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Thursday, August 7, 2025

A guide for cemetery meditation + 5 more

Baba

A guide for cemetery meditation

Namaskar,

As the tantric Guru, Baba has placed great emphasis on cemetery sadhana. He has personally stated that the cemetery is a good place for new people beginning their sadhana practice. And Baba has made it mandatory for our avadhutas / avadhutikas to perform sadhana in the cemetery on a regular basis. On one occasion of Shravanii Purnima, Parama Purusa Sadguru Baba performed His first initiation in the cemetery. Certainly then there is great value in cemetery sadhana. Here are a few Q & A’s about the many benefits of cemetery sadhana.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Benefits of cemetery sadhana

(Q: #1) Why is the cemetery a special place for sadhana?

REPLY: The path of tantra is marked by the victory of life over death - of light over darkness, of elevating tendencies over degrading ones. And Baba describes how by going to the cemetery for sadhana one is forced to confront and overcome their inherent fears and goad the mind towards Parama Purusa. This helps cultivate a sense of fearlessness and courage. Also, in His book - “A Guide to Human Conduct” - Baba guides us that by doing sincere sadhana in a lonely, isolated place, one can experience higher realisations and samadhi. Generally speaking, cemeteries are quiet, lonely places, as the general public tends to stay away from cemeteries. So for these reasons and more, cemeteries serve as excellent places for sadhana. And sincere Ananda Margiis should try this in their own personal life. For the sadhaka, the path of tantra is based upon practice, not theory. And every Ananda Margii is a tantrika and should be keen to do cemetery sadhana.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


How human thoughts affect sadhana - positively or negatively

(Q: #2) There are plenty of lonely, isolated places, but why the cemetery in particular? How does one confront fears? Does this have to do with superstitions related to cemetery, that one is afraid there? Or is it something else?

REPLY: In the general society, people are involved in so many comings and goings and fulfilling so many desires, but when they go to the cemetery they leave all their mundane thoughts behind and focus on that which is eternal. They think about God, the importance of life, serving others, and other meaningful topics. Going to the cemetery has a sobering effect on the mind. Material pursuits are replaced by more sentient thinking. In such an environment, positive microvita get attracted to that place. And that makes sadhana easier for the aspirant. Yet again, only talking about this in theory will not suffice. Practical steps should be taken. So every sincere sadhaka should take time to practice meditation in the cemetery and realise first-hand the benefits. Then it will be clear why Sadguru Baba has recommended that we practice sadhana there.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Steps for starting and advancing cemetery sadhana

(Q: #3) What is the best way for a sadhaka to start doing cemetery sadhana?

REPLY:

- Begin by first going to a local cemetery in daylight hours and try doing 20 or 30 minutes of meditation.
- Going to a cemetery that is near an active church or near other public buildings will also be helpful when starting.
- The first cemetery you visit should not be in some remote, desolate location.
- Although your chosen cemetery is in a public location, try and visit when the cemetery is empty - i.e. devoid of people.
- By practicing regularly during the daytime, in a short while one will become comfortable being there. Any anxieties about being in the cemetery will wane.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

- The next phase is to go during the evening hours when the sun has set and it is dusk.
- Again, find days and times when the cemetery is empty and practice your evening meditation there.
- Increase the duration of your evening cemetery sadhana by 30% or 40%. And of course if sadhana is very good you may sit longer.
- Also at this point you can experiment with doing sadhana in cemeteries that are slightly more remote, and less cultivated etc.
- By regularly practicing evening meditation in a range of cemeteries, one will gradually feel very comfortable.

- Once adjusted with various cemeteries in this time frame, then one should mark one’s calendar for a date to go in the middle of the night - when it is pitch dark outside.
- The first time in complete darkness may be scary and one’s nerves might be on edge so begin with a cemetery that is well known to you.
- Here again, consistency is the key. By going regularly, slowly one will be adjusted with the surroundings - darkness, stillness, animal noises, etc - and it will not be scary, but rather a deeply inspiring place for sadhana.
- As far as possible, one should avoid going to cemeteries in crime-ridden areas etc.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Namaskar,
At His feet,
Satyadeva

Note: There are other places that are also very conducive for sadhana. So if a cemetery or burning ghat is not available in your area, then talk to local senior sadhakas / acaryas about alternative spots, such as a hilltop, river bank, or forest etc. 

How ghosts are just imagination of weak mind

(Q: #4) What about all the tales of ghosts, goblins, and “evil spirits” living in the cemetery?

REPLY: In Ananda Marga, not an iota of credence is given to the existence of ghosts.

Baba says, "Let me state at the very outset that I am not a believer in ghosts and spirits, demons and devils, or heaven and hell, because I have found no logic behind their existence. I know that whether ghosts and spirits or demons and devils, everything which bears the imprint of the supernatural is only the play of the mind. The appearance and disappearance of such things takes place in the various kos’as [layers] of the mind due to variations or possible variations in physical or mental circumstances." (1)

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Do ghosts really exist? Ans.: – Those strange figures which we call ghosts are mainly figments of the imagination. When the mind is in a weak or vulnerable state, what was previously created in the imagination now appears to be real.” (2)

Baba says, "Ghosts do not exist." (3)

Clearly then there is no such thing as ghosts. So when going to the cemetery for sadhana one should not be worried - even in the slightest - about any so-called ghosts. These are just figments of the human imagination and have nothing to do with reality.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Siddha devayonis help sadhaka in meditation

(Q: #5) By which means and to what effect do devayonis make sadhana easier for the aspirant?

