Who received this blessing + 5 more

Baba

Who received this blessing

Namaskar,

Sadguru Baba states, “You are all my beloved sons and daughters. Sometimes I appear harsh to some. But that is for love. If I were indifferent, there would be no need for scolding or punishment...Leave all cares unto me. O be blessed.” (1)

Parents scold their own child because their own child depends on them 100%. And that scolding is done for the child’s all-round progress. But those parents do not take that same approach with their neighbors’ children. Parents do not scold the neighbors’ children because those kids do not depend on them.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Meaning of Baba’s punishment

Similar is the case with Sadguru Baba. He did not scold ordinary sadhakas and non-margiis. And for those with 1% of bhakti, He scolded them less than 1%. Because such sadhakas depend on Him just 1%.

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, “The quantum of punishment must not exceed the quantum of love.” (2)

In certain instances, Baba has limited scope to remove their filth and put such a sadhaka on a higher spiritual state quickly. Although Baba is impartial and treats everyone equally, when sadhakas have less bhakti they did not allow Baba to clean them quickly. The fastest and easiest way for Baba to clean their filth was to punish them. Yet Baba could not do that with those who had lesser bhakti. In that situation, Baba’s hands were tied. Alternatively, suppose a sadhaka has 90% bhakti then Guru’s responsibility increases. Because the bhakta is depending more on Guru to clean them. So He scolds them much more, for one reason or another.

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, “The quantum of punishment must not exceed the quantum of love.” (3)


Why Baba punished some sadhakas more & others less

The fundamental idea is that a parent has a greater duty to their own child. If your own child does something bad then with affection and scolding you will try and bring the child onto the right path as soon as possible. Because your own child depends on you 100%. But if the neighbor’s child has a similar fault, you will follow a different protocol. You will not scold them.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Those who were dependent and had surrendered fully to Baba received more scolding. Baba overlooked their good works and scolded them for their misdeeds. While those who could not surrender were not scolded. Baba overlooked their weakness and wrongdoing, and commented on their positive works saying, “Very good, very good.” Here the flaw was in the person who did not give full authority to Baba to clean them.

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, “The quantum of punishment must not exceed the quantum of love.” (4)

Nowadays there is a myth in AMPS that really Baba's scolding was something terrible and that it should not be talked about. Some uninformed people think that those who faced Baba's form of va'madeva really made a horrible mistake. But that is not true. Actually, what they got was Baba's divine blessing. Because Baba can only punish those who already have a high degree of love for Him.

Parents scold their own child because their own child depends on them 100%. And that scolding is done for the child’s all-round progress. But those parents do not take that same approach with their neighbors’ children. Parents do not scold the neighbors’ children because those kids do not depend on them.


Conclusion

The formula is very clear. Those fully dependent on Baba got more scolding. And after scolding, He showered more and more supreme affection and love upon the sadhaka. By seeing this, those watching dharma samiiksa did not feel jealous.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Suppose sadhaka A & B committed similar sins. Sadhaka A has 90% bhakti while sadhaka B has only 5%. Sadhaka A is depending fully on Parama Purusa Baba, and sadhaka B depended on Baba just a little. In this case, although sadhaka A did the same mistake, as a Guru, Baba takes a tough stand pointing out the defect of Mr A. Because sadhaka A has more surrender whereby Guru’s responsibility for sadhaka A increases. So He punished Mr A strongly for that mistake, in which case Baba will also shower great affection on Mr A after metting out the punishment.

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, “The quantum of punishment must not exceed the quantum of love.” (5)

Later on Baba called sadhaka B and although sadhaka B did the same mistake as A, but because sadhaka B has very little surrender, then Baba may overlook the matter and say, “You should follow the rules properly.” So Baba did not strongly punish Mr. B. But because Sadguru did not punish sadhaka B, He will not call sadhaka B close and shower His divine affection either. In the end, both bhakta A and sadhaka B are happy. Bhakta A is very happy because he got Guru’s supreme affection, and sadhaka B is happy because he was spared the scolding.

In other words, we can say that those who have greater bhakti were entitled to more of Baba’s affection. To shower that affection, Baba used to punish them for one reason or another. And then He would shower His love. This was the only way otherwise people would have felt that Baba is partial. This was His divine liila and by this way He fulfilled the desire of the bhakta. The conclusion is that those who are great bhaktas got more punishment from Baba.

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, “The quantum of punishment must not exceed the quantum of love.” (6)

In Him,
Sudha’ Sa’gar

Even now Baba loves & punishes His disciples

Today also one can experience the love and punishment of Sadguru. Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji is Taraka Brahma. So He resides eternally in the heart. And His role is to love and punish and bring sadhakas towards their supreme destination. Earlier it was comparatively easy when He was using His Mahasambhuti form. Now it is a little more difficult as one has to do sadhana. But if one is very sincere in their spiritual practices, then surely they will get His unfathomable grace along with His punishment. When any sincere sadhaka goes against 16 Points then they will be rebuked and scolded by Sadguru. And this might get expressed in various ways such as undergoing an adverse reaction, being chastised by someone, contracting a disease, or facing some severe obstacle. By this way He does not allow a sadhaka to commit wrongs and brings them back onto the dharmic path.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, “The quantum of punishment must not exceed the quantum of love.” (7)

For instance, suppose a margii was very strict in taking sattvika food, and then on one occasion compromised and ate something tamasik. Then that sadhaka may undergo a violent reaction. Whereas if an ordinary citizen eats that same tamasik food then he might feel just fine. If one falls away from their dharmic conduct, then Sadguru helps you realise your mistake by punishing you. By this way, you are forced to again come on the path of righteousness. In all sorts of circumstances, sadhakas can feel His presence, i.e. His love and His scolding. And they feel that, “Sadguru is helping me.” When He was in His form of Mahasambhuti then it was comparatively easy to directly receive His scolding. Now one has to be more disciplined and communicate with Him in the mind.


