Lack of common sense

Baba

Lack of common sense

Namaskar,

#1: First and foremost, the worst sin, is that this person uploaded the varabhaya mudra photo onto social media sites. This grossly violates the sanctity as laid down in Caryacarya. Just see in the below image, where it says “VBM”; that is where the person put the varabhaya mudra photo on public display on the internet. It seems this margii has lost his common sense.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

#2: And verily, it goes against the ethic to put any photo of Guru on the internet, so we have covered those as well. 

#3: This margii also is offering three huge plates of sweets to Parama Purusa, just like dogmatic Hindus do in their puja. But Sadguru Baba guides us that Parama Purusa does not need those material offerings like sweets, and instead those sweets and dainties should be offered to the downtrodden and needy who are Narayan in the form of  beggars. And with the same ideation offer those sweets to children as well.

It is sad that on the day of Ananda Purnima, one margii fell into so many dogmas - and the most sinful was posting the varabhaya mudra photo on the internet.

In Him,
Purusottoma

Caryacarya states, “You shall protect, in all respects and at all costs...the sanctity of the pratikrti [photo] of Márga Guru.” (1)

Look here what has happened. In an attempt to celebrate Ananda Purnima, someone emulated Hindu dogma by creating a wall temple and offering sweets to the deity. And then he took a photo of it and posted it to social media for the whole world to see. The worst part is he posted the varabhaya mudra photo to the internet.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Reference
1. Caryacarya - 1, Treasures of Ananda Marga

Water fight in AMPS + 2 more

Baba

Water fight in AMPS

Namaskar,

We all know Baba places great importance on the study of history as it enables both individuals and communities to learn from past mistakes and thereby progress. Failing that, without the study of history, people commit the same old errors over and over again. In which case, they remain shackled by the pitfalls of the past and are unable to advance. So the review of history holds a unique place for the development of any society.

As Ananda Margiis, we must know the history of Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha (AMPS). Please read this below letter as an historical account of how local pseudo-culture can seep into and take over the scene. 

In Him,
Dr. Gopal
Moderators


Note: This below letter was posted in June of 2003 and describes an unusual scene at one of our AMPS retreats.

--

Namaskar,

I have already made plans to go to Ananda Kanan this Saturday for the week-long NY sector summer retreat. And I appreciate what someone wrote earlier, that for NY margiis this Ananda Kanan summer retreat is like a DMS.

DMS-like gathering at Ananda Kanan (NY)

Because in AM, Baba has given the system of DMS (Dharma Maha Samelan)-- and the purpose is the gathering of dharma. Likewise, during retreats at Ananda Kanan many Ananda Margiis attend and get psycho-spiritual food for higher pursuits and motivation to move towards a higher goal-- Baba. As we know our goal of life is Parama Purusa. And Baba says that in our path of movement, or forward journey, morality is the base, sadhana is the means, and life divine is the goal.

In addition my Didi recently showed me one long beautiful discourse from the Yoga Psychology book called 'The Cult of Spirituality' where Baba says that morality means all tenets of Yama and Niyama, and special emphasis is given to mental purity.

So when we are coming here in Ananda Kanan then the mind naturally gets uplifted by various programs, collective sadhana, collective food-- A lot of benefits happen all around. And one special benefit is mental purity, or shaoca. Which is one of our moral codes. What I am trying to express is that when our base of morality is strengthened then certainly sadhana is better.

Conversely, when morality is not followed and one's mental purity is affected, then sadhana gets disturbed. In which case our marching towards the Goal is also hindered.

So that's the theory. This very purity of mind Baba has described in various parts of Ananda Vacanamrtam and Subhasita Samgraha discourses. For example 'Manasa' samvaro sadhu' -- o’ sadhakas keep your mind purified. Don't see or think or do any such things which degrades your mind because that will ultimately drift away from your Goal.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Please excuse me but...

In Ananda Kanan all the retreat activities I appreciate fully with all my heart. But one thing which I do not like that I will describe below. Beforehand I would like to apologize to all readers those who get affected by my factual writing. because of this ahead of time I offer my sincere Apologies.

