryacarya – 2, Society, Pt #20d)

In addition, as Ananda Margiis we always do Guru Puja, minimum two times a day, every day. The last stanza begins with “Guru Brahma…”, and the whole idea be is that Guru is everything. Any true disciple of Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji must have this basic characteristic: To be ever-ready to serve Him.

On the opposite end of the spectrum is betrayal. One must not be a traitor to Guru; that goes against the fundamental characteristic of what it means to be a disciple. If one betrays Guru, nothing is left.

Here in India and abroad, most senior margiis are fully aware about the history of Dada Samanvayanandji. But some new or junior margiis and workers do not know of him. For everyone’s knowledge and understanding – as well as for our own learning – here is Dadaji’s story.

DADAJI’S STORY:

THE START OF HIS DOWNFALL

When Baba was arrested under false charges and incarcerated, Dadaji did not stand by Guru. Instead, he lobbied against Baba, got frustrated, and ultimately went out on his own. And once he left, he was gone, i.e. away from Ananda Marga, for more than a decade. Here is the history.

In December 1971, the day before Baba was to hold DMC, He was arrested. In turn, Dada Samanvayanandji – then known as Ac Shivananda Avt – was appointed as Guru’s representative for that 1971 Dec DMS held in Varanasi. After that occasion, Dadaji developed a big ego, and he proudly thought that his next posting would be overseas.

So it was that in early in 1972, Baba was running the organization from His jail cell. All orders were coming from Him and being carried out in the organization. In this way, Dada Shivananda (i.e. Samanvayanandji) came to know he was given a posting in India. In disgust, Dadaji opted to never go to his assigned posting. Instead he traveled around Nepal, all the while presenting himself as a guru. Then he was given another posting and again he did not show up.

Later on in the year 1972 Baba gave the order that Shivananda (i.e. Dada Samanvayananda) was transferred to Udaipur (Rajasthan) as DS where he will oversee the school. Hearing this Dada Samanvayananda / Shivananda again became very upset and frustrated; he did not want this low post. Dadaji had grand visions: He wanted to go overseas and was looking to do some work in Rishikesh etc. When the posting order came as DS Udaipur, then he felt this was too much. Other workers who were friends with Dadaji tried in Jaipur to convince him to attend to his post. Ultimately, Dada Samanvayanandji went there with some of his own newly made disciples. Upon seeing the school he was to run, Dadaji proclaimed, “You do not know my potentiality.”

Dadaji remained at that posting in Udaipur for all of one day. He then went off on his own. Indeed, in that dark hour, Dada Samanvayanandji a.k.a. Dada Shivananda left Baba and the AMPS organisation, and in a challenging display created his own separate organization, “Prema Marga”. That time, Dadaji established his own office in the foothills of the Himalayas at Dehradun.

Let us not forget that in those days, Baba was in jail. It was during those difficult times in Ananda Marga when maximum support was needed that Dada Samanvayanandji left and created his own organization to compete against Ananda Marga. The need of the hour was to stand firmly by Guru and raise the flag of Ananda Marga. Those days, so many margiis and acaryas withstood the onslaught and backlash of the negative forces, i.e. Mrs Indhira Gandhi’s exploitative machine. Margiis and wts were forced into hiding, imprisoned, tortured, and humiliated. All the while Guru was in jail. No true Ananda Margii could ever think to leave in such a moment – never.

Yet, in that critical moment, when Baba was in jail and workers margiis were also suffering, Dada Samanvayanandji left to enjoy his own self-created guru-ship, and establish his own separate organization: Prema Marga. So while dedicated Ananda Margiis stood by Guru, Dada Samanvayanandji fled to establish his own so-called glory. This is not the quality of a disciple, but rather a case of betrayal. Or what should we call it.

Meanwhile Baba was in jail and everyone was struggling hard to carry on. This went on for years.

EMERGENCY OVER BUT DADA KEEPS AWAY FROM ANANDA MARGA

Finally, in 1977, Mrs Indhira Gandhi’s regime was ousted, the Emergency was lifted, and all were released from jail. The authorities released everyone except Baba. From His cell, Baba issued a grand pardon to all. Baba was welcoming all back into Ananda Marga, regardless of what they had done. During Emergency, sone had gone to their laokik homes, some were defectors, some testified against Baba in court, some had left their sadhana, others had turned to tamasik eating habits etc. People had gone astray for all kinds of reasons. And in 1977, Baba graciously pardoned all and welcomed everyone back, regardless of their story. And indeed, so many returned back into Ananda Marga.

But not Dada Samanvayananda / Shivananda. He was living the good life as a self-proclaimed guru, and he did not want to give that up. There was another thought in his mind as well. He was thinking that at any moment Ananda Marga could again fall into tough times. Because Baba was not going to change His teachings and those ideals are too tough for the authorities to accept. So again there will be trouble. Dadaji thought, “Better I should stay in my own guruship at my ashram.”

In this calculated manner, Dadaji did not return to Ananda Marga in 1977 when Baba graciously pardoned and welcomed everyone. Nor, did Dada Samanavayananda return when Baba Himself was released from jail in August 1978. Weeks turned into months, and months turned into years.

Ananda Marga was growing by leaps and bounds. Baba performed the grandest dharma samiiksa in the history of humanity. Ananda Marga was fast spreading all around the globe. The organization was growing in size exponentially. Still Dada Samanvayananda was nowhere to be seen. Dadaji was still leading the life as “guru” in his ashram. Time and again, Dadaji’s friends like Aksarananda had pleaded with him to return, but to no avail.

BABA REFUSED TO SEE SAMANVAYANANDJI

It was not until around 1984 or so, that Dada Samanvayananda showed up. He came to see Baba in Lake Gardens. Baba refused to see him and refused to let him inside the compound. So Dadaji stood outside the gate and waited. Days passed. Dadaji grew frustrated and despondent. He was standing outside the gate in his civil dress. He was thinking, “Why should I stand here – I can put on my sannyasi dress and return to my own ashram in Dehradun.”

Again his friends like Aksarananda came to his rescue. They pleaded with him to be patient and wait for Baba’s approval. An entire month passed, Baba refused to see him or look at him. Still Dadaji was thinking to go back to his old ashram in Dehradun, and he never considered donating his ashram to Ananda Marga. Instead he kept that as his “safety-net” in case he ever wished to return there.

Then one day, Baba gave the order that Dada should be accepted back and he was given the name Ac Sambunath Brc. And he was given the very simple and basic post of ZO, i.e. zonal organizer within SDM. Later on he became CO, or circle organizer. Even then, Baba barred him from attending all kinds of meetings and reportings.

All in all, Dadaji was away from Ananda Marga for 11 years. When he was needed most to help in difficult times, he was entirely absent – just enjoying the high life as a self-appointed guru.

Even worse, after that time, Dada Samanvayanandji never expressed repentance or remorse for what happened in those days.

JUST SELF-GLORICATIONS, NO REMORSE

Rather, after his return to AMPS and was named Samanvayanandji, then he used to talk about how great Shivanandji was and how he (Shivanandji) used to have so many siddhis and do long sadhana. With that unrepentent ego, he would talk about himself in the third person as a means of praising himself up to the sky. Dadaji marched around with an extreme sense of entitlement – and not an ounce of repentance.

Plus, Dada Samanvayanandji shamelessly glorified his days in Dehradun in his book. He never once admitted that he betrayed Baba or that what he did was wrong. Dada was never open and honest with himself or others about this. Rather he tried to present this as his own greatness.

He wrote his own book ‘Glories of …’. And in that book he mentioned many times about his great work in Dehradun. So that time when Sadguru Baba was facing so many injustices in jail and all workers and family margiis were struggling tooth and nail to survive, Dadaji went against Guru and made his own separate organization known as Prema Marg. Not only did he leave Ananda Marga, but he created a parallel ashram that was directly challenging Baba’s organisation and the path of Ananda Marga.

Yet about all this Dadaji says that this was his “great” work. In his book Dada Samanvayanandji writes on page 57:

“I had established an ashram at the foot of the Himalayas…in Dehradun District of UP.”

Indeed, Dada Samanvayanandji did not have an ounce of repentance for his betrayal to Baba. He does not write, “Unfortunately blinded by my own ego I left Ananda Marga in that critical hour.” Nor does he write, “How can I ever forgive myself for leaving Baba when so many inimical forces attacked Him.” In his book, Dadaji does not express an iota of repentance etc. Just he basks in his own so-called glory that he built up his own ashram.

