Baba
Life priorities in busy times
Namaskar,
Life is full of ups and downs and unexpected situations. At some point or another, everyone faces uncertain times and tough conditions that make life overwhelming. However, as Ananda Margiis, we will never be at a loss for how to proceed. Sadguru Baba has given us all the right practices and solutions, and addressed every circumstance. In one particular discourse, Baba provides us with an exact 4-step sequence for what to do when we are in an extremely difficult moment. (1) By following His below guideline, we are sure to be successful and maintain proper adjustment and equipoise, even in the most challenging and unexpected situations.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Baba's system: how to prioritize
So many things occur that are beyond our ability to plan for and these things take us away from our daily routine. This can happen in the case of births, deaths, tragedies, or accidents etc. It could be anything where one is so busy that they are knocked out of their normal routine and do not have time for their regular sleep, eating, bathing, and sadhana routines etc.
Now in this 21st century, life is extremely busy. People are on the go all the 24hrs. So when one big, unexpected event occurs, then life becomes difficult to manage. We cannot attend to our regular duties as we are fully focused on dealing with the task at hand. It is in that very extreme circumstance that we are to strictly adhere to Baba's guideline. Then we will be in accordance with dharma and in the best position to gain success and serve others.
When common citizens are overwhelmed with life, sleep deprived, and too busy to take care of their basic duties such as eating and washing due to a dire circumstance, then when they get a spare moment the first thing they do is eat. This is the common way most people proceed. Or if they are plagued by more undesirable habits, they will have a smoke or a drink (i.e. alcohol). But this is not the proper method. Baba's guideline is something altogether different.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
In His highly unique discourse, Baba gives us the following formula for how to proceed in difficult circumstances. When overwhelmed by life’s myriad of twists and turns, and when thrown from our daily routine, Baba guides us that the first thing we should do is sadhana.
Sadhana is the #1 priority
Baba instructs us that even if we have not eaten or bathed or done any of our regular duties because of unforeseen circumstances, then as soon as we get even as little as 5 minutes free, we should do sadhana. We are spiritual beings, and by doing sadhana even for just 5 minutes our mental equipoise will be restored. Baba gives top priority to doing sadhana.
Bath is the #2 priority
If we have a little more time then we should bathe. That means if we have 10 minutes time we are to address our physical body and attend to basic human hygiene. Taking a bath, according to the Ananda Marga system will allow us to further revitalise ourselves. In that case we will do a 5 minute bath, and reserve 5 minutes for sadhana.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Taking a nap or getting a little sleep is #3
If we have 15 minutes, Baba says we should take some time to nap. The main point is that sleep repairs the body, so taking a few minutes to nap will restore the body and settle the mind. It allows a person to come back to their normal flow - reach a state of balance. This period of napping might just be for a few minutes, but it is very important to do in comparison to eating food. So in that case, take a 5 minute bath, and then do sadhana for 5 minutes, then nap for 5 minutes.
Eating is #4
If a person has 20 minutes or more, taking food should be incorporated into the plan. Taking food is the final step of this unique sequence which Baba has given in this 1966 discourse in Chennai. By eating, Baba means taking sentient food in a calm manner, chewing thoroughly, and keeping the mind in a positive state.
So these are Baba's stepwise guidelines for how to proceed when encumbered by difficult life circumstances wherein one is thrown from their normal routine.
A brief outline does hectic & busy period
Here is a brief outline and review of how to conduct ourselves when we get a break from a hectic and busy period.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
(I) 5 MINUTES: Do sadhana only;
(II) 10 MINUTES: Take a bath (5 min), and do sadhana (5 min);
(III) 15 MINUTES: Take a bath (5 min), do sadhana (5 min), and take a short nap (5 min);
(IV) 20 MINUTES: Take a bath (5 min), do sadhana (5 min), eat food (5 min), and then take a short nap (5 min).
So sadhana is the #1 priority because only sadhana is listed in all the above scenarios.
If we have no time for anything else, then at least sadhana should be done. If more time is available then we can add the following duties in this order or prioritization: #2 bath -> #3 nap -> #4 food.
Much of the world's population is unaware of Baba's teaching(s) so when they get embroiled in a difficult situation, they do not know how to proceed and their whole life falls into turmoil. In that case, it is not just a single event, but their entire course of life gets negatively affected. In addition to the problem at hand like an accident or family death etc, they may get sick, suffer from exhaustion, or fall prey to depression. Or not knowing what to do, they may even get in a fight, injure someone, or unnecessarily abuse a loved one. All these things may happen in that crucial period.