One thing particular program at our Ananda Kanan Retreat is done in the name of "fun", but it degrades the mind. And that program is: the water fight. Those attending the retreat know that this water fight has become a sort of yearly tradition at Ananda Kanan. Such an activity is a common summertime occurrence in cruder type non-margii general gatherings in the USA and perhaps other countries. Where at such gatherings they are involved in eating beef and pork, drinking liquor, smoking marijuana, open sex etc. I do not support this water fight program. Before explaining the reason in detail, for those margii brothers and sisters who are not from NY sector, for their awareness I have to write here and tell what way the water fight happens at our Ananda Kanan Retreat in NY Sector. Previously when I was going this was my experience.

After reading this you yourself will be able to analyze how far it is proper or improper according to our Guru Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji's teaching.


Water fight: sexual overtones

The water fight traditionally happens in the afternoon at the end of the 'Ananda Mela', when the various competitions have finished. There is no special mantra to begin this water fight event like the Samgacchadhvam mantra starts dharmacakra. Such things are not there, just in a random way it starts. Because suddenly so many attendees irrespective of males or females including WTs, Dadas, Didis, all Margiis together and WTs, irrespective of their age and sex. All are involved collectively in this wild type of activity and they are running around wildly throwing huge amounts of water on one another. With not just a little bit of water but with huge amounts of water-- in buckets and buckets. Such that many people become drenched fully and their clothes get completely stuck to their bodies. And it becomes revealing and provocative. Because when the clothes are stuck to the body then sisters look just as if they are completely nude and naked. You believe or do not believe the whole scene has sexual overtones.

And as the water fight continues then people start removing some of their clothes or rolling up their shirts and pants etc. And everyone, young sisters and senior Dadas together are running around like this through the main outdoor area of the retreat site. And it is not easy to escape from all this either. Because by the end of the water fight if anyone is not 100% wet, then often there are teams of energetic Dadas dedicated to soaking those who tried to sit quietly on the side. Even if one is trying to do sadhana in the dormitory, even they may be dragged outside and splashed completely with water. Some sentient margiis actually physically lock themselves in a particular room in order to escape from this insentient activity. So the whole vibration of the Ananda Kanan retreat changes drastically because of this whole water fight scene-- from sentient to rajasik or tamasik. It becomes like one playground or pseudo-culture beach in Goa or Southern France. Even that evening's dharmacakra at Ananda Kanan takes on a more extroverted feeling because of this water fight.

When I spoke with different sisters who did not like this whole entire water fight event, then one of them told their opinion that it feels like it is just based on sexual lust. And that why in this fight the opposite sex is involved drenching each other 100%. When in reality such type of activity is unapproved by Baba and AM teachings. Not any activity is done in such a wild way together. Baba only approved dry color festival when females and females were doing in one place and males and males were doing in another. Why here at Ananda Kanan then females and males are doing this water fight together. If this is not pseudo-culture then what is it. This is the idea of one sister who was disgusted when she was unwillingly soaked with water in front of one and all.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Invasion of pseudo-culture

I also asked different acaryas and senior margiis on various occasions why this water fight is happening at our Ananda Kanan retreats. And they did not find any other reason than this-- that our AM society in NY sector has been tainted by western pseudo-culture. That the water fight is just a dogma coming from the general society.

Then one Dada explained further, 'Everyone is bringing their own dogmas. It happens everywhere. Just like in India the caste system is still present to some degree, so even AM marriages are affected by this caste system. For example in the Prout Delhi Magazine when they are printing the boys and girls names for matrimonial relations, then certain remarks and requests are made with regards to caste preference.**'

'And furthermore Baba has written how Semitic religions were performing circumcisions, so under pressure the Muslims also adopted this. They did not have any other way. Otherwise they would not have been accepted.' (please see note 1 at the bottom)

'So old dogma is always sneaking into Ananda Marga; Many times this happens. Unknowingly people are carrying those old dogmas from general society. So we should see and be careful. Our mind should be open 360 degrees. And we should not invite any dogma or stagnancy to enter into our Marga'.

I appreciated Dada's explanation and forthright answer. On this point also I invite the thoughts of different margiis.

