Baba
Pramita’ha’r & Wts
Note 1: This letter is only for those who have reverence for Sadguru Baba Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji and try to follow His Ananda Marga ideology.
Note 2: Although this series of letters is directed towards the life of a Wt, family margiis may also find value in reading this as many of the points are related with the life of a sadhaka in general. They are universal in application and therefore relevant to all - family margiis and Wts alike.
Namaskar,
Here are some key tips for Wts - especially new Wts - for how to survive these rocky times in our organisation, and in general.
Food & pramitahara
1. Nutritious and Timely Food: Taking proper food can be a big challenge for Wts, depending upon their field and travel schedule. Yet, if any Wt worker starts compromising with their food choices, their standard will degenerate. That means (a) eating snack / junk foods, (b) overeating, (c) indulging in sweets, (d) taking meals irregularly, and the like should be strictly avoided.
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2. Travel Food: Always carry some beans (mung) or raw groundnuts (peanuts) to soak and eat. They can be soaked at night for 6 - 8 hours, then drained and rinsed and eaten the next day. Best however is to soak them for at least 36 hrs and throw away the water every 5 - 6 hrs. The reason is that some toxins are in the outer layers of the legume, and in this process those toxins are removed and the food is easy to digest. All in all it is better and healthier this way. This technique can be used with all kinds of beans, pulses, and nuts.
Conduct & spiritual practices
Sadguru Baba guides us that conduct is the main thing. And this is especially true in Wt life. Without maintaining proper conduct, true acarya life is just a dream. Because the definition of any acarya is one who teaches by their ideal example. As noted above, the points expressed in this letter are for all sadhakas, especially Wts.
3. Regularity of Asanas: It is essential for our Wts to perform asanas regularly. Some may find it difficult to attend to their asanas while on the train etc. But if a Wt is proactive they can certainly maintain their travel schedule without skipping their asanas. Obviously, one may not be able to do sarvaungasana (shoulderstand) but many other asanas can be practiced on a train etc, especially if one has reserved the uppermost seat. Very simple asanas can be done while in transit. Only one requirement is needed for doing asanas while traveling: determination. Similarly, kaoshikii and tandava can also be maintained as one can do those dances during station stops in train travel and at bus stations when transferring buses.
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4. Regularity of Sadhana: In the Wt code of conduct there is a rule indicating the minimum amount of time for sadhana. A maximum time limit is not given. Every Wt worker knows this, and they memorise this in TC. But, sadly, some gradually overlook this rule. If one is regularly doing longer sadhana, that will be very beneficial and in concert with Wt conduct rules. And since it is Guru’s guideline, no one will view it as a waste of time. But if they do, simply remind them about the Wt conduct rules. The key point is that compromising in sadhana is like a cancer. It destroys the entire existence.
Health & disease prevention
5. Health Issues: Remember - any disease small or big should not be taken lightly. The presence of or initial signs of any disease in the body will in due course become the cause of a severe illness or even death. Once when one Wt was sick Baba directly told them, “If you remain sick people will be forced to serve you - then what will become of your dedication to serve others.” Here the point is that in order to serve others one has to be healthy. Ignoring any disease or sickness is a very bad and wholly defective approach. It goes against the essence of one’s dedication as a Wt, because if one suffers from an illness, short or long term, for that period they are a liability, as others need to serve them.
6.Treatment: Every Wt should have a basic understanding of health and fitness. That means they should educate themselves about common diseases, the cause, and how to treat it through diet and asanas - i.e. Yoga Cikitsa (Yogic Treatments and Natural Remedies). Here again the same formula applies: practice and teach others. If one fails to teach others about the basics of human health, then that is also a disservice.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Energy boost
7. Protein: Eating some type of pre-soaked bean (mung) or groundnut (peanut) in the morning provides protein and energy for the day. And there is no problem in doing this while traveling around etc - margii families are always very understanding. And one can always say that this food is their medicine. Other people may find that food is not alluring, as it is very simple. Whereas if one eats a whole bag of junk food, people will think that Wt worker is greedy. But eating raw, soaked beans is looked upon as fine by others, and that will help keep one’s routine timely, and it will provide the body with energy. In short it is pramitahara. And actually Baba would regularly guide Wts to do like this.
Some Indian margiis and wts are deficient in protein as they eat rice and vegetables, but not enough pulses. And this may be the case in many of the African nations as well - along with other so-called impoverished regions. And just in general, maintaining proper food and routine as a Wt is difficult. Because when going to a margii’s house then that Wt worker is dependent upon the family’s routine and schedule. So if any Wt worker is feeling physically weak then they can try ingesting soaked beans and nuts to boost their energy level. Test it and try it out, and if that gives a boost of energy within the next 2 hrs, then one can conclude they were protein deficient.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Conclusion
As sadhakas, our duty is to set an ideal example in all we do, in all realms of life. This is especially true if one is a Wt. The above points will help one lead a balanced and active life to best serve others and be a proper medium for disseminating the teachings of Sadguru Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji.
