Baba
Namaskar,
In Ananda Marga, we make clear-cut distinctions between humans and animals. No one thinks that humans are animals. Everyone understands that there is a stark and fundamental difference.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Ananda Marga ideology says, “The old idea of logicians that the human is a rational [animal] is not supported by us. We say the human is not a rational animal. If we say the human is a rational animal, then the human comes within the animal category. Yes, the human is a living being, but the human is not an animal." (1)
Convince & save others
However, in general society, there are many who equate humans with animals, and vice-versa. This is especially true in the west where some advocate that animals should have the same rights as humans, or that humans are part of the animal kingdom. For instance, they will treat their pets like royalty; or, they will openly state that humans are animals, or they will refer to cows, dogs, and pigs etc as “non-human animals”. Indeed, they feel glorified by using the phrase “non-human animals” as they think they are being high-minded, just, or not anthropocentric.
In AM we respect the life of an animal, but we do not equate human life with animal life. There are distinct differences. If we are aware about these differences then we can best convince others of the unique value of human life.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Failing that, certain people will continue to think that humans may behave as animals - "because that is our natural way" - in which case they will plunge themselves into all kinds of crude activities and ruin their future. Or they will continue to pamper certain animals with all kinds of superfluous luxuries while their fellow human beings die of starvation. So we should all be clear about the below logic and help elevate the standard of humanity.
Why people confused in the west
At present in the west, there is a growing sentimental attachment for animals. For instance, people now keep all kinds of pets such as cats, dogs, iguanas, birds, llamas, fish, chimpanzees, ferrets, and so much more. They give special care, expensive medical operations, elegant spas, special grooming, and sumptuous food to their pets. They treat their pets like royalty and spend huge money on them. They consider their pets as members of their own families and think of themselves as animal lovers. Yet when the vast majority of those pet owners eat meat (i.e. animal flesh) on a daily basis.
The issue gets further compounded when we consider the fact that huge numbers of humans die due to lack of care, yet so much special attention is given to these pets. Indeed, in the US, 124 billion dollars a year is spent on pet care, more than the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of dozens and dozens of countries. Some of the ultra-rich even leave millions to their dogs upon their death.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
On the one side, they share their homes with animals and treat them as family, and on the other side they blindly support animal slaughtering by eating meat at every meal. On the one side, people spend a huge amount of money on pampering their pets, and on the other side, gross numbers of humans go hungry every day. This is happening these days.
Key difference between humans & animals
Amidst all these shocking scenarios we should keep this key point in mind that clearly proves that humans and animals are of distinctly separate categories.
Let's say an owner teaches their dog 10 tricks. Then that is all the dog will know. On its own, the dog will not learn an 11th or 12th trick. Dogs do not have that type of psychic structure. When they are shown, they will do, but they do not have the creative power or urge to go beyond that.
In contrast, within each and every human being is the seed of expansion. So if a human being is taught something, then that human being will take that idea and expand upon it. They will make the idea or action their own and build upon it. Infants, students of all ages, professionals, retirees, everyone does like this. That is the nature of human beings.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Language is a great example. Animals can repeat a word (parrots) or respond to a verbal command (dog) or even use certain words to communicate (monkey), but no animal has the ability to create sentences on their own. That pattern or capability of original thought and expression is beyond their spectrum of knowing.
Here, the whole point is that animals do not have the quality to do new things. They can only do the things they have been shown or taught. They lack the basic quality to discover anything beyond that. Thus when the psychic faculty of human beings has this unique quality of making new things and when animals lack it, then who can claim that humans are animals or animals are humans.
Propensities in animal & human life
Because animals utterly lack the aforementioned psychic quality, they spend their days involved in satisfying their basic propensities or primal urges. When a physical desire comes then they act upon it. That is the basic quality of animal life. In contrast, human beings are not slaves to their propensities. Either due to social pressure or by their own thinking, humans do not merely act upon their base propensities.
