Baba
When civilised, when not
Namaskar,
Here are a few points related with the general society.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "I would say, the greater the support of judgement in action and behaviour, the better shall be the expression and development of civilization." (1)
So those actions supported by intellect and a keen sense of discrimination (viveka) are civilised.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Selling womb is uncivilised
In many countries, the selling of one's own bodily organs for money is illegal and not condoned. On this point, such countries are civilised. In contrast, in other countries like Iran, people can opt to sell various organs of their body. So on this issue, those countries are uncivilised. Because as we know, intentionally destroying one's own body goes against human dharma and defies all logic and rationality. If any society or community allows its citizens to openly sell their organs, then on this particular point that society or country is uncivilised. In the certain areas, there are numerous funeral businesses that do secretly sell the organs of their deceased clients. Any person running their business in this way is certainly uncivilised.
Neglecting the elderly is uncivilised
In some places, the elderly are generally left uncared for and neglected. There is not a deep understanding that seniors should be respected and given proper care. Wherever you look there are always exceptions where we see that the elderly are cared for such as if they have large bank accounts to afford quality care or if their family plays an active role in their well-being. Tragically though, in some places the general standard of care and concern for the elderly is quite low. Thus on this particular point, such related countries are uncivilised. If anyone uses their logic and reasoning it is wholly evident that the elderly should be cared for, yet this is not done in certain communities. Wherever the elderly are neglected then that area is uncivilised.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "We may call those human acts and behaviour civilized that give evidence of this discriminative judgement, in a great measure." (2)
Thus only those actions that are supported by rationality can be considered as civilised.
Conclusion
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "I would say, the greater the support of judgement in action and behaviour, the better shall be the expression and development of civilization." (3)
So those actions supported by intellect and a keen sense of discrimination (viveka) are civilised.
The measuring rod of Ananda Marga ideology is that only those actions are civilised which are supported by logic and reasoning.
Namaskar,
In Him,
Pramod
~ In-depth study ~
Two examples of uncivilised society
Here are some of Baba's related teachings on the overall topic of this letter, i.e. what it means to be civilised.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "What we see in the marketplace and railway stations is the exhibition of half-clad street beggars and lepers – all stretching out their begging bowls, the only means of earning their livelihood. They are fortunate if anybody contemptuously flings a copper coin at them. The old blind beggars wait all day long at the bridge and lift their bowls as soon as someone walks past them. Their shrill cries fall on deaf ears only. On the other hand, the affluence of foods kept ready in luxurious houses to entertain the big guns of society ridicules the present human civilization." (4)
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "If “a life for a life” is considered an unassailable principle of justice, then there is nothing more to say. But remember that born criminals commit their crimes due to their physical or psychic abnormalities; are not the so-called civilized people who make no effort to cure such born criminals, guilty of the same crime? Does not capital punishment amount to cutting off the head to get rid of a headache? In my opinion to take the life of a born criminal of this type is as much a crime as it would be to pass a death sentence on a patient just because we could not cure the person's illness. It is the duty of a civilized society to arrange for born criminals to be cured of their ailments. Killing them to lighten the burden caused by their lives is certainly not indicative of a developed civilization." (5)
Uncivilised literates
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "To be civilized means to give a refined form to everything, and it is inseparably connected with education. But if refinement takes second place and hypocritical behaviour becomes the primary means of expression, that cannot be called civilization or education. If a man who is invited to a dinner party only nibbles at the savouries, saying, “I am sorry, I cannot eat any more,” then goes home to devour a hearty meal and later brags that he eats very little, an impression of abstemiousness may be created in the minds of others, but there is a complete lack of straightforwardness in his behaviour. In modern society many aspects of civilization and education are of this sort." (6)
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "However, there is at this time a class of self-styled scholars who want to establish separate clubs for themselves for no particular reason. Is there any altruistic motive behind their demand? None at all. The actual reason is that they feel that if they mix with the illiterate masses their social prestige will be undermined. If you investigate more deeply, you will generally find that in such “gentlemen's clubs” immorality is rampant and wine flows in abundance. Should we, then, consider the members of these clubs to be civilized, cultured and educated scholars while other people are uncivilized, uncultured and uneducated fools? Such silly nonsense propagated in the name of civilization cannot be allowed to continue." (7)
Uncivilised people kill millions of unarmed, innocent people