And even after publishing his book he did not express any remorse. Not a word of repentance did he express for those black days in which he left Baba and created his own organization.

In simple language this is betrayal to Baba and back-stabbing to Guru.

We should not hold Dadaji’s example in some divine manner and others should not emulate Dadaji’s approach. Now when groupism is rattling our organisation, this is not the time to depart and plant one’s flag of glory elsewhere.

Namaskar,
Kalyan

NOTE: The section below demarcated by asterisks is an entirely different topic, completely unrelated to the above letter. It stands on its own as a point of interest.

******************************************
Purpose of Marriage

Baba says, “‘Be like Shiva and Parvati, go on doing your worldly duties along with your psychic and spiritual pursuits, be the assets of the entire civilisation, and by your service the whole society should be benefited.”

Note: This is the blessing Baba would graciously bestow on newly married couples when they approached the dais. The inner spirit of Baba’s blessing is that in Ananda Marga marriage is not for carnal pleasures and sensual satisfaction. Rather it entails a serious commitment that has a deep significance. The marriage system in Ananda Marga is for building up one human society worthy of its name.
******************************************

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That Gracious General Darshan in Ananda Nagar

Date: Wed, 19 Dec 2012 22:28:32 -0000
To: am-global@earthlink.net
From: namaskar.to.all@twinfields…
Subject: That Gracious General Darshan in Ananda Nagar

Baba

== THAT GRACIOUS GENERAL DARSHAN IN ANANDA NAGAR ==

Namaskar,
That general darshan of 31 December 1981, Baba was in a very gracious mood and the whole atmosphere was charged with His divine vibration. He was showering all with devotion and high spiritual bliss. Everybody was charmed by His magnificent presence, and accordingly Baba was especially gracious.

FAMILY PERSONS ALSO GIVEN THE PRACTICE

As some may recall that general darshan was the historic event when Baba showered His grace equally upon all: Females and males, family persons and monks. That day, He made it clear that in the spiritual realm there is no difference from one to the other. And this is exemplified by that general darshan as the end of 1981 when He graciously introduced the practice of avarta kiirtana– to one and all.

Actually just in the few months prior, this style of avarta kiirtana was first given to Wts as part of their practice for madhura sadhana. So family people were not involved.

So, the morning General Darshan of 31 Dec of 1981 in Ananda Nagar stands as the first time in history of Ananda Marga that Baba blessed family margiis to participate in avarta kiirtana. Before that it was not allowed. Baba Himself had announced that up till then avarta kiirtana was not open to family margiis.

However during that special general darshan Baba blessed family margiis to also participate in this special type of kiirtana known as avarta kiirtana. So that was a first for us family margiis.

SECOND HISTORICAL POINT

Plus as many may surely remember, during that time in India females were not allowed to stand and dance during any Ananda Marga collective gathering – because of problems in the general society. So those days females were just sitting and chanting kiirtana; only males were dancing.

In overseas areas the situation was different, but in India prior to that day our respected sisters were just singing kiirtana from a sitting position. Certainly when they were alone, in the absence of the males and in the privacy of their own campus, then they were dancing kiirtana. But at collective gatherings females were not allowed to dance because of local social reasons.

But in Ananda Marg revolutionary things happen.

By Baba’s grace on that very day of December 31 1981, females in India also began to dance kiirtana collectively on occasions such as at DMC or in the jagrti etc. Because at that same general darshan that Baba told that it will be best if everyone dances kiirtana. And He announced that: ‘My daughters can also participate if they like’.

TWO REVOLUTIONARY PROGRAMS

So in that way at that historic general darshan two dramatic points unfolded: First family persons were given the practice of avarta kiirtana; and second, females were told to start dancing kiirtana during collective functions.

MORE ABOUT THE INTRODUCTION OF AVARTA KIIRTANA

Baba went on to explain Himself that avarta kiirtana is first meant to be done in the four directions and then up & down. So six directions total. He also told that the tune of the kiirtana must always be changed for each direction.

Since then avarta kiirtana has been done at all such Marga gatherings. Baba has also guided that during this practice of Avarta kiirtana the mind should be kept in sahasrara cakra, as that gives immense spiritual benefit.

So avarta kiirtana is very good for spiritual progress and it brings the sweet vibration of Parama Purusa in the mind.

AVARTA KIIRTANA: A SPECIAL TYPE OF DEVOTIONAL DANCE

As we all know, in our day to day lives devotion is very important and it is a great devotional tool to participate in Avarta kiirtana.

In contrast, during akhanda kiirtana one has to constantly walk around the Puja table and that type of circling around brings some disturbance also since one has to be aware of their external surroundings etc. But Avarta kiirtana is more serene and soft and gives a more sentient feeling.

THAT DEVOTIONAL CHARGE

Surely we can all remember that when Baba used to sit on the dais or in reporting or any BP meeting etc, then in His presence so many times that special type of kiirtana happened. And Baba was watching and showering His grace.

Indeed with that divine force everyone’s mind was pointed and moving in one singular direction. In that way all kinds of righteous forces were united and Ananda Marga was moving like meteor.

BENEFITS OF AVARTA KIIRTANA

Among the many positive aspects of avarta kiirtana, we can say there are two broad-based, overarching benefits.

Firstly, for those who practice during daytime, they will gain spiritual energy and the quality of their sadhana will be enhanced.

Secondly, for those who practice at night, i.e. between 11:45p to 12:15a, then they will go to sleep with a distinctly positive mind-set. Bad dreams and nightmares will be wiped away and instead the mind will easily be goaded to mantra japa throughout the night. Plus, sleeping disorders like insomnia will be a thing of the past. Furthermore, upon waking the in morning one will feel fresh and spiritually vibrated.

Two more points to keep in mind to enhance the practice of avarta kiirtana. When practicing collectively then the mind should remain in sahasrara cakra and when practicing individually the system is to keep the mind in ajina cakra, though if you like you can have the mind in sahasrara cakra.

GOOD FOR MAKING THE LINK WITH BABA

We should remember the importance of spirituality and this avarta kiirtana is a good medium to practice in our day to day life to develop a more direct link with Baba and to have His grace. This is the very easy way to link up and step forward toward Parama Purusa, towards Baba.

Baba says, “Kiirtana will always remind you that you are the affectionate children of the Supreme. In kiirtana, there is no restriction regarding time, place or person, no distinction between educated and uneducated, between black and white. So do kiirtana, sing kiirtana, chant kiirtana whenever and wherever possible.” (kiirtana is Panacea, 1982)

AVARTA KIIRTANA AND MADHURA SADHANA

Another fact is that avarta kiirtana is related with madhura sadhana. The basic program is: avarta kiirtana, kaoshikii, tandava, and madhura sadhana. And it is all done during the midnight hours– after 11:15pm.

BABA’S REVOLUTIONARY WAY

Earlier many other gurus did not allow family margiis to participate in such a practice, and in times of the vedas then so many dogmas were in vogue. Such as females were not even allowed to listen to the omnkara mantra – otherwise their ears would get blocked with molten lead in order to make them completely and permanently deaf. That was the punishment. Baba is such a Divine Guru that He has graciously blessed one and all and He has given various discourses to show that females have equal rights in all the realms including spiritual. This was a revolutionary step.

In all the dogmatic religions females do not have right to salvation. But in Ananda Marga females are equally given opportunity. So many new and dharmic practices came for females such as: Kapalika sadhana, becoming acarya etc.

Throughout the history there was terrible exploitation against both family persons and females – especially in the spiritual sphere. Ananda Marga is that special path where all have equal rights and opportunity.

MORE SPECIAL QUOTES ON KIIRTANA

Baba says, “Whatever worldly difficulties might obstruct your path, the best positive or auxiliary force is kiirtana. kiirtana helps a devotee to accelerate the speed towards the hub of the universe. Kiirtana will help you in all circumstances; if any mental trouble arises, kiirtana will help you.” (Kiirtana is Panacea, 1982)

Baba says, Kiirtana will help you in all circumstances, in all possible ways. If people do kiirtana with distinct expression of the mantra, their mouths become pure, their tongues become pure, their ears become pure, their whole bodies become pure – and when so many parts of the body become pure, the atma (self) also becomes pure. By kiirtana you become as pure as if you have taken a ‘holy dip in the Ganges’.” (Kiirtana is Panacea, 1982)

Namaskar,
Karmeshvar

PRABHAT SAMGIITA

“Tumi je path diye giyechile priyo, se pathe a’jo surabhi rayeche…” -2781

Purport:

Baba, even today Your sweet aroma remains lingering on that path – on the path which You have traveled. Baba, the songs which You sang so beautifully in tune and rhythm, those very songs are ever-present in the deep core of my heart. Their lingering resonance still vibrates my entire being.

