Ananda Marga Universal Forum: Are you addicted to your phone? + 6 more

Thursday, June 5, 2025

Are you addicted to your phone? + 6 more

Baba

Are you addicted to your phone?

Namaskar,

Addiction comes in many forms: alcohol, cigarette / nicotine, work, drugs, gambling, painkillers, and now in this 21st century there is internet addiction disorder (IAD), social media addiction disorder (SMAD), and “nomophobia,” or the fear of being without a mobile device.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Why teenagers are prone

One of the main reasons why teenagers are especially prone to being hooked or addicted to the internet is because this is all they know. That's to say, they have grown up with the internet and do not know life without it. From the very beginning, many of their life activities and pathways have been routed through the internet. They may have fewer off-line interests than older generations. This is one reason why they are prone to IAD, SMAD, and nomophobia.

Kids jumped from the roof of their houses

Another key point is that kids and teenagers are highly impressionable. They have a tendency to confuse what is on their screen with the physical reality of life. For instance, when the Ramayana was first shown on TV in India, then there were a rash of injuries with youth. Because just as Hanuman made the great leap from India to Sri Lanka, kids also thought they could also leap. And in their childlike ways, dozens of kids jumped from the roof of their houses etc in order to be like Hanuman. Kids are that impressionable. In contrast, not one single adult attempted such a leap.
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Here the point is that kids often confuse what they see on the screen with the stark reality of this world. The same problem can happen with their gaming ventures online. Young kids and early teenagers can easily start to think that what adventures and fantasies they are doing online is an accurate depiction of real life events. And the next thing you know, such kids are doing very dangerous things, like jumping off the roof of their house. So responsible parents and adults should be highly aware about IAD, SMAD, and nomophobia and how these disorders can affect their kids.

The best remedy is prevention - to control the situation ahead of time - and set up guidelines and rules for use of the internet. Otherwise, the situation can become quite messy. As margiis, as mothers and fathers, as acaryas, and as sadhakas, it is our combined and collective responsibility to bring each and every child of our Marga into a spiritually inspired way of living. All should come into our AM society and become the pillars of the future humanity, averting the dark aspects of life like IAD, SMAD, and nomophobia.

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "Children will become assets of society in the future to the extent that their parents or guardians discharge their duties properly." (1)

Signs of addiction

There are numerous articles about internet addiction disorder. Further information then is easily accessible. Here for your convenience is a list of some of the signature characteristics of this addiction:
1) Always in a rush to get on line / look at their phone;
2) Overlook life responsibilities (homework, house duties, appointments etc) in order to go on line;
3) Feel irritated if disturbed when using the internet;
4) Ignore relations with those around you in favour of "online friends" etc
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Jute merchant suddenly died

In His Ekendriya chapter, Baba warns what will happen if one focuses on a single materialistic pursuit. If one points all their psychic energy toward one direction - and if that direction is not a spiritual one - then often that creates destruction in life.

For instance, if a person dedicates all their time and energy to making money, or doing business, or gambling, or whatever worldly desire they have, that will lead to their degeneration. Their mind will get degraded and they will become imbalanced and ultimately fall.

   Ananda Marga philosophy says, "You may know some people whose minds always run after money. You might have asked them to sit down for a while and have a chat, and been surprised by their excusing themselves, saying they were so busy and had to rush off to the stock exchange. If their pursuit of money is hampered in any way, if it eludes their grasp, if they are totally severed from it, their minds will lose their base and they will die."
   "All crude objects on which people base their hopes and aspirations will certainly disappear one day, for the nature of this relative world is “Yah a'gacchati sah gacchati” – “Whatever comes, goes.” When people are deserted by their crude objects of desire they are eaten away by frustration and disappointment, and die a miserable death."
   "I heard that once, when the currency was devalued, a wealthy jute merchant suddenly died because all the aspiration of his life were based on money. He could not face the prospect of having to part with his cherished object of desire."
   "This is ekendriya. One should concentrate one’s mind on the Supreme One to the exclusion of all mundane objects; for they can give no lasting support." (2)

If one fails to move according to the true spirit of ekendriya and instead gets derailed toward mundane desires, their future is not bright. That same ominous outcome will swallow them if they uniquely pursue any crude habit including the internet. So IAD & SMAD are indeed a scary matter for anyone involved. The addict will become a victim, in one way or another.
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They may lose their marriage or their job or their house or whatever. There are so many horror stories in this regard. I am sure we all have heard numerous stories how an addict ends up destroying their own life. This does not just happen in Hollywood and Bollywood, tragically common people also get bound in negative pursuits and degrading habits. Ultimately that addiction makes them totally blind to whatever responsibilities and obligations they have.