If we follow Baba's above mandate, however, we will always keep the mind in a proper flow, whereby everything will turn out as best as possible. The situation will not be compounded.
Why sadhana is first priority
By His system of prioritization, it is quite clear that Baba gives great importance to sadhana. As we know, in so many discourses Baba tells us that sadhana is the main thing in life.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "The main purpose of human beings coming here to this earth is to do spiritual practice...Sa'dhana' is the main theme of life. Whatever you do in the world, you should do it with a view to promote your sa'dhana' and help the sa'dhana' of others. Human beings come to earth to practise sa'dhana', to move closer to Iishvara, the Supreme Goal – to come closer to Parama Purus'a [Supreme Consciousness]. Thus, the deeds of human beings will not be like the deeds of animals. Whatever human beings will do, they will do in such a manner that the progress in their sa'dhana' will go on accelerating." (2)
If a person is dealing with the passing of a family member or moving to a new region of the country or undergoing any sort of unexpected or big life change, then their routine may become disturbed. There might be a natural or man-made calamity such as a fire, flood, earthquake, accident, rescue and relief operations where one is deeply involved in serving others etc. Or one might be engaged in arranging a large-scale event or gathering like DMS etc.
In all such instances, one may find themselves with a shortage of time. Instead of attending to their duties in a proper manner, they may just eat food when they get a moment's opportunity. For such persons who find themselves in unexpectedly busy circumstances, Baba has given the above teaching and system of prioritization.
Conclusion
As Ananda Margiis, as disciples of a Tantric Guru, our lives are most blessed. He has given us the exact procedure to deal with every event in life - even unexpected ones. By this way, we can get success in every circumstance and always abide by the tenets of dharma.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
So always remember: first is sadhana; second is bath; third is relaxation; and, fourth is food. That is the hierarchy of importance. If we keep this system in mind and follow it, we will be in the best position to handle every and any situation that comes in life.
Namaskar,
In Him,
Madhukar
~ In-depth study ~
Why methodical process of spiritual sádhaná for a long period
Ananda Marga ideology says, "In Tantra, sádhaná has been given the utmost importance. What is sádhaná? Sádhaná means practical effort. An effort to what? An endless effort to move towards Puruśottama, the Nucleus of the Cosmic Cycle." (3)
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "To attain Parama Puruśa, to become one with the Supreme Reality, He must be made the summum bonum of human life. But the attainment of the Supreme Reality is not possible overnight. For that the sádhaka [spiritual practitioner] will have to undergo the systematic and methodical process of spiritual sádhaná for a long period, till every nerve-cell, nerve-fibre, every bit of his physical existence is divinized. Sádhaná, after all, is a scientific process by which the entire psycho-physical existence is divinized." (4)
How you can know everything
Ananda Marga ideology says, "the very purpose of our human creation is to follow the true dharma; is to maintain spiritual practices in this very life, and to become one in Him. So dharma sádhaná [means that] by following dharma we follow our sádhaná, we follow our spiritual practices. By following the spiritual practices we become one with Him. That is the final victory. That is the final goal of all human beings on this planet. Men, women, everyone, we are all marching towards that unique goal. That goal has to be realized. In order to realize the goal, you have to continue your spiritual practices. You should practise what you have been asked to. So do not forget your nature. Do not try to follow animal nature. [But at the same time] you have got to eat, you have got to sleep; that is [your] nature too. Having proper restraint over your animal nature, try to follow the true human nature..."
"So from this day you have been given the chance. Do not waste your time anymore. Do not waste your life anymore. Take it, this opportunity, and try to know that Supreme Consciousness which is in hiding. By knowing Him you know the whole universe; you know everything. That is the final goal of all of us. So dharma has to be practised in human life. Not tomorrow – today. Whether you are a family person or [a single] person, everyone will have to perform dharma sádhaná. Dharma has to be performed; sádhaná has to be performed." (5)
References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 26 (Hindi), chapter 5, Discourse delivered in Chennai (25 June 1966)
2. Yoga Psychology, The Human Body Is a Biological Machine
3. Subhasita Samgraha - 11, The Intuitional Science of Tantra
4. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 33, Bhusuku and Brahmabháva
5. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 31, Dharma Sádhaná
* * *
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
* * *
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 ==
Constantly ideate on You
"Tomár saunge mor paricaya, ekádha yuger kathá nay..." (Prabhat Samgiita #2303)
Purport:
Parama Purusa, my relationship with You is not only since the last few hundred or even a few thousand years. Nor is it only since the last one or two epochs or ages. From beginninglessness, since eternity, I have been singing Your divine glory. All along, You have been with me. With Your great compassion, I have always been under Your shelter.