O’ my dearmost Baba, I cannot ever forget Your blissful tales; it is impossible for me to forget. Your divine advent in my mind is far more significant than hundreds of lives of sadhana, & its penance. Baba, You are the most meaningful thing in my life. You have graciously presented Yourself after my hundreds of lives of searching and longing.

Baba, even if You do not remain close to me, my mind does not go far from You. By Your grace, I always remain ensconced in Your blissful ideation. Baba, keeping all my longings for You in my heart, I will go on singing Your divine songs day and night. Baba, You have made me understand this truth: That to do any extraordinary task is impossible for those who have a dry heart. Only those with innate love for You will be able to climb over the insurmountable mountains. Others cannot because in each and every sphere of life Your grace is everything. Without that nothing is possible. Baba, by Your own qualities You have bound me with Your divine love; Baba You always stay with me; You always keep me under Your shelter.

Baba, Your sweet and charming aroma keeps me thinking about You constantly…

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Shopping Addiction

Date: 06 Dec 2012 21:09:56 -0000
From: “Pranatosh Deva”
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Subject: Shopping Addiction

Baba

== SHOPPING ADDICTION ==

Namaskar,
For those who may not know, just two weeks back, Nov 23, was “Black Friday” – the biggest shopping day of the year in the United States.

This year was marked by the tragic beating and death of one shoplifter, as well as the usual huge crowds, pushing, shoving, and all-night shopping etc. In years past, shoppers engaged in a heinous pepper-spraying incident & shootings, store employees were crushed to death by stampeding customers, and other violent acts – all done in the quest for discounted shopping. For those who wish to know more about these incidents and the Black Friday phenomenon, please read the addendum at the bottom of this letter.

Our chief duty here is to examine why all this is going on.

WHY ARE SUCH THINGS HAPPENING

We can say with cent-per-cent certainty that the only reason such antics are occurring – and the only reason that Black Friday even exists – is because people are not aware about our Proutistic teachings.

If people had known about our Proutistic outlook, they would not have rushed out in the middle of the night to grab silly, useless products – which in most cases they do not even need. These shoppers are addicted to pseudo-culture and video games etc; in that way, they are spending their hard earned money on Black Friday.

We have to remember here that these shoppers are not starving, hungry people rushing for food as happens in so-called 3rd world countries where people run to grab the minimum necessities of life. That is just not the case in this scenario. People are harming others and risking death just to purchase video games, toys, x-tra gadgets, and other silly things that they do not need. They are purchasing these items with the false hope of gaining psychic satisfaction – happiness. This is the unfortunate mind-set in extremely materialistic societies like the USA. When people are sad they go shopping to “feel better”. In this way, they accumulate so much stuff that they will never ever use. Side by side, they remain depressed. Because shopping is no cure for melancholia or sadness. The teachings of Prout guide us that happiness and contentment come through spiritual practice, not materialistic pursuits.

On so many fronts, the common people in the US are victims of capitalism. It is our duty to educate them and heighten their awareness.

Here is Baba’s key teaching.

Baba says, “Psycho-economy has two branches. The first branch endeavours to eradicate exploitative and unjust economic practices, behaviours and structures. It will counter all economic and psycho-economic exploitation and make people aware of how capitalists, in their singular or collective roles, exploit society and create unhealthy, artificial demands which not only poison the mind but encourage dangerous habits detrimental to psychic sanctity and expansion. The first and foremost duty of psycho-economics is to wage a tireless fight against all degenerating and dehumanizing economic trends in society.” (A Few Problems Solved – 7, Quadri-Dimensional Economy)

The critical issue is that if the common people were educated about Prout and had a better idea of what it means to be a smart consumer, then they would not get caught in the sticky web spun by capitalists. Then they would not get caught up in the madness of Black Friday.

As noted above, Baba has given psycho-economy as one part of a healthy economy. A key aspect of psycho-economy is to fight exploitation and educate the public about the tricky and greedy ways of capitalists. So that is what we must do.

Indeed, if people were aware about how they are getting cheated by capitalists and that they do not need all this useless merchandise, they would not run in that direction, i.e. into a shopping frenzy. If people clearly understood the sham, senselessness, and destruction related with Black Friday, then it would be obliterated. Indeed Black Friday itself would be no more.

SOLVING THE PROBLEM WITH PROUT

Here are some very simple, clear-cut guidelines which need to be conveyed to the public if they are to escape from the exploitation of capitalism.

1. Firstly, in day-to-day life people should not buy useless things and unneeded products. In essence, people must break the habit of shopping for shopping’s sake. This is not the proper outlook. People must be taught to critically analyse their shopping habits and not get lured into purchasing more things that they do not need.

In the US, it is quite common for people to purchase many things only to watch those items collect dust and never get used. Those purchases are placed in some closet and forgotten. Some people even collect so much stuff that their big house gets over-filled and they die when those items fall on them and suffocate them. They become absolutely inundated with piles of objects and items in all directions. This is the sad yet stark reality:

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2011/07/unique-disease-growing-in-usa.html

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2011/07/re-unique-disease-growing-in-usa.html

Typically speaking, one US family has enough possessions for an entire village in India. They buy something, keep it for a few months, and then put it in some closet or even the garbage – yet that item is unused. The whole world produces and the US consumers collect. Then one fine day they put their purchases in the garbage and that garbage is burned or buried in the US, placed in landfills or left to rot in poorer states of the US, and in some cases shipped to so-called 3rd world countries.

2. People must be able to easily recognise and rationally analyse the way capitalists dupe the public into buying those things they do not need. If they understand the cheating psychology and marketing schemes by capitalists then they are much less likely to be exploited.

3. When the general society is getting wholly submerged in the degenerating ways of Black Friday, then as Ananda Margiis we should take up the task of awakening and teaching the people able the ills and trappings of capitalism.

4. Essentially, everyone needs to understand the degenerating spiral of running after money, spending it senselessly, only to then again lust after more money. This negative cycle needs to be checked. This is the very harmful mind-set capitalists have infused on the people, and Black Friday is just one key evidence of this.

5. By seeing how kids and families are affected, we can understand the severity of the situation. The general populace, i.e. consumers, thinks that spending money is one of the main joys and thrills of life. That is all they know. In that case, when Black Friday rolls around – with so many “special deals” – the people literally lose their common sense and turn into shopping fiends. The irony is that often cases Black Friday “deals” are not good deals at all. Consumer experts have found that often those items were cheaper other times of the year. Plus, capitalists mark up prices 100 times the actual cost. They purchase things from China for pennies and then put a big price tag on it in the US. Even on Black Friday, capitalists are taking a 20-fold or 50-fold profit. Even then, the masses are whipped up into a frenzy to shop, shop, and shop.

6. The common citizens must be taught that shopping does not bring mental satiation. Limited objects cannot satisfy the mind; sadhana is needed. Under the prodding of capitalists, the common people are indoctrinated into the belief that physical objects and products will enable them to feel and be happy.

Such is how the top capitalists have impaired the common people. They have tainted their entire psyche and put them in eternal debt. People get into debt by buying things they do not need with the false hope of attaining happiness, and then borrow money or apply for credit at a 20% to 40% to even 100% interest rate. It is all one vicious cycle. That gets repeated again and again.

So the people need to be awakened to and introduced to the ideals of Prout. Then and only then will they be able to stand up remove the noose of this Black Friday mentality and capitalism.

CONCLUSION

The main conclusion is that in day to day life one must not purchase useless items or get duped by false propaganda telling them to buy, buy, buy via all kinds of psychological and tricky selling techniques. To do so is to merely become a pawn of capitalism.

As Ananda Margiis we are to awaken the masses and guide them on this key issue to bring about the struggle and fight against vaeshyan (capitalist) exploitation

Please report similar things in your area.

Namaskar,
Pranatosh (Phillip) Deva

Note 1: ADDENDUM ON BLACK FRIDAY:

THE VIOLENCE THAT TAKES PLACE

Basically Black Friday is a shopping frenzy where stores open in the wee hours of the morning or even the night before and offer huge discounts to attract shoppers. In turn, hoards of consumers line-up outside the store and wait for it to open. There is huge tension and angst to be the first one into the store. As soon as the doors open, customers engage in a “rat-race” type of stampede to get their items of choice. It is absolute chaos.

