Baba
Beneficial asana for sadhana
Namaskar,From the very beginning when one takes initiation in their early childhood they should be taught to sit in padmasana.
Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "When children are five years old and attain some awareness, the parents, brothers, sisters or any guardian may initiate them in Nama Mantra [the preliminary process of meditation]. They should be taught to sit in padmasana [lotus posture], but instead of interlocking the fingers, they may rest one palm upon the other; and keep the spine erect." (1)
Why it is called padmasana
In our Ananda Marga system, asanas are named for various reasons. In review, some asanas look like a particular object. When one does bhujaungasana, the practitioner looks like a cobra. Hence it is called bhujaungasana or cobra pose. Likewise, when one sits in gomukhasana, the practitioner looks like or resembles the head or face of a cow - thus the name gomukhasana.
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However in padmasana, the same rule does not apply. When one sits in padmasana one does not look like a lotus flower. Rather, there is another process at work. The special significance of padmasana is that one takes on the unique capabilities of the lotus: living in a dirty world but keeping a neat and clean mind. Just as the lotus is not affected by the muddy water, the sadhaka sitting in padmasana is not affected by the mundane world.For this reason this physical posture is called padmasana.
Here Baba tells us how to sit in the full lotus posture.
Ananda Marga Caryacarya says, "Padmasana (lotus posture): Place the right foot on the left thigh and the left foot on the right thigh. Clench the jaws and press the tongue against the roof of the mouth. You can maintain this posture as long as you like." (2)
How to help new sadhakas learn padmasana
Initially, for some who have stiff / tight hips and legs, sitting in padmasana may not be easy - especially for some new people. So we should carefully guide them, step by step, how to sit in this posture, and show alternative positions as needed. But, firstly people new to meditation should get accustomed to sitting on the bare floor, if it is their general habit to always sit in chairs. Just sitting on the floor helps prepare them for various yogic asanas.
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And then little by little - over the course of days, weeks, and months, they should try to bring the ankles closer together until after a while they can bring one of their ankles onto the opposite thigh. But again this should not all be done in one sitting or forced in any way. Rather, gradually over time this should be allowed to unfold in a natural manner. So new persons should try in rounds or one day after another. And in between they can massage the knee and then again practice. And little by little, without putting too much stress on the knees, by trying again and again over the course of time they will gain the requisite flexibility to sit in padmasana. And by this way the mind becomes better suited for meditation. Without padmasana, concentration may be compromised.
Namaskar,
In Him
Radhika
Important note: If, for health issues or any reason, one is incapable of getting into a particular asana / posture, then they may lie down or sit in a position accessible to them and do their sadhana. Similarly, if one is traveling or in some type of unusual or compromised situation, they may pursue their psycho-spiritual practices in any way or position available to them.
Try this
If you know swimming well, try this in a swimming pool, or in a pond, or by a river bank. Sometimes if you want not to swim but to float, you may do matsyamudra on the surface of the water. And you will be surprised, that without any effort or movement, your body will float as long as you can hold the posture-- hours or days, without any effort. One’s nose will remain above the water for breathing. Your nose, chest, and knees will be naturally above the water. Best will be when the water does not have high waves; ponds and lakes are very good. And this is why the name of this posture is fish mudra. In this way, swimming and intermittently resting in matsymudra, one can travel quite long distances as well, especially in large lakes where there are no sharks or crocodiles.
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How asanas are named
Here in special fashion in His chapter, 'Questions and Answers on Meditation' in His Yoga Psychology Book, Baba outlines in Q & A #6 how asanas are named:
"Question: How do we name asanas?"
"Answer: We name asanas as follows:"
"[1] Some asanas are similar to animal movements so they are named after those animals; for example, matsyamudra [fish posture], garudasana [bird posture], etc."
"[2] Some asanas have the characteristics of animal structures, so they are also named after those animals; for example, kurmakasana [tortoise posture], etc."
"[3] Some asanas are named by the qualities of the asana; for example, sarvaungasana [shoulder stand; literally "all-limbs posture"]. The entire body is benefited by this asana." (3)
By His above explanation we can easily understand that padmasana is named as such not because the posture looks like a lotus flower but rather because sitting in that position enables the human mind to emulate the pristine purity of the lotus by rising above all propensities and reaching one's spiritual Goal, Parama Purusa.
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However, if for medical or health reasons one cannot do lotus posture, then that is fully excusable, and they should pursue the practice in whatever position is amenable to them: lying down, using a chair, leaning against a wall - whatever is needed.
Why shy to teach others
Nowadays, due to a growing obesity problem amongst some of our workers a few wts aren’t able to sit in padmasana during sadhana. In that case, they feel shy to teach others.
