Baba
Half-margii
Namaskar,
By Baba's grace, in the confines of my own home, I was getting habituated to doing my sadhana twice daily - just as every Ananda Margii does. My problem would arise when I would leave the house.
For instance, it would often happen that when traveling - either for business or for Ananda Marga retreats etc - then I would refrain from doing sadhana in public. Because I did not feel comfortable sitting and closing my eyes in the train, or airport, or bus terminal and doing sadhana. It was not so much that I was physically uncomfortable, but mostly I felt uneasy mentally - always worried about what others would think of me.
So in this state of shyness and fear, I would sit there and try to do my meditation with my eyes open - staring out into space. But, it did not work. Or I would bend forward as if I was tying my shoe when really this was my half-hearted attempt to do one of my yoga asanas. And just forget about doing my dances like kaoshikii & tandava - never.
In this way I was nearly paralysed when trying to do my Ananda Marga practices in public. All because of my shyness (lajja) vrtti, and similar types of psychic complexes. And the problem is that extreme shyness continued not for one day or one week - but rather for months and years on end.
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Train travel with a margii - 1
Then one day the assignment came to travel with another margii to do some business and then the two of us were going to go together to one of our AMURT camps. This was the proposed agenda, and I was really looking forward to it.
As we started the first leg of our journey, we got slightly delayed and sure enough we found ourselves on the train with mealtime approaching. I hadn't shared my hesitations about doing sadhana in public with my margii companion, so I just acted normal as I saw him preparing to do his evening program. First I saw him go to the bathroom in his business attire with his shoes and socks on, and then a few minutes later I saw him return wearing thongs (sandals) with his shins, ankles, and feet wet. In sum, he had done half-bath - on the train!
Little by little, I could see he was now preparing to sit for sadhana - right there in the compartment with everyone watching. With much trepidation, I also began to notice that other passengers were beginning to take notice of him and were watching him-- some strangely and others in amusement.
With my heart beating fast, pretending that everything was 100% normal, I looked over at my margii brother and I also got up and walked towards the washroom on the train. I wetted myself down as best as I could and made my way back to my seat. By that time, my margii companion was deep into his sadhana lessons - eyes closed, face serene, oblivious to the world around him.
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Train travel with a margii - 2
With much nervousness I began to get seated in padmasana and slyly took a look around the compartment. It seemed to me that everyone was watching me - looking on in disbelief that a second person was also now going to start the esoteric practice of meditation. I was completely worried.
But with little alternative - as I did not want to skip my sadhana since I was traveling with a fellow margii, and because my fear of skipping sadhana in front of him was greater than my shyness of doing sadhana in public - I took Baba's name and closed my eyes and quickly began the mandatory repetition of my Ista mantra, before delving into bhuta shuddhi.
At first I was quite self-conscious and was wondering if all the passengers were still looking at me. But then to my amazement, as I focused on my mantra, a deep serenity overcame my being and I could feel Baba's divine presence. With each mantra japa, the anxiety and nervousness drifted away; by His grace, with each and every second that went by I became more immersed in His flow.
With that sweet feeling, I calmly proceeded through all my sadhana lessons - one by one - feeling fully ensconced in His love. I even did pranayama before my final session of dhyana. Finally, as I got myself out of my kneeling position after completing Guru Puja, I discreetly took a look at my wristwatch and noticed that it was far past my usual dinner time. Then I looked over at my margii brother and I saw that he too had just completed his sadhana, and he had just begun putting his shoes and socks back on. In that moment, when our eyes met, he greeted me with a warm smile.
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What happened next…
With sadhana properly completed, I was just about to inquire about proceeding with our normal evening routine when I noticed another passenger coming towards us.
At this time my nervousness suddenly overcame me and I looked over at my margii brother. He seemed quite calm and composed. When the passenger came closer he greeted us in a very gentle and respectful way and asked if he could join us. Certainly we agreed.
And then the passenger began to say that he was deeply intrigued with meditation and that he really admired us for being so dedicated to our practice that we did our meditation on the train. Then that passenger called two of his friends over and suddenly there were five of us. And it was quite apparent how these other three gentlemen were highly impressed by seeing us do our practices and they wanted to know all about sadhana and meditation.
Thereafter in a very open way, my margii companion and I shared many things about spirituality with them. Soon the three gentlemen were listening with great interest about vegetarianism, meditation, health, channelizing the mind, and all sorts of topics. Their questions seemed endless and with each moment their admiration for us grew.
Then to my astonishment, my margii companion revealed to them that we were actually Ananda Margiis. One of them did not seem to know Ananda Marga at all. But the other two gentlemen told that they had read some unfavourable things about Ananda Marga in the newspaper, but that after this inspiring meeting they would now hold Ananda Marga in an entirely new light - with new respect. They also said they were interested in getting initiated. We passed the rest of the journey sharing our packed vegetarian meals with them and spoke at length about the joys and sweetness of our spiritual path - our Ananda Marga path of bliss.
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Reaching the destination: 'I must admit...'