As mentioned above, one shopper this was beaten and killed by store employees. Here is that story:

“An alleged shoplifter died after being detained by store employees…The man was allegedly put into a choke hold as he attempted to fight employees, but the extreme methods used to subdue and detain the suspect ultimately caused his death. When police and the ambulance arrived, the man was unresponsive and bleeding from his nose and mouth. He was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.”

http://www.christianpost.com/news/black-friday-shoplifter-death-and-other-past-shopping-sales-incidents-the-worst-ever-85623/

Here are details of past incidents on Black Friday:

(1) A shopper in California pepper-sprayed several other shoppers in an incident now described as “competitive shopping” wherein the the woman was trying to grab desired items and keep other shoppers from getting those same products.

(Note: Pepper spray, also known as OC spray (from “Oleoresin Capsicum”), OC gas, and capsicum spray, is a lachrymatory agent (a chemical compound that irritates the eyes to cause tears, pain, and even temporary blindness). Its inflammatory effects cause the eyes to close, taking away vision, creating temporary blindness. Although considered a less-than-lethal agent, it has been deadly in rare cases.)

Basically the aisles of the Walmart were jammed full of people and display stands of products had been knocked to the ground. People were just stepping on the merchandise in an attempt to get to other products. In that desperate, crowded situation, one woman used pepper-spray to ward off other shoppers. Those affected suffered rashes, burns, swollen faces and worse. It was a horrible scene – both young and old were harmed.

(2) A few shoppers were shot by gunmen as they left stores with bags in hand in incidents now thought to be robberies. Basically, thieves waited outside the store in dark parking lots and assaulted shoppers in order to steal all that they bought.

Such are the types of extreme incidents that are occurring. Each year these types of things happen, or worse. Sometimes store employees have been killed by a human stampede, and there have been other tragedies as well.

Two links below show some of the most horrific incidents from Black Friday, the busiest shopping day of the year.

http://www.ranker.com/list/13-most-brutal-black-friday-injuries-and-deaths/john-barryman

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Friday_%28shopping%29#Violence

Note 2: BABA’S GUIDELINES ON HUMAN THIRST AND SATIATION

Baba says, “Can human thirst be fully quenched? Can human hunger be fully satisfied? Why is it that human thirst knows no limitations? From PROUT we are moving to psycho-philosophy. In the relative world human thirst cannot be satisfied. Human beings are the progeny of the Supreme Progenitor, therefore human thirst is unlimited. All the properties of the Supreme are ensconced in human existence, and not only in human existence, but in each and every entity of the expressed universe. Can physical thirst, psychic thirst and spiritual thirst be quenched? Only spiritual thirst can be quenched. Unification of the unit with the Cosmic can quench the spiritual thirst. The physical body has certain limitations. It functions within very strict limitations. The mind has a far bigger jurisdiction, but it is also limited.” (Prout Nutshell – 17, Minimum Requirements and Maximum Amenities)

Baba says, “According to PROUT the mental pabulum of human beings is never ending. In this universe everything moves, thus our pabula are also moving and are never static. Human demands in the physical stratum can never reach the saturation point. Similarly, our psychic thirst will never be satisfied. It is ever changing.” (Prout in a Nutshell – 14)

PRABHAT SAMGIITA

“Marma mathiya’ hiya’ niuna’riya’ ele tumi a’j ogo manomaya…” – P.S. 377

Purport:

O’ my dearmost Baba, after making me cry and breaking my heart, after such a long, long time You came close. Baba, by Your divine and charming arrival so much beauty has come in this world – everyone basks in Your glory.

Baba, in the beginning of this creation, there was no expression, You were unexpressed. You remained transcendental yet then You came in the form of the creation of these three worlds. And You graced everyone by showering them with Your sweet attraction.

So in the beginning there was nothing. There was not any existence of good or bad. Neither truth nor untruth. Neither meagre nor vast – nothing was there. There was not even the existence of day or night. Just You were alone. But then You graced everyone by expressing Yourself and creating this vast and colorful universe.

O’ Baba, the Parama Purusa Your liila is infinite…

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How to Rig An Election

Date: Thu, 01 Nov 2012 07:28:13 -0000
To: AM-GLOBAL
From: Hariish Deva
Subject: How to Rig An Election

Baba

== HOW TO RIG AN ELECTION ==

Namaskar,
Here in the US, officials and their spokespeople brag and beat the drum that, “The United States of America is the ultimate democracy”. In turn, they preach and sell democracy to each and every land and province on this planet – all over the globe. As if democracy is pure and blemishless. Yet extensive vote rigging is done even in the “great” democracy of the US. The following is a very poignant article.

First, let us all reflect on this following teaching on democracy from Shrii P.R. Sarkar:

“Practices as making false promises, intimidation, gross abuse of administrative power and vote rigging, repeatedly win over the electorate. This is the farce of democracy. Once they form the government, they get ample opportunity to indulge in rampant corruption and political tyranny for five years. In the subsequent elections – whether on the provincial or state level – the same absurdity is repeated.” (Prout in a Nutshell – 21 Economic Democracy)

Namaskar,
Hariish
How To Rig An Election
Victoria Collier
Posted on October 26, 2012

