Baba
Link between sadhana lessons
Namaskar,
Baba is the all-knowing Sadguru. So He understands that margiis may not be able to get proper sadhana guidelines from certain acaryas. To ensure that a margii's spiritual career does not get ruined, Baba has included dhyana guidelines and the pranayama chapter in general Ananda Marga books. By this way, any margii is able to correct the procedure of pranayama and dhyana. If anything was wrongly conveyed by an acarya when imparting or revising those lessons, the margii is empowered to fix that by reading Baba's books. This can be said only with regard to both fourth and sixth lessons.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
If an acarya told something that is not consistent with the printed teachings of fourth and sixth lessons, then one should rely upon the guidelines given in Caryacarya part 3 and Yoga Psychology. Verily, Baba has blessed us by including 4th and 6th lessons in general Ananda Marga books.
Pranayama & dhyana interlinked
Pranayama and dhyana are closely associated with one another. Dhyana is very essential for reaching the final goal of liberation. And to do proper dhyana, the 7th lesson of sahaja yoga sadhana - i.e. kumbhak pranayama - is needed. And 4th lesson pranayama also gets the mind pointed. With that pointed mind if a sadhaka practices dhyana then it will be vastly improved. Pranayama is very helpful for doing dhyana. These two lessons are closely linked.
Some WTs are very busy in social service projects and doing various types of business etc. They may not have proper time to read Baba's books or practice deep sincere dhyana for four five hours in their personal life, not even during upavasa. In that case, they may not give proper guidelines to their diksa bhai (initiates) - or any margii who is requesting sadhana guidelines.
On the point of pranayama and dhyana each and every margi should read Baba's books. Not only these two lessons, Baba has clearly written many important guidelines about practices like asanas, 16 Points, kiirtana, tandava, kaoshiki and so many things. These guidelines are available to all. So see the way Guru executes His work.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
What to bear in mind about pranayama
Included are some of Baba’s important guidelines about pranayama and dhyana, as well as related sadhana points. All lessons are helpful and should be done, but Baba has clearly stated in the Acarya Diary that pranayama and dhyana have a special link. That is why those not established in pranayama should not be taught dhyana. Without pranayama, one cannot reach the higher status in dhyana.
One important warning about pranayama is that the mind should be in a proper flow with the right ideation, otherwise pranayama will be detrimental. Doing pranayama in a debased state of mind will have a negative effect. At the same time one should not be overly worried or scared about doing pranayama either. It is a very important lesson that will boost one's sadhana. As previously noted, Baba says in Acarya Diary that these two lessons are interlinked. So pranayama should be done near the end of sadhana directly before one does their final round of dhyana. Pranayama is highly essential and it should be practiced immediately before dhyana.
Namaskar,
in Him,
Yogasiddhi
About sadhana, pranayama, & travel
Recently someone posed a query about doing pranayama during a commercial airline flight and here is the reply:
On a typical airline flight, the air is too dirty to do pranayama. No doubt there are varying degrees of cleanliness and dirtiness, but on the whole it is not healthy or beneficial to do pranayama on a public flight.
People are eating tamasik foods, drinking wine and alcohol, and those smells and vibrations spread throughout the cabin. There is an air purification or circulation system on every plane, but many of those tamasik smells (fish, meat, alcohol etc) and air molecules will reach your seat before going through the air purification system.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Plus there is so much bacteria floating around and so many germs that it is just not a good environment for pranayama. Flights are crowded, and people are involved in tamasik foods etc and breathing, belching, and creating flatulence etc.
All in all this is not the proper place for pranayama. Other lessons can be done, but not pranayama as you do not want to invite all that tamasik air and bacteria deep inside the lungs.
If you are the only one on the plane or if it is a chartered flight only for sadhakas, then it is ok to do pranayama. Otherwise it is better to find an alternate spot to practice pranayama. For instance, many flights are short and pranayama can be done upon reaching the destination.
If one is traveling across the planet, then there is most often a stopover for several hours. During that time, one should seek out and investigate the facilities in that airport. In many airports, there is a prayer room, meditation room, chapel, or even a yoga room. These are isolated quiet spaces where talking is not allowed, and anyone is welcome to visit and perform any spiritual practice or worship that they choose. This type of place is quite suitable for pranayama and all meditation lessons.
