Baba
Human revival: fasting
Namaskar,
In His Yogic Treatments book, Baba prescribes upava'sa as a cure to so many illnesses. So upavasa (loosely translated as upava'sa) is an excellent resource and remedy for various physical ailments and diseases as it helps purify the entire body and allows the glands to fully rest.
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Body cures itself
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "Fasting is also included in the scope of Pramitaha'r, because it gives rest to the digestive organs and frees the body from so many ailments." (1)
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "During fasting the body's organs get a good rest, and the healing process is more rapid." (2)
Those who fast regularly maintain a healthy and vibrant existence and find that the body becomes habituated and adjusted to this cycle of upava'sa. The body is then ready for the next upava'sa as the day approaches. This is the common experience of many sadhakas. And by this way the body cures itself.
Upavasa brings mental clarity & sharpness
Fasting also has a tremendous effect in the mental arena. We have all experienced how after a big meal we tend to feel sleepy, tired, and even a bit dull. This is a common problem, and the reason behind this is that when we ingest food then that blood has to race to the stomach to help in digestion. And in that way less freshly oxygenated blood goes to the brain.
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During upava'sa none of the body's crucial resources get diverted towards the stomach. In which case one's mental functioning is sharper. That is why on upava'sa day sadhakas experience clarity of thought and psychic freshness. The mind is flexible and sharp as it is not dragged down by bodily functions such as digestion.
Another everyday example of this phenomenon is that just before an exam or important meeting or debate, no student or professional will eat a large meal. Otherwise, their mental faculties will be significantly hampered. That is why in numerous traditions people proclaim that a light stomach equals a lucid mind. And fasting is an exceptional method for enhancing mental concentration and energy.
Upava'sa helps spiritual life
The benefits of fasting in spiritual life are well known to all. At the beginning one may feel that it is difficult to do sadhana on upava'sa days. But with just a little effort many sadhakas experience very good sadhana on those days since all of the body's energy can be utilised for spiritual pursuits. Baba's guideline below is pointing in this same direction.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "As a result of fasting, the poisonous and unproductive waste of the body gets destroyed and expelled. Moreover, the energy that is not expended in digesting food can be utilised for other purposes. Therefore, a fast day is an excellent time for sadhana." (3)
Fasting vs upavasa
Here below Baba describes how we are to spend our upava'sa days.
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Ananda Marga ideology states, "'Upa' means proximity. And va'sa means to live, to reside. So the upava'sa word means to live near the Lord. In these days of fasting, what the aspirants are to do? Mentally they should live near their Lord. On all other days there remains a balance between external objective adjustment, and subjective approach. An adjustment between objective adjustment and subjective approach. But on these fasting, or upava'sa, the aspirant remains more in proximity to the Lord than in other mundane duties. That's why these days are known as "upava'sa". The word 'fasting' doesn't carry the proper sense or the proper spirit of the term 'upava'sa'. To go without food, for this the proper word is anasan. 'An' means not, 'asan' means eating. And not upava'sa. So these ekadashii, amava'sya, and purnima they are, upava'sa. Do you follow?" (4)
And Baba's next guideline further details how upava'sa days are perfect for an enhanced spiritual routine.
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "These fixed [fasting] days are called upavasa since during these days people keeping their minds engaged in spiritual matters 'live closer' to God, and any possibility of mental degradation is averted: their humanity is not endangered by the lengthening shadows of annihilation." (5)
By all this we can understand that on upava'sa days one can enjoy heightened spiritual awareness and thus deepen their devotional link with Parama Purusa.
Baba points on upava'sa
In dharma samiiksa and in all types of reporting sessions, Baba used to point out sadhakas in front of one and all about their practice of upava'sa. And if one person was pointed out it was understood that if others are also lacking and deficient in this arena then they should also rectify themselves. That was the spirit. It was not just that Baba was speaking to only one individual on such occasions.
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Some people would wonder why Baba was pointing out margiis or Wts in front of the collective, as opposed to informing them individually. The reason for this is that Baba did not have the time to speak to each and every individual on each and every particular point. So by highlighting a particular sadhaka's mistake in front of the collective, then if 4 or 5 others were doing the same wrongdoing then naturally they would also become alarmed. And the feeling would come that they too should rectify themselves, as they understood that Baba is very concerned and strict on this point.
Another reason is that naming the defects on the collective platform was a good way of reminding one and all. Because day after day, or every few days, if He was pointing out a different margii or Wt on the point of fasting, then it automatically became a reminder to all those present that this was something important. So if anyone was attending the reporting for an entire week or two week period, then they would get numerous reminders. And invariably they would spread that idea to others who did not attend.
Here we should keep in mind that as Guru Baba was pointing out the defects of disciples from the very beginning, not just in later years. >From the Jamalpur era up to the grand DMCs in the late 80's, Babe would point out, benevolently scold, and shower His love. This was all done for our welfare. By this way we could grow and move on towards Supreme fulfillment. Baba is the dharma Guru, and His special quality is to both love and punish.
Ananda Marga ideology states, "The preceptor must also be nigraha (capable of inflicting punishment) and anugraha (capable of bestowing grace). One who punishes only or who bestows grace only is not an ideal preceptor." (6)
Baba reporting
Overall there were at minimum two distinct reasons for pointing people out in front of the collective:
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(a) A lack of time to speak to everyone on an individual basis and by this way it was a good reminder to one and all. Thus within a short period Baba could rectify and instill proper practices within countless sadhakas within the entire Marga. Overall we can say it was His special technique and blessing.
