Baba
Evolution: important query
Namaskar,
Which came first, the bird or the egg? This query has been stumping humanity for ages. Innumerable generations have been baffled by this conundrum across so many landscapes. Sadguru Baba has given the answer in His discourse.
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How change occurs: two styles of evolution
First we have to understand that there are two basic ways that change occurs in this universe: similar effect and dissimilar effect.
#1: Similar effect -> Similar effect -> Similar effect: For example, a human gives birth to a human offspring, a son, and in the next generation a human grandson is born, followed by a human great grandson. This similar effect goes on for thousands of years where there are only minute changes from one generation to the next.
#2: Similar effect -> Similar effect -> Dissimilar effect: The second type of change represents a tremendous shift that occurs all at once. It is a great leap forward. Generally, every species gives birth to offspring that are similar to themselves. But one day, one fine morning, one member of a species gives birth to a baby that is fundamentally different from all previous members of that species. Here is how Baba explains this second type of change.
After hundreds of thousands of years, after a long span of time, a fundamental change occurs. It is a dissimilar effect whereby a new species takes birth. Examples of this dissimilar effect are explained in His Hindi discourse about the case of the australopithecine and the kesharii legume.
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Australopithecine & dissimilar effect
As Baba guides us, a classic case of this type of dramatic change is what happened with the australopithecine 1,000,000 years ago. One morning the australopithecine stood around and stared at this strange baby that had just been born. It had distinctly less hair and looked altogether peculiar and odd. Lo and behold, it was the first human being. That event charted a whole new course on this earth. It was a monumental shift from the existing paradigm. Previously, all the children of the australopithecine were australopithecine. This event also depicts how an australopithecine mother gave birth to a human baby. That was the first human baby. This dramatic change is creation's way of effecting change and enabling new things to unfold.
Another case is that of the dog. The dog is not an ancient species. It is not a hundred thousand years old. And when it came into existence its mother was not a dog. So the birth of the first dog is also indicative of a tremendous shift that took place. It is just like how the first human took birth from an australopithecine.
Answer: Which came first-- chicken or egg?
In the beginning of this posting the question was raised: "Which came first, the bird (chicken) or the egg?" Baba has made the answer very clear. The chicken did not come from a chicken's egg but rather from an egg of another bird. That is the answer. In this way, the entire creation is moving forward. New and newer species are being born in this cosmic cycle.
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Let’s take the case of the kesharii bean / legume. This bean was non-existent 200 years ago. But at that time there was a terrible drought in Bihar. The entire paddy crop dried up due to lack of rain. Immediately after that a spell of huge rain on those dried stems. And that dried paddy hay turned into something entirely new, i.e. a bumper crop, a new breed that had nothing to do with paddy - the kesharii legume. The birth of this kesharii legume saved the people from terrible starvation; a starvation that would have been inevitable due to the destruction of the rice crop. So it was at this time that kesharii came into being and people used it as a staple food. Since then the kesharii pulse has been prevalent in Bihar, India.
So this also is an example of this theory of similar effect -> similar effect -> similar effect -> dissimilar effect. In this instance, a grand fundamental shift takes place all at once wherein a new species takes birth. This is the way creation advances, always generating more and more variety and diversity. We see that everything in this entire creation has come from something else. All the animals and plants originated from something else. Nature has a unique way of creating a shift through a sudden, fundamental change whereby new species are brought into the domain of creation.
Namaskar,
In Him,
Prema Sagar
Varanasi: The perception regarding the role of
'khesari dal' (Lathyrus sativus) also called grass pea
~ Courtesy Times of India ~
In fact, according to the head, neurological department, IMS-BHU Dr VN Mishra, the pulse is not only a cheap substitute for other costly pulses but also provides some very important nutrients that are good for health.
Khesari dal contains 31% protein, 41% carbohydrate, 17% total dietary fibre, two per cent fat and two per cent ash, on a dry matter basis. "Apart from costing less, the legume consumes less fuel in cooking. But the most important thing is that apart from being non-neurotoxic, lathyrus, in fact has, some cardioprotective nutrients in it, as per the studies published by the scientists at National Institute of Nutrition Hyderabad. Our study was conducted in as many as 20 districts of UP and Bihar," he said. (Courtesy Times of India)
== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==
Unchanging truth
"Ajáná pathik alakár kathá, shonáo bárek ese..." (Prabhat Samgiita #1580)
Purport:
O’ Ajana Pathik, kindly, just once, come to me and whisper in my ear, the tale of the divine spiritual realm. Let me know how You have created this colourful universe. How is it that nebulae and galaxies are floating in the vast blue sky; and, to which unknown world and direction are they floating away.
O’ Supreme Father, prithee guide and recount to me: Are those perceptions that I receive through my inferences - eyes, nose, ears, touch, and tongue etc - the only truth? And are those things which I do not perceive with my motor and sensory organs just an illusion? Are those false? Baba, I request You to tell which is unfounded and false and which is unchanging truth. Make me aware about those things of the past that are no longer here in the present.
