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Wednesday, March 31, 2021

What about sleep + 4 more

Baba

What about sleep

Namaskar,

There are three types of sleep: (a) spiritual slumber where one has no interest in sadhana; (b) psychic sleep where one has no interest in the intellectual sphere - they may have a lot of physical energy and be spiritually inclined, but intellectually they are deficient; and, (c) physical sleep. In this letter we are talking about physical sleep.

When humans should sleep


Some not familiar with proper sleeping habits may (a) sleep after paincajanya, (b) stay awake late into the night gossiping or watching movies or playing video games etc, (c) or engage in other types of unhealthy sleeping patterns. But all such ways are to be avoided.
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Sadguru Baba guides us in His various teachings that sleep plays a highly unique role in the life of all jiivas of this universe. Sleep is not just a waste of time - but rather satisfies a very special function for the body and mind. Baba has provided us with all the do's and don'ts regarding sleep, as well as how it benefits human existence. One of the chief benefits of sleep is that it is a time when the body is given opportunity to repair itself. The cells, the glands, the organs all get restored when one sleeps. Therefore, sleep plays a vital role in human health. So it is imperative to pay heed to Baba's following guidelines to maximize the benefit of sleep and optimize the body's ability to heal itself. As a general health rule, Baba states that people should sleep during the night - not during the day.

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "Sleeping during the day and staying awake at night are to be avoided." (1)

Why sleeping at night is beneficial


In Senior Acarya Diary, Baba clearly explains how and why nighttime sleeping is beneficial for human beings. His main point is that the pattern of keeping awake in the daytime and sleeping at night helps the body restore and revitalise itself. By this way, the blood cells, nerves, and glands of the human body get restored and charged. Because sunlight has a generating effect on the human body and moonlight makes one feel more tired. And other biological and natural effects are also linked with maintaining this type of sleep cycle (2).

That is why human beings feel fresh and revitalised in the morning. Because sleeping at night helps humans repair their body and regain their energy level - both mentally and physically. In the same chapter of Senior Acarya Diary, Baba tells us that there are various animals who derive benefits by following an opposite approach to sleeping and living. These are nocturnal beings - but for humans this approach is not good.
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Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Sleep: Due to excessive physical and mental labour, the nerve-cells and nerve-fibres become fatigued and demand relaxation, forcing the conscious mind to cease functioning and producing the state of sleep. Often the subconscious ceases also, leaving only the unconscious to continue the work of the brain. However, sometimes the nerve-cells begin functioning during the latter part of the night, due to sudden heat in the back portion of the cranium or to an upward movement of gastric wind. The subconscious mind accordingly starts thinking or remembering, producing dreams. In the absence of the functioning of the conscious mind, these products of the subconscious are accepted as true and practical. Sometimes the dreamer actually believes that he is flying, for the non-functioning of the conscious mind prevents him from perceiving this idea to be pure imagination. Some people become extremely frightened by their dreams and produce inarticulate mutterings of fear; at times dreamers even die of heart failure. To assist a person out of a disturbing dream it helps to bring the person's hands or feet into contact with the ground, for this aids the conscious mind in beginning to function again." (3)

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Daylight imposes mutative influence on the human nerves and night-time imposes a static influence, causing the inertness of sleep in the body and mind. The periods of sunrise, sunset, moon and midnight (the sandhyás) bring about a sentient transparency in the Citta." (4)

Proper sleeping patterns cure disease


A proper sleep cycle - i.e. sleeping at night - also plays an important role in curing and treating various diseases such as: Acidity, indigestion, heart disease, white leprosy, dementia, and cancer etc. In His book, Yogic Treatment, under the 'Do's and Don'ts' section Baba warns patients not to adopt a reverse sleeping pattern.

Ananda Marga Yogic Treatments states, "Sleeping during the day, staying awake at night... are to be strictly avoided." (5)

Not in one place, but in numerous instances throughout the book Baba issues this same warning - otherwise the disease cannot be cured. So following an improper sleeping pattern is hazardous to one's health.
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Secrets for a long life

To maximize human longevity, Baba has given a short list of very important guidelines. And two of those are related with our sleep-awake cycle. Hence there are numerous benefits to maintaining a proper sleep schedule - one of which is longevity of life. In His secrets for a long life, Baba has given these points:

(A) "Going to sleep as soon as one feels sleepy." (6)

Here Baba is guiding us not to force the body to remain awake late at night. This should not become one’s regular way of living. Sometimes due to pressure of circumstance it may be unavoidable, but that should be minimized. Remember, the body enters into sleep mode in order to repair itself. If one continues to press the body beyond its limits by staying up late and not giving it the rest it needs, the body will not be adequately restored. On the opposite end of the spectrum, nor should one lie down in bed before they feel ready to go to sleep. So our standard practice should be to sleep when tiredness overcomes one's existence - i.e. "when one feels sleepy". And, as far as possible, through developing a regular habit, one should sleep each night at the same time, at a proper time that is not too late. That is the basic idea of Baba's teaching.