REPLY: Please read the below excerpts from Sadguru's discourse:

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “If one sits for meditation in that particular place where these devayonis exist in the form of stone or wood in ardent expectation of their emancipation, positive microvita will help a spiritual aspirant. As they are devayonis, they do not harm anyone – rather they assist spiritualists. You must have noticed that while meditating at some places the mind becomes concentrated very quickly. This usually happens due to the grace of the Guru. It also happens through the cooperation of those devayonis which have attained the state of prakrtiliina. If mental concentration comes with the help of devayonis, a spiritual aspirant will sense a light sweet smell in the nose, but if this happens due to the grace of the Guru, along with the sweet smell the spiritual aspirant will glimpse fragmented waves of effulgent light, like glittering poppy seeds, whether the eyes are opened or closed. Either by the cooperation of devayonis or by the grace of the Guru, both experiences are manifestations of divine grace. When spiritual aspirants experience the direct grace of Parama Puruśa during meditation, they perceive a kind of light smell which makes their minds intoxicated with joy. Simultaneously, they visualise fragments of effulgence and experience a state of intoxicated hilarity which makes them oblivious to all kinds of petty differences, and transports them into the realm of cosmic oneness. In that state of blissful communion, the Guru and Iishvara become one, producing a kind of sweet vibration in the spiritual aspirant who realizes:” (4)

Guru krpáhi kevalam. [The Guru’s grace is everything.] Brahmaeva Gurureva náparah. [Brahma alone is the Guru.]


Who becomes microvita

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Videhaliina. Those who continue their spiritual practices and at the same time seek liberation from the bondages of the solid and liquid factors pray, “O God, I am fed up with all these mundane problems, please grant me liberation. So many problems come and distract my mind. Why do I experience so many misfortunes? My son failed his examinations; my daughter fell seriously ill; the bank where I kept my savings closed down. How many more misfortunes are waiting for me? Enough of all this. Please grant me emancipation.” People with this type of psychology attain the state of videhaliina after their demise – an unbearable condition. After their reactive momenta are exhausted, they are reborn again. These videhaliina devayonis help living beings. They do not harm anyone because they are positive microvita.” (5)

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Siddha. The best and most useful of all the devayonis are the siddhas. Those who continue their spiritual practices, crossing the various stages due to cosmic grace, develop occult powers in the process of their forward movement. The collection of the six types of occult powers are called “śaď aeshvarya”. The collection of the eight occult powers are called “aśt́a aeshvarya”. Some of these occult powers are not attainable by ordinary penance, but they may be attained due to unconditional cosmic grace. Some of these occult powers – which are nothing but the unconditional grace of Parama Puruśa – are parakáya- pravesha or entering into the body of others; sarvajiṋatvá or omniscience; vák siddhi or the power to make whatever one says come true; etc. By dint of sádhaná, when sádhakas are established in the supreme truth, theoretically one can attain these states, but practically omniscient intellect is attained only by unconditional cosmic grace. Some other occult powers – for instance to perform the work of one sense organ through another sense organ, or to express one indriya through another indriya – are not attainable through individual effort. Due to unconditional grace, Parama Puruśa does not distribute all these occult powers, and the reason why He does not is known only to Him. These powers are the exclusive powers of Parama Puruśa.” (6)


Occult powers are mere trinkets

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “The powers which are confined to Parama Puruśa alone are known as “vibhuti garimá”, not “garimá” alone. Garimá means “one of the occult powers of aśt́a aeshvarya”. As Shiva was endowed with all sorts of occult powers, one of the names of Shiva is “Vibhutinátha” or “Vibhutibhúśańa”. To Shiva, these occult powers were mere trinkets, so the common people called Shiva “Vibhutinátha”. Vi – bhú + ktin = Vibhutibhúśańa. One of its meanings is “any occult power”. Vibhuti also means “the final state of something”. As you know, the final state of anything is ashes – everything in this universe becomes ashes in the end. Vibhuti also means “ashes”.” (7)

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Hence, if spiritual aspirants start practising meditation and in the process acquire a few occult powers, and thereafter these occult powers become the focal point of their efforts and Parama Puruśa becomes the secondary objective, such aspirants attain the state of siddha after their physical demise. A siddha is the highest state of devayoni. They help spiritual aspirants in various ways; their roles are primarily those of aids or guardians.” (8)

References
1. Strange Experiences, 'Preface'
2. Tattva Kaomudii - 1, Questions and Answers on Ananda Marga Philosophy, #56
3. Ananda Marga Ideology and Way of Life in a Nutshell Part 5, Matter and Spirit
4. Microvita in a Nutshell, Disembodied Souls and Microvita – Excerpt B
5. Microvita in a Nutshell, Disembodied Souls and Microvita – Excerpt B
6. Microvita in a Nutshell, Disembodied Souls and Microvita – Excerpt B
7. Microvita in a Nutshell, Disembodied Souls and Microvita – Excerpt B
8. Microvita in a Nutshell, Disembodied Souls and Microvita – Excerpt B


*        *        *

The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.

*        *        *

== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==

I love You to get bliss

"Anek shuniá anek bháviá,tomákei bhálobesechi..." (Prabhat Samgiita #1041)

Purport:

My Parama Purusa, Your tales are infinite. From the mouths of bhaktas I have heard endless, heart-touching stories how You have showered Your boundless love and compassion. As soon as I came to know-- all those recollections, I fell in love with only You and began to contemplate Your grandeur and glory, over and over again, and realised that You are inseparably linked with my entire existence. You are my most intimate One. In hopes of finding You, I have searched in each and every town and village, by the rivers and the oceans, in the hills and the valleys, in the mountains and the caves. I have sought You in the sky and earth, even in pa'ta'la - everywhere. By Your grace, in the end, You made me realise that You alone are that priceless jewel sitting in my heart forever. 

Parama Purusa, I do not have any explanation for why I have fallen in love with You. All I can say is that it is solely Your krpa. Prema knows no logic or reasoning. All I can mention is that You drew me near. My Supreme One, I do not love You in order to get mukti. I am not an A-grade bhakta so I love You to get bliss. This is the essence that I have come to realise in this stage of divine love. Although this is a lower stage of bhakti, this is the desire of my life: To love You so I may live blissfully. 

