Baba
Irrational way
Namaskar,
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "If someone moves along the path of sentiment instead of the path of rationality, there is a hundred percent probability of great danger. Those who move along the path of sentiment do not discriminate between the proper and the improper, but merely silently accept all superstitions surrounding the goal towards which they have been running. Even the least question regarding propriety or impropriety does not arise in their minds, because they are moving along the path of sentiment." (1)
Double-standard in attire
Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "We may call those human acts and behaviour civilized that give evidence of this discriminative judgement, in a great measure." (2)
These days if one gender enters an official public building like a government office, then they are allowed to wear clothing that puts them in compromised positions, both on the upper and middle portions of their body. It may be that when they wear a sleeveless dress or a skirt, whereby their underwear and / or undergarment is showing when they sit or stand in a particular way. Or, when they have a lower-than-usual neckline, then aspects of their xxxxx are visible when they lean this way or that. It has become common for their arms, and even armpit, to be completely bare for show. With this gender, it is fully accepted, and even encouraged and applauded to wear such attire.
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In stark contrast, if the other gender enters those same offices with a sleeveless shirt, their armpits exposed, or part of their underwear showing, then they will be ostracized, and may even be arrested and put in jail for indecent exposure and disorderly conduct. Such is the stark double-standard that exists across gender with regards to dress. That is not rational. The rational approach is that one's dress in public spaces and official places should reflect a sense of decency and dignity—irrespective of one's gender.
Again, let me emphasize that here we are not talking about how one dresses while walking casually down the street, or in their own backyard, or in the swimming pool; but, rather, this is about how one presents oneself in important meetings, formal and official settings, in big political meetings, high status offices, and even on serious news broadcasts via TV and internet. In these venues, there is a wide gap of acceptable dress between genders.
Unfortunately, the general populace is not rational and that is why such dichotomies are going on. If they had been rational the situation would have been different.
One should follow the path of rationality, not sentiment
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "In the case of developed animals, sentiment exceeds inborn instinct. And more-developed beings, such as human beings, possess sentiment and rationality and the faculty of discrimination as well." (3)
Overall message
In day to day life, many incidents happen and numerous decisions are made based on sentiment / emotional manner. That approach is not at all laudable. Rather, it is an open invitation for inequality and dogma. In contrast, if we apply our sense of rationality then we can make heaven come on this earth.
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Surrender to Baba,
Liila
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "To counteract the malevolent effect of dogma-centred philosophies, the two most important factors are the development of rationality and the spread of education. Merely attending school and university classes will not necessarily have the desired effect. Stress should be placed on education which produces a high degree of rationality in the human mind, and this type of education should be spread amongst the people." (4)
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "What is required now is the elevation of human existence, the elevation of human mind and human spirit. We require no dogma – we require more reasoning, more rationality – rationality moving unto the terminus of Parama Puruśa; the Supreme Desideratum is that Universal Nave." (5)
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "As a human being, what should one do? One should follow the path of rationality. Rationality is a treasure of humanity which no animal possesses. And those who possess the inner asset of devotion within their hearts and follow the path of rationality in dealing with the external world, must be victorious. They alone can accomplish worthy deeds in this world." (6)
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "The speciality of human beings is rationality." (7)
Emotion is blind force & dangerous
Here Baba says that sentiment is not good.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "When it [the mind] does not follow a particular method, when it moves haphazardly, swept away by whim, it is called “emotion”." (8)
Ananda Marga ideology states, "Sentimentality based on rationality is the strongest force in the universe. And sentimentality without rationality takes the form of, or rather the distortion of, dogma." (9)
Ananda Marga philosophy states about supporting communal ideas: "Those who are motivated by sentiment may earn temporary applause, but ultimately people realize, “No, they committed a mistake, they did not follow the path of rationality. They themselves were caught in the current of sentiment, and they drifted the society also in that current. As a result society has been destroyed." (10)
Here below Baba is teaching that rationality is needed—not sentiment.
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Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Dogma is fast being replaced by rationality and reason. Human beings with their developed brains, developed nerve systems and developed nerve-cells started thinking that we are not to do something for a particular tribe or a particular clan or a particular nationality; we are to do whatever we are to do, whatever we must do, for the entire humanity of the Cosmos." (11)
References
1. The Liberation of Intellect: Neohumanism, Geo-Sentiment
2. A Few Problems Solved - 6, Civilization, Science and Spiritual Progress
3. The Liberation of Intellect: Neohumanism, Geo-Sentiment
4. Prout in a Nutshell Part 18, The Excellence of God-Centred Philosophy
5. A Few Problems Solved Part 5, Humanity Is at the Threshold of a New Era
6. The Liberation of Intellect: Neohumanism, Geo-Sentiment
7. A Few Problems Solved Part 4, Plants, Animals and Human Beings
8. Yoga Psychology, The Cult of Spirituality – the Cult of Pinnacled Order
9. Subháśita Saḿgraha Part 12, The Noumenal Cause and the Personal God
10. The Liberation of Intellect: Neohumanism, Geo-Sentiment
11. A Few Problems Solved Part 5, Humanity Is at the Threshold of a New Era
* * *
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 ==
"Tumi kándiye keno sukh páo, khushi jhará hási bhará ..." (Prabhat Samgiita #1989)
Purport:
O’ Parama Purusa, what sort of bliss do You get by seeing me weep? I am crying in yearning and longing for You. I have so much bhakti for You and want Your close proximity. Yet, You are not paying heed to my call. Do You feel happy by seeing me in tears. Don't You like to see my face that is beaming with happiness and filled with joy. Why are You playing Your liila’ this way.
