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Saturday, December 2, 2017

Defective thoughts are the cause + 2 more

Baba

Defective thoughts are the cause

Namaskar,

Whenever anyone's mental plate gets polluted and deformed due to defective thinking and faulty ideas then we say there is a deformity in their objectivated mind. And when those ideas enter the objectivated mind in an uncontrolled manner and people become obsessed with that idea, then we say it is a psychic disease.
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So a psychic disease occurs when one is fully consumed by a particular deficient thought process such as “everybody hates me”, or “there is a ghost in the house” etc.
And this stems from a defect in the objectivated mind. By constantly thinking about those faulty ideas, day after day, then a particular psychic disease develops.

Tandava is the only exercise for the brain and this will help in both curing and preventing the onset of brain disease. The medical community should conduct research on this. Soon this is going to happen because already the medical community is allotting money to investigate how yoga asanas help prevent and cure diseases. So the day is not far when it will become known that tandava is a great exercise for the brain.


Criminals suffer from psychic disease or brain disease?

Baba describes how criminals may suffer from either (a) a mix between brain disease and psychic disease or (b) exclusively from a psychic disease.

[A] Here below Baba guides us how in-born criminals suffer from both because brain disease and psychic disease.

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Psychologists cannot treat the mental diseases which inflict born criminals all alone; the cooperation of physicians and sociologists is essential. Psychologists will diagnose the mental disease and explain its origins, and they will also play a role in helping cure it as far as possible. Doctors will be responsible for curing the disease through medicine or surgery, insofar as it is caused by physiological abnormalities. Then sociologists will have to arrange for the social rehabilitation of the criminal after he or she has recovered." (1)

With inborn criminals, the problem is two fold. They have defects in their objectivated mind which makes it a psychic disease. Plus there is often a faulty development in the formation of the brain organ, which makes it a brain disease as well.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

[B] And here below in this next example Baba discusses how some criminals - i.e. criminal by snap volition - suffer from kleptomania which is exclusively a psychic disease.

Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "Another type of crime occurs occasionally. This is a temporary criminal urge, a special type of mental disease which suddenly appears in a certain type of environment and again subsides after a short time. Kleptomania is an example of this kind of mental disease. After committing a crime kleptomaniacs feel ashamed and are anxious to return the property that they have stolen to the owner. They have sudden fantasies about stealing, abducting people, becoming drunk or indulging in decadent activities. But analysis shows that they do not in fact have the slightest personal interest in such things." (2)


Conclusion

By ideating on Him we can overcome all defects and become pure and pristine - physically, psychically, and spiritually.

Ananda Marga ideology teaches us, "In Brahma, the Entity who liberates one from all mundane ailments and the cycle of rebirth, lies the total cessation of all afflictions, the freedom from all ailments. He is the only dependable panacea for microcosmic distortions and imperfections; there is none other than Him - Na'nyah pantha' vidyate ayana'ya." (3)

In Him.
Ananda Sagar


~ In-depth study ~

Multidisciplinary approach for curing criminals

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Psychologists cannot treat the mental diseases which inflict born criminals all alone; the cooperation of physicians and sociologists is essential. Psychologists will diagnose the mental disease and explain its origins, and they will also play a role in helping cure it as far as possible. Doctors will be responsible for curing the disease through medicine or surgery, insofar as it is caused by physiological abnormalities. Then sociologists will have to arrange for the social rehabilitation of the criminal after he or she has recovered. If psychologists only describe the nature of the disease, or if doctors only diagnose the physiological disorders and nothing more, it will not be possible to accomplish anything productive. Of course at the present time the patient may not make a complete recovery despite the concerted efforts of psychologists and sociologists, because psychology is still in an underdeveloped state. Moreover, doctors have not yet acquired the skills needed to remove the physiological abnormalities responsible for mental disease. And furthermore, the science of sociology has only just emerged; it is developing extremely slowly. However, we must take the above measures for born criminals.” (4)
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How burnt chillies can help

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Knowing full well that a person who is possessed by a ghost is suffering from a mental disease and a disease of the nervous system, exorcists generally beat a "possessed" person to reactivate his or her nerves, make him or her inhale the smoke of burnt chillies in order to return him or her to consciousness.” (5)


