Baba
Fake samadhi in kiirtana
Namaskar,
Every so often we hear how at a particular retreat some people went into samadhi. The common view is that samadhi is a very high, blessed state - i.e. something quite extraordinary. Side by side, we should remember that in His discourses Baba clearly tells us that there are various types of samadhi: some high and some of a more worldly nature or lowly.
In our unit, one or two people were also experiencing "samadhi". At the time it was an anomaly as they were not very involved in following Ananda Marga practices, and, on the whole, their conduct was not very exemplary. By examining Baba's teachings we can understand how and why such persons were getting "samadhi”, and whether it was lowly or high.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Examples of lower crude samadhis
Samadhi is not just of one type. There are many types of samadhi. Some are spiritual and some are of a more worldly nature, i.e. jara samadhi. That means that the mind can become suspended either in a sublime ideal or in a more mundane state. For instance, just by thinking about the money they lost, some persons faint. That is also one type of samadhi. And sometimes when someone loses a dear friend to disease and death, they cry and faint. That too is samadhi.
Also when the amount of fear is beyond what a person can tolerate then they may fall into samadhi. An example of this occurred in the Mahabharata. Jayadratha was extremely fearful of his own death, and that is why he was constantly thinking about the enemy and crying in sheer paranoia, "Save me, he is going to kill me, he has come here to get me." Yet there was no enemy in sight. Just his mind became fused in that state.
So these are some of the various types of mundane samadhis where a person is essentially stunned or grossly overwhelmed by worldly events and their mind gets suspended. In that case, temporarily, they can no longer function normally.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Baba's graphic explanation of bad samadhi
Here Baba describes another type of samadhi where those who fail to follow yama and niyama quickly become stunned by hearing even a few minutes of spiritual kiirtan, and then again indulge in their worldly dealing.
Ananda Marga ideology says, "Viks'ipta Sama'dhi is that when the mind is engrossed in some higher thought for a time and then the very next moment it cuts adrift to its meaner propensities. Those that do not follow Yama-Niyama (codes of self-restraint and austerity) -- those that endeavor to attain God without the Sadhana of Samyama (Self-control), betray a plethora of distractions."
"If a man without self-control indulges excessively in hallelujahs or divine songs (Kiirtana-bhajana), it is noticed that his mental proclivities temporarily get inclined towards the Divine Bearing during the time of kiirtana-bhajana, his body too shows evidence of pious traits, tears come into his eyes and he attains a Trance of Subjectivity (Bhava-Samadhi) as well. But the very next moment, i.e. immediately after his kiirtana-bhajana, his unrestrained and incontinent mind races towards mean propensities with a greater momentum."
"That is why such types of Sadhakas take to very dishonest ways of life during the rest of their daily occupations. In other words they give themselves up to acts of depravity, deceitfulness - to defrauding their own relatives. The people also are a little chary of such types of carol-singers. The man without self-control does indeed enjoy a bit of transcendental happiness by forcing his mental flow towards the auspicious name of God, but soon after the stoppage of this divine panegyrics or 'hymn' (nama-kiirtana), his sand-dammed mind bursts and races towards the inauspicious names with re-doubled speed, i.e., at that time he appears to be more inclined to scandal-mongering and rudeness. You mark minutely how blatantly those that are bereft of self-control among the bhajan-singers, indulge in scurrilous languages under a little provocation." (1)
That is the reason why irregular sadhakas who lack yama and niyama come to akhanda kiirtan and get the aforesaid type of lower samadhi - and faint, shed tears, and cry loudly. Seeing the attainment of their crude samadhi, many naive sadhakas give them a lot of respect.