When we reached our destination we all did namaskar to one another and then the three gentlemen went in their direction with the address and phone number of a local jagrti in hand. And the margii brother and I went in our direction.
When we got to the street, we hailed a taxi and got in. Once inside - in the privacy of our own taxi - I expressed to my margii companion what a wonderful journey it had been. We had done our full routine, did lots of Ananda Marga pracara, and spent the whole train ride in His sweet flow.
And then I admitted that regrettably I generally forgo my yoga and sadhana practices when traveling. And I told my margii companion that when I saw him go for half-bath that gave me the courage - or provided me with the circumstantial pressure - to do the same and also begin my sadhana. Otherwise, I admitted, I would just have skipped it all. So I thanked him wholeheartedly for his dharmic example and sadvipra-like conduct.
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Cause behind negligence in sadhana
We should all clearly understand why some feel shy to do sadhana in public. Actually it is not just public shyness, there are a plethora of reasons why people, even good sadhakas, fail to adhere to the path of sadhana. The root cause is that avidya maya wants to keep everyone in bondage as her slave. To this end maya creates so many obstacles such as shyness, fear, lethargy, greed, vanity etc. These are all different types of obstacles introduced by avidya maya that keep the aspirants as slaves in bondage. Why does avidya maya do this? Because avidya maya does not want anyone to escape her grip. She wants everyone to remain as her slave. That is the root cause of the problem. The great irony is that sadhakas do not realise that they are a slave of avidya maya's wishes, in their naivete they think that they are following their own desire.
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "Obstacles are the concomitants of sádhaná, struggling is a good sign. By these obstacles sádhakas can understand that their spiritual practice is on the right track. Spiritual philosophy comes into being only when sádhakas struggling with avidyá's hindrances, vindicates their move towards Brahma after defeating the base propensities of avidyá by their own intellect and judgment. I have already said that without obstacles there is no action, and the victory of the operative energy over obstacles is the materialization of action...in the constant sádhaná of vidyá, sádhakas gain immunity to the influence of avidyá.” (1)
Conclusion
As Baba points out in His above teaching, the solution is to engage in a great struggle and valiant fight against such obstacles like shyness and fear etc. One's weapon in this fight is sadhana. By doing sadhana sincerely and consistently, the sadhaka will become free from the noose of maya, and overcome such obstacles and complexes, by His grace. Those complexes will vanish entirely and one will rapidly advance unhindered along the path of Supreme Beatitude. Sadguru Baba has showered us in His love and given us all the secrets for moving ahead in life - unto His divine Lap.
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “Those who are reared in the cradle of materialistic ideologies, feel shy or ashamed at first to sit in meditation in the presence of others. Overwhelmed by the influence of avidyá, they think, “People may perhaps think that I, an ultramodern boy or girl, am emulating the pre-historic mode of worship!” There are many who may try to conceal their devotion from others and there are many who try to maintain their position among their friends by feigning skepticism – and then mentally beg God's forgiveness. But inspite of such an attitude of shame, after a few days of regular spiritual practice, they will acquire the strength to overcome the influence of avidyá; and finally casting aside all the vagaries of shame and shyness, they will then be able to freely express their genuine devotion to God." (2)
Namaskar,
In Him,
Sudhakar
~ In-depth study ~
Follow dharma always - do not wait for some big event
Here is an English summary of Baba’s teaching originally given in Hindi:
Those who protect dharma, dharma protects them. One should always protect dharma, in both big and small ways. If one thinks that they will only follow dharma in some big events, and not in small ones, then those big events may not ever come in their entire life. It may be that in their whole life, besides their birth and death, not a single big event happens. Yet at the time of birth how can one protect dharma. At that time one is just a small infant and cannot do anything. That infant is totally unaware about the events going on around them. Then how can they protect dharma. And at the time of death, a person is senseless. In that case also how can they protect dharma. For this reason, dharma should be protected always. In small and big ways - even in jokes and humor dharma should be protected. Those who protect dharma, dharma protects them: Dharma raksati raksitah. (English summary) (3)Sometimes in our day to day habits we forget to follow dharma in small ways such as not using water after urination or not doing bhuta yajina (feeding animals and plants) etc, but we think that when the next Mahabharata happens or when there is a battle to establish Prout or neo-humanism, then at that time we will come forward wholeheartedly and fight.
But we should remember that in the beginning it is needed to follow dharma in small ways, such as by doing proper half-bath etc. Yet often we overlook and neglect various small points and then we justify to ourselves that everything is fine. We mistakenly think that when the big battle for dharma happens then we will be prepared. But we should remember that such a battle may never happen in our lifetime and if it does then only those who follow the small points of dharma will really be prepared.
Not only that, those who are negligent in the small points of dharma will align themselves with the wrong side during the big battle for dharma. This has happened repeatedly over the course of history; and there are example of this in Ananda Marga as well. Verily it is only those who have the courage and insight to follow the small points of dharma will have the courage and insight to be on the side of dharma in the grand battle.
