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Friday, May 24, 2024

Is Milarepa story applicable? + 2 more

Baba
Is Milarepa story applicable?

Namaskar,

From the very outset, Baba had a grand plan for humanity. And He presented it step by step in a very exact and practical manner—over the course of time. On day 1 in 1955, He did not call everyone together for a seminar and tell them to write down a list of all His plans for the entire humanity. Nor did He do so in 1970 or 1978.

For example, He did not give Prabhat Samgiita or Gurukul or neo-humanism in those early days. If He had done so, people would not have been ready. However, that does not mean that Baba did not have the idea or plan to put forth those projects—everything was in His cosmic mind—but people were not ready for those teachings.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

At that time, no one would have been able to learn that way—nor would they have remembered because of the great extent of His teachings. Already Parama Purusa Baba was presenting so many new programs. And to remember and learn anything new and revolutionary, human beings must engage in that enterprise and repeat it again and again—practically with their own hands. Then that experience gives a deep impression in the mind. That way the mind gets saturated with that idea.

Baba took a divine approach, which we now may call His working or teaching style in the pre-1990 period. As we all saw, those days—step by step—Baba would present a new plan and program.


Liila done in phases to teach us


That means in one work phase, Baba might emphasize the need for a school—i.e. that each village must have a primary school. To teach this point, all workers and margiis got involved in securing funds to start a school. There was huge momentum in that moment to focus on the establishment of Ananda Marga primary schools. That was the main program Baba would ask about in reporting.

In turn, some units created comparatively successful schools while many did not—but everyone learned that a primary school was needed in order to propagate the ideas of Ananda Marga. In each and every reporting session, Baba would ask about and praise people for their work, and guide about this point of creating schools until He was satisfied that everyone understood that a school was needed in every small or big town and village throughout the entire globe. By that way, from the very outset of their learning, children will learn Ananda Marga ideals.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

In some places, expensive buildings were purchased for schools but only got used a few times, or maybe not at all. The main thing was that everyone got the psychic understanding about the need for a school. That was Baba's aim all along.


Transfers: new dada got training


When this program was built up and some of the schools were going strong, Baba might transfer the lead Dada from that project and post a fresh new Dada from Training Centre to that school who had little skill or language knowledge of that area. The school would inevitably suffer and ultimately close, but that new Dada got the needed training and the prior Dada was freed up to learn a new aspect of Baba's vast program like Prout or dharma pracara or VSS work. That was the way things went.

Baba told Wts to create LFTs who can run the school and inform margiis that they should oversee the operations of the school. Then the school would be sustainable. But in many cases, margiis may not have been active or were already too busy and there were no LFTs, in which case a very reputable Ananda Marga school eventually closed.

In such a situation some naive margiis started thinking to request Baba not to transfer the Wt of that unit in hopes of saving the school. But Baba did not listen to such pleas because the Wt formerly posted there has to go for other / higher duties.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Serious misunderstanding: bogus answer


After a Dada was transferred from a particular unit and the projects and programs in that area were disrupted and disturbed, then local margiis would ask their SS Dada, "Why is Baba doing like this?"

Some Wts had no clue how to respond. So they came up with the bogus answer that Baba is like the Tibetan Guru Marpa and we should think of ourselves as Milarepa. This especially happened in NY sector when in one era all were moving with the Milarepa story in one hand. But that was an outrageous response and it was a terrible blunder to talk like this. 

The proper answer would have been, "I don't know." That would have been better; but, unfortunately, that was not done. In turn, margiis got more confused. And sadly still that confusion remains in many cases.


Buddhist monk: cruel story of Milarepa

In an attempt to explain Baba's system of transfer postings and plans and programs, some uninformed people came up with an outrageous and wild theory—and that is presented here below. Some confused people were telling others that Baba is like the Tibetan Buddhist guru Marpa who was giving the order to his disciple(s) to make and break buildings—make and break, and make and break.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

In legend, it is well-documented that Marpa was a Buddhist guru in Tibet and before giving any spiritual training to his perspective disciples he would allot difficult tasks. They were forced to meaninglessly and uselessly construct buildings through years and years of bone-breaking labor. These buildings were made by individual muscle power alone. And as soon as they were constructed then Marpa would order his followers to dismantle it stone by stone. This was not some social service project for the welfare of humanity. This was just the order of one lunatic.

