Baba
Alerting others about exploitation
Namaskar,
People commonly think that the best way to improve society is to engage in some constructive work, such as building roads and engaging in social service projects etc. Their view is that by this way they can bring about a good, lasting, and concrete result. However, Baba warns us about this type of approach and presents us with an entirely new methodology for effecting positive change. Here we together explore Sadguru Baba’s unique strategy for promoting the cause of social welfare.
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Prout philosophy states, “Before launching any movement, you should make sure that the masses are conscious of their exploitation, otherwise the movement will not be successful. Although it may take some time to raise the consciousness of the masses, ultimately you will be victorious.”
Formula for success
Here is Sadguru Baba’s very special and clear guideline.
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "Without arousing social consciousness, it is next to impossible to bring about social welfare. It may not be possible to bring about social welfare through constructive programmes [building roads/ social service projects etc] and through the struggle against injustice alone; social consciousness is indispensable." (1)
By Baba’s above teaching, two points emerge:
[#1] Arousing social consciousness is very important. Without arousing social consciousness, it is next to impossible to bring about social welfare.
[#2] It is not possible to advance the cause of social welfare by solely engaging in constructive programmes like building roads and doing social service projects etc.
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Prout philosophy states, “Before launching any movement, you should make sure that the masses are conscious of their exploitation, otherwise the movement will not be successful. Although it may take some time to raise the consciousness of the masses, ultimately you will be victorious.” (2)
Generate social awareness, not buildings (part I)
Keeping Baba’s above points in mind, we can begin to apply this both to our AMPS and the greater society. At this juncture, our AMPS has far more buildings and land holdings than we can properly maintain and utilise for the welfare of humanity. Verily, so many of our jagrtis are empty. We do not have a shortage of buildings, rather we suffer from a shortage of personnel, i.e. not enough sadhakas / margiis. Sadly, our Wt ranks are also shrinking for a variety of reasons - lack of pracara, poor oversight, sickness, and death etc. This, in turn, hinders our ability to create new margiis. Following this trajectory, our AMPS will continue to shrink and shrink, and, ultimately, vanish. So spending valuable time and resources constructing more and more buildings is not the need of the hour. Essentially, those buildings will simply fall into the hands of non-margiis; or, those currently at the helm will sell those buildings for a profit. Our first and foremost endeavour should be a wholehearted approach to create more and more sincere margiis and Wts.
With the rise of social consciousness, only then may we successfully ensure our AMPS is abiding by the fundamentals of AM ideology-- i.e. generate the necessary circumstantial pressure whereby our AMPS becomes a proper medium of Sadguru Baba’s timeless teachings. Buildings will not achieve this end; we need a shift in our psyche and overall awareness.
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Prout philosophy states, “Before launching any movement, you should make sure that the masses are conscious of their exploitation, otherwise the movement will not be successful. Although it may take some time to raise the consciousness of the masses, ultimately you will be victorious.” (3)
Generate social awareness, not buildings (Part II)
Nowadays in our AMPS, there are degrees of frustration with the current status of our organisation. In response, some, in their earnestness, have put forth the rallying cry to engage in some “constructive work”, in the form of physically erecting buildings and social service projects etc. In their view, they think this is the ideal way to effect the needed change.
Accordingly, they start a new master unit, build roads or dig wells, form a new service project, or even start their own social service organisation etc. Or they resort to other ways in order to do something concrete for the world. However, in this current arena, something more is needed. Baba warns us that such approaches will not stand in the long run without the proper bedrock of raising the requisite level of consciousness and awareness.
Verily, this is a universal point. The first step towards generating meaningful change, whether that be in AMPS or the larger society, is to evoke greater social consciousness. This, no doubt, may take longer than quickly constructing a new building, but by elevating the standard of public awareness, that social consciousness mounts into a strong, undefeatable force for good. And without that, movements invariably flounder and fall by the wayside. That is Baba’s teaching, and that is the constructive work that is to be done.
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Prout philosophy states, “Before launching any movement, you should make sure that the masses are conscious of their exploitation, otherwise the movement will not be successful. Although it may take some time to raise the consciousness of the masses, ultimately you will be victorious.”
Prout philosophy states, “A leader of the Maethilii community in Bihar wanted to start a movement against the exploitation of the Maethilii language, so he organized a massive rally and started to lecture the people about the suppression of Maethilii. Initially, everyone listened to him attentively and supported his ideas. At the end of his address he told the masses: “We will live for Maethilii, we will die for Maethilii.” But one person amongst the crowd shouted out: “Yes, we will live for Maethilii, but why should we die for Maethilii? Rather, I choose to die in Kashi.”... Immediately all the people started supporting this view, and as a result the meeting was disturbed. This happened because the people were not conscious of the suppression.” (4)
No matter the arena, our first and foremost duty is to awaken and arouse the overall level of awareness and create that heightened social consciousness. This is the basis for effecting true positive change.