For instance, if a dog is hungry and sees food then it will eat that food, not at all considering if that food is for them or not. In contrast, even when hungry a human being will refrain from eating food that is not theirs. Either they are concerned they will be punished (social pressure), or they do not feel comfortable eating what does not belong to them (moral conscience).
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Thus, physical propensities do not dominate human life, especially not with sadhakas, whereas animals are totally dominated by material pursuits and are content with those limited desires. Humans are never satisfied completely by physical indulgences - always they want something more.
Rarity of human life
With our innate desire to discover something new, humans invariably turn to psychic growth and ultimately spirituality. Animals are not capable of contemplating new things, but humans have an innate urge for the infinite. And it is this quality of mind that is to guide us in our quest, not mere material enjoyment.
Unfortunately, many humans remain engrossed in worldly desires and that leads to their degradation. In that case, they are on the path back to animal life. They will get the body appropriate for their desires.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
As sadhakas, we always proceed guided by mind, not matter. Some respond to social pressure and others by benevolence of mind, but whatever may be, most humans live by using their mind and then deciding how to proceed. Animals never do this. As humans though, we are to use the mind to control our corporeal structure and aim that mind toward Parama Purusa. That is our unique human dharma.
Conclusion
We have been blessed with this human life which is so rare and so difficult to attain. We must be especially sure to goad the mind toward the spiritual realm and not get caught up in crude desires. We must remember we are mind-oriented beings and never classify ourselves as being animals and following that mode of living. We are to do sadhana and reach the Supreme Goal.
Ananda Marga ideology says, "Human life is rare and is very precious.” Even the devata's, if they want to do something good or great, will have to come in human frame to work. A devata' as devata' cannot do anything good; the devata' requires a human framework. So human life is very precious, very rare; “and such life is still more rare, still more precious, if it has become successful by dint of bha'gavata dharma, or by dint of sa'dhana'.”" (2)
in Him,
Hariish
The point of free will
One other aspect of this discussion is free will. Animals do not have free will in which case they cannot create new samskaras - bad or good. All they can do is follow their inborn propensities - period. They cannot think or consider doing something different. Their desire is limited and they are content with material life.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Humans have free will, and with that comes a huge spectrum of choices. Ideally we make those selections with a balanced mind. By this entire process, humans can easily go beyond material pursuits and point the mind toward higher thoughts and realisation.
This notion of free will further distinguishes humans from animals.
Why the material west loves pets
Some may wonder why those in the west and, in particular Americans, are so enthralled with having pets. The clear-cut answer is that the more selfish a person becomes, the less they are able to live with others. Many in the US live alone because they cannot adjust with their family and friends. Yet they keep animals. Those animals will listen to them and never talk back. That is the only type of relationship a selfish person can handle. In that way so many get totally attached to their pets. They tell their pet all their worries and fears - that is much easier than having to deal with another human being. So due to selfishness some bond more with their pets than with other humans.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 30, Ascribe Brahma-hood to All
2. Subháśita Saḿgraha Part 21, Jaeva Dharma and Bha’gavat Dharma
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
* * *
== Section 2: Important Teaching ==
Where communism thrives
Ananda Marga ideology states, “Countries which have both laborious and intellectually developed citizens have never accepted communism. For example, Karl Marx was born in Germany but his theory was not accepted there. Similarly, England gave shelter to Marx but did not accept his theory. The cooperative movement first started in England and the spirit of cooperation is reflected in many aspects of British society; consequently, Marxism has not been able to get a foothold in Britain. Japan is surrounded by communist countries like the Soviet Union, North Korea and China but it did not accept communism. The citizens of these countries, as well as of some other countries, are both laborious and intellectually developed, hence they have rejected Marxism.” (1)
Note: In India there was only one state where communism was accepted for several decades. You are surely aware about that state.