http://shiftfrequency.com/victoria-collier-how-to-rig-an-election/

OPINION ~ It was a hot summer in 1932 when Louisiana senator Huey “Kingfish” Long arranged to rig the vote on a number of amendments to his state’s constitution that would be advantageous to his financial interests. Long was no stranger to rigged votes. This time around, however, the fix delivered by his machine was blatant and sloppy: his favored amendments won unanimously in sixteen New Orleans precincts and garnered identical vote totals in twenty-eight others. Eugene Stanley, the incorruptible district attorney for Orleans Parish, presented evidence of fraud to a grand jury. Louisiana’s attorney general, the less morally encumbered Gaston Porterie, stepped in to sabotage the case for Long. Nonetheless, two judges demanded a recount, at which point Governor O. K. Allen obliged Long by declaring martial law. Intimidated jurors found themselves sorting ballots under the supervision of National Guardsmen, who stood by to “protect” them with machine guns.
When this effort failed, another grand jury was convened. Their eventual finding of a massive conspiracy led to the indictment of 513 New Orleans election officials. Once again, Long used his famous powers of persuasion. At his behest, the Louisiana legislature modified the state’s election law, giving ex post facto protection to the defendants. Election rigging, Long might have quipped, had become downright exhausting. But it worked.
From the earliest days of the republic, American politicians (and much of a cynical populace) saw vote rigging as a necessary evil. Since the opposition was assumed to be playing equally dirty, how could you avoid it? Most Americans would probably have confessed to a grudging admiration for New York City’s Tammany Hall machine, which bought off judges, politicians, and ward captains, ensured the suppression of thousands of votes, and controlled Democratic Party nominations for more than a century.
By the beginning of the last century, however, sentiment had begun to shift. In 1915, the Supreme Court ruled that vote suppression could be federally prosecuted. In Terre Haute, Indiana, more than a hundred men had already been indicted for conspiring to fix the 1914 elections for mayor, sheriff, and circuit judge. The incumbent sheriff and judge went to jail for five years, and Mayor Donn M. Roberts spent six years in Leavenworth.
Roberts and his gang, declared the New York Times, had failed to grasp that “what is safe and even commendable one year may be dangerous and reprehensible the next.” Almost overnight, commonplace corruption had become unacceptable, and vote rigging a serious crime. It took a strongman like Huey Long to remain an exception to the rule. But the overall trajectory seemed to point toward reform, accountability, and security. In 1920, the Nineteenth Amendment was passed, seventy-two years after Elizabeth Cady Stanton first demanded women’s suffrage – the right that would, in Stanton’s words, “secure all others.” By the 1960s, Northern Democrats abandoned their Southern allies and pushed to end the mass suppression of black votes below the Mason–Dixon line. With the Voting Rights Act of 1965, many Americans began to believe that the bad old days of stolen elections might soon be behind us.
But as the twentieth century came to a close, a brave new world of election rigging emerged, on a scale that might have prompted Huey Long’s stunned admiration. Tracing the sea changes in our electoral process, we see that two major events have paved the way for this lethal form of election manipulation: the mass adoption of computerized voting technology, and the outsourcing of our elections to a handful of corporations that operate in the shadows, with little oversight or accountability.
This privatization of our elections has occurred without public knowledge or consent, leading to one of the most dangerous and least understood crises in the history of American democracy. We have actually lost the ability to verify election results.
The use of computers in elections began around the time of the Voting Rights Act. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the use of optical scanners to process paper ballots became widespread, usurping local hand counting. The media, anxious to get on the air with vote totals, hailed the faster and more efficient computerized count. In the twenty-first century, a new technology became ubiquitous: Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) voting, which permits touchscreen machines and does not require a paper trail. Old-school ballot-box fraud at its most egregious was localized and limited in scope. But new electronic voting systems allow insiders to rig elections on a statewide or even national scale. And whereas once you could catch the guilty parties in the act, and even dredge the ballot boxes out of the bayou, the virtual vote count can be manipulated in total secrecy. By means of proprietary, corporate-owned software, just one programmer could steal hundreds, thousands, potentially even millions of votes with the stroke of a key. It’s the electoral equivalent of a drone strike.
Symbolically speaking, this era was inaugurated by Chuck Hagel, an unknown millionaire who ran for one of Nebraska’s U.S. Senate seats in 1996. Initially Hagel trailed the popular Democratic governor, Ben Nelson, who had been elected in a landslide two years earlier. Three days before the election, however, a poll conducted by the Omaha World-Herald showed a dead heat, with 47 percent of respondents favoring each candidate. David Moore, who was then managing editor of the Gallup Poll, told the paper, “We can’t predict the outcome.”
Hagel’s victory in the general election, invariably referred to as an “upset,” handed the seat to the G.O.P. for the first time in eighteen years. Hagel trounced Nelson by fifteen points. Even for those who had factored in the governor’s deteriorating numbers and a last-minute barrage of negative ads, this divergence from pre-election polling was enough to raise eyebrows across the nation.
Few Americans knew that until shortly before the election, Hagel had been chairman of the company whose computerized voting machines would soon count his own votes: Election Systems & Software (then called American Information Systems). Hagel stepped down from his post just two weeks before announcing his candidacy. Yet he retained millions of dollars in stock in the McCarthy Group, which owned ES&S. And Michael McCarthy, the parent company’s founder, was Hagel’s campaign treasurer.
Whether Hagel’s relationship to ES&S ensured his victory is open to speculation. But the surprising scale of his win awakened a new fear among voting-rights activists and raised a disturbing question: Who controls the new technology of Election Night?
“Why would someone who owns a voting-machine company want to run for office?” asked Charlie Matulka, a Democrat who contested Hagel’s Senate seat in 2002. Speaking at a press conference shortly before the election, he added: “Is this the fox guarding the henhouse?” A construction worker with limited funding and name recognition, Matulka was obviously a less formidable competitor than Nelson. Still, Hagel won an astonishing 83 percent of the vote – among the largest margins of victory in any statewide race in Nebraska’s history. And with nearly 400,000 registered Democrats on the rolls, Matulka managed to scrape up only 70,290 votes.
Hagel had never actually disclosed his financial ties to ES&S, and Matulka requested an investigation by the Senate Ethics Committee. His request was rejected. Equally futile was his call for a hand count of the ballots, since a state law specified that recounts had to be conducted using the very same “vote-counting device” that was used to begin with – in this case, the ES&S optical scanners.
Meanwhile, the new millennium, far from delivering a democratic promised land, presented Americans with the debacle of the 2000 presidential election, whose fate hung absurdly on “hanging chads” – the little pieces of punched-out ballot so contentiously examined during the monthlong recount. Few Americans knew (and many still do not know) that a faulty computer memory card triggered this fiasco. Late on Election Night, Al Gore’s total in Volusia County, Florida, suddenly dropped when one precinct reported 16,000 negative votes. Fox News was immediately prompted by Florida governor Jeb Bush to call the election for his brother. On his way to a 3 a.m. public concession, Gore changed course when a campaign staffer discovered that he was actually ahead in Volusia County by 13,000 votes.
But the damage was done. Gore was cast as a sore loser in a hostile media environment. His effort to obtain a recount was described by Sean Hannity on Fox News as an attempt to “steal the election.” Meanwhile, George W. Bush invoked his duty to get on with the business of running the country. The rest, as they say, is history.
We are now in the midst of yet another election season. And as November 6 approaches, only one thing is certain: American voters will have no ability to know with certainty who wins any given race, from dogcatcher to president. Nor will we know the true results of ballot initiatives and referenda affecting some of the most vital issues of our day, including fracking, abortion, gay marriage, GMO-food labeling, and electoral reform itself. Our faith-based elections are the result of a new Dark Age in American democracy, brought on, paradoxically, by techological progress.
The spread of computerized voting has carried with it an enormous potential for electronic skulduggery. In 2003, Bev Harris, a citizen sleuth and the author of Black Box Voting: Ballot Tampering in the 21st Century, made a shocking and game-changing discovery: Diebold, then one of the primary manufacturers of voting machines, had left the 40,000 files that made up its Global Election Management System (GEMS) on a publicly accessible website, entirely unprotected. Diebold was never able to explain how its proprietary tabulation program ended up in such an exposed position. Harris downloaded the files, and programmers worldwide pounced, probing the code for weaknesses. “The wall of secrecy,” said Harris, “began to crumble.”
GEMS turned out to be a vote rigger’s dream. According to Harris’s analysis, it could be hacked, remotely or on-site, using any off-the-shelf version of Microsoft Access, and password protection was missing for supervisor functions. Not only could multiple users gain access to the system after only one had logged in, but unencrypted audit logs allowed any trace of vote rigging to be wiped from the record.
The public unmasking of GEMS by an average citizen (who was not a programmer herself) served as a belated wake-up call to the world’s leading computer-security experts, who finally turned their attention to America’s most widely used voting systems. Damning reports have since been issued by researchers from Johns Hopkins, Princeton, Rice, and Stanford Universities, the Brennan Center for Justice, and the Government Accountability Office (none of them institutions hospitable to “tinfoil hat” conspiracy theorists). Experts describe appalling security flaws, from the potential for system-wide vote-rigging viruses to the use of cheap, easily replicated keys – the same kind used on jukeboxes and hotel minibars – to open the machines themselves. In 2005, the nonpartisan Commission on Federal Election Reform, chaired by Jimmy Carter and James Baker, stated unequivocally that the greatest threats to secure voting are insiders with direct access to the machines: “There is no reason to trust insiders in the election industry any more than in other industries.”
