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Tuesday, July 14, 2026

For dedicated sadhakas + 5 more

Baba
For dedicated sadhakas

Namaskar,

Ananda Marga is the path of supreme realization and spiritual attainment. Often, we try doing sadhana in the house, yet that often only invites distractions. Inside we are surrounded by books, family members, food, and numerous daily chores and responsibilities. With all these types of pabula around us, naturally the sensory organs get attracted to them. Whereas if those pabula are out of sight and beyond the scope of the senses, then those things do not drag us down and the mind is much more free to do sadhana. Going out of the house is a big boon for our spiritual practices as this allows us to leave so many distractions behind.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "It cannot be denied that the noise of the bustling world is a hindrance to intuitional practice and makes solitude very desirable." (1)

And, if we think a moment, we can see how the 'bustling world' does not only mean 'on the city streets' but also refers to 'living in our own home'. Because when we remain in the house then countless thoughts and mundane things come in the mind which pull us away from our sadhana. In that case it is difficult to do long, peaceful, serene meditation. How many times does it happen that on the point of food alone, we quickly and hastily conclude our sadhana as meal time approaches etc. And in this way days, months, and years pass by.

But if we go outside in the natural environment, we have a much better opportunity to delve into our sadhana practices and do sustained sadhana. And if this becomes our regular practice then it can transform our entire existence. On this point it can also be said that we need not go so far from the house. Generally by walking just a short distance we can find a good place for sadhana. And by going just a little further we may find a top-notch place.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Conclusion

Yet if we just get routinized into always sacrificing our meditation and just doing short, interrupted sadhana - constantly getting pulled away by mundane distractions, then this is not good. Because by this way the whole life will pass us by. In which case it is not easy to concentrate in sadhana in old age if one did not do proper sadhana their whole life.

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "There is no value in remembering God in old age, when it is not possible to concentrate the mind due to the weakness and disease of the body and its preoccupation with the reactions (sam'ska'ras) of the deeds of this life. The mind then is caught up in the infirmities of the body, in the diseases of old age, impending death, and most of all, in memories of past incidents, and it is impossible to concentrate the mind. For these reasons one is incapable of intuitional practice. (2)

Sadhana is important and outdoor sadhana has many benefits like: fresh air and oxygen, peaceful vibration, less distractions etc. That is why Baba recommends that this is one practice we should all do. Ultimately sadhana awakens our dormant and latent qualities, and makes the ordinary person extraordinary. 
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "When a person attains an exalted state of spirituality, they can bring welfare to millions of people." (3)

Namaskar,
in Him,
Ananda Dev

References
1. Ananda Marga Elementary Philosophy, '92, p.127
2. Ananda Marga Elementary Philosophy, '92, p.135
3. Subhasita Samgraha part 18, The Path unto the Abode of Beatitude


== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==

Flower in full bloom

"Ek, álo ándhárer khelá, he prabhu tomár e sriśt́ite..." (Prabhat Samgiita #3712)

Purport:

Prabhu, in this unique creation of Yours, there is a play of light and darkness, bliss and sorrow, good and bad, side by side. Seeing the brilliance shine all around everyone rushes in that direction, but the fog slowly engulfs that effulgence. Nothing remains forever.

After the beaming, illuminating, full moon lit sky comes the deep, dark, new moon night. After happiness, sadness comes. After the luminous purnima comes the pitch-black amavasya night. The beautiful glittering stars are arranged like lamps across the ebony sky. After they shine, the sun or rains come to envelop them. Nothing is stationary; only Parama Purusa is permanent. 

Parama Purusa, in Your creation the smile of a baby is like a flower in full bloom, as well as like the unparalleled rainbow and very charming autumn moon that does not remain forever. Rather they get lost in the passage of time. Baba, only You are permanent. In both times of unbridled joy and hopeless despondency - always, I yearn to remain under Your eternal shelter...


