Divine Social Duty

Date: 26 May 2012 22:02:48 -0000
From: “Subhash Dholakia”
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Subject: Divine Social Duty

Baba

“Pra’n’e ceyechi toma’re, tumi ki deve na’ dhara’…” (P.S. 4694)

Purport:

Baba, I long for You in my heart – please come in my heart. Won’t You grace me and allow Yourself to be held; will You not allow me to hold You. The same flow which I feel my heart is also resonating through the delicate strings of my viina.

Baba, so many days and nights, so many prahar [1], and so many dates have gone in waste. Baba, so many months, spans of time, years, and ages have passed. Even after learning so many rules and regulations, and so many do’s and don’ts from the scriptures– in spite of that I lost the path.

Baba, today, by Your grace I understand this eternal truth: That You can only be bound by love and devotion. All the fixed rules and established systems of the tunes and melodies will go in vain. By that way I will not get You. I can only get You by yearning and longing. Only with devotion can I get You.

Baba, I long for You in my heart. In my each and every action I want You to be present. I want to feel You all the time. Baba, please grace me so that You are always along with me. Baba, please be gracious…

END NOTES FOR PRABHATA SAMGIITA #4694:

[1] Prahar= Each day is broken up into eight segments or eight periods. And these periods are known as ‘prahar’. In that way, each prahar is three hours length in duration. Here Baba explains more about prahar and various other segments of time.

Baba says, “The verbal root ‘mas’ means ‘to measure’. By adding ‘ghain’ to ‘mas’ we get ma’sa whose etymological meaning is ‘a measurement of time’ or ‘a period of time’. Thus ma’sa in this sense means ‘era’, ‘lunar year’, ‘lunar month’, ‘lunar day’, ‘solar year’, ‘solar month’, ‘fortnight’, ‘week’, ‘solar day’ or ahora’tra (from sunrise to sunrise), prahara (three hours), hour, minute, second, fraction-of-second and so forth — all of these.” (SC-2, disc:13)

== DIVINE SOCIAL DUTY / PRACARA TIPS ==

Namaskar,

Baba says, “You shall, therefore, preach only satya. Explain to them whatever you have done with reasons thereof. Also, make it clear to them what you want to do and why you want to do. The result of this highly useful (helpful) preaching is that the inferiority complex disappears from the mind of the common men. They are encouraged when they see that a common man like themselves is inspired with such a high ideal. The second result of this is as follows. The common result of this is as follows. The common people are not generally aware of your usefully high ideas. In every work, big or small, they cling to selfishness. So, learning everything pure and high through your easy and simple language they will cooperate with you, with a mind free from wrong notions. The third outcome of this is that they will be shorn off the wrong notions that may have crept into them by the propaganda made by the selfish persons with vested interests.”

“Win over their heart by propagating satya but without abusing anyone. When, they will feel the ideal of satya and come to know of your untiring karma sádhaná, naturally, they will abandon their wrong notions about you; they will even start respecting you.”

“Even in private life when a person behaves with you badly or uses harsh words, don’t behave with him in the same manner. You shall explain to him his duties gently. In case, anyone has a wrong impression, you shall show him the right path without scolding (abusing) him. Make it clear to him if possible with practical demonstration how harmful may be the effect of such habits. But always keep this in mind that in such cases your behaviour must be like that of a friend, and never like that of an instructor. Your only object will be to get your advice accepted by him. The idea that he is fool and you are wise is not desirable in any party.” (Ta’ttvika Diipika’: Dvitiiya Parva)

A FEW SUMMARY POINTS

1) Those suffering from a superiority complex are unable to properly guide or teach others. For them, doing AM pracar is basically impossible.

2) In the Supreme Command, Baba has allotted us the special duty “to bring all to the path of bliss” – to bring all to the divine path of AM. So this is a very sacred task which our Guru has given. Indeed pracara is the greatest social duty of human life.

3) Plus, we know that when Parama Purusa takes advent on this dusty earth then He does not waste His time in becoming a millionaire or a billionaire; rather, He dedicates His each and every moment for the all-round development & emancipation of human beings.

4) The conclusion is that the most virtuous aspect of human life is serving others. And the best service – the most lasting service – is doing dharma pracar. For this reason we should sincerely follow Baba’s above guideline.

Namaskar,
Subhash

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Baba’s Way of Starting Ananda Marga – II

Date: Fri May 11 2012 20:33:28 -0000
From: “Shivadayal Singhal”
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Subject: Baba’s Way of Starting Ananda Marga – II

Baba

== BABA’S WAY OF STARTING ANANDA MARGA ==

~ Part 2 ~

Namaskar,
Here is the continuation of the previous post about the formation of Ananda Marga. The first part detailed how during those very early days in Jamalapur, Baba did all the initiations Himself. As the number of disciples grew, He introduced the system of family tattvikas and family acaryas. Then those tattvikas and acaryas taught sadhana to new people. And Baba Himself involved in countless other engagements.

That post also discussed how some, most notably family acarya Pratapaditya, mistakenly thought that the creation of Wts in AM was merely a temporary measure. Here is that first letter:

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2012/05/babas-way-of-starting-ananda-marga.html

HUGE PRACAR TARGETS FOR FAMILY ACARYAS

Now we pick up the account whereby family acaryas are working hard to keep pace with the rapid growth and spread of AM.

Gradually, in step-wise or even progressive fashion, the work of Ananda Marga multiplied. Family acaryas were convinced to take leave from their government offices and jobs; and, they were temporarily separated from their families in order to travel to far away places for pracar. Indeed they reached to all corners of India from Jammu Kashmir to Kannya Kumari and from Cachh to Nagaland. They covered just about everywhere – all places, all the district headquarters, etc. Plus so many meetings were organised – so many tattva sabhas.

The main program was the extensive pracar work going on those days. There was only one work — pracar, pracar, and pracar. There was no Prout work, no samaj work, and no other activity. In 1955 and 1956, there was only pracar: Making new margiis and getting them involved in sadhana and sending for them for PC at Jamalpur.

Then the next phase started. Family Acaryas were requested to go outside India. Some went and did huge work. Baba’s pressure was very focused on pracar work. So most of the family acaryas were taking leave and getting involved. Weeks after weeks. Pracar and pracar. That was the rhythm those days. At the same time, Baba graciously arranged a favourable vibration everywhere. So wherever acaryas went, they found people hungry to learn meditation and follow Ananda Marga. Effortlessly, acaryas initiated countless people. It was all due to Baba’s cosmic grace.

HOW THEY WERE THINKING ABOUT MONKS

Prior to 1962, in Ananda Marga there was no sannyasi system. So a few family acaryas were thinking that AM does not appreciate monks. This was the thinking of some family acaryas in those early days. They were openly talking like this also.

They calculated that other religions and spiritual paths have monks, but in Ananda Marga it is not accepted. So they had a negative type of feeling towards the saffron cloth. Plus general margiis were giving high regard and respect to family acaryas.

So two things were involved here. One, family acaryas were getting high respect. Two, in the working style of AM up to that time, Baba had not yet created the system of wholetime workers, renunciates. So some family acaryas in their own way were thinking that the concept of sannyasis will not be accepted in AM in the future.

THE PRESSURE FOR WORK MOUNTS

In a methodical manner, the days passed with ever-increasing work demands. After several years when 
Baba’s work pressure was so extreme, family acaryas were feeling a lot of stress to fulfill the targets. At one point, Baba gave the program to do pracar and programs in all blocks of the entire world: Where there is at least one Margii in each and every block.

By that time Baba was taking reports – and lovingly punishing and even beating His disciples with His own stick. This was exclusively His tantric grace. To the untrained eye it may have looked harsh. But behind, Baba had His cosmic plan. By beating and punishing sadhakas, He would cure their physical and psychic ailments. In His divine play of punishment, He purified their glands, cleaned their minds, and infused them with devotion and strong enthusiasm. In this way, He was gracing and purifying them – and devotees realised this as well. All their physical and psychic ailments were removed. After reporting they would do a lot of pracar. Outwardly it looked like punishment; but, those who received such punishment were charged with a strong spirit, a clear mind, and a disease-free body.

These days some people may think: Was there no other way to purify sadhakas than by beating them?

The answer is very simple. Baba’s unique and special approach of “punishing” sadhakas kept unworthy people away from the scene; by this way, only those sincere sadhakas who really wanted to be cured, pure, and spiritually cleansed remained. And that is exactly what happened. By seeing His way of bestowing grace, many unworthy people became scared and ran away. Only the true sadhakas remained along with Baba. This was way He showered His grace upon His disciples and displayed His tantric liila.

WT’S ENTER ONTO THE SCENE

Anyway, the phase was starting to change – again. This is Baba’s liila. Baba was taking reporting and He scolded and abused a lot those days. That time, the out-turn was “very poor” from family acaryas. They were working hard, but Baba had given them huge expectations and targets to fill.

Then Baba suggested, “You people have become senior, have families, and hence cannot leave for AM work for several months at a time for pracara. Why not find youths who are unmarried, or anyone who can 
give full-time commitment for this endeavour, and take work from them?”

By listening this suggestion from Baba, those family acaryas felt so much relief. They started searching for some youths.

In this course of action, from different parts of India, family acaryas sent many youths for PC at Jamalpur. And to make them into LFTs there was one training session. The year was 1962.

Things were going on very fast. Without any delay those LFT’s were getting their WT-ship.

This is just a glimpse of some of the long, rich history. From there the story goes on and on. Please everyone write in with their own remembrances & recollections.

Namaskar,
Shivadayal Deva

Note 1: WHY SOME FAMILY ACARYAS WERE FRUSTRATED AND FURIOUS

ABOUT THE CREATION OF WTS

In 1962, Baba created the Wt system. Margiis naturally began giving a lot of respect to wholetimers. Seeing this, some family tattvikas and acaryas felt jealous. Suddenly, the respect they were getting shifted towards these new wholetimers. For this reason they did not like the creation of Wts. They thought, “This new system of Wts is very bad because it has taken away our honour and respect.”

That is the main reason why some family acaryas became hostile toward Wt’s.

We can understand then that this was nothing but the play of avidya maya. Due to the veil of darkness, i.e. avidya maya, certain family acaryas could not digest Baba’s new component: Wts. That is why some family acaryas raised their agenda again and again that the Wt system whould be abolished. They gave the false justification that it is impractical. Amongst them all, family acarya Pratapaditya was a very vocal critic against the Wt system.

PRABHAT SAMGIITA

“Tiirthe tiirthe ghuriya’ kla’nt hoye esechi dva’re…” (Prabhata Samgiita 4112)

Purport:

Baba, O’ Divine Entity, after wandering around the globe in various holy lands in search of You, I am completely tired. In this exhausted state I have reached Your alter. Baba, be gracious, please do not turn Your face away; please do not become unhappy, angry, or furious with me. Please open the door and allow me to come inside.

Baba, look towards me; my whole body is completely tired and exhausted. My feet are full of dust. Wandering around in the sun, my whole body has become completely hot and sweaty. I am totally tired and exhausted.

O’ Parama Purusa, O’ Baba, now I feel in my heart and repent how my whole life has been wasted. I was tied up in the noose of dogma. Just I was performing various rituals, wandering in holy lands, moving from one tiirtha to another tiirtha, from one Baba’s Quarter to another Baba’s Quarter, in search of You. By Your grace, now I understand that You are residing in my heart – smiling.

Baba, I am surrendering to You. Please accept me as Yours. Do not leave me to wander from one dogmatic pilgrimage to another – involved in various rituals. The path which I was traveling was dark & full of hopelessness. I wasted a lot of money, time, and energy; nothing was gained. Now I am too tired. I want Your divine direction.

In spite of moving on the negative path, by Your grace in the garden of my mind some flowers have bloomed for You. I want to offer those flowers at Your lotus feet. The creepers of hope are swinging and the feeling is coming that You will allow me.

Bab, You have graciously given me the longing for You in my heart. Now please grace me by allowing me to come close to You and touch Your feet. Baba, I am Yours and You are mine. I am surrendering everything unto You. Please accept me…

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Feeding From Distance

From: “Manindra Deva”
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Date: 18 Jan 2012 22:53:06 -0000
Subject: Feeding From Distance

Baba

“Sukhe ele na’ko, shoke sa’ntvana’ dite ele…” (PS 3091)

Purport:

Baba, when I was feeling happy and content that time You did not come. Those days I was so enamoured with myself and I was so involved in my own glory that I did not even think to call You. So You did not come. But when I lost all that happiness and when I become drowned in my sorrows of self pity and when I was suffering and overwhelmed by various problems, then by Your grace You immediately came and consoled me. Baba in that desperate moment You graciously relieved me of my grief. Baba, I did not ever feel that You are mine. In this life I was always suffering from the vanity and ego of my own I-feeling. Those days I was thinking that ‘I am everything’. Due to my ego I did not accept You as the Supreme One– as my Goal. I did not take You as that most loving One who can solve all my problems; I did not surrender at Your feet. Baba, even then by Your grace You advented deep inside my heart and became mine. And now I understand that You are ever helpful and that You remain with me always.

Baba, those days when I was overwhelmed by that severe suffering, I did not outrightly tell You about my problems. I did not openly say anything. I did not express my pain to You. But because You are ever-present in my heart and because You are my eternal shelter, with Your infinite compassion You fully understood the desperate state of my mind– You understood my sorrow. And by Your grace You instantly poured Your eternal sweetness and love. By Your grace You filled my whole existence with Your divine bliss.

Baba, due to my ego and vanity I could not recognise you. You were showering huge grace on me but I could not recognize that. I thought that due to my own qualities everything was happening. In those happy times I could not recognise You. Only did I begin to recognise You in my sorrow.

Baba, in my state of terrible suffering, when the mountain of misery started falling on my head, then all my friends left me. I was all alone. When I was happy then they were along with me but when I became sunk in misery all those friends disappeared. Baba, You are the exact opposite. When I was sunk in woe then by Your grace You immediately came and removed all my pains and troubles. Baba You bathed me in Your infinite love. Filling my I-feeling with Your bliss, You surrounded me each and every second. Baba, You showered Your grace and saturated my heart.

Baba, You are so gracious. You are love Personified. You have done everything for me. Baba, I surrender at Your alter…

== FEEDING FROM DISTANCE ==

Namaskar,
In light of the ongoing muddle of groupism, many are turning towards their service projects as their main interaction with the organisation. This is true for both margiis and wts. Of course we all know that we must not ignore the rage of groupism and just resort to some goody-goody life. So the troubles of groupism must be tackled by one and all. At the same time as we engage in our service projects, here are a few things for us to think about.

We all know that service projects are an integral part of AM life. Yet how they are to be built up and how they are to be maintained is not always easy to know. Should the money come from afar or locally? Plus to what degree are financial donors responsible for ensuring their money reaches the mark. These are but a few of the many important questions and considerations. Here following then are Baba’s important guidelines regarding how to build and maintain service projects.

INITIAL QUERY

How far is external monetary support helpful in any project where local people are not involved? Or what happens when a project is totally dependent upon donations from outsiders? We can gain insight into this by looking at the history of Ananda Marga and the general society also.

HUMAN BODY AND MEDICINE ANALOGY

In one discourse Baba says that no structure can survive only depending on external help. Baba gives the example that if anybody is sick and you go on medicating him by external medicine injection, and if the body does not have its own vitality to pick itself up, then that external medicine is not going to work. External medicine is only helpful when the body is responding.

Or in other words, to give strength to the internal system of the body, some external medicine is needed sometimes. And that medicine does not do anything on its own; it just helps the internal system to pick itself up. In the case of a dead body where the internal system is completely defunct, then external medicine cannot help. If you go on giving medicines to one dead body, it will be useless.

100% EXTERNAL SUPPORT WILL NOT WORK

It is well known in the Indian history that there was a very big university in Nalanda’. The name was – Nalanda’ Vishvavidya’lay. It was situated in Bihar. As long as the area was ruled by Buddhists, then that university worked fine. Means, that university was completely dependent upon donation from outsiders and from the King. The local public was not involved. So when the kingdom changed rulers, then antisocial elements set the university on fire. And in the library, hundreds of thousands of books were there. Nobody cared about those things and the whole campus and buildings were burned one after another. It took several months to go on burning. Local people were apathetic. So this is one factual history.

So in India we can see hundreds of abandoned mosques and churches which are lying uncared for, since ages. They were running well when they were getting donations from the Mogul King, or Britishers. But when the kingdom changed and donations stopped, then the places became abandoned.

LOCAL SUPPORT NEEDED

And other side, those mosques and churches which were supported by the public, they are still running fine. Or even better is that the Ashram system did not get rooted out during the Moghul or British rule because all the while the public supported the ashram system. So the conclusive idea is that if any project is run by or dependent on external support, then their fate is dark.

Thus on this very point, Baba’s policy is not to take support from outside. Local people should be inspired to contribute and help the local projects. Otherwise they will not feel oneness with the project. And in most of the cases they will feel irritation. Or they will try to take away or root out the projects.’

WHEN THE PUBLIC IDENTIFIES WITH A PROJECT OR NOT

Another important example is that within Bihar there are thousands of schools situated in the small villages. And initially the government was granting money for the construction of their buildings. Thus with total help from the government, school buildings were made.

But villagers did not feel closeness with the project. They were thinking that “This is an outsider project”, or that “this is a government building. This is not my building.”

Keeping this view in their mind, they did not like to protect that building. Not only that, after some time it was found that those windows from the buildings disappeared. Some villagers had stolen them and were using in their house. After some time, the roof was also taken away, and used somewhere. This is not the tale of one or two places– Hundreds of places are like that.

The overall theme being that when the local public thinks of something as a government building, then at first they don’t feel closeness. They think it is others’, not mine. And they misuse it or destroy it.

So this problem was going on for a long time. Then under pressure of circumstances the local government changed the plan. That, the building will be constructed by the villagers. And teachers will be supplied by the government. 50% share villagers should give. So when villagers with their own contribution made their house, then they protected that. And the program was successful.

BABA’S SPECIAL TEACHING:

LOCAL DONATION IS A PLEDGE OF THE HEART

On the point of external vs local help for AM projects, once Baba was giving guideline to all WTs. He told that “You must collect donation from the local public for the jagriti. Whatever money they are giving, that does not have only monetary value. But something more they are giving. If some person gives you donation of one paisa/penny, then with that one paisa that very poor person gives the sympathy of his heart to you/to your project or jagriti, childrens home etc. And if antisocial elements will try to destroy that project or jagriti or school, those who have given their donation, they will protest. And if donation has come exclusively from outside, and if the jagriti is set on fire by antisocial elements, then the villagers will not be so much affected.”

Baba further told, “But if the villagers’ money is also involved as a donation in constructing that jagriti, then they will think in their heart that THEIR property is getting destroyed. And they will immediately come forward and protect the property of the jagriti and protest against the negative people.”‘

Thus the basic fact is that to erect some building or project, local support is highly essential. Otherwise the fate of that project is in dark in the future. Suppose if money has come from outside, and local people are not feeling oneness with the project, then in most of the cases, they will feel detached. They will not save the building. And in many special cases, they will destroy that building– Or hut, or whatever it may be.

That’s why we have seen, in the case of our jagriti or any such construction, where local people did not contribute and money came from outside, then that project could not flourish.’

WHEN TO TAKE HELP FROM OUTSIDE AREAS

The question can also be raised that is there any occasion when we should get or accept help from outside– from other countries?

And Baba’s guideline is that in the case of a big disaster like an earthquake, cyclone, flood etc, when a huge population is highly affected, that is a special case. That time external help is highly needed. But for making a local project or some jagriti building or a school, external help is not needed.

DO PRACARA AND SERVICE SIMULTANEOUSLY

Next scenario: If local people are not there, or if they are all non-margiis, then what should we do?

Baba says that first we should create margiis. And then immediately start the project. Side by side both the works will go. Without taking help from local people, if anyone does anything that will prove to be hopeless. One will not have any sentimental support from local people. Rather they will think that he is an outsider, or that he doesn’t belong to them.

Because of all these reasons, Baba always emphasizes to do pracar among the local people. And one more related point is there. Doing pracar only among the outsider communities or migrant people, is not going to serve the purpose of Ananda Marga.

SERVE THE LOCAL PEOPLE

A critical case is that of Africa, where mostly Indian businessmen are occupying the money and political sources. And some WTs because of their ignorance or selfish interest, they focus on propagating AM among Indian businessmen who are living in Africa. But Baba was not happy in this situation. Baba used to emphasize and always take report about how many local people have been created.

One Dada was once telling in Africa at an Orange Farm, initially the project was made with external help, and it was a serious problem. Local people used to always come and take away/steal all the materials. And such example is not one or two. Hundreds of cases happened. We should take lesson.

THE SPECIAL CASE OF ANANDA NAGAR

External help was needed only, to build up Ananda Nagar. Because Ananda Nagar is our global headquarters. To make Baba’s Quarter or road or rotunda, the local public is not going to help. Because they do not have direct interest in that. That’s why Baba inspires one and all, all around the globe, to contribute for Ananda Nagar. That was the special case.

MUST GET LOCAL HELP

But in all the reportings which various workers attended since 1978 to ’90, it became clear that Baba used to emphasize getting anything and everything done using the local help.– Margiis and non-margiis are needed: Both. And then only, AM will flourish and school or any medical unit, projects, will be established. Permanently. Otherwise, feeding from the long distance is not going to help. We should take lesson from the past history.

WHAT SOME REVIEW

There are two points here. First thing, each and every sector has their own problems and according to Baba’s system, it is the duty of the margiis that they should take care about the local unit and their own sector. And that is their foremost duty. Neglecting one’s own unit and helping others for the sake of name and fame, this is not a good tradition. And the second point is that taking external help is not going to solve the problem permanently. For making a school building, local people must come forward.

A POINT FOR COMMON CONSIDERATION

Ananda Marga itself is a proof, at present we have several hundred Ananda Marga schools in India, and 99.9% of them have been made by local contribution. And there are also many examples of Bengal where a school building has been made by external donation. And common people destroyed it and set it on fire. But many places in Bengal are also there, where local people were inspired to help and they are donating and protecting those things. Surely it is the duty of we margiis that we should think carefully, how far their money can be utilized in a better way.