Way to cure

In this following teaching from the discourse 'Vya'tireka-1', Baba is guiding us that the best way to cure addicts from their negative behaviors like IAD is not to remind them directly of their addiction but to engage their mind in healthier and higher pursuits.

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "The best psychological cure for addicts is to put them in an environment where they will be unable to think of their object of addiction for any length of time. To proclaim, "Don't do this, it's bad," is futile, for it is a negative approach. If you say, "Don't drink wine", you are still injecting the concept of wine into the alcoholic's mind, thus making it impossible for him to forget it and kick (quit) his bad habits. You are giving alcohol negative publicity, and it again becomes his mental object. Thus whenever he gets the opportunity he will certainly drink it again. And it may be that this negative approach encourages the alcoholic to become even more addicted. It is a defective approach."

"These days the sign "No smoking please" is placed in many public places, but it will not reduce the amount of smoking. If society wants people to stop smoking, its approach should be to divert the smoker's mind to other objects. A chain smoker should be encouraged to get involved in various pursuits such as music, dance, songs, culture of fine arts, etc., for if the mind remains engaged in these things it will forget its object of addiction. But the person who thinks, "I'll stop drinking wine the day after tomorrow-no, let me see, why not tomorrow" can never kick the habit, for wine remains the mental object. The mind will try to materialise whatever it thinks about in the external world - this is its nature." (3)

Volunteer to help others

So if a child has a computer in their room or if an adult spends all their time in their office where they have internet access, the best remedy and cure is for the addict to go places where they do not have online access and instead involve in other pursuits like music, sports, art etc. If they surf the web using a smartphone or tablet etc, then they should intentionally stay away from that device for hours at a stretch.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

The mind needs to be free and ultimately goaded toward a more benevolent pursuit. One great way to overcome addiction and depression is to engage in service. One should volunteer to help others. That has a real healing effect on the person doing service. And of course others are benefited as well.

Sadhana, kiirtana, and svadhyaya are naturally ideal practices for cleaning and clearing the mind of an addiction, as the mind will get pointed toward a spiritual ideal.

Do something positive to divert

Baba has given us all the teachings in life to overcome all the negative trends and habits in society, like internet addiction disorder. We should all be vigilant and watch and care for others, especially teenagers.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "There are certain common and natural tendencies in human life. Those tendencies are of either a degenerating or an exalting nature, that is, they are either of a depraving or an elevating nature. We should encourage the elevating tendencies and discourage the depraving tendencies. In certain portions of this world, depraving tendencies...exist. Protesting will not stop or check it unless we also do something positive to check it. If we do something positive, it will create a new stir in the human mind....Depraving tendencies will be completely discouraged and checked. That will be our course of action. We have to create new literature, new books, new music, new songs...we have to create a cultural stir. These are our immediate duties. We have to chalk out a programme and act accordingly." (4)

Conclusion

While there are innumerable benefits to using the Internet, we should not let ourselves (family, community etc) get bit by the "animal" of internet addiction disorder.

Namaskar,
in Him,
Dharma

What Is Phone Addiction?

~ Courtesy of Addiction Center (dot) com ~

Phone addiction is the obsessive use of a smartphone. This behavioral addiction is often dubbed as “nomophobia,” or the fear of being without a mobile device. People with a phone addiction may experience anxiety, agitation, and disorientation if they are unable to use their smartphone.