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Overeating is self-destruction

Ananda Marga Yogic Treatments states, “In the world today a handful of people who do no physical work, but live by their wits, have appropriated to themselves most of the wealth of humanity, so they are able to buy comparatively expensive foods, and use them to satisfy their taste buds. As a result, they, on the one hand, swell with unnecessary fat, while, on the other hand, those people doing hard manual labour are forced to live in poverty and deprived of the ghee, butter and sweets they need to maintain their bodies; they have nothing to compensate properly the energy they expend, and they become weak, emaciated and broken in health. On account of malnutrition and excessive hard labour, they fall victim to tuberculosis. Remember that in tropical countries non-vegetarian food is generally like poison….”

“So my point is that obesity is primarily a disease of well-off, non-labouring society. High-salaried office workers, rich businessmen and parasitic politicians are those who suffer most from obesity.”


Fat becomes their enemy and pushes them to their death

Ananda Marga Yogic Treatments states, “It should be borne in mind that the fat stored in the human body is nothing but its work energy in latent form. When fasting or doing physical labour, it becomes liquefied, then transformed into vital energy or work energy. So when people perform little manual labour, their fat becomes their enemy and pushes them to their death.”

Excess fat: sterility in women and impotence in men

Ananda Marga Yogic Treatments states, “When this fat accumulates in the abdominal region, it causes sterility in women and impotency in men. That is why we find that in most cases obese people have no children. Too much accumulation of fat on the chest and abdomen disturbs the váyu; and then, as long as the liver is not affected, the person suffers from “demon hunger”; so much so that in homes where the person is entertained, he or she becomes famous for his or her voracity. Another distinguishing mark of such people is that they are most greedy for those foods which are most fattening; that is, when invited outside, they will never even by mistake eat much in the way of vegetable preparations – instead they will eat a lot of luci, fish, meat and sweets.” (1)

Reference
1. Yogic Treatments and Natural Remedies


== Section: Ananda Vanii ==

The movement of Neohumanism

“All the beings of this universe are the kith and kin of one another. No one is despicable. All are equally respectable and entitled to equal love and affection. No problem is to be ignored as an individual or group affair. Every problem is to be considered as the collective problem of universal humanity and is to be resolved collectively and resolved it must be. Let it be the vocal panorama of the newer world of today – the continuous musical notes behind the movement of Neohumanism.” (Ananda Vanii #58)

Note 1: True Ananda Vaniis have a number whereas Fake Ananda Vaniis do not - just as a fake car license plate has no number. By this way, you can easily recognise a Fake Ananda Vanii.
== Section: Important Teaching ==

Third class people

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Those who are egotistic will not accept their mistake even when they discover it. They will say, “You see, it seems I made a mistake and So-and-so has pointed it out. This is a great insult to me – I cannot tolerate it! Though he may have spoken the truth, it is beneath my dignity to accept it. It is too humiliating! If I even admit that I have harmed the people, that will be a great slur on my character – how can I allow that to happen? So I will continue to maintain that what I have done is right. This may harm people, but I must make sure that my prestige is not injured.” (1)

Reference
1. Liberation of Intellect - Neohumanism Is the Ultimate Shelter (Discourse 11)



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Monday, July 13, 2026

Popular food, but toxic + 3 more

Baba
Popular food, but toxic

Namaskar,

At our various Ananda Marga gatherings - camps, RDS, seminars, and retreats etc - the common custom is to serve and eat deep fried foods. Most like to eat fried foods.

Guru Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji’s guideline is to eat according to the dictates of pramitahara, as that is ideal food for sadhakas. And He differentiates between pramitáhára and parimitáhára. More about this is explained further down in this letter.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Harmful effects of fried food

It is prevalent in India and around the globe for margiis to gather and eat fried food. Yet so many studies have proven that frying food in oil / fat / butter has a disastrous effect on one’s health and well-being. Due to high heat, that oil / fat / butter, or any fat, becomes toxic and carcinogenic, leading to cancer, a heart attack / heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, obesity, and premature death.

One of the common techniques - especially in India - is to burn oil / fat in the bottom of the cookpot and then add spices and vegetables. That has a similarly harmful effect as deep frying. Because the oil has been heated, burned, and turned into a toxic element.