The main point is that any activities which degrade our thoughts we should not encourage because Baba says, "mana eva manus'ya'n'a'm..."  Mind is the cause of liberation and mind is the cause of bondage. When the mind is degraded then that is bondage.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Conclusion

Here following Baba is giving a warning about negative activities. Baba says, "If the movement towards crude is encouraged the mind-- and at the same time the entire existence of the human being-- will be converted into matter, crude matter. It will be the path negative pratisaincara." (NHNS-1)

My respected Didi told that those who have interest in higher pursuits and sadhana then mind is getting sentient and in that state they do not like crude activities like water fight. And she gave me a hint about the following Baba's teaching.

Baba says, "the general psychology is that once people experience something subtle, they automatically discard the crude. This continuous progress from the crude to the subtle, and from the subtle to the subtlest aspects of life comes within the scope of aesthetic science, and in this process of movement ultimately we reach a state in which our refined tastes, refined feelings, and refined expressions transport us into the realm of Eternal Beauty." (PNS 10- p. 64)

sincerely yours,
margii sister (NY Sector)


* Water fight: A type of activity or horsing around where everyone is throwing water in random way on all attendees irrespective of males or females including WTs, Dadas, Didis, all Margiis, irrespective of their age and sex. All are involved collectively in this wild type of horsing around of throwing buckets and buckets of water on each other till all are drenched nearly 100%. In this play everyone becomes forced to get involved. This is very prevalent in non-margii crude society. For details please read whole letter.

Ananda Kanan: It is our MU and is a central place of NY sector. People go there for retreats, RDS, special meetings, etc. Plus some Dadas and LFT live there full time. Right now Dada Iishvarakrsnananda (IK Dada) is the Rector Master.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


"Caste to be avoided..." & Ananda Kanan

** I have since seen one copy of the Delhi Prout Magazine. And sure enough in the marriage section in the back of the magazine the various female and male candidates list their personal background or qualification. And included in that is a line about caste such as: "Caste to be avoided - Teli (oil man)" or "Caste to be avoided - Srandilya (Carpenter)" and "Caste to be avoided..."  I do not know the entire meaning but it is peculiar for me that why they are writing like this, "Caste to be avoided". It was however explained to me that there are various castes: carpenter, barber, cobbler, fireman. And this is one dogma that they are still carrying in India about casteism. And it is a serious problem to get married in India, especially the daughter's marriage. Because of this reason many Indian margis who have daughters face this problem. In a similar way the Ananda Kanan water festival is related because it shows how negative things from the surrounding society affect our Marga, if we are not careful and alert.

Note 1: How dogma creeps in

Here is further description how existing dogmas and old social habits creep into new religions etc..

Baba says, "Long ago the Jews started practising circumcision. When Moses converted some of his contemporaries to Judaism, and later when Mohammed converted some local people to Islam, neither prophet dared to instruct their new followers to discard the old customs they followed, consequently the old customs continued after their conversion."

One final thought: The Ananda Kanan Master Unit has a history of water shortages. Regularly at the summer retreats the in-charges and organizers announce that everyone should follow various precautions in order to conserve water. Bath quickly and turn off the water when using soap. And be careful not to waste water during half bath and when washing dishes. And I have always appreciated their attention to this. Anyway the point is water conservation has always been a major issue of concern during retreats. So from an environmental perspective the water fight is also a concern, even if the water is gotten from the lake. The reasons are obvious. And top of all it is Proutistic point that in Caryacarya Part 2 Baba especially warns us that water, food, and fuel must not be abused or wasted.

== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==

In the Vrindaban of my heart

"Man Vrinda'bane rayecho...
Tama'ler niipe mohan sa'je bendhecho more diye priitid'ora." (Prabhat Samgiita #3936)

Purport:

Baba, my Lord, You are living eternally in the Vrindaban of my heart. With Your sweet, melodious, effulgence You have intoxicated my whole being with Your divine tune, melody, and rhythm and filled my existence with song and dance-- it is Your grace.

Baba, You are so close it is beyond my measurement. My Dearest, You are my means, my sadhana and my goal - everything. I do Your meditation with madhur bha’va. I stare toward Your holy feet in an unblinking way-- that is my shelter.

Parama Purusa, in my sleep, dream, and awake state, in my mind Your divine flute is always resonating. With Your sweet attraction You have tied me up in the bond of Your infinite love. Your white lotus feet are my sanctuary. Baba, You remain always in the inner core of my heart...
     