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Sixteen points is what people are looking for
All around the globe the vibration has changed: The consciousness of the people is rising. People are interested in spiritual ideas, in social change, in health and well-being. In all kinds of sentient things. And in each and every sphere our Ananda Marga ideology has the answer.
And one of the best ways to share this with others is simply to be strict in all our practices: Sixteen Points. Because by this way we can be an example to the world of what Ananda Marga is about. So following 16 Points - in all circumstances - really is Baba's special boon on us to be a medium in the establishment of His divine mission.
Ananda Vanii says, "...In order to march ahead on the road of human welfare, we will have to strengthen ourselves in all the arena of life. The complete seeds of welfare in all the spheres - physical, mental, moral, social and spiritual - are embedded in the sixteen points. Hence be firm on the sixteen points." (4)
References
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 3, Shreya & Preya
2. Subhasita Samgraha - 3, Shreya & Preya
3. English Summary of Ananda Vacanamrtam - 32 (H), p.86-7
4. A'nanda Va'nii #45
* * *
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stands on their own as points of interest.
* * *
== Section 2: Important Teaching ==
Strict terms of forgiveness in Ananda Marga
Namaskar,
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “In collective life one has no right to forgive anyone; in individual life you can extend maximum forgiveness – rather, the more forgiveness, the better. Forgiveness is something personal; it is not a collective matter. Suppose you are an inhabitant of India. If someone harms the collective life of India, you must not forgive them. Likewise, as you belong to the entire human race, you must not forgive anyone who harms humanity. But in individual life, however much one might harm you, you may forgive that person to the greatest extent possible.” (1)
Note: Everyone knows that Sarvatmananda has ruined Baba’s divine discourses by his tactic of Bangalisation. Some margiis, who do not understand Baba’s philosophy, may think that now that Sarvatmananda has become very old then we should forgive him. But we have to stop and think, and consider Sadguru Baba’s above teaching. Then we will get the answer that forgiveness is only for individual / personal life. If someone has harmed you and if their behaviour has been rectified then you can forgive them. However, if someone has harmed the collective, and perpetrated sins against the greater social body, as is the case with Sarvatmananda since he has destroyed Guru’s discourses, then nobody has any right to forgive him. That is the key teaching from the above guideline on forgiveness. If anything is not clear, then please re-read the yellow highlighted section the above teaching.
In Him,
Ramesh Bhanerjee
Reference
1. Ananda Marga Ideology Way of Life - 11, Taking the Opposite Stance in Battle
== Section: Prabhat Samgiita ==
हे बाबा ! आध्यात्म के रास्ते पर चलाओप्रभात सङ्गीत 0001 बन्धु हे निये चलो...
भावार्थ
हे परमपुरुष ! मेरे बन्धु ! मैं अपनी ताक़त सेआगे नहीं बढ़ सकता हॅूं। कृपा कर मुझे उस प्रकाश प्रवाह के शुरूआती विन्दु के निकट,अपने साथ ले चलो। मुझे उस दिव्य संसार में ले चलो जो ब्रह्मलोक कहलाता है।
बाबा ! मैं अज्ञान और अविद्यामाया के आठ बन्धनों और छः शत्रुओं से घिरा हूँ। मैं अपने हृदय में सांसारिकता के घने अँधेरे में जन्मे कष्टों को और अधिक नहीं सह सकता हॅूं। हे बाबा ! कृपा कर मुझे इस गहरी नींद से जगाकर, दिव्य संसार में ले चलो। तुम अपने दिव्य गीतों से मेरे मन की जड़ता को हटा दो। इस तरह मैं हर प्रकार की भावजड़ता से दूर रहकर, तुम्हारी कृपा से आनन्द पथ पर उचित रूप से आगे बढ़ सकॅूंगा। आध्यात्म के रास्ते पर चल सकूँगा । (1) (2)
References
1. Hindi purport translated by Dr. T.R. Sukul from original English purport by Ananda Marga Universal.
2. 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 ==
What happens after death
Ananda Marga ideology states, "When the physical body no longer remains, that is, when one passes into a bodiless state of existence, then the mind remains just as a seed, modified into the form of saḿskáras. There being no brain or nerve cell attached to it, it cannot perform any function. It commits no sin, nor can it acquire any virtue. It is completely good for nothing, a worthless entity. The cultivation of rationality is as much beyond its capacity as is mental work. Its existence thus is meaningless. Its only destiny is to carry the burden of saḿskáras over and over again. There is nothing else for it to do; it is a completely helpless being. It is only when it is privileged to have a physical structure that it is in a position to cultivate dharma; that is not possible under any other condition whatsoever. Even the feeling that “I cannot do dharma sádhaná” is absent there. Because mental functions are not possible without nerve cells. When there is a physical body, there is scope for the mind to think of higher things, and dharma sádhaná is possible for human beings." (1)
Reference
1. Discourses On Krsna and the Giita, Dharmakśetra – the Human Body
== Section 3: Links ==
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