So there should not be any confusion - there are three ways that cooking with oil is harmful to health:
(a) Deep fry in batter until fully cooked;
(b) Half-cook vegetables in boiling oil and then finish cooking using water;
(c) Cook spices and vegetables in oil - initial frying - and then add water to complete cooking the vegetables. 

All three of these cooking styles are very disastrous for health.

In addition, oil should not be added to dishes that are very watery like soups and sauces, as water and oil do not mix well. The oil just floats to the top. So the mixture is very difficult to digest. But if one has a very strong stomach then under duress it may get digested. But mixing oil into watery foods should be avoided if one's digestive power is weak.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

How carbohydrates become toxic

Here is an important point related with oil that is not commonly known. Basically whenever carbohydrates - and there are thousands of them such as potatoes, pasta, wheat, and corn products etc - are cooked in oil then a byproduct that results is acrylamide. And this acrylamide is a toxic poison that causes cancer. Whenever carbohydrate is deep fried, cooked in oil, or baked in the oven with oil then the toxin acrylamide is created in that food.

If oil is not used when heating carbohydrates then it is safe. But remember, almost all prepackaged, company products like store-bought bread etc contain oil. That oil is used as a preservative to maintain freshness. That means if anyone toasts or cooks that bread - and does not add any oil to it - even then that toxin acrylamide is created because already there is oil in the bread. So it becomes a very tricky affair. It means that all those baked or fried salty snack foods like chips etc are filled with high levels of acrylamide. Same is the case with roasted nuts, and that is why they are also toxic.

Now let’s apply our knowledge and examine a few pieces of toast. And remember, no extra oil or butter was put on the bread before toasting it. But since the bread is made with oil then when heated it will become toxic and carcinogenic. Similarly, carbohydrates like fried potatoes etc - as well as any roasted nuts - contain acrylamide to varying degrees, depending upon the amount of oil and the temperature at which it was cooked.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

 
Good & bad oil

(a) The best fats are considered to be unsaturated fats, including monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. These fats have numerous health benefits. 
(b) Never eat: (1) hydrogenated fat, (2) trans fat, or (3) saturated fat.
(c) Fat should be no more than 25% of your daily caloric intake. 
(d) Fats are to be strictly avoided if you are overweight according to the BMI (body mass index) scale.
(e) Oil that is old, rancid, and highly processed is very bad.
(f) Remember that all oil has a shelf life. Some oil goes bad in 15 days and some gets rotten after a few months. Whatever may be, rancid oil is toxic.
(g) As far as possible, try to use organic, cold-pressed, unrefined, unfiltered oil. That is ideal.
(h) Never heat the oil. Rather it should be applied to food that is already cooked and out of the cookpot.
(i) Eat oil when feeling strong hunger - either a spoon of oil can be taken in isolation or added to their food.

Bear in mind that when eating oil one should only eat about 40% of the amount of their regular sized meal. Then it will be easily digested. 

Another way to get important / healthy fats and oils into the diet is by taking seed oils and eating nuts. The best approach is to soak those raw oil seeds (sesame seeds or flax seeds etc) and raw nuts (peanut, ground nut etc) for 12 - 24 hrs and, if possible change and discard the water used for soaking, then blend that into a saucy mixture. Eating those blended nuts and seeds will fulfill the requisite amount of oil / fat intake for the body.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
 

Eating when travelling

Travelling plays a big role in the life of most Wts - and many margiis as well. However, when travelling, one should not compromise on the point of food and healthy eating habits. One should not start eating red chillies, fried foods, or foods cooked in heated and burned oil. Eating oil is okay but it should not be cooked.

So the best way is to try and convince those whom one is visiting about the health benefits of not eating food cooked in oil. It is a basic point of health, and most will be receptive to this idea. Just they need to understand why it is important and how they can alternatively prepare their food. Cooking oil in a pot is toxic so no food or spices should be prepared in this way. Spices cooked in water are fine - so long as those spices are not adulterated. Thus the two chief things to avoid are red chillies and any cooked oil.