~ In-depth study ~

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, “The quantum of punishment must not exceed the quantum of love.” (8)


All have committed sin in this life or previous life

In one of His discourses Baba repeated one Hindi phrase, Koi hiira’ chor, koi khiira’ chor. The sense is that all are thieves - some have stolen something meagre while others have stolen costly jewels. In that discourse, Baba says that you will not find any human being who has not committed any sin. All have done some type of sin, knowingly or unknowingly. In spite of knowing everyone’s present, past, and future, all the sins they have done and will do, Baba ignored many people’s wrongdoings and punished a few severely for their misdeeds. The reason has been explained above. The central idea is that Baba has more responsibility towards those who depend more on Him. So He punishes them more and loves them more also.

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, “The quantum of punishment must not exceed the quantum of love.” (9)

Those who experienced His va'madeva form really got His special blessing. Because He only scolds those who are fully depending on Him. And still this liila is going on. It is not that stories should only be written about those sweet experiences with Baba. Also those who faced His scolding should also come forward and share their tales.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Coming for worldly boons

A few may wonder what was the need for Baba to pretend to "harshly" scold others. Why could He not have said everything in a kind and gentle manner. The reply is that in those days word was spreading fast how Baba was the all-knowing, omnipotent God and could save any situation. Hearing thus, many new people / onlookers were intrigued and wanted to attend Baba's darshan for their own material gain etc. They had a type of superficial curiosity and were coming for worldly boons, i.e. to get their mundane problems solved.

So they were not coming out of genuine devotional longing for Parama Purusa and emancipation. This crowd of lookers made it difficult for Sadguru Baba to attend to His many works, plans, and projects. In response, Baba exhibited His feigned fury, or va'madeva form.

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, “The quantum of punishment must not exceed the quantum of love.” (10)


By drama of punishing Baba cured serious chronic disease

The secret behind Baba’s scolding is that He was removing the sin, curing their chronic diseases, shedding the samskaras of those sadhakas and quickly placing them in a higher spiritual state. On the outside it looked like Baba was mercilessly scolding the bhakta. But internally something vastly different was going on that was only known to Sadguru Baba and the bhakta. All those watching had no idea. If everyone understood that by scolding Baba was showering His blessing then the queue for scolding would have been very long. But Baba kept it a secret.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Dharma Samiiksa: Great example of Guru’s love & punishment

During dharma samiiks’a’, it was well known that thousands of margiis came before Sadguru Baba. They understood this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity so they stayed for weeks and months under difficult conditions in order to get His blessing in the form of punishment. In result, their diseases were cured, their sadhana improved exponentially, and the occasion continued on and on. Not everyone was allowed for dharma samiiksa; only select people involved in social service were chosen. In that case they were aware of Baba’s working style. Even then, some reached with great enthusiasm and attraction and some under pressure of circumstances. But in dharma samiiksa the same equation was in vogue: The degree to which one surrendered was in direct correspondence with the degree of His punishment and blessing.

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, “The quantum of punishment must not exceed the quantum of love.” (11)

References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 30, Surrender
2. Caryácarya Part 2, Society, Point #39c
3. Caryácarya Part 2, Society, Point #39c
4. Caryácarya Part 2, Society, Point #39c
5. Caryácarya Part 2, Society, Point #39c
6. Caryácarya Part 2, Society, Point #39c
7. Caryácarya Part 2, Society, Point #39c
8. Caryácarya Part 2, Society, Point #39c
10. Caryácarya Part 2, Society, Point #39c
11. Caryácarya Part 2, Society, Point #39c
12. Caryácarya Part 2, Society, Point #39c

*        *        *

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

*        *        *

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Ego is anti-neohumanism

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Where people are guided more by ahaḿtattva [doer “I”, ego], they say: “I am doing, I am giving. This was done by me, that was done by me,” and so on. [The higher faculty of mahattattva, pure “I” feeling, is not affected by any sense of ego or vanity.] Though people at this stage are moving on the path of sádhaná, still there is some defect in them. Their minds do not inspire the lives of others, their minds do not touch the minds of others. They do not reach the sweetness of others' “I” feelings, for they are too preoccupied with themselves. Their approach is defective; their path is not the path of Neohumanism." (1)

Reference
1. Neo-Humanism in a Nutshell - 1, Perfect Spirituality and Neohumanism

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Mudras cure deafness

Note: If one deaf person arouses the feeling of bhakti listen to Sadguru’s discourses and spiritual teachings and meditates on either of His two mudrás (janusparsaha and varabhaya) then the deafness will be cured. 