So it is unfortunate that some confused Wts have propagated and equated Baba in this way. It is so disgraceful. The first thing is that in Ananda Marga, initiation is accessible to all—bar none. There are no stipulations. Those interested will get diiksa. In stark contrast, the pseudo-guru Marpa harassed his new recruits like Milarepa for decades and decades and never gave them any true training or guidance. How can one sane person link such dealings with Baba. It is unfortunate that still some are believing this myth. 


Main reason to start AM primary schools—not colleges


Here below Baba gives His guideline and strategy to start primary schools throughout the world.

(Note: Baba is adamantly against the build-up of any high school until we have our Ananda Marga primary schools in each and every village of this earth. On this very point, Baba has given the logic and reasoning. By Ananda Marga primary schools, Ananda Marga bhagavad dharma will be established little by little.)
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Nowadays high school and college youths are not inclined towards spirituality. And it is hard to teach them. So what is the answer. The answer is very simple. You know that small kids have an immense desire to learn everything. That time whatever you teach them they will learn. So if from infancy spiritual and neo-humanistic principles are inculcated in the children, they will grow into ideal spiritual aspirants and they will be ready to easily learn all sorts of spiritual sadhana and spiritual way of life & practices. And it will be easy to create margiis from infancy. To achieve this, Ananda Marga primary schools are needed. Otherwise, small kids are indoctrinated into a materialistic way of life. And their mind becomes crude. As we have not yet started a primary school in every village we are also responsible.

Ananda Marga ideology states, “We must start primary schools throughout the entire world to create a spiritual urge amongst the little pupils. I am not in favour of starting colleges; I am in favour of starting primary schools. In the entire world we have got one degree college at Ananda Nagar and thousands of kindergarten schools. That is why it is desirable in the first phase to start many primary schools instead of colleges. Merely opening high schools and colleges without a proper system of education will not serve the purpose. Rather, thousands of kindergarten and primary schools must be started with this new system of education, to create a spiritual urge amongst children throughout the entire world.” (1)


Conclusion


Actually, it would have been impractical to keep one committed Dada assigned to a single school for decades. Baba was putting forth His new and newer plan for the humanity and training wts. Plus when workers were transferred to new posts and jobs, they developed greater experience and learned new languages, psychologies, and problem solving skills etc. All along Baba was creating new and newer programs in further succession. If those Dadas had been kept in those old programs then who would have been available to learn the new programs.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

In Him,
Sarvavya’pii

Reference
1. Discourses on Neohumanist Education: Prama - 4


== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==

With Your inspiration

"Prabhu, tomár námer bharosá niye, agádha ságar páŕi dobo..." (Prabhat Samgiita #2350)

Purport:

Baba, trusting in Your name, I can even cross the bottomless ocean. By surrendering and having faith in You, and relying on Your name, I can do anything. Nothing is impossible in this universe. I can even do extraordinary things by having conviction in You, keeping You in my heart, and holding Your feet. My Divine Entity, I will go on singing Your glory while pulverizing all the obstacles and hindrances of pebbles and stones which come on the pathway of my forward journey. By Your grace, with the stroke of my feet I will crush them and march onwards.

Baba, with unwavering belief in Your Supreme Self, holding Your flag in my hand, chanting Your kiirtan within, and putting Your victory mark on my forehead, I will go on marching forward with my head held high - it is Your mercy. Prabhu, by Your ahaetuki krpa', I will bring the neo-humanistic era onto this dusty earth.

Parama Purusa, by prostrating to You and keeping You near, there will not be any dilemmas or doubts in any sphere of life. The mind will be pointed, straight, and clear. Everyone's physical, psychic, and spiritual hunger will be satiated. Baba, with Your inspiration, I will shower my love and win over everyone's inner feeling by my selfless service and sacrifice. I will honour everyone's right to live.

Parama Purusa Baba, by keeping Your feet in my core, I can do anything. Nothing remains difficult or impossible - by Your infinite karuna...