~ In-depth study ~
The way Guru executes His work
Unfortunately some acaryas tell margiis not to do sadhana more, otherwise you will become imbalanced and you will not be able to manage your mundane duties. But Baba never supports such a far-fetched claim. Rather Guru’s teaching is, Do maximum sadhana. So such type of misguided advice, margiis can rectify by referencing Baba's books.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Ananda Marga Caryacarya says, "Human life is for sa'dhana'." (1)
Baba describes practice of pranayama
Ananda Marga Caryacarya "Closing the eyes, sit in either siddhásana, padmásana or bhojanásana. Do bhútashuddhi. After doing ásana shuddhi, concentrate your mind on the point that the ácárya will fix. Then, after doing cittashuddhi, ideate on the first syllable of your Iśt́a mantra, press and close the right nostril with the thumb of the right hand, and draw in a deep breath through the left nostril. During inhalation, ideate that infinite vital energy is entering the point from the infinite Brahma who is existing all around. After taking a full breath close the left nostril with the middle, ring and little fingers, and, taking the thumb away from the right nostril, slowly let out the air (Ideate that the infinite vital energy is returning from the point to that Infinite Brahma). During exhalation ideate on the remaining syllable of your Iśt́a mantra. When the breath has been fully expelled from the right nostril, inhale as fully as possible again through the right nostril. Afterwards, closing the right nostril with the thumb and removing the fingers, exhale the air through the left nostril. This completes one round." (2)
Dhya'na becomes a time-consuming affair
Ananda Marga Caryacarya says, "There is an inseparable relationship between the va'yus of the body [ten basic energy flows] and the mind. Unsteadiness of respiration means unsteadiness of mind and vice versa. Pra'n'a'ya'ma is the scientific process to control respiration and hence the mind, as a result of which sa'dhana' is especially facilitated. The practice of dhya'na becomes a time-consuming affair if pra'n'a'ya'ma is not adequately practised." (3)
Pra'n'a'ya'ma is meant for sa'dhakas
Ananda Marga Caryacarya says, "The process by which the pra'n'as in the body are controlled is called pra'n'a'ya'ma. Pra'n'a, apa'na, sama'na, uda'na, vya'na, na'ga, ku'rma, krkara, devadatta, and dhanainjaya – the collective name of these ten vital forces is pra'n'a'h. If you wish to increase your apperceptive power you must control the pra'n'a'h. Through regular practice, the mind will become concentrated. Pra'n'a'ya'ma is meant for sa'dhakas – it is better for non-sa'dhakas not to take the risk of injuring themselves by doing pra'n'a'ya'ma." (4)
Paramártha can be achieved only by sadhana
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "One thing which helps in getting remission, or nivrtti, is called artha [that which provides temporary liberation from mundane desires]. But artha is purely physical, so it can bring only physical and temporary remission. For everlasting freedom from duhkha, Paramártha [that which provides permanent liberation] is the only remedy. Paramártha does not bring only temporary remission, but everlasting freedom from duhkha. Atyantikii nivrtti can be obtained only by Paramártha which relieves one of all duhkha: physical, mental and spiritual. This Paramártha can only be obtained by sadhana, that is, spiritual practices. For maintaining peace psychic equilibrium is necessary, and for maintaining this equilibrium freedom from all duhkha forever is necessary. Freedom from duhkha or atyantikii nivrtti can be obtained only from Paramártha, and Paramártha can be achieved only by sadhana, or spiritual practices." (5)
The fundamentals of pranayama
Here Baba provides us with some special questions and answers about the practice of pranayama.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Question: What is pra'n'a'ya'ma?"
"Answer: Pra'n'a'ya'ma is defined as:"
Tasmin sati shva'sa prashva'sayoh gativicchedah pra'n'a'ya'ma.
"That is, pra'n'a'ya'ma is the process of breath control along with the imposition of the ideation of Supreme Consciousness. It helps the mind in concentration and meditation." (6)
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Question: What is the spirit of pra'n'a'ya'ma?"
"Answer: Pra'na'n yamayati es'ah pra'n'a'ya'ma. That is, the word pra'n'a'ya'ma literally means “controlling the pra'n'a'h [vital energy]”. The psycho-philosophy behind the practice of pra'n'a'ya'ma is that the spiritual aspirant tries to let the pra'n'endriya [ten vital-energy currents] remain in a state of pause so that the paused unit mind will merge into the ocean of consciousness." (7)
Throughout His teachings Baba guides us that sadhana is the backbone of Ananda Marga ideology. In innumerable places, Baba describes this very fact.