As recently as September 2011, a team at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory hacked into one of Diebold’s old Accuvote touchscreen systems. Their report asserted that anyone with $26 in parts and an eighth-grade science education would be able to manipulate the outcome of an election. “This is a national security issue,” wrote the Argonne team leader, Roger Johnston, using the sort of language that would normally set off alarm bells in our security-obsessed culture. Yet his warning has gone unheeded, and the Accuvote-TSX, now manufactured by ES&S, will be used in twenty states by more than 26 million voters in the 2012 general election.
Johnston’s group also breached a system made by another industry giant, Sequoia, using the same “man in the middle” hack – a tiny wireless component that is inserted between the display screen and the main circuit board – which requires no knowledge of the actual voting software. The Sequoia machine will be used in four states by nearly 9 million voters in 2012.
Why did a physicist choose to hack into voting machines? “This was basically a weekend project,” Johnston told me, expressing his amazement at the meager funding available to examine America’s voting systems. “We did it because a lot of people looking at the machines are cybersecurity experts and programmers – and when you have a hammer, everything looks like a nail. They were largely looking at sophisticated, cyber-based attacks. But there are simple physical attacks, as we proved, that are easier to do and harder to prevent.”
The voting-machine companies never responded to the Argonne reports. “That’s not unusual,” says Johnston. “The manufacturers seem to be in denial on some of these issues.”
Why the denial? There are at least 3.9 billion good reasons. In 2002, George W. Bush signed the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), offering states $3.9 billion in subsidies to modernize their election administration and equipment, purportedly in response to Florida’s hanging-chad fiasco of 2000. HAVA mandated that every polling place provide at least one voting system that allowed disabled people to vote with the same “privacy and independence” accorded to nondisabled voters. Thanks to confusing language in HAVA itself, and even a misleading report issued by the Congressional Research Service, one might easily assume that the mandate called for the purchase of DRE machines. In this way, the blind and visually impaired were unwittingly used as pawns to advance the agenda of the voting-machine industry. One election supervisor claims that Diebold went so far as to send him threatening letters after he sought out less expensive alternatives to service the disabled, even when these machines were compatible with Diebold’s systems.
This was not the only deception surrounding the rollout of these electoral Trojan horses. In a 2007 Dan Rather exposé, The Trouble with Touch Screens, seven whistle-blowers at Sequoia charged that company executives had forced them to use inferior paper stock for ballots during the 2000 election. What’s more, said the whistle-blowers, they had been instructed to misalign the chads on punch cards destined for the Democratic stronghold of Palm Beach County. “My own personal opinion was the touchscreen-voting system wasn’t getting off the ground like they would hope,” said Greg Smith, a thirty-two-year Sequoia employee. “So, I feel like they deliberately did all this to have problems with the paper ballots.”
Such blockbuster allegations are perhaps unsurprising given the group of Beltway insiders who helped to pass HAVA. One central player was former Republican representative Bob Ney of Ohio, sentenced in 2006 to thirty months in prison for crimes connected with disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff – whose firm was paid at least $275,000 by Diebold.
HAVA’s impact has been huge, accelerating a deterioration of our electoral system that most Americans have yet to recognize, let alone understand. We are literally losing our ballot – the key physical proof of our power as citizens.
Even a former major elections official has heaped scorn upon HAVA’s mission. DeForest Soaries was appointed by George W. Bush to head the Election Assistance Commission (EAC), which HAVA created to oversee security standards for new voting devices. Soaries stepped down in 2005, calling his office a “charade” and claiming that he had been deceived by both the White House and Congress. Washington politicians, Soaries declared in a 2006 radio interview, have apparently concluded that our voting system can’t be all that bad – after all, it got them elected. “But there’s an erosion of voting rights implicit in our inability to trust the technology that we use,” he added. “And if we were another country being analyzed by America, we would conclude that this country is ripe for stealing elections and for fraud.”
The sheer unreliability of this new technology is only half the problem. The other half is a series of mergers and acquisitions that have further centralized the voting-machine industry over the past decade or so. Election Day is now dominated by a handful of secretive corporations with interlocking ownership, strong partisan ties to the far right, and executives who revolve among them like beans in a shell game.
Bob and Todd Urosevich are hardly household names. Yet the two brothers have succeeded in monopolizing American election technology for decades through a pair of supposedly competing corporations: the Ohio-based Diebold and the Nebraska-based ES&S. The latter was founded by the Urosevich brothers in 1979 and is headquartered in Omaha, where it has an Ayn Rand–flavored corporate address on John Galt Boulevard. It is also, let us recall, the same company that may have won Chuck Hagel his Senate seat.
Diebold became the most infamous name in the industry in 2003, when its CEO, Walden O’Dell, a top fund-raiser for George W. Bush, made a jaw-dropping public promise to “deliver” Ohio’s electoral votes to Bush. The following year, California banned Diebold’s touchscreen system, and Secretary of State Kevin Shelley blasted the company as “fraudulent,” “despicable,” and “deceitful.” O’Dell stepped down in 2005, right before the filing of a class-action suit that accused Diebold of fraud, insider trading, and slipshod quality control.
Concerned about its tarnished brand, the company removed its label from the front of voting machines. Then Diebold went one step further and changed the name of its voting-machine division to Premier Election Solutions.
In 2009, Diebold, which makes ATMs and other security systems, got out of the elections business altogether, selling Premier to ES&S. Here was a windfall for the Urosevich brothers in more than one sense: Bob had decamped to Diebold in 2002, when the company bought Global Election Systems, where he then served as president. Todd, meanwhile, remained at ES&S. This cozy arrangement was disrupted by a Justice Department antitrust intervention, which forced ES&S to split ownership of Premier with Dominion, the next big name in election technology. A month later, the deck was shuffled once again with Dominion’s purchase of Sequoia.
Between them, Dominion and ES&S now count the majority of American ballots. There are, of course, newer technologies in development, including Web-based voting. This latest innovation is being peddled by the Spanish-owned Scytl, which named Bob Urosevich managing director of its Americas division in 2006.
One would think (or hope) that a private industry entrusted with America’s votes would require the highest degree of personal integrity from its employees. As it happens, many of the key staffers behind our major voting-machine companies have been accused or convicted of a dizzying array of white-collar crimes, including conspiracy, bribery, bid rigging, computer fraud, tax fraud, stock fraud, mail fraud, extortion, and drug trafficking.
In 2001, for example, a grand jury indicted Philip Foster, Sequoia’s southern regional sales manager, for malfeasance and conspiring to launder money. During the previous decade, he had facilitated a kickback scheme that funneled payments to a Louisiana elections official, who purchased Sequoia equipment while winking at millions of dollars in overcharges. The scheme, which also involved Foster’s brother-in-law and fellow Sequoia employee David Philpot, was hardly an advertisement for the company. Yet Foster, who gained immunity for his testimony against the elections official, not only avoided jail time but was promoted to vice president of sales administration and strategies at Sequoia.
One high achiever actually got his start in prison. Jeffrey Dean’s vote-by-mail software – developed while Dean was serving a sentence for twenty-three counts of embezzlement – came to dominate the U.S. absentee-voting market. Once out of prison, Dean launched his own ballot-printing company with narcotics trafficker John Elder. They later sold it to Global Election Systems, where, readers will recall, Bob Urosevich served as president and COO, before the company was sold to Diebold.
This leads us to a crazy-making realization. Although many felons (and prior felons) can’t cast a ballot in America – an estimated 6 million citizens will be disenfranchised in 2012 due to felony convictions – these particular felons are apparently free to design and manage our entire elections industry.
Since the American Revolution, election fraud has been attempted by every major political party, with frequent intraparty allegations, such as the claim of Ron Paul delegates that the rules were rigged against them at this year’s Republican National Convention. To say that Democrats haven’t committed their fair share of what were once quaintly called “shenanigans” would be disingenuous. Huey Long was a Democrat, as was virtually every candidate ever floated by Tammany Hall, not to mention Lyndon Johnson – whose election to the U.S. Senate in 1948, according to Robert Caro’s Means of Ascent, relied on flagrant vote tampering. Still, the main beneficiary of recent trends in election stealing seems to be the American right.
This is no accident. As the twenty-first century unfolds, American politics continues to veer precipitously to the right, even as the demographic base for such a shift – older white conservative males – keeps shrinking. The engine of this seismic movement is a strategic alliance of corporate interests promoted by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. empire and orchestrated by Karl Rove and the Koch-funded American Legislative Exchange Council. And meanwhile, the American right has in recent years been empowered by a slew of upset victories that range from unexpected to implausible, and that have frequently been accompanied by technical failures and anomalies, which are swept under the rug as rapidly as possible.
