Degrading tradition: April Fools’ Day + 4 more

Baba

Degrading tradition: April Fools’ Day

Namaskar,

There is a tradition in some countries like the US to perform pranks or practical jokes on April Fools’ Day. The only motive is to startle and harass the next person by conveying horrifying, concocted news to them. In turn, the prankster derives sadistic pleasure by seeing the traumatic reaction that news has caused the other party.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

In the human mind there are fifty main vrttis. And these fifty vrttis fall in two categories: positive and negative. And amongst the negative vrttis, some are extremely bad. And one of those extremely bad and negative ones is the sadistic mentality. To harass and mentally torture others by making pranks is the work of a sadistic mentality. Those who indulge in this and enjoy seeing others suffer are demons in human form. Ananda Margiis are sadhus. They feel other’s suffering as their own. So they cannot create problems for others. Rather they want to solve people’s problems. It is absolutely unthinkable for them to play a prank on someone.

“The police are impounding your vehicle”

Here below it is shown how this venomous propensity takes form to harass others:

#1: Mark walks up to Jason and says, “Hey, you own that black vehicle that is parked behind the building - right?” Then Jason replies in the affirmative, and Mark responds, “Well, you better do something quick because right now the police are impounding your vehicle.”

#2: Or they say, “I am very sorry to inform you that your son was found unconscious in the bottom of the swimming pool and he is now in the hospital.”

#3: Or they say, “There was a company recall on the food that you just ate. I am sorry I did not tell you earlier. It was announced all over the radio. People are dying of food contamination from this product.”

As an April Fools’ joke or prank, people say all sorts of untrue, outrageous things to others. In turn, the victim, or recipient of those outlandish claims, becomes unnerved and worried. And, with their heart beating fast, they become overwhelmed by anxiety and fear. And then the joker - upon seeing that their prank was successful - will cry out, “April Fools!!”
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

And not just on April Fools’ Day, but at various times people perform such types of pranks on others. Most often they do it with their close people, i.e. those who completely trust them. Because a prank works best when the person has implicit faith and trust in you. Such pranks are naively looked upon as being funny, or mischievous etc. The reality is that all these types of pranks are very harmful as they undermine a person’s trust. They erode that most basic human quality that is needed to form a bond between two people.

Punched by thugs on a dark night

For instance, Johnny was pulling pranks on his bosom buddy Kenny over and over again, until Kenny finally lost all trust inJohnny. And then look what happened when these following incidents transpired:

(A) One night when Johnny was cycling home from work, thieves attacked Johnny and punched him in the stomach numerous times and left him by the roadside. Johnny was keen to go home and see his bosom buddy Kenny and recount to him the horrors that he (Johnny) had been through. With the hope and expectation of finding solace and a sympathetic ear, Johnny speedily arrived home. Johnny was anxious to see Kenny and called out to him and they sat down together. With full feeling, Johnny conveyed to Kenny all that had happened and how terrible it was. And Johnny requested Kenny to accompany him to the police station to file a report. But, alas, Kenny did not believe one word of what Johnny said. All because Kenny thought this was yet another of Johnny's pranks.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

(B) After a few months, on the first of February, Kenny lost his wallet and asked Johnny about its whereabouts. Johnny replied that he had no idea where Kenny’s wallet was. Kenny did not believe Johnny. Rather, Kenny was quite frustrated and irritated with Johnny's response. And the dominant thought in Kenny's mind was that, "Johnny hid my wallet somewhere." Kenny figured that this was yet another one of Johnny's useless and foolish pranks. Since that day their friendship dissolved and they moved apart.

What is the operating factor? In the past Johnny did many pranks to Kenny and in result Kenny lost all trust in Johnny. And that distrust divided them and made them suspicious of each other. Such is the deleterious effect of pranks.


Conclusion

This sadistic propensity has no positive quality. Verily it is painful and bad from beginning to end. It harms others and ultimately creates suspicion and distrust amongst people. And one day, if some serious incident really does happen, then people think that the next person is joking. Just like the boy who always cried wolf and then when the wolf really came nobody believed him. So these types of pranks are very bad and one should never do them.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

In Him,
Turiiya
(Tom Edwards)

These types of pranks fall within the realm of avidya tantra as their sole intent is to cause harm to others.

