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Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Prepping for teenage years + 5 more

Baba
Prepping for teenage years
Namaskar,

Youths should be fully informed how the right use of their growing bodies can lead them to greatness. With the development of the reproductive glands comes courage, tenacity, idealism, compassion, kindness, intellectual sharpness, and love for the Supreme. All of this Baba clearly discusses in His discourses. So the curriculum for adolescents should highlight how those glands help develop the entire human personality. With this clear-cut understanding and empowerment, youths will have the requisite logic and reasoning to steer clear of depraved behaviour.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/


Use logic to teach youths about maya


Once one enters adolescence, those youths are no longer small kids. They have a mind that wants to know the logic and reasoning behind a given topic. Then they will be convinced - otherwise not. That is why we should address issues of gender and reproduction with them on this level and educate them about Ananda Marga spiritual philosophy.

Those youths should understand that all jiivas are bound by maya and the cosmic operative principle is keen to keep people in bondage, i.e. enslaved, and wants to multiply the creation and carry on with srsti cakra. This is the agenda of maya. And verily most give in to her wishes and become her faithful servants, but this is not a glorified stance for sadhakas. Rather it is a weakness.

If youths are aware about the ways of maya and the cosmic operative principle ahead of time, then they will be ready to fight and divert the mind away from the baser propensities and grab hold of the platform of spirituality. By this way, they will gain success. If they understand this topic - through logic and reasoning - that will be a great boon for their overall human progress. Failing that, they may just fall into the clutches of maya, as is happening now with the youths in all materialistic countries.


Ideal time to talk to kids: just before puberty


The next aspect concerning our curriculum centers around timing. Specifically, when should it be introduced. It should not be presented at too early an age, nor too late. Slowly introducing this topic about 1 year before children reach puberty is ideal. At that point, they can learn about wearing a laungota and using the right undergarments etc.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Then, progressively, more points should be introduced as children begin to enter puberty etc. The main idea being that children should have the knowledge they need ahead of time. That way they can prepare. It is just like being told about a hurricane before it strikes. If one is forewarned then all kinds of preparations can be made, and when the hurricane hits one will be safe and secure.

Same is the case for those entering into adolescence. The more the children know ahead of time - so long as it is presented in a serious manner and by the right person (discussed below) - then our youths will be able to avert so many problems and find the right course in life. So timing is a key point. The child should not be forced to raise questions on their own or be left to learn from their peers. That should be avoided at all cost - then it means that the right time has passed.

We should be vigilant because although there is a general time period that is appropriate for most kids, there are bound to be some who need instruction and guidance earlier. We should be tuned in and ready.

Next it needs to be considered: Who should lead these talks / training classes, and what should be the tone & environment of the talk.The person leading this education series might be a teacher, a respected elder, or an acarya - or anyone else the parents of the community deem appropriate. Generally speaking, it should not fall directly upon the parents to impart this knowledge since many children prefer not to talk about this with their parents.

Whoever is selected to guide our youths, that designated person should be (a) a sadhaka of Ananda Marga, (b) familiar with Baba's teachings in Yoga Psychology and Yogic Treatments, (c) of proper moral character, and (d) well-regarded as a teacher.

These are the absolute minimum requirements of the guide.


Creating an ideal atmosphere during the talks


Now let's discuss the teaching environment:

1) Taught by gender: This topic should not be co-education. There should be strict separation along gender lines. A respected female will teach girls, and a well-regarded male will teach boys. Under no circumstances should there be boys and girls in the same class. Nor should a male teacher lead the girls or vice-versa. It should be a gender-separated environment.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

2) No jokes or debased comments: The tone of the talk should be of a serious nature and those with questions should be encouraged, not ridiculed. Thus the teacher will have to establish a proper forum where all feel included and silly jokes and / or lewd comments are eliminated. In sum, a positive, safe, inclusive, and respectful forum needs to be established.

3) Emphasize science: The curriculum should be science based. Baba has given great teachings about the glands of the human body, the role of lymph, the functioning of mind, and the relationship between mind and body. Thus, this course should include all the teachings and draw from the fields of human anatomy and physiology, biology, metaphysics and intuitional science.

4) Recording: The forums should be recorded via audio or video so that parents can review what is going on. Mothers should address issues with their daughters; and fathers should speak with their sons. Thus within the unit family also communication will be gender-separated. Thus these recordings will be helpful as parents also need to be in the know. Plus, there may be other uses for such media.