References
1. Caryacarya - 2, Chapter 1, Point #4
2. Caryacarya - III, Pranayama
3. Caryacarya - 1, Sadhana, Point #4
4. Caryacarya - 3, Práńáyáma
5. A Few Problems Solved - 7, Social Psychology
6. Yoga Psychology, Questions and Answers on Meditation, Question #11
7. Yoga Psychology, Questions and Answers on Meditation, Question #12
* * *
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
* * *
== Section 2: Important Teaching ==
এর ৰেশি কিছু ৰলা যায় না
“মন্ত্র জিনিসটা আসলে হচ্ছে কি ? আমি উপায় না পেয়ে, ইংরেজিতে মন্ত্রের জন্য incantation শব্দটা ব্যবহার করেছি | কারণ যদি মূল ৰাংলা ব্যবহার করতাম, তাহলে মন্ত্র-শব্দটাই ব্যবহার করতাম | কারণ, ইংরেজি incantation শব্দটা ঠিক মন্ত্রের প্রতিভু নয় | ইংরেজিতে বা Roman-এ আমি ঠিক উপযুক্ত শব্দ কোনও খুঁজে পাইনি | Incantation শব্দটা হচ্ছে এমন কোনও একটা জিনিস যা মানুষ ৰার-ৰার ব্যবহার করে | এর ৰেশি কিছু ৰলা যায় না | কিন্তু সংস্কৃত বা ৰাংলা মন্ত্র শব্দটার মানে ৰলা হচ্ছে-- “মননাৎ তারয়েৎ যস্তু সঃ মন্ত্রঃ পরিকীর্ত্তিতঃ” | যাকে মনন করলে অর্থাৎ ৰার-ৰার ভাবলে, মানুষ ত্রাণের রাস্তা পেয়ে যায়, তাই হ'ল মন্ত্র |” (1)
Note: in His above teaching in Bengali, Sadguru Baba is teaching us that the terms mantra and incantation are not one and the same. An incantation is something someone may chant and sing over and over again - but to no real effect. In stark contrast, when a practitioner recites a mantra over and over again with full feeling then it leads to supreme realisation and salvation (moksa), by His grace. Thus, there is no equivalent word in the English language for the Samskrta term mantra. That is why, in their written and spoken expression, all sadhakas should use the term mantra, not incantation.
Reference
1. Morning General Darshan, [TP] Ananda Vacanamrtam Part 16, chapter 11, 14 Nov 1979, Silchar, W.B.
“মন্ত্র জিনিসটা আসলে হচ্ছে কি ? আমি উপায় না পেয়ে, ইংরেজিতে মন্ত্রের জন্য incantation শব্দটা ব্যবহার করেছি | কারণ যদি মূল ৰাংলা ব্যবহার করতাম, তাহলে মন্ত্র-শব্দটাই ব্যবহার করতাম | কারণ, ইংরেজি incantation শব্দটা ঠিক মন্ত্রের প্রতিভু নয় | ইংরেজিতে বা Roman-এ আমি ঠিক উপযুক্ত শব্দ কোনও খুঁজে পাইনি | Incantation শব্দটা হচ্ছে এমন কোনও একটা জিনিস যা মানুষ ৰার-ৰার ব্যবহার করে | এর ৰেশি কিছু ৰলা যায় না | কিন্তু সংস্কৃত বা ৰাংলা মন্ত্র শব্দটার মানে ৰলা হচ্ছে-- “মননাৎ তারয়েৎ যস্তু সঃ মন্ত্রঃ পরিকীর্ত্তিতঃ” | যাকে মনন করলে অর্থাৎ ৰার-ৰার ভাবলে, মানুষ ত্রাণের রাস্তা পেয়ে যায়, তাই হ'ল মন্ত্র |” (1)
Note: in His above teaching in Bengali, Sadguru Baba is teaching us that the terms mantra and incantation are not one and the same. An incantation is something someone may chant and sing over and over again - but to no real effect. In stark contrast, when a practitioner recites a mantra over and over again with full feeling then it leads to supreme realisation and salvation (moksa), by His grace. Thus, there is no equivalent word in the English language for the Samskrta term mantra. That is why, in their written and spoken expression, all sadhakas should use the term mantra, not incantation.
