Essence of sadhana + 4 more

Baba

Essence of sadhana

Namaskar,

Sadhana is the cream of life. It is by sincerely practicing sadhana that we progress on the path. At the same time, there are many factors that might temporarily halt our progress in sadhana - procrastination, laziness, mundane attraction etc.

However there is one fundamental flaw that will make our sadhana become "stuck" - when we really cannot move ahead. And it is this pitfall that every sadhaka and seeker must be aware of - and avert - if they want success in their spiritual life.
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Bhakti means service to Parama Purusa

Baba reminds us again and again that bhakti means service to Parama Purusa.

Bhaktir Bhagavato seva'
Bhakti is service to the Supreme

To serve anyone, to serve Parama Purusa, His presence is needed. One must feel that Baba is nearby, closeby so that we may serve Him. Without His presence there can be no service; and if there is no service there is no bhakti. So this inherent feeling of closeness with Parama Purusa is the key ingredient of bhakti. And with the feeling of bhakti then one can easily move forward on the path of sadhana. Hence, it all starts with the presence of Parama Purusa, thinking that Baba is close by. This is an essential element of sadhana.


The major pitfall

The main pitfall then or reason for getting stuck in sadhana is falling into the dogma that Parama Purusa is not really there. Unfortunately, some feel this way - and in that condition their sadhana becomes completely stuck.
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People innocently fall into the belief that sadhana is “just my imagination.” They repeat their mantra, do their chanting, do so many things - all with the feeling that they are alone and that Parama Purusa cannot really hear them. This defective approach has invaded the mental plate of many a sadhaka. And it is a most dangerous phenomena. How does it happen?

People think, "I imagine so many conversations - with my spouse, my boss, my grandmother, or my friend. And those persons do not actually hear me. They do not know I was talking with them. It was all just my imagination. Same then is the case with sadhana and Parama Purusa. I am repeating my mantra but He cannot hear me. It is all just my imagination."

This is one unfortunate misunderstanding that may enter the mind. And this will bring one's sadhana to a complete halt. Because without Parama Purusa there is no sadhana. If we fall into the trap that Parama Purusa is not close by but rather very far away then  He will remain beyond our grasp.

Ananda Marga ideology says, "If you think that He is very far from you, He will remain forever beyond your reach." (1)

In that case sadhana will just be one fantasy - just a far off dream. There will not be any progress - nor any spiritual vibration or feeling of closeness in sadhana.

Spiritual balm: “He is watching me”

To avert this spiritual calamity, one must feel like they are communicating with Baba in sadhana. And to do this, one must cultivate the idea that He is close by. And really it is not very difficult to do. The whole essence of our second lesson - or Guru mantra - is that Parama Purusa is watching me. That is the beginning, middle, and end of second lesson. If one feels this way then that is everything in second lesson. Hence, all the 24hrs we should cultivate the feeling that Parama Purusa is watching me.
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And that is the reality also. It is not just one's imagination. Because Parama Purusa has deep, deep love and affection for everyone. In that case He cannot keep Himself away. Rather His tendency will be to come close and watch for your welfare. And when as sadhakas we embrace this reality, then we will have His closeness and touch.

Ananda Marga ideology says, "If you think that He is near, He will be so near that you need not move even an inch to attain Him." (2)

So the feeling embedded within 2nd lesson is vital toward our spiritual growth in sadhana. And indeed when doing citta shuddhi, this very same feeling must be inculcated. Only when we feel we are completely surrounded by His presence should we then commence our mantra japa.

In a nutshell, when we feel that He is with us, then our sadhana can never become stuck.


Baba gives proof: “I am with you”

Even then some think that, "Okay, Parama Purusa is watching me, I can accept this idea, follow it, and tell others about it, but in my heart I do not think it is true."
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Some fall in this category. That is why for years and years, in countless reporting sessions and in dharma samiiksa and in PC, Baba would again and again give proof that He was there all along, watching us. He would smile and perfectly repeat what we were thinking when we were standing outside in the rain waiting for the bus, or He would talk about how we ate a sweet before doing sadhana, or He would describe who the passengers were on the train when we were traveling to DMC.

