Baba
Crux of sadhana
Namaskar,
Sadhana is the cream of life and the only way to reach the Goal and feel His bliss. It is by sincerely practicing sadhana that we progress on the path. At the same time, there are many factors that might temporarily halt our progress in sadhana - procrastination, laziness, mundane attraction etc.
However there is one fundamental flaw that will make our sadhana become "stuck" - when we really cannot move ahead. And it is this pitfall that every sadhaka and seeker must be aware of - and avert - if they want success in their spiritual life.
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Bhakti means service to Parama Purusa
Baba reminds us again and again that bhakti means service to Parama Purusa.
Bhaktir Bhagavato seva'To serve anyone, to serve Parama Purusa, His presence is needed. One must feel that Baba is nearby, closeby so that we may serve Him. Without His presence there can be no service; and if there is no service there is no bhakti. So this inherent feeling of closeness with Parama Purusa is the key ingredient of bhakti. And with the feeling of bhakti then one can easily move forward on the path of sadhana. Hence, it all starts with the presence of Parama Purusa, thinking that Baba is close by. This
Bhakti is service to the Supreme
is an essential element of sadhana.
The major pitfall
The main pitfall then or reason for getting stuck in sadhana is falling into the dogma that Parama Purusa is not really there. Unfortunately some feel this way - and in that condition their sadhana becomes completely stuck.
People innocently fall into the belief that sadhana is “just my imagination.” They repeat their mantra, do their chanting, do so many things - all with the feeling that they are alone and that Parama Purusa cannot really hear them. This defective approach has invaded the mental plate of many a sadhaka. And it is a most dangerous phenomena. How does it happen?
People think, "I imagine so many conversations - with my spouse, my boss, my grandmother, or my friend. And those persons do not actually hear me. They do not know I was talking with them. It was all just my imagination. Same then is the case with sadhana and Parama Purusa. I am repeating my mantra but He cannot hear me. It is all just my imagination."
This is one unfortunate misunderstanding that may enter the mind. And this will bring one's sadhana to a complete halt. Because without Parama Purusa there is no sadhana. If we fall into the trap that Parama Purusa is not close by but rather very far away then He will remain beyond our grasp.
Ananda Marga ideology says, "If you think that He is very far from you, He will remain forever beyond your reach." (1)
In that case sadhana will just be one fantasy - just a far off dream. There will not be any progress - nor any spiritual vibration or feeling of closeness in sadhana.
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Spiritual balm: “He is watching me”
To avert this spiritual calamity, one must feel like they are communicating with Baba in sadhana. And to do this, one must cultivate the idea that He is close by.
And really it is not very difficult to do. The whole essence of our second lesson - or Guru mantra - is that Parama Purusa is watching me. That is the beginning, middle, and end of second lesson. If one feels this way then that is everything in second lesson. Hence, all the 24hrs we should cultivate the feeling that Parama Purusa is watching me.
And that is the reality also. It is not just one's imagination. Because Parama Purusa has deep, deep love and affection for everyone. In that case He cannot keep Himself away. Rather His tendency will be to come close and watch for your welfare. And when as sadhakas we embrace this reality, then we will have His closeness and touch.
Ananda Marga ideology says, "If you think that He is near, He will be so near that you need not move even an inch to attain Him." (2)
So the feeling embedded within 2nd second lesson is vital toward our spiritual growth in sadhana. And indeed when doing citta shuddhi, this very same feeling must be inculcated. Only when we feel we are completely surrounded by His presence should we then commence our mantra japa.
In a nutshell, when we feel that He is with us, then our sadhana can never become stuck.
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Baba gives proof: “I am with you”
Even then some think that, "Okay, Parama Purusa is watching me, I can accept this idea, follow it, and tell others about it, but in my heart I do not think it is true."