In Him,
Ananda
Balanced, substantial, & sentient food: for healthy body
Ananda Marga ideology says, "Pramitáhárah: to maintain the physical body, you require physical food, air, water, light. But physical food is not simply for the physical body. It has got its effect on the spiritual body. The cells of your physical body are created from the cells that you receive from your physical food, and your psychic body is also influenced by these cells. So while taking food, you should be very careful. You should always try to take sentient food….You should never take static food. Not only that, but your diet should be balanced. You must not take too much or too little. The food should be substantial. When it is balanced or measured, and, at the same time, substantial, that type of food is called Pramitáhára in Sanskrit. The sixth factor is Pramitáhárah. The sixth requisite factor is balanced and substantial, sentient food." (1)
Pramitáhára & parimitáhára: difference
In Ananda Marga philosophy, Baba states, “Pramitáhára – there is a difference between pramitáhára and parimitáhára. Parimitáhára means “[limited] diet”, and pramitáhára means “balanced diet”. The body should have a balanced diet. [Limitation] alone will not do. Just to [limit] the quantity of food will not do – one will have to take a balanced diet, to make the body and mind strong. Food should be substantial, though moderate in quantity. This is pramitáhára.” (2)
Some Indian dogmatic ascetics do not care about food and just eat a very little quantity of grass, leaves, or boiled vegetables. Here the main aim is to eat as little as possible. But Baba critiques this approach as one has to eat and balanced and nutritious diet - and at the same time eat a moderate amount of food. The stomach should never be more than 50% full of food, as 25% should be reserved for water and 25% for air.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Health hazards of eating fried foods
- https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2014/01/watch-out-new-tamasik-food.html
- https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2015/06/many-unknowingly-eating-toxins.html
References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 14, Seven Secrets
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 23, The Dialogues of Shiva and Párvatii – 3
* * *
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 ==
"Káche náhi áso kabhu, e kii tomár bhálobásá ..." (Prabhat Samgiita #0486)
Purport:
O' my Parama Purusa, You never come as near to me as I would like. And most of the time You remain far away and distant. What type of affection is this. I have so much prema and reverence, yet You are not regularly appearing before me in a charming form and very intimate way. You emerge in a flash and then go away. What is this liila of coming and going that You are playing with my heart. My dearest One, the focal point and Goal of my life, by Your mercy, my each and every thought and movement is centering around You. I want You so much.
O' Supreme Entity, Your exquisite image immediately flashes in my mind whenever I am in contact with the sweet smell of flowers. When that floral fragrance permeates the air I invariably feel Your presence. On that blissful occasion, I always think of You. It is Your karun’a’. Whenever I feel happy, then suddenly You take advent and shower bliss in my mind and heart. In that dire hour, You unfailingly show up. You are the warmth of my heart and the vitality of my being. All the hopes and aspirations of my life are revolving around You.
Baba, O' Eternal Friend, You are the very essence of my life. When I am not getting You in the deep core of my heart in a most loving way, I feel lost and restless. In that desperate situation, I just cry profusely in yearning. All my hopes and longings depend exclusively on You.
Parama Purusa, You are mine - my closest One. You have filled my life and my whole existence with unending joy and love. Baba, besides You there is nothing. I have only one singular urge: to be in Your intense proximity. ...
Note for Prabhat Samgiita: Just like a small child who lovingly and sweetly complains to its mother, in the same manner in this song the bhakta is lovingly placing his complaint before Parama Purusa - the nearest and dearest One. This type of very close and intimate relation is characterized by tremendous sweetness and love. This develops when one’s sadhana is of a very high standard - by His grace. Those with lower sadhana will not understand this song- rather they will think the feelings expressed in this song are odd or peculiar.
When a child is young it has a tremendous degree of love for its mother and will cry when she is not present. As the child ages though that degree of love steadily declines. And they will one day think it is strange how a young child is crying for its mother. Because that older child does not have that high degree of love for mother. Similarly, to understand this song, above average bhakti for the Parama Purusa is needed.
In Ananda Marga there are many sadhakas who have this feeling in their practical life. They are fortunate; their life has become successful. Because this type of ardent love towards Parama Purusa is bhakti. And when one has bhakti one has everything. With bhakti surely one is going to attain Parama Purusa, by His grace.
What to speak of a sadhaka, if an ordinary, or even a degraded person, does sadhana sincerely, and from the deep core of their heart they request, “O’ Parama Purusa, I want nothing else, please grace me with the highest bhakti”, then the afore-described deep spiritual love will quickly develop, by His grace. The above Prabhat Samgiita composition carries this idea.
== Section 3: Important Teaching ==
Radha & Krishna: nonsense photos
Ananda Marga ideology states, “When a devotee moves towards Parama Puruśa with intense yearning for Him, it is called rádhábháva. When a devotee finally reaches Parama Puruśa by virtue of this intense rádhábháva it is called the union between Rádhá and Krśńá in the Vaeshńava scriptures.”
“Who is Krśńa? Here Krśńa is none other than Parama Puruśa. You might have seen some pictures depicting Rádhá and Krśńa. These all are false. Krśńa and Rádha are subtle spiritual concepts. A devotee will have to move towards Puruśottama, the Supreme Nucleus, with the help of rádhiká shakti or hládinii shakti. There is no path of Supreme Welfare other than rádhiká shakti.” (1)
Reference
1. Ananda Marga Ideology and Way of Life 10, Vaedhii Bhakti & Shuddha’ Bhakti
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Since the beginning of yoga practice, yogis have sat on various kinds of materials which are by nature non-conductors of heat and electricity. The yogis of olden times mostly sat on animal skins, and in many cases they also used animal skins as their outer garments. Later, for lack of animal skins, people started using blankets as ásanas [meditation seats].” (1)
Reference
1. Namah Shivaya Shantaya, Shiva in the Song of Shiva
== Section 4: Links ==
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