Baba, with whatever capacity I have I will execute the tasks which You have given me. I will go on doing Your work and following Your order, expending every ounce of energy to satisfy You. At the same time I will always remember that parabhakti is the highest level of spirituality; that is the greatest attainment in this universe. It is paramount; nothing is equal to parabhakti. If one is blessed with parabhakti they have received everything. In that pinpointed stage, the bhakta thinks, “I will love You to please You alone.” There is not an iota of selfishness to get bliss from sadhana. Rather one’s singular desire is to give You bliss. That is the ultimate treasure I realised, by Your grace...

Notes for Prabhat Samgiita #1041:

Those on the path of sadhana are all bhaktas of various gradations, from the lowest to the highest.
  • The lowest, i.e. D-grade sadhakas, do sadhana to harm their enemies. They request the Lord to kill others.
  • C-grade bhaktas do not want to hurt anyone, rather they have a strong penchant for mundane gains. They request God to grant them power, post, and worldly riches. That is why they do sadhana.
  • B-grade sadhakas do spiritual practices to remove their psychic tension and gain peace, tranquility, and bliss. They want to derive pleasure from the Lord. These are their selfish reasons and inner motives for doing sadhana.
  • A-grade or top grade sadhakas only want to make Parama Purusa happy and give Him bliss. Whatever small or big work they do in their life is done for the sole purpose of pleasing their Ista. They harbour no other desire. With this A-grade bhakti, in due course, the sadhaka becomes one with Parama Purusa.
By this mundane example it will be clear.  For instance, due to attachment to an infant the mother of a young baby takes on all sorts of troubles in order to make the infant happy. Those mothers have no other desire.

On the path of enlightenment all these aforesaid stages come, step by step. In the highest state one feels the sole yearning to please Parama Purusa. By knowing these grades of bhakti, one can understand how far along they are on the path. 


[1] Mukti: (Literally means 'liberation'). Just as the sadhaka in the above song is not doing sadhana to get mukti, similarly, in the below discourse  Ananda Marga ideological teachings guide us that one should not do sadhana to get mukti.

Ananda Marga ideology says, "While surrendering oneself at the altar of the Supreme, what is one to do? One must not ask for anything from Parama Purus'a. [For example,] for a bhakta, mukti has got no importance. A bhakta wants Parama Purus'a, and nothing from Him, not even mukti. Suppose Parama Purus'a says, 'O devotee, what do you want?' - his reply is, 'I want You'. One must not say, 'I want mukti', because suppose one says, 'I want mukti', one may get mukti, but one may not get Parama Purus´a. Which is more valuable - mukti or Parama Purus'a? Parama Purus'a!" (1)

So this is a good teaching: A sadhaka should not ask for anything, not even mukti. Even then some do sadhana for mukti; but in the above Prabhat Samgiita as well as in the above quotation, Ananda Marga ideology is instructing us that one should not do sadhana to get mukti. One should do sadhana so that one may please Him.

[2] A'nanda deva'r l'a'gi: (Literally means 'to give bliss'). The last stanza of this song describes the stance of ragatmika bhakti where one does sadhana to please Him-- to give Him bliss. That is the culmination of all bhakti.

Ananda Marga ideology  says, "The ra'ga'tmika' bhakta says: 'I love Parama Purus'a because I want to give Him a'nandam. I don't care whether or not I get a'nandam. My only desire is to give Him joy through my love. I shall perform, even at the cost of profuse sweat and difficulty, only those noble deeds which will give Him joy. I am ready to undergo any amount of pain and suffering to give Him joy." (2)

References
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 24, 'Bhakti, Mukti and Parama Purusa'
2. Namami Krsnasundaram: Disc 25


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Beware of these demons

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “I have already said that the task of intellect is to properly utilize all the properties of the universe, of the expressed world. But there are some selfish people in the world who are not in favour of the maximum utilization of mundane wealth, because they fear the control of the developed intellect over the material forces; and selfish people do not like that. They do not want anyone except themselves or a handful of their own group to attain any progress. Rather they would be happy to see that the individual and collective progress of others gets jeopardized.” (1)

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Self-seeking people do not want the collective intellect of the human race to be utilized for the welfare of the entire human race; rather they, in the name of humanity, want to perpetuate divisive tendencies in society, because if they succeed in creating a rift in human society, that will pave the way for their personal benefit or self-aggrandizement. Thus they concoct various so-called scriptures and formulate all kinds of logic. They maintain to humanity that the different races in this world are not equal. Thus instead of considering the interests of the entire human society, they give preference to the interests of a particular community. This loud-mouthed 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." (2)


Key quality of a righteous person

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “A person who wants to promote others’ welfare, a person who wants to serve the entire humanity, must keep away from dogma. In addition to that, he or she will have to staunchly resist dogma. It is not enough to keep away from something which is considered a veritable sin, it is not enough to lodge only verbal protest against sin – one will have to against it. This is the greatest criterion of a truly righteous person." (3)

References
1. A Few Problems Solved - 4, The Liberation of Intellect
2. A Few Problems Solved - 4, The Liberation of Intellect
3. A Few Problems Solved - 4, The Liberation of Intellect


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Do not be in awe of others

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "How one person sings melodious songs, how another dances beautiful rhythmic dances, how another delivers wonderful discourses, etc. But we cannot see the entity who pulls the strings from behind and runs the show. And the funniest thing is this: the speaker, the singer, the dancer thinks that he or she is the agent, the doer, and takes the entire credit for the performance. People do not care to think of the entity that pulls the strings from behind, or if they are even more foolish, they think that others see them alone, not the entity who pulls the strings from behind." (1)

Note 1: In the world, many people are in awe by seeing the work of others. But those who feel this way are very shortsighted. They think with their own merit XYZ is doing. But the reality is that on the world’s stage whatever people do, their energy comes from Parama Purusa. Those who have spiritual eyes see that nobody is doing anything. Rather, Parama Purusa is supplying the energy. So all credit goes to Parama Purusa. So they never get wonderstruck.