(B) "Getting out of bed in the Bra'hma Muhu'rtta [just prior to sunrise]" (7)

In this second directive, as is quite evident, Baba is guiding us to arise before daylight hours. That means getting up for paincjanaya and then staying awake. Some sadhakas wake up for paincajanya and then go back to sleep for 1, 2, or even 3 hours. Or one might justify to themselves that since they woke up for paincajanya then they can sleep again just after lunch etc. But this is not Baba's system. Arising in the pre-dawn hour means concluding one's sleep at that point and beginning one's spiritual routine of meditation and asanas and bathing and then later taking food and attending to one's allotted daily duties, work, and pracara activities etc. And one should not return back to bed until the end of day.

Following a standard sleep pattern of 'early to bed & early to rise' is an optimal approach for human beings. According to Ananda Marga philosophy, sleep is instrumental in leading a long and healthy life.
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Memory & sleep are connected


Here is one important point related with sleeping and memory. While asleep, no one has the awareness to know that they are sleeping. There is a sense of emptiness or vacuity.

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Nidrá, one of the main propensities. “Abhávapratyayá lambaniivrttih Nidra”. Nidra (sleep) is a propensity which brings vacuity in mind. In human beings the propensity that brings forth blankness is itself Nidrá. Suppose, you are resting on your bed. Your eyes are on the watch, you fall sleep, but when you get up, you fail to say at what moment actually you slept. Between sleeping and rising things occurred of which you are ignorant. There was vacuum, neither you were seeing anything nor hearing anything. This state of vacuity is Nidrá." (8)

Whereas if you are eating or walking, one is keenly aware they are eating and walking. That is the case with your daily activities; one's conscious mind is active. Even when you prepare for sleep, you remember that. But once one falls asleep, one does not know they are sleeping. Indeed, a person can document all they did during the day, but when sleeping that period is blank - one does not know what they are doing. In the thread of memory, there is a gap. So those who sleep in the daytime create more gaps in their memory. In taking short naps throughout the day, there will be a growing gap in one's memory. That brings dullness and dumbness. One's intellectual sharpness will decline.
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Let's say one morning you read a chapter of a book and finish it by 11am. And then from 11am to 11:30am you remain awake and involve in other projects, then at 11:30am you will have a solid recollection of that chapter. In contrast, if you read a chapter from the same book and finish it by 11am, but then sleep from 11am - 11:30am, then at 11:30am your recollection of that chapter will not be as sharp. It will be comparatively worse than if you had remained awake. It will be faded or feel like a more distant memory. When you sleep then those events that occurred directly before sleep become more distant memories, whereas if you remain awake those events are more clearly recalled.
 
Sleeping one time in a 24-hour period is ok, but more than that is not good. Those who sleep more become dumb. Their power of recollection, i.e. memory, will wane.

Here are more teachings from Ananda Marga philosophy on this subject of sleep.

Extra and untimely sleep is very bad


Ananda Marga philosophy states, "A person who is given to too much sleep can never perform big things in life. A person who sleeps too long spends half of his or her lifetime in sleep only. So how will he or she find time to do noble deeds? Human life, after all, is not very long; and of that short span of life, if half is wasted on sleep only, then there will hardly be any time left for doing noble deeds. That's why it is said, a person who is given to too much sleep can never aspire to attain the peak of progress in life. Sleep is necessary for health, but many people wrongly think that the more one sleeps, the better it is for health. That is wrong. Human beings go to sleep because they want to work more. While working for long periods the body gets tired, and then only does one take sleep, just to get back fresh energy for work." (9)

It is often seen that students, in particular, adopt unhealthy sleeping patterns. They stay awake late into the night to attend to their studies and then they arise in the mid-morning - hours after sunrise. Part of the reason for this is that they find it easier to study when it is quiet; the mid hours of the night provide such an environment. This is especially true in so-called third world countries where all family members are living in the same house. In overseas areas, students often remain awake at night either due to extreme busyness in life or due to procrastination. In any event, as far as possible, students should adjust their routines according to Baba's guidelines.