Why some get crude samadhi in spiritual kiirtan
Let's examine further the case of irregular sadhakas in kiirtan whose mind gets suspended, i.e. samadhi of a low type. As Baba has described, this primarily happens with those whose conduct is not proper. When they participate in kiirtan or sing bhajans, then in a very short time their mind can go a little high and that vibration cannot be tolerated by their body. In that case, their body reacts and they begin to cry or faint etc, i.e. enter into a low state of samadhi.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
So when some people come and do a little sadhana and kiirtan, they lose control due to even a slight spiritual vibration. These new people start doing simple japa and cannot manage the spiritual vibration, whereas established margiis easily tolerate that same vibration. That is why some newer people go into samadhi with the slightest bit of spiritual vibration, while regular sadhakas can easily reach a much higher spiritual state and not fall into samadhi - the benefit being they can continue on and advance even deeper into their sadhana, by His grace.
Samadhi analogy using rock & bag
Here is one good way for determining why some new, irregular, sadhakas quickly enter into a state of samadhi. By this analogy, it will be clear that they got samadhi not because their mind was high but because they were deficient in aspects of yama and niyama.
Suppose you place 30kg of solid rock in one strong sack and lift that sack in the air or hang it from a tree. Then notice how the sack is able to manage the weight; it is not ripping or breaking. That means that that bag is strong enough to hold the 30kg of rocks.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Next, place just 5kg of small rock pieces in a thin, plastic bag. Then when you lift the plastic bag you will see that those small rocks are ripping the bag and ultimately all the rocks fall due to gaping holes in the bag. This occurred because that fragile bag cannot bear the weight of even 5 kg of rock. One should not conclude that the 5kg in the thin, plastic bag was heavier than the 30kg in the strong sack. Rather the proper conclusion is that thin bag was not as strong - indeed it was much weaker than the rugged sack.
This same theory applies to sadhakas. A new sadhaka whose nerve cells are not adequately developed cannot manage even a little spiritual vibration. So they are like that weak, thin plastic bag, whereas established margiis can manage a much greater vibration just like that strong sack can hold a much heavier amount of rocks. In the above analogy, the bag is your body and the heaviness of the rock is the degree of spiritual vibration.
Worst: no vibration in sadhana
Here I do not want to give the impression that only new or indisciplined persons weak in yama and niyama get samadhi-like experiences, and seasoned sadhakas get nothing.
When a true sadhaka, strict in yama and niyama, sits for meditation then immediately when the mantra strikes a strong vibration resounds within. One will feel the presence of Guru / Guru Shakti. The sadhaka however will be able to maintain their composure even though they are feeling this intense, spiritual, blissful vibration.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
On certain occasions, with Guru's grace, a sadhaka may indeed fall into samadhi. But that samadhi will not be of a lower state; it will be grounded in a deep feeling of bhakti. So all can get samadhi, and the height of their samadhi is based on the strength of one's nerve cells and nerve fibers. Naturally those strict in 16 Points will be able to withstand a greater vibration in sadhana. Hence their mind will rise up and up so when they do get samadhi it will be of a deeply spiritual state.
Everyone should feel vibration in their sadhana, even if they do not get samadhi per se. Rather, many who do not get samadhi are experiencing very deep realisations in sadhana because their nerves can manage a strong spiritual vibration. The worst case in all these circumstances are those who do not feel any vibration in sadhana. If when the mantra is repeated and no vibration comes then that is indeed problematic. At that point one should be more and more sincere in their spiritual practices and ask Baba for His grace.