The worst among all are those who stand on the stage and brag about their own merits. They forget that if Parama Purusa does not give energy for even a millisecond they will cease to exist. Because of their extreme blindness, they glorify themselves up to the moon. Watch out for such ignorant people.

Note 2: Under the spell of avidya maya many persons think that all credit goes to them for their great deeds. The number of such persons is huge. But according to Baba's above guideline, in the spiritual way of thinking they are fools. We should be careful and save ourselves from falling into this category of fools.

Reference
1. Namami Krsnasundaram, Vrajagopála and Bhaktitattva (Discourse 21)


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Non-sadhakas cannot lead Prout

Prout philosophy states, “Those who have a correct philosophy and a correct spiritual sádhaná based on the principles of Yama and Niyama will be the guiding personalities in the society of tomorrow. It is the duty of conscious people to snatch away the physical power and the intellectual leadership from the hands of political hypocrites. Politicians are of no use to society because they are engaged in the business of mudslinging and nothing else. If sadvipras [spiritual revolutionaries who follow Yama and Niyama] get active mass support, revolution is bound to come. In case a government adopts the ideals of Prout, the rule of sadvipras will prevail. If the same is not adopted by the government, a physical revolution is sure to come, and ultimately power will be transferred to the sadvipras.” (1)

Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 5, Discourses on Prout, Point #4


== Section: Prabhat Samgiita==

उस नव्यमानवता के देश में लोग एक दूसरे की हत्या कर खून की नदी नहीं बहाते

प्रभात संगीत 1455 एक स्वप्नेर देशे  आमि मायाभरा जोछनाय...

भावार्थ

हे परममपुरुष ! मैं  मन को मोह लेने वाली  चाॅंदनी में डूबे उस सपनों के संसार  अर्थात " नव्य मानवता " के देश में था | बिलकुल अकेले बैठा मैं आनन्दपूर्वक तुम्हारे लिये तुम्हारे ही गीत गा रहा था। हे दिव्य सत्ता ! तुम कितने कृपालु हो।

उस सपनों के संसार  में, किसी भी  स्थान पर कोई भूख से नहीं मरता है।  वहाॅं  उस नव्य मानवता के देश में, अज्ञानता भी नहीं है। वहाॅं नीच विचारों और तुच्छ भावनाओं  अर्थात जड़ता की ओर ले जाने वाली  तरंगे नहीं बहती। उस भूमि, उस सपनों के संसार  में सभी आदमी  अपने को एक ही विशाल  परिवार का अंग मानते हैं। वे एक दूसरे से मारपीट कर लड़ते नहीं, और न ही वे एक दूसरे की हत्या कर खून की नदी बहने देते हैं।


हे बाबा! वहाॅं उस  लोक में, नव्यमानवता के देश में, मनुष्यों की  बुद्धि भावजड़ता से धुंधली नहीं होती, वह तो अपने  विवेक से   अच्छी से अच्छी पुस्तको में बताये गए ज्ञान की  चर्चा  में डूबी रहती है, और ह्रदय की सच्चाई  प्रकट करती है। उस स्थान पर  उस लोक में, कोई भी व्यक्ति घमंड और अभिमान  के अंधेरे को, अपने पास में नहीं फटकने देता |  न ही कोई एक दूसरे का शोषण करता है। वह  सपनो का संसार  नव्य मानवतावाद की भूमि है। मैं मोहक चाॅंदनी में डूबे उसी स्वप्न संसार  में  था।

हे मेरे प्रभु! हे बाबा! मैं उस दिव्य स्वप्न संसार  में था, और तुम्हारे लिये गीत गा रहा था। 


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Women, veil, exploitation by unprincpled men

When women will develop a sense of self-respect....

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “A handful of unprincipled, power-hungry men propagated these [religious] doctrines in order to paralyse women’s reasoning, and to inflate men’s vanity. This doctrine is against nature and we have only to look out into this wide world to find numerous proofs against it. Can anybody drape a burka over a tigress? Is there anyone with enough courage to do it? Can anyone dictate to a tigress, “You cannot cross this boundary,” or “You cannot take part in games and sports, for this is prohibited to women”? Those who propagated these doctrines were not only unprincipled, they were also well aware of the inherent loopholes in their arguments. That is why they did not propagate their ideas directly in their own name. On the contrary, they propagated all those ideas in the name of God. They proclaimed them as the gospels of God; no one shall dispute it; one has to accept it without a murmur. When women will develop a sense of self-respect and be like other spirited creatures, they will cast aside the burkas and veils of servitude. They will then be enabled to expand their role in serving society in a balanced and consolidated way.” (1)

Reference
1. Shabda Cayanika - 9, from “Kaomára”


== Section 3: Links ==

Upcoming Festival: Shravanii Purnima - 09 Aug 2025
#6: AM: unique starting point
#5: Celebrating Shravanii Purnima
#4: Festival: the path of advancement
#3: Margiis also tantrikas
#2: Upcoming festival Shravanii Purnima
#1: Meaning behind Shravanii Purnima
Postings to Read
Failure of hunger strikes
The worst bondage: blind attachment
For all sadhakas: the gunas
Realizing your spiritual power
Story: new bhakta hiding from Baba

Labels: , ,

Wednesday, August 6, 2025

Failure of hunger strikes + 2 more

Baba
Failure of hunger strikes

Namaskar,

Hunger strikes are a common phenomena in India. What is the reason behind this and why do such strikes occur especially in India? What is the history?

