Baba
Valentine: debased occasion
Namaskar,
The pseudo-culture “holiday” of Valentine’s Day is celebrated in many parts of the world on 14 February. As sadhakas, we should clearly understand the forces at play so we can best guide the society. After all, if the disease is not understood, the patient cannot be cured. Similarly, we should know the modus operandi, i.e. degrading tactics, of events like Valentine’s Day so we can lead people onto the path of sadhana.
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Path of negative pratisaincara
There are basically two paths in life: the one of baser propensities towards animality, and the one of refined inclinations towards divinity. On the cycle of brahmacakra, human life emerges from animal life. So people are well acquainted with those degrading animalistic tendencies. Falling prey to those attractions does not take any skill. Already they are lured in that direction.
That is why many readily embrace Valentine’s Day because it is grounded in mundane, sensual allurement. Valentine’s Day is all about exciting the lower propensities which in turn invites their psychic degeneration. People are misled to believe that worldly passion will bring them happiness and if they have a happy Valentine’s Day then their life will be fruitful and joyous. But those beastly propensities can never satisfy human longing. And as their mind becomes fully involved in those bodily desires, they march quickly on the path of negative pratisaincara, i.e. back towards animal life. That is the “gift” of Valentine’s Day. Yet sadly people are goaded in that direction and become enamoured with Valentine’s Day.
So those involved suffer; and, side by side, another horrible outcome is that impressionable youths get indoctrinated into the materialistic notion that crude romance is everything. This is the value that gets imposed. Idealistic youths want to find love but ensnared by materialism they end up looking in the wrong direction. Pseudo-culture holidays like Valentine’s Day set off a vicious cycle that entices a large swath of society, from one generation to the next.
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And once they become indulged in that way, it is not an easy escape. Because when any negative vrtti like lust is encouraged, then that vrtti multiplies and grabs a greater hold of the mind. The person becomes more deeply entrapped.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “The peculiar nature of these...propensities is this: if they are given indulgence, they increase.” (1)
So these degrading propensities are no different from addictive narcotics; the more you take the more addicted you become. Unfortunately, all those debased vrttis surrounding Valentine’s Day have the same awful effect. People literally become drowned in those lustful desires and invite their ruination.
The path of tantra
The path of Ananda Marga tantra is entirely different. It is natural as it brings people further along the path of pratisaincara and leads them towards mukti / moksa, by the grace of the Supreme. And that is the natural movement of human life, from crude to subtle. All through one’s various animal lives one is progressing until finally they are blessed with human life. Those who succumb to materialism are dominated by baser propensities and revert back to animal live. Whereas those humans who adhere to the path of tantra progress and, ultimately, one day reach the Supreme rank.
One of the key elements for success is to understand that the mind should never be controlled by the bodily organs, i.e. degrading propensities. Valentine’s Day pushes one towards crude sensuality. In contrast, as sadhakas, we are taught that sex is for procreation and society building, not for pleasure or happiness. And that is the case with all of the lower propensities. We are not to indulge in those; rather we are to channelise the mind towards the higher realm through sadhana.
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Ananda Marga philosophy states, “The human propensities that operate in the mundane sphere are five in number: áhár [food], nidrá [sleep], bhaya [fear], maethuna [begetting progeny] and dharma sádhaná [spiritual practice]. Of these five, only the first four play a part in the lives of animals. The peculiar nature of these five propensities is this: if they are given indulgence, they increase. And they easily come under control with a slight effort; only in the initial stage, one must struggle a little to control them. Of these propensities, the first four are primarily physical and secondarily mental, and the fifth one is equally physical, mental and spiritual. The amount of the first four required for physical and mental health is minimal; but the need of the fifth, dharma sádhaná, is unlimited – the more the better. If the need for any of the first four is channelled into the fifth, then so much the better, there may no longer be any necessity for that propensity at all.” (2)
Doing more and more sadhana leads to unlimited bliss and happiness while the baser propensities submerge one in animality. As sadhakas, we have to practice and teach others that by exerting a little discipline initially then one can free oneself of the trappings of those degrading propensities. That means goading the mind towards the spiritual plane.
Remember the paths of asakti (worldly / crude attachment) and bhakti (love for Parama Purusa) are mutually exclusive. They cannot co-exist. If one gives in to the degrading ways of pseudo-culture mentalities like Valentine’s Day, there is no scope for bhakti. Both paths cannot be pursued simultaneously. So one should pay heed accordingly.
Conclusion
By adhering to Sixteen Points and the path of sadhana one will establish themselves in an ideological flow. And that will ensure one’s progress. Giving in to the dealings of Valentine’s Day is the antithesis. We should help others advance on the path and save them from reverting towards negative pratisaincara, i.e. animal life.
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Ananda Marga ideology states, "Human life, unlike animal life, is an ideological flow. Where there is no ideological flow, in that case, even if the physical structure is just like a man, he is not a man, but is an animal. So each and every human being must try his best to maintain the special status of humans. It is our first duty. It is our fundamental duty. This ideological flow must be maintained at any cost." (3)
In Him,
Prabakar
~ In-depth study ~
The modern version of “Valentine’s Day” is the brainchild of capitalists who are eager to employ sentiment to entice people to purchase their products. By this way they exploit the common people in a very indirect and cunning way. They say, “Show your loved one how much you are, by buying her this…”, or “If you really want to improve your romance treat her on Valentine’s Day etc.” By this way the business community sells massive diamond rings, flower bouquets, boxes of fancy chocolates, expensive dinners, etc. In the USA alone, this year consumers are projected to spend $29.1 billion dollars on Valentine’s Day.