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “If a deaf man sincerely wants to hear what the Sadguru is saying, the positive microvita radiated through these two mudrás are sure to help him – they will certainly help him....raising positive microvita from the lunar plexus to the occult plexus is called “krpá”. And raising them from the lunar plexus to the pinnacled point of human glory is called “karuńá”. Without krpá there cannot be karuńá, there cannot be any galloping jump. Raising negative microvita above the psycho-physical plexus is “rusti” or “risti”. You should always try to avoid rusti and always try to receive the glamour of krpá or karuńá.” (1) 

Reference
1. Questions & Answers on Microvita, Answer #17

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Why useless dreams

Ananda Marga ideology states, "When certain impressions perceived by the sense organs, agitate the conscious mind and sensory or material thoughts are thereby vehemently awakened in the conscious mind, the nervous system, the crude receptacle of the Kámamaya Kośa and the mind itself becomes unsteady and restless. This leaves an impression on the cells that is short-lived or long-lasting depending on the degree of its intensity. Sometimes even a significant impression being compelled to give way to a newer one under the impact of some other sense-agitation or restlessness, loses its previously acquired permanence. In the sleep state, if a person's nerve-tissues are agitated due to some physical cause, often either as the result of this or on account of cerebral heat caused by some vehement thinking, the nerve cells also become tired and disturbed. Such agitations give rise in the mental sphere to desires similar to those impressions, accumulated in the nerve-cells. Thus the agitated citta (the sub-conscious mind) accepts as real the stream of thoughts arising from one or more such impressions. The crude organs having stopped functioning, the identical desire arising from the previously acquired desire, do not then seem to be imaginary but appear to be quite real. Such dreams often do not come true, for these are actually pure imaginations or a mere stringing together of different disjointed thoughts, a confused or inconsistent dream. Only those whose nerve tissues have become weak due to some ailments of the brain or head or to some protracted illness, or those whose digestive system are malfunctioning, generally experience such confused dreams, which we may call Sensual Dreams. These dreams, as I have already said, are the true reproduction of previously imagined objects or the disjointed expressions of previous thoughts. Excessive eating also gives rise to such dreams in a person. Those who have purity of thoughts and also restraint over their diet, are generally less susceptible to such dreams. Such dreams never occur during [deep] sleep.” (1)

Reference
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 2, The Intuitional Science of the Vedas – 5

== Section: Important Teaching ==

How future humans will look - & why

Ananda Marga Ideology guides us, "I have also said that in the future the number of vrttis may further increase. The more complicated social life, family life, the realm of thought and the realm of intellect become, the more vrttis will develop. For example, the vrtti, cunningness, may be expressed in many more ways. To fulfil their desires, people will develop different types of cunningness which may become different vrttis in future. For example, the cunningness required to procure an object by devious means, the cunningness needed to give a promise knowing full well that one will never keep it, and the cunningness required to trick someone into believing that one did not tell a lie when in fact one did tell a lie, may all become separate vrttis in future.”

"Thus, in the future, as people’s thought processes become more complicated, many new vrttis will develop. The number of vrttis may not stay at fifty. Just imagine the situation that will arise in the future as a result of humanity’s ever increasing thirst for knowledge. To meet these developments the nerve cells and nerve fibres will have to become more complex. Consequently, the human cranium will become larger and the size of the head will increase. The hands and feet will become weaker and weaker and human beings may even lose the ability to walk. Today, the human toes have almost stopped functioning – in spiritual actions we have almost no use for them – whereas at one time, when we used to walk on four legs, we used our toes as much as our fingers. The front legs were used less and less, and were transformed into arms, and thus these days it has become almost impossible for us to crawl on all fours.”

“There was a time when humans would run on four legs, but today they cannot do that. After a time, children feel uncomfortable crawling around on all fours and try to walk on their hind legs. In the initial stages, when they try to stand up, they soon fall down. Again they stand up, again they fall down. When they finally develop the habit of standing on two legs, there are corresponding changes in the physical structure so that the use of their arms becomes less. In the future, the legs will be used less and less and the capacity to move on them will decrease. The arms will become thin, and the head will become abnormally large.” (1)

Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam-8, Sádhaná, Abhidhyána and Kiirtana

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Psycho-economic exploitation is the root
   
   Prout philosophy states, “The exploited people are not even aware that they are being exploited. This is why it is easy to exploit them in the social sphere, then create inferiority complexes in their minds to keep them under prolonged administrative domination and perpetuate the exploitation. This is easily done by the cunning exploiters. And the tragedy is that the exploited mass do not try to understand – they cannot understand, and they even refuse to understand – that they are victims of exploitation. So this is more dangerous.”
   “When the exploitation takes place in economic sphere directly, the people easily understand it, but when the exploitation is perpetrated in the socio-economic sphere or the psycho-economic sphere, the situation becomes complicated. In the case of exploitation is the socio-economic sphere, the people raise a little murmur against the social exploitation, but they fail to take note of the economic exploitation which is the final result of such socio-economic exploitation. And in the case of psychoeconomic exploitation, the people feel a little aggrieved because they are being suppressed from the psychic point of view, but they are not aware that the ultimate result is also economic exploitation.”
   “As regards the psychic sphere, I can say this – there can be numerous modes of exploitation in the psychic sphere, and to comprehend all these, the people must be more educated and more intelligent.” (1)

Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 18, Various Forms of Exploitation

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Who remembers their past life


Ananda Marga philosophy states, "After death the disembodied mind floats in the vast space with its unexpressed saḿskáras. Later on, with the cooperation of the mutative principle, the disembodied mind finds a suitable physical base. The memory of its past life remains awake for approximately the first five years of its new life. Although the child remains in a new physical environment, mentally it continues to live the joys and sorrows of its previous life. That is why children sometimes laugh and cry in their sleep, and their mothers often think they are talking with God. In colloquial Bengali this is called deola kát́á. In actual fact this laughter and crying is nothing but the reappearance of past memories. To re-experience past events one does not need the cooperation of the old brain. The newly-born mind has not yet had time to build a close relationship with the new brain. The revival of experiences of past lives is what we call “extra-cerebral memory”, and is principally the task of the causal mind." (1)

Reference
1. Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell - 4, Cerebral and Extra-Cerebral Memory

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Human culture is one

Prout philosophy states, "Culture is a vague term. It is the collective name for different expressions of life. People eat, enjoy hospitality, laugh on some occasions and shed tears on others, and thereby express life through various actions. The collective name of all these actions is culture."