It is also seen that those working Mon - Fri often like to "sleep-in" on Saturdays and Sundays. Some students also like to do this. But this also is not a healthy practice. Then there are some people who are called "night owls." There are various professors and internet fanatics etc who spend large portions of the night glued to their various endeavours - and then they sleep far into the day. Unfortunately in this circumstance, the human body cannot be maintained for long in this type of backwards routine.
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Too much sleep impairs one's health


At the same time, sleeping excess amounts during the night is not good for human beings. So people - especially sadhakas - should be very attentive to how much sleep they are getting, and be careful not to oversleep.

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "The ancient people believed that excessive sleep is good for health, but this is not the case. Rather, too much sleep not only impairs the health, but has an adverse effect on the mind." (10)

Namaskar,
in Him,
Mahamana’ Deva

The points expressed in this letter are for healthy adults. Children need more sleep and small infants should sleep most of the time. Those who are sick or aged need more rest to restore themselves as their bodily needs are different. So this letter about sleep is primarily for those who are healthy adults.

Nocturnal beings


Not all animals follow the same schedule as humans. Here following is a list of those animals that are nocturnal-- i.e. they sleep during the day and remain awake at night: African hunting dog, Amethyst python, Armadillo, Aye-aye, Badger, Bandicoot, Bat, Beaver, Bullfrog, Bushbaby, Cassowary, Cat, Coyote, Deer, Deer mouse, Dobsonfly, Douroucouli, Echidna, Fennec, Firefly, Flying squirrel, Red Fox, Gecko, Gerbil, Ghost crab, Green Sea Turtle, Hamster, Snowshoe hare, Harvest mouse, Hedgehog, Heron, Hippopotamus, Hyena, Kangaroo rat, Kiwi, Koala, Leopard, Loris, Lumholtz tree-climbing kangaroo, Moth, Nightjar, Oilbird, Okapi, Opossum, Owl, Pangolin, Periwinkle, Possum, Potto, Raccoon, Rainforest dingo, Rat, Red-legged pademelon, Rhinoceros, Skunk, Sugar glider, Tiger, Tree frog, Weasel, Whippoorwill, White-tailed uromys, Wolf, Woodcock. As noted, humans are not on the list as being nocturnal.
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References
1. Ananda Marga Caryacarya - 3, 'General Health Rules', pt #9
2. Reference: 'Pranayama' Chapter
3. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 23, Samádhi, Senselessness and Sleep
4. Subhasita Samgraha - 3, Vibration, Form and Colour
5. Yogic Treatments, 'Cancer Chapter'
6. Caryacarya - 3, Appendix, point #3
7. Caryacarya - 3, Appendix, point #8
8. Subhasita Samgraha - 18, Yoga & Bhakti
9. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 31, Sleep and Inertia
10. Yogic Treatments, 'Cancer Chapter'


*        *        *

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 ==

I follow Your order

"Tomáy ámi bhálobási, ámi tomár ájinákárii..." (Prabhat Samgiita #4589)

Purport:

Parama Purusa, I love You and always feel blessed to carry out Your order with utmost reverence, whatever it may be. By Your endless compassion, throughout all my days, I practice shravan, manan, nidhidhyasana, and meditation. All my time is spent chanting and singing Your blissful name and thinking of You. By Your unfathomable grace, I am always engaged in Your ideation. My Eternal Companion, I have so much feeling for You.

Baba, in true sense, I do not know whether You love me or not. I do not even want to know, although in my heart I feel that You love me. Baba, be merciful and bestow upon me a deep yearning for the Divine by showering Your causeless karuńá. I do not have any virtue or strength from following Sixteen Points. Just I depend on Your causeless grace. Please give me bhakti; that is the only thing I want - to remain close to You.

Baba, You are above all worldly losses and gains, desires and attachments. You are the base of consciousness. Physically and mentally, I do namah to You. O’ Destroyer of Mental Darkness, I request You to come and give me darshan. Baba, with my whole existence - my body, heart, and mind, I do sastaunga pranam at Your lotus feet. Please grant me ragatmika bhakti so I may remain in Your closest proximity. You are the most gracious One...


== Section 3: Important Teaching ==

How to choose Prabhat Samgiita songs

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "In the case of human beings, when they move around Parama Puruśa, one person moves, one person dances, unknowingly, another person knowingly. Those who are dancing, those who are moving, knowingly, always try to lessen the length of their radii." (1)

Every human being is unique, with their own radius to Parama Purusa - some are closer and some are further. Thus, what is a high degree of bhakti for one person may be a lower degree of bhakti for another. It depends entirely upon one's feeling for Parama Purusa. And even then, one's individual degree of bhakti may change from day to day - sometimes the mind is high, and sometimes one feels dry.