Reference
1. Morning General Darshan, [TP] Ananda Vacanamrtam Part 16, chapter 11, 14 Nov 1979, Silchar, W.B.
== Section: Important Teaching ==
How dharmikas are treated
Sadguru Baba says, “Great, Bha'skara'ca'rya was. People of his age didn't like it. Because you know, people who adhere to dogma, they do not like or they cannot tolerate ultra-modern ideas. They will say, "It is against the scripture; it is against the system"---they will say like this. And they won't tolerate it. It is the system of human society. And after their death, they appreciate their ideas. Galileo, Copernicus, Socrates---they were not honored during their time, in their lifetime. It is the norm.” (1)
Note: In His above teaching, Baba is guiding us how revolutionary thinkers are never appreciated or honoured in their lifetime; rather, they are mocked, tortured, and exiled. All because their ideas are far beyond the narrow outlook of the common people. However, with the review of history, those thinkers are embraced as great luminaries and the true seers who brought society forward into a brand new era. The same is the case with those dharmikas bringing forth Ananda Marga ideology. Baba’s teachings are entirely new and light years ahead of the common mass. So as Ananda Margiis we do AM pracara to please Him and let His will be fulfilled. In the due course, society will look back and realise how AM dharmikas wiped out the existing dogmas and ushered in a new era of peace and prosperity, by His grace.
Reference
1. NP, MGD 2 September 1971 Patna
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "There are people, however, who have opposite feelings. They burn in envy to see someone happy, and make an all out effort to put them in danger. On seeing someone in distress, they think: “Rightly served. As you sow, so you reap. Let their troubles augment.” Such human-shaped animals are prowling about in many fields of life, including the field of politics."
"There are some people who, on seeing someone engaged in noble work, try to stop that person; for example, when someone belonging to the opposite camp is trying to help the neglected, downtrodden, people badly hit by famine or flood, they think that [through their philanthropic acts] their adversaries may become popular, and so they must be opposed. There are people who, on seeing someone engaged in harmful activity or malevolent endeavours, encourage them in crude, bestial activities so that they can directly exploit the opportunity for their own benefit." (1)
Reference
1. Shabda Cayaniká Part 4, Disc: 27
== Section ==
Fake Vanii From Rudrananda (2018)
Namaskar,
Those followers of H group must have read the fake vanii. According to Baba's teachings the fake vanii will not give the benefit of a true Ananda Vanii. On the occasion of Ananda Purnima a true Ananda Vanii must be read.
For any reason if you are one of those who only read the fake vanii then you are on the losing side. The solution is that as soon as possible go and read at least one true Ananda Vanii to get proper virtue. If you do not have Baba's original Ananda Vanii book then that is not a problem - just click here and go and read at least one as this is the true Ananda Vanii collection. And in future everyone should be cautious and remember that fake vaniis will not do. Because fake is after all fake.
Further down in red font & yellow highlight is the fake vanii propagated by Rudranadna and his stooges and sycophants. They are always in search of one or another point to go against Baba, so they used a fake vanii on the occasion of Ananda Purnima to fulfill their nasty desires. So watch out. Remember, “Yato dharmah tato iśt́ah, yato iśt́ah tato jayah”. “Where there is Dharma, there is Iśt́a (Baba), and where there is Iśt́a (Baba), there is victory.”
Here below is that fake vanii propagated by Rudranadna and his stooges and sycophants
For a bhakta, only ápta vákya has value. What comes from Parama Puruśa is ápta vákya. When the devotee is able to hear, feel, realize and understand the will of Parama Puruśa through having developed a relationship of love with Him, it is called ápta vákya. As devotees, you should follow only ápta vákya. You should remember that the Sixteen Points are your ápta vákya.