Politicians using false ideas for their own benefit

In elections today, we see many such types of inappropriate ideas being spread. Those ideas are typically narrow-minded and filled with a number of sentiments. Some politicians say that they are going to implement great ideas by which the country will move forward very fast, whereby everyone will be benefited, etc. By spreading such ideas, they get the majority of the votes and are elected to serve in political positions. While other politicians spread narrow ideas by creating division among people:  narrow ideas such as casteism, provincialism, racism, religion, etc.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

For example, in western countries, politicians might use sentiments which appeal to those people with white skin or they might use arguments which promote white supremacy as a means of uniting people to win an election. By arousing such sentiments, politicians indulge the superiority complex of people with white skin. Sometimes, it is very hard to unite people with great ideas, but it is easy to influence people with a narrow sentiment. If one politician says that all humans are equal and tries to infuse a great idea in their minds, that politician will face a terrible uphill battle. Those with narrow sentiments will push back very strongly. It is the quality of human beings that their animalistic propensities are aroused very quickly, as humans are evolved from animals.

For example, a rich person is persuaded many times to donate but is hesitant to give food to a poor person because of his attachment to money and other material objects. But it is very easy to create anger in a person’s mind. The rich person can be persuaded to become angry by touching some of his weak sentiments. In the same situation, if the person is asked to understand the concepts of tya’ga, tapasya’, universal brotherhood, etc., it is difficult to motivate them. Politicians use various narrow sentiments to motivate rich people and others to unite them in political movements.

In India, during Gandhi’s time, the message that was spread was that communism was not good. In communism, people who have more wealth are being tortured in different ways, and their money is being snatched.


Divided India with two streams of ideas

To make India independent two primary forces were there: (a) garam dal (so-called tit-for-tat approach), (b) naram dal (so-called non-violence approach). The garam dal approach was the use of force as needed to fight the Britishers. The naram dal approach was refraining from the use of force against the British oppressors. Advocates of this latter approach started hunger strikes to show and demonstrate their demands. Anything they wanted was demonstrated by protesting in the form of hunger strikes.
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Role of Gandhi & Nehru

One party was formed during that time: the Congress Party. Because of such an approach, the Congress party was divided into two parts. Subhash Chandra Bose was the president of the Congress party then, but he was withdrawn from his position because he was of the opinion that if someone is exploiting then we should be fighting against them. But Gandhi and Nehru were agents of the capitalists, and they did not want to rage a war against those exploiters. Both Gandhi and Nehru proposed that hunger strikes could be the mechanism to mold the mindset of exploiters thinking that then only will they change.

Business intent of British

Britishers did not come to India to take over the country, rather they came to India for business purposes. Ruling India was an act through which they could exploit natural resources. That is why they made roads, bridges, railway tracks, etc. Their primary intent was to exploit only, exploit resources, and not rule the country or to reside in the country. By the time they realized that it had become costly to exploit India, at that moment they went back.
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Example: the landlord conundrum

Similar types of exploitation are found in rural India as well. There are landlords who exploit common people. First, by having an exploitative mindset and lending money  with the sole motive of charging huge monthly interest rates. In order to gain everyone’s respect, the landlord also gives money to other good causes such as the development of the village temple. So the opinion of villagers is divided regarding the landlord. Some think that he is an exploiter, and others think that he is a noble person. The landlord will continue to exist and exploit as long as the village is divided in opinions. But when a revolution against the landlord is anticipated, then, with fear, the landlord will go away from the village to keep himself alive, even without caring for his property.


Hunger strike movement

Gandhi was not supportive of fighting against Britishers with force. Rather, he called the attack against Britishers by Indian people a terrorist movement. Around the same time, there were communist movements at their peak in other parts of the world such as Russia and China.  One of the disciples of Gandhi, Vinoba Bhave, initiated a movement called “bhu-daan”, “giving away land”.
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What is “giving away land” movement?

In India, there were a lot of landlords, and they occupied more than 90% of the land. For there are about 10,000 acres of land available in the village. All of the 10,000 acres were occupied by the landlord only while others in the village would work for the landlord. Gandhi started the “bhu-daan” movement to unite people so that common people can have more land while landlords can donate the extra land they possess. Land donation did happen in India, but landlords donated lands which were barren fields, not suitable for agriculture or anything productive. Newspapers did spread the word that landlords were donating lands just by protesting and not being engaged in any war. So what is the benefit of being involved in a war?  This was the initial movement in which Gandhi began to show people that there is no need of fighting wars, rather justice can be achieved with non-violence.

There was another disciple of Gandhi named Jayprakash Narayan. His movement was named  “Sarvodaya”, which means that rich people are going to help the poor so that the whole society will move forward. In reality, these people were agents of capitalists and had no intention of bringing welfare to the society. These movements were only to misguide common people so that they would not create a revolutionary movement.

Moreover, to hoodwink the common people, Gandhi said that everyone should spin their own cotton, and not purchase garments from outside. Even children in schools were taught how to use the spinning wheel. And Gandhi himself used to spend a couple of hours per day generating cotton. His point was everyone should be self-sufficient; everyone should know everything so that there would not be any dependence on others. That was his viewpoint of society which stands in stark contrast to our  Ananda Marga’s viewpoint for building an organized society where coordinated cooperation is integral.
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What is an organized society- AM View

Baba says that in an organized society each person should not be doing everything by oneself. Each person’s specialty is different. For example, if one is a doctor, then he should continue to practice medical service and not take up other jobs. If a common person is suffering from any disease then s/he can go to the doctor, and since the doctor knows the profession very well, he can serve them better. In this way, the doctor is able to do his work, and the patient gets benefitted. If everyone is a doctor, if everyone is a farmer, if everyone is a lawyer, this will not work in forming an organized society.