As of 2024, there are over 6.8 billion smartphone users in the world and within that population, 6.3% have a phone addiction. Research published by Virgin Mobile discovered that those billions of smartphone users receive 427% more messages and notifications than they did a decade ago. They also send 278% more texts. The rise in phone use seems like a natural necessity for modern life, however, it can also cause concern and negative consequences. The heavy use of these devices has consumers questioning their cellular habits. According to Google Trends, since 2004 searches for “cell phone addiction” have been rising. (Courtesy of Addiction Center (dot) com)

~ In-depth study ~

As margiis and as parents, this is something for us to be well aware of. Because this stands as yet one more material indulgence that may distract one from spiritual life and even disturb or ruin one’s personal and family life. In particular, it is imperative to be vigilant that our margii children do not succumb to this.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

In general, teenagers are more susceptible to IAD & SMAD; the internet has become yet another temptation for teens. So we should be aware of the telltale signs of IAD and not allow any of our young ones slip into this gigabyte abyss.

More signs of addiction

There are numerous articles about internet addiction disorder. Further information then is easily accessible.

Here for your convenience is a list of some of the signature characteristics of this addiction:
1) Always thinking of going back on line;
2) Secretive about what online activities and pursuits;
3) Lose sight of reality, i.e. confusing fictional aspects of online experiences such as gaming etc with the reality of living in this world. (Note: Teenagers are particularly prone in this regard.)
4) Sad or depressed when not online, only to "recover" when back online;
5) Say you will be off in 15 minutes, but stay on line for hours and hours longer;
6) Skip meals and lose sleep because of excessive time on-line;
7) Verbally accost or even physically attack those who object to their internet habits;
8) Cannot survive without it - "gotta have it"; do everything and anything to be on line;
9) Leads to other negative behaviours including crime and unlawful activities etc;
10) And there are a plethora of other signs to watch for. So if you suspect one of your near and dear ones is suffering from IAD, please investigate the matter thoroughly.
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These are some of the more common lifestyle presentations of IAD & SMAD. It is important to note that one need not have all the above characteristics in order to be suffering from IAD. There are degrees of addiction.

There are certain genres of sites that are more prone to addictive behaviours. This has been well-documented in various reports. Often such sites appeal to one's lower propensities and baser tendencies of mind. That is how they lure large audiences to their sites. So we should all be alert about this.

Remedy: goad mind away

One other important point to be aware of is that Baba tells us not to think about past misdeeds. We should forget about them and point the mind in a positive direction. That is why He has designed human beings to have both eyes in the front: To look forward and march towards the Goal, Parama Purusa. Thinking about past negative events only causes those degrading thoughts to recur.

One should not think about their weakness or degrading habit / addiction otherwise that will rise up in the mind again and again. To overcome any negative habit, one should goad the mind towards higher pursuits. That is why in dharma samiiksa if anyone committed any wrong then always Baba first gave atonement. And then guided their mind toward different social service activities. Only if He found that after this still a person was involved in those same negative things, then He would feign anger to help them overcome that problem.
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According to Ananda Marga philosophy, the human mind has tremendous quality: What way the mind thinks, the whole personality can metamorphose in that direction. And this theory should be applied in practical life when overcoming any addiction.

References
1. Human Society - 1, Education
2. Ananda Marga Philosophy - 6, Ekendriya – 3
3. Ananda Marga Philosophy says - 6, Vyatireka – 1
4. Prout in a Nutshell - 12, Rule of Rationality

* * *

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 ==

Lowly samadhi common nowadays

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "Persons who are self-centered (Khuda parasta), don't have Paramatman as their goal, but something else. Outwardly they say that Paramatman should be obtained but in their inner mind they have the desire for something else. Such people who outwardly say that Paramatman should be obtained but in the inner mind they desire for fame, riches, have the crude object as their goal. Whatever the inner mind says is the goal of the Jiiva (microcosm). Whatever is the feeling in the external mind is not the goal. But in the inner mind, because of his goal being the crude object his ultimate achievement is known as Prakrtiliina. Prakrti means the phenomenal world. Their existence will be transformed into the phenomenal world i.e. the conscious man gets transformed into crude object. There is one more word for the Samadhi in the Prakrta Shakti and that is Jada Samadhi. Jada Samadhi is very much below human existence and to be free from that is also very difficult. After crores of years there will be human life. Just see how dangerous it is! So with Parama Puruśa, don't have two personalities, inside something and outside something else. Become the same as you are within. Entire mental structure, entire ectoplasmic stuff will be converted into the quinquelemental world." (1)

Note: Unfortunately, these days under the negative influence of capitalism, human beings have degenerated to the level of animals in that they are equally self-centered, living only for themselves, and not caring about others. In (a) capitalist countries and (b) metropolitan cities around the globe, this problem is prevalent. People are so self-centered that they never care about others - not even their own offspring. Such selfish people are worse than animals. This entire scene is the negative outcome of capitalism, which itself converts humans into beggars and beasts. Their selfish mentality is the root cause of all the problems. In the end they will be metamorphosed into crude objects.

