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Thursday, May 1, 2025

How to live, work, & die + 4 more

Baba
How to live, work, & die
Namaskar,

In His June 3, 1990 DMC discourse, Sadguru Baba gives the following teaching:

Ka'm karte raho, ka'm karte raho, Ka'm karte karte maro, Marte, marte bhii ka'm karo

Meaning:

Go on doing work, go on doing work. Die while working, and work even while dying

Thinking all energy to serve comes from Him


At first glance, it may seem that this is a very easy guideline to understand. But actually, it is commonly misunderstood, creating devastating effects: frustration, degeneration, and even leaving the path entirely. So we should all be very clear about this lest we fall into problem.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

When Baba says "Die while working", it does not mean that we should run ourselves ragged until we have ruined our physical body such that we die. Rather, He is teaching us the path of true karma yoga is when we realise that we are serving with His strength and that we are serving Him in His many forms.

#1: Die while working: This essentially means that while doing any work the mind should be fully imbibed in cosmic ideation, thinking that all energy to serve comes from Him, and that all the beings you are serving are Parama Purusa in his various forms.


Frustrated, terminal illnesses, extreme vanity & ego, leave


#2: Work while dying: In this guideline, Baba is reminding us that sadhana is also a form of work or karma yoga. So even if the body is sick and infirmed and you cannot move, then one should be ensconced in sadhana and spiritual ideation.

In a nutshell that is the dharmic meaning of these two guidelines, and more about them is described below. The key point to bear in mind while contemplating this topic is that true karma yoga can never be performed without strong sadhana and deep bhakti.

Unfortunately, this is one of the more commonly misunderstood tenets. And the outcome of this misunderstanding is tragic. Some destroy their own life, ruin their body, become frustrated and leave, fall prey to terminal illnesses, suffer from extreme vanity and ego, or become burned out and sit listlessly on their bed all day. All these tragic outcomes result from the wrong notion of this teaching. Indeed, there are no shortage of examples of this in Ananda Marga.

So this is a very fundamental topic that all should be clear on and help others in their understanding as well.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


"Die while working": what does it mean


In His teaching - "Die while working, and work even while dying" - Baba is outlining the essence of true karma yoga which will eventually bring one onto the path of bhakti. In real karma yoga, all one's actions are imbibed with Cosmic ideation thereby bringing one closer to Parama Purusa. For instance, if a beggar comes to your door and you view that person as an expression of Narayan, then one feels like they are serving Parama Purusa in the form of one beggar. In that case their action will be ensconced in the feeling of true karma yoga: "He is giving me the energy to serve Him in all His various forms and expressions." This approach heightens one’s love for the Supreme and brings the sadhaka further along towards the path of pure bhakti, i.e. parabhakti.

Bearing this in mind, we have to understand Baba's message - "Die while working, and work even while dying" - and then examine common pitfalls or areas of misunderstanding. So what does it mean to "die while working"? Essentially there are two aspects:

(i) Baba has blessed me with the strength to serve others; I am serving with His strength.
(ii) I am serving Him in His endless array of forms; I am serving Narayana.

Naturally, to maintain this outlook regular sadhana is needed. Baba has given the supreme teaching for doing true karma yoga on this earth. The key underlying factor that many lose sight of is that deep bhakti is absolutely essential for performing karma yoga. Without that degree of bhakti, karma yoga lies beyond one's grasp.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Conclusion


In clearly understanding - "Die while working, and work even while dying" - then one's life on this earth is sure to be successful.

Sadhana is also work. So the main work of one who is taking their last breaths on this earth is to do only sadhana. That will be, "Work while dying."