Note for Prabhat Samgiita #2350:

[1] Ahaetukii krpa'

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “In this universe of ours everything is causal. Everything is haetuka; everything is causal. Only three entities are of non-causal character. One is the transmutation of the Non-Attributional Entity into the attributional faculty [Saguna Brahma]. The second one is the creation of this universe, and the third one—the krpá of Parama Purusa. Parama Purusa is not to explain for His conduct when He does any krpá or when He attracts anybody towards Him. So these three entities, three items, are of non-causal character. So ahaetukii krpá is the non- causal blessing or, say, non-causal gratitude.” (1)


[2] Height of foolishness and existential value

Ananda Marga philosophy says,  “Who says that those creatures who have lost their immediate utility value have no right to exist? No one has the moral right to say this. No one can dare to say that only human beings have the right to live – and not non-humans. All are the children of Mother Earth; all are the offspring of the Supreme Consciousness. Most creatures have existential value, although they may not be valuable to human beings, or we may not be aware that their existence has some significance. This existential value is sometimes individual and sometimes collective, and sometimes both. Oftentimes, we cannot know the utility value, or the collective existential value, of a creature; we wrongly think that it has no existential value. This is the height of foolishness. As human beings have not advanced very far in the field of knowledge, they are prone to this sort of error. Even those creatures that have no utility value for human beings or whose utility value has ceased, which have no existential value for human beings or whose existential value has ceased, still have the right to live. Even those animals which have negative utility value instead of positive, and negative entitative [[existential]] value instead of positive, human beings will have to try to preserve even those animals by creating a congenial environment for them instead of destroying them. And they will also have to provide adequate safeguards so that those creatures may not prove injurious.” (2)

References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 49 (Pure), Non-Causal Blessing
2. The Liberation of Intellect: Neohumanism, Disc: 8


== Section 3: Links ==

Namaskar misunderstanding + 3 more

Baba
Namaskar misunderstanding

Namaskar, 

Some in AMPS are confused and they think that by saying namaskar they are saluting another human being. That is why you might have seen how some Dadas do not like to say namaskar to juniors or new margiis etc. Because they think that they themselves are someone high, worthy of respect, and that it would be unfitting to address someone younger or less senior with the term namaskar. But unto them, those same Dadas want all to quickly come and say namaskar. Because they think by this way they are getting the respect and praise of others.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Dual misconception


So their misunderstanding works in two faulty directions. Certain so-called top Dadas do not want to say namaskar to others as they think it diminishes their own stature. That is the first half of their dogma. Secondly, they think by having others say namaskar to them then they are getting huge honor and respect. And that is the second half of their dogma.

They do not know they are saluting the Divine when they do namaskar to others, and they do not know that the next person is saluting Parama Purusa by doing namaskar to them. So that is their blindness. This type of misdealing is all due to their misunderstanding of the term namaskar. Theirs is a dogmatic type of meaning that is wrongly based on social status and prestige. That is why some so-called top Dadas do not like to address others by saying 'namaskar', and that is why they want the entire world to come to them and say  'namaskar'.

Such is the confusion and deep rooted dogma that has infested their minds. And that is why they cannot get the spiritual benefit of using the namaskar term-- because they fail to realise that by saying namaskar they are indirectly paying their salutations to Baba as He has come in the form of another living being.

For this reason one should always be zealous to do namaskar to others first. But, in general, most often people do not know this secret so they desire that others should do namaskar to them first.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Meaning of the mudra

Any discussion about namaskar would be incomplete if one fails to discuss the accompanying mudra as well.

As we all know, when we say namaskar, first we raise our palms together and touch the trikuti point with our thumbs. By this we are recognising the center of the mind which is at the ajina cakra. And then we lower our palms to the heart or the anahata cakra. By this way we are acknowledging the feeling of heart, which is one of the subcenters of the mind as it is responsible for feelings of love, affection, dedication, and respect.

So when sadhakas do namaskar, we are paying our deepest salutations to Parama Purusa with the totality of our mind and heart. And when doing the mudra we say, 'namaskar'. This everybody understands. By this manner we are saluting the Divine Entity inside the next person, and  our entire mind and heart gets spiritually vibrated. Because doing the mudra is very helpful for inculcating the proper ideation.