This is all to say that one cannot select a Prabhat Samgiita composition for anyone else. Best is for every aspirant to learn and study various songs, and then when they wish to listen they should select a song that feels most appropriate for them at that time, based on their mental feeling. Side by side, one should always try to learn new songs to expand their library and experience. This is the universal approach that every sadhaka should take with regards to Prabhat Samgiita.

References
1. Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 12, Shortening the Radius


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Misplaced fear: population growth

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."


References
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 13, p.44
2. Prout in a Nutshell - 13, Population Growth and Control


== Section: Prabhat Samgiita ==

जीवों के दुःख का बोझ हटाओ 

प्रभात संगीत 4703 प्रभातेर रवि बोले, घुमाये घुमाये थेको ना आर ...

भावार्थ

बाबा की कृपा से नये प्रभात का सूर्य सूचना दे रहा है , ‘ए मनुष्यो! अब और अधिक नींद में मत रहो। तुम्हारे पास बहुत सा काम करने को है। एक पूरे पहाड़ के बरावर काम तुम्हारे सामने है। अब दिवा स्वप्न मत देखो और आलस्य तंद्रा को दूर करो। ए मनुष्यो ! कम से कम अपनी आॅंखें एक बार तो खोलो और कराहती मानवता की ओर तो देखो, जीवों के दुःख का बोझ हटाओ ।  नींद में अब और अधिक न रहो, मानवता  के लिये कुछ करो।|

हे मनुष्यो! अनेक युगों से तुम सोते रहे हो। तुम पूरी रात सोते और स्वप्न देखते हो। अब स्वप्न और सोने  का समय नहीं है। लोग दुखों और कष्टों के बोझ से व्यथित हो चिल्ला रहे हैं, यह समय आलस्य और तन्द्रा में रहने का नहीं है। उठो औेर उन सब की सेवा में जुट जाओ । नींद में अब और अधिक न रहो जीवों के लिये कुछ करो।

हे मनुष्यो! देखो ! अब भव्य सुनहला दिन और दूर नहीं है, वह जल्दी ही निकट आ रहा है, प्रातःकाल अपनी लालिमा अपना प्रकाश  चारों ओर फैला रहा है, हर वस्तु चमकने लगी है, । पर्वत केे शिखर पर पक्षी चहचहा रहे हैं  और यही दिव्य संदेश  दे रहे हैं, नींद में अब और अधिक न रहो जीवों के लिये कुछ करो।

 अब वह दिन आ रहा है जब लोग हर तरह के बंधनों से मुक्त हो जायेंगे। अब कहीं भी कष्ट , प्रताड़ना और शोषण नहीं रहेगा। सभी आनन्दित जीवन जियेंगे। हे मनुष्यो ! प्रातःकाल की लालिमा तुम्हारे दरवाजे खटखटा रही है, दरवाजा खोलो और जीवों के लिये कुछ करो।। (1)

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


== Section: Bangla Quote ==

সেই ভাষাকে ৰলি বৈদিক ভাষা

“আর্য়দের আদি নিবাস ছিল রুস দেশের দক্ষিণাংশ, এবং মধ্যাংশ, যুরাল পর্বত মালার কাছাকাছি এলাকা | অন্য নাম caucasian | তাঁরা তখন মানে আজ থেকে অনুমানিক পোনেরো হাজ়ার ৰছর আগে যে ভাষায় কথা ৰলতেন, আজ আমরা সেই ভাষাকে ৰলি বৈদিক ভাষা | কেন বৈদিক ভাষা ৰলি ? সে ভাষার তো কোনও নাম ছিল, বৈদিক ভাষা এই কারণে ৰলি যে সে ভাষাতে কেবল মাত্র একটি ৰইয়েরই আমরা সন্ধান পেয়েছি, যে ৰইটার নাম বেদ | তাই ভাষাটার নাম বৈদিক |” (1)

Reference
1. MGD, 16 March 1980-03-16 Calcutta


 == Prabhat Samgiita ==


~ हे बाबा! तुम तो दुखहरण हो!  तुमने मुझे दुखों और कष्टों से बचा लिया है। ~


पीएस 1421 आमार सकल दुखेर माझे एले तुमि दुखहरण ...