~ In-depth study ~

Our Ananda Marga is focused on building a bright, new human society. And for that, maximum trust between people is indispensable. And trust is built and maintained in all kinds of small and big ways. It takes time to build trust, yet it can be shaken and destroyed with pranks.

These days materialism has come to the forefront, and with that people have become highly suspicious with one another. All trust has been lost as people will do and say anything to get ahead of others on the point of material wealth and prestige etc. Even neighbors may not trust one another. Such is the ill effect of materialism. The very basic building block of humanity is lost.

As Ananda Margiis, we are to be lighthouses for a life based on human unity - where people have inherent trust in their fellow human beings. And for that we have to develop ourselves in all sorts of ways, and especially through sadhana and service. And we have to conduct ourselves in all kinds of ways that engender trust. And that means refraining from and not supporting any type of prank or practical joke.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Sadguru Baba says that dharma must even be reflected in our humour.

Ananda Marga philosophy states, “When the tendency towards acquisition in the physical world is extremely strong, people’s tendency to assimilate spiritual or intellectual things is usually noticeably weaker...Separated by the iron walls of suspicion, people cannot trust each other. The present-day materialism has brought humanity to this predicament. Its consequences are dreadful.” (1)

Ananda Marga Vanii states, “People have great expectations from their fellow human beings. In order to fulfil those expectations, go on working without the least respite. Remember that a healthy human society, free from exploitation, hatred and malice, must be built. In this great task, the blessings of Parama Puruśa are sure to be with you.” (2)

References
1. Namah Shivaya Shantaya, Shiva’s Teachings – 1 (continued) (Discourse 10)
2. Ananda Vanii #35

*        *        *

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 ==

Sleep eases sense of loss & pain

Ananda Marga ideology states, “Although bodily pleasures are perceived by the mind in the wakeful state, the objects of such pleasures always come from without, with the result that the privations of the external world will always stand in the way of real happiness, as the external world cannot always supply objects in accordance with the desires and wishes of the mind. Due to this the mind has to run up and down in search of them. It becomes very agitated in the process and peace becomes an impossibility. The influence of the external world is absent during the dreamful state, accordingly the amount of pleasure is due to want of efferent desires in the mind or increased organs (for that matter here the desire is not afferent either). In the state of sleep, as the internal activities of the mind are substantially less, the amount of happiness (Static happiness) is proportionately increased.” (1)

Note: In life, sometimes tragedy comes. This happens to everyone. And you might have experienced what Baba explains in the above teaching. If you lost your wallet and after that you fell asleep then at least during that time of sleep you got some relief. For this reason, those whose life is inundated with problems want to sedate themselves by sleeping a lot.

Reference
1. Subháśita Saḿgraha Part 2, The Intuitional Science of the Vedas – 4

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Divine communication or psychic phenomenon

Ananda Marga philosophy states:

"Q. 58. Who receives the answer or remedy at the time of staging a dhárańá?"

"Ans.: – Once the conscious and sub-conscious minds are inactive the remedy is received from the all-knowing Casual Mind. The ectoplasmic mind will take the shape of anything which is ideated upon with a specific aim, with sincerity and with proper concentration. While staging a dharńá the kamamaya and manomaya kośas become partially suspended and a vision of knowledge occurs (like a particular type of dream state) originating from the Causal Mind. In that dream state the person receives the answer to any question he/she may have asked about medicine or other matters."

"Those staging a dharńá are convinced that a certain deity will give the cure for a disease or answer any question they may ask. Therefore, when the answer comes, they naturally conclude that it was given by that very same deity. In fact, this vision of the deity, like the vision of the ghost, is simply a play of the mind. After being told about the greatness of a particular god or goddess a person will go to make offerings and will often receive the expected cure or answer. There is no question of a god or deity being involved here; God had nothing to go with what happened. It is purely a psychic phenomenon. The effectiveness of the cure or answer depends upon the degree of concentration of the mind." (1)

Reference
1. Ananda Marga Philosophy - 3, Some Questions and Answers on Ananda Marga Philosophy – Excerpt B, Q & A #58