It is just like if you try doing sastaunga pranam from a standing position then it does not work nearly as well as when you do sastaunga pranam while lying on the ground in the proper mudra. Here the whole point is that the mudra supports the ideational flow in the mind since when sadhakas do any mudra then it brings the mind and body into one parallel position, which ultimately reinforces the idea in the mind. That is the specialty of our namaskar mudra.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Conclusion


We can see that throughout this entire world there are hundreds of ways to greet someone, but the way in our Ananda Marga way of life is unique and divine. That is why we must propagate this unique practice all around. All should understand the true meaning of this salutation and follow it - in body, heart, and mind.

Baba has graciously blessed us with a salutation system that brings one closer to Him. Because when sadhakas do namaskar we are not saluting any human being, rather we are distinctly paying our salutations to Him-- drawing ourselves closer to Him, by His grace. That is one special aspect of doing namaskar.

So 'namaskar' means: O' Mr Ramesh or O' Mr Manoranjain, I salute the Divine which is residing within you. That is the true spirit of doing namaskar. But if Ramesh or Manoranjan is ignorant and foolish, they will think that someone is saluting them directly. And if the one doing namaskar is foolish, they will think that they are saluting Ramesh or Manoranjain etc. Those who do namaskar in this misguided way are just treating it as some mundane greeting. That is why we say this is a simple but often misunderstood point in our day to day life. None should get confused and think that by saying 'namaskar' we are saluting another human being or that someone else is saluting us.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Namaskar,
in Him,
Karuna’karan

~ In-depth study ~

Method of namaskar

   Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "Namaskára: Namaskára is done by bringing the palms together and touching the ájiṋá cakra [the mid-point of the eyebrows] with the thumbs, without bowing. It can be done to all regardless of their age, because this mode of salutation is used with the ideation that everyone is the manifestation of the Supreme Being.” 
   “Do not shake hands with anyone, because it is unhygienic, and do not do kurnish [a kind of court salute signifying submission to one's authority] to anyone, as you are not anyone's slave. Kurnish is a symbol of slavery, so as a form of salutation it is strictly forbidden." (1)


Pay respects to the Supreme only

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "Tadekam jagatsákśiirúpam namámah. “If there is anyone to whom spiritual aspirants should surrender, if there is anyone to whom they should pay salutations, it is Parama Puruśa.” The system behind salutations is to look for the Supreme Being that is the inner essence of a person, and to pay salutations to that Parama Puruśa. The generally-accepted rule is that one should say namaskára to a human being or a god or goddess, but one should say namaste or namastubhyam only to Parama Puruśa, not to any other entity." (2)

   Ananda Marga ideology states, "Tadekam jagatsákśiirupam namámah – “If I am to pay respect to anybody, I am to pay respect to You only.” Because all other objects of this universe are expressions of that very Parama Puruśa. So I pay respect to the Nucleus who created all these great personalities, all these little and big ones."
   "As per yoga and Tantra, to Parama Puruśa one is to do namaste. Namah plus te – “I pay respect to You” – namaste. And namaskára means, “I am paying my respects.” And that is why you may use the word namaste only for Parama Puruśa, but namaskára for both Parama Puruśa and the jiiva [unit being]. Tadekaḿ jagatsákśiirupaḿ namámah – “If I am to pay respect to anybody, I am to pay respect to You only.”" (3)

Ananda Marga ideology says, "If I ever salute anyone, I will salute only the Supreme One and no one else.” The rule is, if you pay salutations to a human being, you should say “Namaskár”, but if you pay salutations to Parama Puruśa, you must say “Namaste.” Namaste means “I salute Thee.” Human beings are greeted with the word “Namaskár” because they are considered to be the expressions of the Supreme Being. They should not be greeted with “Namaste.” In the case of Parama Puruśa either “Namaste” or “Namaskár” is permissible." (4)