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "The vanity expressed by the so-called civilized human beings of today is extremely dangerous. These people hide the cruder propensities of the mind under the cloak of sweet words and decent behaviour. They are more harmful to the well-being of the human race than the so-called uncivilized humans, because they are hypocrites. The defects of the uncivilized humans pale into insignificance before their abominable hypocrisy. The uncivilized humans of the past may have killed twelve people at most in the battles they fought with bows, arrows, sticks and spears, but the so-called civilized human beings of today kill millions of unarmed, innocent people indiscriminately with their dreadful and lethal weapons. Human society of today is being exploited by the so-called civilized people. Such people should not make themselves look ridiculous by claiming otherwise." (8)
Ananda Marga ideology teaches us, "As you know, all are the progeny of the same Supreme Progenitor. He created this universe and He created this material world, as well as His living children. Now, when he created the material world, the inanimate world, the plants and the human beings, common sense says that the entire world belongs to His children irrespective of caste, creed, religion, nationality, standard of education, standard of wisdom, or standard of physical, mental or spiritual strength. It is the vested interests, with their mean and base motives, that create disparity among living creatures, especially among human beings. So those who exploit others and want to enjoy this created world by depriving others of their legitimate and paternal rights, are the enemies of society. They are the enemies of humanity, and they are the enemies of the cultured and civilized world." (9)
Ananda Marga philosophy teaches us, "Once I heard about a doctor, standing by the bed of a poor, distressed patient, who said in an authoritarian way, “You must pay my fees at once. I won't listen to any excuses.” A poor relative of the patient left the house in despair, borrowed money by giving an IOU, and paid the doctor's bill. I doubt whether a country can be considered civilized if the strictest reform measures are not taken against such human demons." (10)
Uncivilised people misusing science
Ananda Marga philosophy teaches us, "In the present age, civilization is on the wane due to science enjoying the pride of place. But developed as science is today, if civilization is pushed up again to the top, people can reach a greater height than ever before." (11)
In His above teaching, Baba is bringing attention to the fact that these days science is doing so many things that are harmful to mind, body, and one's overall well-being. Unfortunately, civilisation does not have control over science. Right-minded people are unable to guide researchers what to invent and what not. Science has the upper hand over civilisation. In that way science has become an agent of so many noxious things like drugs, violent video games, pornography, degrading films, and various other inventions that undermine the welfare of society.
Here below Baba is reviewing the condition of various African peoples and why some of those communities and nations lagged. Following are the reasons.
Ananda Marga philosophy teaches us, "Black people did not lag behind either. True, compared with other races their contribution to human civilization is less impressive, not because of their racial inferiority, but because the so-called civilized races (for their selfish political interests) deprived them of sufficient scope in their development. Furthermore, the hostile natural environment did not allow introversion of their psychic potentialities." (12)
Bear in mind however that one thing remains consistent throughout.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Forget one’s race or sect
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Although according to perfect logic the culture of all humanity is one and indivisible, the exponents of isms do not understand this. They prefer to assert that the different sets of script and language, behaviour and habit, and local variations in expression, are actually the constituents of human culture.” (13)
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Members of a particular race who consider themselves superior to others also very frequently inflict injustices on other sections of society. The expulsion (see note *) of the Jews from Germany by Hitler’s so-called superior Aryan race is a glaring example of racial injustice in society. In this country, also, injustices on Harijans by the so-called superior races have caused a tremendous amount of disruption in society. To obviate this type of social injustice, the first attempt should be to do away with racial distinctions in society. In Ananda Marga the first step that one takes is to forget one’s race or sect – to no longer identify oneself with one’s race, caste or sect – regardless of whether it was superior or inferior.” (A Few Problems Solved - 7, Social Psychology) (14)
(*) “Between 1941 and 1945, Nazi Germany and its collaborators systematically murdered some six million Jews across German-occupied Europe, around two-thirds of Europe's Jewish population.” (Wikipedia)
References
1. A Few Problems Solved - 6, Civilization, Science and Spiritual Progress
2. A Few Problems Solved - 6, Civilization, Science and Spiritual Progress
3. A Few Problems Solved - 6, Civilization, Science and Spiritual Progress
4. Social Values & Cardinal Principles
5. Human Society-1, Justice
6. Human Society - 1, Social Justice
7. Human Society - 1, Social Justice
8. Ananda Marga Ideology Way of Life - 8, Struggle & Progress
9. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 3, The Birthright of the Microcosm
10. Humans Society - 1, Various Occupations
11. A Few Problems Solved - 6, Civilization, Science and Spiritual Progress
12. Human Society - 2, Human Society Is One and Indivisible
13. Prout in a Nutshell - 4, Ism and Human Progress
14. A Few Problems Solved - 7, Social Psychology
== Section 2: Important Teaching ==
Solution for misguided world
Here is an English summary from Subhasita Samgraha - 16 (Hindi), Parama' Prakrti Aor Uska' Svabhava.