"According to PROUT all of society has the same culture. There are local variations in the mode or state of cultural expression, but the expression is universal. While everybody eats, some eat by hand, others by stick and still others by spoon. Indian dance is based on Mudrá or dance postures, and European dance is based on rhythm, but they do not represent two different cultures."

"Local variations will diminish if there is a close blending between different groups of people, because this will create common customs. In Nepal there is a blending of Hindu and Buddhist customs. In Bengal there is a blending of Aryan and Dravidian customs. These local variations are called customs. Thus local modes of expression bearing local or group specialities are customs, but the expression itself is culture. Therefore it is a mistake to readjust boundaries on the basis of language and culture. Indian culture and the culture of the world are one and the same." (1)

Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 15, Talks on Prout

== Section 2: Links ==

Postings to Read

Fame today

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2013/10/hungry-for-praise.html

Prout's view of legalized cannabis

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2017/12/cannabis-am-3-more.html

Big difference: AM & Hinduism

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2015/09/my-travel-stories-mixing-up-hinduism.html

One Divine Entity & various names

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2014/01/simple-thing-but-few-cannot-understand.html

Humanity & planet Earth's future

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2014/09/revolutionary-marriage-when-earth.html

How to save oneself from the burden of memories

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2013/12/heavy-load-of-old-memories.html

Remedy for debased thinking + 2 more

Baba

Remedy for debased thinking

Namaskar,

When human beings become blindly infatuated with objects of enjoyment and lose all common sense, and get wholly absorbed in the pursuit of finite objects forgetting the infinite, they make the error of believing that the impermanent is permanent. This useless pursuit exhausts all their vital energy. They forget that no single object of the world is permanent. Some educated people say, “Well, I may not live long enough to enjoy all the pleasures of life, but my grandchildren will.” This yearning for the finite is caused by avidyá maya.” Basically avidyá maya means having a degrading effect on the mind. More about this is explained below. 
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Bad thoughts will multiply

When witnessing dark deeds, often one thinks, "That can't happen to me." Yet it is important to remember that those criminals in jail and those who have fallen were not born into such a condition. That degradation occurred little by little, as the tendencies of a debased frame of mind were further encouraged within their own self. When faced with troubling tendencies, if one does not recognise them and fend them off, then those degenerating tendencies will grow.

In the beginning, a lowly thought is small. Only that individual knows what lesser thoughts crop up in the mind. Others do not know. In this initial period, one must face and conquer those aspects of bad ways of thinking, and not let them grow. Thus one must know the technique of how to obliterate those debased thoughts - and that is detailed further down in this mailing. Because if one does not catch it and destroy it early on, then that degrading tendency will grow. Any bad thought or tendency can and will multiply into if not caught early on.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

No community leader thinks they will be exposed for their misdeeds; no spouse thinks they will get bound up and humiliated for being in an extramarital affair; and no student thinks they will be caught cheating on an examination. Similarly, no Wt can think that they may fall prey to a particular weakness. The key point to know here is that any thought or psychic tendency can erupt into a volcano if one is not vigilant and does not use Baba's sadhana. There are so many ways that degrading thoughts can sprout and bring about one's ruination. One lapse or one moment of poor thinking is enough to bring one's downfall. So one must recognise the issue, be vigilant in addressing the matter, and know the proper technique for gaining victory.


Remedy: take shelter in Parama Purus'a

No matter how big or how small one’s lowly tendencies are in life, there is one and only one solution. There is a singular way to escape from those ill effects.

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "Now how can you kill, how can you destroy this Ra'van'a? This depraving force, this degenerating force is “Ra'van'a.” How can you destroy the Ra'van'a? You can destroy this Ra'van'a only when you take shelter in Parama Purus'a. So “Ra'van'asya maran'am Ra'mah” here “Ra'ma” means “Parama Purus'a”. Without the help of Parama Purus'a one cannot destroy this ten-faced demon." (1)

Ananda Marga ideology states, "How can one be saved from crudification? Ra'van'a can be defeated, can be destroyed, only when one takes shelter in Ra'ma. That’s why He is Ra'van'asya maran'am: when one takes shelter in Parama Purus'a, Ra'van'a automatically dies." (2)

The only real solution to overcoming the degrading and harmful ways of thinking is to wholeheartedly ideate on Parama Purusa Baba. As soon as any debased idea comes in the mind, one should think of Him. Then everything will be fine - that tendency will dissipate - vanish.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

It is only when we think of Baba, that all degrading ways of thinking get eliminated as the mind is cent-per-cent involved in Him.


Conclusion

Sadguru Baba has given the solutions to all problems - including the solution to overcoming the degrading aspects of mind. The moment one recognises a negative tendency in the mind and eliminates it by thinking of Him, one will march along the path progress.

Ananda Marga ideology states, "Now, what is the duty of a sa'dhaka for spiritual enlightenment. The sa'dhaka will have to fight against Ra'van'a, against those debasing propensities which are the causes of illusion and cloud the spiritual vision of mankind. So to be established in Parama Purus'a, one will have to crucify Ra'van'a." (3)

Namaskar,
In Him,
Liiladhar


Represents the extroverted human

To bring this point to light, Baba makes an analogy from the Ra'ma'yan'a to show how many human beings are prone to depraving propensities.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Ananda Marga ideology states, "And what is Ra'van'a? In the Ra'ma'yan'a there is something regarding Ra'van'a. (The Ra'ma'yan'a is a mythological book, it is not history.) Ra'van'a means a ten-faced demon. That is, Ra'van'a represents the extroverted human mind moving, functioning, in ten directions – moving towards crudeness, away from the Nucleus – being drifted away by the centrifugal force." (4)

Thus whenever the mind loses its internal flow and allows tendencies like lethargy, jealousy, greed, or other degenerating forces to grab hold of the mind, it means that one has been influenced by their inner Ravana, that degrading tendency of mind.