Yoga sadhana dangerous when devoid of morality
Ananda Marga ideology states, “Vashiikára-siddhi is only possible for those sádhakas who follow the principles of yama and niyama and perform Brahma sádhaná. Those who do not, do immeasurable harm to themselves and the entire world by the strength of their kśipta, mudha and vikśipta samádhis having attained some degree of control over their organs through the process of yoga sádhaná. In the absence of the sádhaná of self-control they use their mental power for the petty selfish ends. After practicing yoga or Tantra sádhaná for a while these immoral individuals begin to harm others for the sake of their own petty egoistic aggrandizement, and eventually end up in the blind alley of inertness. So I entreat you to follow the right path. The same yoga of self-control which is so beneficial for both individuals and the collectivity, is so dangerous when it is devoid of morality. So everyone must be strict in following the principles of yama and niyama.” (2)
Conclusion
When the body is more pure, then one can digest stronger spiritual vibrations very calmly and easily. And when the body and mind are more static then even a little vibration is beyond their tolerance. This all depends upon the degree one is strict in yama and niyama. Such lower people start crying and tears start rolling down - even when their conduct is mean and they never do asanas.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
The operative factor is that when the body is sentient then it can tolerate many higher vibrations without any disturbance. While if one is not following 16 Points they cannot manage any spiritual waves and they just start crying etc. About all this, Baba describes it perfectly in His Subhasita Samgraha discourses.
Namaskar,
In Him,
Gopal
(Gary N. Peterson)
List of six crude samadhis
#1: Kśipta Samádhi
Ananda Marga ideology states, “When mind becomes extremely restless because of crude propensities, then the restless mind tends towards only one object. While tending towards one object, it gets itself concentrated (Samádhistha) all of a sudden therein. That absorption of mind into that object is transitory. This state is known as Kśipta. You might have noticed in your personal life that if you come in clash with a person or if you become angry with him, throughout the day the picture of that individual repeatedly comes to your mind and you fail to concentrate your mind on any object other than that individual. This state of mind is Kśipta Samádhi.” (3)
#2: Múŕha (almost foolish) samádhi
Ananda Marga ideology states, “In the second state (múŕha) a similar thing happens. The mind becomes so attached to something that it repeatedly thinks about it. A person who is greedy for money becomes totally preoccupied with the thought of making money; a person who hankers after name and fame continuously harbours thoughts about becoming famous.” (4)
#3: Ekágra Samádhi
Ananda Marga ideology states, “The next one is Ekágra. Because of the ideation of a particular object, the mind is concentrated at a particular point. This is known as Ekágra Samádhi.” (5)
#4: Anger samadhi
Ananda Marga ideology states, “One’s sense of reality often becomes distorted in a paroxysm of rage (kśipta), and a sort of mental inertia occurs. This is also a type of crude samádhi in which all the propensities of the irate person are absorbed in the object of anger.” (6)
#5: Mudabhútni samadhi
Ananda Marga ideology states, “Mudabhútni samadhi, or the trance of infatuation, is a little higher than this. This is a state of mental stupefaction which results from excessive infatuation, causing a person to lose all common sense. All the propensities of the infatuated person become absorbed in the object of infatuation. This sort of samádhi may even occur in the mind of the most common person if he or she is suddenly fettered tightly by this overpowering bondage. In the Mahábhárata it is said that Jayadratha was a victim of such samádhi due to excessive fear.” (7)
#6: Vikśipta samádhi
Ananda Marga ideology states, “Vikśipta samádhi occurs when the mind is engrossed in an elevated thought one moment, and the very next moment suddenly returns to its meaner propensities. Those who do not follow Yama and Niyama (codes of self-restraint), those who endeavour to attain God without the sádhaná of saḿyama (self-control); are troubled by a multitude of distractions. If they absorb themselves in singing spiritual songs (kiirtana-bhajana), their mental proclivities are temporarily focused on the Divine One. Their bodies show signs of spiritual awakening, tears flow from their eyes, and they attain the trance of subjectivity (bháva samádhi). But immediately after the kiirtana-bhajana session has ended their unrestrained and incontinent minds race towards mean propensities