There are some philosophies that state that, "Every mess is only because of economic problems." No, human life is not only about economics. If that were the case, no businessman would donate everything and become a sannyasi. But it does happen. Even the king's son becomes a sannyasi and leaves his home. If economics were everything, then this would not happen.You will see that in some places people become refugees to save dharma. After becoming refugees, they have to bear a lot of troubles, but still they become so. Why do they become so? No, here only mundane happiness is not a big thing. Economics is not the biggest thing. In human life, only economic progress is not everything. So the exploitation that one group does to others, the same mentality works behind this too, that they do not want to live according to the natural way of life. Those people should come on the path of dharma. The problems will be solved immediately. There is no other way except dharma. (English Summary)
The following article is a prime example of Baba’s above teaching. Here the newspaper is reporting that the son of one of the richest men in Malaysia left his family to become a monk.
== Section: Prabhat Samgiita ==
तुम्हें छोड़कर मेरा कोई नहीं है |
प्रभात सङ्गीत 2566. पुण्येर भार नेइ को आमार ।
बाबा, मेरे पास कोई पुण्य-बल नहीं है, पुण्य की पूँजी नहीं है | सिर्फ़ तुम्हारी करुणा का ही सहारा है | सरल और सीधे मन से मैं तुम्हारी कृपा की भीख माँग रहा हूँ | तुम्हारी कृपा के बिना कुछ भी नहीं हो सकता |
बाबा, तुम्हारी वराभयमुद्रा की छत्र-छाया ही मेरा एकमात्र आश्रय है | हे परमपुरुष बाबा ! तुम्हें छोड़कर मेरा कोई नहीं है | मेरे जीवन की शुरुआत सञ्चर धारा के अङ्कुरण से शुरू हुई | तभी से मैं सदा तुम्हारी छत्र-छाया में हूँ | मेरे जीवन की प्रशान्ति तुमसे मिलकर एक होने में है | वही मेरा महान मरण होगा | और, उसी में मेरी परमागति होगी, इस संसार में मेरे आने और इस संसार से जाने की समाप्ति होगी |
बाबा, तुम्हारी करुणा मिलने पर ही मेरे जीवन में आनन्द की धारा बहती है | और आनन्द कहाँ ? कहीं नहीं है | जो भी मेरे जीवन का सुख है, वह तुम्हारी करुणा का ही परिणाम है | तुमको भूलकर ज़िन्दा रहने में बहुत कष्ट है, जीवन असार, सूखा और दुःखी है |
बाबा, मेरे हृदय में तुमने जो अध्यात्म विद्या, और भक्ति की वीणा बजाई है | वह संसार के सभी अमृतों से भी अधिक मधुर और मन को पागल बना देनेवाली है | मेरे अस्तित्व को तुम में खो देनेवाली है |
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Your eleven organs
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “In most animals, and particularly in human beings, there are various kinds of nerve cells and nerve fibres. In common parlance the word nád́ii [channels] is used to mean these nerves, but they are not the same. The nerves are of two kinds: sensory nerves and motor nerves. The sensory nerves transmit the inferences through the gateway of organs to the nerve cells. The organs through which the inferences are received are called sensory organs. The motor nerves transmit the messages of the nerve cells to the [motor] organs which then express them. In that case the gateways of organs are called motor organs. In the bodies of many animals, and particularly in the bodies of human beings, there are five sensory organs: eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin. Their function is extro-internal, to bring something within. So, another name for these is antahkarańa. The motor organs are five fold: mouth, hands, legs, genitals and anus. Their function is intro-external. So they are called bahihkarańa. Five means of internalization, five means of externalization and the mind constitute eleven organs.” (1)
Reference:
1. Shabda Cayanika - 4, Kámbal to Kárańa (Discourse 22)
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Self-care: unique technique
Ananda Marga Caryacarya says, "The practices given below are prescribed only for specific diseases. Therefore, they are to be performed only after consultation with an a'ca'rya."