Whenever traveling from place to place, it is best to always educate those whom one is staying with about these points. The great benefit is that they can improve their health dramatically, plus when staying there in the future the food situation will be very good. Most probably, the traveller will be able to convince many in this regard. One final travel tip, remember to eat raw leafy vegetables - if other cooked vegetables are not available.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Fundamental eating rules for sadhakas

Pramitáhára: Take a nutritionally-balanced diet, with stomach 50% food, 25% water, and 25% air. Food should be: (a) sáttvika; (b) of least developed ‘I’-feeling; (c) from cruelty-free production; and, (d) purchased with pure money. Avoid food: (a) from a mean-minded cook; (b) in a támasika environment; (c) at a death ceremony; or, (d) at a feast given for show. 

Difference between pramitáhára & parimitáhára

Ananda Marga ideology states, “Pramitáhára – there is a difference between pramitáhára and parimitáhára. Parimitáhára means “[limited] diet”, and pramitáhára means “balanced diet”. The body should have a balanced diet. [Limitation] alone will not do. Just to [limit] the quantity of food will not do – one will have to take a balanced diet, to make the body and mind strong. Food should be substantial, though moderate in quantity. This is pramitáhára.” (1)

Some Indian dogmatic ascetics do not care about food and just eat a very little quantity of grass, leaves, or boiled vegetables. Here the main aim is to eat as little as possible. But Baba critiques this approach as one has to eat a balanced and nutritious diet - and at the same time eat a moderate amount of food. The stomach should never be more than 50% full of food, as 25% should be reserved for water and 25% for air.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

And here is another important point to bear in mind. Baba guides us that we should exercise restraint and use our vivek when considering what food to eat. 

Ananda Marga ideology states, “On food. This all-round restraint is indeed necessary. It will not do to simply eat what you get or do what you desire. When you eat you must consider if it is sentient, mutative or static. While eating you must think carefully as to what influence it will have over your body and your mind. You are not a goat or a camel that you will eat whatever you get. You have to think when you act.” (2)

Conclusion

Diet and food choices are key components of human health. As Ananda Margiis and adherents of yogic way of living, it is important that we practice proper eating habits in our day to day life. That means not using oil at high heat and being keenly aware of food products containing acrylamide.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Namaskar,
in Him
Vasudeva

~ In-depth study ~

Food must not be taken indiscriminately

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Cells generally grow out of light, air, water and the food we eat. The nature of food and drink has its effect upon the cells, and consequently also influences the human mind. Obviously each and every sádhaka, or spiritual aspirant, should be very cautious in selecting food. Suppose a person takes támasika, or static, food. The result will be that after a certain period, static cells will grow and exercise a static influence on the aspirant's mind. Human beings must select sáttvika, or sentient, or rájasika, or mutative, food according to time, place and person. This will lead to the birth of sentient cells, which in turn will produce a love for spiritual practice and help in attaining psychic equilibrium and equipoise, leading to immense spiritual elevation." (3)

Sadguru Baba says, "If cells are affected by food and water, and if the nature of the cells affects the nature of the human mind, obviously human beings should eat the correct diet, because food and mind are closely related to each other. Any food item, whether good or bad, must not be taken indiscriminately because it may lead to mental degeneration. Sincere spiritual aspirants must follow the dictum: Áhárashuddhao sattvashudhih [“A sentient diet produces a sentient body”]. Only food which is helpful in keeping the body and mind sentient should be eaten." (4)

Food affects your cells & mind

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "The human body is constituted of innumerable living cells. These cells develop and grow with the help of similar living entities. The nature of your living cells will be formed in accordance with the type of food you take. Ultimately all these together will affect your mind to some extent. If the cells of the human body grow on rotten and bad-smelling food, or on the fresh flesh of animals in which mean tendencies predominate, it is but natural that the mind will have a tendency of meanness. The policy of eating, without due consideration, whatever is available cannot be supported in any case, even though there may not be any question of hiḿsá or ahiḿsá. It should not be your policy to do what you wish. You must perform actions after due thought. For continued subsistence a policy will have to be adopted for taking food." (5)