In 2002, the G.O.P. regained control of the Senate with such victories. In Georgia, for example, Diebold’s voting machines reported the defeat of Democratic senator Max Cleland. Early polls had given the highly popular Cleland a solid lead over his Republican opponent, Saxby Chambliss, a favorite of the Christian right, the NRA, and George W. Bush (who made several campaign appearances on his behalf). As Election Day drew near, the contest narrowed. Chambliss, who had avoided military service, ran attack ads denouncing Cleland – a Silver Star recipient who lost three limbs in Vietnam – as a traitor for voting against the creation of the Department of Homeland Security. Two days before the election, a Zogby poll gave Chambliss a one-point lead among likely voters, while the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Cleland maintained a three-point advantage with the same group.
Cleland lost by seven points. In his 2009 autobiography, he accused computerized voting machines of being “ripe for fraud.” Patched for fraud might have been more apt. In the month leading up to the election, Diebold employees, led by Bob Urosevich, applied a mysterious, uncertified software patch to 5,000 voting machines that Georgia had purchased in May.
“We were told that it was intended to fix the clock in the system, which it didn’t do,” Diebold consultant and whistle-blower Chris Hood recounted in a 2006 Rolling Stonearticle. “The curious thing is the very swift, covert way this was done. . . . It was an unauthorized patch, and they were trying to keep it secret from the state. . . . We were told not to talk to county personnel about it. I received instructions directly from [Bob] Urosevich. It was very unusual that a president of the company would give an order like that and be involved at that level.”
Two years later, of course, John Kerry lost the presidency in Ohio. In this key swing state, election monitors were besieged by complaints of G.O.P.orchestrated voter suppression, intimidation, and fraud. Myriad voting-machine anomalies were reported, including “glitches” that flipped votes from Kerry to Bush. A phony terror alert in Republican Warren County (the FBI later denied issuing any such warning) allowed officials to move ballots illegally to an auxiliary building and count them out of public view. Presiding over the election was the Republican secretary of state, J. Kenneth Blackwell, a fiercely partisan fundamentalist Christian who also served as co-chair of Ohio’s Committee to Re-Elect George W. Bush.
The exhaustive evidence of voting irregularities in Ohio was documented in a 2005 report commissioned by Representative John Conyers, “Preserving Democracy: What Went Wrong in Ohio.” At the time of that report, however, a major piece of the puzzle was still missing: the role of G.O.P. computer guru Michael Connell.
Connell was the Bush campaign’s chief IT strategist. He was also a zealous anti-abortion activist whose two Ohio-based companies built websites and email systems for the Republican National Committee, Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, and many of the most powerful figures in the G.O.P., including Karl Rove, Jeb Bush, and Jack Abramoff. It was one of Connell’s websites that reported the surprising (many say unbelievable) surge of votes in Ohio that handed George W. Bush the White House for the second time.
In 2004, Connell was hired by Blackwell to design a website that would post Ohio election results to the public. Connell’s contract also required that he create a “mirror site” that would kick in to display the vote totals if the official Ohio servers were overwhelmed by Election Day traffic. For the latter portion of the job, he turned to SmarTech, a little-known company headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee. SmarTech was as partisan as Connell himself, and the company’s servers hosted hundreds of high-profile Republican websites (and, later on, an assortment of anti-Obama websites).
Four years later, Ohio attorney (and former Republican) Cliff Arnebeck began gathering evidence to file a racketeering claim against Karl Rove, which included the charge that Rove had masterminded the theft of the 2004 election. “We detected a pattern of criminal activity,” Arnebeck told the British journalist Simon Worrall. “We identified Connell as a key witness, as the implementer for Rove.” On November 3, 2008, he took a sworn deposition from Connell, who had repeatedly tried to quash Arnebeck’s subpoena.
Initially Connell denied any role in choosing SmarTech to host the mirror site. Questioned further, he admitted that he “may have” made use of the Tennessee servers, but denied any knowledge of whether the mirror site had even been activated in 2004. His job, he insisted, was simply to display vote counts, “taking the public results as they are currently being reported and aggregating them into totals.”
In fact, the SmarTech site went into action at 11:14 p.m. on Election Day. At this point, Arnebeck believes, the data being routed to Tennessee was used by G.O.P. partisans to target Ohio counties that were ripe for vote tampering. “The SmarTech people may have been guiding the manipulation of paper ballots in places like Warren County,” Arnebeck told me.
Others argue that SmarTech’s role was far more insidious and involved partisan control of the total vote count. Stephen Spoonamore, an IT specialist (and Republican) who has consulted on cybersecurity for Boeing, MasterCard, the Navy, and the State Department, has studied the electronic “architecture map” used by Ohio during the 2004 election. He speculates that SmarTech might have been able to use Connell’s interface to gain access to and modify vote totals. In a sworn affidavit, Spoonamore said that the “variable nature of the story” and “lack of documentation available” would, for any of his banking clients, provoke “an immediate fraud investigation.”
Arnebeck hoped to have Connell testify in open court against Rove. But the prospective witness died on December 19, 2008, at age forty-seven, when his single-engine Piper Saratoga, which he was piloting alone, crashed en route from Washington, D.C., to Ohio. The circumstances of his death were viewed with suspicion by his family and close friends and sparked a firestorm of conspiracy chatter on the Internet, but no criminal investigation was launched. Whether Rove and his collaborators orchestrated the electronic theft of the 2004 election will likely never be known. Still, Election Day exit polls make a compelling case that somebody may have been tampering with the presidential vote count, in Ohio and elsewhere.
Late on Election Day, John Kerry showed an insurmountable lead in exit polling, and many considered his victory all but certified. Yet the final vote tallies in thirty states deviated widely from exit polls, with discrepancies favoring George W. Bush in all but nine. The greatest disparities were concentrated in battleground states – particularly Ohio. In one Ohio precinct, exit polls indicated that Kerry should have received 67 percent of the vote, but the certified tally gave him only 38 percent. The odds of such an unexpected outcome occurring only as a result of sampling error are 1 in 867,205,553. To quote Lou Harris, who has long been regarded as the father of modern political polling: “Ohio was as dirty an election as America has ever seen.”
The statistically anomalous shifting of votes to the conservative right has become so pervasive in post-HAVA America that it now has a name of its own. Experts call it the “red shift.”
The Election Defense Alliance (EDA) is a nonprofit organization specializing in election forensics – a kind of dusting for the fingerprints of electronic theft. It is joined in this work by a coalition of independent statisticians, who have compared decades of computer-vote results to exit polls, tracking polls, and hand counts. Their findings show that when disparities occur, they benefit Republicans and right-wing issues far beyond the bounds of probability. “We approach electoral integrity with a nonpartisan goal of transparency,” says EDA executive director Jonathan Simon. “But there is nothing nonpartisan about the patterns we keep finding.” Simon’s verdict is confirmed by David Moore, a former vice president and managing editor of Gallup: “What the exit polls have consistently shown is stronger Democratic support than the election results.”
Wouldn’t American voters eventually note the constant disparity between poll numbers and election outcomes, and cry foul? They might – except that polling numbers, too, are being quietly shifted. Exit-poll data is provided by the National Election Pool, a corporate-media consortium consisting of the three major television networks plus CNN, Fox News, and the Associated Press. The NEP relies in turn on two companies, Edison Research and Mitofsky International, to conduct and analyze the actual polling. However, few Americans realize that the final exit polls on Election Day are adjusted by the pollsters – in other words, weighted according to the computerized-voting-machine totals.
When challenged on these disparities, pollsters often point to methodological flaws. Within days of the 2004 election, Warren Mitofsky (who invented exit polls in 1967) appeared on television to unveil what became known as the “reluctant Bush responder” theory: “We suspect that the main reason was that the Kerry voters were more anxious to participate in our exit polls than the Bush voters.” But some analysts and pollsters insist this theory is entirely unproven. “I don’t think the pollsters have really made a convincing case that it’s solely methodological,” Moore told me.
In Moore’s opinion, the NEP could resolve the whole issue by making raw, unadjusted, precinct-level data available to the public. “Our great, free, and open media are concealing data so that it cannot be analyzed,” Moore charges. Their argument that such data is proprietary and would allow analysts to deduce which votes were cast by specific individuals is, Moore insists, “specious at best.” He adds: “They have a communal responsibility to clarify whether there is a vote miscount going on. But so far there’s been no pressure on them to do so.”
Some argue that the Democratic victories in 2006 and 2008 disprove the existence of the red shift. However, this may be a misinterpretation of complex political upheavals that occurred in each of those election years.
While Democrats won a majority in the House of Representatives in 2006, and the White House in 2008, postelection analyses did in fact suggest extensive red-shift rigging. But in both election cycles, these efforts simply failed to overcome eleventh-hour events so negative that they drastically undercut the projected wins for the G.O.P.
In 2006, it was the exposure of Republican representative Mark Foley’s sexual advances toward male congressional pages, and the long-standing cover-up of his behavior by G.O.P. leadership. The scandal swirling around the outwardly homophobic Foley broke in a very ugly and public way, engulfing the entire party and causing a free fall in its polling numbers. The Democratic margin in the Cook Generic Congressional Ballot poll, which had been at 9 percent in early October, jumped to 26 percent by the week of the election.
The collapse of Lehman Brothers months before the 2008 elections had a similar effect on John McCain’s numbers. Pre-election polls showed that the American public blamed the Republicans for the imploding financial markets. “These political sea changes swamped a red shift that turned out to be under-calibrated,” argues Jonathan Simon, who speculates that Barack Obama actually won by a historic landslide, driven by an overwhelming backlash against the policies of the Bush Administration.