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Shockingly dangerous people

Ananda Marga ideology states, “The vanity expressed by the so-called civilized human beings of today is extremely dangerous. These people hide the cruder propensities of the mind under the cloak of sweet words and decent behaviour. They are more harmful to the well-being of the human race than the so-called uncivilized humans, because they are hypocrites. The defects of the uncivilized humans pale into insignificance before their abominable hypocrisy. The uncivilized humans of the past may have killed twelve people at most in the battles they fought with bows, arrows, sticks and spears, but the so-called civilized human beings of today kill millions of unarmed, innocent people indiscriminately with their dreadful and lethal weapons. Human society of today is being exploited by the so-called civilized people. Such people should not make themselves look ridiculous by claiming otherwise.” (1)

Reference
1. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 8, Struggle and Progress

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Prout against capital punishment
 
Prout philosophy states, “You know that nothing is perfect in this universe of relativity. So it is quite natural that the judicial system of the world, whether in the past, present or future, can never be perfect. Therefore nobody should be given capital punishment on the basis of this imperfect system.”
 
“Each and every individual, whether they are a criminal or not, can claim a chance to rectify their conduct from the society. So in PROUT’s legal structure everybody should get ample scope for rectifying their character and conduct. If a person is condemned to capital punishment, he or she won’t get such scope, so PROUT denounces this sort of punishment.”
 
“But in very special cases, where a person has become a demon and is going against the collective interest and there is no chance of rectification, circumstances may arise which warrant capital punishment. For example, during war this exception may sometimes be permissible. But generally we should not support this punishment on principle. Punishment should be appropriate to the offense.” (1)
 
Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 15, Talks on Prout

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Who is aware of their intellectual limitations

Ananda Marga ideology states, “Undeveloped human beings consider themselves to be very intelligent and thus at every step they invite innumerable obstacles in the material world. Later on, after climbing some rungs up the ladder of evolution, they realize form the core of their hearts the hollowness of their psychic capabilities. It is the natural rule of the universe that those who possess immense knowledge are quite conscious of their intellectual limitations, whereas people with superficial knowledge think just the opposite. The genuine way of learning for seekers of knowledge is to consider always that they know nothing.” (1)

Reference
1. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 10, The Cardinal Spirit of Action and the Supreme Stance of Devotion

== Section: Bangla Quote ==

ৰার-ৰার ভাবলে
“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)

Reference
1. Morning General Darshan, 14 Nov 1979, Silchar, W.B

== Section 3: Links ==

Postings to Read

Prout on education & crime

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2018/04/widespread-violence-remedy.html

Prout's strategy to avert ecological catastrophes

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2019/06/how-to-stop-man-made-disasters-2-more.html

Science of essential AM practice

• https://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2014/12/asana-longevity-all-around-health.html

Prout on education & crime + 4 more

Baba

Prout on education & crime

Namaskar,

Suppose two people not known to each other are travelling together on a train. When one thinks that if, for some reason, he suffers from a heart attack while on the train, then his hope is that the person beside him will take care of him by calling other people for help, and ensure his well-being. This is an illustration of brotherhood, faith, and belief among each other.

In contrast, what happens in today’s society is that the person thinks that if he will suffer a heart attack while on a train, the person next to him will take his belongings and run away or will throw him out of the train and take all the belongings. This is an example, but in society there are many instances where such mistrust exists, and many such incidents happen because of lack of brotherhood among people.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

One of the reasons is the lack of a proper education system. A paid and privatized system of education results in unhappiness, violence, inferiority / superiority complex, and results in dangerous activities happening in the society.

Which education system is better?

How should the education system be? In some countries, parents pay for their children’s education till university level (system A). In other countries, parents do not pay, rather student loans are available for higher education (system B). Which education system is better? Ideally, if we look objectively, neither system is correct, because in both systems the rich take advantage. Let us consider system A.

==> System A: rich take advantage

India is an example. A disparity exists in education among children. Children of rich people go to private schools which are highly paid, where the teacher-student ratio is high, and students are given better facilities etc. Whereas children of poor people go to public schools where basic facilities are not available. The majority of public school students do not get the exposure to pursue higher education in the future. Whereas the majority of private school students do get a chance to pursue higher education. But the problems in private schools are even more complex. There are different types of private schools.