Baba says, “O human beings, frame the social structure considering the needs of humanity. Do not try to do anything for your petty personal and group interests…” (SS-1, Ch.1)

Namaskar,
Manindra

Note 1: WHAT WE SHOULD DO — OUR RESPONSIBILITY

And another point is that if we are the ones donating to a far distant service project and if due to mishandling of funds our money does not reach there, then according to Baba’s teaching about tapah we are also to blame– not just the crooked thief who captured our money. We also will incur negative samskara. Of course this is just a hypothetical situation, yet the point remains that the responsibility also lies with the donor. That is why intelligent margiis give to local projects where they can ensure that everything is proper and the money is going in the right direction. Then of course by this way the common public will also get inspired to donate because everyone likes to be part of a winning project. At the same time we should demand that there be transparency of the financial books– ie proper accounting. And like this there are numerous points regarding service projects and financial contributions etc. Please also share your ideas on this important topic.

***************************************
Solution

Baba says, “This has been our failing: that we neglected the spiritual faculties of human life, we neglected the cardinal spiritual points of life. If we are interested today in the welfare of this beautiful universe, we should try more and more to accelerate the speed of spiritual progress. If the acceleration of spiritual progress becomes tremendous, then not only in the human world, but also in the physical, psychic and spiritual spheres of the entire world — and not only of the entire animate world, but of both the animate and inanimate worlds — there will be tremendous progress. And this is what we want. Now we are anxiously waiting for that crimson dawn on the eastern horizon.” (AFPS-5)

Note: Generally people do not realise this very thing which Baba has explained above. To understand this fully it needs agraya’ buddhi (pointed intellect). Only those who are blessed sadhaka can understand that sadhana is the panacea.
***************************************

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My Story: How Omni-Loving Baba Attracted Me

Date: Sat, 17 Dec 2011 17:39:06 -0000
To: am-global@earthlink.net
From: Jawaharlal (Jawaharlal_T@banknet…>
Subject: My Story: How Omni-Loving Baba Attracted Me

Baba

== BABA STORY: HOW OMNI-LOVING BABA ATTRACTED ME ==

Note: The below is a first-hand account from Ramchandra, an extremely senior margii from Jamalpur.

Namaskar,
In my youth I studied in the same school as Baba but was much younger that He was. Baba graduated long before I entered.

The school was in Rampur colony (Jamalpur). When I attended high school my classmates and I used to pass by the newly constructed Jamalpur ashram. While walking by, my friends and I would keep quiet. We thought this was some type of magician’s house where people got turned into animals. That was the type of fear complex we had. We were terrified of the place.

I do not know where that idea came from, but that was the way it was those days. We were totally scared and thought it best to keep distance from Ananda Marga as margiis could captivate people and bring them into their fold.

MY CURIOSITY GROWS

As I grew older, I became more curious about Ananda Marga. I was intrigued and wanted to know more. I wanted to go inside – though admittedly I still had a lot of fear about AM.

So here is what I used to do.

When Baba was not present, I would seek out those margiis coming from afar and talk to them about their experiences with Baba and AM. Because those days, disciples and new people were regularly coming from longer distances to see Him. In reply to my queries, these bhaktas were telling me of their experiences. One common theme I heard again and again was, “Baba knows everything.”

In this way, I would gather news, insights and stories. That was my way of learning more about Baba and Ananda Marga without going too close due to my fear. Gradually I became more and more interested, though I remained fearful as well.

When talking to them, margiis would ask me, “How long have you been doing sadhana?”; “Are you practicing regularly?”. I just remained quiet.

MY PLAN OF STARTING SADHANA

After some time I came to the conclusion that I should learn and practice sadhana but not maintain any connection with Ananda Marga due to fear and public shame. I did not want to be known as someone who got brainwashed by AM. So I concluded I would do sadhana in my home yet keep distance from AMPS organisation in the public. I also decided that I would not come for PC, nor would I see Baba. That was my plan.

So I took initiation and started doing sadhana and margiis invited and encouraged me to attend dharmacakra as well. I told, “No. I will not attend dharmacakra nor will I go to general darshan.”

WHO IS BABA?

One day out of curiosity I went to talk with a few newcomers about their experiences. Suddenly people started shouting, “Baba has come! Baba has come!” Then 20 – 30 people stood and formed one line. They stood there waiting. A small crowd passed by including one simple dressed man.

(Note: In my mind I was thinking that Baba was a monk. So when people started saying Parama Pita Baba Ki – Jai!!, then I was looking for a monk with matted locks, a tiger skin, and ashes on his body. But I did not see anyone like that. I had never seen Baba before so I could not recognise Him. Others were doing pranam but I did not do pranam even though I was also in that line.)

After a few minutes, after the crowd had gone inside I asked, “Who is Baba? Where is He and what does He look like?”

In my mind I was thinking that Baba must look like one of those monks with matted locks and a long beard, armed with a trident and wearing earrings. This was the image I had conjured up in my mind about Him. I thought He must be like that. Yet the person who just passed by was a simple, ordinary looking man.

All this was going on in my mind when I asked, “Who is Baba?”

Those around me exclaimed, “That was Baba.”

Then I thought that He does not seem to be so dangerous. So I went inside and attended general darshan. I sat in the back.

It was very surprising for me that Baba was not scary at all. He did not abuse or punish anyone. Mostly He spoke on various topics. After attending this first time, I felt more attracted.

At that point I thought that I should do sadhana very regularly and go see Baba from time to time in the ashram. But outside I should maintain my own existence and not be associated with Ananda Marga. Otherwise it would be very humiliating to be known as a margii. After all, those days the public image of AM was not very favourable.

ATTENDING ARYA SAMAJ CONFERENCE

During that time of my life, it was also my manner to visit various religious functions related with all kinds of sadhus and monks of different organisations. One morning an Arya samaj conference was going on. I was aware about it but had already planned to go to the jagrti that day for general darshan. But when I reached the AM ashram I saw that there was a delay. Morning general darshan had not yet started and it did not look like it was going to start soon.

From that spot, I could hear the loudspeaker off in the distance from the Arya Samaj gathering.

I thought that since there was time, I should attend the Arya Samaj function and hear their pravacan. Then later on I would return for Baba’s darshan. That was my plan.

When I reached to the Arya Samaj gathering, the monk giving the lecture started abusing Baba and Ananda Marga. Internally I did not at all like what he was saying. Rather I was very much disturbed hearing this fellow abuse AM. I thought that if Baba is Himself God, then He must be listening. I wondered why Baba is not teaching him a lesson – here and now. After all if Baba is the most powerful One and this fellow is abusing the Almighty God, then something should be done. All these thoughts were going on in my mind.

On the one the side I was upset and deeply disturbed by hearing this man’s harsh words, and on the other side I wanted to see how far, how nasty, this speaker would go. So I listened for a little while longer.

Finally after some time I thought I should return to our AM ashram. I was thinking that by now Baba has probably come and it will be time for general darshan.

So I left that Arya samaj conference and started en route to the ashram.

“BABA IS CALLING YOU”

On my way I met up with many margiis. As soon as they saw me they said, “Where were you? Why are you so late general darshan? Baba inquired about you 25 – 30 times. Again and again Baba was repeating, “Why has Ramchandra not come? Why has he not come?”. In this way Baba was repeatedly asking about you. So quickly go to the jagrti and see Abhedanandji.”

I quickened my pace and hurried that direction.

When I reached nearby the ashram, many others also told, “Ramchandra where were you? Baba asked about you many times.”

I hastily ran and saw Dasarth ji standing outside.

Dasarth ji told me, “Baba is calling you; go see Him immediately.”

I reached there as quickly as I could.

Dada Abhedananda told me, “Baba is calling you – go in the room, do sastaunga pranam – He will give you PC!”

MY PC WITH BABA

When I entered I did sastaunga pranam. Baba was very charming. But because I was preoccupied with news of the Arya samaj event, I thought I should tell Baba about it when I got the chance.

I wanted to give Him a full accountt of Arya Samaj conference. I told half a sentence.

Baba said, “You need not worry about that. I know the whole situation. Ramchandra, you need not think about that fellow from Arya Samaj; it is not your duty to give him a lesson. Those who are bad emit bad words from their mouth. Those who are good people will always speak good things. So do not think about taking revenge. According to natural law, nature will take care of this.”

Mentally I thought that Baba knows everything.

In that PC, Baba told me so many things about my life which no one else knew. I personally felt that He knew everything about me. My secrets which nobody knows, Baba knew. All I could think is that, “Baba knows everything.”

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS

I realised that Baba is Parama Purusa and that He remains always in the mind. What you think He knows, and He is very loving too.

From that day forward my mind was totally transformed and I became very regular in attending all kinds of AM programs. I was always eager to attend.

Now I see that this (my relation with Him) is exclusively due to His grace. He graciously changed my feelings towards Him from being quite distant to extremely personal and close.

Namaskar,
Ramchandra

Note 1: MY SHORT BIO

By the way, I entered AM in the 1960’s. Internally I wanted to be an Ananda Margii and was attracted to Baba’s magnetic personality. I was initiated, began practicing sadhana regularly, and ultimately was blessed to receive PC with Baba.

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The Way Baba Prepared for Struggle

Date: 09 Sep 2011 21:07:45 -0000
From: “K Lingappa Deva”
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Subject: The Way Baba Prepared for Struggle

Baba

== THE WAY BABA PREPARED FOR STRUGGLE ==

Namaskar,
We know, and Baba has told us again and again, that life is not always smooth. One’s progress and movement is systaltic in nature – up and down. So there will always be highs and lows. Everyone will experience such patterns in their life.

This below Baba story is not just the recounting of a very devotional and tantric period in our AM history, but also a practical method for how we are to proceed in day to day life.

THOSE DAYS IN 1971 IN PATNA

Those pre-emergency days in 1971 in Patna, Baba was vigorously preparing everyone for the difficulties that lay ahead. He was teaching so many do’s and don’ts and then checking those things as only a Sadguru can. The scene was both riveting and exciting, as well as full of love and bliss.

Baba, of course, did not say openly that the whole world would turn on Ananda Marga and that we would all be persecuted and put in jail. Only He hinted that there will be a time when the number of margiis will be few and Ananda Margiis will not be accepted etc. Baba was also telling margiis to start stocking extra food in the homes, schools, and jagrtis.

Hearing this though, no one was worried. We all knew that Baba was the Parama Purusa and we rightly felt that nothing could harm us. We heard Baba’s gentle warnings about the future but at the same time we did not really listen.

It is just like if the weather is perfect outside – the sun is shining, there is a gentle breeze, and there is not a cloud in the sky – then if someone says that a cyclone is coming, few, if any, will take it seriously.

Same was the case with us back in 1971. Baba was there and that was enough. We could not think that such difficult days were coming. Trouble was around no doubt, but so was He and that was enough to satisfy us and think that everything would be fine.

HOW BABA LOVINGLY PREPARED US

In the Jamalpur days, Baba graciously gave yama and niyama for our conduct and dealing – for our betterment. In that phase He, of course, also delivered so many philosophical gems like Elementary Philosophy, Idea and Ideology, Ananda Sutram, and so much more. Our do’s and don’ts in personal life though were essentially limited to yama and niyama.

Around 1971, Baba began systematically giving so many teachings related with our personal dealing and way of living – most notably 16 Points. Prior to that some wholetimers were still drinking tea etc, but in 1971 all that stopped.

No doubt, prior to 1971, some had gotten certain practices from Yogic Treatments so a few were doing fasting on occasion and / or wearing laungota etc. But in 1971, those practices and so many more became pervasive in our Marga and were made mandatory via 16 Points and other codes of conduct.

Many may remember that before 1971, in order to have Baba’s darshan, then VSS and in-charges would ensure all had perfectly memorized the Supreme Command. One had to repeat it perfectly either in Hindi, Bengali, or English. Then and only then would they be allowed to enter the darshan hall or room.

But in 1971, that changed. Then everyone had to perfectly recite 16 Points in their exact order. That time Baba also began delivering so many discourses on various aspects of Sixteen Points.

SOME BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Thus it was in Patna that Baba graciously first checked our Sixteen Points in so many different ways to ensure that we were all moving and growing properly on the path. Reciting the mere list of 16 Points was not all that was expected – we also had to follow.

It went something like this.

In the 2nd half of 1971 after shifting the office from Ranchi to Patna due to extreme social tension and unrest, we would regularly arrive – almost daily – at Baba’s Quarters or the jagrti for darshan.

AM was still growing at a good clip, but not at the booming rate as months earlier because the government and newspapers were releasing and printing so much false propaganda about Baba and the Marga.

In that dramatic era, we would all file in to see Baba and when there were 20 or 30 of us, then He would graciously take His seat and we would all be inside the walled Patna compound seated in an open area focused on Him. It was all quite beautiful and charming.

And as I say, those were the days when Baba has strictly checking 16 Points as He was well aware that the Emergency was looming eerily on the horizon.

BABA’S SPECIAL WAY OF CHECKING

In His divine manner, Baba would look around at the margiis present and openly ask us about our practices.

But it would be done in a very special way.

Baba would say, “Gopal, show us your shaoca manjusa. You have such a beautiful shaoca manjusa. It is very nice. Show it to us so everyone may see – after all this is one of our 16 Points.”

Baba had intentionally called on Gopal because He knew that Gopal did not have a shaoca manjusa.

In response, in the course of this loving liila where Baba was watching out for the welfare of all, Gopal would feel a bit ashamed or humiliated or embarrassed, and internally understood that he would have to be more strict on the point of shaoca manjusa.

And in that way, all the other margiis present understood as well that they would have to be strict, lest they get called on in front of all.

Baba would do the same thing with the point of laungota. If anyone present was not wearing a laungota, then that was the person Baba would call upon.

Baba would say, “Oh, Chandra Mohan, I understand you are very sincere in wearing a laungota every day. Is that not so. Don’t you always wear your laungota. Tell us.”

Then everyone knew that Chandra Mohan was not wearing a laungota. Plus they all knew that if next time they did not wear one then they would get called on.

Once all the physical aspects were addressed in this way, from food to fasting to taking bath properly etc, Baba raised the standard to the psychic & psycho-spiritual planes. He would check to ensure all repeated Guru Mantra before entering the room and that everyone was doing sadhana – all lessons – as directed.

So by applying pressure, Baba was teaching and ensuring we were actively involved in 16 Points. None wanted to be pointed out so step by step, point by point, all began following. This was the way things were rolling those days. Baba was getting everyone prepared and ready.

And not only that, in His loving liila, Baba would harshly rebuke and scold in-charges and VSS for allowing margiis to enter without following 16 Points. So they in turn began vigilantly checking to ensure all margiis were wearing laungota, carrying shaocamanjusa, doing pracara and properly following all the various element of 16 Points.

By this way everyone became strong Ananda Margiis and could weather the storm that was about to come.

STILL RELEVANT TODAY

Now in this year of 2011, the same system applies. Sixteen Points will save us from all difficulties and keep us moving in the right direction.

Baba says, “For progress in entitative flow, one is to lead a pure life, a moralistic life, a life based on moral principles. Do not do anything bad. What is bad? Bad is that which depraves human existence. Follow a strict code of morality. Live a pure life, a neat and clean life. Be strict in 16 Points. What will happen? Your entitative flow will get
purified and will be in parallelism with your psychic wave.” (SS_12)

And here below Baba directly states that our strength and stamina will increase multi-fold by adhering to Sixteen Points.

Baba says, “The more rigidly you follow the 16 Points, the more your mental strength will increase. It will increase so much that it will be more powerful than the collective mental strength of 100,000 people. In a psychic clash they will have to concede victory to you. A person who is physically strong can fight against eight, ten or twenty people at
most, but no more than that. A psychically developed person, however, is able to fight against many more people. So you must endeavour to develop your psychic strength – this is your bounden duty. The more rigidly you follow the 16 Points, the more psychic strength you will acquire. It will not take you long.” (AV-7)

Thus in the same way that 16 Points gave Wts and margiis the strength to manage and thrive during the Emergency, today also 16 Points will fortify us in all the ways needed to spread His teachings and gain success.

Let us also not forget that Baba is watching and those who follow His teachings of Sixteen Points will be graced more and more to proceed onwards. That is also His expressed guideline.

BABA’S BLESSING

By Baba’s grace ours is not the path of preya (mundane pleasure), but rather the path of shreya (Supreme benevolence). Sixteen Points is the way forward. Our duty is to follow and make sure other margiis are also following. Then our Marga will be strong, on both the individual and collective level.

Baba says, “…In order to march ahead on the road of human welfare, we will have to strengthen ourselves in all the arena of life. The complete seeds of welfare in all the spheres – physical, mental, moral, social and spiritual – are embedded in the sixteen points. Hence be firm on the sixteen points.” (A’nanda Va’nii #45)

Namaskar
Karun

Note 1: MANY OF THE 16 PT TEACHINGS WERE PRESENT ALREADY

Although Sixteen Points was formally given during the above time period in 1970-71, many of those teachings were already present in the form of various worker and margii conduct rules, Yogic Treatments, and other teachings. By giving 16 Points, Baba codified and explicitly listed all these rules and regulations into one concerted list.

PRABHAT SAMGIITA

“A’va’r ki re a’lo elo dhu’lor e dhara’te…” (P.S. #615)

Purport:

O’ human being, behold! Ajana Pathik has come again on this dusty earth. The flood of effulgence has come. Through the medium of longing, You quench the thirst of the eyes. Look, the Lord of Effulgence has Himself come. All the minds and hearts which were crying in suffering and pain, are now dancing in joy. Because, He has come. He loves one and all, everyone. He has come here to remove the suffering, and establish dharma. Because of His advent, everything changed. The sweet breeze is blowing full of fragrance. On this dusty earth, Ajana Pathik has come…

***************************************
One Should Always Remember

Baba says, “However little one’s capacity might be, if one constantly remembers that Parama Purus’a is always with him, that they are in the closest contact with Parama Purus’a, they will be able to do everything. They are not as small as they think themselves to be. And as long as they remember this closest association with Him, they can do much more than ordinary human beings. When this idea becomes permanently established in their minds, they become great. This is why no one should be disappointed or depressed in any circumstances; let everyone constantly perform great deeds, remembering that the flow of their capacity is coming from Parama Purus’a, and thus they can do everything.” (AFPS-3, p. 62)
***************************************

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If Getting Abused by Non-Margiis

To: AM-GLOBAL
From: “Phanindra Deva”
Date: Mon, Sep 05 2011 22:39:11 -0700
Subject: If Getting Abused by Non-Margiis

Baba

== IF GETTING ABUSED BY NON-MARGIIS ==

Namaskar,
When doing the dharma pracara of Ananda Marga, we must expect to receive criticism and abuse from non-margiis. It is going to happen.

Here’s the story of what happened when I forgot this above truth.

The other day, a margii brother in my unit came over and then we went to our program to present the views of AM. There was a lot of backlash from various attendees. People from different backgrounds vociferously opposed us. It was now what we expected.

The program concluded and we were not sure what to think – did we do something wrong?

We did sadhana for about 40 minutes and then referred to Baba’s divine discourses in order to gain some clarity and understanding.

Then we came upon the shloka, “Nindantu…”. It was then that all our frustration and confusion melted and we understood why we faced so much heated opposition.

Please take this as a reminder. All of us in AM should keep Baba’s below teaching in mind. Then we will be able to move ahead without hesitation and do His work – without this understanding we are bound to get frustrated.

Baba’s words act as a panacea that clearly alerts to what lies ahead and keeps us inspired to move forward courageously on the path to dharma.

BABA’S TEACHING ON “NINDANTU…”

Nindantu niitinpun’a’h yadi va’ stuvantu….

The following are a selection of Baba’s divine explanations of the above shloka.

Baba says, “Let those well-versed in ethics criticize me or praise me, as they so desire; let Laks’mii, the goddess of wealth, either be gracious enough (because of my activities) to reside in my house, or, if she prefers, go elsewhere; let death visit me today or decades later. It makes little difference to me. Wise people will never withdraw from the path of ideology, the path which they accept as their ideal.” (NKS, Disc: 2)

Baba says, “The sha’stras say that a person must stick to his ideals irrespective of whether he receives praise or abuse, whether wealth comes or wealth goes, whether he lives a thousand years or suffers death the next moment. Such a person is called “dhiira”. My direction to you is to be dhiira. You must stick to your ideals in spite to everything. In this lies your spiritual growth.” (AV-1)

Baba says, “If I am too concerned with those who praise or censure me, I will not find time to do my real work. As I have come to this world only for a short period, my only concern should be to keep on doing the duty the Lord has assigned to me. And while doing this allotted duty, I should remember that I belong to Parama Purus’a. I have come from Him, and I will have to return to Him – and to do that, I must complete my allotted duty.” (SS-12)

Baba says, “What am I going to do regarding the mission of life? If logicians and philosophers condemn me, saying, “That is a very bad man,” let them say this. Or if, due to my movement towards my goal, a certain portion of society appreciates my action, let them appreciate it – it won’t affect me. I won’t be assailed by such appreciations. And if, due to my action, Laks’mii (Laks’mii is the mythological goddess of riches) comes and resides in my house, it is good. If Laks’mii says, “No, I will quit you forever, I won’t remain with you.” that is, you will have to suffer from poverty, let Laks’mii quit my house: And if, due to my course of action, due to my ideology, Pluto, that is, the god of death, comes and says, “I’ll take you,” let Pluto do it! I don’t care! Or if, due to my course of action, due to my ideology, I am forced to live here for an indefinite period, I am ready to live here. You know life becomes boring if one lives for a long period, but I am ready to undergo that boredom, that monotony, for the sake of my ideology.” (AV-12)

Thus we should all strive to inculcate His above teachings into our own lives. Then we will always hold firm to ideology and not be deterred when confronted by problems and troubles. We will have the strength and awareness to proceed on – irregardless of the consequences.

