Baba
Namaskar,
There are some sadhakas who perform Ananda Marga sadhana, do Guru Puja, and sing kiirtan etc, but when in crisis they pray to some other imaginary entity to rescue them from tragedy.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Dogma: surrender to the outdated myth
For instance, suppose some sadhakas came into Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha from a Hindu background. When struggling to find a suitable husband for their daughter, they go to the Hindu temple and seek a boon from the mythological elephant god, Ganesh. They falsely believe that Ganesh will help solve the problem by granting them a handsome, well-educated, wealthy husband for their daughter. And similar things happen to some sadhakas who came into AMPS from a Semitic background also.
This type of surrender to the outdated myths reveals that they do not have full faith and trust in Sadguru Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji. They do not have strictness and faith on Ista. Because if they had full faith in Ista then they would automatically feel that Baba is already doing what is best and there is no need to surrender to dogma or their old, outdated religious myths etc. Those who fall in this category do not have strictness and faith on Ista. Their sadhana goes nowhere.
For sadhakas of Ananda Marga, Baba has given 16 points; and, point #10 is the point of Ista. Ananda Margiis have to be strict in Ista. In the practical realm, that means one must depend on the singular Supreme Entity Parama Purusa, and not those mythical deities from the various religions. There is no important entity besides Parama Purusa.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Strictness & faith on Ista comes with sincere sadhana
The basic platform of one's thinking should be, "Parama Purusa and Parama Purusa alone is my Saviour - I depend upon Him completely." To the degree in one’s inner psychic abode they depend upon anything else, then that detracts from their dependence upon Him. Every moment a sadhaka should reinforce the idea that Parama Purusa is the eternal abode and everything rests upon Him. With sadhana and by His grace, one is sure to reach that highest stage of bhakti, where one truly feels that He alone is guiding and sustaining you each and every moment. This inner feeling arises naturally with sincere and regular sadhana.
Ista is everything
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "Every bhakta possesses enough courage. Those who pursue the path of bhakti automatically acquire such courage – they are not timid...bhaktas are capable of doing anything and everything." (1)
Ananda Marga ideology says, “To establish yourself in the ideology you need two things. One is courage. So if you want to become powerful, you need not only ideology but also “Iśt́a.” Even for courage and efforts, you need the help of the Lord." (2)
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "When the intensity of their attachment for the nucleus will reach its climax – when they will seek to forget everything but Him – no force whatsoever can then dissociate them from Him. This intense attachment is what we call bhakti." (3)
Without strong, pointed faith in Parama Purusa, advancing along the path of Ananda Marga spiritual practices will be one far off dream. Everyone is aware that one of the aspects of Sixteen Points centers exclusively on ista.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "Observe non-compromising strictness and faith regarding the sanctity of Ista." (4)
Conclusion
However, a few may wonder how it is possible to evaluate this. How can one know if someone is strong on the point of Ista?
Answer: Those who have one-pointed faith in Ananda Marga sadhana are established on the point of Ista, i.e. point #10 of Sixteen Points. They feel in their heart all the 24 hours that Baba is graciously taking care of everything and solving all the problems.
Namaskar,
Sastaunga pranam to Sadguru,
Sarvaseva’
Example of sadhaka without Ist’a
Ananda Marga ideology says, "A person ….used to recite the following after taking bath: “Victory to mother Káli, victory, victory to Káli, victory to mother Káli of T́han T́haniá, victory to mother Káli of Dakśińeshvar, victory to Bábá Táraknáth, victory to Bábá Vaidyanath of Deoghar. O, Fathers! None of you should think that I am leaving out someone's name.” After this he would say, “O, gods and goddesses, please forgive me if I have omitted any name inadvertently. Please assume that I have mentioned your name also.” Does this yield anything at all? One says “victory to mother Káli of Kálighát” and in the same breath one says “victory to mother Káli of T́han T́haniá.” It signifies that the mind is moving both towards Kálighát and T́han T́haniá. Can the mind become concentrated in this way? Certainly not." (5)
References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 7, The True Nature of Bhakti
2. Subhasita Samgraha - 20, Ideology, Goal and Devotion
3. Subhasita Samgraha - 2, The Intuitional Science of the Vedas – 5
4. Caryacarya - 2, Sixteen Points, Point #10
5. 11 April 1979, Kolkata
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 ==
Sadhaka life & samskaras
In the below quote Baba teaches the following points:
(a) Sadhakas do not get terrified when facing their bad samskaras / reactive momenta. Those who are confused think about their suffering always.