Types of diseases cured by psychological treatment

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “A disease can be mental or can be physical. Similarly, medicine may be mental or may be physical; hence it is most desirable and productive if both kinds of medicine are administered simultaneously in all diseases, whether they are physical or mental. Those who only believe in psychological treatment for mental disease know from experience that such treatment will not permanently cure the disease and the patient will soon relapse. Only where, along with psychological treatment, guidance concerning diet, bathing and behaviour is given, and to normalize the diseased glands of the body medicines prepared from the five fundamental factors are prescribed, can the disease be permanently cured.” (6)

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “After having analysed the various types of ahaḿkára and their evil effects, we need to examine the ways and means of getting rid of these defects. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has offered a psychological method to save oneself from the malady of ahaḿkára. Ahaḿkára is really a mental ailment, and a person suffering from this disease requires psychological treatment.” (7)

Ananda Marga philosophy says, “Epilepsy arises when a person comes in sudden contact with something or some event completely outside the realm of his or her experience. Through proper counselling, attacks of this disease can be checked and through psychic treatment along with the use of small amounts of medicine the disease can be treated.” (8)

References
1. Human Society - 1, Justice
2. Human Society - 1, '87 Edn, p.80
3. Ananda Marga Ideology in a Nutshell - 6, The Only Way to Salvation
4. Human Society - 1, Justice
5. Human Society - 2, The Vipra Age
6. Human Society - 1, Various Occupations
7. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 23, Safeguards against the Defects of Jiṋána and Karma
8. Shabda Cayanika - 1, Acala to Atha (Discourse 2)


== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==

I want to receive You up to my full heart’s content

"Paráń bhare barań kari,eso áji ámár ghare,..." (Prabhat Samgiita #0438)

Purport:

O' Parama Purusa, please come in my mental abode,  my Guru Cakra. I want to receive You up to my full heart’s content. After getting You, I will gaze upon You to my heart’s full satisfaction - until my soul is satiated. Baba, by Your grace, I will hold both of Your lotus feet, and always keep You in my heart.

O' Parama Purusa, in hopes of making You mine, my own, I have arranged a basket filled with flowers and fruits to receive You. And it has been saturated with my heart-felt love. In the corner of my mind, with full of sweetness, I want to have You forever.

Baba, today please sit in the lotus of my heart. I am calling You with shravana, manana, and niddidhyasana [1]. This yearning has been hidden in the depths of my heart for such a long time. All the while I have been waiting for You. Please fulfil that desire by coming to me. Fulfill my longing, which has been in the deep corner of my mind since ages. …

Baba, today, when You grace me by coming, that desire will be quenched forever….


Notes for Prabhat Samgiita #0438

[1] Shravan, Manan, & Niddhidhyasana: Here below Ananda Marga ideology explains the special import of these three devotional practices.

Ananda  Marga ideology says, "To attain Him human beings have to take recourse to shravana (constantly hearing His name), manana (constantly ideating on Him) and nididya'sana (constantly meditating on Him). The Supreme Entity is Gurha, that is, He is lying hidden in the innermost recess of the human entity. To attain Him one must penetrate deep within oneself, and for that the development of an introversial outlook is essential." (1)

Reference
1. Tattva Kaomudi - 3

== Section 3: Links ==
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This email contains three sections:
1. PS #0438: I want to receive You up to my full heart’s content
2. Posting: Defective thoughts are the cause
3. Links

Some asanas that enhance concentration + 4 more

Baba

Better sadhana: few steps

Namaskar,

There are many points that create a good sadhana flow including kiirtan, svadhyaya, satsaunga, second lesson, diet, intermittent dhyana etc. All these contribute significantly to our meditative state and success in sadhana. But other practices like asanas also play an important, invaluable role.


How certain vrttis become excited

Caryacarya states, "The relation between the physical body and the mind is very close. Mental expression is brought about through the vrttis, and the predominance of the vrttis depends on different glands of the body. There are many glands in the body and from each there is a secretion of a particular hormone. If there is any defect in the secretion of hormones or any defect in a gland, certain vrttis become excited. For this reason, we find that in spite of having a sincere desire to follow the moral code, many persons cannot do so; they understand that they should do meditation, but they cannot concentrate their minds because their minds become extroverted due to the external excitement of this or that propensity. If a person wants to control the excitement of these propensities, he or she must rectify the defects of the glands. Ásanas help the sádhaka to a large extent in this task, so ásanas are an important part of sádhaná." (1)


Seriousness

Some people do pseudo asanas - they do not follow Carycarya with regards to timing, number of rounds, and regularity. Nor do they follow the proper technique. When not done properly, then the approach is just pseudo. To get the best yield one must strictly adhere to Baba guidelines: (a) Proper duration for holding the asana, (b) correct number of rounds, (c) done morning and evening, and (d) proper technique.