BABA’S BLESSING

By His grace, those adhering to the path of dharma are always victorious. And in the end the world realises their great contributions, regardless of how much they were vilified earlier. That is the natural law and Baba’s divine proclamation. Hence, we should never be deterred or feel frustrated when facing abuse from non-margiis, just we should move ahead sticking to our ideal, knowing that victory is assured.

Baba says, “You should build a new human society at the earliest possible moment. Regarding those who are likely to create obstacles in your path – let them do so. You should remember that those who are the actual pioneers, the real vanguard of the society, are always a microscopic minority, but it is they who are destined to be victorious. Those who once opposed, or are now opposing or will oppose in the future, will in the future admit: “Yes, we are now driving our vehicle safely and comfortably along the very path which that vanguard once opened by clearing the jungle.” This means that those who cleared the obstacles in the beginning will later be recognized as pioneers. The funny thing is this, that people do not give recognition at the time it is due. This is the natural law. And at the same time you should also remember this simple truth: that in a jungle the number of tigers and lions is always few; the jackals far outnumber them. Yet in the jungle the tigers and lions reign supreme, not the jackals. The jackals are sure to howl, that is their nature; but the tigers and lions will not be frightened.” (AV-6)

Namaskar,
Phanindra

PRABHAT SAMGIITA

“Para’n’ bhare varan’a kari, eso a’ji a’ma’r ghare…” P.S. 438

Purport:

Baba, please come in my mental abode, on my Guru Cakra. O my dearmost, I want to receive You with my heart content. After receiving You, I will go on gazing toward You with my full heart satisfaction. –Until my eyes get satiated. Baba, I will hold both Your lotus feet, and always keep You in my heart.

I have arranged a reception basket filled with flowers and fruits. And it has been saturated with my heart-felt love. In the corner of my mind, with heart full of sweetness, I want to have You up to eternity. Baba, today You please sit in the lotus of my heart. I am calling You with the practice of shravan, manan, and niddidhyasan. Please come. With a longing which has been hidden in the depths of my heart, since a long time, I am waiting for You. Please grant success, by Your coming. Please come and fulfill my desire, which was rising in the deep corner of my mind since ages. Today, when You will come, then that desire will be quenched. Baba, You please grace me by coming…

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Baba’s Humorous Joke & Prout Pracara

From: “Chandra Deva”
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Date: Wed, 06 Jul 2011 20:28:34 +0500
Subject: Baba’s Humorous Joke & Prout Pracara

Baba

== BABA’S HUMOROUS JOKE & PROUT PRACARA ==

Namaskar,
In 1988, in one of Baba’s regularly held LFT reporting sessions He focused on how to conduct street corner meetings in A’mara’ Bengali (AB) samaj.

Baba advised those Bengali LFTs that it is very important to interweave philosophical teachings with jokes. Baba explained that if you just preach one philosophical point after another, the people will get bored. So the way to be successful in gathering a crowd for a street corner meeting is to get people to laugh.

Baba began, “Everybody knows the communist leaders of Bengal have some favourite slogans, “Those who work in the factory are the owners of the factory and those who plough the field are the owners of the land”.”

Then, in His magnificent and charming manner, Baba presented one joke that those LFTs in AB samaj could use for their street corner meetings in Bengal.

With a grand smile, Baba told: “If the worker in the factory is the owner of the factory, and if the farmer who wields the plough is the owner of the land, then the barber who wields the scissors is the owner of head.”

So in that unforgettable LFT reporting session Baba, in His divine and unique manner, made the above humorous remark.

Hearing Baba’s dramatic delivery and colouful analogy, everyone present immediately erupted into laughter. The room was full of laughter.

After all, if the worker in the factory is the owner of the factory and the farmer who wields the plow is the owner of the land, then the masseuse who gives the massage is the owner of the body, and the chef who prepares the food is the owner of the meal, and the street-sweeper who cleans the street is the owner of the road.

Here again is Baba’s marvelous joke: “If the worker in the factory is the owner of the factory, and if the farmer who wields the plough is the owner of the land, then the barber who wields the scissors is the owner of head.”

Indeed, just as it is ludicrous to think that the barber owns the person’s head whose hair he (the barber) is cutting, similarly Baba is pointing out the ridiculous and hypocritical ways of communism: Working in a factory does not make one the factory owner and ploughing the field does not transfer ownership to the farmer. No right-thinking person can think like this.

So that is the humorous joke Baba told to those LFTs doing pracara in Bengal. As everyone knows West Bengal itself is riddled with communism.

The overall idea is that Baba is teaching us that when giving a lecture then we should employ humor that will be easily understood by the local people.

Namaskar,
Chandra Deva

Note: MORE OF THE HYPOCRISY OF COMMUNISM

Here it should be understood that the above slogans, which are used by communists to rouse the sentiment of the people, are actually diametrically opposed to the philosophy expressed in the Communist Manifesto which states that all the land belongs to the state. The communists use the slogan – “Those who wield the plough are the owners of the land” – in countries where the government is not communist and they want to gain the sympathy of the people; and when in a fully controlled communist country then they resort to the latter slogan of the Communist Manifesto which states that all land belongs to the state. This is their devious & hypocritical manner.

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Re: Goenka: I Have No Interest in Revolutionary Marriages

To: AM-GLOBAL
Subject: Re: Goenka: I Have No Interest in Revolutionary Marriages
Date: Sat 25 Jun 2011 17:29:36 +0500 (IST)
From: Ram Sahay Deva

Baba

== RE: GOENKA: I HAVE NO INTEREST IN REVOLUTIONARY MARRIAGES ==

Namaskar,
One of the key points of building one human society is our revolutionary marriage system which was specially given by Baba. This is an essential way for bringing people together and creating a harmonious society.

As has been clearly detailed in earlier postings (see links below), the Goenka clan has resisted Baba’s divine guideline of revolutionary marriages. Instead they have glued themselves to their own caste and community. This has been going on from generation to generation.

Yet, by His below teachings, Baba guides us that revolutionary marriages are needed in order to do AM pracara and build a healthy social order. Without revolutionary marriages, these two aims cannot be achieved. We see then how important they are.

You can decide for yourself the quality of the person who intentionally rejects Baba’s teaching and instead arranges caste marriages.

One margii has contributed the following teachings by writing a summary in English of Baba’s below quotes from Hindi discourses. (Note: If you are unable to read the Hindi font in this email, kindly refer to the attached PDF file.)

BABA’S TEACHINGS ON REVOLUTIONARY MARRIAGES

Baba says, “You will have to struggle against dogma. And not just by saying dogma is bad, no. By your own actions, you will have to show you reject dogma. I will tell all that we need to create a human society as soon as possible.
Everywhere in the world A’nandama’rga praca’ra will have to be done even more strongly. And for this, two things are needed. For creating a society more and more revolutionary marriages are needed. … And those who are guardians, mothers and fathers, have your sons and daughters do revolutionary marriage and thereby show that you are against dogma. You should fear no one. If your duty is not accomplished by individual effort, then move ahead collectively. There is no cause for fear. I am with you.” (Summary of the below Hindi)

तुम लोग dogma के ख़िलाफ़ सङ्ग्राम करते रहोगे | और केवल—मुँह से बोलोगे कि dogma ख़राब है—सो नहीं | अपने करके दिखला दोगे कि—तुम dogma को नापसन्द करते हो |

हम तो सबसे कहेंगे कि हम लोगों को जल्द से जल्द समाज बना लेना है | और, दुनिया में सर्वत्र आनन्दमार्ग का प्रचार और ज़ोरदार करना है | इसके लिए चाहिए दो | समाज बनाना है, इसलिए अधिक से अ&
#2343;िक revolutionary marriage चाहिए | …

और, जो लोग guardian हो, माता-पिता हो, अपने बटे-बेटी को revolutionary marriage करके दिखला दो कि—तुम dogma के ख़िलाफ़ हो | घबड़ाओ नहीं, किसी से डरो नहीं | अपने वैयष्टिक प्रयास से अगर नहीं हुआ, सामूहिक प्रयास से करो
; | घबड़ाने की कोई बात नहीं है | और हम तोरा सिनी रो साथ छियो |

क्रान्तिकारी विवाह
(Kra’ntika’rii Viva’ha, Deoghar, 08 Jan 84 General Darshan)

Here is another of Baba’s divine teachings on this key point.

Baba says, “Get more and more revolutionary marriages done. And, what should brave youths and their parents do? Put an ending to casteism, pulverize it to dust with the force of their blows. Build one human society, and deliver the message of Ananda Marga to all the corners of the world. And for this, maximum whole timer workers are also needed. So create more and more whole timer workers. And by creating more and more revolutionary marriages, make the society strong.” (Summary of the below Hindi)

अधिक से अधिक revolutionary marriage करा लो | और जो हिम्मतवार लड़के हैं, वे, उनके guardian, उनके माता; वे लोग क्या करें ? जात-पाँत को लात से ख़त्म कर दो, चूर-चूर कर दो | एक समाज, एक दल, एक मज़बूत समाज बना लो और हम लो& #2327;ों को दुनिया के कोने-कोने में आनन्दमार्ग का पैगाम पहुँचा देना है | इसलिए अधिक से अधिक सङ्ख्या में whole timer worker की भी जरूरत है | कोई whole timer worker बनो | कोई revolutionary marriage करके समाज को मज़बूत बना दो |

(14 Jan 1984, Patna)
Namaskar,
Ram Sahay

Note: LINKS TO EARLIER POSTINGS ON THIS TOPIC

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2011/06/goenka-i-have-no-interest-in.html

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2011/06/re-goenka-i-have-no-interest-in.html

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2011/04/baba-story-about-serious-injustice.html

Read Full Post »

Who Should Distribute Baba Photos & Films

Date: Wed, 22 Jun 2011 15:41:18 -0000
To: am-global@earthlink.net
From: Prakash Deva
Subject: Who Should Distribute Baba Photos & Films

Baba

“Du’rer aja’na’ pathik eseche mor ghare ei viha’ne…” (P.S. 4947)

Purport:

From the distant dawn the Ajana Pathik has come today in my home. About
this very Ajana Pathik, I had longing for Him in my life, in my death,
while awake, in my dream, & in my sleep. All throughout I have been longing
for Him. And that Aja’na’ Pathik has come today in my home.
That very Entity is most loving for me, even more than my own prana. He
is the dearest of dear to my soul. He is more adorable than anything else.
He loves me so much; He knows more about me than I know about myself. What
I know about myself, He knows far more.
That Aja’na’ Pathik is kaladhiish– He cannot be bound by time. So He is
kaladhiish. That Aja’na’ Pathik is also the controller of the time factor
so He is kalatiita– One who works beyond the bondage of time. His glory,
charm, and attraction cannot be expressed in words. Since eternity He has
been hiding in a remote corner of my heart. I have been dreaming of Him
with deep longing for hundreds of lives. That Aja’na’ Pathik has come today
in my home. He has graced me…

== WHO SHOULD DISTRIBUTE BABA PHOTOS & FILMS ==

Namaskar,
Around town and in our email forums, there has been much discussion
about the management and distribution of Baba photos and films as well
as Baba’s other devotional treasures like Prabhat Samgiita etc.

This is an important topic as it is directly related with Ista, the
spread of Baba’s teachings, one’s individual growth as a sadhaka, and
our organisational systems.

So let’s take a look at this critical issue.

SAMGACCHADHVAM SPIRIT

One of the main things that Baba has emphasized is moving ahead in
samgacchadhvam spirit – i.e. working together unitedly toward a common
goal.

Baba says, “The meaning of the sam’gacchadhvam’ mantra should be
realized in life. Always remain united. Solve all problems, big or
small, with unity…” (CC-2, ‘Society’, pt#34)

One can say that for this reason of unity and collective projects, Baba
created AMPS – the tool for spreading His dharmic teachings and programs
in an organised & cohesive manner.

After all, the way to achieve success on this earth is to join together
and work collectively. That makes any job or project infinitely easier.
Even the materialists have learned this basic point. Small businesses
have merged together to create larger companies, and larger companies
have bonded to create bigger corporations, and bigger corporations have
expanded to become world-wide, multi-national enterprises. Their aims
may be selfish, but as a matter of efficiency and approach, the business
world realises that working collectively is the only way to go. In
addition, schools, countries, foundations all follow this same principle.

Naturally then, whether it be on points of pracara, Prout, AMURT,
schools, or the distribution of Baba photos and films, our approach as
Ananda Margiis should be in the spirit of samgacchadhvam, i.e. working
together in an organised way towards a common ideal.

Clearly then, our fundamental manner is to adhere to our AMPS structure
and regulations. Specifically, the distribution of Baba photos and films
should be led and carried out by the corresponding organisational
pathway, such as Public Relations Department and PRS Dada.

That is the way things should work – under ideal or normal conditions.
That is in tune with our samgaddhadhvam spirit.

However, at present, we are not living in normal times. Because when our
organisational structure is cracked, when groupists are doing and dying
for their own fame and power, and when our organisational channels are
no longer doing what they were designed to do, then who can think these
are normal times.

In that case, we have to reconsider the matter entirely.

MANIPULATION OF BABA’S THINGS

When there is care and love, then naturally there will be deep interest
to do things properly. But where groupism is rampant, the desire to
serve the cause of dharma is replaced by the greedy need to rule over
others. Tragically, at present, many of the devotional tools in AM have
been taken hostage by group leaders who suffer from this defective
mentality.

VARABHAYA MUDRA PHOTO: Earlier, all Ananda Margiis had easy access
through the proper organisational channels to a high-quality image of
Baba’s varabhaya mudra photo. However, since 1990, the photo being
distributed has been tainted, faded and lightened such that one can
hardly even see the image. This makes both Guru dhyana and Guru sakash
very difficult.

Actually, the history is that after 1990 the organisation (i.e.
Sarvatmananda’s team) had a perfect negative of Baba in varabhaya mudra.
However, as they were more concerned with power than saving Baba’s
things, they allowed their negative get ruined by mold in the humid
environment of Tiljala. Such was their level of interest.

By the grace of Baba, committed margiis came forward and began sharing a
high-quality photo, much to the displeasure of the organisation. As they
preferred to have full control, whether they were carrying out their
duties properly or not.

Still today this remains an issue. The PRS and other organisational
channels either do not have a good quality photo or they refuse to share
it with others – both of these scenarios come into play.

In that case, how can we sit back and say, that only PRS Dada has the
right to distribute Baba’s photo. Rather, it is the right of every
Ananda Margii to have Guru’s photo for the spiritual progress in
sadhana. In the best case scenario, PRS would have a proper system in
place to get the photo to sadhakas of the Marga. But nothing of the sort
has been done. Rather, PRS refuses to share the photo at all.

So this is a clear-cut instance where the organisation is not serving
the aims of dharma. Thus, bhaktas have been forced to step forward and save
the situation so devoted margiis can get a proper photo. Best of course
is if the organisation properly handles this duty, but when they do not
have the interest nor the desire, then other recourse is needed.

PRABHAT SAMGIITA: This is another blatant example how since 1990 the
organisation has failed to live up to their duties. Instead of following
in the footsteps of Baba’s dharmic example, the groupists in power gave
up the ship on Prabhat Samgiita and (1) sold out to pseudo-culture and
(2) propagated the late PP’s silly rhymes, ridiculously titled as
Shraddha Shuman.

Who can forget how the organisational “leaders” pasted glamorous
pictures of filmy singers on the covers of our Prabhat Samgiita
cassettes and began distributing those cassettes as a collection of
mundane love songs wherein Baba’s divine compositions were sold in the
common marketplaces along side pop-music.

Under such a condition, who can think that the organisational channels
were fulfilling their dharmic duties – rather they strayed deep into the
realm of pseudo-culture and dogma.

They have shown they cannot be trusted.

Plus, that is not all, for years and years in that post-1990 period,
Sarvatmananda and Co. were actively promoting, recording and selling PP
Dada’s silly rhymes, thereby totally overlooking Baba’s divine
collection of Prabhat Samgiita.

All this eerily spells out how the organisational channels were failing
to live up to their responsibilities – thereby forfeiting their duties
to others, i.e. interested margiis and acaryas.

AM BOOKS: Next we come to the publication of Baba’s books. Although Dada
Acyutanandji is working hard and has diligently involved in this
endeavor, Dadaji’s fine efforts have not been enough to overcome the
dark ways of the Kolkata team.

No doubt, Rudrananda is doing zero to publish AM books, but even worse,
in the opposite corner, Sarvatmananda and his cohorts have adopted the
path of Bangalisation. They hastily toss aside and intentionally ruin
English and Hindi discourses – as well as those given in other languages
– and instead they only attend to Bangla discourses. Or they insist that
all discourses be first put into Bengali – even if Baba spoke in English
– in order to put Bengali on top. There are no shortage of examples in
this regard.

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2009/09/proof-of-distortion-in-new-book-av-11.html

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2009/01/problem-will-linger-until.html

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2009/06/bangla-and-bangalii.html

These above letters are but a few of the many examples of how such
groupists have ruined Baba’s books. So this is another clear-cut case
wherein the factional heads have gone against the ethic of AM and
destroyed our treasures.

All in all, it is clear we are not living in normal times. Because those
at the helm of the organisation are violating all the principles of AM.
And even worse is that when others try to pick up the responsibility or
correct things, then those factional monsters wage an all-out war
against that innocent margii.

So the whole scene is quite tragic and the only remedy at present lies
in the hands of those courageous margiis & wts who come forward.

Because organisational authorities have no interest in doing their jobs.

DANGER OF “UNITY” OF GROUPISTS

Actually when these groupists bond together, they can create all kinds
of problems. The most glaring example of this is the dogma of Mahaprayan.

As we all know, in Caryacara part 2, Baba has clearly stated that Guru
is infinite and ever-lasting, forever in our hearts.

Baba says, “The one formless, beginningless and infinite Parama Brahma
(Supreme Consciousness) is the only entity to be attained by living
beings – That alone is Jagat Guru (the Supreme preceptor), That alone
has revealed Brahmavidya’ (intuitional science) to us through the medium
of the name and form of Anandamu’rtijii. Unit beings must be made to
appreciate Its majesty.” (CC-2)

Yet, when all the groupists were “united” and serving as footstools to
Sarvatmananda, then in ’90 they unanimously voted to insert the dogmatic
Mahaparyana addendum to Carycarya part 1, essentially stating that Baba
is gone.

Such is the hell that groupists can do when they are all on the same
page, i.e. working together.

WE MUST RECONSIDER

Now let us again return to the main query: Who Should Distribute Baba
Photos & Films?

Given all the information and proofs from up above, we have to
reconsider the situation. Because when the organisational channels have
no desire to attend to this responsibility, then there is no other
option except for others to come forward.

Certainly, the Public Relations Dept should be in charge, but when they
shirk their responsibility, the only recourse is for rational margiis to
take up the job.

MARGIIS ARE THIRSTY FOR BABA’S THINGS

IT IS THEIR BIRTHRIGHT

We must remember that those leaders at the helm of the organisation are
not like some capitalist owners who may do as they please. The only
avenue of post holders in AMPS is to serve Guru and the Marga, beyond
that they have no right.

Thus when top Dadas are failing to carry out their duties and when
devoted margiis around the globe are thirsty for devotional treasures
like a proper Baba photo etc, then other dharmikas must come forward and
demonstrate initiative.

Because, all sadhakas should have proper access to Guru’s gifts.

Baba says, “Human life is short. It is wise to get all the instructions
regarding sa’dhana’ as soon as possible.” (CC-2, ‘Sadhana’, pt#8)

So when Baba’s photo is such an essential part of our sadhana practice
and when His discourses and Prabhat Samgiita are some of our devotional
treasures, then every Ananda Margii has a right to those gifts. That is
Baba’s stated wish.

TEMPORARY SOLUTION

Given the severity of the situation, the only practical way to move
ahead is for interested Ananda Margiis – be they family margiis or wts –
to share Baba photos and Prabhat Samgiita etc. That is the only way to
remedy the situation at present.

But, this is only a temporary measure – a quick band-aid.

The main solution is to clean up the organisation and have people in the
chair who wish to serve Guru and propagate His ideals. Then PRS Dada
should have full authority over the distribution of Baba’s photo etc.

BABA’S BLESSING

By Baba’s grace He has created AMPS as medium for us to work together in
spreading His ideal. Without that, it would be impossible. So we must
fix the organisation. Till that time – until all groupists have been
removed or rectified – pathways are needed to ensure things like Baba’s
photo get distributed properly to other sadhakas. In that case, any
interested margii can do.

Baba says, “All have come from Him, and therefore all will remain
together. But this is not sufficient. All have come from Him, are in
Him, and will merge in Him, therefore all people will have to live
together. For you, unity is the natural course, and division is
unnatural. You well know that the Cosmic Energy will not long tolerate
what is unnatural.” (Disc MHB)

Namaskar,
Prakash

Note 1: SANCTITY A MUST

Just because margiis and field workers are now involved in sharing
Baba’s image and writings does not mean that they can carry out this
work indiscriminately.

Rather, it should be done with the utmost sanctity and reverence for
Baba’s gifts.

Thus, we should be vigilant that no one go against the ethic of the
Marga in this regard. If that happens, these instances should be
reviewed on a case by case basis, and conclusive action should be taken.

And again, best of all will be if the integrity of our AMPS can be
restored. Then the organisation can resume full authority of all
devotional properties etc. That will be best.

***************************************
About Rich People

Parama Purusa Baba says, “It must always be remembered that the value of
money lies in its proper use. If more money is accumulated than what is
necessary, it becomes valueless for want of use. To the extent that you
keep idle and valueless money with you, to that extent you become
responsible for the injustices done to the hungry and the naked. Your
valueless hoard will have to be made valuable by providing opportunities
for use by others. Those who do not know the right use of money on the
basis of the exchange of mundane resources are in fact the enemies of
society.” (HS-1, p. 41)
***************************************

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Re: Lowly Mentality that Gets Attracted to Ramdevji

From: “Dayananda Deva”

To: am-global@earthlink.net

Subject: Re: Lowly Mentality that Gets Attracted to Ramdevji

Date: Sat, 11 Jun 2011 22:01:29 +0530

 

Baba

 

 

== RE: LOWLY MENTALITY THAT GETS ATTRACTED TO RAMDEVJI ==

 

Namaskar,

In response to the initial letter on this topic I’d like to add the following:

 

Years ago, in 1956 when Baba saw the terrible condition of our human society and how the common people were struggling and suffering, He thought that something should be done. He took it upon Himself to provide the foundation for building a healthy, human society.