Ananda Marga ideology states, "“Śaśt́haiṋca pramit́áháro”: one must have a balanced diet. “Whatever I get, that I will eat” – this must not be the policy of a sane being. This human body is a composite of protoplasmic cells, and these protoplasmic cells are made of the food we take in. If the food and drink is defective, then the protoplasmic cells will also become defective, and the human mind, which is the collective mind of so many protoplasmic minds, will also become defective. That is why támasik or static food has a negative influence on the human mind." (6)


This first below piece contains a harmful and bad degree - i.e. relatively lower amount of the carcinogenic acrylamide - because it is less cooked. See the light brown potato fries below.




Next, we arrive at foods like more deeply cooked french fries - pictured below. This type of deep-fried carbohydrate is loaded with extremely high or the worst levels of acrylamide. This type of food is very carcinogenic as it is cooked in large quantities of oil at high heat.





Now let’s apply our knowledge and examine a few pieces of toast. And remember, no extra oil or butter was put on the bread before toasting it. But since the bread is made with oil then when heated it will become toxic and carcinogenic.

This first below piece contains the most amount of acrylamide because it is the most cooked. See the light brown, dark brown, and even black charred sections on this below piece of toast.


So the above slice of toast contains high amounts of acrylamide because it is burned in some section.

Now let’s see these two below pieces of toast as a comparison. The slice below on the right is mostly brown so it will also have high levels of the toxin acrylamide. Whereas the piece of toast on the left is very lightly cooked so it will have comparatively lower levels of acrylamide.



Next, we arrive at foods like french fries - pictured below. This type of deep-fried carbohydrate is loaded with extremely high levels of acrylamide. So this type of food is very carcinogenic as it is cooked in large quantities of oil at high heat.



Thus, all the above carbohydrates - as well as any roasted nuts - contain acrylamide to varying degrees, depending upon the amount of oil and the temperature at which it was cooked.

References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 23, The Dialogues of Shiva and Párvatii – 3
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 9, The Primary Causes of Success
3. Yoga Psychology, Food, Cells, Physical and Mental Development
4. Yoga Psychology, Food, Cells, Physical and Mental Development
5. A Guide to Human Conduct, Ahimsa
6. Subhasita Samgraha - 18, Physical Propulsion, Psychic Propensities and Spiritual Attainment


*        *        *

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

*        *        *


== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==

New & newer relation with Him

“Svarńa shatadal pulake jhalamala, aruńa áloy tumi dharáy esechile…” (Prabhat Samgiita #3083)

Purport:

Parama Purusa, You have taken advent on this earth in this glorious crimson dawn. You are seated on the hundred-petaled golden lotus, glittering in bliss. You have set afloat the fragrant floral aroma on the gentle, spring, ocean breeze. In a blink of an eye, with Your sweet love, You have beautifully captivated everyone’s mind and heart.

Parama Purusa, Baba, You remain ever-awake age after age, and stay by everyone’s bedside with Your ota yoga. You saturate one and all with sweet love, affection, mine-ness during their pains and pleasures, and through the whole gamut of their emotions. You are new and still newer in meditation everyday. Supreme Entity, You are ever-new. Swaying in their mind, You blessed everyone to lose themselves in deep meditation.