A sequence of similar pre-independence events in India

In India, several movements such as donate land, hunger strike, helping the poor were created during the Gandhian era. The motive of all such movements was to use a non-violence approach assuming that the exploiter also has a heart and by showing non-violence protest the exploiter will eventually understand what is right and will do what the protestors are demanding. But Baba’s approach is different to deal with exploiters. Baba says that exploiters do have a heart, but their heart is corrupted by bad thoughts. A corrupt businessman plans to build a factory, and how to utilize poor labourers with minimal hourly wage so that they will remain as labourers for generations. In this way only the businessman will make a profit. Exploitation becomes a habit of such businessmen and such habits do not go away easily.
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Dogma continues to exist for thousands of years

In Bihar, there is a ceremony called “Chhath puja”, which is more than 20,000 years old. People used to worship the sun as a female God to bestow rain to help farmers grow crops. Even today, people in Bihar, worship the sun as a female God for blessings. In Bihar, irrespective of religion, being Hindu or Muslim, everyone is involved in this worship at the time of growing crops. Such worship does not make any sense. The point here is that once a dogma is created, it spreads quite fast, and continues to exist for a very long period of time.

Hunger strikes continue to happen in India

In India, though the number of hunger strikes has reduced compared to the past, still today people use hunger strikes as a weapon to fulfill their demands. With the advancement of medical science, doctors can easily find out cheaters in the name of sitting in a hunger strike who take food behind the scenes. But still, to some extent, some true hunger strikes do take place. If hunger strikes go on for more than two days or so, then the government is under pressure just to ensure that no one should die because of such strikes. There are some people who are cheaters in the name of hunger strike, just to show off, but still, there are people in India who continue to fast for multiple days for the purpose of protesting a certain cause.
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Baba says that such hunger strikes are not useful and are outdated in today’s society. Without having proper Ananda Marga knowledge, some wrongly become sympathetic to such hunger strikes or even embark on them themselves. But this is wrong.


Conclusion

Hunger strikes were created by Gandhi as a means to fulfill the demands of common people without physically harming the exploiter. This principle misguided the people in fulfilling their demands. Such protests do not end exploitation. For example, if a mosquito bites, then pray to the mosquito, and it will stop biting? This type of approach does not work. In religion, such types of approaches exist. Much worship exists in India in anticipation of not being affected by natural phenomena, or by exploitation etc.

Baba says that one has to do sadhana, which is fighting against avidya, then only one can make progress, and overcome hurdles. Baba says that such approaches of non-violence and ritualistic worshipping are anti-revolution, and do not provide any way of growth. Only time is wasted with such approaches, exploitation, and the pain of common people increases without any progress. To stop exploitation, dharmic revolution is needed. Hunger strikes and other approaches created during Gandhian times are not successful approaches. And verily, hunger strikes are rarely done in other parts of the world.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

In Him,
Nirakar

Peak days of communism

When communism was expanding in the world, people all over the world were thinking that communism was created to diminish the inequity between the wealthy and the  poor. In many societies, wealthy people were the ones amassing wealth and had access to everything whereas the general mass was suffering from the lack of basic needs. Communism was first seen in Russia, then in China, and slowly spread into other countries such as Vietnam, Cuba and more.

*        *        *

The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.

*        *        *

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Why not pray

Note: This letter is for those who understand Ananda Marga philosophy or those who have a keen interest to know Ananda Marga philosophy. If someone is not in either of these categories, then for them this letter is useless.

Namaskar,

Here is Guru's teaching from Ananda Sutram: Prárthanárcaná mátraeva bhramamúlam.

“Purport: It is useless to pray to God for something, for He is sure to give what is necessary. Solicitation or importunity in the name of worship is nothing but toadyism and flattery.” (1)

In His above teaching of Ananda Sutram, Guru guides us that any type of prayer to Parama Purusa is useless and hinders one’s progress on the path. In our Ananda Marga we do not pray to Parama Purusa because He is all-knowing and all-benevolent so naturally He knows more about our needs than we do.

Anyone who has studied even the basics of Ananda Marga philosophy understands this fact: A true sadhaka will never pray to the Lord. By mere use of the word “pray” - it is evident that a person is unaware about this fundamental aspect of Ananda Marga philosophy. And if such a person is an avadhuta or senior person in AMPS, he is leading others astray. 

Praying to God means accusing Him of partiality

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Prayer is the act of asking for a favour with earnestness. It also means a solemn petition addressed to the Supreme Being for certain benefits. One prays to God for something which one does not possess or thinks one does not possess. One asks God for these favours with the faith that He alone can bestow everything and by His mere wish all wants can be satisfied. By prayer or by begging one wants to awaken His wish so that one may be granted the things one lacks. Does not one’s attempt to rouse the wish of God to fulfil these needs, upon careful and rational thinking, appear to be a reminder to God to give one something of which God has kept one deprived? It would otherwise not be necessary to remind Him in prayer of that thing or to try to arouse His wish to give. For instance, if one is in need of money, one would, with the faith that God alone can give, pray to Him for the favour of giving one money. Does not this request show God’s fault in keeping one in want of money, when He alone can give it? God alone is blamed for it, and by praying to Him for money one is precisely pointing out to Him His partiality in not giving one the money one needed. Therefore, prayer or asking for favours from God is only pointing out to the Sole Giver His mistakes in the distribution of His favours. It only presumes lack of impartiality in Him, and that is why He is blamed for making some very rich and others very poor. Praying to God for favours is only to bring to His notice the charge of partiality levelled against Him. When prayer leads to such a conclusion, it is only ignorance to ask for favours.” (2)

In brief, prayer undermines His supreme stature and blatantly exposes that seeker as selfish, ignorant, and arrogant. 

As disciples of Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji it is our duty to stay true to the path of pure spirituality and not get caught up in any type of dogmatic or ritualistic prayer. We are to propagate the ideals of dharma sadhana and bhakti, i.e. love for Parama Purusa. 

Namaskar,
Sanjay
Sam Woods

References
1. Ananda Sutram 3-11
2. Ananda Marga Elementary Philosophy, How Should Human Beings Live In This World?