All these things and many more Baba would tell us. And the sole reason behind it was to teach and show us that in all circumstances He is always with us. That was His message: Never are we alone, always Parama Purusa is with you - watching - caring for your welfare.

Verily, this is the essence of spirituality: His presence. In Prabhat Samgiita the basic idea is that we are to sing to Him, and that He is always listening. All this reinforces the sweet notion that He is always with us.


Most important aspect of spiritual life

So whether doing sadhana or not, we should always feel that He is with us - watching us - looking out for our welfare. And this is one beautiful idea. It is not scary as if some enemy is secretly watching us through the window. Rather, it is one very charming and blissful concept that no matter where I may go in this universe, Baba will always be with me, gently holding my hand - guiding me, helping me - saving me. This idea is the most important aspect of our spiritual life and it is this notion that propels us ahead on the path. 
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Conclusion

In our Ananda Marga, the whole concept and practice of sadhana is based on the idea that we are very close with and in communication with Parama Purusa. That is the golden nugget of AM sadhana. In the various religions they feel that their god is far away in the seventh sky and that he is only available one day a week and even then to communicate with him one needs the help of a priest etc. That is their dogmatic outlook.

In the tantra of Ananda Marga, Baba has infused us with the idea that, “Parama Purusa is yours and that He is your very close companion.” It is this very real vibration that gives force to our mantra japa and propels us toward Oneness with Him. By remembering and practicing this ideal, we will never again get stuck in sadhana, by His grace.

In Him,
Ananda Bhusan

~ In-depth study ~

So we must always feel that He is with us. When doing second lesson we are to feel that “He is watching me” or that “everything around me is Parama Purusa in the form of the trees, birds, sky etc”. And when doing first lesson one is to feel like they are calling Him.
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Mindlessly repeating those mantras without that ideation - without the feeling of His presence - will be futile. It is the feeling that we are communicating with Him directly - that He is there listening - that empowers our sadhana and gives shakti to our mantra japa. So we should always cultivate this as the first step in our spiritual life: That He is present. Never should we allow ourselves to fall prey to the myth that sadhana is just our imagination. Doing so is the kiss of death. Then our sadhana will really be stuck. Even if we sit for hours and hours we will not advance.

When we think - "Baba is with me" - then all the lessons of sadhana come alive and we float in the bliss of His sweet Presence. Then we communicate with Him, and we will directly receive His communication and love also. Sadhana will be a blissful interaction between bhakta and Parama Purusa.


Showy sadhana will not do

If we do sadhana just to show off in front of others or if we do sadhana just so that we can go and eat food, then this is not good. In that sadhana there is no Parama Purusa, there is only self and the mundane desire for name and fame or food. If one falls in this category then they are stuck. Their sadhana will not go anywhere. Only when one thinks that my sadhana is for Parama Purusa will they then be able to advance. Baba is ever-gracious so whatever right or wrong habits we may have had in the past, He is always there to help us proceed on the path. Let us all move forward embracing this idea.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Ananda Marga ideology says, "He who is guiding the stars of the skies, is with you, you are not alone. Under no circumstances should you ever be afraid. Never think that you are alone. Whatever has to happen, will happen, and the One who causes this happening is with you. He is not something which resides far far away. You are not a distant relative of His. He is your Father. So you only have to know the One. Who is He? He is your nearest and dearest One. He is your most beloved." (3)

References
1. Ananda Marga Ideology and Way of Life in a Nutshell Part 6, Microcosm and Macrocosm
2. Ananda Marga Ideology and Way of Life in a Nutshell Part 6, Microcosm and Macrocosm
3. Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 5, Bandhu, Suhrd, Mitram and Sakhá

*        *        *

The below section is an entirely different topic, unrelated to the above material.
It stands on its own merit as a point of interest and ideological awareness.