 

In such a situation, ordinary people usually join an existing movement in hopes of resolving the issue. Baba did not do that.

 

Baba knew that the existing social philosophies were useless and outdated. They would not solve the ongoing, complex social problems. Rather such philosophies were detrimental to society and would only prolong the problems. They were poison in the name of medicine. So Baba told the people not to be swayed by such existing utopian philosophies like Gandhism as these philosophies will never resolve the issues in a proper manner.

 

 

BABA GIVES PROUT: DO PROUT PRACARA

 

In response, Baba gave His universalistic Prout philosophy.

 

Naturally, since Prout was entirely new, there were no followers so Baba inspired margiis to learn about Prout and propagate it. To convince one and all about the efficacy of Prout, Baba delivered thousands of lectures.

 

55 years have since passed. To date, we Proutists could not propagate the philosophy as was needed. Baba wants that every person on this earth should at least recognise the name – Prout. Still today however, it is not on the “tip of the tongue” of the common people. In the general society, the term Prout is not well known; people are unaware about it.

 

Why not well known? Not because Prout has defects and drawbacks but because this is a revolutionary philosophy, not an evolutionary one. Prout opposes all kinds of dogmas in all spheres of life. Thus when society itself is infested with innumerable dogmas and special interest groups are very powerful and control the media (TV, newspapers, journals, radio, web broadcasts etc), then propagating Prout is a difficult task.

 

Even then, Prout is the panacea – not these pseudo-philosophies, in spite of their popularity.

 

Not propagating Prout and getting allured by useless outdated theories is nothing short of mental bankruptcy. We know well and indeed it is proven that such philosophies like Gandhism are not the solution to today’s problems. Rather these pseudo-philosophies will only linger the problem and delay the solution.

 

 

MUST FILL THE VACUUM

 

We must not forget that Baba has warned us that if we are lazy in propagating Prout then some other undesirable dogmatic theory will invariably fill up that political vacuum.

 

Indeed, because we are not propagating Prout the public is looking towards outdated dogmas to solve the problem. Even then, those joining outdated Gandhian movements are far worse than those not doing the pracara of Prout. Such persons are active agents in bringing defective movements into power. So they are far worse.

 

Thus there are three levels: Best is to propagate Prout; neutral is not to propagate Prout; and worst is to join some defective movement based on Gandhism.

 

It is just like how a kitchen attendant should remain in the kitchen and be alert to ward off wild pigs and raccoons. If that kitchen attend just ends up lazily sitting in the kitchen, that is also manageable. Worst is if the attendant persuades the raccoons and pigs to enter the kitchen.

 

Now we all know the status of those who join Gandhian movements.

 

 

JUST FOLLOWERS OF GANDHISM

 

SO DO NOT GET SWAYED

 

So-called social leaders like Anna Hazare and Swami Ramdev do not have any concept of how to resolve today’s problem. They are motivated by Gandhian principles and Gandhism has nothing to offer. It is just a capitalist ploy. Time has proven this again and again. Now a new universal philosophy needs to be propagated. That is Prout.

 

It is not the fault of new margiis that they got swayed by Anna Hazare & Ramdev etc, rather it is the fault of we Proutists. We could not convince new margiis from running after these fake movements; we could not inspire them to wholeheartedly adopt our Prout Philosophy and permanently solve the problems in society.

 

It is just like one sick person, suffering cancer, who seeks out voodoo doctors, snakecharmers, witchcraft practitioners, snake oil healers, and those using magic wands, simply because they saw a big crowd around such persons. But all these quasi methods will not solve their problem. Even then cancer patients run in that direction.

 

Similarly some earnest people are chasing after Hazare and Ramdev, when in reality only Prout is the solution. As rational margiis we should not get allured by these defective or fake movements.

 

 

REVOLUTION IS EASY – POST-REVOLUTION IS DIFFICULT

 

History has proven again and again that talking about and even starting a revolution is comparatively easy.

 

Baba says, “It is very easy to talk big about revolution. Audiences may be awestruck and applaud, but to actually bring about a revolution is not at all easy.” (Human Society, Part 2, Shúdra Revolution and Sadvipra Society)

 

To bring any revolution to a practical and positive outcome is a big job. The post-revolutionary period is critical. That is when disaster most often strikes. Why? Due to lack of a proper political philosophy.

 

For instance, in the post Tsarist autocracy in Russia, they launched the communist revolution but due to the lack of a proper social-politico philosophy, the people suffered terribly in that post revolutionary period. The same thing happened in Cuba in the late 1950’s under Castro. The same thing happened in Iran after the departure of the Shah.

 

In all such cases the society fell into deep turmoil.

 

And indeed we will witness the same thing in the wake of the recent Islamic revolutions / “Arab Spring” of 2011. The dictators were overthrown only to be replaced by Islamic fundamentalist parties that will suppress the people. This we are all going to see.

 

Thus in the face of any social change, we have to be very careful to propagate Prout. There is no other way.

 

 

JUST A DOGMATIC HINDU AND CAPITALIST EXPLOITER

 

Swami Ramdev has nothing to do with Prout; rather he is himself a religious exploiter. He follows the dogmatic Hindu caste system, the burning of ghee / yajina and all kinds of dogmatic rituals of Hinduism. In that case what can one anticipate, what can one expect. Such a person like Ramdev is fighting one type of corruption in the economic sphere and side by side propagating another type of corruption in the religious sphere. So his manner is absurd.

 

Ramdev is both a religious trader and an economic exploiter. His economic empire is valued at 220 million US dollars. In India – or anywhere – such a fortune does not arrive by honest means. It is not magic. This entrepreneurial exploiter sells leaves and herbs at outrageous costs. Just as the Indian captialist companies like Dabur & Vaidynath operate, in the same way the Ramdev ayurvedic company (Divya Pharmacy) is exploiting the people.

 

They sell things like cow urine and take in huge profits. To run such a business it does not need billions of dollars investments. The initial investment is quite meagre and the returns are huge. And on the top, Ramdev is using his “stature” by exploiting people’s spiritual sentiment. The prana dharma of India is spirituality so the people naturally give huge respect to monks. Capitalizing on this sentiment, Ramdev exploited economically and now he wants to become a great political leader. We will see.

 

Let us just remember this rule of thumb: Without ruthless exploitation, one cannot become super wealthy overnight.

 

 

MAIN DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RAMDEV AND PROUT

 

While Ramdev is stuck in all kinds of dogma and Prout stands for dharmic justice, there remains one critical point that neatly contrasts the two.

 

Ramdev is solely raising the banner of anti-corruption. He wrongly thinks that if a few corrupt leaders are removed from the Indian government then things will be fine. Such is his shallow outlook.

 

In contrast, Prout raises the banner of anti-exploitation. Baba wants that all forms of exploitation should be rooted out at the core, including the abhorrent greed of capitalism and the ingrained defects of Hindu dogma. Thus Prout wages a merciless campaign against both economic and religious exploitation.

 

Ramdev will never support such a stance, primarily because his entire personae and his own institution is based on economic and religious exploitation.

 

Raising the banner of anti-corruption is comparatively cheap. One merely needs to point their fingers at a few politicians and that is all. This is commonly done by people like Ramdev and Anna Hazare. They think by creating an oversight committee (i.e. Lokpal bill) then the society will be fine. By this way they dupe the masses and gain followers.

 

But their approach will never bring justice to the world. For that one must have the courage to wage a war against all forms of exploitation – and not be party to it as Ramdev is.

 

 

HISTORY IS IMPORTANT

 

This type of makeover of starting an anti-corruption (not anti-exploitation) is not new. Due to lack of historical knowledge, people do not have any idea that this is a very common phenomena – and it never works.

 

So they get cheated again and again – every generation become enthralled by a new “leader”. Society gets befooled and ultimately cheated to the bone.

 

A generation ago, or longer, millions of Indian students gave up their degree studies and joined Jaya Prakash Narayan’s call. Within a short time, that movement fell into utter turmoil and the lives of those students got destroyed. This is big scar in India. And here again a whole new generation of people have become involved in yet another pseudo-movement.

 

Such type of movements come to the fore and become very popular. The leader’s aim is to get power and then they become a tyrant and an exploiter, or a variation thereof. Just look at what happened with Gandhi. He became popular and then divided India. That division became a wicked cancer and still that cancer is ruining the lives of countless innocent people. Thereafter Vinod Bhave delayed revolution by creating the Bhudan land movement. Baba describes this in Human Society, part 2, The Vipra Age. And then of course we have the Jaya Prakash Naryan movement that was detailed in the first letter in this series. In all such cases the raised the banner of anti-corruption and in all such cases their movement created more problems and could not solve anything.

 

So this type of anti-corruption movement is not a new tactic. After Indian independence, this has happened so many times based on Gandhian prinicples. Now again these people are fighting to pass their famed “Lokpal bill” and that itself is very defective- just a utopian idea that is not going to solve the problem. As Ananda Margiis we will never support such a defective platform.

 

 

CURRENT SITUATION

 

Now this ghee burning monk – Ramdev – who is an adherent of yajina dogma is calling upon people to follow him. He supposedly has the answer. Yet in this scientific era he thinks that burning clarified butter will not pollute but rather purify the air. Ramdev’s entire manner is burdened by such contradictions and blindness.

 

We should use our viveka – not the crowd mentality. This is not the solution.

 

The conclusion is that people should read the history and see what happened to those adhering to similar baseless movements in the past. Everyone should clearly learn what happened to those who are driven by faulty philosophies. What was their fate. A proper philosophy is needed to truly resolve the problems and that proper philosophy is Prout – not any Gandhian movement.

 

Baba says, “PROUT is the panacea for the integrated progress of human society. It aims to bring about equilibrium and equipoise in all aspects of socio-economic life through totally restructuring economics. Without PROUT, socio-economic emancipation will remain a utopian dream. Only PROUT can save the world.” (AFPS-9, Economic Dynamics)

 

Namaskar,

Dayananda

 

Note 1: A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT RAMDEV

 

How ironic is it to lead hunger strike in a country where more than 40 percent of children under five are malnourished.

 

At the same time Ramdev’s usually sports a very luxurious lifestyle – far above the level of the common person.. Ramdev travels in a private jet, stays in a five-star luxury hotel, and has the money for fancy arrangements and safety measures before going on a fast.

 

Who can say then that really he is the leader of the people in the true sense of the term.

 

 

PRABHAT SAMGIITA

“Bha’loba’si toma’y a’mi, keno ta’ ja’ni na’…” P.S. 2329

 

Purport:

 

Baba, I love You but I do not know why I love You. You go on pulling my heart– but what is the mystery behind this, that I do not understand. Baba, You are the divine effulgence of my dark heart. By Your grace I will never allow that effulgence to get extinguished. Baba, I will always keep Your love in my heart.

All the love I have in the deep core of my heart, and all the hopes and longings I have in my mind, all my desires and aspirations are revolving around You. And they get expressed through Your songs, dance, melody, and rhythms. Baba, You are my everything.

Where I am, where I will go, and from where I have come, all these types of useless questions never come in my mind, by Your grace. Baba, I do not even want to know these things. Just I am fully depending on You– that You know everything and that everything is in Your control.

Baba, You are always ever gracious on me. I love You; my whole existence

is Yours…

 

 

*****************************************

Most Loving

 

Baba says,

“That Entity who is the most beloved of all, that Entity is one’s Is’t’a.”

 

“Is’t’a means Parama Purus’a, but why is He called Is’t’a? The answer is

that by attaining Parama Purus’a one no longer has any unsatiated hunger or

unquenched thirst.”

 

“Is’t’a means the most beloved of all entities.”

(BABA, 04 July 1979)

*****************************************

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Story: Baba Sends Money to Devotee

Date: 10 Jun 2011 20:58:34 -0000
From: “Indrajit Rai”
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Subject: Story: Baba Sends Money to Devotee

Baba

== STORY: BABA SENDS MONEY TO DEVOTEE ==

Namaskar,
Here is one Baba story that speaks to how He always cares for the
welfare of His devotees and wishes to see AM pracara progress and flourish.

RUNNING THE ANGIKA PRESS

In those days, like today also, Baba wished to see AM ideas propagated
in all kinds of ways and in all the various languages. So back in the
1960’s, brother Karmeshvarji’s job of writing and printing the AM
newspaper in Angika was an important and valued job. Because Baba wanted
AM ideas printed in all local languages, including Angika.

By Baba’s grace, Karmeshvarji worked tirelessly toward this end – day
after day printing and distributing the Ananda Marga daily Angika paper
in Purnea.

Karmeshvarji was a family man with children, but he was also an LFT for
Ananda Marga. He had little money, spent most of his time in AM works,
and lived in a relatively simple area, surrounded by poor farmers.

All along he was doing an excellent job of running the newspaper and
then he began leasing a printing press to make things more dynamic. He
leased the press for RS 250 per month and then spent another RS 80 per
day on paying helpers and distributing the newspaper. Again this was
back in the 1960’s so you can understand that was a lot of money
than in today’s economy.

One other brother, Navalji used to help collect donations from local
farmers and circulate the newspaper.

Thus with extremely limited means, Karmeshvarji was doing a wonderful
work of running the paper and propagating AM ideals.

NO FOOD FOR THE FAMILY

One day while Karmeshvarji was busy with his newspaper work, one of his
small boys, who was just a student in primary school, came to him and
said, “Papa, ma says there is no food in the house and ma wants to know
what we are going to eat?”

Karmeshvar was absolutely silent. He thought for a moment to ponder the
situation; he really did not know how to respond.

Then in a quite manner he stated, “Go and tell your mother to fill a
glass with water, ideate and recite Guru mantra, and then drink the
water. In this manner, she should serve a glass of water to every member
of the family. Thereafter you will not feel any hunger.”

And then the father promised the boy that he would arrange proper food
tomorrow.

The small child returned back to the house and told his mother what the
father had said. The mother thought, “OK, let’s try and see how it works.”

One by one they all drank the water following this technique and by
Baba’s grace they all felt satisfied.

THE NEXT DAY

The next day while Rameshvar was vigorously working on printing his
paper, in his busyness he had forgotten about the incident of the
previous day. Then the idea flashed in his mind that he had not secured
any money to buy food for his family. He did not know what or how he
would feed them.

Then he thought for a while and closed his eyes.

He connected deep within the inner recesses of his mind and said, “Baba,
I can live for 3 to 4 days at a time without food. But I have a family –
my wife and small kids need to eat. And if I cannot earn the money to feed
them, then I will be unable to continue my work on the AM newspaper. I
think You are listening.”

Karmeshvar felt sad at the prospect of potentially having to stop his
work for the AM newspaper, but at the same time he had implicit faith in
Baba.

Then Karmeshvar printed and published the newspaper that day.

GAUNGA SHARMA’S ARRIVAL

The next morning a margii brother named Gaunga Sharma arrived at
Karmeshvar’s office and immediately gave Karmeshvar 200 rupees.

Karmeshvar felt Baba’s infinite grace within and without and asked, “You
are not from around here – how did you get here and how did you know
that I was in need of money?”

And then Gaunga Sharma recounted all that had transpired.

GAUNGA SHARMA’S STORY

Yesterday, I headed out from my home and went to go see Baba in Ranchi.
As soon as I got there Baba called me.

When I came before Baba, He told me:

“There is some very important work to do. Here is 200 rupees. Travel
immediately to Karmeshvar in Purnea. He needs money very badly. If he
does not get this money our Angika press will stop and his family will
go hungry. So take this money. Our Angika paper must continue and
Karmeshvar’s family must have a 1-month stock of food.”

With that Gaunga Sharmaji received the money from Baba and embarked on
the overnight journey from Ranchi to Purnea to go see Karmeshvar.

BACK TO THE PRESENT SCENE

That was the way in which Gaunga Sharma explained his visit with Baba to
Karmeshvar.

Gaunga Sharma was thinking that all the money will go for food for the
family.

But immediately, Karmeshvar looked at the 200 rupees in his own hand and
realised that he did not have any blank paper to print tomorrow’s news.
So Karmeshvar gave 100 rupees to one of his helpers and told him to go
get a supply of paper.

Seeing this, Gaunga Sharma became shocked and said, “This money is for
food for your family.”

(Note: In actuality, the money Baba had given was for both the newspaper
and food.)

Karmeshvar replied, “Blank paper is absolutely needed and besides,
already my helper has gone to go buy the paper.”

Then Guanga Sharma said, “I am giving an additional 100 rupees from my
own pocket and I am taking the remaining 100 rupees that you have and I
am going directly to your house and will hand over 200 rupees to your
wife for food for the family.”

(Note: Baba had directed Gaunga Sharma that he must ensure that proper
food was supplied for 1 month and that if necessary he should speak with
Rameshvarji’s wife.)

Then the matter was resolved – Gaunga Sharma settled all matters and
concerns about food with the wife of Rameshvarji.

In the due course, Gaunga Sharma returned to Ranchi and gave full report
to Baba about what had transpired and Baba was extremely pleased by
hearing the news.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STORY

All this goes to show that Baba is carefully watching each and every
minute detail. It was true then and it is still true today.

He has great interest that the ideas of AM should be propagated in all
ways to all corners of the globe & beyond. At the same time, He keeps
His eyes and ears attuned to the needs and cares of His devotees.

Baba neither wants the propagation of AM ideals to be hindered nor does
He want to see any of His bhaktas in trouble.

Thus our AM newspapers and electronic media must continue regularly.
That is His explicit desire. All should also know that He listens to our
worries and difficulties and that He is always there to help.

Such are the wonderful ways of His grace-compassion.

BABA’S BLESSING

By Baba’s grace, in His below two declarations He sweetly assures us
that He listens to the words of each and every person and that He wants
that we should dedicate all our time and energy to building a great
society by spreading the ideals of AM.

Both of these concepts are not only explicitly stated in His below
teachings, but they are prevalent in one’s practical life as well. The
story of Karmeshvar gives proof of this. And indeed there are countless
other tales and experiences which show He cares for our every need and
inspires us to do the great work each and every moment.

Baba says, “Every jiiva, as part of its birthright under prota yoga,
enjoys His grace. So no one is small, no one is insignificant. If anyone
laments, “I am such a useless person, such a helpless sinner, that
Parama Purus’a can’t possibly wish to listen to me,” I will point out
that when He listens to the collective, then He naturally listens to the
individual too.” (NKS, Disc: 9)

Baba says, “The fact that the fortune of every individual, not only of
this earth but of the entire cosmos, has been wreathed together, will
have to be admitted one day by people. The spiritual aspirant has to
hasten that auspicious moment by pauseless effort, service and
propagation of the great Ideology. This alone is the Supreme task for
the present humanity.” (A’nanda Va’nii)

Namaskar,
Indrajit

Note 1: SAMAJ THEORY AND MOTHER TONGUE

Part and parcel of His Prout philosophy an samaj theory is that all
languages are important. None should be overlooked and that none should
harbor any kind of inferiority complex based on the language they speak.
Baba honors all tongues and the teachings of AM should be translated
into every local language.

Just as Baba highly encouraged in the above story that AM ideals must be
propagated in Angika, same is the case with all the world’s languages,
such as the language of the Inuits in Alaska, the Zulus in their area,
and the Maoris of Australia. Every language should have its place and
become a veritable medium of AM ideas.

Note 2: THE IMPORTANCE OF OUR OWN MEDIA

Here Baba writes of the importance of having our own press and media
outlets. Without that, we will never be able to propagate the great
ideology.

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2009/08/should-we-trust-media.html

PRABHAT SAMGIITA

“Malay va’ta’se madhu nishva’se ke go ele mor phulavane…” P.S. 1801

Purport:

O the Divine Entity who are You who has come in my flower garden in this
spring season with a sweet and charming smile. When I saw You for the first
time I was surprised, and it was difficult to think that such an attractive
Entity would be here. I wanted to look towards You more intimately but I
ould not, that time I was sitting in the flower garden unmindfully.
I couldn’t even hear the footsteps of Your arrival, & You did not give
any hint or clue before coming to this garden. So I could not receive
You properly nor could I offer You a garland. You have graced me by
coming here but You have not cared about receiving an invitation. Please
tell me, O’ Divine Entity, who are You?
Understanding Your liila is impossible. Within a flash You become tough
and then in the next moment You are as tender as a flower– like a
garland of love –so sweet and charming. O divine Entity You cannot be
understood. You are Infinite–no beginning, & no end. Through the
practice of sadhana and dhyana I am surrendering myself at Your alter .
Baba You have graced me by coming to my mental flower garden…

******************************************
WT Conduct Rule: Who is who

Baba says, “Avadhuta [WTs] shall not engage his ears in any obscene
language or songs, touch any tamasik articles, see any depraving entity or
pictures, go through any story, novel, or fiction having even the slightest
bit of sexual importance, eat, drink, or smoke any rajasik or tamasik
things or use any article which is artificially scented.” (Point 32 of 32
workers rules)

Note: Only using saffron garb is not the criteria. If any Wt is not
following strictly the above Baba’s guideline and instead they are (a)
listening to obscene talk and music, (b) touching tamasik items, (c)
viewing any crude movies or pictures, (d) reading degrading books and
magazines, and (e) ingesting negative foods, then in that case they are
fake. Their situation is as follows.

Baba says, “Nothing will result from dyeing one’s clothes with saffron
colour only for show. Dye yourself within. People of some particular
religious creeds think that dyeing their clothes or bodies with a
particular colour is a part of spiritual Sa’dhana’. But remember that is
all useless, unless you are dyed within as well.” (SS part 3)

Baba further says,

“Mana na’ ra’inga’ile ra’inga’ile yogi ka’par’a.

Saffron and red do not a yogiis make
With mind undyed he remains a fake.”