== Section 2: Links ==

Upcoming Festival: Shravanii Purnima - 09 Aug 2025
#6: AM: unique starting point
#5: Celebrating Shravanii Purnima
#4: Festival: the path of advancement
#3: Margiis also tantrikas
#2: Upcoming festival Shravanii Purnima
#1: Meaning behind Shravanii Purnima
Postings to Read
The worst bondage: blind attachment
For all sadhakas: the gunas
Realizing your spiritual power
Story: new bhakta hiding from Baba



Labels: , ,

Monday, August 4, 2025

AM: unique starting point + 3 more

Baba
AM: unique starting point

Namaskar,

Around the globe as we prepare for Shravanii Purnima (09 Aug 2025) celebrations and festivities, it is a time for us to reflect upon the uniqueness and speciality of our Ananda Marga. Unlike other organisations, the starting part of our Ananda Marga is not just based upon the filing of a court paper or government document, nor is it based upon the construction of a building or the purchase of a piece of land etc. The starting point of Ananda Marga is based on sadhana. And on no occasion is this more evident than Shravanii Purnima, as this auspicious day commemorates the historic first sadhana initiation given by our Sadguru Shrii Shrii A'nandamu'rtijii. So the starting point of our Ananda Marga is sadhana.
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On Shravanii Purnima the dangerous and feared killer Kalicharan Bandopadyay came to Sadguru Baba's feet and learned the practice of sadhana - by His grace. And by that endeavour the newly initiated Kalicharanji started his release from the confines of human bondage and began his march on the path of liberation and salvation. So Ananda Marga is that path which shatters the bondages and opens the door of divinity. The key point of it all is the practice of sadhana.


Without sadhana mind enveloped by darkness

   Ananda Marga ideology states, "People have to pass through so many relativities, so many troubles and afflictions, before attaining that Supreme Hub. Human beings are subject to triple afflictions – physical, psychic and spiritual – and the psychic and spiritual miseries are as painful as the physical ones."
 "Why do the spiritual afflictions arise? You know that you are the loving sons and daughters of Parama Puruśa. But you don’t feel Him always close to you, you cannot get the chance to sit on His Lap, and because of this you suffer from spiritual afflictions."
 "The supreme panacea to surmount all these triple afflictions is sadhana. So all human beings must do sadhana as much as possible; it is the main duty of the human life. If sadhana is omitted, then one should omit one’s food and sleep also. Just as food and sleep are essential for human beings, similarly kiirtana, the most essential aid for sadhana, should also be done whenever there is opportunity and time. The educated and uneducated alike should do it." (1)

Ananda Marga ideology states, "What is degradation? The divine effulgence earned through the performance of spiritual sadhana dispels the darkness of the spiritual aspirant’s mind. And the moment we turn away from sadhana that darkness comes back to our mind to stay and our mind gradually advances towards deeper darkness." (2)


Personal account of Shravanii Purnima

Here below Baba recounts the scene of that auspicious Shra'van'ii Pu'rn'ima' when He performed His first initiation.
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   Ananda Marga philosophy states, "This is Shra'van'ii Pu'rn'ima'. It is an important day. Then I was very young, studying in Vidy'asagar College in Calcutta. One evening a very interesting event took place. Suddenly a wicked person came near me. I use the word 'wicked', but it is not a permanent state of human beings. A person who is wicked today may be a noble person tomorrow, and one who is dull or stupid today may be wise tomorrow. These are all relative matters bound by the bondages of relativity. No one can be called permanently wicked. It should always be borne in mind that one should always try to develop the good and the subtle in a wicked person."
   "That evening a certain wicked person came to me. What could he expect from me? But then he came. In accordance with natural human psychology, I asked him, "What do you want? Why do you adopt this evil path?" In the course of our conversation, he realized that he should change the course of his life, and he took initiation. That was the first spiritual initiation I ever imparted to anyone. And that same day, Shra'van'ii Pu'rnima, has again returned."
   "A long time has elapsed since then. That was perhaps in 1939." (3)

On this magnificent occasion of Shravanii Purnima, may we again remember and reflect upon the starting of our Ananda Marga and with renewed effort undertake the practice of our sadhana. This is the time to strengthen our meditation practices, realise our sadhana in our practical life, and take grand steps along the path of divinity, by His grace.

Namaskar,
at His lotus feet,
Keshava

~ In-depth study ~

Poor sadhana, mind degenerates - groupism sprouts

When importance is not given to sadhana, and greater emphasis is placed elsewhere, then the influence of avidya maya increases and the mind becomes cloudy. Then various types of narrow and selfish tendencies take hold. In that case, infighting, groupism, and other isms erupt. That is what is happening these days, unfortunately.
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Whereas when the goal is Parama Purusa and everyone's mind is moving in that direction - i.e. towards Him - then there is unity. Then the collective flow is sentient. But when the goal is something mundane, then the mind is rushing towards a different direction and petty issues arise. That is the standard rule.

Nowadays sadhana is not given importance and so we are facing the consequences; without sadhana, no matter how many sit-down talks or unity meetings are held, those gatherings will not help. Sadhana is needed.

Answer to problem

This is the time to embrace the inner essence of our Shravanii Purnima festival in our mind and heart - before, during, and long after our Shravanii Purnima celebrations. Maximum effort should be placed on spiritual practices as sadhana has tremendous importance in life; it makes a person great.

Ananda Vanii says, "...Be great by your sádhaná, by your service, by your sacrifice." (4)

So sadhana is the key aspect for leading a dharmic life. Now some are splitting our Ananda Marga society, but they too can be rectified and make valuable contributions to the world, if they sincerely take to the path of sadhana. But empty efforts and tall talks will not do; sadhana is a cult - that is, it must be practiced.

Some organisations are based on the establishment of something mundane like a building; while other religious organisations base their membership on old, outdated dogmatic ritualistic activities. The path of Ananda Marga is entirely unique. To be a positive and contributing member of Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha, one has to be pointedly engaged in sadhana.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

The Supreme Command says, “...It is the bounden duty of every Ananda Margii to endeavour 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.” (5)

References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 22, Kiirtana – the Panacea for All Afflictions
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 9, Parama Puruśa – the Source of All Momentum
3. A Few Problems Solved - 5, Shrávańii Púrńimá
4. Ananda Vanii #20
5. The Supreme Command


*        *        *

The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.