Debasing propensities is called Ra'van'a

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "What is Ra'van'a? You know human mind has got both the subtle and debasing propensities. As subtler propensities are directed towards the Self, there is no question of their extroversial expressions. Only the debasing propensities of human mind are expressed in ten directions - east, west, north, south, north-east, north-west, south-east, south-west, above and below. The pu'rva, pashcima, uttar, daks'in'a, urdhva, and adhah are known as “Pradisha” in Sanskrit and Isha'na, Va'yu. Agni and Naert – these four corners are known as An'udisha. Six Pradisha and four An'udisha taken together are the ten directions in which microcosms express debasing propensities. As they are directed towards the mundane objects, the microcosm goaded with debasing propensities is called Ra'van'a." (5)

Thus, many human beings have both Rama - i.e. uplifting tendencies - and Ravana - i.e. debasing propensities. The aspect of Rama guides one towards the internal spiritual Goal, whereas the degrading tendencies of Ravana lead one towards so many mundane allurements and bad habits.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Rama & Ravana are evident in everyday life

This dramatic rift between Ra'ma and Ra'van'a is an everyday reality for many people. When one gets inspiration to quickly rise from the bed and do spiritual practice, that is due to the helping force of Rama. And when one decides to go back to sleep, that is the degrading tendency of Ravana. And if we think further we can see how this applies to so many daily events in life. For instance, do we express patience with others or do we quickly become frustrated and angry? Do we take time everyday to do svadhyaya or just spend time in mundane dealings?

Nearly each and every moment one is either being goaded in some or another direction - introversial flow of Rama, or extroversial flow of Ravana. Some of the time for people, Ravana is the dominant force. In this era of extreme materialism, many of the human population is moving fast towards external physicality. As an Ananda Margii, one must take steps not to get affected by that flow. To this end, vigilance and awareness is needed.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Prone to bad habits

Many are prone to falling into bad habits or bad ways. This is a fact of life - not just some theory but the practical reality for so many people. That bad characteristic might be lethargy, jealousy, or greed etc. Most have some inner weakness or degrading proclivity. Numerous people experience it - in one way or another. So one should learn Baba's direct remedy for curing oneself of such tendencies or ills, lest those tendencies grow and take over the whole personality. Then one will get success in overcoming that habit / tendency. 

References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam, part 12, Names of the Lord
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam, part 1, “Krśńa” and “Ráma”
3. Subhasita Samgraha, part 18, The Lord and His Name
4. Ananda Vacanamrtam, part 1, “Krśńa” and “Ráma”
5. Subhasita Samgraha, part 18, The Lord and His Name

*        *        *

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 ==

I have opened the doors

Note: Only those bhaktas who feel a deep spiritual vibration in their heart can understand this song in the depths of their core.

"Priyo ámár, keno náhi ele mor ghare, janam janam dhare, 
jege áchi tava tare, priiti pradiipe..." (Prabhat Samgiita #4765) 

Purport:

O’ my Parama Purusa, why did You not come to my home. By Your blessing, I remain awake for You birth after birth, age after age, holding the lamp of love which is filled with heartfelt longing for You. My most Adored, why have You not come to my abode.

O’ Parama Purusa, You are that Supreme Entity - the mohan of my soul. To receive You, I have decorated a'lpana' on the pathway of Your arrival. I have also spread the colourful fragrant pollen of the niip flower on the entrance gate of my home in honour of Your reception. Baba, by Your sweet will, I have trained the peacock of my manan so that my mind can dance with pure bhakti and ideation for You. 

O’ my Parama Purusa, by Your mercy I have pulverised the noose of that chain of samskaras. I have unlocked all the boosts and opened the doors of my home. By Your ahaetukii krpa', I have removed all the obstacles and bondages which were on my path towards divinity - towards You. After overcoming all fear and public shyness, with immense attraction and longing, I have desperately called You with a very strong desire. Baba, by Your kindness, now that I am chanting Your name with my inner self, I can see You present in my core. You are so gracious - my Dearmost. Please reside eternally in my I-feeling…


Notes for Prabhat Samgiita #4765:

[1] A'lpana': These are the colourful motifs, sacred art, or decorative painting done on a horizontal surface (walkway, patio etc) on auspicious occasions. Those who have attended DMC might have witnessed how on the footpath across the stage leading up towards Baba's dais there are some very decorative, colourful, attractive designs. In an artistic manner there is a brilliant array of flower pollen, flower petals, or any colorful scented fragrance which are soft and upon which someone can walk comfortably. This beautiful and colourful decoration is known as a'lpana' and it is meant to pay high respect and adoration to the Divine Entity. In our Marga this is used for Baba's holy and auspicious arrival. 

[2] 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)

Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 49 (Pure), Non-Causal Blessing

== Section 3: Important Teaching ==

Duty of Renaissance movement

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "In the social sphere there are several sub-strata, and the real spirit of social progress is to dispel all social disparities. Each and every member of the human society should enjoy equal rights as members of the same family, but there is disparity and it is the duty of the Renaissance movement to dispel the disparity and bring about equality, equilibrium and equipoise amongst human beings."