== Section 3: Links ==

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Mahaprayan of Dada ji

Baba

Mahaprayan of Dada ji

Namaskar,

It is with much sadness that we share the news of the mahaprayan of Ac. Krsnachandrananda Avt, who was the rector at Pathankot. Dadaji's mahaprayan occurred on 24th April at 6:30pm IST at the AM jagrti at Shivghat Sarkanda, Bilaspur. Due to the current nationwide lockdown in India, Dada ji had been staying there for the last month.

Dada Krsnachandrananda ji became a wholetime worker in pursuit of the grand idealism and dharmic principles of Ananda Marga ideology. He was also vigorously involved in various social service works. Verily, Dada ji was a true friend of one and all and was well liked wherever he went. He will be sorely missed. 

May we all take solace in the fact that Ac Krsnachandrananda Avt was a bhakta of Sadguru Baba. Certainly he will attain mukti or moksa, accordingly. Baba will lovingly bestow His infinite grace.

in Him,
Caetanya Deva

Note: Alert for those cremating a dead body in India or Indian managed cremation homes around the world. Their custom is to put the burning fire in the mouth of the deceased to initiate the burning of the body. This is prohibited in AM as it is uncivilised. So watch out do not allow this. If you are not careful they will end of doing it. Make them aware ahead of time.

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "The practice of putting fire into the mouth of the dead body is repulsive, it should not be encouraged." (Caryacarya - 1, Disposal of the Dead Body)


~ In-depth study ~

We have seen that when somebody dies then in offering their condolences people say now Mr So-and-so is sitting on Baba's lap. On other occasions when telling a Baba story people also say, "Such and such person sat on Baba's lap." But these days the trend is that "sitting on Baba's lap" is used more in connection with death. And that causes some confusion in reader's mind. To unknot the situation please read below.

Dogma: if "on Baba's lap" only used for death

Here are quoted lines from recently posted emails on various forums, wherein the writer uses the phrase - "in Baba's lap" - with the occasion of death:

- "May Parama Purusa Baba accept her in HIS divine lap"

- "We pray to Baba -please give him shelter in his lap... "

- "May his soul rest in the lap of our beloved BABA"

- "Now she is taking rest in Baba's Lap."

- "May Baba accept him in HIS divine lap....."

- "May he rest in HIS loving lap of eternity."

- "We are sure that Baba has taken him in His loving lap."

- "May his soul rest in Baba's lap forever."

- "Let her rest peacefully in Baba's Lap - which she always desired."

- "now he is in beloved Baba's lap"

- "May his soul get peaceful place in His lap"

- "He is now in Bábá's loving lap"

- "May Baba bless him with a seat in His lap."

- "May BABA accept him in HIS divine lap!"

- "May Baba take him in his eternal loving lap."

- "May his soul rest in peace taking shelter in Baba's lap."

- "Please keep him on Your lap forever."

- "We all collectively pray to Baba to take him on Baba's divine lap forever.”

All of the above lines are commonly written in eulogizing the deceased. These days mostly it is used in a eulogy and rarely used to recount one's intimate spiritual experiences - unfortunately. By this way, the phrase "in Baba's lap" is being misused and step by step the real meaning is being forgotten as now people more commonly use the phrase to eulogize those who have died, and much less so to express their inner feelings of bhakti. Unfortunately, the meaning and inner spirit of the phrase is getting lost.

Baba story: "sitting on Baba's lap"

Some time ago after dharmacakra, a senior margii was recounting his experiences of having dharma samiiksa with Baba. He said, "After being lovingly scolded by Baba for my wrongdoings, then He called me close and placed me on His lap - I remained there for some time soaking up His love - and He blessed me."

We all enjoyed hearing about his personal account with Baba during dharma samiiksa. When he finished telling his factual and historical event, there was a call for questions. Various people posed their queries. Towards the end, one new margii raised his hand and asked, "How did Baba bring you back to life?"

Everyone stared at the new margii in amazement. There was a look of astonishment all around - people were really shocked to hear him say this. The new sadhaka sensed that something was wrong He said very matter-of-factly, "I thought that sitting on Baba's Lap means that he (the margii) died - that is why I asked that question."