Diseases related with over-indulgence


It is imperative that all children be taught ahead of time about the adverse and dangerous aspects of carrying out physical relations. Just as a patient going in for surgery should be instructed about the possible negative outcomes beforehand, it is even more important for kids to be educated about the harmful aspects of exciting those lower glands. Because they are trusting and relying upon us to tell them all they need to know. Withholding any information is a form of deception. Thus it is absolutely integral to bring our children in the know about these following aspects.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

In His book, Yogic Treatments, Baba warns us about the various diseases related with over-indulgence and ignorance, and how to cure them.

(A) Syphilis: "With syphilis, non-vegetarian food, onion, garlic, too much spice, all kinds of sweets, and milk products are to be strictly avoided...Fasting is also very beneficial in this disease. Syphilis patients must fast on ekádashii, púrńimá and amávasyá...The patient should never completely fill the stomach at the evening meal, and that too should be finished by 8 or 8:30 p.m. Sleeping during the day, staying awake at night, and mingling with crowds should be avoided... All types of intoxicants are to be avoided like poison." (1)

(B) Seminal Weakness: "Low thinking, bad company, intoxicants and non-vegetarian food should be completely given up. Seeing pornographic pictures or films, reading pornographic literature, etc. are also to be forsaken." (2)

(c) Hydrocele: "All types of nutritious food can be taken. However, a very close watch must be kept on the regular clearing of the bowels. Fast on ekádashii, púrńimá and amávasyá...Sexual thoughts and excitement are among the causes of hydrocele, so the more one can stay away from these things the better. Patients should use kaopiinas [laugotas]." (3)

And step by step Baba reviews so many related diseases in the book Yogic Treatment and gives the solution.


Conclusion


This is a small look into what our adolescent education curriculum might look like. We should keep in mind that if we do not take the lead on this topic, then our youths will learn from others such as the media or their peers etc. In either case, their training will be in the wrong direction.

As Ananda Margiis, we should have our stand and present our curriculum. Once established, those in the general society will take shelter in our programs as well. Because our way is for the welfare of the entire society.

We are to bring our youths into this world in the proper way and teach them all they need to know to get success. This is our way - then society will truly flourish.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Our world needs a great change in order to move forward and progress. A new order, a new wave, will have to take the place of the old to remedy all the physical, social, intellectual and spiritual ills of the world. As the vanguard of this new movement, the youth are indispensable. It is the youth, and the youth only, who have the vigour to bring about the necessary change. It is the youth who have the resilience to change and adapt and implement the vision of a new society. Without this vision, without the youth, the world will continue in the morass of suffering, injustice and exploitation that is our present social condition. It is the youth of the world only who can help bring about the new world order and the vision of a new humanity." (4)

Namaskar,
In Him,
Mahadeva

AM Yogic Treatments states, “It is not at all desirable for adolescents and young people to remain ignorant of sexual matters.” (5)

~ In-depth study ~

Reproductive glands & benefits of mind

Here Baba guides us how the reproductive glands are linked with high qualities of mind and proper conduct. In this first quote Baba tells us how restraint leads to greater intelligence as the lymph is best utilised.

Ananda Marga Yoga Psychology states, "If the testes function properly and if there is no hindrance from the lymphatic glands, intelligence will develop. Without the testes, the solar plexus will not be developed and intelligence will decrease." (6)

In this below teaching Baba reveals how the reproductive glands promote clear thinking - so restraint is a must, otherwise that faculty of mind will not develop.

Ananda Marga Yoga Psychology states, "If the testes are properly-active and there is the proper secretion of hormones, a youth develops the spirit of rationality." (7)

In this next teaching Baba guides us how the right use of those glands brings a sense of responsibility.

Ananda Marga Yoga Psychology states, "If the secretion of the testes glands is normal, a sense of dutifulness will be created in the mind." (8)

Finally, those glands are highly related with spiritual thirst and creating a link with the Supreme.