(b) While undergoing suffering of their past deeds, they are focused on Brahma. And they continue on in their sadhana. Due to this, the seeds of their future samskaras are also burned.
(c) Because one does sadhana, they always think they are pure - not a sinner. By this way they cleanse themselves.
(d) Due to their normal sadhana, their suffering due to pain and pleasure wanes because they are always in bliss. So they do not feel any misery or loss.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Learned people know that the requitals or consequences of deeds (karmaphala) are inevitably bound to follow one's actions, and so they do not waste time uselessly thinking about them. Fortified with courage and instilled with Brahmabháva they face all calamities of retribution bravely. They always consider themselves pure, for they have purged their minds of the past. Those who have tasted even a little of the flowing nectar of Brahma, know that they can never be impure. This constant thought of self-purity greatly helps to exhaust their saḿskáras or reactive momenta, as a result of which the saḿskáras held in the sthirabhúmi of their práńa are gradually destroyed. With the help of sádhaná or spiritual practice the spell of pleasurable and painful requitals ceases both internally and externally. Sádhakas call it the combustion of the seed of action in the fire of sádhaná." (1)
Reference
1. Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell - 5, The Chariot and the Charioteer
Measuring #10 of Sixteen Points
Namaskar,
There are some sadhakas who perform Ananda Marga sadhana, do Guru Puja, and sing kiirtan etc, but when in crisis they pray to some other imaginary entity to rescue them from tragedy.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Dogma: surrender to the outdated myth
For instance, suppose some sadhakas came into Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha from a Hindu background. When struggling to find a suitable husband for their daughter, they go to the Hindu temple and seek a boon from the mythological elephant god, Ganesh. They falsely believe that Ganesh will help solve the problem by granting them a handsome, well-educated, wealthy husband for their daughter. And similar things happen to some sadhakas who came into AMPS from a Semitic background also.
This type of surrender to the outdated myths reveals that they do not have full faith and trust in Sadguru Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji. They do not have strictness and faith on Ista. Because if they had full faith in Ista then they would automatically feel that Baba is already doing what is best and there is no need to surrender to dogma or their old, outdated religious myths etc. Those who fall in this category do not have strictness and faith on Ista. Their sadhana goes nowhere.
For sadhakas of Ananda Marga, Baba has given 16 points; and, point #10 is the point of Ista. Ananda Margiis have to be strict in Ista. In the practical realm, that means one must depend on the singular Supreme Entity Parama Purusa, and not those mythical deities from the various religions. There is no important entity besides Parama Purusa.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Strictness & faith on Ista comes with sincere sadhana
The basic platform of one's thinking should be, "Parama Purusa and Parama Purusa alone is my Saviour - I depend upon Him completely." To the degree in one’s inner psychic abode they depend upon anything else, then that detracts from their dependence upon Him. Every moment a sadhaka should reinforce the idea that Parama Purusa is the eternal abode and everything rests upon Him. With sadhana and by His grace, one is sure to reach that highest stage of bhakti, where one truly feels that He alone is guiding and sustaining you each and every moment. This inner feeling arises naturally with sincere and regular sadhana.
Ista is everything
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "Every bhakta possesses enough courage. Those who pursue the path of bhakti automatically acquire such courage – they are not timid...bhaktas are capable of doing anything and everything." (1)
Ananda Marga ideology says, “To establish yourself in the ideology you need two things. One is courage. So if you want to become powerful, you need not only ideology but also “Iśt́a.” Even for courage and efforts, you need the help of the Lord." (2)
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "When the intensity of their attachment for the nucleus will reach its climax – when they will seek to forget everything but Him – no force whatsoever can then dissociate them from Him. This intense attachment is what we call bhakti." (3)
Without strong, pointed faith in Parama Purusa, advancing along the path of Ananda Marga spiritual practices will be one far off dream. Everyone is aware that one of the aspects of Sixteen Points centers exclusively on ista.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "Observe non-compromising strictness and faith regarding the sanctity of Ista." (4)
Conclusion
However, a few may wonder how it is possible to evaluate this. How can one know if someone is strong on the point of Ista?