References
1. Defects of Communism – Excerpt C
Clear difference: animals & humans
Namaskar,
In Ananda Marga, we make clear-cut distinctions between humans and animals. No one thinks that humans are animals. Everyone understands that there is a stark and fundamental difference.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Ananda Marga ideology says, “The old idea of logicians that the human is a rational [animal] is not supported by us. We say the human is not a rational animal. If we say the human is a rational animal, then the human comes within the animal category. Yes, the human is a living being, but the human is not an animal." (1)
Convince & save others
However, in general society, there are many who equate humans with animals, and vice-versa. This is especially true in the west where some advocate that animals should have the same rights as humans, or that humans are part of the animal kingdom. For instance, they will treat their pets like royalty; or, they will openly state that humans are animals, or they will refer to cows, dogs, and pigs etc as “non-human animals”. Indeed, they feel glorified by using the phrase “non-human animals” as they think they are being high-minded, just, or not anthropocentric.
In AM we respect the life of an animal, but we do not equate human life with animal life. There are distinct differences. If we are aware about these differences then we can best convince others of the unique value of human life.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Failing that, certain people will continue to think that humans may behave as animals - "because that is our natural way" - in which case they will plunge themselves into all kinds of crude activities and ruin their future. Or they will continue to pamper certain animals with all kinds of superfluous luxuries while their fellow human beings die of starvation. So we should all be clear about the below logic and help elevate the standard of humanity.
Why people confused in the west
At present in the west, there is a growing sentimental attachment for animals. For instance, people now keep all kinds of pets such as cats, dogs, iguanas, birds, llamas, fish, chimpanzees, ferrets, and so much more. They give special care, expensive medical operations, elegant spas, special grooming, and sumptuous food to their pets. They treat their pets like royalty and spend huge money on them. They consider their pets as members of their own families and think of themselves as animal lovers. Yet when the vast majority of those pet owners eat meat (i.e. animal flesh) on a daily basis.
The issue gets further compounded when we consider the fact that huge numbers of humans die due to lack of care, yet so much special attention is given to these pets. Indeed, in the US, 124 billion dollars a year is spent on pet care, more than the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of dozens and dozens of countries. Some of the ultra-rich even leave millions to their dogs upon their death.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
On the one side, they share their homes with animals and treat them as family, and on the other side they blindly support animal slaughtering by eating meat at every meal. On the one side, people spend a huge amount of money on pampering their pets, and on the other side, gross numbers of humans go hungry every day. This is happening these days.
Key difference between humans & animals
Amidst all these shocking scenarios we should keep this key point in mind that clearly proves that humans and animals are of distinctly separate categories.
Let's say an owner teaches their dog 10 tricks. Then that is all the dog will know. On its own, the dog will not learn an 11th or 12th trick. Dogs do not have that type of psychic structure. When they are shown, they will do, but they do not have the creative power or urge to go beyond that.
In contrast, within each and every human being is the seed of expansion. So if a human being is taught something, then that human being will take that idea and expand upon it. They will make the idea or action their own and build upon it. Infants, students of all ages, professionals, retirees, everyone does like this. That is the nature of human beings.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Language is a great example. Animals can repeat a word (parrots) or respond to a verbal command (dog) or even use certain words to communicate (monkey), but no animal has the ability to create sentences on their own. That pattern or capability of original thought and expression is beyond their spectrum of knowing.
Here, the whole point is that animals do not have the quality to do new things. They can only do the things they have been shown or taught. They lack the basic quality to discover anything beyond that. Thus when the psychic faculty of human beings has this unique quality of making new things and when animals lack it, then who can claim that humans are animals or animals are humans.
Propensities in animal & human life
Because animals utterly lack the aforementioned psychic quality, they spend their days involved in satisfying their basic propensities or primal urges. When a physical desire comes then they act upon it. That is the basic quality of animal life. In contrast, human beings are not slaves to their propensities. Either due to social pressure or by their own thinking, humans do not merely act upon their base propensities.