Ananda Marga Yoga Psychology states, "If there is proper-secretion, a youth acquires the power to transform that longing into universalism. In those of you who have a longing for Parama Purus'a [Supreme Consciousness], a proper-secretion took place in your hormones between the ages of fifteen and seventeen. At that stage the idea to become great comes into the mind." (9)


Reproductive glands & benefits of mind (cont)


If anyone wishes to become an ideal human being, they must be aware that their glandular system has to be maintained and used properly. This must be reinforced again and again to our youths. We will have to teach the point that the lymph is "food for the brain" and "food for the glands", and should not get senselessly converted into spermatoza and wasted.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Ananda Marga Yoga Psychology states, "In males the testes are the glands which convert lymph into semen. As soon as lymph is converted into semen, the nerves are affected and there is a corresponding change in one’s thoughts. It is the pituitary gland which tells the testes to convert lymph into semen [that is, testosterone and spermatic fluid]. When the production of lymph goes beyond the capacity of the body to utilize it, it is converted into semen and comes out of the body." (10)

Unfortunately, in today's society, the lower vrttis are encouraged by negative propaganda in which case many youths and young adults cannot develop the right qualities in life.

Our aim then is to give youths the right theoretical knowledge to understand that it is in their best interests to safeguard lymph. Those youths should not allow themselves to be lulled in the wrong direction. That would be disastrous for them. If they have the right awareness about this and exercise restraint, they will develop all kinds of great qualities in life. Then they will be in the best position to become a true leader in society and an extraordinary aspirant. They will be respected.


Hot issue: castration & sex crime

Across the globe - in various states and countries - government officials are offering voluntary (and involuntary) castration to those incarcerated as part of their sex crime sentencing and / or in exchange for their early release from prison. For the state officials this is a way to increase the sex crime punishment and relieve pressure from and cut costs on the overcrowded and extremely expensive jail system; and for offenders it can be a way to regain their freedom sooner without having to worry about being tempted to commit a similar crime.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

To some then, this looks like a win-win situation. The state gets what they want and the offender gets what he wants. Toward this end, there are two basic pathways being pursued by the state to control the procreative glands: 1) chemical castration and 2) surgical castration.

While there is more to know about this topic, the key point we need to be aware of is that these officials and law-makers do not realise that by castrating someone they are not just taking away his procreative ability, but they are disturbing the entire mental equilibrium of that person. Because every gland, the male reproductive glands included, affects the mind. So in Ananda Marga, this is not something we advocate.

Ananda Marga Yoga Psychology states, “Using birth control methods which deform the bodies of men and women or which destroy their reproductive capacity forever, cannot be supported, because in such cases a severe mental reaction may appear in them at any moment.” (11)

References
1. Yogic Treatments, Syphilis
2. Yogic Treatments, Seminal Weakness
3. Yogic Treatments, Hydrocele
4. Prout in a Nutshell - 18, Talks on Education – Excerpt G
5. Yogic Treatments, Appendix
6. Yoga Psychology, Bio-Psychology
7. Yoga Psychology, Bio-Psychology
8. Yoga Psychology, Bio-Psychology
9. Yoga Psychology, Bio-Psychology
10. Yoga Psychology, Bio-Psychology
11. Problems of Day, Point #29


== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==

Non-margii PS

Prabhat Samgiita Intro: This following Prabhat Samgiita composition is for non-margiis. So we Ananda Margiis should learn these types of songs so that we can present and teach them. The Ista of Ananda Margiis is neither Krsna nor Shiva. So committed and dedicated Ananda Margiis know that using these Krsna / Shiva Prabhat Samgiita compositions for their own personal, spiritual practices is very detrimental and harmful. For a full review of this important issue, kindly refer to link #1 below.

About Prabhat Samgiita

"Káj kare jete esechi dharáte,, kuruks'etra ei dhará.." (Prabhat Samgiita #1307)

Purport:

O’ Lord Krsna, I have come in this world to do work and serve You; this world is kuruks'etra. With Your compassion I have come here to engage in positive engagements and serve humanity. Remaining idle and inert, and wasting time in lethargy is not the flow of life. This is not how human beings should live. O' Krsna, You have blessed me with the energy and motivation to involve in constructive projects - to do something for the great cause of dharma.

O’ Lord Krsna, thousands years ago whatever You did with Your own hand with sudarshana cakra and Your bow and arrow during the Mahabharata war was for the establishment of bhagavata dharma. That immortal tale and everlasting story remains active in our collective psyche, in everyone's memory and mental plate.

Lord, all are moving forward by Your divine pull; there is no scope for anyone to pause or stop. No one can lag behind; all are going onwards. Lord Krsna, what a grand story of the Mahabharat which You led and took place on the Kuruksetra.

That Mahabharata story, which was beautifully written by the great sage Dvaepa'yan, is filled with song. People come into the world to do great things. This world is kuruks'etra….