Only this body can do sadhana

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “While the body is with you, you can practise Sádhaná. When your mind will be detached from your body, you won't be able to do anything, neither physical work nor spiritual work. So you are to do everything while this quinquelemental structure is with you.” (2)


Just before starting sadhana

In a nutshell, we are talking about (a) shashaungasana, (b) viirasana, (c) padmasana, and (d) siddhasana, all of which are featured and described in Caryacaraya III as well as in the Acarya Diary.

* Shashaunga'sana (Hare Pose): The real beauty and import of this asana is doing it directly before sadhana. This asana helps calm the mind and stimulates the pineal gland. Per Baba’s guideline, doing 8 rounds of this asana - 8 seconds each round - just before starting sadhana is extremely useful. This asana is quite beneficial in focusing the mind on sadhana. With it, the mind will not run hither and thither.


Best age of sadhana

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “Even in your old age, you will not be able to perform spiritual practices properly if you do not start the practice from an early age. The best age for doing Sádhaná is from 16 to 49, and the second-best age is from 5 to 16 and from 49 to 69. Before 5 or after 69, the glands become weak, distorted. So the best age for spiritual Sádhaná is 16 to 49.” (2)

* Viira'sana (Hero Pose): As you may know, this is our 3rd lesson asana. Some kneel on their knees without curling the toes underneath, because that is easier and more comfortable. But then 3rd lesson will not be strong. And without a pointed approach in 3rd lesson, dhyana is basically a waste of time. So viira'sana is essential for sadhana. The proper method is to curl the toes underneath. And in just a short amount of time, the position will become quite comfortable and one will feel how it enhances concentration. The mind easily gets more focused and there will be a strong surge of energy at each cakra point when doing third lesson.


Best vehicle for sadhana

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “The main thing here is that when all the glands are in proper order, that age [16-49] is the best age for doing Sádhaná. And the human body is the best structure for doing Sádhaná. Other animals cannot do Sádhaná. Their conscious mind is well developed, sub-conscious is less developed than human mind, and unconscious mind is still less developed, almost nil. The human body is the best body, the best vehicle for the purpose. So no intelligent person should waste a single moment so far as spiritual practice is concerned.” (2)


Example: asanas that help in concentration

* Padma'sana (Lotus Posture): Baba has placed great emphasis on this posture, especially in our practice of first lesson. In particular, it is helpful for doing shuddhis. Because the whole import of doing bhutashuddhi, asanashuddhi, and cittashuddhi is to withdraw the mind from worldly things and situate our mental feeling at our Ista cakra. And padma'sana helps goad the mind away from the physical realm. By first placing the right foot on the left thigh and then bringing the left foot over onto the right thigh, that will help straighten the spine and that enhances concentration. To complete the pose, we then place the right hand on top of the left. Plus the tongue should be rolled back towards the roof of the mouth.

* Siddha'sana (Siddha posture): This asana looks relatively easy but is extremely difficult. Sometimes people refer to this as half-lotus so they think it is easier than padmasana. But in truth many find it much more difficult to do rightly. Siddha'sana is to be used primarily for dhyana. That is the specialty of this pose because the heels are pressed in towards the muladhara and svadishthana cakras, thereby controlling those lower points and their associated vrttis.

Once that area is suspended through this special process of siddhasana, then the mind will not degrade, and with proper thought and psychic approach the mind will move from its home at ajina cakra and rise up to Guru cakra. This is extremely helpful for sadhana.

Note: Due to the nature of this pose, it is for males only - for anatomical reasons and as per Guru’s guideline in Acarya Diary. In turn, sisters should sit in padmas'ana.


Siddhi in asana

Siddha means 'accomplished', 'practiced', 'comfortable', 'established' etc. We should become siddha in each of the four mentioned sadhana asanas. We are not hatha yogis who practice thousands of asanas all day long. But these four above asanas are integral to a spiritually-vibrated sadhana practice. Siddha means being able to sit in postures like padmasana for 1, 2, or even 3+ hours at a time without feeling any discomfort. Once the physical body is established in this pose, then the mental realm can truly delve deeper into the practice of sadhana. So we should all try to achieve a state of 'siddhi' in our spiritual asana practice.