"Vistrta sna'na or vya'paka sna'na: A bathtub is most convenient, but if this is not available, an earthen trough will suffice. If this is not available either, a wet towel can be used, soaking it repeatedly in water. Fill the bathtub with cold water, and sit in it undressed so that the area from the navel down remains submerged. Keep your feet dry and out of the tub. The area from the neck to the navel should be kept covered with a shirt or dry cloth. The crown of the head and the back of the head should be kept covered with a wet towel."
Ananda Marga Caryacarya says, "Now take another towel and rub the area from the right side of the abdomen to the groin seven or eight times. Do likewise on the left-hand side and horizontally from right to left and left to right. You should make sure that the towel on the head remains wet."
"After this, wipe the abdomen, hands and thighs and take a full bath. If this is not possible, then leave the tub wearing a shirt."
Ananda Marga Caryacarya says, "This should be practised behind closed doors. In the absence of a bathtub or an earthen trough, a wet towel may be wrapped around the areas to be bathed, but in order to compensate, cold water must be poured constantly over the towel, and the towel which is to be used for the massage must be kept wet. After vya'paka sna'na, the thighs, pubic area and abdomen should be warmed with a dry towel."
"Before and after this bath one should not eat, in order to allow the stomach to rest." (1)
Reference
1. Caryacarya - 3, Different Yoga Practices
== Section: Hindi Quote ==
"ऊतामृतत्वस्येशानो"---”अगर परमात्मा decide करें ऐसा कि---"मैं पापियों का नहीं हूँ | पापी निकल जाए |” तो, पापी पूछेगा---"कृपया यह तो बताओ, मैं कहाँ जाऊँ ?" देखो उनके बाहर में तो कुछ नहीं है | वे बाहर जाने के लिए अगर बोलें, तो बोलेंगे कि---"मेरा जो area है, सरहद है, उसके बाहर चले जाओ |” “तो, तुम्हारे सरहद के बाहर कौन जगह है, बता दो ज़रा ? बताओ ?” वे तो नहीं बता सकेंगे | तब उनको क्या करना पड़ेगा ? अपना ही थोड़ा-सा portion को अलग करके बोलना पड़ेगा---"तू वहाँ जा |" तब थोड़ा-सा area जब बाहर उनसे चला गया, तब वे तो सर्वव्यापी नहीं रहे | उनके बाहर में वे पापी लोग चले गए |”
[यह प्रवचन-अंश, बाबा के कैसेट से सीधे लिखा गया है । बाबा का यह असली प्रवचन, अमृतोपदेश है। आनन्दमार्ग हिन्दी पुस्तकों में छपे प्रवचन तो नक़ली प्रवचन हैं, असली नहीं हैं -- बंगालीकरण (बँगलाइजेसन) के तहत उनकी बर्बादी की गई] (1)
Reference
1. S24-06
== Section: Prout ==
Customs vs culture
Prout philosophy states, "Culture is a vague term. It is the collective name for different expressions of life. People eat, enjoy hospitality, laugh on some occasions and shed tears on others, and thereby express life through various actions. The collective name of all these actions is culture."
"According to PROUT all of society has the same culture. There are local variations in the mode or state of cultural expression, but the expression is universal. While everybody eats, some eat by hand, others by stick and still others by spoon. Indian dance is based on Mudrá or dance postures, and European dance is based on rhythm, but they do not represent two different cultures."
"Local variations will diminish if there is a close blending between different groups of people, because this will create common customs. In Nepal there is a blending of Hindu and Buddhist customs. In Bengal there is a blending of Aryan and Dravidian customs. These local variations are called customs. Thus local modes of expression bearing local or group specialities are customs, but the expression itself is culture. Therefore it is a mistake to readjust boundaries on the basis of language and culture. Indian culture and the culture of the world are one and the same." (1)
Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 15, Talks on Prout
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Bhaktas feel all as their own kith and kin
Ananda Marga ideology says, "Parama Puruśa looks deep into the inner thoughts and feelings of human beings. He is omniscient, forever watching throughout the creation those who are meditating upon Him with undivided attention, and those who have been patiently waiting with an unwavering mind to realize Him. These are expressions of those with an integral outlook. Only such people, irrespective of caste, colour, creed, community, national or geographical barrier, etc. can look upon each and every human being as their own kith and kin. They are free of all discrimination. They even treat the animals and plants as being intimately related to themselves." (1)
Reference
1. Ananda Marga Philosophy - 5, Integral and Non-Integral Outlook
== Section 3: Links ==
Other topics of interest