Namaskar,
In Him,
Trika’lajina

~ In-depth study ~

Three types service to Parama Purusa

We know that there are three realms in which to serve Parama Purusa: Doing relief work and feeding the needy is physical service to Parama Purusa; Chanting kiirtan is psychic service to Parama Purusa; meditating on Him in half-sadhana, Guru sakash, iishvara pranidhana, Brahmavidya, or dhyana is spiritual service to Parama Purusa. So in order to physically serve Parama Purusa one has to be in contact with His created world and help those suffering people etc. And in order to serve Him mentally one has to sing kiirtana and feel His presence inside. And in order to render spiritual service to Him, one has to ideate on Him and feel His presence in the deep core of their heart in their practice of half-sadhana, Guru sakash, iishvara pranidhana, Brahmavidya, or dhyana. This is highly needed.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
 

Do not destroy physical body by excessive work


Here below Baba warns us of overburdening the physical body by excessive work as that will bring about one's premature demise. Rather one should meticulously attend to all aspects of 16 Points to keep the body healthy so one may live long, completing many great tasks on this earth.

Ananda Marga ideology states, "Now, one may say that some people like Vivekananda did not live long; but the cause of their early death was excessive labour. Extreme physical labour definitely reduces one's longevity. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu lived [less than fifty] years; he could perhaps have lived longer, but due to excessive labour, he could not survive. He undertook long tours throughout India on foot. Shankaracharya did not live long, either, because he also toured India on foot; he walked from Cape Comorin to the Himalayas. This extreme physical labour told upon his health; otherwise he could perhaps have lived longer. I want you all to live long – but you must live glorious lives, not like those of earthworms. Your lives should be bustling with activity." (2)


Bhakti: an essential element of karma yoga


Here below Baba reminds us that karma yoga must rest on the firm foundation of bhakti to Parama Purusa. The subterranean current of one's approach must be imbibed with Cosmic ideation. Those jinanis and karmis suffer from vanity and ego; hence they cannot do true karma yoga. Rather they become bound by their own actions. To perform true karma yoga one must be deeply involved in spiritual sadhana. Only then can one proceed on the path and selflessly serve Parama Purusa and the creation - and attain liberation, by His grace.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Ananda Marga ideology states, "Those Karma Yogins who always, always engross themselves with action and work only for the sake of work enmesh themselves in the trammel of action. Such action is really a bondage. What is the way out of bondage? It has been said in the Upanisads:

    Iisháváshyamidam' sarvam,
    Yatkinca jagatyam'jagat.
    Tena tyaktena bhunjiithá,
    Mágrdhah kasyasiddhanam.

Ananda Marga ideology states, "Action performed for the sake of action is bondage. As the Jinána of a Jinánii is the cause of bondage if it is not mingled with devotion, similarly, devoid of the celestial touch of devotion, the action of a Karmi (one who performs action) cannot be helpful in attaining liberation." (3)

Ananda Marga ideology states, "Now let us think about devotion. As explained earlier the ideation that whatever I do, I do only to please Paramátmá is called devotion – Bhaktirbhagavato Sevá. Devotion is service to God. When devotees serve the universe they do it with the feeling that they are serving the manifestation of Náráyańa only to please Him. One has to serve, but not only for the sake of service. The direction of Jinánii is not working here, nor Karma for the sake of Karma. The experience of a devotee is quite independent. It is that they are serving Náráyańa and none else. One of knowledge tries to attain Paramátmá by dint of knowledge, but despite being one of knowledge one behaves like a knave. The reason is quite apparent and palpable. The brain of such a person is quite small and he can t be measured by such a brain and its weak stamina. Karmiis also forget that the source of their stamina and vitality is not their own. Thus a secret feeling of ego also resides in the mind of a Karmii and this becomes a great hurdle in the path of the realization of Paramátmá." (3)


Some naive people miss the essence of the guideline

Some naive people cannot understand the meaning of Baba's teaching - "Die while working, and work even while dying." To understand this guideline, one must take a deeper look at the equation. A superficial review will not be sufficient. It is just like if you ask a kid who just learned the alphabet what NGO means, then they will simply recite the letters N-G-O. If you ask the same query to a mature adult, they will accurately respond, "Non-Governmental Organisation."