“Dye your mind with His colour. Those who have not done so cannot attain
Him, for this very coloration is Prema or Divine Love…No external sign
of Sa’dhuta’ or virtue is necessary. Become sa’dhu within. Behind the
external show of virtuousness of many so-called sa’dhus exists a
pharisaic state of mind. Preserve the true dignity of the word, Sa’dhu.”

“Mu’d’ha mu’ra’ye jata’ v’ar’aye….

With shaven head or matted locks
And ashen body a Sadhu walks
With the swaggering gait of a well-fed buffalo.
And crude mind filled with thoughts mean and low.”

“That is why I say that you must bring about a revolutionary change in
the flow of your judgment and thought, and see how, after overcoming your
fascination with external colour, your mind becomes tinged with the His
glorious colour.” (SS part 3)

Note 2: Unfortunately, at present there is no dearth of fake sadhus in our Marg.
Senior margiis are aware about this fact.
******************************************

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Indeed Margiis Can Teach

Date: Fri 8 Apr 2010 18:45:27

To: AM-GLOBAL

Subject: Indeed Margiis Can Teach

From: “Ishvara Deva”

 

Baba

 

== INDEED MARGIIS CAN TEACH ==

 

Namaskar,

Recently in our unit, some of us were involved in teaching others about AM, and one Dada intervened and stated that we should not do this as we were “not qualified”.

 

This made us feel very sad. By Baba’s grace we then consulted with one very senior acarya Didi and here following are the points she gave.

 

Really this was a very sentimental time for us and I remain so grateful for the guidance I received from Didiji.

 

For those more prone towards philosophical dialog, here are the essential questions we are raising.

 

1. Should we start teaching others about AM only when we get moksa, i.e. perfection?

 

2. Should we wait until we have been on the path 10 years before teaching others; or should we wait until we become a wholetimer before guiding others?

 

3. When can a general margii start teaching others about AM? When should a margii begin preaching the gospel of AM ideology?

 

Again, here it is not that I want to be a “great” Ananda Margii and give high-sounding talks to big audiences. That is not the spirit of this inquiry. Merely with our own inner heart feeling, a few of us were quietly sitting and talking to others about AM when that Dada came over and told us not to do like that.

 

 

MUST START TEACHING RIGHT AWAY

 

Only after consulting with a senior acarya Didi, did everything become clear. Here are the key points raised by that senior acarya Didi:

 

The bottom line is that it is the duty of each and every Ananda Margii to start teaching others about Ananda Marga immediately. Even the day a person is initiated they can, nay must, start doing pracara with others.

 

Here is the support from Baba’s teachings:

 

(A) SIXTEEN POINTS: It is the duty of every Ananda Margii to follow 16 Points and embedded within 16 Points is service or seva. As we all know there are 4 types of seva in AM: shudrocita seva, ksatriyocita seva, vaeshyocita seva, and viprocita seva. And Baba guides us that we, i.e. all margiis, are to perform all four types of seva, including viprocita seva, which includes preaching the ideals of Ananda Marga.

 

Baba says, “We can give joy to Parama Puruśa by serving His creations – human beings, animals and plants – and this service will be the best application of neohumanism. This service can be done in four ways – viprocita sevá (intellectual service), kśatriyocita sevá (service of courage), vaeshyocita sevá (economic service) and shudrocita sevá (manual service). None of these is inferior: we cannot ignore any one of them. People should render service according to their capacity. Those who like intellectual service, can do that; those who like manual service, can do so. But it will be best if all the four types are performed.” (17 May 1982, Calcutta)

 

In His above directive, Baba clearly tells that everyone – new and senior margiis alike – are to engage in all kinds of seva including teaching others about AM philosophy and lifestyle. Everyone must do this according to their capacity.

 

That means even a newly initiated margii can and should teach the general public about kiirtan, or yama and niyama etc. To the degree one is properly aware about Baba’s teachings is the degree to which they should teach others. Then they will be performing seva and following 16 Points. That is Baba’s mandate.

 

(B) AM MISSION: The Ananda Marga mission – self-realisation & selfless service – concerns each and every Ananda Margii.

 

Baba says, “What should a person do? Life is a mission. I have said that human life is an ideological flow. That is, human life is a mission; life itself is a mission; one’s very existence is a mission. Átmamokśárthaḿ jagaddhitáya ca – “Whatever one is to do one is to do for átmamokśa – for his own liberation – and for the elevation of the entire world, elevation of the entire human society.” One is to do both these things: that is, these two things are one’s mission.” (AV-30)

 

Thus here again Baba is directing each and every person in the Marga to perform service – i.e. helping to care for and elevate all beings. Upon entering into AM, everyone must do this from day 1. Baba does not say that one should do sadhana for ten years – or after getting perfection, i.e. moksa – then one should start doing service. It is not like that.

 

Rather from the very beginning every margii is to do sadhana and perform service by preaching the ideals of dharma to others. So here again Baba is mandating that every Ananda Margii must do AM pracara and explain the tenets of AM to others.

 

(C) SUPREME COMMAND: In our Supreme Command too Baba tells each and every Ananda Margii to teach others about dharma and inspire them onto the path of spirituality.

 

“…It is the bounden duty of every Ananda Margii to endeavor to bring all to the path of bliss. Verily is this a part and parcel of sadhana, to lead others along the path of righteousness.” (Supreme Command)

 

Thus by Baba’s teaching in the Supreme Command, it is clear that all margiis – young or old, male or female etc – must embark on teaching others about AM ideals.

 

 

ALL MUST PREACH THE GOSPEL OF AM

 

Through His mandates of Sixteen Points, by His mission statement (Átmamokśárthaḿ jagaddhitáya ca), and by the Supreme Command, it is quite clear that every Ananda Margii should teach others about AM ideals from the very beginning. To delay this is to go against Guru’s teachings. No one should have any complex about this nor should this point be shrouded in confusion. All – I repeat all – are to teach others about the principles of AM.

 

 

IGNORANT ACARYAS:

 

NO DADA CAN BAR YOU FROM TEACHING

 

Thus if you or anyone in your unit is sincerely teaching others about AM philosophy and a Dada tells you that you are “too new”, or “not senior enough”, or “not smart enough” etc, then just inform that Wt that Baba’s guideline is that, “I must perform all 4 sevas each and every day and that includes teaching others about AM ideology, according to the level of my own knowledge base.”

 

Thus no Dada can give any lame excuse and prohibit any margii – new or old – from guiding others on spiritual life and AM ideals.

 

Actually, it is the dogmatic religions that preach how lay / family people cannot teach the tenets. In Christianity only the priest can do; in Islam, only the mullah can do; and in Hinduism only the pundits can do. They are the only ones to preach the gospel of their religion – not the common people. So AM is totally unique. Baba says that all can and should do.

 

Unfortunately some ignorant and crafty Wts want to introduce religious dogmas into our AM society by stating that only the priest class can guide others. They just want to “copy & paste” such dogmas into our Marga.

 

But we must remember such dogmas are hellish.

 

Baba says, “These [common] people were deprived of the right to study the Vedas. The Antyaja Shúdras, if they even heard the Vedic chants, or the controlling Vedic mantra aum, or the “Savitr Rk” mantra, would be committing a great sin and molten lead would be poured into their ears so that their hearing would be destroyed forever. Nor were women, however educated, allowed to hear such sacred chants.” (Namah Shivaya Shantaya, Disc: 5)

 

Indeed in those days of old, what to speak of not allowing the common people to preach the philosophy, they would not even allow the common people to learn it. If general citizens came in contact with those teachings they would be tortured and shunned – i.e. scarred for life. That was the way those dogmatic religions operated – and still today that is their modus operendi. They feel that mantras or prayers can only be solemnized when they are recited by priests etc. According to bhagavad dharma, there is no 3rd person between the devotee and God, but in such religions, the priest / mullah etc is the so-called intermediary. Here the point is that in the dogmatic religions, only the priest is able pass on religious knowledge, not anyone else.

 

Tragically now some Dadas are leaning in this direction and not allowing margiis to teach the philosophy to others. We have to oppose such Dadas. When any Dada is forbidding a margii to propagate the gospel of Ananda Marga or neo-humanism, we should alarm everyone about that Dada and unmask their name and address.

 

AM is totally different from the dogmatic religions. Baba has blessed us with a revolutionary approach where all have the moral duty to preach and teach the tenets of AM.

 

Unfortunately, some Dadas puffed up with vanity feel that only they should talk about dharma. They want everyone to listen to them. That is what their ego tells them. So they feel threatened if a margii sincerely engages in talks about AM philosophy with others.

 

But again, Baba’s mandate is clear and pointed: Every initiated person in Ananda Marga must preach and teach others about our AM way of life.

 

 

IMPORTANT STIPULATIONS

 

Now that it is clear that it is the duty of every Ananda Margii to perform service and teach others about the philosophy and ideals of AM, there are a few easy points to keep in mind.

 

1) One must not teach others about the lessons of sadhana unless one is an tattvika, or acarya etc.

 

2) One should not teach aspects of Baba’s teachings that they themselves are not adequately familiar with. If one does this then two negative results will arise. Firstly, one will spread faulty explanations and confuse others; and secondly, the person you are trying to teach will lose faith in you.

 

So ti is important to educate oneself about AM ideals and consult Baba’s discourses by reading Ananda Marga books.

 

Indeed, every Ananda Margii should be eager and ready to preach Baba’s gospel to any and all who are interested. And even if they are not interested, we should try and inspire them.

 

Margiis can teach our kiirtan mantra to anyone. We can teach them to sing internally or externally.

 

 

MUST NOT BE CONCERNED WITH PRAISE OR CENSURE

 

SERVE OTHERS TO PLEASE HIM

 

Here is another dynamic to be aware of when preaching AM ideals.

 

Some sincere margiis start doing pracara and mistakenly think that because they are doing dharmic work then people should appreciate them. Although this is not a totally degrading mindset, but for bhaktas this is not a very lofty outlook. This has a distinct drawback as well because if people are not appreciating you, then you feel there is no point in doing the work and you may drop it entirely. Furthermore if anyone criticises you then you will be totally dejected. Side by side, some opportunists might praise you to the sky in order to exploit you and get you to attend to their agenda. These are the pitfalls of getting caught up in praise and censure.

 

The best is for every sadhaka to serve other and propagate AM ideal thinking that they are doing everything for Parama Purusa – to please Him.

 

Then if someone opposes or praises you it does not matter. Your mind will remain balanced and you will not veer from your course. Why? Because you are doing to serve Parama Purusa, not to garner praise etc. Here the whole idea is that one should not be a slave of praise or censure. Then one cannot fulfill their duty on this earth.

 

Those who do pracara dharma with idea that they are serving Parama Purusa never get frustrated by others’ negative comments. That is the expression of real devotion. And such persons do not anticipate that others should praise them because they are doing a great job.

 

Whenever a person believes in their heart that it is their duty to do a particular task then they do not expect that people should praise them. For example, when a mother is caring for her very small infant, then that mother does not care if the neighbor praises her or not.

 

Similarly, a good sadhaka will preach the gospel of AM without any expectation of praise and without any concern for censure. One will fulfill this blessed duty to please Parama Purusa.

 

Baba says, “Nindantu niitinipuńáh yadi vá stuvantu: “If I am too concerned with those who praise or censure me, I will not find time to do my real work. As I have come to this world only for a short period, my only concern should be to keep on doing the duty the Lord has assigned to me. And while doing this allotted duty, I should remember that I belong to Parama Puruśa. I have come form Him, and I will have to return to Him – and to do that, I must complete my allotted duty.” (Subhasita Samgraha, part 12)

 

Baba says, “Regarding those who are likely to create obstacles in your path – let them do so. You should remember that those who are the actual pioneers, the real vanguard of the society, are always a microscopic minority, but it is they who are destined to be victorious. Those who once opposed, or are now opposing or will oppose in the future, will in the future admit: “Yes, we are now driving our vehicle safely and comfortably along the very path which that vanguard once opened by clearing the jungle.” This means that those who cleared the obstacles in the beginning will later be recognized as pioneers. The funny thing is this, that people do not give recognition at the time it is due. This is the natural law. And at the same time you should also remember this simple truth: that in a jungle the number of tigers and lions is always few; the jackals far outnumber them. Yet in the jungle the tigers and lions reign supreme, not the jackals. The jackals are sure to howl, that is their nature; but the tigers and lions will not be frightened.” (AV-6)

 

Namaskar,

Ishvara

 

 

Note 1: IMPORTANT PROVERB

 

One should never forget that human life evolves gradually from animal life in the cosmic cycle of brahmacakra. Human beings were animals in the past and those propensities are still dominant in many of our fellow human beings. For this reason some people feel the need to oppose good work. If we all keep this in mind then one will not get affected when others are opposing your righteous deeds.

 

Always remember this proverb: No good deed goes unpunished. The sens is that certain notorious people want to abuse you because their own prestige is at stake. But pay no mind to them, go on propagating the ideals of dharma, always singing Baba’s name.

 

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Spreading the Dharma of AM…

From: “Karma Deva”

To: AM-GLOBAL

Subject: Spreading the Dharma of AM…

Date: Wed, 06 Apr 2011 21:52:44 +0000

 

Baba

 

== SPREADING THE DHARMA OF AM IN ALL THE WAYS ==

 

Namaskar,

Now in the general society there is an extreme dearth of sentient ideas.

Rather the rancid mud of materialism has infiltrated into every arena of

life. Even then good people all around are looking for some daylight by

which to move ahead. In their heart they have a yearning to discover

something better.

 

 

SACRED DUTY OF ANANDA MARGIIS

 

As Ananda Margiis, it is our duty to share Baba’s ideas in all the ways and

in all the directions. This is what the society needs and this is a

sensitive time because right now around the globe people are in search of

something. So we should satisfy their thirst with the benevolent teachings

of AM. And if we refrain from doing so then someone will fill the gap with

more faulty ideas, thereby leading the society astray.

 

So it is a must for all Ananda Margiis to express Baba’s divine guidelines

in multifarious ways. By this way we can help the society to advance.

 

 

NO HESITATION IN THIS REGARD

 

Some in AM may be thinking that they do not know enough; or some may be

thinking that we need not do because Baba Himself will do; or some may be

thinking that in the future they will do.

 

But to all these thoughts, the reply is that what we know about AM we

should teach in this present moment. We should not wait for the future nor

should we remain passive thinking that Guru will do. Rather He has already

given us the duty and now the moment is ripe.

 

Indeed we are merely His medium, He is projecting through us. The more we

try the more He will grace us to do His work.

 

So what we know in any sphere of AM philosophy or AM way of life we should

teach: In our workplaces, in our communities, in our travels, and in all

sorts of new avenues. In all the places, in all the ways.

 

 

AM TEACHINGS MUST SPREAD

 

Because Baba’s ideas must be spread to all people and as we apply ourselves

in this great endeavour we will become more capable media for disseminating

His divine teachings.

 

Of course all of these above things everyone in AM is already aware about–

we know we are to propagate AM ideals. So please excuse me for repeating

this now.

 

 

WE MUST NOT LAG BEHIND

 

But at the same time in the practical sphere we are lagging behind, a

little bit. Now so many so-called yoga groups are blowing their trumpets in

full force. Yet what they have to share is not the panacea for the society.

Here the idea is not to condemn all those saying anything in the name of

yoga. Because they are also our brothers and sisters and they may be

sincere in their approach.

 

But nonetheless the fact stands: Only Baba is the Parama Purusa Incarnate

and only His divine teachings of Ananda Marga are perfectly true across

time, space, and person. Only His directives can lead the society forward.

 

And only His teachings are logical and rational in all respects. There is

no dogma only dharma in our AM – so it can all be explained rationally.

 

So casting away all shyness and hesitation we should undertake our march

and spread His ideals in all the ways: With our vocal chords, paintbrushes,

keyboards, films, meetings, classes, etc. In all the ways. This is our

allotted duty.

 

We should be at the forefront and not be second to anyone in any regard.

Reason being, Baba’s ideas are best and they should reach the people’s ears

first, lest they led astray by something else.

 

 

BABA’S BLESSING

 

Here Baba is encouraging all Ananda Margiis to come forward and express the

benevolent ideas of AM– in whatever way they feel they are most suited. By

this way we can clean the muck from the society and build it into a

brilliant, shining humanity.

 

Baba says, “When litterateurs dedicate themselves to the service or

sa’dhana’ of literature, they have to let their creative genius flow in

this very current: they have to cleanse all that is turbid, all that is

inauspicious in individual life in the holy waters of their universal

mentality, and then convey it sweetly and gracefully into the heart of

humanity. Herein lies the fulfilment of their service, the consummation of

their sa’dhana’.” (PNS-10)

 

Namaskar,

Karma Deva

 

 

Note 1: HOW OUR PRACAR SHOULD BE DONE

 

As we know our AM teachings are grounded in benevolent truthfulness–

satya. So our minds should be coloured in this eternal ideal and not in

pseudo-culture when involving in our pracar programs.

 

Baba says, “The main duty of the Ta’ttvikas is to make a propagation which

aims at collective welfare…At the time of propagation, your views, nay,

all your tendencies should be pointed towards satya, because it is only

through the propagation of satya that collective welfare is possible.”

(Tattvika Diipika- II)

 

 

PRABHAT SAMGIITA

 

PS Intro: This below Prabhat Samgiita highlights the divine glory and

greatness of Parama Purusa.

 

“Tumi kotha’y chile, kotha’y tha’ko, keu ta’ jane na’…” (PS 540)

 

Purport:

 

O’ Parama Purus’a, where were You – where have You been? I have been

searching all over for You. Where do You reside – nobody knows. I have

been looking everywhere for You. You are the smallest of the small and

the most vast of the vast [1]. I have not been able to find you

anywhere. Baba, those who want You, ultimately You make them Yours, You

merge them into Your Divine Self [2]. O’ Infinite Entity, You are

boundless, You cannot be held. O’ Parama Purus’a, where do You reside –

nobody knows.

O’ my Dearmost, in this entire universe, no single manifestation can

express Your full beauty. The moon’s smile – the ocean breeze – the

smiling flower – the sweet charming sky – all these beautiful things

were created by You. You have filled this world with Your divine

expressions, yet they are not Your True Self. They are not Your full

expression nor can they express Your full sweetness. All these things

are mere small reflections of Your infinite charm. O’ Ananta, You are

limitless. Your full glory cannot be expressed in words, shapes, or

forms. O’ Parama Purus’a, where do You reside – nobody knows.

O’ Parama Purusa, You are so gracious. In my ideation and in my

meditation, my every atom and molecule are dancing in Your flow – it is

Your grace. You do everything for me. Baba, You have been playing the

flute [3] since time immemorial and You will continue up to eternity. By

this way, You have been attracting me and drawing me closer to You. O’

my Lord, Your effulgence is infinite and unfathomable.

O’ Parama Purus’a, where have You been, where do You reside – nobody knows.

O’ Baba, please grace me by coming close…

 

Notes for Prabhat Samgiita #540:

 

[1] Here below Baba explains how Parama Purusa is more vast than the

vast and smaller than the small. Becuase of this one cannot find Him

with their crude senses.

 

Baba says, “On the one hand Parama Purus’a is very vast; on the other

hand He is very small. He is so vast that you cannot fully see Him. In

Sam’skrta, there are a few words to describe something very vast:

visha’la, vira’t’a, brhat, etc. Out of these, the words vira’t’a and

brhat are used to describe an entity which is immeasurably vast, and

visha’la is used for an entity which may be vast, but can be measured.

For instance, the Himalayan mountains are very vast in size, but still

they can be measured in terms of miles, from south to north and from

east to west. In the scriptures it has been said.

 

Brhacca taddivyam acintyaru’pam’…

 

“Parama Purus’a is extremely vast: then how can you see such a vast

Entity with your dim vision? It is impossible. And besides seeing such a

divine effulgence, your eyes will be blinded; your vision will be

completely lost.”

 

Su’ks’macca tat su’ksmataram’ vibhati

 

“Parama Purus’a is not only vast. He is small as well – so small, so

subtle that you cannot see Him with your physical eyes. Human ocular

power is extremely limited: if an object is very vast it cannot be seen,

and if it is very small and subtle it cannot be seen either.” (SS-12)

 

 

[2] In these below quotes, Baba is telling that one cannot go close to

Him and still remain separate. When one gets closer and closer, then by

His grace, the bhakta will merge in Him – just like a piece of salt gets

merged in the ocean, it can not longer remain a separate grain of salt.

 

Baba says, “If a salt doll goes to fathom the sea, it will certainly

melt and become the sea itself. Similarly, if the knower of the Supreme

Consciousness goes to fathom the Supreme, he merges in the sea of

Consciousness and becomes Supreme himself. Be constantly absorbed in the

thought of the Supreme Consciousness and you too will become Supreme.”

(SS-2)

 

Baba says, “If a salt doll goes to measure the sea, it will melt into

it. Neither can it measure the sea, nor will it ever return, its

existence will merge into the vastness of the sea, releasing it from all

cares and worries. If one wishes to take the form of the sea, one will

have to become the sea itself; there is no other way. None of His

qualities has any limit. His fragmentary manifestations are all passing

through unlimited forms, due to His ceaseless imaginative flow: none of

them is an end in itself.” (SS-3)

 

 

[3] Here below Baba explains the inner meaning of the sound of the flute

and how the bhakta rushes towards Parama Purusa due to His divine

attraction.

 

Baba says, “The music emanating from Krs’n’a’s flute shook the minds of

the sa’dhakas, causing them to echo and vibrate. This resonance is

nothing but prapattiva’da. Here there is scope neither for jina’na nor

for karma. Here mobility is the only task, the only dharma. “The way He

is calling me – I am to move accordingly.” This state of mind is one of

the sweetest states, the madhura gun’a [sweet quality] of prapattiva’da.

