Baba
Signs of progress in sadhana
Note: Every sadhaka on the path of Ananda Marga knows that Parama Purusa is the Goal, and that siddhis (occult powers) are like the dust on the path.
Namaskar,
All come into this world looking to become great. But where to find that greatness – people do not know. They try so many endeavours in the material realm only to realise that those engagements will not make them great. Countless persons struggle in this way. The moment it dawns in the mind that they must take up the path of spirituality, then their true journey begins. Diiksa, or initiation, marks that starting point. When any ordinary person is blessed to receive tantrika diiksa, then the seed of greatness is planted.
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Path of progress
Once one receives initiation, then rigorous efforts must be made. A person has to learn and follow the codes of yama and niyama. The sadhaka must make strict efforts in the practice of sadhana. Moreover, one must adhere to various rules and regulations such as Sixteen Points etc. So by one’s sincerity – along with the cosmic grace of Parama Purusa – one makes strides forward. Sometimes the progress is swift and steep, and other times it is slow and gradual. That is why Baba guides us that one’s progress is systaltic – not linear.
Yet, with practice, progress is made. By doing sadhana and repeating one’s personal ista mantra the mind gets vibrated and subtle shifts occur deep within. The mind and body become more adjusted and suited towards a sentient, spiritual lifestyle. These are the common stages for anyone who sincerely embarks on the spiritual path, by His grace. By this way one accelerates ahead.
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The first benchmark: aeshvarya
Beyond these initial stages and as one becomes more established in spiritual life, there are numerous other benchmarks that lay ahead. These benchmarks also delineate one’s forward movement on the path of progress.
One such benchmark is aeshvarya which is comprised of the following 8 factors:
- 1. Ańimá
- 2. Mahimá
- 3. Laghimá
- 4. Iishitva
- 5. Vashitva
- 6. Prápti
- 7. Prakámya
- 8. Antaryámitva
They are called occult powers because through the practice of cult – i.e. sadhana – any ordinary person can gain these powers. Once the rank of aeshvarya is attained, one is known as iishvara.
So by doing sadhana – practicing the cult of tantra – a regular, ordinary person can become extraordinary and possess the 8 occult powers. Over the course of human history, many persons have risen to this rank. And indeed many sadhakas gain these powers unknowingly – without realising it.
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Conclusion
Aeshvarya is one distinct level of achievement that anyone can attain if they are sincere. At this point one is known as iishvara because they possess aeshvarya, i.e. the 8 occult powers: ańimá, mahimá, laghimá, iishitva, vashitva, prápti, prakámya, and antaryámitva.
Everybody knows that iishvara, bhagavan, and Parama Purusa are not the same. Of these three, the lowest is iishvara. The next letter will address the stage of bhagavan.
Namaskar,
In Him,
Anandaraj
Parama Purusa is the Goal - not aeshvarya
Every sadhaka of the Marga knows that Parama Purusa is the Goal, and that siddhis (occult powers) are like the dust on the path.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Ananda Marga ideology states, "While practising spiritual cult, it should be remembered that spiritual aspirants must not practise in order to acquire these occult powers. The goal of spiritual practice is to realize the Supreme Entity. To search for any other thing is wrong. Occult powers are just like the dust on the roadside. The attraction for Parama Puruśa is the most valuable object – all else is only the dust of the earth." (1)
Leave occult powers by wayside
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, “Hence the spiritual aspirant must not run after these inconsequential occult powers, although while prasticing spiritual cult they may develop. You must not forget that all your achievements must maintain adjustment with the main propensities of the mind, and in the process of adjustment, all these eight types of occult powers present themselves to the spiritual aspirant.” (2)
Parama Purusa is more than Iishvara
Ananda Marga ideology states, “All the qualities that are present in Saguńa Brahma or Iishvara (Qualified Consciousness) are of course also present in Parama Puruśa, with some other qualities as well. So we see that Parama Puruśa is both Iishvara and Bhagaván, and something more than that.” (3)
References
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 18, Cult, Inference and Propensity
2. Subhasita Samgraha - 18, Cult, Inference and Propensity
3. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 11, Parama Puruśa and His Creation
* * *
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 ==
Gregarious beings
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Some animals are gregarious and others are not. The tiger is not a gregarious animal – it prefers to move alone. Goats are not gregarious, but sheep, elephants and lambs are. Human beings are social beings. They do not like to remain in isolation." (1)
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "You know that humans are gregarious beings. There are some living beings who live in groups or clans, and some who live in isolation. In very olden days, human beings lived in clans" (2)
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “You are social beings. One cannot live in isolation. When you feel thirsty, you can’t manufacture a spade, dig a well, and draw water yourself. One person will make a spade, another will add the wooden handle, and another will dig the well — this is how we work collectively. This is the way for human beings to live. In all spheres of human existence, in the aesthetic sphere as well, humanity should live collectively. You should live in unison. You should vibrate together to the same music. You should move in a common psychic flow. You should fight collectively against your common enemies. Unitedly you should face all problems, mundane and supra-mundane. In a word, you must reflect the spirit of harmonious collective living in conformity with the spirit of the Vedic mantra Sam’gacchadhvam’ sam’vadadhvam.” (3)
Note: This is Baba’s special guideline which is lacking these days in the society. All should understand they do not exist alone, by themselves, in isolation. With collective spirit, all have to work together. By that way, many works can be done for the great cause, by His grace.