Prout philosophy states, “Before launching any movement, you should make sure that the masses are conscious of their exploitation, otherwise the movement will not be successful. Although it may take some time to raise the consciousness of the masses, ultimately you will be victorious.” (5)
Conclusion
There is one single solution that is rational and viable. First and foremost, we must alert others about the exploitation being carried out in our AMPS. In this situation, we must not sit back and wait for others to come forward - someone else is not going to suddenly appear and do this work. Now the need of the day is for all sadhakas to stand tall waving the banner of AM and follow Baba so our AMPS can become a proper medium of Sadguru Baba’s timeless teachings.
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We have come onto this earth to unitedly bring forth Baba’s Ananda Marga ideology. In this present era, we have to implement His teachings both within AMPS and throughout the greater society. And the concrete first step for achieving this in any realm is to raise the social consciousness about the exploitation within our own AMPS.
Namaskar,
In Him,
Tanmay deva
~ In-depth study ~
1st step: mass education needed
So those who think that doing constructive work, like building roads and doing social service projects etc, is the first and foremost means to serve the world cannot bring true welfare to society. Rather, they end up creating more divisions and factionalism or they allow existing problems to fester by failing to raise awareness. This we have seen in the past and will see in the future also.
For effecting social change and serving society in a meaningful and lasting manner, arousing social consciousness is absolutely essential.
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "Without arousing social consciousness, it is next to impossible to bring about social welfare. It may not be possible to bring about social welfare through constructive programmes [building roads/ social service projects etc] and through the struggle against injustice alone; social consciousness is indispensable." (6)
Prout philosophy states, “Before launching any movement, you should make sure that the masses are conscious of their exploitation, otherwise the movement will not be successful. Although it may take some time to raise the consciousness of the masses, ultimately you will be victorious.” (7)
Secondly, some people think that to improve society they must wage a war against injustice. They think that by this way the world will become better. But here again Baba directly warns us that this approach also will not work.
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Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "It may not be possible to bring about social welfare through...the struggle against injustice alone." (8)
Prout philosophy says, "Revolution may not take place unless the exploited masses are psychologically prepared for revolution. If the people do not support revolution, the clarion call for revolution will not be heeded." (9)
Prout philosophy states, “Before launching any movement, you should make sure that the masses are conscious of their exploitation, otherwise the movement will not be successful. Although it may take some time to raise the consciousness of the masses, ultimately you will be victorious.” (10)
Public support needed
For example, in the hoary past, when slavery was at its peak either in the US, Egypt, or wherever, then merely waging a war against those slave-owners was not effective. Because those slaves were being fed and housed by those slave-owners and many of the slaves were thinking that everything was alright. Their masters were providing them with hearth and home; so those slaves were not thinking that anything was wrong. And they did not want to see anyone opposing and fighting their masters. In that case waging a war against those injustices will not be fruitful. First those slaves need to be educated and made aware that they are being exploited.
Similarly today, if one attempts to stand up against the ruling vaeshyas, then many people amongst the common mass will not support that fight. Because those people think that they get their bread and butter from those capitalist business leaders. And if those capitalists are torn down then the people think they will be without food and water. Or they simply feel obliged and indebted to those ruling capitalists. Or they themselves wish to be like those vaeshyan rulers one day.
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Whatever the case may be, in the above circumstances, with regards to those ruthless slave owners and the blood-sucking capitalists, even though there is the presence of massive exploitation, fighting outrightly against that injustice will not bring about true social change because the people are not ready to support that stand.
About this, Baba has given His clear-cut guideline.
Prout philosophy says, "Before the revolutionary organization gives the clarion call for revolution, there must be intensive preparation. In spite of the presence of all the conditions for revolution, revolution may not take place unless the exploited masses are psychologically prepared for revolution. If the people do not support revolution, the clarion call for revolution will not be heeded." (11)
For this reason Baba warns us that merely fighting against injustice cannot bring welfare to the world.
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "It may not be possible to bring about social welfare through...the struggle against injustice alone." (12)
Prout philosophy states, “Before launching any movement, you should make sure that the masses are conscious of their exploitation, otherwise the movement will not be successful. Although it may take some time to raise the consciousness of the masses, ultimately you will be victorious.” (13)
Consciousness raising is the key
In order to bring about real positive changes to the world, the key ingredient is - social consciousness.
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Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Without arousing social consciousness, it is next to impossible to bring about social welfare." (14)
Hence to truly uplift humanity there must be wide-spread education amongst the common people - raising awareness whereby their eyes are open and their mind is
awake. So arousing social consciousness is the first and most important step towards bringing lasting positive change to the world.
Here again in His below teaching Baba furthermore emphasizes the need to arouse social consciousness amongst the people.