“I am rushing ahead due to the sweet call of His flute and entering into

His sweet and blissful environment.” Hence for Vraja Krs’n’a, there is

no need to interpret the faculties of knowledge and action. There is no

scope for fighting over philosophical ideas. Only complete prapatti is

there, and once it shakes the jiiva, he can no longer stay away. One

rushes out and starts running after Him.” (NKS, Disc: 4)

 

Baba says, “The spiritual aspirant hears the various sounds of onm’ka’ra

or pran’ava [like the sound of the flute] at various stages, during deep

sa’dhana’, during sweet sa’dhana’. The sound is called Krs’n’a’s

muraliidhvani. The sa’dhaka becomes mad because of this sound and goes

deeper and attains Ra’dha’ bha’va more and more, and rushes headlong

forward.” (DKG)

 

 

 

********************************************

Human Life on other Planets & Stars

 

Baba says, “Humans of this world– not only of this world, but of the

entire universe there are so many planets and stars where there is human

life– and all humans of the universe have got the same wont. And they

utilise and display these wonts according to climatic conditions,

conditions of time and space. But fundamentally, humanity is a singular

entity.” (17 August 1979 DMC, Taipei)

 

The above is what Baba actually has spoken in English. The below is how the

Publications Department printed it in SS-12.

 

“Humans of the world – not only of this world, but of the entire Universe

there are so many planets and stars where there is human life – and all

humans of the entire Universe have got the same course. They tend to

display their wonts according to climatic conditions, conditions of time

and space. But fundamentally, humanity is a singular entity.” (SS-12)

 

 

Note 1: In comparing the above two paragraphs, it is clear that so many

small and big mistakes have been committed by the Publications Department.

And there was no translation involved either. Baba spoke in English and the

book is printed in English. Even then, there are a variety of changes which

dilute the meaning of Baba’s discourse.

 

For example, they changed the word “wont” to “course”. Plus they omitted

the word “utilise”; then they wrongly inserted the word “display”. Indeed,

each sentence has a minimum of 3-5 mistakes.

 

So this is the grade of work that is going on in our Publications Deparment.

And then of course there are the big distortions like AM-Revolution where

they cut the entire paragraph about margii rights.

 

Note 2: In His above discourse Baba is giving us the conclusive idea that

there are humans living on various planets. This is not a hypothesis;

rather it is a fact given by Parama Purusa. And He knows everything because

this is His creation.

 

So we should propagate this idea that there are humans living on various

planets. Still modern science is unsure about this concept. They are using

rockets to reach distant planets but what they fail to realise is that the

speediest thing is the mind. With the mind one can easily realise this truth.

It is our hope that in the near future scientists will reach this

conclusion that human beings already on exist on many other planets.

But in our Marga, this is a well-known, established truth, not a mere

hypothesis.

********************************************

 

Read Full Post »

Good Company

From: “Will Chaucey”

To: am-global@earthlink.net

Subject: Good Company

Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2011 11:38:44 +1000

 

Baba

 

== GOOD COMPANY ==

 

Namaskar,

Baba has graciously us blessed with all the needed guidelines for living a

spiritual life– plus He has pointedly alerted us about all the pitfalls as

well. In this dual regard, right company plays a big role.

 

As we know, the friends we keep and the people around us play a highly

significant role in our human growth. By remaining in the midst of

noble-minded people then the mind moves on the path of vidya whereas when

surrounded by undesirable company then the opposite occurs. This fact we

have all seen and realised but even then sometimes a reminder can be helpful.

 

 

BABA’S GUIDELINES

 

Here then are some of Baba’s key guidelines in this regard.

 

Baba says, “A good person or a sa’dhaka needs proper maintenance, for in a

world of constant change, care must be taken that the change be always

towards the better or the higher. Keeping good company is essential for

this positive development. While bad company strengthens the bondage of the

soul, good company is conducive to liberation and salvation. The keeping of

good company is conducive to liberation and is known as satsaunga in

Sanskrit. When satsaunga is followed, either physically or mentally or

both, the subconscious mind, and thus the conscious mind, are charged with

better and higher influences. This change will move the follower forward

towards higher and better goals. The alternative is asatsaunga, the keeping

of bad company, which leads one into greater and greater bondage.” (AV-33)

 

Thus according to Baba good company or satsaunga leads to liberation

whereas bad company pushes one under more and more bondage.

 

And here Baba explains in very colourful language and clear-cut examples

about this entire phenomenon.

 

Baba says, “Humans will have to move ahead by carefully watching those

with whom they will associate. What is the result of keeping good company?

By spending time with good persons, a deep impression is imprinted on the

mind, causing the desire to be good, to rise in the mind. On the other

hand, if one chooses to associate with drunkards, a desire will eventually

come in the mind, what is the harm if I drink a little wine? The same sort

of thing will happen if one lives with thieves.”

“To give an example, a person is standing beside a tea-stall. There the

flavour of the tea floats to the nose, and then the person says, ‘Bring a

cup of tea here, too’. In this incident, the flavour of the tea affects the

mind. If that person had not remained near the tea stall, the smell would

not have reached the nose and perhaps that person would not have taken tea

for two or three days. This is the influence that association has on the

mind.”

“Hence humans should choose their company very carefully, for, a mistake

in this will cause them to repent their whole life. Even parents who are

not good should either send their children to live in a student hostel or

keep them with some of their relatives who are good. One must be very

strict in this. In Tantra it is said:

 

“Satsaungena bhavenmuktir asatsaungesu bandhanam”.

Tasmat Asatsaungamudran’am’ Sa’mudra Parikiirtita.”

 

“The Tantrik practice of Mudra’ Sadhana means to associate with good

human beings in order to attain liberation…Hence good association results

in salvation and bad association results in bondage. Hence evil company

must be avoided.” (Karma Yoga)

 

That is why we should always try and keep in the contact good company–with

Ananda Margiis. As this will bring us along the path of the divine.

 

Here below Baba neatly explains how that good company lessens one’s radius

with the Lord and bad company pulls one farther from the Lord. That is the

primary difference between satsaunga and asatsaunga.

 

Baba says, “So while selecting company, you should be careful whether its

discourses, its activities, its plans or programmes are to decrease the

distance between you and your Lord. This is Satsaunga, good company.

Otherwise it is Asatsaunga. Even intellectual discussions of a high order

may not be Satsaunga if it has got nothing to do with lessening the

distance between you and your Lord, you and your Goal. That type of

intellectual discourse, in my language is called intellectual extravaganza.

Baoddhika Amitavyayita´. Satsaunga and Asatsaunga. When it goads you on the

path of the Lord, it is Satsaunga. From this moment, you should always try

to have Satsaunga.” (AV-14)

 

Namaskar,

Vinay

 

 

Note: CONSTANT VIGILANCE IS NECESSARY

 

Please excuse me, but sometimes people fall into the trap of thinking that

being around Ananda Margiis is enough. And generally this is true since

usually as Ananda Margiis we sing kiirtan together, do sadhana, and

collectively engage in service projects. Even then sometimes it can happen

that there can be a few margiis together but, their company is not

satsaunga. Because for one reason or another their talk might be about

pseudo-culture movies, or they may be just involved in rajasik activities

like shopping or skiing. Or sometimes it can been seen that we travelling

together in the car then they will listen to pop music or the like. And

sometime margiis just talk about too many mundane topics. All these things

can happen. So 100% of the time we should be vigilant to ensure that the

company we are keeping is satsaunga and we should ensure that as

individuals we are adding positively to the collective flow and keeping all

our social interactions sentient and Baba-centered.

 

So today, tomorrow and during the retreat season when we are many are in

transit to our blissful functions, like dharmacakra, here then are some good

topics to discuss will travelling: how to better follow 16 Points, Baba dreams,

the top three things about spiritual life, favourite aspect of Ananda Marga, how

to remember Baba during one’s daily routine, or any number of topics which create

a sweet and harmonious vibration in the mind.

 

Another option is to bring an AM book like Ananda Vacanamrtam and read that out

loud in the car with those whom you are travelling with and discuss it collectively.

 

 

PRABHAT SAMGIITA

 

“Ga’n geye ja’bo, shono na’ shono tav iccha’…” P.S. 2305

 

Purport:

 

Baba, I will go on singing Your song– Your glory. It’s up to You

whether You will grace me by listening to these songs or not. But with

these songs, in my deep contemplation, I will generate divine vibrations,

by Your grace– and go on serving You.

Baba with my deep yearning I am calling You again and again without

getting any response– You are not paying heed to my call. By avoiding me

maybe You are thinking that I will not sing Your song anymore and that I

will remain quiet. And that in frustration, I will give up the hope of

getting You. And that I will no longer engage in the flow of those divine

tunes and melodies, which is inundating the vast sky, by Your grace. And

that I will not utilize these melodious treasures in my practical life to

go closer to You.

Baba, with the strength of knowledge, wisdom, intellect, and worldly

attributions, Your depth cannot be measured– nobody can realise You. But

by surrendering that very unit “I” which already belongs to You, and with

the divine sweetness of singing Your name I will surely get You by Your

grace.

Baba, I sing my songs only for You–to serve You, to please You. Please

be gracious and keep me on Your lap.

 

Note: In the above song, the sadhaka has deep love and a strong yearning

for Parama Purusa. So when Parama Purusa does not respond to his call in

the way that he desires, then the sadhaka makes one loving accusation

towards Parama Purusa. So actually that is not an accusation per se, but

rather an intimate type of loving expression. And Baba is approving that

devotees have the right to do like this and that this loving way of

communication is quite natural.

 

 

 

********************************************

Love For All

 

Baba says, “The sense of differentiation and distinction are of no value to

devotees. For them, all become one, all discriminations disappear. Only

human beings can have this type of mentality and that is why they are

superior to all other beings.” (AV-7, p.12)

********************************************

 

Read Full Post »

Most Important Aspect of the Mission

To: AM-GLOBAL
Date: Tue, 13 Apr 2010 06:28:41 -0000
From: NJK Majumdar
Subject: Most Important Aspect of the Mission

Baba

“Tumi ya’ke bha’loba’so se kena a’r’a’le tha’ke…” (PS 3333)

Purport:

Baba, one thing I do not understand. Please tell me why Your great
devotees like to keep themselves far away from name, fame praise etc.
Always they keep themselves hidden.

You keep Your devotees very close to You. But You do not grant them
wealth, money, higher social status, name or fame. Rather You take away
all these worldly things from devotees and You saturate their heart with
the devotion. Devotees are always hidden in the society as ordinary
persons. And as to those who are not A-grade devotees, You glorify[1]
them with the high status. Why like this? Please tell me.

Baba, only You can control and utilise occult powers. Except You,
those others who acquire occult powers lose their conscience and do all
kinds of negative things. Ultimately they degenerate and follow the path
of negative pratisaincara– they become one with the crude matter.
Devotees get You all the time in their heart and in that way they
always remain in bliss. Having You their whole existence gets filled and
all their deep longing and desires get satisfied.

Baba to those whom You are loving, to them You always keep them hidden…

[1] Devotees do not ask anything from Parama Purusa other than HE
Himself. Whereas those who are ordinary people ask for name, fame,
money, power, post etc. So accordingly Baba grants them those things and
fulfills their desire.

== MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THE MISSION ==

Namaskar,
We all know that in our A’nanda Ma’rga Baba places tremendous emphasis
on the dual approach of spiritual sadhana and social service. Both have
a huge role to play. For that reason some may be thinking that our
spiritual life and our social life are therefore equal in all regards.
Without going too deeply into the matter, this might be a logical
conclusion one would make: Estimating that both are 50-50– the same
size & of equal value etc. It is easy to surmise how someone might
conclude in that fashion.

However, Baba’s divine teaching is something else. As important as our
social life is, Baba here unveils and expresses the vastness &
unparalleled nature of our spiritual approach in A’nanda Ma’rga.

Baba says, “Our spiritual life is not a part of our social life; our
social life is a part of our spiritual life.” (Poona DMC, 26-11-79)

Thus, Baba’s above teaching establishes the supremacy of spirituality as
He tells that everything falls within the scope of our spiritual life.
That is, our spiritual life is not a subset of our social life; but our
social life is a part of our spiritual life.

With this is mind, that means that our entire social dealing comes under
that great umbrella of spirituality. Or, another way of saying it is
that nothing comes outside of our spiritual approach. Everything is part
and parcel of that. Hence in Ananda Marga we say that spirituality is
the top-most thing– the summum bonum of life.

Baba says, “Spirituality is the summum bonum of life in all its
aspects.” (Idea & Idealogy, p.77)

Here are more points which lead in this same direction– which highlight
the greatness of spiritual life in Ananda Marga. All brothers and
sisters should also write in with their perceptions and thoughts also.

AM SPIRITUALITY IS THE VERY PULSE OF OUR LIFE

The path which Baba has shown us– the path of Ananda Marga is totally
revolutionary since it is deeply ensconced in the nectar of
spirituality. From birth to death and from morning till night, the life
of an Ananda Margii is filled with spiritual practices and cosmic
ideation. When one emerges from the womb and enters this world then
immediately that infant is drenched in the singing Baba Nam Kevalam. And
it continues on from there. Hence in AM spirituality is our very heartbeat.

OUR DAYS AND NIGHT ARE FILLED WITH SPIRITUALITY

By Baba’s grace in AM our spiritual approach continues through the whole
life. In the morning we greet and start the day with our practices of
Guru Sakash and paincajanya etc, and the whole day follows in that flow:
Doing sadhana, reciting our bath mantra, taking second lesson before our
each and every work, ideating as we say namaskar, singing kiirtan etc.
Each and every activity through the day is linked with the Cosmic Hub–
Baba.

And then after dark we go for night sadhana and ultimately take rest
with His name on our lips– dreaming of Him.

About this holistic ideal, Baba has given one divine sloka:

‘Kuru punyam ahora’tram’

Meaning: Do virtuous deeds day and night

In Ananda Marga we are ideating on Brahma during the day and performing
our various works and duties and then when sleeping we are repeating our
Ista mantra or dhyana mantra during the night. In that way each and
every second of the life is drenched in the sweet flow of spirituality.

A’NANDA SUTRAM:

AM PHILOSOPHY IS SPIRITUALLY BASED

As we know, in Ananda Sutram Baba has outlined the whole of AM
philosophy in seed form. In sum there are 85 Sutras in these five
chapters. Yet the first four chapters– or the first 69 Sutras– deal
exclusively with points of spirituality. There is no hint of mention of
social life in these sections.

Then in His revolutionary approach in the final chapter of A’nanda
Sutram Baba incorporates our social life and Prout– all neatly woven
into the context of spirituality. Hence Prout is a sub-set of AM
spiritual ideology; Prout is a God-centered philosophy resting on the
dynamic force of AM spirituality.

By all this we can all easily understand that in AM spirituality is the
main thing. This is the divine flow of life in Ananda Marga.

A’NANDA MA’RGA IS A REVOLUTION

The path of Ananda Marga is the top as our Marga maintains its stance of
spirituality throughout all the realms of life. This is one of the
reasons why we say AM is a revolution– and far above the rest.

In comparison, the dogmatic religions fall way short of the mark. In
their most basic and fundamental sense, at best the religions
theoretically aim to be spiritual institutions; but in actuality just a
tiny partition or a small segment of religious life is for Godly
pursuits. And even that small piece has gotten infested with dogma.

Hinduism started with some aspects of meditation and other spiritual
points of yoga and Bhagavata dharma, but even then it was just a small
part of the life. The proof being that the great Shankaracarya himself
declared that people could not dedicate themselves towards spirituality
until after 75 years of age. And not just that, but step by step,
Hinduism has totally fallen away from any pointed spiritual approach.
Such that now, the touch of true spirituality is all gone from their
religious dealings and their followers just indulge in idol worship in
the temples and other dogmatic rituals.

To their own degree, Christians may even be less in this regard. They
have no meditative practice to speak of and their prayer etc is done on
Sundays only. So their religious life is extremely limited and tucked
away into a little corner.

So in this way each and every religion has partitioned its prayer
practices to a small part of life which is hardly even visible and which
barely touches the seed of their existence. Rather they are totally
governed by materialistic policies

Only in the dharma of Ananda Marga do we see that living aspect of true
spirituality ensconced into each and every cell of one’s existence.

WE MUST TAKE CARE

From top to bottom, spirituality is everything in AM.
That is the be-all and end-all of our existence.

Even then in this crude era of kali yuga, due to the enormous onslaughts
of materialism etc, from time to time we all get pulled and dragged into
mundane duties and worldly obligations. We all have huge quotas and lots
of pressures to attend to in this regard: Bills to pay, houses to
maintain, plus all the negative allurements of the general society to
combat. This is the harsh reality which we are facing nowadays.

Indeed, we can see that even our Dadas get caught up in this rush of
external living and mostly they just do sadhana so that they can eat.
Means sadhana is just a ticket to get into the dining hall– nothing
more in many cases. I think we have all seen such things.

So we all know that spirituality is everything yet the practical reality
is that whether we like it or not on various occasions we are all
getting dragged head first into mundane life. No doubt we are all
following 16 Points to the best of our ability etc, but the general flow
of the world is pulling us strongly in its crude direction. In the face
of mundane pressures our sadhana time gets reduced, asanas get skipped,
and so many things unfold. No need to list them here as we are all well
aware about what happens.

Hence even though in Ananda Marga, spirituality is the most treasured
aspect of life and as much as we practice it during our days and nights,
still the reality is that the mind tends to become extroverted due to
the extreme amount of mundane pressures.

Taken altogether, we should be extremely careful and take whatever
measures necessary to reverse this trend. Baba’s following teaching
leads in this same direction.

Baba says, “This element of devotion, the most precious treasure of
humanity, must be preserved most carefully. Because it is such a tender
inner asset, to preserve it from the onslaughts of materialism, one must
build a protective fence around it, just as people put up a guard-rail
around a small tender plant.” (NH-LOI)

So Baba’s divine direction is to safeguard this most precious thing:
Devotion, which is the seed of true spirituality.

In this regard we can take steps by singing more kiirtan, keeping strict
timing for our sadhana, encouraging ourselves and others to be vigilant
in 16 Points, and evaluating our lives every 15 minutes to see if we are
on the right path or not. On this aspect also, it will be highly
inspiring to hear everyone’s suggestions and recommendations.

By this way, and with Baba’s grace, we will be able to maintain and rise
above the challenges– delving deeper and deeper into spiritual life.

SPIRITUALITY IS BEYOND ALL RELATIVE BOUNDARIES

Here Baba once again highlights the supreme nature of spiritual life.

Baba says, “That ultimate and absolute ideal is the Cosmic ideal – an
ideal beyond the scope of time, place and person. It is the Absolute,
without and beyond relativity. It stands with its own lustre for all
times and for every factor of the Cosmos.” (I & I, p.76)

BABA’S BLESSING

By Baba’s divine grace each and every margii will taste the supreme
sweetness of AM spirituality & reach unto Baba’s divine lap in this very
life.

Baba says, “The human being’s mission in life is movement towards
perfection– towards God. This is one’s dharma, or duty. In this
struggle, the forces of evil [materialism etc] are bound to be defeated.
That has been the case all along, and that will repeat itself.” (AV-23,
p.81)

Namaskar,
Nagendra

Note 1: SPIRITUALITY IS UNPARALLELED

OUR SOCIAL PHILOSOPHY IS A PART OF THAT

Here Baba reveals the awesome nature of spirituality and that taking
this as their base Neo-Humanism and Prout has been formulated etc.

Baba says, “Spirituality provides a human being and humanity at large
with that subtle and tremendous power with which no other power can be
compared. Therefore, with spirituality as the base, a rational
philosophy should be evolved to deal with the physical, psychological
and socio-philosophical problems of the day.” (‘The Cosmic Brotherhood’,
5 June 1959)

Keeping our spiritual ideal at the fore, Baba has given us the way to
identify, address, and solve each and every difficulty of our social
life. This is His great blessing on the humanity.

Note 2: SPIRITUALITY IS THAT UNIFYING FORCE

In His below teaching Baba pointedly guides us that it is the golden
thread of spirituality which will bring together all the various beings
of this universe.

Baba says, “The Cosmic ideal alone can be the unifying force which shall
strengthen humanity to smash the bondages and abolish all narrow
domestic walls of fissiparous tendencies.” (‘The Cosmic Brotherhood’, 5
June 1959)

**********************************
Brave Persons

Baba says, “Do not remain worried about your individual problems at all.
Be prepared to carry your own burden and be prepared also to carry the
burdens of others. Then alone are you brave. Be dagdhabiija. Everyone
has their own individual problems. Do not try to pass them on to others.
On the contrary, bear the burdens of others. No one is your enemy. Be
ready to bear the burdens of others.” (AV-30, p.4)
**********************************

Read Full Post »

What Every New Sadhaka Should Know: Part 1

Date: 21 Mar 2010 14:49:01 -0000
From: “Chandramohan Jha”
To: AM-GLOBAL
Subject: What Every New Sadhaka Should Know: Part 1

Baba

“Toma’ri katha’ bheve ma’rmika anubhave…” (P.S. 3006)

Purport:

O’ Baba, by thinking of You with all the feelings of my heart, my
ba’ndha-bha’unga’ mana [1] is ensconced in bliss and floats towards
infinity. O’ Lord of the divine and mortal worlds, the Soul of the
soulless, even a wee-bit of Your great love is enough to fill my heart
with spiritual bliss and give me goose bumps, horripilation, throughout
my being. Baba, is it You who brings that devotional surge within me.
Baba, thinking about You, my mind is ensconced in bliss.

Baba, You are incomparable in rhythm and most pleasant in aroma. You
have no comparison. In all vibrations, in the quintessence, deep down,
You are the Dearest One to all; You are the nucleus of all the
vibrations. In the garland You are the flower. In the necklace You are
the jewel. In everything You are the best. Remaining in viitara’ga [2],
You smile with the beauty of divine love like flowers. Baba, thinking
about You, my is mind ensconced in bliss.

Baba, in the severe heat, You are those first, cool showers that bring
relief and respite. In the space between the monsoon clouds, You are the
effulgent pole star. In the darkness, You are the beauty of the moon’s
enchantment. Under the hot sun, You are cool shade beneath the trees. In
each and every circumstance, You are the Saviour. Baba, even staying
afar, You stay in my mind’s divine haven. Baba, thinking about You, is
my mind ensconced in bliss.