Similarly if you ask a naive person about the meaning of - "Die while working, and work even while dying" - they will give an overly simplistic response that will only mislead others. Whereas a mature sadhaka will be able to give a properly balanced and in-depth response that will goad one along the path of dharma, i.e. true karma yoga. So one should be prudent when consulting others and replying to others on this very topic.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
 

Baba's warning: bragging is deadly

Here Baba guides us that bragging about doing any work is pure foolishness since all energy to act comes from Him. One rendering service on the path of true karma yoga will always remember this divine truth.

Ananda Marga ideology states, "I have done this. I have done that.” You say this. But where from doth that energy come? It is not your individual energy. If you are not given food or water for a few days, what will happen? You will not have any energy. You cannot create any energy. Through food, physical energy is transmuted into your individual vital energy." (4)


Follow the path of true karma yoga


Here in this below guideline, Baba warns how we should not waste our life in useless mundane pursuits losing sight of Him. We should follow His guideline of true karma yoga, where one is ever involved in His thought and serving Him.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Ananda Marga ideology states,

"I have spent my life in vain;
Such a great Lord I did not worship –
I lost the greatest jewel.
I am indeed an unfortunate creature;
I never enjoyed
Even a drop of nectar
Of the love of God." (5)


Without bhakti swallowed by ego


Baba guides us that without bhakti one cannot do karma yoga. So every sadhaka should ask Parama Purusa for bhakti and work selflessly on this earth, thinking of Him.


Future of jinaniis & karmiis is dark


Ananda Marga ideology states, “So the best choice for the spiritual aspirants is the path of bhakti. These obstacles, these fetters of Máyá are the principle opposing forces, the most important belligerent forces. By individual effort it is very difficult to surmount that ocean of Máyá. For the jiṋániis, the intellectuals, the Goal is merely theoretical and impersonal. How can they expect a theoretical and impersonal entity to help them – and how can the jiṋániis even approach Him when for them His very existence is impersonal? So the jiṋániis, although they have recognized the importance of jiṋána or knowledge, have no future. They simply waste their valuable time, which is a very short span of hardly one hundred years.” (7)

Ananda Marga ideology states, “And for the karmiis or people of action, the desideratum is partly personal and partly impersonal, but the link between the impersonal and the personal undergoes some distortion. With the help of this distorted link, how can they expect to receive perennial grace for their spiritual progress from the Supreme, and how can they struggle against the all-pervading influence of Máyá? So the karmiis having no fixed desideratum and no fixed personal goal, no personal God, also have no future. The future is with the devotees and with no one else. You boys and girls, you should always remember that you have come here for a very short span of time-you must not misuse your valuable time in intellectual altercations or actional infighting. Kalyáńamastu – may you all be blessed.” (8)


Other discourses where Baba reviews this teaching

Baba also reviews this important point - "Die while working, and work even while dying" - in these following discourses:
  • "Incantation and Human Progress." Tatanagar, 30 Nov 79, Bangla
  • "Action Leads to Progress", Patna, 11 Jul '79 Hindi
  • "How an Ideal Person Should Live", Subhasita Samgraha-12
  • "The Cult of Spirituality - The Cult of Pinnacled Order" - 3 June 1990 DMC, Anandanagar 

References
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 24, Incantation and Human Progress
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 33, You Must Live Glorious Lives
3. Subhasita Samgraha - 19, Salvation and Devotion
4. Subhasita Samgraha - 24, "The Supreme Cognition"
5. Namah Shivaya Shantaya, Shiva's Teachings - 2 (Discourse 11 (continued))
6. Subhasita Samgraha - 11, The Essence of Spiritual Progress
7. Subhasita Samgraha - 11, The Essence of Spiritual Progress


== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==

Most sacred & holy

"Alakár dyuti niye eso priiti, d́hele dáo shúnya hiyáy..." (Prabhat Samgiita #2535)

Purport:
 
O’ Parama Purusa, please come in my heart and pour Your love into the deep core of my dry heart. Baba, come with Your brilliant spiritual refulgence of satya loka. You are my everything - my dhyana, my jinana, my Ista, and my object of ideation. You are the most sacred and holy - sweetness personified Bandhu. Kindly pour Your divine nectar in my lonely mind.