If the above fake vanii is the only one you read for Ananda Purnima then be sure to click here and read a true Ananda Vanii.
in Him,
Pranav
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Can an impoverished person do vaeshyacita seva
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "Every human being gets more or less opportunity for rendering services. If a poor man thinks that he cannot render Vaeshyocita type of service because he is devoid of money he is wrong. The charity of a few paise of the poor has the same value as a thousand rupees from a millionaire. Indeed the charity of these few paise is greater. Lord Krśńa attached greater importance to a handfuls of grains from Vidura than to the sumptuous royal dishes of Duryodhana. Even so, everyone should render service to the world in accordance with their capacity and work for the welfare of the living beings to the best of their ability. Perform viprocita type of service by projecting your convictions to others as best as you can. Let every person perform the four kinds of service as much as possible. Adhyátma yajiṋa is an internal yajiṋa and ultimately it terminates in Paramátman, the original self.” (1)
Reference
1. Subhasita Samgraha -1, Yajiṋa and Karmaphala
== Section: News ==
On 12/31/16:
Victory: Dogmatic MPD appendix deleted from Caryacarya
Namaskar,
Unity Group (Third Front) have decided today in the meeting held in Anandanagar to print Caryacarya book without Mahaprayan Chapter.
It is a very good decision. Victory against Dogma.
At HIS Lotus Feet,
Devesh Kumar, Mumbai
- Courtesy of Ananda Marga Google Groups
Make it meaningful by your sadhana
Original Ananda Vanii states: “After millions of animal lives, a created being attains the human form. That is why all the sacred books speak of the rarity of human life. The wise properly utilize all objects and this utilization alone makes the existence of the object worthy. You have achieved the human frame. You must make it meaningful by your sádhaná, service and sacrifice. Engage yourself in such useful pursuits that even your worst enemies have hardly any chance to despise you. Utilize yourself in such a manner so as to satisfy yourself mentally, that you never wasted your time uselessly on this earth.” (Ananda Vanii #33)
Note: Sadguru Baba has assigned a number to all His original and true Ananda Vaniis. In contrast, Fake Ananda Vaniis do not have any number. By this simple formula, one can easily recognise which is a true Ananda Vanii and which is fake. For this occasion of January 1st 2017, all Ananda Marga units should use one of Baba’s original and true Ananda Vaniis, not a fake one. By this way, one will surely get His blessing.
Prout: World constitution
Prout philosophy states, “The formation of a World Government will require a world constitution. A charter of principles or bill of rights should be included in such a constitution and encompass at least the following four areas. First, complete security should be guaranteed to all the plants and animals on the planet. Secondly, each country must guarantee purchasing power to all its citizens. Thirdly, the constitution should guarantee four fundamental rights – spiritual practice or Dharma; cultural legacy; education; and indigenous linguistic expression. Fourthly, if the practice of any of these rights conflicts with cardinal human values then that practice should be immediately curtailed. That is, cardinal human values must take precedence over all other rights. All the constitutions of the world suffer from numerous defects. The above points may be adopted by the framers of different constitutions to overcome these defects. (1)
Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 12, Requirements of an Ideal Constitution
- Courtesy of Ananda Marga Google Groups
== Section: Ananda Vanii ==
Make it meaningful by your sadhana
Original Ananda Vanii states: “After millions of animal lives, a created being attains the human form. That is why all the sacred books speak of the rarity of human life. The wise properly utilize all objects and this utilization alone makes the existence of the object worthy. You have achieved the human frame. You must make it meaningful by your sádhaná, service and sacrifice. Engage yourself in such useful pursuits that even your worst enemies have hardly any chance to despise you. Utilize yourself in such a manner so as to satisfy yourself mentally, that you never wasted your time uselessly on this earth.” (Ananda Vanii #33)
Note: Sadguru Baba has assigned a number to all His original and true Ananda Vaniis. In contrast, Fake Ananda Vaniis do not have any number. By this simple formula, one can easily recognise which is a true Ananda Vanii and which is fake. For this occasion of January 1st 2017, all Ananda Marga units should use one of Baba’s original and true Ananda Vaniis, not a fake one. By this way, one will surely get His blessing.
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Prout: World constitution
Prout philosophy states, “The formation of a World Government will require a world constitution. A charter of principles or bill of rights should be included in such a constitution and encompass at least the following four areas. First, complete security should be guaranteed to all the plants and animals on the planet. Secondly, each country must guarantee purchasing power to all its citizens. Thirdly, the constitution should guarantee four fundamental rights – spiritual practice or Dharma; cultural legacy; education; and indigenous linguistic expression. Fourthly, if the practice of any of these rights conflicts with cardinal human values then that practice should be immediately curtailed. That is, cardinal human values must take precedence over all other rights. All the constitutions of the world suffer from numerous defects. The above points may be adopted by the framers of different constitutions to overcome these defects. (1)
Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 12, Requirements of an Ideal Constitution
== Section 3: Links ==