O’ Parama Purusa, keep me eternally at Your lotus feet…

NOTES FOR PRABHAT SAMGIITA #3006:

[1] Ba’ndha-bha’unga’ mana: This is when the mind is overwhelmed with
joy. Such as when one is extremely happy and bursts into tears or when
one jumps for joy or exclaims or dances. In actuality though it is more
than the joy experienced in worldly circumstances. It is that
inexpressible bliss from the spiritual flow. It happens in the spiritual
realm when one’s mind is totally ensconced in His bliss and one starts
crying uncontrollably. This is a state wherein one completely loses
their composure.

[2] Viitara’ga: This is the state of being beyond any worldly attachment
or attraction – i.e. perfect equanimity in all circumstances. One of the
qualities of Parama Purus’a is vaera’gya. Baba has demonstrated this on
countless occasions. Even when all kinds of serious and critical
problems came in the organisation, then He remained totally unaffected,
keeping perfect composure. For social reasons He may have showed
sympathy or concern, but internally He was totally unaffected. Those
bhaktas close to Baba understand this well.

For instance, before going to jail & whenever there was serious any
catastrophe going on in organisational life, Baba had the divine ability
to give discourses of eternal value. That can only happen when one’s
mind is in viitaraga.If anyone reads that discourse they will not get
any hint about the extreme upheaval going on in the organisation. Such
composure ise not possible by human beings. Being human means being
affected by the bondaage of maya.

Whereas in viitraga the mind remains 100% unassailed by any negativity,
and is just the embodiment of universal welfare. Viitara’ga does not
mean that the Entity in viitara’ga is unpetrubed by the suffering and
tears of human beings. Everyone knows that Parama Purusa loves and cares
so much.

== WHAT EVERY NEW SADHAKA SHOULD KNOW ==

Namsakar,
This letter, the first in a series, focuses on an array of important
points for new sadhakas to know. After all. AM pracar is one of our
first and foremost duties.

Baba says, “…It is the bounden duty of every Ananda Margiis to
endeavour to bring all to the path of bliss…” (Supreme Command)

To this end, a few senior margiis gathered and came up with a few points
– intellectual and devotional – that will be helpful for us to propagate
to new people as they come onto the path. These points will be presented
in an ongoing series of letters.

Please do share your experiences and thoughts as well – because we all
have taken the duty and responsibility under Guru to do pracar and
everyone has their own particular talents, skills and knowledge in this
important arena.

“AS YOU THINK, SO YOU BECOME”

Ya’drshii bha’vana’ yasya siddhirbhavati ta’drshii

Baba says, “As you think, so you become.” (AV-12)

Baba has given this seemingly simple guideline in a number of
discourses. Some new people may have heard or read this and think they
understand. Other new people may not have yet come across it.

We should ensure that every new sadhaka understands the full import of
this teaching because this is one of the very revolutionary aspects of
Ananda Marga.

These days, with the great popularity of yoga, most yoga groups solely
focus on the physical, or they may include their own interpretation of
pranayama as well.

Only AM offers the full system for transforming one’s person into
godhood. And the above guideline, “as you think so you become”, is
instrumental to our approach.

HOW IT WORKS: Part 1

When Baba says, “as you think so you become”, He is telling us that we
must have some control or restraint in our thinking.

If one thinks of something mundane or crude they will transform into
that object – step by step. That is one part of the equation.

Baba says, “It is the natural wont of the mind to take the shape of its
object of meditation. If the object of worship is crude, say money or
any crude thing, the mind takes the shape of that crude thing in the
course of time.” (Baba in Fiesch)

And not just money, in this materialistic era people’s minds are riddled
by all kinds of thoughts: name, fame, jealousy, stress, anger, sex,
fear, enemies, disease and so much more. And by thinking in this way,
part, or even all of their mind, gets consumed in that thing. By that
way, the problem festers and grows.

Wild or uncontrolled thinking is one of the main causes of both psychic
and physical diseases in materialistic societies.

Those new to the path of sadhana – and even those not yet on the path –
should be informed of the adverse effects of this equation, “As you
think so you become.”

HOW IT WORKS: Part 2

Then there is the other side of the equation: If we refine our thoughts
to focus in a spiritual manner we will move towards the Supreme.

This also we should preach and teach to every new sadhaka. By this way
they can not only free the mind of so many fetters and distractions, but
one can truly move ahead on the spiritual path.

In AM, that is exactly what our system of sadhana is – a methodical
manner of thinking wherein the mind focuses on the Ista.

Baba says, “Concentrated thinking is called “meditation”… In spiritual
parlance, when the mental flow is directed towards the goal, that is,
the Supreme Entity, it is called “concentration”, but in metaphysical
terms, it is a concept of dharma. Concentrated thinking leads to the
development of positive ideas…in the process of constant mental flow
towards the goal. In the process of meditation the following things are
involved – brain cells, apexed or pinnacled psychology, concentrated
thinking, Guru cakra and ultimate devotion.” (YP)

Thus concentrated thinking is a integral part of our approach. By this
way one can transform their entire existence. Even those who are
terribly depressed and anxiety ridden can become stellar sadhakas
through this method. And this is unique to AM. No one else other than
Baba highlights the sublime importance of thinking.

So those new to AM should understand that they will not get this
teaching nor this practice on other paths and they should clearly
understand and experience the dynamism of this practice.

Our mantra japa in first lesson or sixth lesson is the culminating
practice of, “as you think so you become.” By bringing the mind back
again and again to the idea of the mantra and training the mind to
maintain that flow, then one’s entire physical, psychic and spiritual
existence gets transformed. Then one veritably becomes divine. Then one
becomes Parama Purusa. That is Baba’s teaching for every sadhaka to
realise – new or old.

BABA’S MANDATE

Because this principle – as you think so you become – is such an
important guideline Baba reminds us of this again and again.

Baba says, “I told you, or I have been telling you, that a man takes the
form of his psychic object; that is, your very existence will be
converted into your psychic object. You should select your psychic
object very carefully.” (AV-12)

Really then, we should share the import of this concept with all new
sadhakas. By this way we too may become more aware of the use of our
mantra, either during and / or after sadhana.

As pracarakas, this equation – as you think so you become – is one
important point of our approach. So many in the world nowadays are
looking for something new. And our Marga has all the practices they need
to transform their life.

So those being introduced to na’ma mantra meditation or first lesson or
even just kiirtan, should be made aware of the profound effects of this
subtle science.

BABA’S BLESSING

By Baba’s grace He has blessed us with the practical method of how to
ideate on Him. We should share this technique with one and all. We
should never allow others to settle for any lesser approach. It is
everyone’s birthright to get Him – by their thoughts alone, one can
attain His eternal shelter, by His grace.

Baba says, ‘It is also stated in Tantra that if a person wants only to
attain limited progress, one may practise on certain limited ideas. But
those who are genuine seekers of Brahma will never agree to worship any
finite idea. Those who want the Supreme Entity will have to ideate on
Parama Purus’a alone. People may attain limited achievement in terms of
occult power through the grace of the gods and goddesses, but they will
remain far away from the attainment of the Supreme Entity.” (DT-1)

Namaskar,
Chandramohan

Note 1: IDOL WORSHIP IS THE WORST

Here Baba points out the very negative effect of dogmatic idol worship.
But none should think this adverse reaction is limited to idol worship.
Any persistent engagement in crude thoughts (sex, money, greed,
jealousy, etc) will turn one into negative microvita.

Baba says, ““If idols made of wood, clay, iron or any other metal are
accepted as objects of meditation, then what will be the result?” It is
said, Ya’drshii bha’vana’ yasya siddhirbhavati ta’drshii [“As you think,
so you become”]. The aspirants’ own entitative existence will be turned
into clay, metal or wood – a state which in the scriptures is called
Prakrtiliina [negative microvita]. It is a dreadful state.” (SS-11)

Note 2: SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS

Please write in with your thoughts regarding what you feel is very
important to impart to new people on the path.

Read Full Post »

Feeding From Distance

From: “Manindra Singh”
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Date: 14 Dec 2009 11:49:38 -0000
Subject: Feeding From Distance

Baba

“Sukhe ele na’ko, shoke sa’ntvana’ dite ele…” (PS 3091)

Purport:

Baba, when I was feeling happy and content that time You did not come.
Those days I was so enamoured with myself and I was so involved in my own
glory that I did not even think to call You. So You did not come. But when
I lost all that happiness and when I become drowned in my sorrows of self
pity and when I was suffering and overwhelmed by various problems, then by
Your grace You immediately came and consoled me. Baba in that desperate
moment You graciously relieved me of my grief. Baba, I did not ever feel
that You are mine. In this life I was always suffering from the vanity and
ego of my own I-feeling. Those days I was thinking that ‘I am everything’.
Due to my ego I did not accept You as the Supreme One– as my Goal. I did
not take You as that most loving One who can solve all my problems; I did
not surrender at Your feet. Baba, even then by Your grace You advented deep
inside my heart and became mine. And now I understand that You are ever
helpful and that You remain with me always.

Baba, those days when I was overwhelmed by that severe suffering, I did
not outrightly tell You about my problems. I did not openly say anything. I
did not express my pain to You. But because You are ever-present in my
heart and because You are my eternal shelter, with Your infinite compassion
You fully understood the desperated state of my mind– You understood my
sorrow. And by Your grace You instantly poured Your eternal sweetness and
love. By Your grace You filled my whole existence with Your divine bliss.
Baba, due to my ego and vantiy I could not recognise you. You were
showering huge grace on me but I could not recognicse that. I thought that
due to my own qualities everything was happening. In those happpy times I
could not recognise You. Only did I begin to recognise You in my sorrow.

Baba, in my state of terrible suffering, when the mountain of misery
started falling on my head, then all my friends left me. I was all alone.
When I was happy then they were along with me but when I became sunk in
misery all those friends disappeared. Baba, You are the exact opposite.
When I was sunk in woe then by Your grace You immediately came and removed
all my pains and troubles. Baba You bathed me in Your infinite love.
Filling my I-feeling with Your bliss, You surrounded me each and every
second. Baba, You showereed Your grace and saturated my heart.

Baba, You are so gracious. You are love Personified. You have done
everything for me. Baba, I surrender at Your alter…

== FEEDING FROM DISTANCE ==

Namaskar,
In light of the ongoing muddle of groupism, many are turning towards
their service projects as their main interaction with the organisation.
This is true for both margiis and wts. Of course we all know that we must
not ignore the rage of groupism and just resort to some goody-goody life.
So the troubles of groupism must be tackled by one and all. At the same
time as we engage in our service projects, here are a few things for us to
think about.

We all know that service projects are an integral part of AM life. Yet how
they are to be built up and how they are to be maintained is not always
easy to know. Should the money come from afar or locally? Plus to what
degree are financial donors responsible for ensuring their money reaches
the mark. These are but a few of the many important questions and
considerations. Here following then are Baba’s important guidelines
regarding how to build and maintain service projects.

INITIAL QUERY

How far is external monetary support helpful in any project where local
people are not involved? Or what happens when a project is totally
dependent upon donations from outsiders? We can gain insight into this by
looking at the history of Ananda Marga and the general society also.

HUMAN BODY AND MEDICINE ANALOGY

In one discourse Baba says that no structure can survive only depending on
external help. Baba gives the example that if anybody is sick and you go on
medicating him by external medicine injection, and if the body does not
have its own vitality to pick itself up, then that external medicine is not
going to work. External medicine is only helpful when the body is responding.

Or in other words, to give strength to the internal system of the body,
some external medicine is needed sometimes. And that medicine does not do
anything on its own; it just helps the internal system to pick itself up.
In the case of a dead body where the internal system is completely defunct,
then external medicine cannot help. If you go on giving medicines to one
dead body, it will be useless.

100% EXTERNAL SUPPORT WILL NOT WORK

It is well known in the Indian history that there was a very big university
in Nalanda’. The name was – Nalanda’ Vishvavidya’lay. It was situated in
Bihar. As long as the area was ruled by Buddhists, then that university
worked fine. Means, that university was completely dependent upon donation
from outsiders and from the King. The local public was not involved. So
when the kingdom changed rulers, then antisocial elements set the
university on fire. And in the library, hundreds of thousands of books were
there. Nobody cared about those things and the whole campus and buildings
were burned one after another. It took several months to go on burning.
Local people were apathetic. So this is one factual history.

So in India we can see hundreds of abandoned mosques and churches which are
lying uncared for, since ages. They were running well when they were
getting donations from the Mogul King, or Britishers. But when the kingdom
changed and donations stopped, then the places became abandoned.

LOCAL SUPPORT NEEDED

And other side, those mosques and churches which were supported by the
public, they are still running fine. Or even better is that the Ashram
system did not get rooted out during the Moghul or British rule because all
the while the public supported the ashram system. So the conclusive idea is
that if any project is run by or dependent on external support, then their
fate is dark.

Thus on this very point, Baba’s policy is not to take support from outside.
Local people should be inspired to contribute and help the local projects.
Otherwise they will not feel oneness with the project. And in most of the
cases they will feel irritation. Or they will try to take away or root out
the projects.’

WHEN THE PUBLIC IDENTIFIES WITH A PROJECT OR NOT

Another important example is that within Bihar there are thousands of
schools situated in the small villages. And initially the government was
granting money for the construction of their buildings. Thus with total
help from the government, school buildings were made.

But villagers did not feel closeness with the project. They were thinking
that “This is an outsider project”, or that “this is a government building.
This is not my building.”

Keeping this view in their mind, they did not like to protect that
building. Not only that, after some time it was found that those windows
from the buildings disappeared. Some villagers had stolen them and were
using in their house. After some time, the roof was also taken away, and
used somewhere. This is not the tale of one or two places– Hundreds of
places are like that.

The overall theme being that when the local public thinks of something as a
government building, then at first they don’t feel closeness. They think it
is others’, not mine. And they misuse it or destroy it.

So this problem was going on for a long time. Then under pressure of
circumstances the local government changed the plan. That, the building
will be constructed by the villagers. And teachers will be supplied by the
government. 50% share villagers should give. So when villagers with their
own contribution made their house, then they protected that. And the
program was successful.

BABA’S SPECIAL TEACHING:

LOCAL DONATION IS A PLEDGE OF THE HEART

On the point of external vs local help for AM projects, once Baba was
giving guideline to all WTs. He told that “You must collect donation from
the local public for the jagriti. Whatever money they are giving, that does
not have only monetary value. But something more they are giving. If some
person gives you donation of one paisa/penny, then with that one paisa that
very poor person gives the sympathy of his heart to you/to your project or
jagriti, childrens home etc. And if antisocial elements will try to destroy
that project or jagriti or school, those who have given their donation,
they will protest. And if donation has come exclusively from outside, and
if the jagriti is set on fire by antisocial elements, then the villagers
will not be so much affected.”

Baba further told, “But if the villagers’ money is also involved as a
donation in constructing that jagriti, then they will think in their heart
that THEIR property is getting destroyed. And they will immediately come
forward and protect the property of the jagriti and protest against the
negative people.”‘

Thus the basic fact is that to erect some building or project, local
support is highly essential. Otherwise the fate of that project is in dark
in the future. Suppose if money has come from outside, and local people are
not feeling oneness with the project, then in most of the cases, they will
feel detached. They will not save the building. And in many special cases,
they will destroy that building– Or hut, or whatever it may be.

That’s why we have seen, in the case of our jagriti or any such
construction, where local people did not contribute and money came from
outside, then that project could not flourish.’

WHEN TO TAKE HELP FROM OUTSIDE AREAS

The question can also be raised that is there any occasion when we should
get or accept help from outside– from other countries?

And Baba’s guideline is that in the case of a big disaster like an
earthquake, cyclone, flood etc, when a huge population is highly affected,
that is a special case. That time external help is highly needed. But for
making a local project or some jagriti building or a school, external help
is not needed.

DO PRACARA AND SERVICE SIMULTANEOUSLY

Next scenario: If local people are not there, or if they are all
non-margiis, then what should we do?

Baba says that first we should create margiis. And then immediately start
the project. Side by side both the works will go. Without taking help from
local people, if anyone does anything that will prove to be hopeless. One
will not have any sentimental support from local people. Rather they will
think that he is an outsider, or that he doesn’t belong to them.

Because of all these reasons, Baba always emphasizes to do pracar among the
local people. And one more related point is there. Doing pracar only among
the outsider communities or migrant people, is not going to serve the
purpose of Ananda Marga.

SERVE THE LOCAL PEOPLE

A critical case is that of Africa, where mostly Indian businessmen are
occupying the money and political sources. And some WTs because of their
ignorance or selfish interest, they focus on propagating AM among Indian
businessmen who are living in Africa. But Baba was not happy in this
situation. Baba used to emphasize and always take report about how many
local people have been created.

One Dada was once telling in Africa at an Orange Farm, initially the
project was made with external help, and it was a serious problem. Local people
used to always come and take away/steal all the materials. And such example
is not one or two. Hundreds of cases happened. We should take lesson.

THE SPECIAL CASE OF ANANDA NAGAR

External help was needed only, to build up Ananda Nagar. Because Ananda
Nagar is our global headquarters. To make Baba’s Quarter or road or
rotunda, the local public is not going to help. Because they do not have
direct interest in that. That’s why Baba inspires one and all, all around
the globe, to contribute for Ananda Nagar. That was the special case.

MUST GET LOCAL HELP

But in all the reportings which various workers attended since 1978 to ’90,
it became clear that Baba used to emphasize getting anything and everything
done using the local help.– Margiis and non-margiis are needed: Both.
And then only, AM will flourish and school or any medical unit, projects,
will be established. Permanently. Otherwise, feeding from the long distance
is not going to help. We should take lesson from the past history.

WHAT SOME REVIEW

There are two points here. First thing, each and every sector has their own
problems and according to Baba’s system, it is the duty of the margiis that
they should take care about the local unit and their own sector. And that
is their foremost duty. Neglecting one’s own unit and helping others for
the sake of name and fame, this is not a good tradition. And the second
point is that taking external help is not going to solve the problem
permanently. For making a school building, local people must come forward.

A POINT FOR COMMON CONSIDERATION

Ananda Marga itself is a proof, at present we have several hundred Ananda
Marga schools in India, and 99.9% of them have been made by local
contribution. And there are also many examples of Bengal where a school
building has been made by external donation. And common people destroyed it
and set it on fire. But many places in Bengal are also there, where local
people were inspired to help and they are donating and protecting those
things. Surely it is the duty of we margiis that we should think carefully,
how far their money can be utilized in a better way.

Baba says, “O human beings, frame the social structure considering the
needs of humanity. Do not try to do anything for your petty personal and
group interests…” (SS-1, Ch.1)

Namaskar,
Manindra

Note 1: WHAT WE SHOULD DO — OUR RESPONSIBILITY

And another point is that if we are the ones donating to a far distant
service project and if due to mishandling of funds our money does not reach
there, then according to Baba’s teaching about tapah we are also to blame–
not just the crooked thief who captured our money. We also will incur
negative samskara. Of course this is just a hypothetical situation, yet the
point remains that the responsibility also lies with the donor. That is why
intelligent margiis give to local projects where they can ensure that
everything is proper and the money is going in the right direction. Then of
course by this way the common public will also get inspired to donate
because everyone likes to be part of a winning project. At the same time we
should demand that there be transparency of the financial books– ie proper
accounting. And like this there are numerous points regarding service
projects and financial contributions etc. Please also share your ideas on
this important topic.

***************************************
Solution

Baba says, “This has been our failing: that we neglected the spiritual
faculties of human life, we neglected the cardinal spiritual points of
life. If we are interested today in the welfare of this beautiful universe,
we should try more and more to accelerate the speed of spiritual progress.
If the acceleration of spiritual progress becomes tremendous, then not only
in the human world, but also in the physical, psychic and spiritual spheres
of the entire world — and not only of the entire animate world, but of
both the animate and inanimate worlds — there will be tremendous progress.
And this is what we want. Now we are anxiously waiting for that crimson
dawn on the eastern horizon.” (AFPS-5)

Note: Generally people do not realise this very thing which Baba has
explained above. To understand this fully it needs agraya’ buddhi (pointed
intellect). Only those who are blessed sadhaka can understand that sadhana
is the panacea.

***************************************

Read Full Post »

Hindrances in Spiritual Life

Date: Wed, 09 Dec 2009 23:23:14
To: am-global@earthlink.net
Subject: Hindrances in Spiritual Life
From: CJ Phillips

Baba

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

Purport:

Baba, 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, by Your grace You have come 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, by Your
causeless grace, 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. By Your grace nothing can attract me; I only love You. Baba, by 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 by Your grace 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, by Your causeless grace You have come to me. It is Your grace; it
is Your grace…

== HINDRANCES IN SPIRITUAL LIFE ==

Namaskar,
By Baba’s grace and by following His guidelines, every Ananda Margii is
advancing steadily ahead in their spiritual growth and development. And,
verily, this is the greatest achievement in life– coming close to Him.
Invariably, however, we encounter various obstacles and hindrances along
the way. Some avoidable and some seemingly not.

Admittedly, there are many aspects of our life over which we have complete
control– but even then we may slide in the opposite direction. The point
being: We clearly have the opportunity to do something good and noble, yet
we do something else.

Most often, this comes when worldly friends or various acquaintances invite
or pressurise us to join in their mundane activities etc, and, not wanting
to let them down, we may partake in those things– at the expense of our
spiritual values and AM ideals. This is the very real problem that
confronts many of us.

And this entire letter is aimed towards resolving this matter– once and
for all.

‘DOING TO PLEASE OTHERS’ CAN LEAD TO ONE’S DOWNFALL

While living in this world, we should do anything and everything to please
Parama Purusa. Practicing sadhana, following yama and niyama, doing pracar,
serving the needy, singing kiirtan, adhering to 16 Points, engaging in
satsaunga etc. All these dharmic duties and responsibilities fuel our
movement forward.

Even then, it happens that we find ourselves in such a predicament that we
feel we should do things just to please certain worldly relations.

For example someone may say, ‘Aw c’mon, let’s go catch a movie tonight– a
new film just came out! What’s wrong, why not join us.’