References
1. A Few Problems Solved - 4, Plants, Animals and Human Beings
2. Namah Shivaya Shantaya: Disc 8
3. Namámi Krśńasundaram, Disc: 26
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Long long punishment for lusting after moneyAnanda Marga philosophy guides us, "There are seven kinds of luminous bodies: yakśa, siddha, gandharva, kinnara, vidyádhara, Prakrtiliina and videhaliina. They are categorized according to their respective psychologies. Suppose there is a very elevated person who often ideates on the Supreme Consciousness, but who has some greed for wealth. He does not, however, express it openly to the Supreme, nor does he even think of it directly. He thinks indirectly, "Oh, since I am a devotee of the Supreme Consciousness, He will certainly give me enormous wealth and make me immensely rich." Those who harbour this sort of covert desire are reborn as yaks'as." (1)
Note: Yaksas are one type of degraded being - i.e. those unfortunate ones who cannot get human framework because they are under punishment. Only after their extreme punishment, only after exhausting so many negative samskaras, only then may they again get human life. Once they attain human form they will need to get tantric initiation, adhere to the code of yama and niyama and do maximum sadhana. Then after much effort, only by His grace they may get moksa. So theirs is a long and arduous journey as they must suffer for millions of years. That is why meditating on money is very bad.
Some sadhaka businessmen and money-minded sadhakas who are indulged day and night in money matters will suffer in this way. They will be degenerated into yaksas. After facing punishment for millions of years, then who knows on which planet they may get the opportunity to live human life and do proper work and service. But if they again indulge in money matters, they will become yaksas (degraded beings) and this cycle will be repeated. They will spin round and round in this torturous pattern.
That is why Baba is warning that when one has a human body then the goal must be Parama Purusa - not money.
in Him,
Parvati
Reference
1. Yoga Psychology, Are Ghosts Hallucinations?
Section: Important Teaching ==
Why Buddha & Mahaviira Jain failed
Prout philosophy states, “"Mahaviira's philosophy of nirgrantha vada never gained mass support. Secondly, he placed too much emphasis on forgiveness and mercy. He taught people to forgive their worst enemies, even if they were as deadly as scorpions and snakes. As a result of this teaching, people lost the will to fight against the enemies of society. So, although the teachings of Buddha and Mahaviira Jain were not based on dogma and did not deliberately mislead people, they failed in the course of time because they were not sufficiently comprehensive and well-balanced." (1)
Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell, Part 16, Religious Dogma – Excerpt B
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Recipe to never be sad
Ananda Marga ideology states, "During the enactment of a drama, all the characters, the dramatis personae (some are acting as great scholars, some fools, some as extremely happy and some as wretched beings) should bear in mind that they are simply playing the roles allotted to them. They should always think, “In reality, I am neither very happy nor very miserable, I am not an erudite scholar nor a fool. I am merely acting a particular role-be it Emperor Shahjáhán or Aurangzeb.” If people remember this, they will neither be afflicted with sorrow nor elated with joy. This is what is called cosmic inheritance, cosmic heritage."
"All have come from one and the same Entity; no one is inferior, no one is small, mean or untouchable. No one is born high or low: all are bound by fraternal and sororal bonds." (1)
Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 31, Supramundane Heritage and Supramundane Desideratum