~ In-depth study ~
Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, “After this, at the age of twelve, the child should take initiation from an ácárya/á in Sádhárańa Yoga, and at sixteen or afterwards, they should take initiation in Sahaja Yoga from the ácárya/á. If considered essential, ásanas may be taught before the age of sixteen.” (4)
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Proper attention should be paid to the physical, psychic and spiritual development of small boys and girls. Just as they sit and study to develop their intellectual capabilities, they should also sit to do their spiritual practices with their parents. That is the way they will develop their spiritual practices. They should take diikśá [spiritual initiation] from an ácárya(á) [spiritual teacher] when they grow up. They should practice the lessons of sádhaná – japa, dhyána, ásana, práńáyáma, etc. – along with their regular academic lessons. All that is necessary for their trifarious development, and it must be perfectly balanced. One should remember that the absence of a proper balance will harm not only the individuals, but also the society as a whole.” (5)
References
1. Caryacarya - 1, The Process of Initiation
2. Caryacarya - 3, Asanas
3. Yoga Psychology, 'Questions & Answers...', #6
4. Caryacarya - 1, The Process of Initiation
5. The Awakening of Women, Táńd́ava and Kaośikii
* * *
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 ==
Blue sky
Bhaktas know that this below song gives the message that living physically close has no value. Many live physically close, but psycho-spiritually they are far from Him. Whereas, many live physically far but keep Him in their hearts.
"Keu ka'che peyeo cinate na're, dure thekeo cene..." (Prabhat Samgiita #3286)
Purport:
Baba, by remaining physically close to You, some do not recognize that You are Parama Purusa, whereas some even from a distance realize You. Still others get Your sweet touch but they drown in staticity and pass their lives as an animal. And some unknowingly believe fully.
The effulgence of dawn and the darkness of the night, the beautiful blue sky, even after observing, some do not listen to the divine call, but some people, even without seeing that panorama, listen to that supreme call.
O’ Parama Purusa, You are doing everything for me, perpetually filling my heart with nectar, sweetness, and bhakti-- even then I don’t look towards you and remain oblivious...
== Section 3: Important Teaching ==
Namaskar,
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Preach only satya. Whatever you have done with reasons thereof. Also, make it clear to them what you want to do and why you want to do. The result of this highly useful (helpful) preaching is that the inferiority complex disappears from the mind of the common men. They are encouraged when they see that a common man like themselves is inspired with such a high ideal. The second result of this is as follows. The common result of this is as follows. The common people are not generally aware of your usefully high ideas. In every work, big or small, they cling to selfishness. So, learning everything pure and high through your easy and simple language they will co-operate with you, with a mind free from wrong notions. The third outcome of this is that they will be shorn off the wrong notions that may have crept into them by the propaganda made by the selfish persons with vested interests."
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Win over their heart by propagating satya but without abusing anyone. When, they will feel the ideal of satya and come to know of your untiring karma sa'dhana', naturally, they will abandon their wrong notions about you; they will even start respecting you."
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "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 a fool and you are wise is not desirable in any party." (1)
Key points about pracara
Note: Here Baba is giving us invaluable guidelines for going pracara and bringing all onto the path of bliss.
1) At all times we should follow the code of satya - i. speaking the truth for universal welfare, never giving way to falsehood out of self-interest.
2) Those suffering from a superiority complex are unable to properly guide or teach others. For them, doing Ananda Marga pracar is basically impossible.
3) However, in the Supreme Command, Baba has allotted us the special duty "to bring all to the path of bliss" - to bring all to the divine path of Ananda Marga. So this is a very sacred task which our Guru has given. Indeed it is the greatest social duty of human life.
4) When Parama Purusa takes advent on this dusty earth then He does not waste His time in any type of material pursuit; rather, He is fully dedicated to the all-round progress and emancipation of human beings.
5) The conclusion is that the most virtuous aspect of human life is serving others. And the best service - the most lasting service - is doing dharma pracar. For this reason we should sincerely follow Baba's above guideline.
in Him,
Mayadhiisha
Reference
1. Ta'ttvika Diipika': Dvitiiya Parva
== Section: Important Teaching ==
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 Dada 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 Dada 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 in the above teaching.
In Him,
Ramesh Bhanerjee
Reference
1. Ananda Marga Ideology Way of Life - 11, Taking the Opposite Stance in Battle
== Section 4: Links ==
Dogma of Father's Day 15 JuneFather's Day: invention of materialism
Mother's Day: why dogmaticPostings to Read
Deriving joy from cruel dealings
Ista & courage
Analogy: what is the news
AM welcomes all types