One who is very rich sends students to very expensive private schools, and one who is somewhat rich sends their children to medium to less expensive private schools. There are different grades of private schools, and even from primary school rich people send their children to private schools depending on their capability. Rich people not only send their children to private schools, but also provide exposure to other activities such as sports, music classes etc.. This provides their children with a vision about what direction their future lives might take. 
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Unending cycle of poverty: crime

So a differential gap exists between children of rich and poor people. Generation after generation of children of poor people remain poor and their development with proper education remains highly unlikely. Even if they do get any job then those jobs will be low paid, and they will struggle to fulfill their basic requirements such as acquiring and maintaining their home, taking care of their children and family etc.

When the basic necessities of the poor are not fulfilled then they look for other ways to earn money. Other ways to earn money will be through unfair means such as being a thief, by cheating others, and being involved in bribery etc. They become either servants of rich people or work for them. In these circumstances, it is always the case that the boss is the richest person whereas the agents are very poor. For example, the chief of thieves is the richest person, but people who work for him are very poor. They search for means as to how they can get more money for the boss such that their share will increase. By these types of wrongdoings, the society becomes a place where peace is hard to find. The root cause of this situation in society can be attributed to the improper education system. Due to the wrongdoings of some people, everybody faces harmful consequences.

Rich person also killed

Example-1: We often see in newspapers from many countries that a rich person was surrounded by thieves, and the aftermath was that the rich person was killed because there was no other way for the thieves to get the money out of him. A few days later the thieves were caught, and were taken to jail. So, in this situation, both the rich person and the poor person faced the consequences. Even though the rich person had a good childhood education, he still had to face the consequences of this improper social condition.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Poor & rich: both suffering

Example-2: We see in developing countries that rich people, after their education, acquire a house (different from their parent’s house) and buy cars and other luxurious commodities. In contrast, we see that even though they have cars, the roads are not properly built so that the car will not go over it smoothly. If the rich person wants to go from point A to B, they cannot use their car because the roads are unpaved, and there are potholes, caused by heavy rain which has washed away the roads. So the purpose of having a car is futile. Because of bad roads now both the poor and rich are suffering. In this example, we see that educational differences did not solve the daily basic problems even for the rich.

Pay hitman tax

Example-3: Sometimes the rich are very rich, and the poor are very poor. In those situations, some economically poor people want to become gangsters, especially those with poor education, because there is no way of survival for them. If the rich people do not help the poor, there is no way of survival for the poor. One of the easier paths is for those poor people to become gangsters, and find ways to loot money from the rich. The gangsters demand money from the rich asking them to pay hitman tax. If the rich do not pay the demanded money, then the gangsters may kidnap their wife, daughter, son etc. Being afraid, the rich people bribe and try to make the gangsters happy. Society cannot move forward when such types of circumstances happen. The root cause is education.

The richer people amassed a lot of money due to their education as, in their childhood, they only had to concentrate on their studies, and obtain good grades in school so that they would obtain a highly paid job in the future. This imbalance of education between the children of rich parents and those of poor parents has not resulted in developing a society that could move forward, rather with this imbalance there remains retardation in the development of society.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

==> System B: the poor suffer -- USA etc

In system B, primary education is so-called free, but higher education is not. For pursuing higher education, loans are available. This type of system exists in many countries. Even though a loan is available, many students do not want to take loans because they are fearful about whether they will be able to pay off the loan or not. Especially when the student is a first generation of the family going to college, then parents do not have much knowledge of where a loan would be available, when the loan repayments would start, and what the interest rate etc. would be.  Because there are a lot of loopholes in the loan system, and because they do not have much prior knowledge, they are afraid to encourage their child to take out a loan. In contrast, parents who are rich, typically pay off their child’s loan. In addition,  when children of rich parents seek university admission, they can easily gain admission to some universities which have high tuition costs. However, children of poor parents cannot afford such high tuition fees and there is a risk that even if a loan is offered, they may not be able to pay off the loan amount after their education is complete if they don’t get a job.