Never say namaste to humans


Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "How to pay salutations to Parama Puruśa? Namastubhyam or namaste. Namah plus tubhyam make up namastubhyam, and namah plus te make up namaste – “We do namah to You.” To jiivas [unit beings], it is namaskára – short for Namah karomi – “I greet, I salute.” Here there is no tubhyam or te, that is, “you”. To jiivas, namaste or namastubhyam should not to be said; namaskára should be said. But to Parama Puruśa you can say anything you like – namaste, namastubhyam, namaskára. And if you do not wish to say either namaste or namaskára, it does not matter. After all He is only a member of your own family." (5)

Ananda Marga ideology teaches us, "A person who is always engaged in the thought of his or her pratiśt́há must learn how to care about the respect and prestige of others. Such a person must never forget that respect begets respect, and that he or she should always honour those who are not honoured by anyone. A constant practice of this type will remove the evil effects of the desire for pratiśt́há. One easy way to do this is that you always do namaskára first and do not create a situation in which you may have to do prati-namaskára." (6)


Special teachings on namaskar


   Ananda Marga ideology states, "We say, Namaskár. That is, “I pay respect to the Supreme Entity residing within you.” You should remember this. “I concentrate all the good feelings of my mind here in the trikut́i [between the eyebrows].”...So many thoughts are in your mind. But you should concentrate all your thoughts at a particular point, here – that is, with all the strength and goodwill of your mind you are doing this – you are touching these two palms here [trikut́i]. That is, you are concentrating all your goodwill here, because you are paying respect to Parama Puruśa residing within this body; this body; this body; this body [pointing to different people]. First do this."
   "And not only mental concentration, you are human beings, you have got so many sentiments also. Human sentiment, you know? When you feel much joy you burst into tears, when much sorrow you burst into tears. These are sentiments. And human beings are guided by sentiment, more by sentiment than by logic, you must not forget it – more by sentiment than by logic. So your sentiment is also there, so with all the concentration of your mind and with all the sweetness of your sentiment, from the very core of your heart, you are paying respect to Parama Puruśa residing within human structure. So you do this [palms together at mid-point of chest], and say, Namaskár."
   "I think you have understood it? A very sweet idea. So it is my opinion, my desire, that human society [be] one, indivisible; it is an expressed form, a sweet expression, of Parama Puruśa, to whom you should always pay respect by doing namaskár." (7)


About the suffix ghain

As we all now know, the term namaskar is derived from the root 'namah' meaning 'I salute - 'kr' meaning 'do' + 'ghain', which is one of the many traditional suffixes in Sanskrit. For those interested, on page 1413 of Baba's Sanskrit Grammar Book, He outlines many words that employ the suffix ghain:

yuinj + ghain = yoga

div + ghain = deva

rainj + ghain = ra'ga

kr + ghain= ka'r

So ghain is a commonly used suffix in Sanskrit and is also used in the formation of the term 'namaskar'. For more about this linguistic science or to learn more about the use of the ghain suffix, then please refer to Baba's Sanskrit Grammar Book.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

References
1. Caryacarya - 1, Methods of Salutation
2. Subhasita Samgraha - 11, The Intuitional Science of Tantra
3. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 12, What Are You?
4. Ananda Marga Ideology and Way of Life - 11, Relativity and the Supreme Entity
5. Subhasita Samgraha - 21, Náma and Námii
6. Subhasita Samgraha - 21, Náma and Námii
7. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 30, Parama Puruśa within Everyone


== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==

When You were with me
 
PS Intro:  Parama Purusa is most loving for the bhakta. Because Parama Purusa lives all the 24hrs with the sadhaka, not only in this life but all future lives as well. Parama Purusa lives with everyone but those who feel this realise this experience how their life is full of bliss. They never feel sorrow because Parama Purusa is with them all the time to help them always. Singing and chanting His name brings greater proximity and affection, and the bhakta wants more intimacy. This song flows in that way. 

"Tumi, esechile mor bakul vitáne, ná boliá gele kár ghare, shiharańe shońite dolá ese, bhuliá gele kár tare..." (Prabhat Samgiita #4320)

Purport:

O’ Parama Purusa, You came to my alcove during that verdant spring season. That time the place was surrounded by innumerable bakul flowers which were in bloom. But why and to whose abode did You go away towards without telling me? With Your auspicious arrival, spiritual horripilation (goosebumps) arose throughout my entire existence. You vibrated the very pulsation of my being. Baba, by having You in such an intimate and close way, my life has become meaningful. It is Your krpa. Soon after that golden dawn, Your liila moved into a different phase. You went away, forgetting me, leaving me crying all alone. My Dearmost, where did You go and who were You with that time.