Answer: Those who have one-pointed faith in Ananda Marga sadhana are established on the point of Ista, i.e. point #10 of Sixteen Points. They feel in their heart all the 24 hours that Baba is graciously taking care of everything and solving all the problems.
Namaskar,
Sastaunga pranam to Sadguru,
Sarvaseva’
Example of sadhaka without Ist’a
Ananda Marga ideology says, "A person ….used to recite the following after taking bath: “Victory to mother Káli, victory, victory to Káli, victory to mother Káli of T́han T́haniá, victory to mother Káli of Dakśińeshvar, victory to Bábá Táraknáth, victory to Bábá Vaidyanath of Deoghar. O, Fathers! None of you should think that I am leaving out someone's name.” After this he would say, “O, gods and goddesses, please forgive me if I have omitted any name inadvertently. Please assume that I have mentioned your name also.” Does this yield anything at all? One says “victory to mother Káli of Kálighát” and in the same breath one says “victory to mother Káli of T́han T́haniá.” It signifies that the mind is moving both towards Kálighát and T́han T́haniá. Can the mind become concentrated in this way? Certainly not." (5)
References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 7, The True Nature of Bhakti
2. Subhasita Samgraha - 20, Ideology, Goal and Devotion
3. Subhasita Samgraha - 2, The Intuitional Science of the Vedas – 5
4. Caryacarya - 2, Sixteen Points, Point #10
5. 11 April 1979, Kolkata
* * *
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 ==
Sadhaka life & samskaras
In the below quote Baba teaches the following points:
(a) Sadhakas do not get terrified when facing their bad samskaras / reactive momenta. Those who are confused think about their suffering always.
(b) While undergoing suffering of their past deeds, they are focused on Brahma. And they continue on in their sadhana. Due to this, the seeds of their future samskaras are also burned.
(c) Because one does sadhana, they always think they are pure - not a sinner. By this way they cleanse themselves.
(d) Due to their normal sadhana, their suffering due to pain and pleasure wanes because they are always in bliss. So they do not feel any misery or loss.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Learned people know that the requitals or consequences of deeds (karmaphala) are inevitably bound to follow one's actions, and so they do not waste time uselessly thinking about them. Fortified with courage and instilled with Brahmabháva they face all calamities of retribution bravely. They always consider themselves pure, for they have purged their minds of the past. Those who have tasted even a little of the flowing nectar of Brahma, know that they can never be impure. This constant thought of self-purity greatly helps to exhaust their saḿskáras or reactive momenta, as a result of which the saḿskáras held in the sthirabhúmi of their práńa are gradually destroyed. With the help of sádhaná or spiritual practice the spell of pleasurable and painful requitals ceases both internally and externally. Sádhakas call it the combustion of the seed of action in the fire of sádhaná." (1)
Reference
1. Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell - 5, The Chariot and the Charioteer
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Dada’s dogma: AM is a combo of dogmatic religions
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Everyone has a singular dharma named spirituality, and only this is worth calling dharma. Religions are not dharma; they are mere collections of rituals.” (1)
Note: Ananda Marga is bhagavad dharma and not based on any of the various dogmatic religions. Unfortunately, some of our Wt Dadas write books steeped in dogmatic religious preachings that are obviously not in concert with the eternal teachings of Ananda Marga ideology.
The mistakes are rampant in most of the dadas’ books so one need not search long to find an error. Here is an example of a serious ideological blunder.