भावार्थ

हे बाबा! तुम तो दुखहरण हो! मैं कितनें दुखों और कष्टों में घिरा हुआ था, मैं विपत्ति ग्रस्त था, मेरा जीवन असह्य था, मैं पूर्णतः दुर्दशा  में था, तब मुझे बचाने के लिये, तुम  अपनी टकटकायी आॅखों से       देखते हुए, धीरे धीरे चलते हुए, प्यारी मुस्कुराहट भरे चेहरे में मेरे पास आये---यह तुम्हारी कृपा  है। तुमने मेरे आॅंखों के आॅंसू पोंछ कर, मुझे दुखों और कष्टों से बचा लिया है।

हे परमपुरुष! मैं पूर्ण समर्पित होकर, उस दुखित और असहाय स्थिति में, तुम्हारे आश्रय में, तुमको पुकारते हुए, तुम्हें ही देखता था। दोनों हाथों को ऊपर उठाकर समर्पण की मुद्रा में मैंने कहा हे बाबा! हे मेरे प्रभो! कृपा कर मृझे बचालो, तुम ही मेरे एकमात्र सहारा हो, तुम नहीं बचाओगे तो कौन बचायेगा? तब उसी क्षण तुमने कृपा कर मुझे बचा लिया।

हे बाबा!  जब मैं चारों ओर देखता हॅूं, तो लगता है कि तुम्हारी कृपामय उपस्थिति से ही यह सारा संसार ऊर्जावान होकर स्पंदित  हो रहा है। सारा आकाश  तुम्हारे दिव्य प्रकाश  से लिपटा हुआ है, और मेरा मन और हृदय तुम्हारे प्रेम में निमग्न है। बाबा! तुम्हारे चरणकमलों को पकड़कर मैं तुम्हारे ही कीर्तिमान गीत गाते हुए हृदय से शरणागत हॅूं।

टिप्पणी :- ‘‘दुखहरण‘‘ , अर्थात् दुख को दूर करने वाला । परमपुरुष के अनन्त विशेषणों में से एक ‘दुखहरण‘ भी है। महाभारत काल में द्रौपदी को बंदी बनाकर सताये जाने पर, द्रौपदी ने अपने को परमपुरुष के समक्ष पूर्ण समर्पण करते हुए  पुकारा | तब परमपुरुष ने उन्हें तत्काल मदद की, और उनका कष्ट दूर कर दिया। भावार्थ यह कि परमपुरुष दुखहरण हैं। मनुष्यों के दुख तीन प्रकार के होते हैं, भौतिक, मानसिक और आध्यात्मिक। जीवन में, किसी भी प्रकार के दुख में, परमपुरुष बाबा को पूर्ण समर्पण भाव से पुकारने पर, वे अवश्य  दुखों का हरण कर लेते हैं।   


== Section 4: Links ==

Sunday, March 28, 2021

Story of creation + 4 more

Baba

Story of creation

Namaskar,

This is a vital topic: How to teach our margii children and other young ones about our Ananda Marga theory of creation - i.e. how this grand universe has come into existence. At some point, invariably questions arise in the minds of our youths - in the minds of our children: They wonder, 'who am I', 'where have I come from', 'what is this universe' etc. And our Ananda Marga creation theory answers all these doubts and queries in a very comprehensive and compelling way.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


They have come from the hospital?


The question arises: When and how should we guide our children about our Ananda Marga creation theory. Should we wait until our children reach a certain age when they can understand philosophy, grasp abstruse concepts of "Idea & Ideology", and comprehend challenging topics like jadasphota, shambhuliunga, sadrsha parin'a'ma etc? Otherwise, when and how should we approach this topic with our kids.

After all, this is an everyday reality for most of us: What is the best way to guide our children. Inevitably, either on the home-front, in school, or on the internet, this important topic of creation will be raised. And if we do not give a reply - or if our reply is not satisfactory to their ears - then our children will get the 'lesson' elsewhere. If we don't teach our children from where they have come, then they are bound to learn from the general society that human beings are just bones, flesh, and blood - nothing more. They have come from the hospital.

Existence starts from ova & spermatozoa?


Commonly in materialism, people view life in a very mundane way where they think that existence starts from the ova and spermatozoa. But this is just a very superficial approach. We know that according to Ananda Marga philosophy each life is a part-life of a greater series of lives wherein the very source is Parama Purusa. We have all come from Him - that same Divine source - and we are all returning unto Him. So our connection is far deeper than how materialists view the world.

The existence of the human body starts from the ova and spermatozoa but not the human mind. And the human mind is the main thing of the human personality. Before they reach puberty, kids do not like logic and reasoning; they enjoy grand stories and imaginative tales. Every parent and educator must keep this in mind when sharing the theory of creation with young kids.

The content of this letter is based on Baba's original Hindi discourse delivered in one general darshan in Patna (1965) where He explained Ananda Marga creation theory in a very easy-to-understand language.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Story starts here


In the very beginning, Parama Purusa was all alone. There was no one with whom He could play. He was not surrounded by anything or anyone. There was darkness all around; indeed the absence of anything means there was just a vast dark void emanating in all directions from the nucleus of His mind. According to Ananda Marga philosophy, black means no colour, i.e. the complete absence of any colour. 