*        *        *

== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==

Pure & straight

"Toma'r na'mer tarii beye bhese calechi sudu're..." (Prabhat Samgiita #3937)

Purport:

My Supreme Entity, by Your grace I am rowing the boat of Your name, singing Your glory, and floating toward the far distant spiritual land. Baba, because I am dancing in Your divine tune, I know I will never lose my path; victory is assured. With Your eternal song as my rudder guiding me along, I never feel lost or frustrated.

Parama Purusa, in my personality there is no hypocrisy. And there is no painful, hellish thorns of self-aggrandisement, (asmita'). It is Your immense kindness. My heart is pure and straight. In my life’s zig-zag path, the high and low tide comes and goes, but in my soul everything resonates in the eternal vibration of Your omnkara, the sound of the ankle bell. Your sublime presence encompasses all.

Parama Purusa, I am moving forward towards You with my heart and mind and do not have any desire to look back. Baba, with Your krpa’, I never wander around or fall from the path of dharma sadhana. Nor do I unnecessarily waste my time recalling all those old forgotten memories of my distant past. Continuously, You keep me marching along the path of supreme fulfillment.

Baba, I am under Your shelter, and in my meditation and dhyana I always sing Your name. It is Your causeless grace on me…

== Section 3: Important Teaching ==

Comparing capitalism & communism

Prout philosophy: “Question – Which is more psychological, capitalism or communism?”

“Answer – As compared to communism, capitalism is more psychological, although both are defective and cannot be supported. In communism there is hardly any scope for the free and unbarred expression of mind, and due to extreme regimentation the flow of the mind is checked by numerous social, economic and political constraints. In capitalism no such checks exist in theory, but in practice there are checks.”

“Question – What are the psychological defects of the commune system?”

“Answer – In the commune system, society is reduced to a production-distribution centre under a regimented system of control based upon production teams. Such a suffocative and mechanized living system fosters a materialistic outlook and produces atheistic leadership. The workers cannot feel oneness with the job, nor do they have the freedom to express their individual potentialities. If farmers feel they own the farm they will get a better outturn. If people are allowed unbarred psychic and spiritual freedom, human society will achieve greater psychic and spiritual progress.” (1)

Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 12, Questions and Answers [on Society] – 2

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Sadhana & marital relations

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “The attraction towards earthly things born out of lust (káma) and attachment (moha) makes conjugal relations a necessity. Intuitional practice helps one to overcome this need. One becomes indifferent to it. So the question of giving it up for intuitional practice does not arise. It was said earlier that sádhaná is waging war against Prakrti and defeating Her. The force of intuitional practice is certainly greater than the strength of Prakrti, and by means of it one can attain Brahmacarya.” (1)

Reference
1. Ananda Marga Elementary Philosophy, Why Are People Afraid of Intuitional Practice?

== Section 4: Links ==

Postings to Read

Understanding sexual indiscretions

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2025/12/understanding-sexual-indiscretions-2.html

Baba's presence in sadhana

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2013/11/baba-story-junk-thoughts-in-sadhana.html

How to surmount any weakness

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2013/10/how-to-overcome-weaknesses.html

Witnessing Baba's demonstrations

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2014/11/beautiful-baba-story-of-early-days-in.html

Ever-present Baba always helps

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2025/11/ever-present-baba-always-helps.html

Baba, siempre presente, siempre ayuda + PS #0361 (español)

Baba

Baba, siempre presente, siempre ayuda

Namaskar,

Uno de los aspectos más singulares y especiales del camino tántrico de Ananda Marga es que Baba siempre nos ayuda personalmente. Él interviene directamente en todo lo que hacemos, nos protege en cada situación y circunstancia, y derrama eternamente Su gracia cósmica en nuestra sadhana. No necesitamos depender de ninguna otra entidad, nunca. Baba siempre está ahí para nosotros, el 100% del tiempo.

https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

La guía especial de Baba

Y, de hecho, en este discurso original en hindi del 5 de marzo de 1969, Baba deja la situación perfectamente clara. He aquí un resumen de un aspecto clave del hindi que figura a continuación, en el que Baba dice que yo (Baba) siempre os ayudaré directamente, no indirectamente a través de falsos gurús. Por favor, consultad la cita original en hindi de Ananda Vacanamrtam - 41 (Puro), capítulo 3:

"यह शुभ्र ज्योति बहुत ही शुभ्र, देखने में बहुत ही अच्छी, बहुत ही सुन्दर । साधना करो, आसानी से देख लोगे तुम लोग । वैयष्टिक जीवन में इन आँखों से देखोगे । कोई अद्भुत, कोई अलौकिक बात नहीं है । थोड़ी-सी ही चेष्टा से ही पा जाओगे । मानव-जीवन धन्य हो जाएगा अगर उस ज्योति को अपनी आँखों से देख लिए । और अवश्य देख सकोगे, तुम लोग साधक हो । ठीक से साधना करो । और मैं help कर दूँगा, कोई बात नहीं है ।([1])([2]) जब मनुष्य के शरीर में आ गए हो, साधना-मार्ग में आ गए हो, तो काम पूरा करके तब न जाना है ! यही बात है । हो जाएगा सब ।

 ओम् सुनने में दिक्कत हुई तो मैं सुना दूँगा :- और ठीक वैसा ही यह ‘ओम्’ sound, यह supreme sound, शब्दब्रह्म, यह भी आसानी से तुम लोग सुन लोगे । और अगर साधना से तुम लोगों को सुनने में दिक्कत हुई तो मैं सुना दूँगा ।

तो, ज्योतिर्ब्रह्म, शब्दब्रह्म, यह सब तुम लोग देखोगे, सीखोगे, पाओगे, अनुभव करोगे अपने जीवन में तब न ? मरने के बाद, ‘नरक’ में जाकर, ‘स्वर्ग’ में जाकर क्या देखोगे, क्या सुनोगे, उस सम्बन्ध में मैं कुछ नहीं कहूँगा । इसी जीवन में पूरी अनुभूति हुई, तब न ? तो ‘नरक’,‘स्वर्ग’ के इन्तज़ार में क्यों रहोगे ? यहीं सब कुछ अनुभव करोगे । और इसी दुनिया को ‘स्वर्ग’ बना लोगे ।" [AV-41 (Puro), capitulo 3, 5 de marzo de 1969]

Por la enseñanza en hindi anterior de Ananda Vacanamrtam - 41 (Puro), capítulo 3, queda muy claro que Sadguru Baba siempre nos guía y nos ayuda directamente en todas las situaciones, y que nunca debemos buscar ni confiar en aquellos que se autodenominan erróneamente "gurús". Y, en verdad, la semilla y el espíritu de esta enseñanza resuenan con veracidad en todo el vasto cuerpo de las escrituras de AM.

https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Problema en el libro impreso de AM

Desafortunadamente, hay una publicación de AM, "Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell - 4", capítulo 3, que contradice directamente la enseñanza anterior de Baba. En particular, presten atención a la parte resaltada en amarillo al final.El siguiente es el resumen en español de un párrafo de la edición en inglés de 'Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell - 4', capítulo 3

En el mundo espiritual también, el sádhaka, mientras medita sobre el Supremo, pasará sin duda por las diferentes etapas de la realización sin ser necesariamente consciente de ello. Cuando el misericordioso Táraka Brahma viene físicamente a la Tierra en forma de Sadguru, ayuda a los sádhakas merecedores a alcanzar este tipo de samádhi. Incluso cuando está físicamente ausente en este mundo, ayuda a las personas merecedoras a alcanzar este samádhi a través de otros gurús. (resumen en español)

En el pasaje anterior, se ha dado a entender erróneamente que cuando Sadguru Baba no está físicamente presente, debemos confiar en otros pseudogurús. Esto es una violación directa de la ideología de Ananda Marga y viola la esencia del tantra, según la cual el eterno Taraka Brahma es el Gurú. Como Ananda Margis, nunca necesitamos confiar en otros gurús de tercer grado para nada. Sadguru Baba está siempre presente y nos guía directa y personalmente en todo momento.

https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Qué salió mal

La línea resaltada en amarillo de Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell - 4 (capítulo 3) no es una enseñanza de Baba. Ese discurso fue pronunciado el 20 de abril de 1969 en el jagrti de Ranchi y lo que se imprimió en el libro procede en realidad del cuaderno de notas de Dada Vijayananda. Por lo tanto, no es una cita directa de Baba.