O’ Supreme One, You are more sweet and more pleasing than any heavenly entity. Baba, You are the controller of my entire existence, and the maker of my future. By Your ideation and thinking of You, a sweet feeling of bliss permeates and fills my mundane life - and inundates me with sublime nectar.

O’ Parama Purusa Baba, kindly come with the lamp of love. With Your prema and guidance in my heart, I am treading on the path which You have shown me. Keeping Your affection in my being, I continually recite Your name with every breath, floating in the bay of the river of bhakti, by Your grace. That is the propulsion for my spiritual journey….


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Prout: no capital punishment
 
Prout philosophy states, “You know that nothing is perfect in this universe of relativity. So it is quite natural that the judicial system of the world, whether in the past, present or future, can never be perfect. Therefore nobody should be given capital punishment on the basis of this imperfect system.”
 
“Each and every individual, whether they are a criminal or not, can claim a chance to rectify their conduct from the society. So in PROUT’s legal structure everybody should get ample scope for rectifying their character and conduct. If a person is condemned to capital punishment, he or she won’t get such scope, so PROUT denounces this sort of punishment.”
 
“But in very special cases, where a person has become a demon and is going against the collective interest and there is no chance of rectification, circumstances may arise which warrant capital punishment. For example, during war this exception may sometimes be permissible. But generally we should not support this punishment on principle. Punishment should be appropriate to the offense.” (1)
 
Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 15, Talks on Prout


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Key approach when doing pracara


Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "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 behavior 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." (1)

Note: In His above teaching Baba is outlining an important pracar technique. Specifically, when speaking with non-margiis, we should talk with them in a soft and gentle manner, using a friendly, supportive tone. By this way they will gradually learn Ananda Marga ideals. Baba also addressed non-margiis in this manner. And then with more established sadhakas - i.e. experience Ananda Margiis - Baba was more firm to best enhance their progress.

References
1. Ta'ttvika Diipika': Dvitiiya Parva


== Section: Prabhat Samgiita ==

तुम मेरे अँधेरे रास्ते पर प्रकाश देनेवाले दीपक हो

हे  परमपुरुष बाबा ! तुम मेरे पिता, माता, भाई तथा सच्चे और सबसे अच्छे सखा हो। कृपा कर अपनी शरण में बनाए रखिए ।

तथा सबसे अच्छे

प्रभात सङ्गीत  218 पिता माता बन्धु सखा आन्धारे आलोक वर्तिका...

भावार्थ

हे परमपुरुष बाबा ! तुम मेरे सबसे अधिक पास और प्यारे हो। तुम मेरे इतने अधिक पास हो यह तुम्हारी कृपा है। तुम मेरे पिता, माता, भाई और सच्चे  सखा हो। केवल तुम ही मेरे सबकुछ हो। तुम अँधेरे रास्ते पर उस दिव्य प्रकाश देनेवाले दीपक जैसे हो जो मेरे जीवन में हमेशा सच्चे रास्ते  पर चलने के लिए दिशा बताता है । तुम हर जगह हो, तुम्हारी कृपा से कोई भी अकेेला और असहाय नहीं हैं। तुम हमेशा सबके पास सहकर सावधानी से सबको देखते रहते हो। तुम मेरे हृदय में हमेशा  ही रहते हो।

टेक- मेरे अँधेरे से भरे जीवन में तुम एक चमकीले प्रकाश हो जो मुझे हमेशा सही रास्ता दिखाता है। जब मैं अँधेरे में भटकने लगता हूँ और घबरा जाता हॅूं तो तुम तुरन्त मुझे सहायता करने आ जाते हो। तुम वह दिव्य प्रकाश श्रोत हो जो मुझे सदा सही रास्ते पर ले जाता है।