"There are disparities, disparities of different types and different kinds. For instance, there are biological disparities existing in the society, which are being encouraged by certain selfish persons. The biological disparity between human and animal, between human and plant, between animal and plant – that disparity must not be there. Just as a human being wants to survive, a pigeon also wants to survive – similarly a cow also wants to survive, or a tree. Just as my life is dear to me, so the lives of created beings are also equally dear to them. It is the birthright of human beings to live in this world, and it is the birthright of the animal world, and plant world also, to remain on this earth. To recognize this right, and to get it recognized by the entire human society, the Renaissance movement will have to do something concrete." (1)

Reference
1. A Few Problems Solved - 7, Renaissance in All the Strata of Life

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Mayan civilization: link between east & west

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "At one time, the ancient Mayan civilization of America was more advanced than many other civilizations, but because they lagged behind in the invention of the wheel, they were forced in subsequent times to acknowledge their defeat at the hands of other civilizations. The oldest existing artifacts of the Mayan civilization give evidence to advanced ways of life but no wheel. One should keep in mind that the Sanskrit name for America, Mayadviipa, came from the name of the Mayan civilization. During the Chola, Pa'n'd'ya, and Pahlava dynasties of the Indian Middle Ages there was contact between America and India--this was before Columbus' discovery of America." (Shabda Cayanika - 1, p.87) 

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Teaching your children to be liars

   Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Today parents may rightly say, “We have almost no vital energy left after exchanging blows and counter-blows with life. We have no chance to mould the minds of our children with the care and tenderness of our hearts. All the sweetness and finer sensibilities of our minds have been sucked dry by the harsh realities of life. How can we take care of our children? We cannot even provide them with proper food and clothing. How can we know what they are thinking? Do we have the time to understand anything properly at all? We know children should be taught through the medium of play and entertainment, both at home and outside, but is it possible for us to do that? We even have to disturb our talented son at his studies to send him to the grocer’s to buy salt, cooking oil, spices, etc. We know it is wrong, but there is no alternative, for keeping a servant is beyond our means.”"
   "There may be some truth in this, but it is not the point at issue here. In order to develop a healthy outlook, the most important thing children need is robust idealism. To impart this, parents require only two virtues: self-restraint and good judgement. Let us discuss good judgement first."
   "When the parents are about to go on a trip or go to a show, or when they are invited to a pleasant function or a social outing, the children may start whining or nattering to accompany them. At such times many parents tell lies without a qualm; somehow they dupe their children and leave. When the children realize what has happened, they also learn to tell lies; and to hide their intentions or their actions from their parents, they gradually start lying more and more." (1)

Note: Without realising it, parents teach their children both good things and bad things. Being an ideal parent is not easy. Unknowingly parents often teach their children the ways of lies and deception.

Reference
1. Human Society - 1, Education

== Section 4: Links ==

Postings to Read

Prout's view of legalized cannabis

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2017/12/cannabis-am-3-more.html

Big difference: AM & Hinduism

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2015/09/my-travel-stories-mixing-up-hinduism.html

One Divine Entity & various names

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2014/01/simple-thing-but-few-cannot-understand.html

Humanity & planet Earth's future

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2014/09/revolutionary-marriage-when-earth.html

How to save oneself from the burden of memories

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2013/12/heavy-load-of-old-memories.html

Fame today + 5 more

Baba

Fame today

Note: To understand this letter a subtle mind is needed. Those not sincere in sadhana may not understand this topic, unfortunately.

Namaskar,

In our human society, there is no dearth of "celebrities". In politics, Hollywood / Bollywood, big business, sports, and social media influencers etc, there are all kinds of so-called heroes who are famous throughout the globe. They are thought of as being great and magnificent. They are revered all over and receive huge attention.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Yet hardly anyone knows the truly great personalities who come onto this earth and teach and guide humanity and pioneer new fields of knowledge. They are mostly overlooked in their lifetime. Some of our esteemed acaryas and margii brothers and sisters are working tirelessly to uplift humanity, and they too are basically unknown to the general public.

What is the reason behind this? Why are self-engrossed stars embraced by the general public, whereas selfless, well-wishers of humanity are overlooked by society.

Wild animals not awed by humans

The operative factor is the level of public consciousness and the common psyche. People can only appreciate what they are able to understand. To appreciate subtler ideals, one must be somewhat elevated—yet the common public is low-minded. This is not a criticism of society, just the fact.

That is why people commonly express unbridled adulation towards stars dominated by animalistic propensities. Because when the general public themselves are enthralled with money, alcohol, and sensual desires then their heroes are going to be those who personify those tendencies. Those more elevated will never be appreciated by the common people.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Ananda Marga ideology states, "The common people misunderstand great people who act on their behalf and for their welfare, or even if they understand them, they do not give them their support." (1)

What the common people think to be great is not great, and when true greatness is right in front of them, they are mostly oblivious to it. It is just like if a human being walks out into the forest then those animals will not feel a sense of awe when in the presence of that human being. They will not think he is great. Because those animals cannot conceive of anything beyond animal life.

Public cannot recognise great people, only lowly characters

100,000 might attend a rock concert or a sporting event, and only 3 people may show up to attend one of our talks on meditation. Even then we should not be concerned and think that we have failed in some way. The fact that only a few people attended our AMPS event is not indicative of our ability or quality, but rather it reflects the interests and mindset of the people.