Conclusion

There are many factors that contribute to a vibrant sadhana practice. That is why Sadguru Baba has graciously given Sixteen Points and other vital teachings and guidelines. All these enhance our sadhana practice. These meditative poses are helpful in rejuvenating one’s sadhana practice.

Namaskar,
In Him,
Shrutidhar


~ In-depth study ~

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “Spiritual aspirants should take care to purify their pituitary gland because this helps in spiritual sádhaná. The secretion of hormones in the upper glands maintains a balance in all the other glands. The pituitary gland is psycho-spiritual in nature, and the pineal gland is spiritual in nature.” (3)


Without this body, one can not do Sádhaná

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “This body is Dharmakśetra. Without this body, one can not do Sádhaná. Animals can not do sádhaná because they haven’t got a human body. The human body is the most developed on this planet. (2)


Good company & sadhana

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “Pituitary and pineal glands: As a result of the sádhaná [spiritual practices] performed in previous lives, at the age of thirteen, after the sex glands are developed, the pituitary gland starts to function tremendously and one's thirst for spirituality is aroused. If such a person gets proper guidance from a preceptor, one achieves spiritual progress. If one falls into bad company, one's downfall is rapid. After getting proper spiritual guidance, one's mind rises upwards from the pituitary gland to the pineal gland, and with one's mind concentrated on the controlling point of the pineal gland, one attains salvation within a short span of time.” (4)


Seat of mind in abhidhyana

In trying to do dhyana many people unknowingly have their mind in ajina cakra - not Guru cakra. And they become habituated in this way, unbeknownst to them. But in that case, one cannot do true dhyana. To help ensure the mind reaches the Guru cakra, one can lightly touch the very crown of the head as that will help goad the mind in that direction. Without strong spiritual ideation and deep devotion, the mind will not reach up to that pinnacled point. So touching alone will not suffice, but it can help if the other factors are proper.


References
1. Caryacarya - 3
2. Ánanda Vacanámrtam - 14, Action and Reaction
3. Yoga Psychology, Bio-Psychology
4. Yoga Psychology, Bio-Psychology


== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==


All the beauty and glories of this entire creation are due to

"Vishva'tiit vishvag tumi, tabu keno khunje mari ha'y..." (Prabhat Samgiita #0281)

Purport:

O’ Parama Purusa, You are both beyond and within this entire universe. Even then I desperately search for You externally. I do not understand Your liila. Despite my awareness about Your eternal presence everywhere, I go on searching You outwardly - in every nook and corner. I cry in longing to get You. By Your grace, in the vast sky, in the air, water, and in the fire - in each and every entity a spiritual vibration is generated.

Baba, You are the source & inspiration of everything. All the beauty and glories of this entire creation are due to Your grace.  By thinking about Your divine play I am ensconced in Your love. By Your grace I am divinely intoxicated. When I think about Your vastness and greatness I lose myself in Your ideation.

O’ Parama Purusa, You are ever-awake in the deep corner of everyone's heart, every second, all the time. Baba, now by Your grace I understand that I lost so much time in searching You outside. In that way most of my time got wasted. Such a divine liila You play. In spite of my awareness that You are everywhere, unnecessarily I was searching You outside. But when I see and search You within then I feel that You are always sitting in my mind and smiling...


== Section 3: Prabhat Samgiita ==

तुम किसके लिये अपलक नज़र से प्रतीक्षा कर रहे हो


प्रभात संगीत 3234 कार तारे तुमि माला गाँन्थियाछो, कार पथ पाने चेये आछो…

परिचय- इस गीत में परमपुरुष, छद्म रूप से  भक्त के सामने आकर उससे पूंछते हुए, अपनी लीला कर रहे हैं। इस प्रकार यह गीत परमपुरुष और भक्त के बीच का अनोखा संवाद है जिसमें परमपुरुष ने भक्त के सामने अपनी पहचान छिपा रखी है।

भावार्थ

हे भक्त! तुम किसके लिये यह माला बना रहे हो? तुम किसके लिये अपलक नज़र से प्रतीक्षा कर रहे हो। वह तुम्हारा सबसे प्यारा कौन है जो दूर रहकर तुमको इतना रुला रहा है, फिर भी वह तुम्हें सबसे प्यारा है! वह कौन है?  वह कौन है जिसको तुम इतना प्यार करते हो कि भूल ही नहीं  सकते? वह सत्ता कौन है जिसके लिये तुम हमेशा  व्याकुल रहते हो और हृदय से पाना चाह रहे हो?