with an even greater momentum. That is why such sádhakas are very dishonest, depraved and deceitful, and even go so far as to defraud their own relatives. Most people are a little wary of such bhajana singers. People lacking self-control do enjoy a little transcendental happiness by forcing their mental flow towards the auspicious name of God, but soon after the end of the divine singing (náma kiirtana) their dammed up minds burst and race towards the crude world with redoubled speed, and they become even more inclined to scandal-mongering and rude behaviour. You may have noticed how blatantly those bhajana singers indulge in abusive language at the least provocation. These are symptoms of the distractions of the citta.” (8)
Ghosts may be created
Ananda Marga ideology states, “If one surrenders to fear, the fear instinct will increase. One who is timid may see a ghost even in broad daylight. Conversely, one who is brave will not see a ghost even in a burial ground in the dead of night. What is the reason for this? Due to fear psychosis, a kind of internal psychic projection is created. Usually the mind is in one of five states: kśipta – almost mad, múrha – almost foolish, vikśipta – scattered, ekágra – almost concentrated, and nirodha – one pointed. Depending upon one’s internal psychic projection within any one of these five states, ghosts may be created. Even in the dead of night, one can dismiss the presence of ghosts with the help of negative hallucinations. This is just the opposite of internal psychic projection (positive hallucination). Thus, one should have control over fear. How to do this? The only way is to ideate on and take shelter in the most powerful entity – Parama Purusa.” (9)
Questions asked on margii forum
~ Courtesy of Margii Inspiration List ~
09 Jan 2018
In intensive kiirtan, due to intensive ideation some people go very deep and their mind merges in it, resulting in samadhi. In this type of samadhi the person usually falls backwards to the floor.
What is this type of samadhi called? Which level of the various samadhis is it? How long does it last? What does the person entering this type of samadhi experiencing? Are there various levels to this kind of samadhi?
As it is samadhi, I assume that reaching this state accelerates the ripening of samskaras and result in then getting the ripened ones getting burned.
Any comments, thoughts and analysis on this subject? Is there a discourse where Baba would have discussed this?
--
~ Courtesy of Margii Inspiration List ~
09 Jan 2018
Namaskar,
We had a discussion regarding Samadhi during a summer retreat in Madhu Karuna about 10 years ago. We had our usual 5 day Kiirtan. At this one retreat we counted a total of 19 Samadhis and all of them were from Sisters. A couple from the same Italian sister, who looked extremely blissed out, as I recall I saw many Samadhis during other retreats as well, but only 1 was from a brother. 99% Sister Samadhis?! That Brother fell backward with a big drum on him. This was in Denmark. Also how can you experience the Samadhi, if you just drop and fall over? Whats the after effect? But this made me question if Sisters have a more elevated state of mind? We thought, maybe due to emotions, but then there were also very emotional Italian brothers.
Prabhata
References
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 4, This World and the Next
2. Subhasita Samgraha - 4, This World and the Next
3. Subhasita Samgraha - 4, This World and the Next
4. Subhasita Samgraha - 4, This World and the Next
5. Subhasita Samgraha - 4, This World and the Next
6. Subhasita Samgraha - 4, This World and the Next
7. Subhasita Samgraha - 4, This World and the Next
8. Subhasita Samgraha - 4, This World and the Next
9. Subhasita Samgraha - 4, This World and the Next
* * *
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stands on their own as points of interest.
* * *
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stands on their own as points of interest.
* * *
== Section 2: News (2019) ==
== Section 3: Important Teaching ==
विमलानंद को RSS ने ख़रीदा : प्रमाण
Vimalananda is paid agent of RSS: proof
Namaskar,
Vimalananda once again wrote an obituary message for BJP leader.
~ The below is courtesy of Vijay Prabhat (PRS of PSS) on Facebook ~
राउटिस्ट सर्व समाज (P.S.S.) के तरफ से श्री अरूण जेटली जी को भावभीनी श्रद्धांजली!
परमात्मा उनके आत्मा को अपने स्नेहमयी गोद में स्थान दे।इस दुख की घड़ी में हमारी पार्टी उनके परिवार और अपने के साथ खड़ी है।
विजय प्रभात
राष्ट्रीय जनसंपर्क सचिव
(प्राउटिस्ट सर्व समाज)
~ The above is courtesy of Vijay Prabhat (PRS of PSS) on Facebook ~
Vimalananda once again wrote an obituary message for BJP leader.
in Him,
Satyendra Deva
Vimalananda is paid agent of RSS: proof
Namaskar,
Vimalananda once again wrote an obituary message for BJP leader.