Baba, ensconced in Your unparalleled love, my heart became satiated and fulfilled. All my needs and longings have become completely quenched and satisfied. Please allow my mind to constantly ideate on You, day and night always, so that I may become one with You.
Parama Purusa, my Gracious One, do not keep me distant. Always keep me close to Your lotus feet - under Your watch. Remain along with me constantly day and night, all the 24 hrs and immerse my mind with Your eternal nectar. Baba, make my life successful by utilising me all the time in various physical, mental, and spiritual works, in whatever way You like.
Baba, our intimate relation has been since the beginning of time. By Your causeless krpa', it will go on forever...
== Section 3: Important Teaching ==
How sadhakas are like goldsmiths
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “Take the case of the precious metal gold. Whenever you say “gold” you refer to gold in general, the gold of the universe. To be of some practical use, the gold will have to be brought within the limitation of a certain form, such as a gold necklace, a gold bangle, or gold tiara. Women may get a certain pleasure by wearing these gold ornaments, but for the goldsmith has no practical use for them as ornaments. He is only concerned about one thing – gold. Likewise, due to the influence of the static principle, an infinite number of names and forms have emerged out of Parama Puruśa, the Singular Entity. Most people enjoy using these finite names and forms, but to practical spiritual aspirants they have no special importance. Sádhakas are only interested in the original substance and not its finite forms. Thus, their only object of ideation is Parama Puruśa. They only accept Parama Puruśa, the Singular Entity, as the goal of their lives, just as the goldsmith is only interested in the gold and not its different forms.”
“How can one shake off the influence of static inertness? How can one get freedom from the bondages of names and forms? Just as the goldsmith uses a hammer and process of melting (in fire) to extract the real gold from the various ornaments, similarly a practical spiritual aspirant will have to break the bondages of names and forms in this expressed world through the cultivation of knowledge (which is mutative), devotion (which is sentient). By virtue of the heat of the fire of sádhaná and the strength derived from sustained intuitional practice, a sádhaka can overcome the static inertness, the apparent cause behind the quinquelemental universe. Life and the world will become effulgent with the resultant unfoldment of latent consciousness.” (1)
Reference
1. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life, part 7, Form and Formless
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Discuss this topic calmly
Generally when Ananda Marga philosophy is compared with the theology of other religions, even in a respectful manner, then some uninformed people get overwhelmed. They forget that Baba encourages respectfully pointing out the defects of various religions. See Baba’s teaching below.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Read any so-called religious book: one will seldom find anything resembling tolerance of the religious beliefs of others...If necessary, different views can be compared and presented in philosophical books. The philosophical and psychological loopholes in an argument may be pointed out without being disrespectful.” (Human Society - 1, Moralism)
Due to their unawareness they think, “Do not point out any harmful things practiced by other religions.” They believe Baba forbids this. To remove their confusion, the above yellow highlighted quote may help.
Without bringing the logical point and respectful discussion of loopholes of various religions, it is not possible to open the eyes of the common people that what they are doing is wrong and harmful to them. That is why religious loopholes should be highlighted in a respectful manner.
Reference
1. Human Society - 1, Moralism
== Section: Important Teaching ==
How unbridled accumulation of material wealth is harmfulAnanda Marga philosophy states, “In this socio-economic [PROUT] set-up people are at full liberty in the spiritual and mental spheres. This is possible because the spiritual and psychic entities for which people can aspire are themselves unlimited, and the extent of possession in this sphere does not hamper the progress of others in their quests. But the supply in the physical sphere is limited, and hence any effort for disproportionate or unrestricted acquisition of physical objects has every possibility of creating a vast majority of have-not’s, and thus hampering the spiritual, mental and physical growth of the larger majority. So, while dealing with the problem of individual liberty, it must be kept in view that individual liberty in the physical sphere must not be allowed to cross a limit whereat it is instrumental in hampering the development of the complete personality of human beings; and, at the same time, must not be so drastically curtailed that the spiritual, mental and physical growths of human beings are hampered.”
“Thus, the social philosophy of Ananda Marga advocates the development of the integrated personality of the individual, and also the establishment of world fraternity, inculcating in human psychology a Cosmic sentiment. The Marga advocates progressive utilization of mundane and supramundane factors of the Cosmos. The society needs a stir for life, vigour and progress, and for this Ananda Marga advocates the Progressive Utilization Theory (Prout), meaning thereby progressive utilization of all factors. Those who support this principle may be termed “Proutists”.” (1)
Reference
1. Idea & Ideology, The Cosmic Brotherhood
== Section 3: Links ==