We must always remember that the ideal and message of our Ananda Marga is far above the public standard. They are unable to recognise it for what it is. That is why so few attend programs of bhagavad dharma. Indeed it would be of concern if suddenly we were embraced by the public and written up in magazines and honoured etc. That would mean we had fallen from our ideal and had somehow gotten wrapped up in lesser activities.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

In this day and age, people eagerly run after Tik-Tok fame, Hollywood movies, liquor, tall-talkers, McDonald's and sensual pleasures—not the dharmic teachings of sadvipras or Mahasambhuti. So it would be of great concern if suddenly we were very popular.


Conclusion

To gain their adulation, one will have to plunge themselves in all kinds of degrading behaviour. By this entire posting and all of Sadguru Baba's divine teachings, we can understand that as sadhakas we should not seek out the praise of the common people. The general populace is of a lesser psychic standard. And the philosophy of Ananda Marga is of such heights that the common cannot understand.

Namaskar,
in Him,
Manoranjan

Story: villagers supported conniving headmaster

Sadguru Baba's below story sheds light on how the common public becomes enthralled with lowly people and cannot recognise those who are really great. 

Once there was a fierce contest between two headmasters from neighbouring villages in Burdwan district. It was also a contest between the villages themselves, for each claimed that its headmaster was the most learned. The contest took place in a field between the two villages.

One of the headmasters was a just and learned man, the other was a cunning fellow and a master of deceit. It was the latter who first addressed the gathering.

“Ladies and gentlemen, being the underdog in this contest I humbly request you to permit me to ask my opponent the first question.”

“Certainly,” said the crowd. “A man of your humility should undoubtedly ask the first question.”

“Could you tell me the meaning of ámi jáni ná?” [Note: Ámi jáni ná means “I don’t know” in Bengali.] the cunning headmaster asked his opponent.

“I don’t know,” replied the learned headmaster.

The cunning headmaster cast a triumphant glance around the audience. “Ladies and gentlemen,” he declared, “I asked him a simple question to which he replied, ‘I don’t know’. Just see how ignorant he is.”

“True! True!” shouted his followers, throwing their umbrellas in the air and dancing stick-dances in joyful abandon. The junior village police officer was so elated that he offered to buy everyone sweets.

The cunning headmaster then said, “Let me give him another chance.”

“Certainly! Certainly!” shouted the crowd.

“Sir, what is required to make viváha?” [note: Viváha is the Sanskrit word for marriage.] asked the cunning headmaster.

“It’s quite simple really,” replied the learned headmaster, “ghaiṋ is required. That is, prefix vi plus vaha plus ghaiṋ is equal to viváha.”

The cunning headmaster glowed with delight. He peered at the crowd and said, “Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, you are experts in the ways of the world – I am a mere child compared to you. Have you ever heard of anything called ghaiṋ being required in a marriage ceremony?”

“No, no, of course not,” shouted his delighted followers. “We’ve never heard of such a strange thing.”

“Let me tell you what is required in a marriage ceremony. Let’s see… a priest, a holy stone, sacred fire, new clothes, towels, baskets, and so on, but nothing like a ghaiṋ. My fourteen [[times]] two – that’s, er, that’s fifty-two – generations [[of ancestors]] have never heard of this peculiar ghaiṋ thing.”

The crowd burst into applause. “Well said! Well said!” they shouted. “You are the most learned headmaster. Congratulations. You’ve won the contest.” (2)

References
1. Human Society - 2, The Vaeshya Age
2. Shrii Sarkar's Short Stories - part 1, The Headmasters' Contest

*        *        *

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 ==

Calling You

"Tumi nandan-manthan candan sa'r a'j eso prabhu ghare a'ma'r..." (Prabhat Samgiita #4394)

Purport:

Baba, O’ Parama Purusa, You are the most endearing and charming Entity and as sweet as the essence of nectar. Please come to my home today. I have decorated my entire house for Your reception - for the occasion of Your august arrival. I have opened all the doors and windows of the abode of my heart, along with the thousand petals of the white lotus. I have decorated the pitcher with mango branchlets and leaves. All done with the hope that You will come in a gracious mood.

O’ Parama Purusa Baba, I do not know the protocol for welcoming You, nor how to receive You in a grand way. You are anadi, beginningless, so Your lineage is not known to me. I never heard of Your gotra. And there are no particular scriptures, rituals, or dos and don'ts for chanting Your name, and calling You. So with my ista mantra I am calling You with tears in my eyes.

O’ Parama Purusa Baba, I came to know that You are vast. Your idol cannot be made and You do not have an abode in any tiirtha. I never heard of any pilgrim that You like. So It is useless to search for You in the various holy lands. For all these reasons, I have created the atma'-tiirtha: Your seat in my soul. In that very divine temple, my mind is dancing, overwhelmed in the bliss of having You. Baba, please come in an attractive and exquisite way. Kindly come in my heart, I have been waiting for You since ages...

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Dark history led to backlash against religion
 
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "In the absence of knowledge of common psychology, people of different religions try to destroy other religions. This has resulted in the spilling of rivers of blood. In ancient India the Aryans tried to impose their own Vedic religion on the Austric community. In the Buddhist era, particularly during the reign of King Bimbisára, Buddhism was imposed on other religions. Later, the followers of the Sanátana Hindus forcibly converted the Buddhist and Jains into Hinduism. During Moslem rule Islam was imposed on India, Persia and Egypt. Similarly, countless Jews were converted into Christianity. During the British period attempts were made by Christian missionaries to subvert Hinduism and impose Christianity on the indigenous population. All this led to mutual animosity in the world of religion." (1)

Reference
1. A Few Problems Solved - 2, Human Society Is One and Indivisible – 2

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Who has this hurdle in meditation

Ananda Marga ideology says, "Most people are well acquainted with the fourth state of mind (eka'gra). In this state the human mind sometimes becomes exalted with divine sweetness; and sometimes becomes as debased as an infernal creature. Sometimes it keeps company with good people and takes a resolve never to tell lies, accept bribes, get intoxicated, or become characterless; and sometimes it thinks that honesty and virtue are sheer folly, for happiness lies in falsehood, taking bribes, stealing, promiscuity, and the like. The mind is continuously tossed between good and bad. But when the practice of sa'dhana' inspires one to accept shreya (path of benevolence) as one’s ideology, one attains the true state of eka'gra bhu'mi. In this state waves upon waves of citta emerge."