~ The below is courtesy of Vijay Prabhat (PRS of PSS) on Facebook ~
राउटिस्ट सर्व समाज (P.S.S.) के तरफ से श्री अरूण जेटली जी को भावभीनी श्रद्धांजली!
परमात्मा उनके आत्मा को अपने स्नेहमयी गोद में स्थान दे।इस दुख की घड़ी में हमारी पार्टी उनके परिवार और अपने के साथ खड़ी है।
विजय प्रभात
राष्ट्रीय जनसंपर्क सचिव
(प्राउटिस्ट सर्व समाज)
~ The above is courtesy of Vijay Prabhat (PRS of PSS) on Facebook ~
Vimalananda once again wrote an obituary message for BJP leader.
in Him,
Satyendra Deva
== Section 3: Important Teaching ==
Women’s issue
Namaskar
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "In the Vedas, little distinction is made amongst people based on caste, but a large part of the Vedas divide people into different races. That is, the Vedas are full of racial sentiments. For example, the Aryans are described as white and are considered superior to the other races. They are termed deities or Sura. The non-Aryans are described as black and are considered inferior to the Aryans. They are termed demons, Danavas or Asuras. The Vedas are full of inequities. Any attempt the establish equality based on the Vedas will be totally false and misleading.”
“In the past many unpsychological ideas were imposed on the toiling masses and women. If we examine Indian history, we can see that exploited people took the shelter of Jainism and Buddhism, and later of Islam. This occurred because they did not want 33 to live in an oppressive atmosphere, because they felt suffocated in such an environment.”
“Today some people advocate Vedic revolution, but how can there be a revolution based on the Vedas when the Vedas themselves are full of dogma? In the past it was the practice in India that if a woman heard the recitation of the Vedas even by accident, molten lead was poured into her ears. This was done because if women were not suppressed they could not be easily exploited and ordered about to do menial work, like maid servants. Today women have started a collective movement to oppose their oppression and exploitation.”
“In the Vedic age, people were oppressed and felt suffocated by the imposition of dogma. They got their first experience of freedom during the life of Buddha, because he was the first to start a crusade against Vedic dogma. This was the reason why Buddhism was accepted by the masses immediately and spread rapidly." (1)
Exploitation by various classes
Over the course of history, those at the helm have always exploited other sections of society. In the vipran era [rule of the clergy], the ruling religious leaders gained maximum power and dominated weaker groups. In the vaeshyan era [rule of the wealthy], those top capitalists have exploited women and the common mass. The general rule is that as one group gains more power they exert their force to control and manipulate the rest of society.
Religious exploitation - 1
Here below is more on the religious exploitation of females.
Religions have always suppressed and exploited various sections of society in order to impose their dogmatic ideas. Traditionally, females always suffered terribly at the hands of religion. Time and again, it was the all-powerful clergy who soaked up the benefits. All the rules and regulations were bent in favour of the dominant class, i.e. the male clergy etc. That is and was the common theme of the vipran era - the rule of the clergy.
So in the vipran era [rule of the clergy], at the height of their rule, various antisocial and harmful activities occurred.
However, the era has changed and society has moved ahead. Now, in this present day, to protect the downtrodden masses, rational people have raised their voice and ultimately the state or government has interceded and declared those religious decrees to be unlawful.
For instance, in the US, the state has finally reversed their old law that blacks and whites should not marry. Although, the dominant white churches have continued to oppose inter-racial marriages, but, the US government has declared such inter-racial unions as legal.