O’ Supreme Entity, ever since that occasion I have spent countless days and nights waiting - sitting by my balcony - threading heaps of flower garlands for You. But that was all in vain because You did not come. It is painful because now I don’t see Your attractive, charming smile; You are keeping Yourself distant. Now I am not seeing that radiant grin which I used to see on Your lips when You were with me.

O’ Parama Purusa Baba, in longing for You, ages have passed since You came near. Springtime has finished, and now summer has come. My entire garden of those sweet, fragrant bakul blossoms has dried up and withered away in this hot season. Today that same terrace - where I used to sit and make malas for You and wait - is full of spider webs. It is heartbreaking how You have gone so far away. My mind has completely withered away in the absence of Your blissful presence.

O’ my Prabhu, please shower Your causeless grace and appear in a very intimate and resplendent way…


Notes for Prabhat Samgiita #4320:

[1] Arbor: A shady garden alcove with sides and a roof formed by trees or climbing plants trained over a wooden framework..

[2] Hot Season: In the absence of His presence, the sadhaka feels a dryness in his heart. Summer season - or hot season - has been used as a metaphor in this song to express that dryness in the bhakta’s heart, where one's spiritual feeling is lower. And this happens with each and every sadhaka. When one feels dry and out of their spiritual flow then that is the dry or summer season. In contrast, when one's flow of sadhana is good then that can be compared with springtime where everything is lush and verdant. In their dhya'na they feel greater proximity with Parama Purusa - that is why it is compared with springtime. But when one is experiencing the dryness of summer, that spiritual flow is not there. In that case, the best approach a bhakta can take is to sincerely request Baba to grace them in their meditation.


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Pay heed: do not become raks’a

Ananda Marga ideology states, "Human beings take form according to the characteristics of their object of ideation...Those who have an ambition for power, are called raks'a. Suppose a man has grown old but still has an ambition for power. He thinks he should become this, he should become that, he thinks he should attain this status or that status. After death what shall this person become? He shall become raks'a-- that is raks'as'a." (1)

Note: Sadly those running after post, power, prestige status etc will ultimately become lowly microvita. As sadhakas - as well-wishers of humanity - we should guide and teach such persons not to crave after worldly status and degenerate themselves. It is our duty to help them. We should serve them and teach them to think about Parama Purusa - and not lust after power, prestige, social status, post etc. This should be our approach. Thus when some of our so-called central Wts and others are craving for post and power we should intervene and save them from their terrible fate. They should be taught the ways of neo-humanism, otherwise they will plunge themselves deeper into a dark future and face so many negative consequences. 

Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 5, The Psycho-Spiritual Evolution of Humans


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Beware about joining in any group

This below quote is for those Hindus who got frustrated with Hinduism and joined in Islam, or H group margiis or Wts who got frustrated with H group and joined B group, or vice--versa. To save themselves from jackals, they jumped into the fire. Best is to be a neo-humanist and leave all forms of groupism.

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Due to the many shortcomings in one religion and its exploitation of so-called lower caste people, many of these so-called low caste people left that religion and accepted another. When people leave their religion for no significant reason and accept another religion which suffers from ideological vacuum or is even inferior to the religion which they previously followed, they develop hysterical behaviour. They start excessively doing those things which were once prohibited to them by their previous religion. So we find that the person who has converted to another religion takes more beef than a normal member of that religion. This type of behaviour cannot be found in those who had ideologically accepted that religion.” (1)

References
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 15, The Existential Value of Ideology


== Section 3: Links ==

Thursday, May 23, 2024

Story: special dhyana practice + 3 more

Baba
Story: special dhyana practice

Namaskar,

Our Guru has blessed us with the six lessons of sahaja yoga which lead us up to the height of human existence: Life divine. In this below story, Baba presents one special technique for doing dhya'na, which as we all know is the sixth lesson of our sahaja yoga practice.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Those days at His new residence in Lake Gardens (1981)

       
Back in the early 80's at His Lake Gardens residence, one very unique exchange took place between Sadguru Baba and a few workers which is of interest to all sadhakas. It was the occasion of vasantotsava (spring or colour festival), and Baba was doing His exercise by walking around the outside of His house. He was accompanied by the then PA Dada Keshavananda ji, and a few other workers.