*        *        *

== Section 2: Important Teaching ==

Degenerated mentality

   Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "There are people, however, who have opposite feelings. They burn in envy to see someone happy, and make an all out effort to put them in danger. On seeing someone in distress, they think: “Rightly served. As you sow, so you reap. Let their troubles augment.” Such human-shaped animals are prowling about in many fields of life, including the field of politics."
   "There are some people who, on seeing someone engaged in noble work, try to stop that person; for example, when someone belonging to the opposite camp is trying to help the neglected, downtrodden, people badly hit by famine or flood, they think that [through their philanthropic acts] their adversaries may become popular, and so they must be opposed. There are people who, on seeing someone engaged in harmful activity or malevolent endeavours, encourage them in crude, bestial activities so that they can directly exploit the opportunity for their own benefit." (1)

Reference
1. Shabda Cayaniká Part 4, Disc: 27


== Section: Important Teaching ==

The baseline of marriage

This following quote is well-explained and shows how marriage is only between a male and a female and not two people of the same gender. Since the inception of marriage during Lord Shiva's time, marriage has been between a man and a woman. And that is what Baba has approved for AMPS. So when the point of same sex marriage is raised then one should give Baba's teaching that it is always between a man and a woman - not between a man and a dog etc. In the west, some so-called open-minded people are confused and are always trying to bring some argument in favour of gay marriage, but according to the purview of Ananda Marga philosophy, their logic has no legs to stand upon.

   Ananda Marga philosophy states, "He [Lord Shiva] declared that women must be kalatra, which means that women must discharge their obligations to their husbands and their children in such a way that the latter will not have the least difficulty."
   "Those who accepted this new arrangement were declared married, and the other members of their society would be witnesses to the marriage ceremony, to bless the newly-married couple and pledge their cooperation to them. The Sanskrit equivalent for marriage is viváha (vi – vah + ghaiṋ): it means, after the ceremony, the man and woman can no longer live as libertines or as irresponsible so-called family people. They have to discharge their full obligations as bharttá and kalatra, responsible husband and responsible wife." (1)

Reference
1. Namah Shiváya Shántáya, Shivokti - 3


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Problem of sleeping too much

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "The first bad habit is nidra or sleep. Sleep is a state that creates a feeling of vacuity after it is over. That is, immediately after waking up people forget where they were or what they were doing before sleeping. They lose the sense of time. “What’s the time now?” they ask, forgetting whether it is day or night. If people sleep too much for days on end, this mental disorientation persists for a long time. “Is it day or night? What time is it?” they ask, confused. If this continues, their receptive and retentive powers decrease resulting in an almost total loss of mental power. They become dull, and lack courage to face life’s problems. They may have physical strength, but they lack courage. The ancient people believed that excessive sleep is good for health, but this is not the case. Rather, too much sleep not only impairs the health, but has an adverse effect on the mind." (1)

In materialistic societies, it is taught that 8 hours of sleep is essential. But that is not correct. If one sleeps deeply, then four hours of sleep is sufficient. One will awaken feeling revived and refreshed. In contrast, if one does not sleep deeply then the body will not be properly repaired nor restored. So the amount of time is not the operative factor. Rather, the depth of sleep is the key point. True sleep means a dreamless sleep - then both mind and body are quickly restored. In deep sleep, there is a complete vacuum, and one is not aware about the passage of time. In that state, only a few hours of sleep are needed.

Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 8, Bad Habits Which Should Be Given Up


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Root cause & solution of prostitution

Prout philosophy states, "Those who shudder at the sight of various social vices and lament, “Everything is lost; righteousness is gone; morality has vanished…” should realize that among all the causes behind this so-called all-round degeneration, social injustice is the principal one."

"Because of injustices against women with respect to their social rights and because women are economically crippled, a section of women is compelled to take to prostitution. Although there are many causes of this profession, these are the main two."

"Ananda Marga recognizes that women are as dignified human beings as men. Ananda Marga, in addition, wants to encourage women to be economically independent of men. The system in which characterless men swagger about in society while fallen women are denied proper opportunities despite their sincere desire to lead an honest life, can never be supported by justice. Women who desire to lead an honest life must be given a respectable place in society." (1)

Reference
1. Problems of the Day, Point #13


== Section: Important Teaching ==

How to become one with Him

Ananda Marga ideology says, “কৃপা-ভিক্ষা করতে হয় | তিনি কৃপা দিলেন, হয়ে যাৰে | এবং আকূতি থাকলে, আন্তরিকতা থাকলে, কৃপা সে পাৰেই | কারণ পরমপুরুষ তো ৰাইরের লোক নন, দূরের লোক নন | একান্তই আপনার জন | সুতরাং সুখ-দুঃখ, আশা-আকাঙ্ক্ষা আকূতি তিনি ৰুঝৰেন, বৈকি | অণুর থেকে অণু হিসাৰে, যিনি মনের মধ্যে রয়েছেন, মনের কথা তিনি ৰুঝৰেন না তো কে ৰুঝৰে ?” (1)

English summary: In order to be one with Him, what is required is one must ask for His grace. And because He is within your mind in the smallest form, He hears whatever you think. And so certainly your desire and your hopes and aspirations are heard by Him.  And as He is your nearest relative He is your greater self.  So certainly He is to fulfill your logical demands.

References
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 16, chapter 4


== Section 4: Links ==

Upcoming Festival: Shravanii Purnima - 09 Aug 2025
#5: Celebrating Shravanii Purnima
#4: Festival: the path of advancement
#3: Margiis also tantrikas
#2: Upcoming festival Shravanii Purnima
#1: Meaning behind Shravanii Purnima
Postings to Read
The worst bondage: blind attachment
For all sadhakas: the gunas
Realizing your spiritual power
Story: new bhakta hiding from Baba


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