Likewise, in India the government has come forward to make ordinances against the Hindu tradition that the wife must burn to death by throwing herself on the husband's funeral pyre. Now this dogmatic religious tradition is basically outlawed and not done anymore.
Plus in the US, the government has declared that polygamy is illegal - a man can no longer keep multiple wives. So the Mormon religion and related sects in the US can no longer impose the rule that a man can have as many wives as he likes. Even then, still it is going on behind the scenes - but much less so.
In all these circumstances, when religion has put forth hateful and harmful rules against the weaker sections of society, in this present era rational people have taken a stand against those religious dogmas. This we have witnessed in nearly every country around the globe.
Religious exploitation - 2
The Muslim communities have long imposed the idea that women must wear a veil in public, yet we are seeing more demands by rational people to end this practice. And in some places, great headway has been made.
Radical Muslims use the veil as a way to hide the face of their terrorist attackers. In that case, it is the duty of the government to intercede and declare such veils as illegal. In the present moment, in the name of wearing a veil, both male and female Muslim terrorist bombers sneak into public places to carry out their attacks. In many countries, male policeman are prohibited to ask females to lift their veil. Then that veil becomes a special tactic of Muslim religious radicals to sneak their attackers - either male or female - into public events and carry out their destructive plans. Because anyone can hide behind that veil and go where they like.
Given this, states and governments have no other recourse than to demand that no female should be allowed to wear veil and cover their face for reasons of public safety.
AMPS: female situation in Wt cadre
Unfortunately, within our Ananda Marga WT structure, females are also struggling for their freedom. Those willing to accept male dominance are rewarded with a high post. Due to a lack of awareness of Ananda Marga ideology and Baba's teachings, this struggle is proceeding along at a very, very slow pace. Those who are naive may not agree, but if they know the internal happenings on a daily basis, they can't deny this truth. Females workers are harassed in many ways, and that will be addressed in greater detail in future letters. Although Baba has given equal rights to females, those dadas at the helm are unwilling to recognize this and are unwilling to give up their power and stop their exploitation. There are also other reasons why all this is going on.
Namaskar,
in Him,
Surendra
References
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 16, Religious Dogma – Excerpt B
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Making a personal link with Parama Purusa
Ananda Marga ideology says, “Why would He have provided them with a vocal cord?...As He has equipped humans with the means to speak, He will have to listen to them. Human beings will definitely have something to say; they are expected to tell their troubles to their nearest and dearest ones. Otherwise, to whom should they go? To whom should they complain?” (1)
Note: In His above teaching, Baba is guiding us that we should communicate all our joys and sorrows to Him. This should be our regular practice in our sadhana, in dhyana. So all the intimate thoughts and feelings which lie hidden in our mind and heart should be shared with Him. This is our way. And it is this type of sharing which builds closeness in our spiritual life. It heightens one’s feeling of bhakti. So it is a straight and easy equation. He wants that we should communicate our inner thoughts to Him. And by this way we will feel closer to Him. And that feeling of closeness is bhakti - i.e. coming in greater proximity to Parama Purusa. So in His above teaching Baba is clearly showing us how we can come closer to Him.
Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 8, Do Virtuous Deeds Day and Night – 2
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Degraded outlook of the capitalist
Prout philosophy states, "The ambition to become rich by exploiting others is a type of psychic disease. In fact, if the infinite longing of the human mind does not find the proper path leading to psychic and spiritual fulfilment, it becomes engaged in accumulating excessive physical wealth by depriving others. If any member of a joint family appropriates food from the family food store by using physical or intellectual force, he or she becomes the cause of misery to others. Similarly, when capitalists declare, “We have amassed wealth by our talent and labour. If others have the capacity and diligence, let them also do the same; nobody prevents them,” they do not care to realize that the volume of commodities on the earth is limited, whereas the requirement is common to all. Excessive individual affluence, in most cases, deprives others of the minimum requirements of life." (1)
Reference
1. Problems of the Day #4
== Section 4: Links ==
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