Comparison of Systems A & B

We see that neither of the two systems is appropriate, as both are geared towards favoring education for children of rich parents. Both systems result in creating an environment which is not conducive for spiritual upliftment. Both systems will result in increasing the number of poor people generation after generation because education is not free; rather, either the cost is paid by the parents or available in the form of loans. Both system A and system B type of education are not good. Rather, education should be free.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Violence, illegal ways of gaining money

There is no growth for poor people, and the alternative way for them is to find illegal ways of getting money. Both systems lead to a snowball effect where rich people will get richer and poor people will become poorer. Poor people in system B have been attempting to abandon the loan system for pursuing their dream of higher education because it is not a plausible solution. Similarly, system A resulted in the development of communist organizations (e.g. the eastern part of India, in parts of Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh) which dominate and rule even though there is a police presence and government security. In those regions, Maoists often confront the police or military forces, which results in casualties from both sides. No one is born a Maoist. Rather, because of lack of education people develop such a nature and feel that they are not treated fairly in society, and so they join/form specific groups such as the Maoists.

AM Solution: free education - 1

Prout suggests that education should be free. Admission to the educational system will be based on one’s intellectual capability and not financial one. If one is a capable student, then s/he will get an opportunity to pursue higher education; higher education should not be based on financial capability.

Children of kings & common people

This type of system existed before. In ancient India, the Gurukul system is an example where children of kings and common people were staying together for higher studies, and there was no feeling of any complex among them. In today’s education system, there is an inferiority / superiority complex among children that one is from a poor family, and the other is from a rich family. Children should not develop a rich-poor complex at such a young age. With such a type of mentality in children, society will not progress. The reason being that the rich child will develop a superiority complex and the poor child will develop an inferiority complex.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Merit based higher education

In both education systems (system A and B above), there is a likelihood that children will develop inferiority or superiority complexes, whereas in the Prout system both the child of a king and that of a poor person will sit side by side to study together. Their dress, food, and accommodation will be the same. These basic necessities (dress, food, accommodation, etc.) should be freely provided until a certain age. Those who are good academically will be given the opportunity to pursue higher studies, and those who are not so good academically will be given the opportunity to excel in other fields which they are good at, so that everyone becomes successful.

AM Solution: free education - 2

Everyone who would like to study at any age should be exempt from any fees, and education should be free. Money for education should be raised from taxes from all in such a way that someone whose income is higher pays a higher amount of taxes and those with lower income pay lower taxes. Education from primary through to university should be free and should not be privatized. The education system should not be run by politicians but rather by people who are scholars in their respective fields. Political interference should not be allowed in academia. These types of education systems existed before in India, and everything was working well, but over time the education system was changed and now it is entirely different: a paid education system.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Violence, theft, & robbery

Another example is that whilst higher education is free in many countries around the globe, higher education is not free in the United States (US). In the US we see a higher incidence of street violence than in many other countries. One key reason is that when students are allowed to study then the mind will be engaged in studies and not in violence. But in a country where students are not allowed to study (because they cannot afford it, and education is not free, e.g., U.S), then the mind will be engaged in activities other than studies, such as violence, theft, robbery, etc.

Conclusion: stop crime

In summary, neither system A nor system B is correct. In both these systems the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. As a result, there are a lot of disturbances (theft, violence, etc.) created in society. In inner cities, poorer people become involved in gun violence and they are put into jails. There are a number of rich countries in the world where a lot of people are in jail because of street violence — those countries where poor people do not see any room for progress. There is no brotherhood and love between the rich and the poor. When poor people do not find love in the society, and always feel fearful and suppressed, then that results in violence, which is typical in rich countries. Rich people look at the poor with suspicious eyes as they feel that the poor may attack them any time. Fear in the society is not a good sign as there does not exist brotherhood, love and happiness between people.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Such disturbances are attributed to the paid education system in many countries. No one should feel that they cannot go to school/college because they cannot afford it. Education should be made free and should be made accessible to all.

In Him,
Nira’ka’r

~ In-depth study ~

Educational system must be free of cost

Ananda Marga philosophy teaches us, “The success of democracy depends upon educated, sensible voters. Hence, in a democratic country, the spread of education is of the highest priority. For the convenience of the general public, the educational system must be free of cost.” (1)  

Ananda Marga philosophy says, “There should be free education for all students up to the highest degree.” (2)

Ananda Marga philosophy says, “The framing of educational policies, the control of the educational system, and all other activities concerned with education should be managed by a board comprised of efficient teachers. This board should enjoy full freedom and authority to carry out its duties. Education must be free from all political interference. Education should be free at all levels.” (3)

References
1. Problems of the Day #33
2. Prout in a Nutshell Volume 3 Part 15, Some Aspects of Socio-Economic Planning
3. Discourses on Neohumanist Education, Talks on Education – Excerpt F

*        *        *

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 ==

Solution: two internal enemies

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “Nidrá means sleep. No one should be a slave to this habit. Tandrá means you are hearing but your mind is somewhere else.” (1)

In His above teaching, Baba contrasts and warns us about the first two of the six internal enemies: nidrá and tandrá.  

