Namaskar,
Some wrongly calculate that the unit soul will be benefited by observers taking a moment of silence. But this is obviously not true. That is against AM teachings. So margiis should understand the dharmic position and oppose this idea of bringing peace to the deceased by observing a moment of silence.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
“moment of silence” started by Christian religion
Actually this dogma of a moment of silence is based on the common, irrational approach of the Christian religion that one can help the deceased who is just wandering around. That is why ignorant, dogmatic people think that, “Since Mr X has died then I should help him for a moment so he will feel at peace.”
Actually, some margiis who are not aware of Ananda Marga philosophy think, “What is the loss in doing a moment of silence for the dead - it will just take a minute. Let everyone just close their eyes and help the person who died.” Sadly, those dogmatic and confused margiis cannot understand that by doing this they are validating the dogma of crafty priests that the deceased can be rescued and saved from suffering. They think that by thinking of the deceased they are consoling that soul and taking him out of trouble. And as Ananda Margiis we must not indulge in this dogma - not on any level. It is very clear: No living person can help or hurt the deceased. In order to exploit the deceased’s family, crafty priests invented this exploitative tool, i.e. dogma of securing the future of the deceased. In various religions it has different names but the overall theme and import is the same.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Dogmatic people observe a “moment of silence” to bring peace to the deceased, whereas in AM philosophy once the person dies there is nothing anyone can do for them.
Q & A: What is the best solution
The question then arises - “What is the best solution?”
Answer: The ideal solution is to follow dharma. Do not follow dogma, just follow the dharmic code. In result, there will be victory. That is the beautiful outcome when one adheres to and implements dharmic practices.
In Him,
Karuna’murti
No benefit for the deceased
Here below Baba guides us that our own dharmic shraddha ceremony is for the comfort of those in mourning and has no bearing on the deceased. Therefore, it is quite evident that a dogmatic ritual like “a moment of silence” has not an iota of effect on the welfare of the deceased.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, “The departed soul does not get any advantage from the shráddha ceremony [memorial ceremony].” (1)
We cannot help dead people
Next Baba guides us that we can only serve other living beings, not those who have died.
Ananda Marga ideology states, ‘As long as a man is here in our society we have a social responsibility for him. Human beings are social beings, we have a social responsibility for them. And when they leave this world and go to the other world, they go beyond the scope of our responsibility. We cannot render any service to them. Our social responsibility is over as soon as the cremation is done.” (2)
References
1. Caryacarya - 1, Shraddha Ceremony
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 3, Shraddha
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
* * *
My efforts were for naught
"Tomáy khunje khunje priya, din je ket́e jáy..." (Prabhat Samgiita #3982)
Purport:
O’ Parama Purusa, with deep longing in search of You, my days are passing in vain. In the absence of getting You, my whole life is being wasted. Where have I not looked. I have wandered around seeking You in the seven oceans, on the mountain peaks, as well as across this earth, and also in the caves - in every nook and corner of this world, but alas I could not get You.
O’ Parama Purusa Baba, day and night, secretly I sought You in the flower garden, forests, and in various, so-called holy lands and “tiirthas” like - Tiljala, Jamalpur, Varanasi, Puri, Mecca, Rome, Jerusalem; and I also went to Ananda Nagar, and the top of the Himalayan mountain ranges etc. All done with the ardent desire of getting a glance at You. I checked all over with the hope that one day I will find You. But, in the end, all my efforts were for naught.
O’ Parama Purusa Baba, with deep bhakti in my heart, I have scoured the galaxies, meteors, nebulae, and in the stars - everywhere. I also explored the dark, black-coloured clouds on rainy days, the scorching heat of the summer season, and the shade of the trees in springtime. Baba, I have called for You with a deep yearning and prema in my core - and looked for You everywhere.
Parama Purusa, in the end, on one colourful golden dawn, saturated in the refulgence and aroma of a newly blossoming floret, You arrived after a long, deep, dark, and painful night. Alas, in the end, You are here in my heart. Baba, my most adorable One, You are so gracious...
Forced unemployment outcomes
Prout philosophy guides us, "For the all-round welfare of human beings, society needs to follow some fundamental socio-political principles. Without the firm foundation of such principles, disunity, injustice and exploitation will flourish."
"First people should not be retrenched from their livelihood unless alternative employment has been arranged for them."
“In the Pathan period and at the height of the Mughal empire, Zamindars or landlords were permitted to maintain military forces. This practice was banned at the end of the Mughal period and the start of the British period. As a result, many soldiers from military communities like the Bagadis of Ráŕh and the Cuyárs and Lodhas of Midnapur were retrenched from the armed services. Consequently, they became criminals. Even thirty to forty years ago, members of these communities were still engaged in antisocial activities, but now they have virtually ceased this practice. If these people had been inducted into the military or the police, they would have earned a proper livelihood without being compelled to harm the society. Their destiny would have been quite different.”
“Now you understand the consequences of retrenching people without arranging a suitable alternative livelihood for them.” (1)
Note: Here it should be understood that the term retrenchment means losing one's job. The worker has been dismissed, fired, or let go whereby they no longer have a job. The term retrenchment is commonly used in Australia and South Africa. People from other regions may not be familiar with this usage of the term.
Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell-16, Three Cardinal Socio-Political Principles
Pracara strategy
Namaskar,
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Preach only satya. Whatever you have done with reasons thereof. Also, make it clear to them what you want to do and why you want to do. The result of this highly useful (helpful) preaching is that the inferiority complex disappears from the mind of the common men. They are encouraged when they see that a common man like themselves is inspired with such a high ideal. The second result of this is as follows. The common result of this is as follows. The common people are not generally aware of your usefully high ideas. In every work, big or small, they cling to selfishness. So, learning everything pure and high through your easy and simple language they will co-operate with you, with a mind free from wrong notions. The third outcome of this is that they will be shorn off the wrong notions that may have crept into them by the propaganda made by the selfish persons with vested interests."
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Win over their heart by propagating satya but without abusing anyone. When, they will feel the ideal of satya and come to know of your untiring karma sa'dhana', naturally, they will abandon their wrong notions about you; they will even start respecting you."
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Even in private life when a person behaves with you badly or uses harsh words, don't behave with him in the same manner. You shall explain to him his duties gently. In case, anyone has a wrong impression, you shall show him the right path without scolding (abusing) him. Make it clear to him if possible with practical demonstration how harmful may be the effect of such habits. But always keep this in mind that in such cases your behavior must be like that of a friend, and never like that of an instructor. Your only object will be to get your advice accepted by him. The idea that he is a fool and you are wise is not desirable in any party." (1)
Key points about pracara
Note: Here Baba is giving us invaluable guidelines for going pracara and bringing all onto the path of bliss.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
1) At all times we should follow the code of satya - i. speaking the truth for universal welfare, never giving way to falsehood out of self-interest.
2) Those suffering from a superiority complex are unable to properly guide or teach others. For them, doing Ananda Marga pracar is basically impossible.
3) However, in the Supreme Command, Baba has allotted us the special duty "to bring all to the path of bliss" - to bring all to the divine path of Ananda Marga. So this is a very sacred task which our Guru has given. Indeed it is the greatest social duty of human life.
4) When Parama Purusa takes advent on this dusty earth then He does not waste His time in any type of material pursuit; rather, He is fully dedicated to the all-round progress and emancipation of human beings.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
5) The conclusion is that the most virtuous aspect of human life is serving others. And the best service - the most lasting service - is doing dharma pracar. For this reason we should sincerely follow Baba's above guideline.
in Him,
Mayadhiisha
Reference
1. Ta'ttvika Diipika': Dvitiiya Parva
No VBM videos / photos uploaded
Namaskar,
Every Ananda Margii should be keenly aware it is strictly forbidden to upload varabhaya mudra videos and photos onto public platforms like Youtube etc. Those who contravene this rule will surely face the condemnation by Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji.
in Him,
Sanjaya
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Misnomers & truths about peace
Prout philosophy states, “The cry, “Peace! Peace!” has become a craze in the world today. Can anything be achieved by such cries? There is no way to establish peace except to fight against the very factors which disturb peace. Even in the personal life of every human being, there is a constant fight between the benevolent and the malevolent intellect, or between vidyá and avidyá. At times vidyá triumphs, while at other times avidyá wins. In social life, too, this fight between vidyá and avidyá continues."
"Vidyá has to fight avidyá, and in this fight wherever and as long as vidyá remains triumphant, there is a special type of peace which may be called sáttvikii shánti [sentient peace]. Similarly, wherever and as long as avidyá remains victorious in this fight, there, also, a special type of peace prevails which may be called támasikii shánti [static peace]. Thus we find that peace is actually a relative factor." (1)
References
1. Problems of the Day, Point #15
Degenerating artists are liabilitie
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "The youth of a country are attracted to artists; it is therefore the duty of society and the state to monitor these artists ideals and character. Otherwise they may exert a harmful influence on young men and women who are the future hope of society. For this reason it is essential for artists to have impeccable conduct, a healthy lifestyle and strength of character. If those whom youths respect as ideal men and women possess an ideal character, the characters of those whom they influence will no doubt also be positively affected. In addition, ideal artists and actors who have a strong character will be able to express their artistic brilliance more sweetly and completely. Characterless, drunken or greedy artists will be considered liabilities by their fans and society." (1)
In materialistic societies, the visual and performing arts (movies, pop songs, theater, dance, drama, paintings etc) become a primary vehicle of degradation. That is because degenerated people become the stars and the youths emulate what those degrading artists do. In this way, from one generation to the next, baser values are inculcated. It is a self-perpetuating cycle of steeper and steeper decline until all art forms essentially become lewd displays. A key way to positively affect society is to harness this art and entertainment industry and goad it towards sentient pursuits. Artists should not be allowed to go against the strict moral code of yama and niyama. That is the only way to save society from a torturous fall. If degraded artists become venerated stars in society, that will surely ruin those impressionable youths and bring about the downfall of society. That is why Baba has given this strict warning: Artists must be of impeccable character.
Reference
1. Human Society - 1, Various Occupations
How kiirtana got ruined
Way to effortlessly learn Prout
General darshan kiirtana story
Cultivating bhakti
Use of photo