Baba, Your ahaetuki karuńá (causeless karun’a’) cannot ever be forgotten. You go on floating in the rhythm of life with green and fresh beauty, and with Your exquisite charm. Baba, You exist, so I exist. I am dancing and centering around Your lotus feet. By pouring the sweetness of my heart in each gesture and movement of my dance, I surrender at Your altar always…


== Section 3: Important Teaching ==

Spirituality needed in modern era

Ananda Marga ideology guides, "Our social code provides clear guidelines on how members will adapt to this modern, rapidly changing world. There have been more changes in the past 200 years than in the 800 years prior to that. In education, culture, dress and food habits major changes have taken place. Old, outdated wooden shoes, turbans, etc. have been replaced by modern shoes, hats and clothes made from scientific fabrics with contemporary designs. Primitive bullock carts, horse-drawn carriages, hackney coaches, etc., have been replaced with fast-moving cars, trains, and aeroplanes. In the past, people used to travel by elephant, but now they can travel to other planets by rocket. There should be a proper adjustment between the body and the mind to keep pace with the fast speed of the development in the world. For this reason, Ananda Marga spiritual practices place much importance on ásanas, práńáyáma, etc.” (1)

Reference
1. Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell - 4, Our Social Treatise


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Ayurveda & kapha

Ananda Marga philosophy says, “The third health-determining element is kapha, or the liquid, viscous portion of the body. Excess kapha creates spontaneous heat within the body which manifests externally as fever...Ginger is the enemy of kapha, the destroyer of kapha. Thus one name of ginger in ayurveda is kapha’ri. Similarly, arum or elephant root is the destroyer of arsha [piles] so arum in Sanskrit is called arsha’ri or arshaghnii.” (1)

Note: The first two health determining elements are va’yu and pitta. 

Reference
1. Shabda Cayanika - 3, Kakubh to Kavaśńa (Discourse 17)


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Current affairs: for those who left one group and joined an inferior group
(Baba warns that their situation will be worst.)

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. To save themselves from jackals they jumped into the fire.

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 4: Links ==

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Sunday, July 12, 2026

The body: our alarm clock + 3 more

Baba
The body: our alarm clock

Namaskar,

Imagine a situation in which someone is doing something important in their office and they are severely pressed for time. If they suddenly feel hungry or need to go to the  restroom then a question arises: Should they stop working and tend to one’s bodily needs or suppress the urge until the work is completed.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

The human body is a biological machine

Sadguru Baba says that the human body is a sophisticated and complex machine. Many processes are happening simultaneously inside the human body. It is very difficult to comprehend the exact working of the human body due to its sheer complexity. For proper functioning, the human body should get adequate support, such as air to breathe, water to drink, and provision to defecate toxic substances, to name a few.

Body's warnings: keep an eye

The chemistry of the body needs to be maintained, and so one must pay heed to the the demands of the body. Take the analogy of an indicator light on a car which is displaying the warning that the engine has become overheated. If the warning is ignored for a long time and one continues driving the car, then the engine may fail permanently.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Ignoring signals can cause disease

The human mind is very powerful. Those who are mostly engaged in intellectual work often ignore their bodily needs, unlike the ones who are mostly involved in physical work. By ignoring the basic needs one puts their body under undue stress. Maybe occasionally ignoring one’s bodily needs may not be so dangerous, but such an approach continued over a duration can lead to serious diseases. Just as a machine becomes dysfunctional if its warning signals are continuously ignored, the human body can also succumb to disease if one does not pay heed to one’s basic physical needs.

The basic rule of yoga is to perform all one’s daily bodily duties like eating, sleeping, bathing, and defecating at the right time. One should never force oneself to change the schedule for the above daily activities as that can adversely affect their health.

Risk of long-term damage

If one’s body is strong then one may not immediately feel the adverse effects, but, internally, the body as well as the mind get affected. For example, if one is trying to ignore the pressure to urinate then one part of the mind gets distracted and one’s concentration gets divided. It is better to relieve such pressure. If one is hungry then, as an effect, one may get a headache or burning sensation in the stomach which again may affect the proper functioning of one’s mind.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Recipe for happy life

If one listens to one’s body’s signals then one will be able to live a long and healthy life. Rather than holding normal bodily functions, one should make a proper timetable and follow that. A train that can run smoothly on rails but if it is not maintained properly then it can derail. On derailment, the train can get stuck in a field or a ditch. In that case, a powerful crane has to be brought to put the train back on the track.