Notes for Prabhat Samgiita #1307:

[1] Kuruks'etra: The meaning of dharmaks'etra is the field of dharma, or one's human existence; whereas, kuruks'etra has two meanings. The first meaning is the grand idea that everyone has come into this world to so some work. Because this world is known as kuruks'etra. And the second meaning of Kuruks'etra refers to the geographical place Kuruks'etra (literally "field of action") which is that area of land near Delhi in the state of Haryana where the Mahabharta battle was fought around 3500 years ago

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "The real name of this world is kuruks'etra, because it is always telling you Kuru, kuru, kuru - 'Go on working and working and working. Don't sit idle. Don't let your existence fall under a curse due to your indolence. Move towards success through your works.' So the real name of that ks'etra [field] which constantly advises you in this way is kuruks'etra. Kuruks´etra thus stands for the manifested world around us, the sam'sa'ra, where you exist in your physical body, dharmaks'etra." (1)

[2] Cakra: This term has a variety of meanings and in this song it is referred to sudarshana cakra as one of the weapons of Lord Krsna. Because during the Mahabharat battle, there were times when Lord Krsna unveiled His cakra.

The historic scene in the Mahabharat where the people thought Lord Krsna covered the sun with His sudarshana cakra so that Arjuna could fufill his great vow of slaying the immoral Jayadrath.

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "You know what happened at the time of Jayadratha’s death. Arjuna, as per his vow, was supposed to go to the funeral pyre immediately after sunset in order to keep his promise. Suddenly people observed that the sun was no longer in the sky and that it had become dark all around. Everyone thought that the sun had already set. Those who were devotees, not philosophers, commented that Lord Krśńa had covered the sun with His Sudarshana Cakra [His special discus]. Now you can imagine that it is impossible to cover the sun with a discus. Is it possible to cover the sun with a dinner plate? When you observe a dinner plate close up, it seems to be about this large. But if you could see the sun close up, how big it would appear! If the dinner plate were placed near the sun, it would be a mere speck. No, the discus could never cover the sun! Though the devotees claim that it did, I take this as a mere story. But then the question arises how the sun was in fact covered. The answer is that Lord Krśńa willed it so. He had mastery over prakámya siddhi, one of the eight occult powers. He willed the sun to be covered by clouds, and so it happened. The sun was covered by clouds, and people thought that the sun had gone down." (2)

[3] Dvaepa'yan: This is another name for the great poet Vedavyasa Deva who recorded the Mahabharat in written form.

Ananda Marga philosophy says, "Krs'n'advaepa'yan'a Vya'sa is renowned as Vedavya'sa for having divided the Vedas into three main portions (Rk, Yajuh, and Atharva)...He was born in a fisherman's family (Kaevarta [a fishing caste]) on a blackish island that rose out of the waters of the confluence of the Ganges and the Yamuna at Prayag, and for this reason the people gave him the name Krs'n'advaepa'yan'a. This Krs'n'advaepa'yan'a or Vedavya'sa was the composer of the Mahabharata. The Mahabharata was composed long, long, long after the Vedas, but nonetheless it is undoubtedly more than three thousand years old." (3)


References
1. Discourses on Krsna and the Giita, This Very World Is Kurukśetra
2. Namami Krsnasundaram, Disc: 24
3. Shabda Cayanika - 2, Disc: 11


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Do you know these two codes from Caryacarya


Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, “The habit of making wagers is extremely undesirable. You must avoid lotteries and gambling." (1)

"Prerequisites for shásti:
a) Before punishing a person you should consider whether you love him/her or not. You do not have the moral right to punish one whom you do not love.
b) Punishment should be meted out to reform and not to cause suffering.
c) The quantum of punishment must not exceed the quantum of love.
d) If some innocent person is pained by any of your actions, then without considering whether he/she is your superior or inferior, you should sincerely seek his/her forgiveness; this will only enhance your prestige." (2)

References
1. Caryarcarya, part 2, Society, point #38
2. Caryarcarya, part 2, Society, point #39


== Section: Important Teaching ==

What are the six tastes


Ananda Marga philosophy says, “The six tastes are: tikta – neem (bitter); kat’u – chilli (hot and spicy); kas’ava – plantain (alkaline); lavan’a (salty); amala (acidic); and madhu (sweet).” (1)

Note: Not only are there six tastes in the human palate but those type of foods should be taken in a distinct order. Bitter taken in the beginning and sweet in the end.