Sha'ntaditao tulyapratyayao cittasyaeka'girata'parin'a'ma

Ananda Marga ideology says, "Every newcomer to the path of sa'dhana' suffers from a lack of concentration of mind. After repeating the is't'a mantra a couple of times hundreds of undesirable thoughts flood the mind. The newcomer thinks, “I am unable to attain the One on whom I meditate, and instead am pestered by those objects I do not want.” The hand counts the beads, the lips mutter the name of the is't'a, but the mind roams in the filth of hell. When all the undesirable waves are removed from the mind, one blissful wave begins to flow, and the sa'dhaka attains the state of eka'gra bhu'mi." (1)

Note: If in sadhana a person is not one-pointed (eka'gra means "one-pointed") it means they are not repeating their mantra in a proper manner. It means they are lacking sincerity and regularity of practice.

Reference

1. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 9, Cognitive Force and Psychic Practice

== Section: Prabhat Samgiita ==

हे प्रभु, बाबा ! यह पूरा संसार  तुम्हारे अलौकिक खेल का एक गेंद है।

प्रभात सङ्गीत  4380 मनेरि गहने तुमि आछो, आछो प्रभु सदा जेगे आछो…

भावार्थ हे प्रभु, बाबा ! तुम मेरे मन की गहराई में हमेशा रहते हो। तुम मुझे कभी अकेला नहीं छोड़ते। मैं कभी भी अकेला नहीं हॅूं। तुम हमेशा सजग रहते हो। दिनरात काम करते हो, समय असमय सदा काम ही करते हो। तुम कभी रुकते या थकते नहीं हो। हे मेरे प्रभु ! तुम जो करना चाहते हो वही करते जाते हो।

हे परम पुरुष ! यह पूरा संसार  तुम्हारे अलौकिक खेल का एक गेंद है। तुम्हारा न अन्त है और न प्रारम्भ। तुम अपने ही आनन्द के बहाव में हमेशा मस्त रहते हो । तुम सबके लक्ष्य हो । तुम चाहते हो, जो मोह निद्रा में हैं वे जागें । तुम सभी के साथ रहते हो। तुम्हारी लीला अनोखी है ।

बाबा, हे प्रभु ! वे जो तुम्हारे ध्यान, मनन, निदिध्यासन, चिन्तन आदि सात्विक कार्य करते हुए तुम्हारे पास आना चाहते हैं केवल वे ही तुम्हारी करुणा और कृपा को पा सकते हैं।

बाबा ! तुम तो कृपा के सागर हो। तुम हमेशा मेरे साथ रहते हो। मैं तुम्हारे पवित्र चरणों में अपना सब कुछ समर्पित करता हॅूं। 

== Section: Important Teaching ==

The razor's edge is for whom

Uttiśt́hata jágrata prápya barán nibodhata;

Kśurasya dhárá nishitá duratyayá durgaḿ pathastat kavayo vadanti.

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "This path of supreme attainment is said to be a path like a razor’s edge. To tread the path of Dharma is to move on the razor’s edge. Ordinary people might say that they are bereft of intellect, that they are ignorant; how can they move on the razor’s edge? Again they would like to know the way out, and the way out is devotion. Work with devotion, go ahead with it. Wherever there is devotion, there is Paramátmá. For jiṋániis (those who want to realize God only with intellect) and logicians, the path of Dharma is a razor’s path, but, for sádhakas (spiritual practitioners), it is like a flower. Since God is attainable only by devotion, therefore He is with you. Victory will certainly be yours." (1)

Namaskar,

In Baba's above teaching, He is guiding us that a razor’s edge is impossible to travel across. For intellectuals the path to God is a razor’s edge because with their ego and limited intellect they try to figure out how to reach God, and that is impossible. Thus, for them, the path to oneness with God is a razor’s edge. It is painful and you cannot make one mistake. It is a sharp, thin line, impossible to follow.

However, if an aspirant follows their spiritual practices and remain steadfastly focused on God with bhakti, the path to Him is attainable. For bhaktas, the path is like a flower - sweet and joyous. So sadhakas should not try to try to figure everything with their own petty ego. By sincrely attending to spiritual practices and one may cultivate bhakti, by His grace. Then the path to Him will unfold before you like a flower. So every sadhakas should belong to Him - surrender the unit "I" to Parmaa Purusa - and He will belong to you.

This is what I believe Baba is telling us in this passage.

In Him,

Bhaskar

Reference

1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 1, Uttiśt́hata Jágrata...

== Section 3: Links ==

Postings to Read

Prout's view of legalized cannabis

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2017/12/cannabis-am-3-more.html

Big difference: AM & Hinduism

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2015/09/my-travel-stories-mixing-up-hinduism.html

One Divine Entity & various names

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2014/01/simple-thing-but-few-cannot-understand.html

Humanity & planet Earth's future

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2014/09/revolutionary-marriage-when-earth.html

How to save oneself from the burden of memories

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2013/12/heavy-load-of-old-memories.html