Then, under the pressure of their demand and not wanting to ruin the
relation, we may say ‘ok’. In that case sadhana gets minimized or skipped
entirely and evening asanas may also be left by the wayside. The point
being we miss out on our dharmic duties.

Or in another scenario, some old acquaintances or laokik family members may
say, ‘Come over during the holidays and let’s talk about old times etc’.

Or, someone might say, ‘I never see you anymore, how about a trip to my
beach house this weekend, or a reggae concert this Friday night, or what
about getting a bite to eat at the deli.’

These are all real-life situations that we may encounter and in wanting to
please such persons we may acquiesce. We may say, ‘yes’. In which case, the
result is always the same: We skip out on doing or shorten our spiritual
practices and overlook our social responsibilities etc. By this way we
commit pratyavaya– “not to do what should be done”. (NKS, Disc:18)

All these things can happen and in so doing we lose the opportunity to
adhere to our spiritual path. And this costs us dearly.

PRATYA’VA’YA: WORSE THAN SIN ITSELF

Here, in crystal-clear language, Baba warns us that pratyavaya– not doing
those noble deeds that should be done– is worse than sin.

Baba says, “Pa’taka also means sin against religion or God. Pa’taka is
divided into two categories. One category is papa or sin. If something is
done which should not be done it is called papa. That which is not done but
should be done is called pratyava’ya. Papa and pratyava’ya are both
undesirable things. But according to the ancient saints and sages,
pratyava’ya was more abominable than papa.” (PNS-12, ‘Sin, Crime, & Law’)

So committing pratyavaya by not doing sadhana, or failing to help in a
service project, or skipping our designated duties and responsibilities, is
a veritable offense that severely hinders our growth as we lose momentum on
the spiritual path. And this happens quite often due to wanting to please
this or that worldly relation. I am sure in our own lives we can think of
an example or two when this has occurred.

And if we are not careful, saying ‘yes’ to such worldly relations and
failing to adhere to our dharmic duties can hinder, obstruct, or even ruin
one’s life.

THE TRAGIC CASE OF KARNA

Perhaps no one in the course of history suffered more due to this defective
mentality of ‘doing to pleasing others’ than Karna. During the Mahabharat
era, Karna was the epitome of this defective approach.

Because in order to please the evil-minded Duryodhana, the well-intentioned
Karna passed up his dharmic responsibilities countless times: Karna had the
opportunity to join Krsna and the Pandavas; Karna had the opportunity to
oppose injustice; Karna had the chance to become a real ksattriya; Karna
had the chance to bring peace to the entire Kuru kingdom. But none of those
things did Karna do.

All because the kind-hearted Karna did not want to displease his friend–
the evil-minded Duryodhana. Rather he wanted to do anything and everything
to please his friend Duryodhana. And because of this, Karna suffered a lot
until finally it cost him his very life.

This entire chapter is quite well-known; and indeed it is a tragedy.

MOSTLY GOOD PEOPLE SUFFER

One of the most startling things in all of this is that good people tend to
suffer the most from this defective approaching of ‘doing to please others’.
Due to their simplicity, due to the desire of not wanting to disappoint
anyone, due to their desire to please anyone and everyone, good people say
‘yes’ to so many nonsense things that spoil and widdle away their time. And
in that manner they commit pratyavaya, by failing to do those dharmic works
which they should do.

So really it is good people who suffer the most from this because those who
are bad just attend to their own selfish desires and never do things to
please others.

MARGIIS ARE ESSENTIALLY GOOD

And, of course, Ananda Margiis are essentially good people. Margiis want to
be kind and help others etc. And those are certainly desirable traits–
until with our simplicity we fall away from our AM dharma due to this very
attribute. At that point it becomes our Achilles heel.

DHARMA MUST BE FOLLOWED

The problem is that most of the globe has no idea what dharma is nor are
they interested in following it. But for we Ananda Margiis, we have a
Dharma Guru in which case our entire life is just meant to spin around the
cosmic wheel of dharma. That is the whole purpose of our life.

Baba says, ‘I should do something. I have a human structure. I am a human
being. I should do something. I should act like a human being. I should try
to goad myself to the realm of divinity, it is my dharma. I should follow
dharma, I should strictly adhere to the code of dharma.” (AV-23)

Thus Baba guides us that we are to follow dharma always. That is why we
have come on this earth.

MARGIIS ARE ESSENTIALLY GOOD: PART II

Yet, in this crude, capitalist, materialistic era, when we are surrounded
by so many co-workers, neighbors, laokik family members, in-laws, friends,
etc– all of whom do not follow dharma, then naturally the whole scene
becomes a little sticky.

And in our desire to be nice, friendly, and hospitable, the danger always
is there that in order to please others we may fall or slip away from our
dharma.

We all know how various invitations come our way, and in our desire to
maintain friendship with those people, we say ‘Yes, I will be glad to’.
But unless that ‘yes’ is going to help those people in a dharmic way, then
that ‘yes’ is going to pull us of our dharma. That is the point. That is
the dangerous part.

And the ironic thing is that we do these things and satisfy our friend’s
desires to ‘maintain our friendship’ with them. Yet that very friendship is
destined to break due to its worldly nature. The friend may move away, or
get a new job, or marry in a far distant land, or die, or they may decide
that they just do not like you anymore. So many things can happen. And in
the process, in order to safeguard that worldly friendship which is
temporary in nature, we ourselves fall from dharma by committing
pratyavaya. That is the outrageous irony.

TO SAFEGUARD ANY FRIENDSHIP DHARMA IS NEEDED

Truly speaking then, to maintain any friendship we must convince those
persons to come onto the path of dharma. Then only will that friendship
last through the ages, otherwise not. And then also can we keep ourselves
on the path. So that is the best solution: To bring those whom we know onto
the path of dharma rather than letting ourselves get pulled off it.
Hence we should not fall prey to the mentality of ‘doing to please others’
when that very action will not allow us to fulfill our dharma. On this
point we should be adamant.

BABA’S BLESSING

By Baba’s grace, in this following passage, He reveals some of the special
secrets to leading a successful spiritual life. Really it is a unique quote
so please read it down to the very end. There are only a few places where
Baba gives this type of special guideline– in this type of language.

Baba says, “A spiritual aspirant who wants to attain sama’dhi needs to
develop vaera’gya (spirit of renunciation) and abhya’sa (continued
practice). Remember, sama’dhi is neither pavrtti mu’laka nor nivrtti
mu´laka. Vaera’gya is the absence of attachment, not repulsion. In order to
deal with objects properly one should never become subservient to them, but
should ascribe Brahmahood to them by cultivating the repeated practice of
cosmic ideation or Brahma Bha’vana.”
“What is abhya’sa? Tatra sthitao yatno’bhya’sah. Abhya’sa is the
creation of a particular continuous psychic vibration. It is the most
essential factor in the spiritual sphere. The continuous endeavour to
maintain the state of equilibrium of citta leads to the attainment of
sama´dhi. When one is attracted by an object one runs after it, and when
one feels repulsion for an object, one runs away from it. A person who is
fond of wine often thinks of wine, whereas a person who detests wine
prevents his mind from thinking about wine. Unless attraction and repulsion
are both transcended, the mind can never attain a state of equilibrium or
sama´dhi. Mental equilibrium only becomes possible when one makes a
constant endeavour to attain psychic balance.”
“Sama’dhi becomes a natural phenomenon as a result of continuous
spiritual practice. Procrastination is something undesirable on the
spiritual path. If ever spiritual practice is discontinued endless
desirable and undesirable waves of thoughts occupy the mind. Spiritual
practice should be continued uninterruptedly and with proper sincerity and
veneration, otherwise sama´dhi will forever remain a theoretical subject of
philosophy, never entering the periphery of practical realization. One must
not adopt the psychology, “I’m practising spirituality because my a’ca’rya
(spiritual teacher) told me to.” Rather one should think, “I want to attain
spiritual realization. My a’ca’rya is merely guiding me along the path.”
Only when one takes full responsibility for one’s own spiritual life can
one attain the peak of spiritual progress and become fully established on
the solid ground of spirituality.” (AMIWL-9)

Namaskar,
Cinmay

Note 1: ONE LAST GUIDELINE FOR US ALL

Here again we should be strict with ourselves and not fall prey to the
defective approach of trying to please everyone. In that case we are sure
to neglect our dharmic duties– committing pratyavaya

Baba says, “Throughout life people should…move along the path of
righteousness. If people do not do the things which they should do by
thought or deed, and engage in activities opposite to this, they are
committing pratya’va’ya.” (PNS-12, ‘Sin, Crime, & Law’)

********************************************
Flaw of Western Philosophy

Baba says, “Metaphysics as explained in the West is not supported by modern
physics…Thus far all [western] philosophers have remained completely
unaware of spiritual cult. Although new ideas in the domain of [western]
philosophy have been added, philosophy has failed to establish its link
with the dusty earth. And a philosophy which has no relation with the dusty
earth nor with the children of the soil, has no practical value. Philosophy
is meant for the benefit of the human race.” (APH-4)

********************************************

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Its Days Are Numbered

To: am-global@earthlink.net
From: Gaurishankar
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:31:27
Subject: Its Days Are Numbered

BABA

“Ghor timire ruddha ghare ghumucchilum eka’ eka’…” (P.S. 1723)

Purport:

Baba You are so gracious. I was sleeping alone in the pitch dark room
with the doors and windows closed; I was lost in a sea of frustration and
hopelessness. O’ the Divine Entity, who are You who has blessed me by
coming in this isolated place and broken my slumber. O’ Divine One You are
most charming and very sweet.

O’ Effulgence Personified, Divine One, Parama Purusa BABA, my whole
existence has been overcome by drowsiness and sleep since ages & ages. My
life was dominated by staticity. Now with Your infinite compassion in a
flash You have removed that by showering Your cosmic grace. And in place of
that Cimmerian darkness, all around there is Your divine effulgence. Baba,
You have opened the windows of my mind. I can see that You are mine; now
there is no question of frustration in my life.

Baba, now my whole existence is filled with the grace of Your divine
effulgence. There is not even an iota of darkness which remains. My life
has gotten new pra’na– new energy. Baba, by Your grace You have saturated
me with Your unfathomable love and ownness. Baba, You are my everything.
Please accept my surrender…

== ITS DAYS ARE NUMBERED ==

Namaskar,
By now every sadhaka in A’nanda Ma’rga is aware that around this time of
year those in the helm and those leading various groups and sub-groups are
preparing their Fake A’nanda Va’niis. This is the regular phenomenon this
time of year.

TRUE ANANDA VANIIS NOT FROM OTHER DISCOURSES

Many points are there but by reading Centre’s Fake Ananda Vanii one thing
becomes remarkably clear. That Centre’s Fake Ananda Vanii is not an Ananda
Vanii at all. It is a quote. And specifically it is often the concluding
paragraph from a lengthy discourse such as ‘Shivopadesha 8’ (NSS), or
Subhasita Samgraha-1 etc, or another of Baba’s previously given discourses.

But Baba’s true Ananda Vaniis are not quotes from other discourses. They
are unique bullets of inspiration that are discourses unto themselves. Not
particular paragraphs from prior discourses. So for Centre to take a quote
and then apply the title ‘Ananda Vanii’ to it is inappropriate. That is why
what Centre is doing these days is called– Fake Ananda Vaniis. Because
these Fake Ananda Vaniis go against Guru’s guideline and example.

SPECIAL GURU-DISCIPLE RELATION IN TANTRA

And we all know that in Tantra, the Guru-disciple relation is everything.
Of course our beloved Baba Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji is the Sadguru, Taraka
Brahma. So what He has introduced we may or may not understand, but with
our Nistha and Shraddha, with full reverence we should accept His guideline.

Baba says, “Thus highly intelligent sa’dhakas, the greatest realized
persons, all describe the Supreme Entity — Guru Brahma, Ta’raka Brahma —
not as essence but as Sa’ra’tsa’ra, the Quintessence, the Essence of the
essence.

Vandana’ kariba a’mi gurure a’ma’r,
Yini pu’rn’a, yini nitya, yini Sa’ra’tsa’ra.

I shall worship my Guru who is complete in Himself, Who is eternal — the
Essence of all essences.” (NSS p.177)

So in our Ananda Marga when we have such a Guru Who is Brahma Himself, then
His teachings must be safeguarded and preserved.

MUST UPHOLD SANCTITY OF GURU’S TEACHINGS

And as Ananda Margiis we are the ones responsible for maintaining the
sanctity of Guru’s teachings. That means keeping the various things which
Baba has given as they are. Baba’s things should not be disregarded or
changed. And doing so is inappropriate.

For example: Our brahmacariis use a white lungi and a saffron gown and
turban, as given by Baba. So if we were to switch that and have
brahmacariis use a saffron lungi with a white top and a white turban, then
that is not at all good. And I do not think that anyone in our Marga will
appreciate seeing this.

Similarly in our dharmacakra we follow a special system as given by Guru.
But instead, if in dharmacakra we started singing Guru Puja prior to
meditation and then afterwards we sang Samgacchadvam, then that also would
not be good.

Same way everyone is aware that we will not find any discourses in
Subhasita Samgraha that are not DMC discourses. Only Baba’s DMC discourses
are in Subhasita Samgraha, not general darshan discourses. So if the ruling
clan in Centre or one of the groups or sub-groups changes this system of
Baba’s then that is also improper.

Likewise Caryacarya has its own status and Baba has given it that name for
a reason. So if Centre were to change the name of Caryacarya to Ananda
Sutram that could not be accepted.

Nor could it be approved if some persons started celebrating Ananda Purnima
in the month of December instead of the month of May.

FUNDAMENTAL POINT

The sense is this: As Baba had made it, let it be like that.

FAKE VA’NIIS GO AGAINST THE SYSTEM

But tragically, this approach is not being adhered to these days with
respect to the Ananda Vaniis. Baba’s Ananda Vanii system is not being
followed because the various group leaders keeps issuing their Fake Ananda
Vaniis.

The basic point with regard to the issue of Ananda Vanii is that Baba has
given the distinct title “Ananda Vanii” to refer to a certain section of
His teachings. And with love and reverence for Guru, as disciples we should
follow His view and guideline. Therefore we should not issue quotes from
other discourses in the name of Ananda Vanii. Because those quotes belong
in their respective discourses and were never meant to stand alone and be
presented as Ananda Vaniis. That is Baba’s system. So what the various
groups and sub-groups are doing is not correct.

How long these crusty group leaders will try to do like this I do not know;
but in my heart I feel that the days of this Fake Ananda Vanii are surely
limited.

A NEW ERA IS COMING

DOGMA NOT WELCOME ANY MORE

The times have changed. The old days are gone when it was easy to infuse
dogma. Even in the general society dogmas are getting exposed everywhere:
let and right. Church dogmas and social dogmas are getting exposed and
rejected by the people

Similarly now in our Marga sadhakas are alert and are understanding right
and wrong. By following 16 Points and focusing on Baba then uncovering
dogma is an easy job and that is why nearly everyone in our Marga feels in
their heart that the Fake Ananda Vaniis that are created by the various
groups and sub-groups are just something false & improper.

So by adhering to Baba’s guidelines then it becomes easier and easier to
point out various dogmas. Only a few who do not follow lack such courage.
On this point in His chapter on Bio-Psychology, Baba says some very
significant things:

Baba says, “If there is under secretion…such people support dogma and do
not have the courage to speak out against narrow or orthodox beliefs. They
are never able to tolerate or support any new ideas.” (YP p. 93)

But now the situation is changing fast. Those who are regular in doing
asana, pranayama, and dhyan sadhana, their hormonal secretion is getting
balanced and normal.

Result being more and more Margiis and WT’s are firm to not allow any
dogmas to enter into or remain in our AMPS society.

BABA’S TRUE AND BLESSED ANANDA VANII

Here following is one of Baba’s special messages of Ananda Vanii.

Baba says, “Human civilization now faces the final moment of a critical
juncture. The dawn of a glorious new era is on its one side and the
worn-out skeleton of the past on the other. People have to adopt either of
these two. You are the spiritual soldiers, you are the worshipers of Life
Divine, hence I call you to adorn this crimson dawn deluged with glorious
light. Victory is surely yours.” (A’nanda Va’nii #26)
in Him,
Gaurishankar

Note: NEWS: PRACARA GOING ON

In response to the letter, “WHEN HE WAS IN JAIL”:

http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2009/11/baba-story-when-he-was-in-jail.html

we received the following report. Please share your news also.

Namaskar
We all know that news are what we all need to know that the spirit of dharma is moving.
And here is a short and good one:

Tucuman is a province in Argentina. Gaorii’s neigborhood is a little away from downtown, but it doesn’t matter.
In her neighborhod, Gaorii, a female margii who is a trained asanas teacher, began humbly to teach postures in her house with just two attendants. It was a way for prachara, cause she began to hold darmacakras too, though they were for her family plus a couple of friends, only one of them initiated. Her success is as follows: from that only class at her house, she was invited to give classes in another house twice a week, with more practitioners; and she was propounded to open an asanas classroom in one of the shops in the neighborhood. And for the darmacacras there is always at least one teenager, friend of Gaorii’s sons, who is curious about meditation and join the darmacacra, sitting in Gaorii’s living room and repeating the universal mantra with closed eyes. At the end of the session, she reads some Baba’s article about spirituality.
Her paracara is growing, actually. And, in the matter of fact, she is happy, but she does not feel vanity. And she is trying to do more effort, just for the marga to be known in the area.
By His grace, everything will be right and improving..
Namaskar
Devabrata

******************************************
Blow on Human Intellect

Baba says, “They [groupist leaders] concoct various so-called scriptures,
they formulate all kinds of logic. They maintain to the human race that all
the races in this world are not equal. Thus instead of considering the
interest of the entire human society, they give preference to the interest
of a particular community. This loud propaganda in favour of a particular
community, this parading of irrational logic, this sort of fallacious
argument, all combine to stifle the spontaneous growth of human intellect.
This sort of mentality is called dogma.” (AFPS-4, p.61)

Note: Some groupist leaders in our Marga are moving in this same narrow style.

******************************************

Read Full Post »

Baba Story: When He was in Jail

From: “Gagan”
To: AM-GLOBAL
Subject: Baba Story: When He was in Jail
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:17:25 -0000

Baba

“A’ma’y cha’r’iya’ kotha’ ja’o e nirajane…” (PS 665)

Purport:

Baba, You are my closest One. O’ my Beloved, where are You going in
this isolated, lonely dark night– leaving me all alone. O’ my dearmost
Baba, please do not go away from me. Baba, why are You making me cry so
profusely & letting me float in the tears of my devotional longing for
You. Baba, please smile always in my mind, constantly radiating Your
sweet, divine love. Baba, by Your grace I have loved You so intimately
in dhyan; You know it well. Baba, You are my dearest One. But if You
were really a good person You would not play this heart-breaking liila
with me each and every moment; You would not leave me in this dark hour.

Baba please be merciful; please remain here along with me. Baba, there
are countless devotees with great qualities & talents who love You very
much. Indeed there are numerous persons with top-notch merits & virtues
who have deep longing for You. Because of this, it seems there is no
place for me in Your mind– neither during daytime nor nighttime,
neither in dream nor in awake state: Never. O’ Baba, please do not
leave me alone. Please shower Your causeless grace on me by keeping me
eternally in Your divine shelter…

== BABA STORY: WHEN HE WAS IN JAIL ==

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, if not 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 AM train was moving slowly.

Baba, being the Parama Purusa incarnate, 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.

Of course, 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 all over
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 AM. Now the scene was abuzz with news coming in all kinds of
directions. Margiis were more active than ever: Schools, pracara, talks,
mass feeding, clothes distribution, university seminars, and so much
more. 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 AM 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 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 totally false.

A newsletter – whether it be electronic or otherwise – should be true,
rational and totally 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 feces. 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 then 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 Marga.

That means things like births, baby-naming ceremonies, akhanda kiirtan,
social service, developments in schools, pracar, deaths, retreats – each
and everything can be reported. And there should be organisationally
sanctioned channels, totally free of group interest.

By sharing all these types of news in a fair and truthful manner – on
the regional, sectorial, and global level – then our whole Marga family
will be benefited.

And while this is Baba’s distinct approach, it should not be overlooked
that many organisations and movements do like this as well.

MANY ORGANISATIONS DO LIKE THIS

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 Greenpeace, Amnesty International, or any
other, newsletters, grass-roots sharing, and open and truthful lines of
communication are a must. They all do it.

AM WILL ONCE AGAIN BECOME

 

A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH

Now there may be some news clippings moving around our AM society here
and there. But that is not enough, especially when the crude 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 AM 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 no longer feel like we are
sitting in one seething groupist volcano.

Instead we will realise how many like-minded sadhakas are in our grand
AM family. By Baba’s grace He 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.

BABA’S BLESSING

By Baba’s grace He has given us a great example to live by. Whatever the
situation, Baba has already provided us with the pathway to move ahead.
Now when we are drowned in the dogma of groupism, one excellent way to
move forward and bring a new charge in the 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.” (AMIWL-11)

Namaskar,
Gagan

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Historical Fact

Baba says, “In the Pharsi language the sweet fruit known as mango is
called ta’mar. But in the early days the people in Iran did not know
what a mango looked like, nor did they know how it tasted. Because they
had only heard about it from travellers passing through. So the first
time a sour type of fruit from India reached Iran the local Pharsi
speaking people mistakenly thought it was a mango. Consequently they
started calling it ‘ta’mar-e-hind’, meaning ‘Mango from India. In
Pharsi, “Ta’mar” means ‘mango’; “e” means ‘of’; “Hind” means ‘India’.
Thus, Ta’mar-e-hind. And later when the Britishers saw those Iranians
calling those sour fruits ‘ta’mar-e-hind’, then the Britishers adopted
their own English pronunciation and started calling it “tamarind”. So
this is how the sour fruit tamarind came to be called in the English
Language.” (MGD & Field Walk, Raipur 18 Oct ’79)

Note: For those who may not be aware, the name for tamarind in Hindi is
“imalii”.

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