हे बाबा ! समस्यायें कितनी ही कठिन क्यों न हों तुम अपनी कृपा से हमेशा ही उन्हें हल करने के लिए  वहाॅ उपस्थित रहते हो। दुख के काॅंटों में तुम कमल हो और सूर्य की तपन में चन्दन जैसी शीतलता देने वाली गुणकारी मरहम हो। तुम जलती हुई आग की झुलसाती गरमी में चन्दन की ताजा ठण्डक हो। हे दिव्य तुम एक मात्र सबकी रक्षा करनेवाले हो। वे जो सब कुछ खो बैठते हैं उनके लिए तुम पारसमणि हो। जब कोई सब कुछ खो चुकता है तो उस कठिनाई की घड़ी में तुम ही उसके सहारे बनते हो।  तुम ही वह दिव्य रत्न हो जो केवल अपने पास आने से ही दूसरों को चमकीले रत्नों में बदल देते हो। तुम्हारे केवल छू लेने से ही जीव दिव्य सत्ता बन जाता है यह तुम्हारी अहैतुकी कृपा ही है। हे मेरे प्रभु ! तुम सबसे अच्छे हो। गुलाबों के सुन्दर बगीचे में तुम सबसे शानदार फूल  हो। इस संसार में तुम सबसे आलीशान हो।

टेक- मेरे अँधेरे से भरे जीवन में तुम एक चमकीले प्रकाश हो जो मुझे हमेशा सही रास्ता दिखाता है। जब मैं अँधेरे में भटकने लगता हूँ और घबरा जाता हॅूं तो तुम तुरन्त मुझे सहायता करने आ जाते हो। तुम वह दिव्य प्रकाश श्रोत हो जो मुझे सदा सही रास्ते पर ले जाता है।

बाबा, हे दिव्यसत्ता ! तुम सबके कारण हो, तुम सबके प्रारम्भ और अन्त भी तुम ही हो। तुम हो इसलिए मैं हॅूं। तुम मेरे जीवन की साॅंस हो।  तुम्हारे बिना मेरा पूरा अस्तित्व बेकार है। तुम मेरे सबसे प्रिय और मेरे सब कुछ हो। केवल तुम ही मेरे हृदय के दिव्य दीपक हो, कृपा कर अपनी दिव्य शरण में बनाए रखिए ।

टेक- मेरे अँधेरे से भरे जीवन में तुम एक चमकीले प्रकाश हो जो मुझे हमेशा सही रास्ता दिखाता है। जब मैं अँधेरे में भटकने लगता हूँ और घबरा जाता हॅूं तो तुम तुरन्त मुझे सहायता करने आ जाते हो। तुम वह दिव्य प्रकाश श्रोत हो जो मुझे सदा सही रास्ते पर ले जाता है। (1) 

References
1. Sadguru Baba says (in GD, Delhi, 26 Feb 1984) that when writing a Prabhat Samgiita purport then very simple words should be used so that the common mass may understand. The above Hindu purport has been written according to that guideline. 


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Sign of real whistle-blower
Those who fight against injustice should have this quality:

    Yadi tor dák shuńe keu ná áse;
    Tave eklá cala re...

[If none to my call pays heed, Then alone must I proceed.]

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "Keeping this refrain in mind, they [writers] must continue in their relentless effort to fight against the seemingly indomitable might of hundreds and thousands of obstacles which are deeply rooted in age-old superstitions that are firmly entrenched in petty selfishness. Their pens may break into pieces, their brushes may be compelled to draw only lines of water on the canvas, and their histrionic flows may end in mute protests, yet their efforts must continue unceasingly. Each of their petty defeats shall be strung together as pearls in the garland of victory." (1)

Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 1, The Practice of Art and Literature


== Section 3: Links ==



Mother’s Day: why dogmatic + 3 more

Baba
Mother’s Day: why dogmatic

Note: This letter is only for those who have reverence for Sadguru Baba Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji and try to follow His Ananda Marga ideology.

Namaskar,

Those of us born in materialistic communities should investigate this issue with an open mind. After all, we are Ananda Margiis and have no attachment to any particular local dogmatic custom. Ours is the way of tantra; and, that is our standard.