As many will recall, it was Baba's natural way to engage in any number of topics while walking and often He would request those around Him to give their opinion as well. At that time, Baba had recently moved into this Kolkata residence at Lake Gardens and some of the local neighbors were quite interested to have a look at Baba - as He was the Guru of the famed organisation, Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha. Initially, while taking exercise, Baba was commenting on this matter.

Then a few workers and margiis passed by outside the fence. Naturally, those workers and margiis were anxious to see Baba; but, they also did not want to disturb Him. So they were positioning themselves outside the fence and viewing Baba from a distance at their selected spot. Included in that small group of workers and margiis was one brahmacarii. It was at this point that Baba shifted the conversation.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Baba raises special question about dhyana


Baba inquired from PA Dada and those around him, “Did you see that brahmacarii who just passed by?”

Then PA Dada and those around Him replied affirmatively.

Baba then told, “He (the brahmacarii) has his own philosophy. Whenever I am sitting anywhere then He stares at Me and does dhya'na - without closing his eyes.”

Baba further explained, “When he sees Me then he does all the aspects of his dhyana lesson which he usually practices when his eyes are closed. The difference being that when in My Presence, while gazing at me intently he does all those aspects of dhyana with his eyes open.”

Then Baba asked those around Him, “What do you think: Is this proper or not?”

In reply, PA Dada and the others began giving their response. They could not agree on the matter. It was a mixed reply. Some were telling, 'Yes it is proper' and others were telling, 'No it was not proper.'
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

After a few moments Baba gave His opinion, “It is proper. After all, it may not always be so easy to visualise Me perfectly internally; so what is wrong if a sadhaka looks at Me directly and does dhyana. I think it is proper.”


How the story became known

By this way, Baba has approved of the technique of sometimes doing dhyana with one's eyes open while fixing their gaze on Him. Then, on that particular day, in a natural way Baba again shifted the conversation in another direction. And when His walking routine finished, it was PA Dada's normal habit to go around and tell everyone exactly what Baba was talking about. And it was in this manner that this story about doing dhyana with one's eyes open became known to various Dadas and margiis, including Ac Amitananda Avt etc.


Doing dhyana with one's eyes open: at present also


By hearing this story, some may naively think that the opportunity for this type of practice has come and gone - as if doing dhyana with one's eyes open could only be done in His physical presence. But that is not true. Baba's above divine guideline stands as a universal, eternal truth for all sadhakas of all ages. Nowadays, one can use images of Baba’s blessing mudra.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

It is a fact of life that when doing dhyana with one's eyes closed then it may not always be easy to perfectly visualise Baba. Sometimes we see Him very clearly inside and sometimes less so. There are occasions when that pristine clarity of Baba's varabhaya mudra (pratikrti) may not always be easy to visualise internally.

To resolve this, Baba has given His expressed approval that one may gaze intently at Him - i.e. His photo - and engage the mind in the practice of dhyana with the eyes open. This Baba has approved as one step of dhyana.

At the same time we should realise that it is not a passive process where one is just casually looking at Baba. That is not the spirit of the practice. Rather, doing dhyana with one's eyes open is a distinctly active practice where one is fully concentrated and staring at Him with one-pointed concentration and ideation. And in that fixed manner, with their eyes open intently staring at Him, the sadhaka can serve Baba and engage in all the various ways which they normally serve Him while doing their usual closed-eyes dhyana practice. With this type of total concentration, one can get dhyana siddhi.

Namaskar,
In Him
Parashram

~ Related points ~

This aforementioned practice of doing dhyana, intently gazing at Baba's photo with one’s eyes open, has been approved by Baba. So this is something for every sadhaka to try, if they so desire. This can be done in association with one's usual dhyana practice to help better focus one's vision and mind on Him.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

By Baba's infinite grace and endless compassion may we all reach new heights in our dhyana practice. Here are a few more inspiring words from Baba about dhyana.