Dada Shambhushivananda writes: "The dynamism of Tantra, orthodoxy of Judaism, austerity of Jains, service spirit of Catholics, ethical stance of Buddhists, anti- exploitation emphasis of Marx, reverence for life of environmentalists, progressive use of science and technology of materialists, applied psychology of naturalists, social outlook of Islam, mysticism of Bauls and Sufis, devotion of Vaishnavites, pragmatism of the entrepreneurs and merchants and the thirst for sublime knowledge of the alchemists—all find their place in the holistic approach of the NHE Model of the Modern Gurukula. As Dr. Sohail Inayatullah, a notable futurist comments, "Even the futurists have a place in PR. Sarkar's thoughts on education". (Ac Shambhushivananda, Thoughts for a New Era, p. 258)
Ananda Marga ideology is not a combination of the "good points" of various religious traditions. This is a completely dogmatic idea, one which several other dadas like Dharmavedananda have supported and given many lectures on over the years. But it is a ridiculous approach. For example, the social outlook of Islam, praised above, is a disaster. They view non-Muslims as sinners who will go to hell. No one outside of Islam is their brother. So Islam does not have a social outlook which is to be extolled. Yet years ago some dada got this ludicrous idea of preaching that Ananda Marga philosophy is a combination of all the best aspects of the religions rolled into one. This notion spread among the dadas like wildfire-- they loved it. And they still use it even today. Whereas true disciples know that Ananda Marga ideology is totally new, not based on the ideas of the past, nor linked with various dogmatic religions. That is why Baba has given the discourse "Ananda Marga: A Revolution".
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
By pointing out the errors in the dadas’ books, our Ananda Marga society will benefit tremendously.
Let us bear in mind that the social outlook of the three Semitic religions - Islam, Christianity, and Judaism - are very similar: They all hold that if you do not follow their religions then you are cursed. For instance:
(a) Muslims think that non-Muslims are cursed;
(b) Jews think that non-Jews are cursed;
(c) and, Christians think that non-Christians are cursed.
Our Ananda Marga ideology stands unparalleled and wholly distinct from the various dogmatic religions.
In Him,
Shyam
Extra points
Pointing out mistakes in dadas' books has a few fundamental benefits:
#1: First off, those Wts who are true to their code of conduct and strictly follow our AM way of life must be respected.
#2: To expose the blatant defects in publications by confused Wts and publicly shame such Wts so they refrain from writing books that contravene Guru’s teachings.
#3: To help the public not to think of Wts as second Maheshvaras (i.e. second gods). Baba is our Guru, and no one else. Our dadas are sadhakas just as family Margiis are. They are not to be given a higher status by default as though they were some holy being. That leads to the same religious dogmas that exist in the Catholic Church, Hinduism, and all the religions. Nowadays in Catholicism, the degrading conduct has been getting exposed so those followers are learning that their priests are not holy and beyond reproach. It is a process of learning to discard the priest dogma. Exposing the mistakes in dadas' books has a similar benefit.
Again, those wts who are true to their Wt conduct rules and strictly adhere to the teachings of AM must be respected.
Reference
1. Tattva Kaomudii - 1, Questions and Answers on Ananda Marga Philosophy, #46
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Not a concern: overpopulation
Prout philosophy states, "Does a population problem actually exist? This issue should be considered in the perspective of two vital factors - the availability of food and the availability of space. Today human beings have enough resources to manage their food. Planet Earth is rich enough to feed a far greater number of people than the present population....[So] The tragedy is that there are enough resources to supply proper food to all human beings in the world, but the defect lies in the present approach of the existing socioeconomic systems." (1)
Population Growth
Prout philosophy states, "Is the population problem really a natural problem? The population problem should be considered in the context of two vital factors – the availability of food and the availability of space. Today human beings have sufficient means to manage their food. The earth is abundant enough in food resources to feed many times more than the present population. Due to lack of coordinated cooperation, collective effort, a proper ideology and sound planning, society has been fragmented into many belligerent groups and sub-groups, and rich and poor nations have been created. As a result of this fissiparous tendency, society is presently incapable of producing enough food to meet human requirements. The tragedy is that even though there are enough resources to supply nutritious food to all the human beings on the planet, due to the defective socio-economic systems, an efficient method of distribution has not been developed."
"Moreover, there is no shortage of living space on the planet if the existing space is properly utilized. Because the earth has been balkanized due to so many arbitrary social, economic and political restrictions and the pervasive influence of evil dogma, people are unable to tackle problems in a natural way. If there were maximum utilization and rational distribution of all natural resources, pressing socio-economic problems could be easily solved."