Some fall in this category. That is why for years and years, in countless reporting sessions and in dharma samiiksa and in PC, Baba would again and again give proof that He was there all along, watching us. He would smile and perfectly repeat what we were thinking when we were standing outside in the rain waiting for the bus, or He would talk about how we ate a sweet before doing sadhana, or He would describe who the passengers were on the train when we were traveling to DMC.
All these things and many more Baba would tell us. And the sole reason behind it was to teach and show us that in all circumstances He is always with us. That was His message: Never are we alone, always Parama Purusa is with you - watching - caring for your welfare.
Verily, this is the essence of spirituality: His presence. And Baba has written hundreds of songs in His Prabhat Samgiita collection that depict how we are to sing to Him and that He is always listening. All this reinforces the sweet notion that He is always with us.
Most important aspect of spiritual life
So whether doing sadhana or not, we should always feel that He is with us - watching us - looking out for our welfare. And this is one beautiful idea. It is not scary as if some enemy is secretly watching us through the window. Rather it is one very charming and blissful concept that no matter where I may go in this universe, Baba will always be with me, gently holding my hand - guiding me, helping me - saving me.
This idea is the most important aspect of our spiritual life and it is this notion that propels us ahead on the path. So we must always feel that He is with us. When doing second lesson we are to feel that He is watching us. And when doing first lesson we are to feel like we are calling Him.
Mindlessly repeating those mantras without that ideation - without the feeling of His presence - will be futile. It is the feeling that we are communicating with Him directly - that He is there listening - that empowers our sadhana and gives shakti to our mantra japa. So we should always cultivate this as the first step in our spiritual life: That He is present. Never should we allow ourselves to fall prey to the myth that sadhana is just our imagination. Doing so is the kiss of death. Then our sadhana will really be stuck. Even if we sit for hours and hours we will not advance.
When we think - "Baba is with me" - then all the lessons of sadhana come alive and we float in the bliss of of His sweet Presence. Then we communicate with Him, and we will directly receive His communication and love also. Sadhana will be a blissful interaction between bhakta and Parama Purusa.
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Conclusion
In our Ananda Marga, the whole concept and practice of sadhana is based on the idea that we are very close with and in communication with Parama Purusa. That is the golden nugget of AM sadhana. In the various religions they feel that their god is far away in the seventh sky and that he is only available one day a week and even then to communicate with him one needs the help of a priest etc. That is their dogmatic outlook.
In the tantra of Ananda Marga, Baba has infused with us with the idea that, “Parama Purusa is yours and that He is your very close companion.” It is this very real vibration that gives force to our mantra japa and propels us toward Oneness with Him. By remembering and practicing this ideal, we will never again get stuck in sadhana, by His grace.
Ananda Marga ideology says, "He who is guiding the stars of the skies, is with you, you are not alone. Under no circumstances should you ever be afraid. Never think that you are alone. Whatever has to happen, will happen, and the One who causes this happening is with you. He is not something which resides far far away. You are not a distant relative of His. He is your Father. So you only have to know the One. Who is He? He is your nearest and dearest One. He is your most beloved." (3)
In Him,
Ananda Bhusan
~ In-depth study ~
Showy sadhana will not do
If we do sadhana just to show off in front of others or if we do sadhana just so that we can go and eat food, then this is not good. In that sadhana there is no Parama Purusa, there is only self and the mundane desire for name and fame or food. If one falls in this category then they are stuck. Their sadhana will not go anywhere. Only when one thinks that my sadhana is for Parama Purusa will they then be able to advance. Baba is ever-gracious so whatever right or wrong habits we may have had in the past, He is always there to help us proceed on the path. Let us all move forward embracing this idea.
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References
1. Ananda Marga Ideology and Way of Life in a Nutshell Part 6, Microcosm and Macrocosm
2. Ananda Marga Ideology and Way of Life in a Nutshell Part 6, Microcosm and Macrocosm
3. Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 5, Bandhu, Suhrd, Mitram and Sakhá
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The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stands on their own as points of interest.