For instance, if a dog is hungry and sees food then it will eat that food, not at all considering if that food is for them or not. In contrast, even when hungry a human being will refrain from eating food that is not theirs. Either they are concerned they will be punished (social pressure), or they do not feel comfortable eating what does not belong to them (moral conscience).
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Thus, physical propensities do not dominate human life, especially not with sadhakas, whereas animals are totally dominated by material pursuits and are content with those limited desires. Humans are never satisfied completely by physical indulgences - always they want something more.
Rarity of human life
With our innate desire to discover something new, humans invariably turn to psychic growth and ultimately spirituality. Animals are not capable of contemplating new things, but humans have an innate urge for the infinite. And it is this quality of mind that is to guide us in our quest, not mere material enjoyment.
Unfortunately, many humans remain engrossed in worldly desires and that leads to their degradation. In that case, they are on the path back to animal life. They will get the body appropriate for their desires.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
As sadhakas, we always proceed guided by mind, not matter. Some respond to social pressure and others by benevolence of mind, but whatever may be, most humans live by using their mind and then deciding how to proceed. Animals never do this. As humans though, we are to use the mind to control our corporeal structure and aim that mind toward Parama Purusa. That is our unique human dharma.
Conclusion
We have been blessed with this human life which is so rare and so difficult to attain. We must be especially sure to goad the mind toward the spiritual realm and not get caught up in crude desires. We must remember we are mind-oriented beings and never classify ourselves as being animals and following that mode of living. We are to do sadhana and reach the Supreme Goal.
Ananda Marga ideology says, "Human life is rare and is very precious.” Even the devata's, if they want to do something good or great, will have to come in human frame to work. A devata' as devata' cannot do anything good; the devata' requires a human framework. So human life is very precious, very rare; “and such life is still more rare, still more precious, if it has become successful by dint of bha'gavata dharma, or by dint of sa'dhana'.”" (2)
in Him,
Hariish
The point of free will
One other aspect of this discussion is free will. Animals do not have free will in which case they cannot create new samskaras - bad or good. All they can do is follow their inborn propensities - period. They cannot think or consider doing something different. Their desire is limited and they are content with material life.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Humans have free will, and with that comes a huge spectrum of choices. Ideally we make those selections with a balanced mind. By this entire process, humans can easily go beyond material pursuits and point the mind toward higher thoughts and realisation.
This notion of free will further distinguishes humans from animals.
Why the material west loves pets
Some may wonder why those in the west and, in particular Americans, are so enthralled with having pets. The clear-cut answer is that the more selfish a person becomes, the less they are able to live with others. Many in the US live alone because they cannot adjust with their family and friends. Yet they keep animals. Those animals will listen to them and never talk back. That is the only type of relationship a selfish person can handle. In that way so many get totally attached to their pets. They tell their pet all their worries and fears - that is much easier than having to deal with another human being. So due to selfishness some bond more with their pets than with other humans.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 30, Ascribe Brahma-hood to All
2. Subháśita Saḿgraha Part 21, Jaeva Dharma and Bha’gavat Dharma
* * *
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
* * *
== Section 2: Important Teaching ==
Where communism thrives
Ananda Marga ideology states, “Countries which have both laborious and intellectually developed citizens have never accepted communism. For example, Karl Marx was born in Germany but his theory was not accepted there. Similarly, England gave shelter to Marx but did not accept his theory. The cooperative movement first started in England and the spirit of cooperation is reflected in many aspects of British society; consequently, Marxism has not been able to get a foothold in Britain. Japan is surrounded by communist countries like the Soviet Union, North Korea and China but it did not accept communism. The citizens of these countries, as well as of some other countries, are both laborious and intellectually developed, hence they have rejected Marxism.” (1)
Note: In India there was only one state where communism was accepted for several decades. You are surely aware about that state.
References
1. Defects of Communism – Excerpt C
== Section 3: Links ==
Other topics of interest