Businesses create the psychic hunger in the customer's mind that, "You need these products". Capitalists do this with even the most unnecessary items. In response the innocent public feels that, "Yes it is very essential for me to have those things. I must purchase them." By this way capitalists empty the pockets of the unassuming masses.
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So the pseudo-culture holidays like Valentines’ Day are the invention of capitalists. Their sole aim is for the common people to run out to the stores and buy more products - i.e. special commercially produced items that give the message that this is what you need to have a happy Valentine’s Day.
Prout philosophy states, "Capitalists, in their singular or collective roles, exploit society through their gigantic propaganda machinery, and create unhealthy, artificial demands which not only poison the mind but encourage dangerous habits detrimental to psychic sanctity and expansion." (4)
Such a mentality is the cause of the invention of the growing phenomenon of Valentine’s Day. Because in this way capitalists get a huge benefit. And although it started in the western materialistic areas, now it is spreading step by step around the globe and the so-called third world countries strive to emulate so-called first-world states. So the disease of this capitalistic venture is being passed on to other places around the globe.
References
1. Namah Shiváya Shántáya, Disc: 16
2. Namah Shiváya Shántáya, Disc: 16
3. Subhasita Samgraha - 12, Man and His Ideological Desideratum
4. Prout in a Nutshell - 12, The Parts of the Economy
* * *
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 ==
He was hiding secretly
"Ta're go peyechi samgopane mor jiivane, jiivane, jiivane..." (Prabhat Samgiita #0286)
Purport:
Since eternity I have been searching for that divine Cosmic Entity-- Parama Purus'a. And today, by His grace, I have gotten Him secretly in my life, in my life, in my life. That invisible divine Entity, in the silent span of time, has been caught and held in my mind, in my mind.
Earlier I was unaware how close He was to me. Unknowingly, I was chanting His song and name. Yet He was hiding secretly, very secretly, in the depths of my mind. So I could not recognise His presence.
But due to His shimmering effulgence He could not remain hidden forever. His sublime radiance made Him recognized. And now I have received Him fully in my mind-- it is His grace.
He has tied me in a bond of love. In the deep core of my heart, He pulls and attracts me with His charming eyes. What an unforgettable love reflects in His eyes-- His charming eyes, His charming eyes.
Baba, Your exquisite form and colour bring the flow of nectar into my life. Baba, by Your divine grace, today I have gotten You and am holding You close...
== Section 3: Important Teaching ==
Religion captured by vested interests
Ananda Marga ideology states, "Dharma is based on the solid foundation of vigour derived from universal love. The goal of religion is a non-integral entity and as such there remains a narrow outlook. The goal of dharma, however, is infinite Brahma. So the pursuit of dharma increasingly expands one's vision. Sometimes a kind of alliance is noticed between religions but that is entirely an external alliance. The talk of synthesis of religions is totally absurd; it is merely an apparent show of honesty and grandiloquence to hoodwink the common people. Dharma is always singular in number, and never plural. So there is no question of religious synthesis in dharma. Religion is always plural in number – never singular. The synthesis of religions means their annihilation. Where impermanent entities are worshipped as the goal through various ritualistic paraphernalia, there is no scope for synthesis."
"Religion is practiced for the fulfilment of mundane aspirations. This is the reason why a class of clergymen emerged centring around the religion. Ultimately the adherents of these religions become mere tools in the hands of vested interests. With the awakening of nityánitya viveka in human minds and the opening of the door of scientific knowledge, it will not be possible to deceive the people in the name of religion or by holding out the lure of happiness in the next world. The vested interests are quite aware of this fact and hence strive to keep the masses lost in the darkness of ignorance. Like parasites, they manoeuvre themselves to misappropriate, by injecting fear and inferiority complexes, a lion's share of what the ignorant masses earn with their sweat and blood."
"Religious exploiters maintain an unholy alliance with the capitalistic exploiters. With hands upraised, a religious preceptor blesses the wealthy merchants for their future prosperity but refuses to see the faces of his poor disciples who fail to provide handsome prańámii (a fee for the priest's blessing). You will notice that in many religions mythological stories and fables are given more importance than science and rational ideas because they contain ample scope for exploitation of human weaknesses." (1)
Reference
1. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life, The Five Kinds of Conscience (Viveka)
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Military is indispensable
Prout philosophy states, “Everywhere in the manifested or unmanifested universe there is a ceaseless fight going on between Vidyá and Avidyá. For running a government we require strong military and police forces, for in society there is also the fight between Vidyá and Avidyá. Even within one’s self such a fight will continue. Those countries which cry for disarmament are also preparing within for war. Even after the establishment of a universal government we will require military and police forces for maintaining peace.” (1)
Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 15, Talks on Prout
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Does this happen in your sadhana
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: Important Teaching ==
Easy targets
Ananda Marga 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.” (1)
Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 18, Various Forms of Exploitation
== Section 4: Links ==