Ananda Marga Caryacarya says, "Dhyana is the unbroken flow of the mind-stuff, or citta, in one continuous stream, like the flow of oil, where all the propensities of the mind are fixed on the Goal." (1)

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "Dhya'na yoga which elevates human beings through constant self-analysis, obliterates the very existence of the non-spiritual, and expedites one's elevation into the supreme spiritual stance." (2)

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "Try, O Sa'dhaka, to know only Him, in Whom are held the sky, the world and the void, in whom are ensconced the mind, the five vital forces and the sensory and motor organs. Shun all other pointless considerations except your efforts to know Him.  You are mortal, subject to death.  Your desire of establishing yourself in deathlessness has been with you from eternity. And that very Brahma is the bridge leading to that state of deathlessness. So you will reap the real good, if you can only know Him." (3)

References
1. Caryacarya, part 1, Sadhana
2. Microvita in a Nutshell, Smell and Microvita – Excerpt C
3. Subhasita Samgraha - 2, The Intuitional Science of the Vedas – 2

Plagiary?

It is the accepted international standard and Baba's system not to copy another's work and publish it in your own way. Baba has given a very strict rule on plagiarism. Why is Baba against plagiarism or stealing someone's work? There are many reasons:

1) It is against the code of asteya (non-stealing).

2) Countless stories of bhaktas need to be published. But some do not want to do the hard work of compiling and writing these stories, so they just steal them from others. But new stories need to be told, otherwise so many unpublished stories of sadhakas will be lost and forgotten forever. So watch out for story thieves, and kindly help them not to steal by posting on social media in their own way. If you want to forward this story then attach the following yellow section with the story: 

“Courtesy of unknown bhakta via Ananda Marga Universal (https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/)”

This will be treated as the standard protocol.


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The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.

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== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==


Blissful Ananda Purnima song

"Ajánáy chile jáná májhe ele, tabu kata t́uku jániyáchi..." (Prabhat Samgiita #3544)

Purport:

Parama Purusa, You were unknown but ever-present as Nirguna Brahma. Baba, today, with Your infinite beauty and charm You have come as the Taraka Brahma. In the past, You were completely unknown to me. I could not conceive of You, yet now You have come in my proximity, in my awareness. Even then how little I can understand and grasp of You. The more familiar I am with You, the more I realise that I do not know. The degree of my ignorance goes on increasing. I always feel like there is a lot more to know as You are beyond my mental conception.

Baba, the sweet flower fragrance, the blackness of the clouds, and the grandeur of the mountain, each expression, whether good or bad, looks beautiful. I go on again and again wondering why I am attracted to all these diverse manifestations, whose beauty and charm are expressed through the flora and fauna, and through this entire creation. You are presenting Yourself through all aspects of this universe, and that is why all these forms are charming and pleasing.

Baba, I have not seen You, yet have sat for sadhana thousands of times, but still have never had You in dhyana or up to my heart's content. I have not been able to hold You tightly in the depths of my core, nor do anything to You which I would like to do. Up till now I could not get You very, very close, and have not been able to serve You in my mental lotus, in my Guru cakra. Even then in hundreds and millions of ways, my mind rushes towards You, trying to pull You near, into the bosom of my being.

My Parama Purusa, please be gracious and eternally remain with me, as my most intimate and dearest One…

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Margiis = Wts & family persons

The Supreme Command holds great importance; accordingly, it has been placed at the beginning of each and every AM book. The following lines from the Supreme Command guide us that all disciples of Sadguru Baba are margiis - irrespective of their dress. 

(A) Supreme Command states, "Every Ananda Margii will have to perform sadhana twice a day invariably; verily is this the command of the Lord." (1)

(B) Supreme Command states, "It is the bounden duty of every Ananda Margii to endeavor to bring all to the path of bliss." (2)

Obviously these above two tenets of the Supreme Command are not only for family disciples of Baba. The directives in the Supreme Command are for all. Hence, Ananda Margii refers to a disciple of Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji, irrespective of whether one is a family person or a wholetime worker.

References
1. Supreme Command
2. Supreme Command

== Section 3: Links ==

SUBJECTS TOPICS