By 2010, the electoral map was once again littered with upset victories that tipped the balance of power in America back toward the right. In Massachusetts, it was Tea Party candidate Scott Brown who achieved what the New York Times called an “extraordinary upset” in his race for the late Ted Kennedy’s seat – and thereby erased the Democrats’ filibuster-proof supermajority in the Senate. A little more than an hour after the polls closed on January 19, the Associated Press declared that Brown had defeated Attorney General Martha Coakley, becoming the state’s first Republican senator in thirty years.
By most accounts, Coakley, who was initially favored to win, ran a lackluster campaign. And her opponent was riding a wave of populist discontent with the Obama Administration. Yet even Brown’s victory, widely predicted by January 19, raised some questions about voting technology. According to the EDA, in all seventy-one locations where ballots were counted by hand under public observation – more than 65,000 ballots in all – Coakley beat her opponent by 2.8 percent. Their analysis also showed that computer-counted communities were more Democratic by registration and historically less likely to support Republican candidates.
In Florida, Rick Scott was elected governor in November after an historically close race with his opponent, Alex Sink. Scott, a millionaire and Tea Party favorite, squeaked through with a 1.15 percent margin of victory, representing just 61,550 votes, after a number of Dominion machines in Hillsborough County failed to upload results. In the wake of what was described as a memory-card glitch, election workers manually rescanned about 38,000 early-voting ballots, without any supervision by the public or the press. Sink, who needed only 35,000 more votes to trigger a mandatory recount, conceded the following day.
Further darkening Florida’s electoral atmosphere was Scott’s record of legal travails. He had narrowly avoided indictment in the late 1990s for his role as CEO of Columbia/HCA, a private health-care company. HCA eventually admitted to substantial criminal conduct and paid a record $1.7 billion to the federal government. Whistle-blower lawsuits alleged that HCA engaged in a series of schemes to defraud Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE, the military’s health-insurance program.
Scott left the company unscathed, with a reported $300 million parachute, then spent $73 million of his own money running for office. Two years later, he targeted 180,000 registered voters in an attempt to purge noncitizens from Florida’s voter rolls. Many of the state’s sixty-seven county election supervisors refused to carry out the purge. Leon County supervisor Ion Sancho called it un-American behavior. “This is an example of partisan manipulation of the process to try to affect the outcome,” he told me. “It’s sad but true.”
In Wisconsin in 2010, the new Tea Party governor-elect, Scott Walker, unveiled a violently corporatist agenda destined for legal challenge – ensuring that the 2011 race for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court would be of crucial importance. The election was ultimately decided by Waukesha county clerk Kathy Nickolaus, who “discovered” 14,300 votes on her computer late on Election Night. This windfall handed the victory to the conservative incumbent, Justice David Prosser, for whom Nickolaus had worked for seven years. Prosser later joined the court’s majority in upholding Walker’s union-busting legislation, stripping workers of their collective-bargaining rights in the birthplace of the Progressive movement.
There is, finally, South Carolina’s 2010 race for U.S. Senate, which Republican Jim DeMint won with 78 percent of the vote. What is mysterious is not the ultimate outcome, but the Democratic primary that preceded it, which tossed up a fairly fortuitous opponent for DeMint: Alvin Greene, an unemployed thirty-two-year-old accused sex offender living in his father’s basement.
Greene, often described as “incoherent,” ran no campaign: no website, no appearances at Democratic events, not even a yard sign. Yet he miraculously beat his opponent in the Democratic primary, former judge and four-term state legislator Vic Rawl, by an 18 percent margin. Voters and campaign workers reported that the ES&S touchscreen machines “flipped” votes to Greene all day long. Meanwhile, the absentee ballots – which were counted by hand – told a different story. In half of the state’s forty-six counties, there was a 10 percent disparity between absentee ballots and those counted by machine; in Lancaster County, Rawl won 84 percent of the absentee vote.
Greene denied accusations (or, some would say, observations) that he was a G.O.P. plant, while declining to explain where he got the $10,400 needed to file as a candidate. Rawl lodged a formal protest and requested a new primary. That was quickly knocked down by the executive committee of the South Carolina Democratic Party – and DeMint sailed to a rout in November.
In the weeks following the South Carolina spectacle, the press engaged in round after round of analytic Twister, avoiding the most obvious question: Had another extremist just gained federal office on the basis of a rigged election? Their silence, however, was nothing unusual.
In his 2011 paper “To the American Media: Time to Face the Reality of Election Rigging,” Jonathan Simon accuses the press of maintaining a Mafia-style omertà on the subject. “The gruesome truth,” he writes, “is that American elections can be rigged, and are being rigged, because the American media treats election rigging as something that – all evidence notwithstanding – could never happen here.”
Few people know this better than NYU professor Mark Crispin Miller, whose booksFooled Again and Loser Take All document a wide assortment of G.O.P. vote-stealing tricks in every major election from 2000 to 2006. When the books were published, he told me, “I got no interviews and almost no reviews, despite the wealth of evidence I’d gathered. The corporate media was silent. But the left-wing press was hostile.”
Indeed, his colleagues on the left seem most reluctant of anyone to grapple with the concept of large-scale election tampering. “I know Michael Moore, Noam Chomsky, Rachel Maddow,” Miller says. “I’ve tried for years to get them to concede that possibility, but they won’t do even that. There’s clearly a profound unease at work. They just can’t go there.”
Why? No doubt the fear of being branded a conspiracy theorist inhibits many – that term having long served as a cudgel to suppress discussion of all sorts of crimes against democracy. As Miller puts it, “There is no more exquisite method of silencing dissent, or shutting down inconvenient inquiry, than to charge someone with conspiracy theory.”
Like their counterparts in the media, Democrats in office today appear unwilling to defend what matters most. They stand in complicit silence as improbable results are spat from the innards of unaccountable voting machines.
“For Democratic legislators and candidates, openly questioning the integrity of American democracy feels like committing political suicide,” says Ben Ptashnik. A former Vermont state senator, Ptashnik ran for office in 1996 specifically to spearhead the state’s Clean Elections Act – whose provisions were largely struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court nearly a decade after its passage. Ptashnik believes that election rigging remains an untouchable phenomenon in American politics. “Very few leaders are willing to fight it, which is probably why Kerry backed off in 2004. But the evidence is piling up. Democrats have to get their heads out of the sand and realize we’re looking at our worst nightmare: Karl Rove’s projected forty-year G.O.P. dynasty.”
Ptashnik speaks with particular bluntness about the state of American democracy. “Today, Karl Rove and the Koch brothers are pushing a corporatist, anti-union agenda,” he says, “cynically allying with anti-immigrant nativists and Christian fundamentalists.” He compares the situation to that of Germany during the 1930s, when anticommunism drove industrialists and much of the working class into the arms of fascism. It is Germany, however, that has now become the standard-bearer for clean elections. In 2009, that nation’s constitutional court upheld the basic principle of the public nature of democratic elections. By ruling that the vote count must be something the public can authenticate – and without any specialized expertise – the decision directly challenged the use of computers in elections.
Ireland followed suit in June 2012, sending all its electronic voting machines to the scrap heap. Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan called the computerized voting system a poorly conceived, scandalous waste of money and said he was “glad to bring this sorry episode to a conclusion on behalf of the taxpayer.”
The November elections will be a watershed for American democracy. A handful of contested Senate seats stand between a right-wing juggernaut and a moderate-progressive counterforce. A few battleground states – notably Florida, Ohio, Virginia, and Wisconsin – hold the key to the presidential election, which may determine the ideological balance of the Supreme Court for decades to come.
Mitt Romney is regarded tepidly by the right wing of his own party. His Mormon faith and the moderate positions he took as governor of Massachusetts have limited his ability to rally the activist base. Consequently, even a weakened Obama may prove too powerful an incumbent to rig out of the White House.
But if the Republicans gain complete control of Congress, they can probably render Obama toothless for his second term and blame him for the economic upheavals that are sure to come in the next four years. Their focus, then, will probably be on the Senate, where Democrats still hold a precarious edge.
No matter how cynical we may have become about our elections, doing nothing to secure an accurate vote count is not an option. It may be too late to completely prevent vote rigging in the 2012 election. But the spotlight of increased public scrutiny may deter the most brazen acts of fraud – and perhaps dissuade those who believe that shifting votes by minuscule percentages in the electronic dark will go unseen.
Where paper ballots still exist, we can demand that local election clerks allow them to be counted by hand before they leave the precinct. Organizing citizen volunteer groups to count them may be necessary. Sheila Parks, who founded the Center for Hand-Counted Paper Ballots, has also urged citizens with legal standing to file injunctions to impound ballots, memory cards, and even voting machines after the polls close. “This prevents tampering with any of these items after an election,” she told me, “and gives us access to them with a secure chain of custody.”
Staring at the outside of a black-box voting system and attempting to detect fraud, however, will not ultimately produce clean elections. It is an exercise in futility if we do not take the next steps now. In preparation for the 2014 election, we must demand that our representatives pass comprehensive election reform, including publicly financed races and a secure, transparent vote count. A privatized, secret ballot count must be viewed as a violation of our civil rights. Once that principle is clear, as it is now in Germany and Ireland, the rest will naturally follow. If we the people do not feel the outrage, or lack the courage to fight for this most basic right of American self-governance, who will?

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