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "Four kinds of debt are irredeemable - debt to father, debt to mother...The only way to do service to one's mother after her death is to help every female member of the universe to progress on the path of highest development....The best service to Ma'rga Guru is to work according to His wishes. But however much service one renders, one will not redeem the four debts until Moks'a (salvation) is attained." (1)

So our social and spiritual responsibilities - i.e. the four irredeemable debts - should be satisfied and attended to on a regular, on-going basis. These debts demand our constant and regular attention. They are part and parcel of our daily life.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Ananda Margiis: no annual God day


Some may think that having a yearly holiday to celebrate motherhood and fatherhood is quite respectful and proper. However, please consider the following. We Ananda Margiis do not have an annual 'God-day' celebration because for us every day is God's day. In our each and every action throughout the day, we cultivate the spiritual feeling that everything is done in the service to Gurudeva, to please Baba. This is our spiritual approach.

On the path of Ananda Marga, all the 24 hrs are involved in spiritual activities. When taking food, or sleeping, or bathing, or doing our work, everything is involved in Brahmahood. This is our regular and daily rhythm. That is why anyone involved in Ananda Marga sadhana will think it is odd to designate one day a year as God's day.

But in the various dogmatic religions like Islam, Christianity, Judaism, or Hinduism, etc, they all have different days for their worship. Sunday for Christians, Saturday for Jews, and Friday for Muslims. Likewise for Hindus (a) Tuesday is the day for Lord Hanuman (monkey god) and (b) Monday is the day for Lord Shiva. In Hinduism, the various goddesses also have different dates of celebration.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Daily duty vs annual day


The central idea is that when something is not given importance on an everyday basis then a weekly, monthly, or yearly program is fixed. Just like every day is not a holiday in government offices so they take rest on Saturday and Sunday. Or here, in our unit, a special dharmacakra with akhanda kiirtana does not happen every day, so a special gathering is planned on the 2nd Sunday of every month. That comes once in a month - not daily.

And there are some things we do on a yearly basis. For example, Ananda Purnima celebration is a birthday so it comes yearly. And similar is the case with the 1st Jan DMS; that program also comes annually. These are yearly events not meant to be practised every day.

But for things done on a regular or daily basis, then no special day is allotted for those occasions because they are performed day-in, day-out. For example, on our path of Ananda Marga, we do not have a '2nd lesson day' because everyday we practice that lesson. But we do have fasting days because we do not fast every day of the year - just certain days.

In a similar way, those things which occur on a monthly basis are not also celebrated on a yearly basis. Rather, every month a certain day is fixed. And festivals that come once in a year are given an annual date. In contrast, from the tantric purview, serving mother is a regular daily affair. In that case, what is the need to have an annual mother’s day?
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


View of motherhood in materialistic countries


One other contributing factor to honouring mother's day as just a single day each year is female sensuality. At present, most females are viewed as sex objects. In that case, females value their self-worth on their ability to attract and allure men. When they lose that look, they lose their self-worth. That is why some grown females prefer to be called sexy, baby, foxy, or doll, and not mother. Because all those former terms (sexy, baby, foxy, and doll) speak to one's sexual appeal whereas motherhood does not.

Tragically, for this reason, some females in the west do not like to be known as mother on a regular basis. They think that is negative - in that case, once a year is sufficient. All the other days they prefer to be judged on their sex appeal and sensual qualities.

In our materialistic societies, the tantric ideal of motherhood is not often embraced by the general populace - rather it is usually overlooked entirely. In those materialistic nations, females are victims of the capitalist mindset. They are too engrossed in their own sensuality. And, in many cases, that detracts from their ability to serve as mother. Knowingly or unknowingly, they would rather be seen as sexy or alluring. The dominant male has imposed this debased notion.

For this reason, many females in the west do not breastfeed, nor do they sleep with their children, nor do they have time during the day to be with their children. Mostly those mothers drop off their child at daycare. And then in the nighttime they put their toddlers in their own separate bedroom while the mother sleeps alone with her spouse. As soon as the baby is old enough, that child is placed in its own room away from the parents.