Reference
1. Ideal Farming, Some Important Crops


== Section: Important Teaching ==

Importance of fresh air & walking

Ananda Marga Yogic Treatments says, "Pure, fresh air has the power to cure diseases. It is advisable to breathe in as fully as possible, because when we do so, the air gets an opportunity to penetrate the lungs completely. It is better to take a walk in the fresh air than to ride a vehicle. If the body does not work up a sufficient sweat, then you should know that you have not taken the air properly." (1)

Everyone is aware that Baba is teaching us to be vigilant about walking every morning and evening, invariably. 

Reference:
1. Yogic Treatments, Appendix, Point E


== Section: Prabhat Samgiita  ==

हे प्रभु ! मेरा मन हजारों हजार प्रकार से तुम्हारी ही ओर दौड़ता जाता है

प्रभात सङ्गीत  3544 अजानाय छिले, जाना माझे एले, तबु कतोटुकु जानियाछि

भावार्थ

हे परमपुरुष ! तुम निराकार थे इसलिए मैं तुम्हें नहीं जान पाया, नहीं पहचान पाया। आज तुम अपनी अपार सुन्दरता और आकर्षण के साथ तारक ब्रह्म के रूप में आए हो। हे प्रभु ! बीते वर्षों में , मैं तुमको जनता ही नहीं था। मैं तुमको बिलकुल नहीं पहचानता था। अब तुम मेरी जानकारी में आ गए हो, मेरे पास में ही आ गए हो। फिर भी मैं तुम्हें कितना कम जानता हूँ , कितना सा जान सका हूँ। कितना कम समझ पाया हॅूं। हे परमपुरुष ! जितना अधिक मैं तुम्हें जान पाता हॅूं मुझे उसी समय आभास हो जाता है कि मैं कुछ नहीं जानता। मेरी अज्ञानता बढ़ती जाती है। हे परमप्रिय ! तुम मेरी मानसिक संकल्पना के परे हो। मैं यह हमेशा अनुभव करता हूँ  कि तुमको जानना अभी बहुत बाकी है।

हे परमपुरुष ! मैं सबको चाहता हूँ। फूल की मोहने वाली सुगन्ध, बादलों का कालापन, पहाड़ों की विशालता और सुन्दरता, सभी कुछ को चाहता हूँ चाहे वे अच्छे हों या बुरे। मैं उन्हें क्यों चाहता हूँ मैं यह नहीं जानता। मैं बार बार आश्चर्य से सोचता रहता हूँ कि इन सब भिन्न भिन्न अनेक प्रकार की रचनाओं को मैं क्यों चाहता हूँ पर कोई भी उत्तर नहीं पाता हूँ। इन पेड़पौधों, जीवों और पूरी सृष्टि में यह किसकी सुन्दरता बिखरी पड़ी है ? इस संसार की सभी चीजें मुझे आकर्षक और अच्छी क्यों लगती है ?

हे बाबा !  मैंने तुम्हें देखा नहीं है। मैं हजारों बार साधना करने बैठा पर तुम्हें ध्यान में भी अपने हृदय की चाहत के अनुसार पूरा कभी नहीं डुबो पाया। मैं अपने हृदय की गहराई में जाकर तुमको बहुत निकटता से पकड़ ही नहीं सका। हे प्यारे ! मैं जो कुछ करना चाहता हूँ वह तुम्हारे लिए कर ही नहीं सका। अब तक मैं तुम्हें अपने बहुत पास में नहीं पा सका जिससे अपने गुरुचक्र पर अपने मानसिक कमल से तुम्हारी सेवा नहीं कर सका। फिर भी मेरा मन हजारों हजार प्रकार से तुम्हारी ही ओर दौड़ता जाता है और तुमको अपने हृदय में खींच लेने का प्रयत्न करता है।

हे बाबा ! कृपा कर मेरे बहुत अधिक पास आकर, मेरे परमप्रिय की तरह, सदा ही मेरे हृदय में बने रहिए । (1)

References
1. Sadguru Baba says (in GD, Delhi, 26 Feb 1984) that when writing a Prabhat Samgiita purport then very simple words should be used so that the common mass may understand. The above Hindu purport has been written according to that guideline.


== Section 3: Links ==

Other Postings to Read
Baba's grace: spreading of AM ideology
Posture of full surrender
Mother's Day: why dogmatic 
Fundamental spiritual teachings



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