When we are completely isolated and have no company, no playmates, and no one to talk to, and are all alone in the house, then we will become very, very lonely. Such was the condition of Parama Purusa. To remove that loneliness, He decided to create something - someone - with whom He could love and play.

It is just like if there are children in the house, then that household becomes colourful and vibrant. Those children will laugh and they will cry; they will sing and they will dance. And sometimes a child also comes with a problem or needs help in some way; and, on other occasions a young one cries out loudly and says, “Dad, I want this, or Mom I need that.”

Having children brings warmth, joy, and, most importantly, it transforms life itself into an intimate family experience where there is lots of sharing, caring, and companionship. In which case, one will no longer be alone or feel lonely.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

In the very beginning, Parama Purusa was all alone. There was no one with whom He could play. To break the monotony, Parama Purusa had to create something - someone with whom to play. But to create anything, materials are needed. It is just like if anyone wants to make some toys, then some material is needed such as clay, plastic, rubber, wood - something is needed from which to make those toys.

Similarly, Parama Purusa needed something with which to make His creation; some ingredients were needed to make something - to make one universe. Yet there was nothing around - only there was Parama Purusa and nothing else. Besides Him, there was no one; He was all alone. Then how could He create anything? Besides Him, there was nothing. So then what to do?

In that case, He had to use part of His own mind. To create something, Parama Purusa kept away some portion of His own mind from His nucleus: He put that portion of His mind away at a distance. Without putting away part of His mind, material could not be created.


Story of srsti: create various tattvas

One might then ask, 'Why did He have to put part of His mind away?' 'Why did He have to set it aside.’ 'What was the need to do that?' The answer is that if He did not put some portion of His mind away from His nucleus, then it could not have become made into material - it would just remain unexpressed as pure consciousness. Yet some type of material was needed in order to create something tangible with which He could play.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

For this reason Parama Purusa had to set aside some part of His mind away from His nucleus. Otherwise, it would be impossible to make any toys - jiivas and inanimate objects etc - i.e. any of the creation. So He put aside part of His mind away from His nucleus,and it was transformed into material: The specialty of this process is that the further away Parama Purusa put away His mind from His nucleus, the more dense it became.

Accordingly, that portion of His mind that He placed just a short distance away from His nucleus was comparatively less dense, and it became the ethereal factor. And that part of His mind that was put a little further away from His nucleus was more dense so it became the aerial factor. And that portion of His mind that was even further away became the luminous factor - as it was more dense. And when He put His mind still further away it became more dense and was the liquid factor. Until finally He put some portion of His mind very far away from His nucleus, and that became the solid factor. And this is the most dense factor - the reason being that it is furthest away from Parama Purusa. And this entire process of making material is known as: saincara.

So His process of saincara is the process of making the material. And in this process of saincara, He creates the painca bhutas, or 5 fundamental factors: ethereal, aerial, luminous, liquid, and solid. And why does He do this? Why did He embark on this process of saincara? To prepare material to create His toys, i.e. living and non-living beings.


Pratisaincara: living beings to play with

After so many inanimate objects were created by placing some part of His mind away from His nucleus is called saincara, then came the task of bringing those things back close to Him. For that to occur, unit mind was created. This is the transition point - the turning point. The process of going away from His nucleus, is known as saincara. And when things are at the farthest point away from Him then they are in a solid, inanimate state.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

This then is the juncture point, whereby finally unit mind is created and the cycle of creation is drawn back towards Him on an entirely new path. So instead, they evolve more and return back in a whole new way.

Here, in this process, in this elliptical cycle, first plants were created. Then material was used to create something more evolved than plants. In that way, bugs and insects were created - i.e. creatures that have a very basic mind. And then those beings that were a little more developed wanted to come closer and closer to Him. So using greater materials, Parama Purusa created more evolved animals like mice, rodents, etc. He then created more developed animals like goats and sheep - and then still more developed such as dogs and monkeys etc.

The formula is that the more developed beings wanted to come closer to Parama Purusa. Until He finally created some entities that were very developed that wanted to come still more close to Him, and those are known as human beings. And the human mind is more developed and more evolved so they wanted to come very close to Parama Purusa - until one day, those sadhakas were so close that they actually became one with Him. And this entire process of returning back to Him is known as pratisaincara.

In this manner, by this dual approach of saincara and pratisaincara, Parama Purusa formed an entire universe and He began to slowly fill that universe with innumerable things: forests, rivers, mountains, planets, stars, plants, animals, human beings - so many things & so many beings..