O’ my Supreme Guide, gently let me know, are those so-called God’s words that have been written in the so-called scriptures? And, are those ideas that are not in the so-called scriptures meaningless? Baba, enter in my mind, sit on my mental lotus, and whisper the truth to all my queries which I have kept in my mind since long. Merciful Taraka Brahma, move closer and apprise me of the stories of the spiritual land - the sphere of bhakti...
Notes
[1] Ajana Pathik: The term Aja'na' Pathik means 'The Divine Entity Parama Purusa Who moves around this entire universe, and resides everywhere and knows everything; irrespective of where one goes, He remains along with you'. That is one of His many unique attributions and that is the speciality of the name 'Ajana Pathik'. The name 'Ajana Pathik' denotes this special quality.
Literally, Aja'na' means 'unknown' and Pathik means 'traveler' or ‘tourist.’ But this is just the word by word, literal translation; and, proper nouns are not meant to be translated. So we cannot call Him the ‘Unknown Traveler’ or ‘Unknown Tourist', or Unknown Vacationer', or 'Unknown Backpacker', or 'Unknown Visitor', or 'Unknown Globetrotter', or 'Unknown Daytripper', or 'Unknown Hitchhiker.’ The spirit and meaning is then lost.
The inner sense of the name Ajana Pathik is that Parama Purusa is always moving throughout this vast cosmos and He is constantly present with everyone, all the time. He is in the Cosmic Nucleus, yet at the same time through His ota and prota yoga He is everywhere - carefully watching & lovingly guiding everyone. This unique aspect of His grand Personality is treated as Aja'na' Pathik. Because He is constantly traveling yet present everywhere. He is in the nucleus as well as throughout this entire universe.
As the Ajana Pathik, Parama Purusa Baba moves and moves and moves. In their spiritual approach bhaktas feel that wherever they go the Aja'na' Pathik will always be there to shower His blessing. By His grace, bhaktas can always get His intimate company and companionship. With this mystical link, sadhakas understand that Parama Purusa is present everywhere, yet side by side He travels on and on throughout this entire cosmos. Thus He is Aja'na' Pathik.
Overall, the name Aja'na' Pathik has one special and unique meaning that goes far beyond its literal translation. And in our hearts we A'nanda Ma'rgiis know and feel that Baba is that Aja'na' Pathik. Indeed in His discourses, in Dharma Samiiksa, and in reporting, in DMC, and in numerous ways Baba has shown this very fact that He is ever-present and always along with us. He is always moving, and wherever we go then He will also be there. Parama Purusa has infinite attributions and one of them is this special quality where He always remains along with us wherever we are in this vast universe. In this way, He is known as - Aja'na' Pathik. In true sense, as the omnipresent Entity, He does not go anywhere because He is everywhere; but, in a more literal manner, He goes from place to place.
Those who use ‘Unknown Traveler’ or ‘Unknown Tourist’ in place of Aja'na' Pathik are naive and ignorant.
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Pleasing Him builds proper society
Ananda Marga ideology states, “We are all the progeny of Parama Puruśa. He is creating each and every thing. There is no need to worry about the man-made distinctions between tall and short, black and white, male and female. Identify your mind with the Cosmic Mind and see whether that pleases Parama Puruśa or not. Do whatever pleases Him.”
“No father wants to see his child die of starvation or one of his children eating or accumulating more than required. You will have to develop the economic sphere to ensure that these things will never happen. In social life no father would wish to see his widowed daughter forced to dress in an austere fashion, persecuted socially, or debarred from attending social functions. You must not support these things. Rather, you must provide equal opportunities for all.”
“Parents hate to see their children weep. If they do, they take them on their lap and comfort them with love and affection until their tears stop. You will have to build a society in which no one is forced to weep, where everyone smiles joyfully all the time and gets ample scope for laughter. Seeing such mirth and merriment, Parama Puruśa will feel immensely pleased. By giving joy to Parama Puruśa you will feel even more joyful and will feel His close proximity. This is the actual social code. And the actual spiritual code is the one that helps humans move towards Parama Puruśa. Under no circumstances should one create unnecessary controversies. The social code aims at bringing a broad smile to the faces of the progeny of Parama Puruśa. You should all move along this path – you are sure to meet with success.” (1)
Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 4, Which Is the Right Path?
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Essence of sadhana
Ananda Marga ideology says, "Whatever a man is to do in his spiritual life he is to do - why? Because he is in love with the Supreme Entity. Love is the first word, love is the starting point, and love is the last point." (1)
Note: Baba's above guideline is very beneficial for sadhana. However, these days some innocent or simple people just do meditation for "mental peace". And even worse, some Wts do sadhana for show - to pose as someone great. Such Wts hardly do sadhana when they are alone; but when they go to margiis' houses then in grand style they sit in meditation for a long time. All done in order to put themselves on display and create one show that they are highly elevated sadhakas. A few margiis do a similar thing when they attend retreats. Only by evaluating the ongoing conduct can one understand how far they are really doing sadhana or not. It is just like if you are approaching one animal at night. At first you may think that it is a tiger or a lion, but when that animal makes its weird 'Huan, Huan' sound, then you know that it is just a jackal. Same is the case when being around those types who put on a show of sadhana. By their conduct and dealing they just expose themselves etc.
Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 12, The Starting Point and the Last Point
== Section: Prabhat Samgiita ==
आज फूलों की मुस्कान से मधु के झरने बह रहे हैं।
प्रभात संगीत 0133 : तुम्हारे शुभ जन्म दिवस का भव्य अवसर
भावार्थ
हे मेरे परमपुरुष! तुम्हारे दिव्य जन्मदिन के शुभ अवसर पर ऊषाकाल की लालिमा प्रत्येक क्षण नये नये रूपमें दिखाई देती है। हे परमपुरुष! तुम्हारे शुभ जन्मदिन का यह भव्य अवसर है।
आज आकाश और अमृत छलक रहा है, आनन्द के आप्लावन से मेरा हृदय किसी अज्ञात स्वर्गिक स्थान की ओर तैरने लगता है। आज तुम्हें पाने के आनन्द के लय पर चिंतन करते हुए, मेरा मन मधुर स्मृतियों में भर जाता है। हे परमपुरुष! बाबा, आज तुम्हारे शुभ जन्मदिन का यह भव्य अवसर है।
आज नीले आकाश में और सुगन्ध समीर में पक्षियों का गान जारी है। पेड़ों के फूलों की मुस्कान से मधु के झरने बह रहे हैं। इन सबके माध्यम से मैंने तुम्हें अपने हृदय में पा लिया है, यह तुम्हारी कृपा है , यह तृम्हारी कृपा है। हे परमपुरुष! हे बाबा! यह आनन्दपूर्णिमा तुम्हारा शुभ जन्म दिवस है, मैं तुम्हारे चरण कमलों में समर्पित हॅूं।
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Important teachings on breathing
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "The process of breathing has a great influence on the human mind and self, or soul. Suppose a person is running: his or her breathing immediately becomes heavy. In that condition he or she cannot think properly; the sensory organs such as the tongue, nose, etc., cannot function properly, and as a result one's perception is impaired. Moreover, the process of breathing, depending upon whether the breath is flowing through the right nostril or the left nostril or both nostrils, influences people in various ways..."
"When doing a heavy job while breathing normally, a person might have serious difficulties – perhaps ones limbs might be broken – but in a state of baddha kumbhaka, or púrńa kumbhaka [with the lungs full], one can easily do the same work. While doing some over-strenuous activity in a state of shúnya kumbhaka [with the lungs empty] one might even die."
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "Suppose you are climbing to a high place or lifting a very heavy load. If you do not follow the system of breathing while lifting the load, your hands may become painful or your bones dislocated. If you do the same work in a state of shúnya kumbhaka, you will have great difficulty – you may even collapse. If, on the contrary, you perform any strenuous activity in púrńa kumbhaka, taking a deep breath, you can easily do it. All this comes within the scope of that svaravijiṋána. You might have read in the Rámáyańa that Hanuman, by taking a deep breath, made his body swell and lifted a whole mountain. Although it is a mythological story, it refers to the science of svaravijiṋána." (1)
Reference;
1. Namah Shivaya Shantaya, Shiva – the Focal Point of Everything
== Section: Important Teaching ==
They will become more rigid in their dogma
Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "Never attack the religious beliefs of anyone. Make the person understand gradually with logic. If you attack a person's religious beliefs, it means you have attacked Ananda Marga." (1)
Note: The question arises, Why should one not attack the religious beliefs of others. The main idea is that those religious followers, i.e. those believers, do not use their brain to determine right from wrong when it comes to their religion. Just they believe. Verily a large percentage (99% or so) were indoctrinated into that religion during their childhood. And if anyone mocks their beliefs, those followers become very frustrated and angry, and will blindly cling to their religious beliefs more fiercely. They will be more rigid in their dogmatic ways. So that defeats the purpose. In that case, the purpose in mocking that religion will not bear any fruit.
Here is an example: In India people worship the monkey god. Those followers think that one morning the monkey god had nothing to eat so he ate the sun. Then all around it became completely dark. But this is a ludicrous idea. But if anyone makes jokes about this and attacks the religious sentiment of those monkey god worshipers, then those followers will become more rigid and adamant about their beliefs. They will not give up their dogma. And this applies to all the dogmatic religions. In contrast, if one patiently and gently tries to convince them through logic and reasoning, then they make get convinced and start doing sadhana. In sum, dogmatic beliefs should be corrected through polite logic and reasoning, and not just ridiculed and attacked through jokes and mockery.
Reference
1. Caryacarya - 2, Society, Point #9
== Section 3: Links ==