In this busy cycle, even when they have the opportunity to keep the child close, some instead opt to put the baby in a basket, stroller, or carrier, which creates physical separation between themselves and the baby. Psychologists and medical professionals have found there to be a gap in the emotional development of those children who are deprived of the touch of their mother. If children do not have physical contact with their parents - or if that contact is minimal - then that hinders their emotional cum psychological development.
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Materialism is to blame


As stated, some in our western, materialistic communities are not eager to breastfeed. Some certainly do - but in comparison to the general populace it is rare. Most prefer to bottle feed etc. And those who do choose to breastfeed then they will usually only do that if they are home, and not when they are out in public or in the store etc, but again there are always exceptions. All these are instances of females compromising their motherly status.

Here, the point rings true that only those societies and communities which do not eagerly embrace the meaning of motherhood are anxious to celebrate mother's day once a year. They can then give lip service to motherhood that day with roses and sweet words and then forget about motherhood the other 364 days. Some children and parents follow this pattern in the west because they do not have a deeply loving link with one another. This is the sad reality and trend in materialistic communities.

Please understand that neither am I blaming the mothers nor am I blaming the children. Just the simple fact stands that materialism drove them in this direction. It is not a question of east or west, but a function of materialism. That is why most or all Ananda Margiis are less affected; because we adhere to Baba's tantric code. The greater overall issue is that if anyone wishes to pass judgment or extend blame, let that blame not be extended to any mother or child per se, but on that trend of thought that coloured their mind in that way: materialism.
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Why some think one day is enough


Keeping this in mind, let's apply these principles to mother's day and father's day.

In certain materialistic nations, where the relation between some mothers and their progeny can be quite dry, a few citizens readily embrace the idea of mother's day. Then the idea of having one day a year to pay special attention to one's mother is enough. After that, they are free to be indifferent about their mother or father the other 364 days. This happens in certain select cases. There are always exceptions. Whereas those who carry love for their mother in their heart daily will think it odd to designate just one day a year to honor their mother.

Or let's look at it this way. Suppose one is infatuated with a member of the opposite sex, then do you think one will like to honour and see that person just once a year. Probably not, those sensually involved couples like to be together always. And they will think it weird, heartless, or even maddening to be limited to a single day to be with their partner. Yet that is what they have done with mother's day and father's day.

Here, the point is that those who appreciate doing something once a year do not have the same love and attachment as those who are regularly involved on a daily basis in that endeavour. When the relation is sour then people feel that observing it just once a year is enough, such as with those who observe mother's day or father's day.

As materialism gains momentum across India, females there too may fall prey to this negative mindset of wishing to be valued for their sensual allurement, not their motherly status.
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Ideal in AM: females honoured as mother


In Ananda Marga, our view is the exact opposite. We follow the tantric system where motherhood is embraced, and females are honoured as mother and one has a debt to their mother. And that is why Ananda Margiis do not fall prey to the pseudo-culture holiday of mother's day once in a year.

Ananda Marga Caryacarya guides us, “Four kinds of debt are irredeemable – debt to father, debt to mother, debt to Aca’rya, and debt to Guru (Divine debt). (a) The only way to do service to one’s father after his death is to help every male member of the universe to progress on the path of highest development. (b) The only way to do service to one’s mother after her death is to help every female member of the universe to progress on the path of highest development. (c) The best service to the Aca’rya is to work for the comfort and benefit of one’s Aca’rya and his family. (d) The best service to Ma’rga Guru is to work according to His wishes. But however much service one renders, one will not redeem the four debts until Moks’a (Salvation) is attained.” (2)

So, in all the above cases, our social and spiritual responsibilities or debts must be satisfied and attended to on a regular, on-going basis. The point being that these four debts deserve our constant and regular attention. They are part and parcel of our daily life.
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Conclusion

In our Ananda Marga, we do not give any credence to the pseudo-culture occasion of mother’s day as it contravenes our tantric view of motherhood and goes against our spiritual approach. 