Conclusion


So by this whole picture, by this whole scene of saincara and pratisaincara, it is easily understood that all are part and parcel of Him. Everything and everyone - inanimate objects, flora, fauna, developed creatures, and human beings - is the expression of Parama Purusa. We are all part of that same universal cosmic family. All have been created by Him. He loves all; He is everyone's Creator; He is the Supreme Father. All have come from Him.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Knowingly or unknowingly, all love Parama Purusa as He is the source and all desire to return back to Him - all want to reach Him, just like a small infant has a deep desire to cling tightly to its mother. Similarly all humans love Parama Purusa and desire to be with Him, since He is the Divine Father and all are part of His mind - all are His children.

And this love which humans have for Him is not unilateral. As much as you love Him and long to be with Him, in an even deeper & greater way He loves you and longs to be close to you. Thousands and millions of times more, Parama Purusa loves you. After all you are part of His mind. That is why He is called your greater 'I' - and this greater 'I" is one for everybody.

So the whole scene is quite an intimate affair. We are all part of Him and long for Him and Parama Purusa feels us to be His very own and constantly showers His infinite love on us.

at His feet,
Karunamay

~ In-depth study ~

To remove this loneliness He created many

Ananda Marga ideology states, "Parama Puruśa was all alone in this universe at the dawn of creation. A person who is alone in a town, in a house or in a room feels so lonely. He or she is mad with loneliness. Likewise Parama Puruśa was all alone in this universe and there was nothing else in existence. How painful it was! He had the power to see but there was nothing, no world, to be seen because objects were not created. He had the power to hear, to catch, to taste but there was neither sound, nor any external object to be caught nor any food or drink to be tasted. There were none whom He could chide or punish. When there are devotees in this world and they are found at fault, then He gets an opportunity to chide and punish them. When there is nobody, He is all alone. To remove this loneliness, He created many out of One. He manifested Himself in many objects. Even then He remains One but He manifests in so many objects of the world. This is His liila - His one part is playing with His other part." (1)


No one can imagine what a terrible situation it was!

Ananda Marga ideology states, "“My Lord was alone. You know how troublesome it is to be all alone. Anyone who is forced to remain alone for …... years together will either die or become mad. In the same way my Lord was all alone when there was no universe, no expression – only a state of complete vacuity. No one can imagine what a terrible situation it was! Hence, to break the monotony, to remove the dullness of loneliness, He started to create the universe to play with His own children.” There is no other reply besides this. Thus the Supreme Cognitive entity became metamorphosed into many-the One Universal Father, the One Supreme Progenitor, continuing His divine sport with His innumerable children." (2)

Ananda Marga ideology states, "When there was no universe, our Lord was all alone. If any person had been in His place, he would have become mad. So our Lord was all alone and He did not like this solitude. He had the power to see, but He could not see because there was nothing to see. He had the power to hear, but there was nothing to hear. He had the power to reprimand, but there was no one to reprimand. That caused Him a great deal of inconvenience. To free Himself from inconvenience our Lord became many from One. This is the cause of creation." (3)

The whole import of this discussion is 'why' & 'how' Parama Purusa created this vast cosmic universal family.


References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 5, It Is Wise to Be a Devotee
2. Subhasita Samgraha - 11, Supramundane Heritage and Supramundane Desideratum
3. Supreme Expression - 1, Ideology, Goal and Devotion


*        *        *

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 ==

You have taken a lot of trouble to come to me

"Path ceye base chinu yuga dhare, ele áji ghan varaśáy..." (Prabhat Samgiita #3226)

Purport:

My Parama Purusa, since ages I have been waiting for You looking toward the path of Your arrival - hoping to have Your darshan. All the good days have passed by, yet now, in the pouring rain, You have taken a lot of trouble to come to me. You are so gracious. In this rainy season, the misty pollen fragrance of my ketakii flower is floating all around. Its aroma is permeating throughout this cloudy rainy season. 

Parama Purusa, with deep yearning in my heart, in the refulgence of the day, I have sought to find You. I have looked for You in the pitch dark night, in the stars, planets, nebulae, everywhere. Baba, I have searched You in every nook and corner of the deep blue sky. In which unknown place were You hiding. I could not get You anywhere.

Through the scorching heat of the daylight hours, I hunted for You until the day was over. Then, in calling and longing for You, the tired night finished and the new dawn arose. In this way, ages have gone - and still I don’t have a trace of You. Parama Purusa Baba, in the course of waiting for You, in that long span, the garland which I prepared for You has become dry and withered away. Now only the thread is in my hand. Finally, in this late hour, You have come. How shall I honour You and decorate You, my Dear One?