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "In order to save humanity from economic exploitation (whether politico-economic or psycho-economic), you must raise the people's consciousness, otherwise they will never be able to successfully resist psycho-economic or politico-economic exploitation." (15)
Thus whether in our AMPS or in the general society, one key point for doing real service and creating that wave of positive change is heightened awareness about the exploitation of the day - arousing social consciousness. Once the people are awakened to the fact that exploitation is rampant, then in a united way they will rise up and eradicate exploitation. All will be united - and this applies to our Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha as well.
Prout philosophy states, “Before launching any movement, you should make sure that the masses are conscious of their exploitation, otherwise the movement will not be successful. Although it may take some time to raise the consciousness of the masses, ultimately you will be victorious.” (16)
Now & then
In our own Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha it was during the 1990s that most margiis were not aware that groupism was rampant in AMPS. In that case, some of our margii brothers and sisters were not ready to hear or listen to any plans or ideas about fixing the problems. But now the requisite social consciousness has gradually been aroused; all are becoming aware about the unsavoury dealings of the various group leaders etc. People feel there is an urgent need for everyone, including those at the helm, to follow Baba's teachings. On this foundation of understanding, step-by-step we are getting in prime position to bring about all the changes needed to create that seamless Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha organisation that is firmly rooted in Baba's ideological teachings. Ours will soon be that Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha which will lead the whole humanity from darkness into light.
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References
1. Namami Krsnasundaram, '97, Párthasárathi Krśńa and Aesthetic Science (Discourse 26)
2. Prout in a Nutshell - 16, Three Cardinal Socio-Political Principles
3. Prout in a Nutshell - 16, Three Cardinal Socio-Political Principles
4. Prout in a Nutshell - 16, Three Cardinal Socio-Political Principles
5. Prout in a Nutshell - 16, Three Cardinal Socio-Political Principles
6. Namami Krsnasundaram, '97, Párthasárathi Krśńa and Aesthetic Science (Discourse 26)
7. Prout in a Nutshell - 16, Three Cardinal Socio-Political Principles
8. Namami Krsnasundaram, '97, Párthasárathi Krśńa and Aesthetic Science (Discourse 26)
9. Prout in a Nutshell - 21, Nuclear Revolution
10. Prout in a Nutshell - 16, Three Cardinal Socio-Political Principles
11. Prout in a Nutshell - 21, Nuclear Revolution
12. Namami Krsnasundaram, '97, Párthasárathi Krśńa and Aesthetic Science (Discourse 26)
13. Prout in a Nutshell - 16, Three Cardinal Socio-Political Principles
14. Namami Krsnasundaram, '97, Párthasárathi Krśńa and Aesthetic Science (Discourse 26)
15. Liberation of Intellect - Neo-humanism, 'Exploitation & Pseudo-Culture'
16. Prout in a Nutshell - 16, Three Cardinal Socio-Political Principles
* * *
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
* * *
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
* * *
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Dhyana and levels of sadhakas
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "In the fourth phase the relationship is just like a piece of paper; the unit consciousness of the spiritual aspirant is one side of the paper and the Cosmic Consciousness of Parama Purus'a is the other side of the paper; they are inseparable, one cannot be removed from the other. By His effulgence the unit existence, the existential faculty of the aspirant gets lighted, gets illumined. With His illumination the aspirant is to move forward and enjoy the Supreme Beatitude and the Supreme Composure." (1)
Note: Here above Baba is indirectly guiding about the last part of the practice of dhyana - which every sincere sadhaka practices regularly.
In meditation, the lowermost bhaktas think that God is in some other world. A practical example of this is that in 1990 those types of lowest bhaktas created the so-called shraddha purport whereby they recited something similar to this: “O Parama Purusa, in the past You were with us and now You have left us - You are very far away in divya-dham (divine world) - beyond our reach. From there You please bless us.” This is the central idea what our so-called great, great purodhas did in October 1990. This is the sign of lowest grade bhaktas. Because in their mind, Parama Purusa is very far away - somewhere in a very far away different world.
The next grade of bhaktas think that God is here in this world (loka) - “He is within my reach but He is a little far.” This is better than worst grade but not very elevated. The next stage of bhakta feels that, “Parama Purusa is my very near and He is my relation - father, or even my close intimate friend.”
And the highest grade bhakta is what is described above in Baba’s teachings. So this is a brief description of the various grades of bhaktas.
One should remember that sadhana is the effort to go close to Parama Purusa, and slowly the degree of closeness reflects the types of relation one has with Parama Purusa. So if a person thinking that Parama Purusa is very far away in another world then they are lowest of the low because the distance is far and they have to travel a lot.
If you think that He is your close, intimate friend then you are very close to Parama Purusa. But the most close to Parama Purusa is what is described in the above teaching. In the last stage, the unit mind merges into Cosmic Consciousness, and jiiva becomes Shiva.