Namaskar,
In Him,
Rainjita'
(Rachel Norwood)

Hypocrisy of Mother’s Day


Mother’s Day was created and quickly adopted by capitalists in the west to sell more goods. Mother’s Day is another way to hide the hypocrisy of so-called civilised people. Instead of truly serving their mother, they celebrate this bogus holiday. This is all done to show their greatness of how “civilised” and “refined” they are. But internally they are hollow and do not have any sympathetic feeling or service mentality in their mind. This is the era of superficiality and hypocrisy. Mother's Day is one addition to that list. This year in the US, the pseudo-culture event of mother’s day is to be held on Sunday, 11 May 2025. 

References
1. Caryacarya - 2, Society, Point #20
2. Caryacarya - 2, Society, Point #20


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

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== Section 2: Important Teaching ==

How dhyana is unique

Ananda Marga philosophy teaches us, “Question: If the medicine or mother tincture required for homoeopathic medicine is prepared in a sentient environment which contains positive microvita, will the medicine prepared from that medium or mother tincture have more effect than ordinary medicine available in the market?”

“Answer: There is no doubt that the medicine prepared in a sentient environment by sentient people, from a medium or mother tincture which is also prepared in a sentient environment, will attract more positive microvita than ordinary medicines, so it will have a much greater effect in curing a patient.”

“If a person contracts a disease caused by negative microvita before initiation and does dhyána sincerely after initiation, the disease will not spread but be contained. However, for different types of diseases one has to follow different food restrictions and practice dhyána at specific times.”

“If a person contracts a disease caused by negative microvita after initiation, does dhyána perfectly and follows certain food restrictions, the disease will be completely cured. Dhyána attracts many positive microvita. Negative microvita can only be controlled by positive microvita. The positive microvita eat the negative microvita and this is the reason why the disease is cured. For example, if a person is suffering from jaundice, a disease caused by negative microvita, and if dhyána is practised perfectly, the disease will be cured very quickly. In the case of cancer, say stomach cancer, certain food restrictions will have to be strictly followed. When pain starts in the stomach one should sit for dhyána, but just prior to this one should take some juice from a sweet tasting, not a sour tasting fruit. After performing dhyána, one should take another drink which is different from the first drink. The patient should also avoid any food which causes gas in the stomach, such as pappad, cauliflower, cabbage, turnip, etc.” (1)

Reference:
1. Microvita in a Nutshell, Questions and Answers on Microvita – Excerpt C


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Main ethic of AM
 
Baba says in an older edition of Caryacarya that Ananda Marga is the path of human beings. The greatest excellence of this Marga is that, after knowing the needs of human beings and understanding their feeling, this "marg" (path) has been propounded. About this, that is the most significant thing. That's all. (1)
 
Note 1: The above is an English summary of Baba's own handwritten Bengali guideline.
 
Note 2: Baba’s above teaching is present in many old editions of the Bengali, Hindi, and English versions of Caryacarya - II.
 
Note 3: In contrast, the various religions are based on a selfish outlook whereby they infuse dogma and exploit followers and the common people.
 
Note 4: If someone is not aware of some of the rules of our Ananda Marga such as why a particular rule has been formulated then the answer is embedded in seed form in Sadguru Baba’s above guideline. For example, suppose someone does not know why we always wear our pratik on the body 24 hrs per day, or why we repeat Guru puja and samgacchadhvam 3 times and not 2 or 4, the answers of these types of questions are also hidden in the above guideline.
 
Note 5: In our Ananda Marga nothing is dogmatic, but nowadays a few people are trying hard to establish or implement various dogmas such as: (a)  PP is an angel, (b) so-called mahaprayan, (c) Fake Ananda Vaniis, (d) fake holy lands, (e) tiirthas etc, and other types of things which do not have any logic to stand upon.
 
Reference
1. English Summary of Caryacarya - 2 (Bangla), just after copyright page


== Section 3: Links ==

SUBJECTS TOPICS