* * *
== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==
You arrived here
"Esechile álor srote, hatásháy áshá bhálobásá dite, bhesechi bháva jagate, ráge anuráge tomáy mete..." (Prabhat Samgiita #0619)
Purport:
O’ Parama Purusa, You arrived here on this earth from satyaloka, the source of brahmic refulgence to give love and hope to the depressed, the forlorn, the desperate, and the hopeless. O’ my Lord, You have come to caress, soothe, and help suffering humanity. It is Your grace: I am floating in the spiritual world, in the blissful ideation of the Supreme, and am spiritually intoxicated in Your love and affection. You have made me Yours.
O’ Parama Purusa, when I was in cimmerian darkness, I was looking for You and sought Your help. When I was drowning in misery and nightmares and in the pool of sorrow, I found You very close to me. In my hour of dire need, You were there by my side - to support me. O’ Parama Purusa, I have seen You in a musical echo of melody as well. In my happy days also I found You. I have seen You in Your most attractive and intoxicating Mohan form - and also in formless rhythms. You, the most charming Entity in the entire universe, are forever with me. Having fallen in love with You, I am not allured towards anything else. It is Your blessing.
Baba, when in storms and cyclones, I was completely desperate for Your assistance; then by Your grace, I found You in the form of a soft, gentle breeze. After overcoming my drowsiness, I heard the mystical sounds of Your captivating flute in my sadhana. My mind was completely ensconced in Your divine ideation, tunes - in Your various transcendental melodies. I have found You in various forms - in moments of joy as well as in despair.
Baba, You are always with me - it is Your causeless grace...
"Esechile álor srote, hatásháy áshá bhálobásá dite, bhesechi bháva jagate, ráge anuráge tomáy mete..." (Prabhat Samgiita #0619)
Purport:
O’ Parama Purusa, You arrived here on this earth from satyaloka, the source of brahmic refulgence to give love and hope to the depressed, the forlorn, the desperate, and the hopeless. O’ my Lord, You have come to caress, soothe, and help suffering humanity. It is Your grace: I am floating in the spiritual world, in the blissful ideation of the Supreme, and am spiritually intoxicated in Your love and affection. You have made me Yours.
O’ Parama Purusa, when I was in cimmerian darkness, I was looking for You and sought Your help. When I was drowning in misery and nightmares and in the pool of sorrow, I found You very close to me. In my hour of dire need, You were there by my side - to support me. O’ Parama Purusa, I have seen You in a musical echo of melody as well. In my happy days also I found You. I have seen You in Your most attractive and intoxicating Mohan form - and also in formless rhythms. You, the most charming Entity in the entire universe, are forever with me. Having fallen in love with You, I am not allured towards anything else. It is Your blessing.
Baba, when in storms and cyclones, I was completely desperate for Your assistance; then by Your grace, I found You in the form of a soft, gentle breeze. After overcoming my drowsiness, I heard the mystical sounds of Your captivating flute in my sadhana. My mind was completely ensconced in Your divine ideation, tunes - in Your various transcendental melodies. I have found You in various forms - in moments of joy as well as in despair.
Baba, You are always with me - it is Your causeless grace...
== Section 3: Important Teaching
==
Sadhana & marital relations
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “The attraction towards earthly things born out of lust (káma) and attachment (moha) makes conjugal relations a necessity. Intuitional practice helps one to overcome this need. One becomes indifferent to it. So the question of giving it up for intuitional practice does not arise. It was said earlier that sádhaná is waging war against Prakrti and defeating Her. The force of intuitional practice is certainly greater than the strength of Prakrti, and by means of it one can attain Brahmacarya.” (1)
Reference
1. Ananda Marga Elementary Philosophy, Why Are People Afraid of Intuitional Practice?
== Section 4: Links ==
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This email contains four sections:
1. PS: #0619: You arrived here
1. PS: #0619: You arrived here
2. Posting: Crux of sadhana
3. IT: Sadhana & marital relations
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