This was quite eye-opening for those of us in the room: Through our language and expression we had unknowingly taught someone to think that being on Baba's lap is the equivalent of death. Because it seems that nowadays people only use the phrase "Baba's lap" when a person has died, such as "Let him rest peacefully in Baba's lap", as if in order to sit on Baba’s lap one has to die. But that is false. Sincere sadhakas regularly sit on Baba’s lap in their meditation. It is His grace. It is just like a child need not die in order to sit on his father’s lap.

The idea is that this phrase - Baba's lap - has been linked with death due to extreme overuse. So for some time if sadhakas use this phrase exclusively for spiritual purposes, that will be best. The phrase, "sitting on Baba's lap", should not meet a similar fate. It should not lose its pure spiritual quality and just refer to one's death. That will be very negative.

Baba would bless bhaktas and place them on His lap

There are tens of thousands of recorded stories by sadhakas where they use the phrase, "on Baba's lap", when describing their experiences of being with Baba: He used to bless them and bring them on His lap. People should understand the deeply mystical value of this expression, and not just think that Baba's lap means death, i.e. that you can only sit on His lap at the time of death. Still today there are thousands of margiis walking this earth who sat in Baba's lap. And not only that, there are countless more sadhakas who were blessed by Baba in dreams and sadhana wherein they sat in His lap. And still today this deeply intimate experience is attainable by sadhakas, by His grace.

There are so many ways an aspirant can reach unto Baba's lap including in sadhana. That is the main idea that should be preserved. Sadhana is a spiritual practice and one can sit on Baba's lap in sadhana. We should make it cent-per-cent clear to one and all that the phrase, "sitting on Baba's lap", does not mean death.

"Mahaprayan" means death of mortals - confirm for yourself
from the Samsad Bengali-English Dictionary

Mahaprayan (Death): Many are aware that mahaprayan (death) is the common term used in India and especially in our Bengal to describe the death of any human being, even ordinary people. In that way, the obituary columns of the newspapers of Bengal regularly cite the mahaprayan (death) of various persons of society who died or passed away.

Some may get confused and wrongly think that the word 'mahaprayan' (death) is one extraordinarily term of bhakti to be used in association with Parama Purusa. But that is not at all the case. Rather to do so is only to undermine the eternal presence of Parama Purusa. That is why no bhaktas ever use the word 'mahaprayan' in reference to Lord Shiva or Lord Krsna. Because Lord Shiva and Lord Krsna exist eternally. Then there is no question of Their mahaprayan (death).

Baba is Parama Purusa so He is eternal and there is no question of His mahaprayan.

Here it should be known that the convention of an annual death day ceremony (i.e. shraddhainjali or mahaprayan) is a foundation of the Islamic tradition. Muslims are well known for this, and their approach of an annual death day ceremony was adopted by the leader of a particular group in AMPS. So no one should think that mahaprayan is some type of sacred event. It is done on the death day anniversary of Muslims.

And for those who need still more technical proof then all this can be clarified quite readily by referencing the dictionary. Specifically in the Samsad Bengali-English dictionary 3rd edition on page 848. Checking there it will be confirmed that the word 'mahaprayan' means death. Which is why it is used to refer to the passing away of even common citizens. And that is the case in this letter also. The term mahaprayan means death and this is the ideal term for this purpose.

Mahaprayan is only for humans not for Sadguru

Here it should be qualified that there is both real mahaprayan and fake mahaprayan. Real mahaprayan marks the death of any ordinary human being, just like the aforesaid news. This is the proper use of the term: To note a person's departure from this earth. That is the meaning of the mahaprayan term and that is the standard way the term is used in Indian languages.

Then there is the fake, or so-called, or dogmatic mahaprayan. That is when certain vested interests try to apply the mahaprayan term to Parama Purusa. This is grossly inappropriate because when Parama Purusa Sadguru Baba is that Divine Entity who is beginningless and endless and resides always in our heart, then it is entirely wrong to proclaim that He is gone.

That is why rational margiis are protesting; because the Oct 21st program is so-called mahaprayan. So-called means that something is fake. Parama Purusa is eternal, thus for some vested interests to declare "mahaprayan of Parama Purusa" is nothing but so-called mahaprayan.

Mahaprayan only really happens in the case of human beings, not Parama Purusa. Those doing mahaprayan for Sadguru are hypocrites. On the one side in meditation they ask His grace thinking that He is ever-present, and on the other side they think that Baba has passed way. That is their hypocrisy.