Reference
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 20, Astitva and Shivatva

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Sadhana: basis for service

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "You have to bring about your own spiritual salvation. If one does not try for one's own salvation, if one does not do spiritual practice, one can never serve society. It will be totally impossible." (1)

Note: There are a few who think that any type of mundane social activist, who is not even God-oriented, can be an ideal Prout leader. Some get enamoured with the popularity and tall talks of some so-called orators. In their naïveté they think that the person at the podium can bring lead society forward and establish Prout etc.

However, in Baba's above teaching, He clearly guides us that only those deeply involved in sadhana and equipped with the force of spirituality can provide the soothing balm to the exploited humanity. Without spirituality one can never render true service to society. Hence being on the path of sadhana is an essential requisite for serving the world.

Reference
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 24, Incantation and Human Progress

== Section: Hindi Quote ==

सबसे बड़ी बात

“ये जो परमसत्ता हैं, विश्वब्रह्माण्ड इन्हीं में आधृत है | आध्यात्मिक लोक में जो चलनेवाले हैं वे इस बृहत्‌ सत्ता को भी अस्वीकार नहीं कर सकते हैं | आध्यात्मिक उन्नति के लिए बृहत्‌ की भावना लेना ही है, लेना फ़र्ज़ है | तो अणु से भी अणु और बृहत्‌ से भी बृहत्‌ हैं ये परमसत्ता, परमपुरुष जो हम से दूर नहीं है | जो हमारे प्राणों के प्राण हैं, जो हमारे सबसे अपने हैं | जिन्हें हम भूल नहीं सकते हैं | आध्यात्मिक जगत्‌ में जिनकी भावना ही सबसे बड़ी चीज़ है, सबसे बड़ी बात है |”
[यह प्रवचन-अंश, बाबा के कैसेट से सीधे लिखा गया है । बाबा का यह असली प्रवचन, अमृतोपदेश है। आनन्दमार्ग हिन्दी पुस्तकों में छपे प्रवचन तो नक़ली प्रवचन हैं, असली नहीं हैं -- बंगालीकरण (बँगलाइजेसन) के तहत उनकी बर्बादी की गई] (1)

Reference
1. हिंदी, अप्रकाशित 29 May 1983 Ananda Nagar

== Section: Prout ==

Ceiling on bank balances

Prout philosophy states, “One pertinent question is whether both a ceiling on landed property and a ceiling on bank balances have to be imposed. It goes without saying that both methods have to be adopted, but the latter should precede the former. This will bring immediate cash to the government to help establish new industries on the one hand, and it will check the growth of capitalism on the other. By enforcing land ceilings no direct benefit can be expected to accrue to the nation because the available arable land will not be increased, nor will production be increased, since it is not the function of the government to cultivate land. Such an approach would wound the public sentiment and the public would think that the state had replaced the Zamindars. In the face of food shortages it is not advisable to change land policies immediately.” (1)

Reference
1. Talks on Prout

== Section: Ananda Vanii ==

All must fade in the void with the sunrise

“However dense the cimmerian darkness may be, the crimson dawn must follow. The fiends of hell may burst out in loud laughter, but all must fade in the void with the sunrise. The light of sádhaná shall dispel the thick darkness, notwithstanding the night of the pangs of humanity. Sunshine is destined in human life.” (Ananda Vanii #39)

Note 1: True Ananda Vaniis have a number whereas Fake Ananda Vaniis do not - just as a fake car license plate has no number. By this way, you can easily recognise a Fake Ananda Vanii.

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Qualification of True Writers

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.]

"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." (Prout in a Nutshell - 1, The Practice of Art and Literature)

== Section 3: Links ==

Dogma of Father's Day 15 June