Thus, for one’s physical health and overall well-being, one should make a routine and follow it strictly. One should not do anything at arbitrary times. The body has its own biological clock, and by duly following it one can live a healthy life and can make progress. Not following a routine is an invitation for trouble.

The body is the framework for carrying out spiritual sadhana, but to do sadhana a healthy body is needed. If the body is healthy then only is spiritual progress possible. After death, the brain disintegrates but the mind remains. An Alzheimer patient’s brain begins degenerating during their lifetime but the mind is still fully functional. For such patients, the mind wants to work but the brain is not capable of helping. So there is a deep connection between body and mind. 
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Conclusion

So in order to maintain a healthy body, one must be vigilant about listening to the signals of one’s body. If one ignores those signals, then serious diseases can develop which will disturb the mind so that one’s sadhana will be adversely affected. 

In Him,
Bhakti

False alarms / wrong justifications

Note: In the context of not ignoring one’s bodily needs, there should not be any misunderstanding about following negative bodily or mental tendencies.

1. Some have malevolent vrttis, e.g. the urge to cause harm to someone. This can be misinterpreted by the person to be an urgent call from within. But malevolence does not qualify as among the natural signals of the body, and must not be heeded.

2. Those who suffer from lust and feel an urgent demand to satisfy that desire should understand that this is not fundamental in the same way as the need for food, water, and sleep. It is not to be included among the natural signals to which one should respond. The reason being that responding to it degenerates the mind and arouses and multiplies animalistic tendencies.

3. Physical addictions such as to cigarettes, alcohol, and other drugs are just that, physical addictions. They must give in to such addiction, rather such vices are to be shunned by goading the mind toward positive activities.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Biological machine

   Sadguru Baba says, “Let me explain why the human body is a biological machine and goaded by propensities….There are ten indriyas [organs] – five jiṋánendriyas [sensory organs] and five karmendriyas [motor organs] – and one antahkarańa [internal faculty]. The sensory and motor organs are bahihkarańa [external organs]. Antahkarańa is directly associated with the body. It is one intrinsic portion of the mind itself. It is by dint of this portion that the mind feels the emptiness of the stomach, and thereby hunger. Once the stomach becomes empty, the mind starts searching for food, and this is expressed through the physical actions of the body. So there are two portions – antahkarańa and bahihkarańa. One consists of an intrinsic portion of the mind itself, and the other of the ten organs – five sensory organs and five motor organs.”
   “The propensive propulsion comes from antahkarańa. The origin or source of the propulsion is antahkarańa. Antahkarańa is made of the conscious and subconscious portions of the mind – thinking, memory, etc., all belong to antahkarańa. Antahkarańa is doing these things. Now, whenever antahkarańa does something, the physical body is activated accordingly. The body is also transformed accordingly. Thus, this biological machine is goaded by propensive propulsion.” (1)

Reference
1. Yoga Psychology, The Human Body Is a Biological Machine


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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 ==

If I had known

PS Intro: The relationship between the bhakta and Parama Purusa is eternal - it has been going on since the very dawn of creation. However, the bhakta was not always aware of this truth. Ages and ages passed when the sadhaka did not realise his unique and intimate connection with Parama Purusa. So when any sadhaka does get initiated and starts doing strong sadhana and becomes linked with Parama Purusa and feels His divine love and becomes drenched in His bliss, then that sadhaka feels repentant for not developing his relationship with Parama Purusa sooner. This song expresses this very notion of repentance and wishful thinking. Because in this song the sadhaka is expressing the following directly to Parama Purusa:

'In the past I was not aware about my relation with You. So now, when I have been blessed to come in Your contact and feel in my heart that You are my nearest and dearest One, then I feel sad that why did I not call You before, in the past - long, long back. Because even when I was a non-margii then at that very time You were also with me. But I never looked towards You those days; I never called You back then. Why did I not do so? Why did I not recognise You back then? It would have been so blissful to have had Your proximity all these years, but instead so much time passed in vain.'