Supreme Entity, in this situation how will I receive You. Now in this pouring rain You have taken advent next to me. Baba, it is Your infinite grace. I surrender at Your lotus feet...


Notes For Prabhat Samgiita #3226:

[1] Ketakii flower: The screw-pine flower or tree is part of the Pandanaceae family or genus Pandanus. This tree has dagger-like leaves and is commonly found throughout SE Asia. This flower is known for its charming fragrance. It flowers especially in the rainy season and the strong aroma permeates the air for miles around. In addition, the plant contains many thorns.

[2] Bhor: After a long span of life, when much time has passed then finally the awaited moment arrives. Hence, the literal meaning is early morning or dawn, but the poetic idea is that of having passed a long time in waiting for the time to come.


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Remarkable benefits of dhyana

Ananda Marga philosophy teaches us, “Question: If the medicine or mother tincture required for homoeopathic medicine is prepared in a sentient environment which contains positive microvita, will the medicine prepared from that medium or mother tincture have more effect than ordinary medicine available in the market?”

“Answer: There is no doubt that the medicine prepared in a sentient environment by sentient people, from a medium or mother tincture which is also prepared in a sentient environment, will attract more positive microvita than ordinary medicines, so it will have a much greater effect in curing a patient.”

“If a person contracts a disease caused by negative microvita before initiation and does dhyána sincerely after initiation, the disease will not spread but be contained. However, for different types of diseases one has to follow different food restrictions and practice dhyána at specific times.”

“If a person contracts a disease caused by negative microvita after initiation, does dhyána perfectly and follows certain food restrictions, the disease will be completely cured. Dhyána attracts many positive microvita. Negative microvita can only be controlled by positive microvita. The positive microvita eat the negative microvita and this is the reason why the disease is cured. For example, if a person is suffering from jaundice, a disease caused by negative microvita, and if dhyána is practised perfectly, the disease will be cured very quickly. In the case of cancer, say stomach cancer, certain food restrictions will have to be strictly followed. When pain starts in the stomach one should sit for dhyána, but just prior to this one should take some juice from a sweet tasting, not a sour tasting fruit. After performing dhyána, one should take another drink which is different from the first drink. The patient should also avoid any food which causes gas in the stomach, such as pappad, cauliflower, cabbage, turnip, etc.” (1)

Reference:
1. Microvita in a Nutshell, Questions and Answers on Microvita – Excerpt C


== Section: Important Teaching ==

The excellence of bodhi jiṋána

   Prout philosophy states, “The approach of PROUT is subjective approach through objective adjustment. This presupposes a connecting link between intuition and intellect. This connecting link or touching point is called “Bodhi Jiṋána”. With the help of Bodhi Jiṋána, intuitional knowledge can be utilized for solving mundane problems. Thus PROUT is a Bodhi Jiṋána.”
   “Logic is a psychic survey. Such a survey may or may not be correct, therefore it is futile to follow logic blindly. The result of your psychic survey is called your rationality. This psychic survey, embedded in relativity, may or may not be correct. Intuitional vision is the best logic. Intuitional vision should be your guiding ideology. For example, it is an axiomatic truth that everything has come from the Cosmic Father and everything will merge in Him, but this truth is beyond the scope of intellectual logic.” (1)

Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 15, Talks on Prout


== Section: Ananda Vanii ==

March ahead on the road of human welfare

Original Ananda Vanii states: “The very import of the history of human welfare is the history of struggle and strife. Even the sweet gospels of peace could not be preached in an environment of peace and composure. Devils did not allow the apostle of peace to work peacefully – that is why I say that peace is the outcome of fight. This endeavour at the well-being of the human race concerns everyone – it is yours, mine and ours. We may afford to ignore our rights, but we must not forget our responsibilities. Forgetting the responsibility implies the humiliation of the human race. In order to march ahead on the road of human welfare, we will have to strengthen ourselves in all the arena of life. The complete seeds of welfare in all the spheres – physical, mental, moral, social and spiritual – are embedded in the sixteen points. Hence be firm on the sixteen points.”  (Ananda Vanii # )

Note: Sadguru Baba has assigned a number to all His original and true Ananda Vaniis. In contrast, Fake Ananda Vaniis do not have any number. By this simple formula, one can easily recognise which is a true Ananda Vanii and which is fake. For the upcoming occasion of January 1st 2017, all Ananda Marga units should use one of Baba’s original and true Ananda Vaniis, not a fake one. By this way, one will surely get His blessing.


== Section 3: Links ==


SUBJECTS TOPICS