Conclusión

Como Ananda Margis, debemos estar completamente seguros de que cada página de nuestros libros de AM es correcta y está en consonancia con las enseñanzas de Baba. En verdad, nuestro principal deber es mantener intactas las escrituras de AM y asegurarnos de que cada libro refleje y represente estrictamente lo que Sadguru Baba dijo realmente.

https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

En un resumen en español de Namah Shivaya Shantaya, página 200, Edición de 1995, la filosofía de Ananda Marga nos guía: Las escrituras que contienen mandamientos espirituales deben ser totalmente impecables. (resumen en español)

En Él,
Shankar Basu

- Here is a link to the original English posting: Ever-present Baba always helps

== Sección 2: Enseñanza importante ==

Secreto interno del misticismo

En un resumen en español de Ananda Vacanamrtam - 14, "Mysticism and Yoga", la ideología Ananda Marga afirma: Cuando el sentido estético, basado en la sutil ciencia estética, alcanza un determinado nivel, se denomina misticismo. Y cuando este misticismo alcanza la cima de la gloria humana, o la excelencia de la gloria humana, se denomina espiritualidad. ¿Qué es el misticismo? El misticismo es el esfuerzo incesante por descubrir el vínculo entre lo finito y lo infinito. Es un esfuerzo incesante por descubrir el vínculo entre el yo y el Superyo, khud y Khudá. Esto es el misticismo. (resumen en español)

De hecho, Baba ha definido el misticismo de esta manera en numerosos discursos. Como Ananda Margiis, debemos comprender claramente su significado.

(a) En primer lugar, todos y cada uno de los Ananda Margiis que han establecido una relación y un sentimiento de cercanía con Baba han avanzado más allá de esa etapa introductoria conocida como misticismo.

(b) Por lo tanto, el misticismo es una etapa inicial muy básica del viaje espiritual de una persona, en la que el aspirante se siente desconectado y solo porque aún no ha establecido una conexión con Parama Purusa.

(c) Todos aquellos músicos, buscadores de la nueva era y pseudoespiritualistas que tratan de encontrar la belleza y la grandeza de la Entidad Suprema a través del esplendor de las montañas escarpadas, los vastos océanos, otras maravillas naturales y/o a través de la música, el arte, la danza o el teatro se encuentran en los márgenes del misticismo.

(d) Cualquier sadhaka que se haya embarcado sinceramente en el camino espiritual y haya desarrollado un bhava (relación ideacional) con Parama Purusa ha sido verdaderamente bendecido y ha superado hace tiempo esa etapa del misticismo.

== Sección 3: Prabhat Samgiita ==

Madre e hijo a la hora de dormir

Nota: Esta composición es una canción de cuna sobre el shiuli (parijat), o jazmín de floración nocturna.

"Ráter beláy sabái ghúmáy, shiuli keno jáge..." (Prabhat Samgiita #0361)

Significado:

O' madre, todo el mundo duerme por la noche, así que tienes que decirme ¿por qué el shiuli permanece despierto toda la noche? Todas las demás flores están despiertas durante el día y duermen por la noche. Durante el día, esparcen su aromática fragancia y entonan dulces canciones, porque a las flores les gusta el día tanto como a mí. Así que las conozco a todas muy bien.

Por la noche, todos duermen, incluidos los pájaros myna, los cachorros y también las abejas melíferas, etc. Pero el shiuli sonríe y dice: "¡Mira, todavía estoy despierto!". Oh' madre, dime, ¿por amor a quién permanece despierto el shiuli por la noche?

Escucha, mi querida niña, al shiuli le gusta la noche, por eso permanece despierto durante la oscuridad de la noche. Se siente tímido a la luz del día, así que por la mañana se deja caer en el suelo y se queda tumbado. Al final de la noche, durante el amanecer, el shiuli se cae. Y, en ese momento, mi querida niña, tu sueño se desvanecerá y te levantarás...

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