Reference
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 18, The Path unto the Abode of Beatitude
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "In the Vedic language, the word 'guru' is derived from the root 'gur' plus the suffix 'un'. The root 'gur' means 'to train others how to speak, how to behave in a dignified manner'. The Guru teaches us to follow a methodical way of life. To love is not the only work of the Guru. One who only loves you is your enemy, and one who only punishes you is also your enemy. But the one who both loves and punishes in a balanced way is the real Guru." (1)
Note: Along with the Guru-disciple relation, this aforesaid Baba's teaching is equally applicable in (a) ideal parent-child relations, (b) ideal "shraman'a"-trainee relations, and (c) ideal teacher-student relations.
And the following stanza from Prabhat Samgiita #4528 projects this same idea:
ápan bolei karo shásan,Reference
duhkhe sukhe ápanár jana
ándhár ráte mańir matan,
álo jvalo tákáini,
bhuleo kabhu bhávini
1. Yoga Psychology, The Cult of Spirituality – the Cult of Pinnacled Order
== Section: Prabhat Samgiita ==
मुझे दुखों और कष्टों से बचाने के लिये तुम मेरे पास आये
पीएस 1421 आमार सकल दुखेर माझे एले तुमि दुखहरण....
भावार्थ
हे बाबा! तुम तो दुखहरण हो! मैं कितनें दुखों और कष्टों में घिरा हुआ था, मैं विपत्ति ग्रस्त था, मेरा जीवन असह्य था, मैं पूर्णतः दुर्दशा में था, तब मुझे दुखों और कष्टों से बचाने के लिये, तुम अपनी प्यार भरी आॅखों से देखते हुए, धीरे धीरे चलते हुए, मुस्कुराते हुए मेरे पास आये---यह तुम्हारी कृपा है। तुमने मेरे आॅंखों के आॅंसू पोंछ कर, मुझे दुखों और कष्टों से बचा लिया है।
हे परमपुरुष! मैं पूर्ण समर्पित होकर, उस दुखित और असहाय स्थिति में, तुम्हारे आश्रय में, तुमको पुकारते हुए, तुम्हें ही देखता था। दोनों हाथों को ऊपर उठाकर समर्पण की मुद्रा में मैंने कहा हे बाबा! हे मेरे प्रभु ! कृपा कर मृझे बचालो, तुम ही मेरे एकमात्र सहारा हो, तुम नहीं बचाओगे तो कौन बचायेगा? तब उसी क्षण तुमने कृपा कर मुझे बचा लिया।
हे बाबा! जब मैं चारों ओर देखता हॅूं, तो लगता है कि तुम्हारी कृपामय उपस्थिति से ही यह सारा संसार आनन्दित होकर स्पंदित हो रहा है। सारा आकाश तुम्हारे दिव्य प्रकाश से चमक रहा है, और मेरा मन और हृदय तुम्हारे प्रेम में निमग्न है। बाबा! तुम्हारे चरणकमलों को पकड़कर मैं तुम्हारे ही कीर्तिमान गीत गाते हुए हृदय से तुम्हारे शरणागत हॅूं।
टिप्पणी :- ‘‘दुखहरण‘‘ , अर्थात् दुख को दूर करने वाला । परमपुरुष के अनन्त विशेषणों में से एक ‘दुखहरण‘ भी है। महाभारत काल में द्रौपदी को सताये जाने पर, द्रौपदी ने अपने को परमपुरुष के समक्ष पूर्ण समर्पण करते हुए पुकारा | तब परमपुरुष ने उन्हें तत्काल मदद की, और उनका कष्ट दूर कर दिया। भावार्थ यह कि परमपुरुष दुखहरण हैं। मनुष्यों के दुख तीन प्रकार के होते हैं, भौतिक, मानसिक और आध्यात्मिक। जीवन में, किसी भी प्रकार के दुख में, परमपुरुष बाबा को पूर्ण समर्पण भाव से पुकारने पर, वे अवश्य दुखों का हरण कर लेते हैं।
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Lowly mentality of filmmakers
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Seduced by the bestial instincts hidden in the secret recesses of their minds, people surrender to base propensities. But improvements in education and the social environment can help to bring this beast under control and make it obey their commands. To achieve this the first thing people have to do is to wage war against their animal propensities, which is no easy task. So cunning exploiters, by encouraging animality, are able to bring people under their sway."
"The cinema industry suffers from this malady. This industry is controlled by a handful of business persons who make films according to popular taste and demand. While ordinary people naturally run after those films which in their ideas, language or visual images cater to their base propensities, such ideas, language or images instantly distort the ideals of the idealist beyond recognition. It is quite in character for purely commercial film producers to exploit these human weaknesses to their own advantage, and this is exactly what is happening." (1)
References
1. Human Society - 1, Education
== Section 2: Links ==
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