O’ my Eternal Companion, You are my most intimate One and that relation did not begin only one or two ages ago; it has been going on since before time began. You constantly keep me in Your affectionate shelter. Since the very bosom of eternity, You have gently been taking me floating towards infinity. From the early dawn, You have remained along with me throughout the entire journey - up to its culmination, the ultimate abode. Baba, You are always keeping me at Your lotus feet. It is Your grace.
O' Parama Purusa, O' Dayamay, O' Merciful One, by Your blessing I understand You. In the grand play and expression of Your endless liila, You are inexhaustible. Always You are creating newer and more new forms and shapes. You go on evolving Your plan in countless ways. This eternal drama that You are making with me is a mix of two things. Sometimes You make me laugh, and sometimes You make me cry. You do this intentionally. By this way You bring me closer and closer to You. Please be gracious and come very near to me. O' Supreme Being, Baba, You are karun’a’ Personified...
== Section 3: Important Teaching ==
Brain drain solution
Prout philosophy guides us, "If the common people and the meritorious people are treated as the same, the capable people will not be encouraged to develop their higher potentiality. This is the reason why the brain drain is happening in India. When talented people leave India, they leave it for good. Providing special amenities for those with special capabilities will stop the brain drain."
"PROUT's approach is to guarantee the minimum requirements for all, guarantee maximum amenities for all and guarantee special amenities for people with special capabilities. This approach will ensure ever increasing acceleration in the socio-economic sphere. The question of retardation does not arise; even the question of maintaining speed does not arise. There must be acceleration."
"Acceleration is the spirit of life, the spirit of existence, the spirit of the existential faculty. One may not be a genius, one may simply be a member of the ordinary public, and not properly accepted or respected by all, but even then one will get the minimum requirements and maximum amenities in an ever increasing manner according to the environmental conditions concerned, according to the demands of the day."
"So what is the significance of this new approach?"
"1) Minimum requirements are to be guaranteed to all."
"2) Special amenities are to be guaranteed to capable people. Special amenities are for people of special calibre as per the environmental condition of the particular age." (1)
Reference
1. Prout Nutshell - 17, Minimum Requirements and Maximum Amenities
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Exploiters always purchase messengers
Ananda Marga philosophy says, “Powerful people have exploited sáhityikas [writers/ speakers/ artists] in various ways, taking advantage of their indigence. This has been going on since ancient times. In those days even kings and emperors encouraged court poets, giving them gifts of tax-free properties, and in that way bought their head and their hands. Talented sáhityikas or artists frequently had to do uncongenial jobs under circumstantial pressure for the amusement of their patrons. To satisfy the whims of their licentious patrons, they had to compose obscene poems and sculpt obscene statues and images. To make their patrons’ enemies look contemptible, they had to besmirch their names with scandals and calumnies. To extol the dress, colour, family, caste, class and ancestry of their patrons, they had to resort to lies and fraud and cite the revelations of the gods as substantiation. The same condition has continued even today. With very few exceptions, most sáhityikas belong to the lower stratum of society. In spite of their desire to work independently, most of them have pawned themselves, from the grey matter of their brains to the very tips of their fingers, to particular people and organizations. Even those who appear from their writings to be bold and spirited, have, under circumstantial pressure, become the playthings of political parties.” (1)
Note: In His above teaching, Baba is pointing out how throughout history those in powerful positions have exploited and purchased writers, intellectuals, and artisans etc. Due to the pressure of circumstance, those writers and artists had to use their talents to promote the agenda and glories of those in power. Sadly, nowadays, we see a similar trend in our AMPS. Those at the top force the hand of good Wts whereby those good Wts are coerced to publicly praise certain top Wts who are steeped in sin. By this way, those good Wts became agents to cover up the nefarious dealing of their bosses / in-charges etc.
Reference
1. A Few Problems Solved - 1, The Practice of Art and Literature
== Section: Important Teaching ==
How to fix faults of our purodhas
Here is an English summary of Baba’s original Hindi teaching:
Suppose, in the past, your forefathers made some mistakes. Should we then think, "Our ancestors did this, so how can we not do this as well?" This type of mentality is dogmatic. Now, "Since our forefathers have made these errors, so we will also do those same wrongs," what type of argument is this? If our forefathers have done wrong then we should also commit those same mistakes?