Prout philosophy states, "It is a law of nature that a mother is provided with sufficient breast milk to feed her newly born baby. In the same way nature has generously provided sufficient resources to meet the food and other essential requirements of all human beings. People need to utilize these natural resources in a proper way. Shortages of food or space cannot be blamed on nature. These problems are essentially the results of the mistakes made by human beings."
"It is a fact that the population of the world is rapidly increasing, and consequently many people have become frightened. In capitalist countries there are sufficient reasons for such fear. In these countries an increase in the population means a corresponding increase in the poverty of the people. But there is no reason for such fear in a collective economic system. In the event of shortages in food and accommodation people will collectively convert barren land into arable land, increase agricultural production by scientific methods and produce food by chemical processes using the potentiality of earth, water and air. And if this earth loses its productivity, then human beings will migrate to other planets and satellites and settle there."
Prout philosophy states, "If people living in capitalist countries voluntarily adopt birth control methods to avoid economic hardship, perhaps we should not criticize them. But it should be mentioned here that using birth control methods which deform the bodies of men and women or destroy their reproductive powers forever cannot be supported, because this may cause a violent mental reaction at any moment." (2)
References
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 13, Population Growth and Control
2. Prout in a Nutshell - 13, Population Growth and Control
== Section: Important Teaching ==
How rulers use education to exploit + Prout solution
Prout philosophy says, "The British wanted to bring the entire Indian race under their colonial grip to make the people slaves. They reformed the old educational system of India and bluntly introduced the English system of education. The English education system was contrary to that of India, because it was based on an objective approach and the complete denial of the subjective approach. The British colonial masters educated the subjugated race on the lines of their own education system, and produced a peculiar group of people who were neither Indian nor civilian nor serviceable. These so-called educated people of India were a complete departure from the mass of Indians in their habits, behaviour, thoughts, modesty and personal integrity. That is why a gulf of difference developed between the so-called educated people and the village people of India. By applying these subtle tactics, a group of people in India became European in attitude although they were Indian in colour, and this group were instrumental in perpetuating the British Raj in India."
"The British colonialists applied the same tactics in China. The Chinese people, before the Kuomintan regime, were laborious and dexterous as well as religious. But by introducing opium, the British made the entire Chinese race inactive and indolent. Afterwards the communists, under the leadership of Mao Zedong, killed the religion of the Chinese people and deprived them of their práńa dharma. In this way, the British and the communists brought the entire Chinese race under their grip."
"PROUT does not want to turn the hands of the clock back. PROUT does not reject the western educational system. But at the same time, the western education system utterly failed to inculcate a sense of morality, reverence and a high standard of behaviour among the students of India during the time of the British Raj. That is why in PROUT’s system of education, we stress the need to start “Ashramic Schools” in every village of India. If this is done, the corrosive tendency introduced by the British can be checked at an early stage. In the post-independence period of India, the leaders and educationists could not deeply understand the prevalent crisis of the Indian education system. This crisis was largely due to the defective British education system which was fundamentally against the práńa dharma of the Indian people. All the attempts to reform the education system proved futile and led the nation towards further degradation. This was because India’s educationists could not reform the education system according to the práńa dharma of the Indian people. Our Ananda Marga school curriculum is based on the práńa dharma of the people of India."
"...During the British rule, both in the social and spiritual spheres, the people were deprived of their práńa dharma. Some so-called western educated people even now look down upon villagers for their simplicity and na ivete. These so-called educated people were misguided away from práńa dharma because they were denied any subjective approach in the western education system. This is why such people have failed to become one with the mass." (1)
Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 18, Talks on Education – Excerpt B
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Best and worst bondages
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "It is the sense of duty that causes one person to renounce everything; and it is the sense of duty that inspires another person to readily accept the burden of caring for his or her family. It is the sense of duty that makes a person great. Of all bonds, the bond of duty is the strongest, and the bond of moha [blind attachment or infatuation] is the worst. Humanity will have to break the bonds of moha and increase the bonds of duty willingly and consciously. This is the law." (1)
Reference
1. Namámi Krśńasundaram, Disc: 13
== Section 3: Links ==
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