हे भक्त! वह तुम्हारा प्रेमी कौन है जिसके लिये तुमने हृदय में दिव्य अमृत, एकत्रित कर रखा है, और उसका आसन सुगंधित फूलों से सजा रखा है? वह दिव्य कौन है जो तुम्हारा सबसे प्यारा है। वह कौन है जिसके इंतज़ार में तुम अपने अकथनीय कष्टों को भूल गए हो । और उसके ध्यान में अपने मन-चमेली की सुगंध से मतवाले हो गए हो?

हे भक्त!  किसके प्रेम ने तुम्हारे मन को बड़ा बना दिया है, जिसके कारण तुम अनुभव करने लगे हो कि---विश्व के सभी लोग तुम्हारे हैं । कोई भी पराया नहीं, और न ही कोई दूर है। हृदय में तुम अनुभव करते हो कि सभी मेरे निकट के संबंधी हैं । तुमने अपने हृदय के सभी दरवाजे और खिड़कियाॅं अपने प्रेम को उड़ेलने के लिये, और सम्पूर्ण मानवता की सेवा के लिये खोल रखे है।

 हे भक्त! तुम किसके लिये माला बना रहे हो? साधना और ध्यान करते हुए तुम किसकी प्रतीक्षा कर रहे हो तुम्हारा प्रेमी कौन है?

टिप्पणी-

1. चमेली की सुगंध. आनंद मार्ग दर्शन में, इस का यहाॅं उदाहरण दिया है यह सुगंध साधना से संबंधित है। प्रारंभ में भक्त को प्रभु से मिलने की बहुत तीब्र इच्छा होती है जो साधना की सिद्धि में समाप्त हो जाती है, और उनकी कृपा से इस प्रकार की सुगंध की अनुभूति होती है, और भक्त आध्यात्मिक रूपसे मदहोश  हो जाता है। जब साधक की साधना अच्छी तरह होते हुए  चरम पर पहुंचने लगती है, तो अनाहत, विशुद्ध और आज्ञा चक्रों से सूक्ष्म ग्रन्थिरस निकलते हैं । जिनकी इस प्रकार की सुगंध होती है जो साधक के मन को शांति  और तृप्ति देती है। यह परमपुरुष की समीपता के सान्निध्य से होती है। (1)

Reference
1. Trans: Dr. T.R.S.


== Section 4: Important Teaching ==

Real vs fake humans

   Baba says, "The third essential factor of Bhágavata Dharma is sevá. Only humans are aware of their own identity. Plants, animals and material objects are not aware. A rupee does not know that it is a rupee. A mango tree does not know that it is a mango tree. A jackal does not know that it is a jackal. But humans know that they are human."
   "Human beings also know that Parama Puruśa is their source of impetus, is their Father, and that they are all His children. As His children, they have a brotherly relationship with all other jiivas, or unit beings. Due to this knowledge of brotherhood, the human is superior to all other beings. Parents are greatly pleased when they find that their children have been loved and helped by someone. Similarly, Parama Puruśa will be pleased when you serve His creation – not only human beings, but also plants, animals, and the rest of creation. That is, bhúta yajiṋa, pitr yajiṋa and nr yajiṋa are to be performed. Those who have this feeling are in the real sense of the term human beings. Just having the body of a human does not make a person a real human being, a rational being." (1)

Note: There are many, especially in materialistic societies, who do solely for their own self-gratification and personal entertainment etc. Sometimes it may look like they are doing social service work, but it is not social service in the true sense. Because they are doing that "service" only to enhance their own prestige, garner praise, or because it gives them some sort of selfish pleasure.

The proof is when the "service" work is no longer pleasurable or suiting their needs, then they stop doing it. In that case, what they are doing is not service, but a form of selfish indulgence.

If in their “service” activities, a person does not have the feeling of Brahma bhava, then what they are doing is not true service, but a form of selfishness. Those who are doing true seva are real human beings and those who lack this quality are not real human beings.

Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 3, The Requirements for Sádhaná




== Section 5: Links ==

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