Nidrá: One should have control over their sleep (nidrá). As is the case with all vrttis, the more one sleeps, the more one will desire to sleep. So while a modest amount of sleep is essential for restoration and cellular regeneration, one should not indulge excessively in sleep. In various discourses, Baba warns us that those who indulge in sleep can never do anything great in their life. For a sadhaka, six or even four hours of sleep is sufficient, or even less. The more strict one is in Sixteen Points the less sleep they will need. 

Tandrá: This is psychic lethargy or mental drowsiness, also known as absentmindedness and / or dullness. In His above teaching, Baba points out how those who suffer from this condition can physically hear, i.e. the sound is received by the ears, but because the mind is engaged elsewhere, that person is unable to comprehend and process that sound. And in other discourses, Baba refers to tandrá as inertness. Here again, when one succumbs to this condition, they are shackled and unable to engage in any great work. The prevention and remedy of tandrá is strict adherence to Sixteen Points. By half-bath and sadhana, and other practices, one can keep the mind alert and pointed. 

Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 5, The Social Order and Superiority and Inferiority Complexes

== Section: Important Teaching ==

We do not follow Biblical definition of sin

Ananda Marga ideology says, “Another thing to bear in mind is that “sin” in the English language is not the pápa of Sanskrit. As already said, “sin” means to go against that prescribed in the Bible. But pápa is explained in the phrase Paropakárah puńyáya pápáya parapiid́anam – that is, “Any action by one individual which leads to the development of others is puńya [virtuous deeds], and any action which does the opposite is pápa.” (1)

Reference
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 21, Niiti and Dharma

== Section: Important Teaching ==

Way to refine kośas
  
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "The paincakośas shall have to be perfected, but how is it possible? They can be consummated only through the practice of yama and niyama [and the various lessons of sadhana]. The annamaya kośa is perfected through asanas (physical postures). Yama and niyama sádhana perfect the kámamaya kośa. The manomaya Kośa is perfected through pránáyáma. Through pratyáhára the atimánasa kośa is perfected. The vijinánmaya kośa is perfected through dhárańá and the hirańmaya kośa through dhyána. Only dhyána samádhi gives access to the soul. Pious persons are those who are earnest in their efforts to perfect the paincakośa. Human existence consists of the five kośas and spiritual practice is eightfold. This spiritual practice is Dharma. That which does not provide for the explanation of the paincakośa is not Dharma, but sectism." (1)

Ananda Marga ideology says, "The loka above this where the hiran'maya kos'a (subtle causal mind) is established is what we call devarloka (satya loka). When sa'dhakas merge their petty I-feeling from the realm of the devarloka (where this I-feeling is not very much evident) -- into the bearing of the Great, they establish themselves fully in Sagun'a Brahma (Qualified Consciousness -- the collectivity of Parama'tman, Macrocosm and Microcosm). In this loka, if the whole of the I-feeling (asmita) is shattered and merged in Purus'a, the unit attains total identification with Nirgun'a Brahma (Unqualified or Objectless Consciousness). This loka is the satyaloka -- this indeed is the Brahmaloka. The one who is established in this loka is alone the Brahman'a (Bra'hmin')." (2)

Reference
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 1, Invocation of the Supreme
2. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 5, This World and the Next

== Section 3: Links ==

Postings to Read

Prout's strategy to avert ecological catastrophes

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2019/06/how-to-stop-man-made-disasters-2-more.html

Science of essential AM practice

• https://anandamarganewsbulletin.blogspot.com/2014/12/asana-longevity-all-around-health.html

Tiers of margiis

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2018/12/three-types-of-margiis-wts-2-more.html

Tanmatras & guru puja

• https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/2016/10/the-use-of-tanmatras-in-guru-puja-2-more.html