So this song expresses the feeling of repentance of each and every devotee who has become linked with Parama Purusa as they reflect back on their life before becoming a margii. They wonder, 'Why did I remain oblivious of You - it would have been blissful if I had deep intimacy with You sooner'.

“Tumi a'ma'r kata a'pan a'ge bujhi ni…” (Prabhat Samgiita #0241)

Purport:
 
Parama Purusa, You are very close to me; You are my Dearest One. Before, in the past, I was oblivious to this sacred truth: That You are my eternal Companion. All along, You were side by side with me - near me always and with me wherever I was, in all endeavours. But it was so unfortunate that I remained unaware of Your divine presence. I never thought that You loved me so much. My Dearmost, why did I not talk to You and have Your intimate closeness.

Baba, since time immemorial You have been with me in all my works - small or big, meaningful and meaningless. But unfortunately that time I did not look towards You. Baba, You were with me in my song, rhythm, and tune. There was never any occasion when You were not there right by my side. And the string of that viina was vibrating then and resonates even today. And now I can hear it. But it is so sad and painful how that time in the past I remained oblivious of You. I did not pay heed to the call of Your viina, so I did not hear it. My Dearmost, alas, it would have been so blissful if I had known that You love me so much, and You are with me always.

Divine Entity, You were with me on this journey of life, even when I was submerged in the deep Cimmerian darkness. And now that very memory remains awake in my mind always. It comes again and again in my mind that You are my close One, and You are always by my side, in my heart. But alas, for so long I remained oblivious and did not call You. I remained distant; on the point of bhakti I could not come close, although You were always accompanying me. Only now do I realize You are present and I can call and talk to You. Today I understand this truth; but, in the past I did not know. O’ Supreme One, why did my spiritual life not start at the very outset. I feel so repentant that I did not beckon You in those early days. Due to neglect, You went away, leaving me alone in isolation in an unknown place and distant land. That time, why did I not keep You in my heart and hold Your feet. How come I did not wipe away all my dilemmas and hold You in dhyana and make You mine. To this day I still wonder about this. It is so sad that time passed, and You remained distant. No doubt today we are close, yet I repent how my life would have been so blissful having Your proximity earlier. This pain I carry in my heart, O' my Dearmost…


== Section 3: Important Teaching ==

Spirituality & suicide prevention

Due to lack of a higher goal, if even a small problem arises, people get frustrated and lose interest in life. Those without a spiritual goal lack higher values, and therefore get overwhelmed when they face any of life’s difficulties. For human welfare, the propagation of spirituality is extremely important. If one has a higher goal then they will never commit suicide, no matter the circumstances.

Baba's original guideline

Baba discusses this topic in His Hindi discourse: Kya' Dharma Vaeyas't'ika Jiivana ka' U'rdhva-Sam'vega Hae, athava' Sa'magrika Vishva ka' Tristariiya Mukti Sopa'na Hae? Subhasita Samgraha, Part 15, Chapter 02 (H) DMC 29 July 1980 Ranchi

Here is the English summary of Baba's original Hindi teaching:

Life becomes monotonous if one is merely engrossed in mundane thinking and worldly works all day long. When non-sadhakas, i.e. those not doing sadhana - reach old age, they say, "Now it is better to die." Even youths who do not do spiritual practices commit suicide when they suffer from feelings of despair etc. Why is this the case? According to applied psychology, I would say it is because they don't have any higher pursuits; hence, the lonely and desperate feelings of sheer monotony consume their mind.

Now, what is the way to prevent such monotony? The objective counterpart of the mind should have such an object which is infinite. Indeed, by coming in contact with such an infinite object of ideation, people will never harbour feelings of monotony - not in any case. That object [Parama Purusa] is ever new, newer, and newest. Parama Purusa is that Entity who is ever new, always new. Therefore, it is the duty of every person to do spiritual practices and prevent any feelings of monotony in life. For spiritual progress, certainly it is everyone’s bounden duty to do sadhana. Verily, by your sadhana you will be able to protect yourself from falling prey to any type of melancholia or depression. (English summary)


== Section 4: Links ==


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