If you have real 'shraddha' (reverence) for your forefathers then the errors done by them must be corrected immediately. When people realize any error, should it not be corrected? So, as soon as the wrongs done by the forefathers are rectified, the more shraddha is bestowed upon them. The only way to pay shraddha (homage) to one’s forefathers is to rectify their errors. In so doing, we pay their debt; we pay the "pitra rin". Is this not real shraddha?
Therefore the mentality, "As these acts have been done by my forefathers or the people of past, so we will also do these things", is termed as dogma.
Dogma: "पूर्वज जो किए थे हम भी करते रहेंगे”
Ananda Marga ideology states, "भावजड़ता | …...बङ्गला में कहेंगे भावजड़ता |" (1)
Note: Our ancestors who invented and inculcated the mahaprayan program did wrong. Those ancestors committed sin by inserting the dogmatic mahaprayan divas appendix into Caryacarya part 1. Per Sadguru's above teaching, it is our duty to correct the wrongs committed by purodha board members from that era. They made a horrific blunder and the only way to pay respect to such avadhutas is to rectify their wrongdoing by eradicating the mahaprayan divas program and removing it from Caryacarya - 1. That will be true service to those dogmatic purodha ancestors.
Discard harmful traditions
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Pseudo-spirituality cannot help us in our free thinking either, for our thinking is badly affected by dogma. When a human being sits alone and thinks, if the person thinks for the collective interest, then such thoughts are proper; but usually people do not think in this way. Usually they lament over the worn-out skeletons of the past. “This was done by, this was imposed by, our forefathers – when our forefathers have said this, why should I break with the old traditions? It was written in this way in the scriptures; and moreover if I follow these old conventions and traditions, what is the harm?” These types of dogmatic and dogma-ic thoughts will naturally stifle the free flow of human thought. And that is why whenever there is dogma, human thinking cannot be free; and for want of, for paucity of, free thinking, there cannot be any proper psycho-spiritual progress either. So here what we want is perfect spirituality and not pseudo-spirituality. Pseudo-spirituality cannot promote the cause of human welfare; the seed of welfare does not lie there. The seed of welfare cannot exist where the seed of dogma exists.” (2)
References
1. NP, MGD 1 Jan 1984 Ananda Nagar
2. A Few Problems Solved - 5, Pseudo-Spirituality and Neohumanism
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Práńáyáma: fake vs dharmic
Note: These days hatha yoga / fake yoga pranayama is becoming quite popular. Yet by this way the common people are getting harmed. Because the philosophy of mind is: As one thinks so they become. So if their practice of pranayama is devoid of spiritual ideation, the mind will be submerged in mundane thoughts. Because the mind has to think of something; it cannot remain completely idle. Also bear in mind that pranayama multiplies the effect of one’s thinking. So if one is involved in mundane or degrading thoughts during their pranayama practice, that will be very harmful. Then those lower propensities will become more dominant. And that will bring about one’s demise. Unfortunately Buddhist pranayama and fake yoga pranayama is mostly like that - i.e. devoid of spiritual ideation. So beware. As sadhakas of Ananda Marga, we should always keenly apply the proper ideation when doing this lesson and bring more onto the path so they can save themselves from the ill effects of bogus pranayama.
Ananda Marga philosophy states: “Question: What is práńáyáma?”
“Answer: Práńáyáma is defined as: Tasmin sati shvása prashvásayoh gativicchedah práńáyáma. That is, “Práńáyáma is the process of breath control along with the imposition of the ideation of Supreme Consciousness.” It helps the mind in concentration and meditation.
“Question: What is the spirit of práńáyáma?”
“Answer: Pránán yamayati eśah práńáyámah. That is, the word práńáyáma literally means “controlling the práńáh [vital energy]”. The psycho-philosophy behind the practice of práńáyáma is that the spiritual aspirant tries to let the práńendriya [ten vital-energy currents] remain in a state of pause so that the paused unit mind will merge into the ocean of consciousness.”
“Question: How many types of práńáyáma are there?”
“Answer: There are two main types of práńáyáma: hat́ha yaogika práńáyáma and Yudhiśt́hira práńáyáma. When práńáyáma is done without fixing the mind on a particular point of concentration, and without imbibing Cosmic ideation, it is called hat́ha yaogika práńáyáma. But when práńáyáma is performed with the mind fixed at a particular point along with Cosmic ideation, it is called Yudhiśt́hira práńáyáma. [The eldest Pandava, Yudhisthira, was the first person to popularize práńáyáma according to this method.]” (1)
Reference
1. Yoga Psychology, Questions and Answers on Meditation, #11-13
== Section 4: Links ==
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