(b) Baba is very strict on the point of upava'sa. And He wants that we should all be sincere on all aspects of this practice. As He tells us again and again in various ways that indeed He is always watching our each and every action to ensure our welfare.
As many know, upava'sa is a special practice whereby one's entire system gets cleansed and purified. By allowing the organs to rest and collect the toxins, the body gets the opportunity to rejuvenate itself. Breaking the fast properly with a thorough cleansing process is an indispensable feature of upava'sa - otherwise much of the benefits are lost.
Here following Baba says about the process of upavasa.
Ananda Marga ideology states, "Upavasa in the sense of fasting is also useless...if one does real upavasa that can do a lot. The scriptural meaning of uspavasa is-- by derivation-- upa which means "near", and va'sa, which means "to stay". Upa'vasa therefore means "to make the mind stay near Parama'tma'". In other words, it means to withdraw the mind from thoughts of physicalities and keep it near Parama'tama'. The sanskrit word for fasting as such is anashana [remaining hungry / starving]." (7)
This is for our welfare
We all know that Baba Himself is very strict with all margiis and acaryas on the point of upava'sa. He wants that we should derive all the many benefits from this great practice. Indeed, in multiple ways, He reminds us that always He is watching. This following teaching is leading in that exact manner.
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Ananda Marga ideology says, "Suppose, a gentleman is undergoing fasting, and secretly in a closed room, he takes chocolate. 'No one will know, nobody will know.' But it is not so. His unit cognition will know that he has taken chocolate. And similarly, the Cosmic Father will know that in a particular room one unit body took chocolate very secretly, and that unit body is still thinking, that the fact that he took chocolate on a fast-day is not known to anybody. It is known to everybody. Nothing is a secret." (8)
All-knowing Baba sees exactly what happens - as well as what does not happen - on our each and every upava'sa day. And He wants us to sincerely follow His guideline as this is for our welfare.
Cleanses whole body
On the physical plane, upava'sa plays a direct and significant role. Because the whole health and balance of the physical body revolves around the stomach. Those with some understanding about their bodily systems and functions recognise that the stomach is the nucleus and the most integral organ for maintaining human health on a day to day basis.
Because only in the case of the stomach does something from the external environment actually enter inside the body. And that "something" which enters is food which gets deposited directly into the stomach; in turn, the various nutritional (and not-so-nutritional) components get distributed throughout the body via the bloodstream. But the stomach is the starting point.
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So if the stomach is not in good working order and if it cannot do its job properly, then the immediate effect is that the limbs and the various body parts and organs get adversely affected and diseased.
And what results are problems like: acidity, gout, rheumatism, obesity, skin diseases, and ultimately cancer etc. All of this starts with the initial onset of difficulties in the stomach. And in numerous chapters of Yogic Treatment book, Baba clearly describes this. Yet, as we may have experienced, the practice of regular upava'sa naturally controls all these problems. Because before any real difficulty develops the health of the human body is restored. That is why most sadhakas do not suffer from the aforementioned physical ailments and diseases. Instead they enjoy a strong state of health.
Sincere Ananda Margiis understand that Baba has blessed us with the gifts for a fruitful life. He has graciously bestowed upon us the needed way, guidelines, and "know-how" for a pristine and sweet existence. Verily all of His teachings lead us in this direction, and His special guidelines about fasting are also an essential ingredient. It is by this process of regular upava'sa that our whole entire being gets cleansed and purified - in all the realms of life: physical, mental, and spiritual. And that propels us forward towards our cherished Goal.
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By doing the fasting and breaking process in a sincere and complete manner, one’s entire human structure is renewed and the body and mind will glisten with purity and levity.
Namaskar,
In Him,
Sa’dhana’
~ In-depth study ~
More guidelines on fasting
Ananda Marga Caryacarya says, "On and around the times of new and full moon, one may observe that the gaseous and aqueous factors in the body rise up into the head and chest, creating an uncomfortable feeling. Therefore, if a person does not take food at these times, these factors will be drawn down from the higher portions of the body to the lower portions, thereby alleviating the uncomfortable feeling." (9)
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "You should not depend on food too much. This is why I have prescribed fasting on four days a month for some people and two days a month for others, and personally I have proved by fasting for five years and ... months at a stretch that if people try, they can remain without food. If one's dependence on food decreases, one will gain more freedom in a particular aspect of life." (10)
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "So, fasting is a necessity in the eleventh moon, pu’rn’ima’, that is full moon, and new moon. In A’nanda Ma’rga, I didn’t prescribe these four days fasting, that is, for grhii’s — that is non-wholetimers, non avadhutas — they are to fast only two days, two eleventh moons. And for workers, avadhutas, they are to fast how many days? Four days. Because they will have to engage themselves more in spiritual and higher works, in intellectual and spiritual [realms]. That’s why they should fast four times in a month - and others, twice. But if others so desire, they may fast four times — I won’t say anything. But it is not compulsory. For them, two eka’dashiis." (11)
References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 12, Seven Secrets
2. Yogic Treatments, Appendix
3. Caryacarya - 3, Procedure for Fasting
4. Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 6, Upavása
5. Namah Shivaya Shantaya, Shivas Teachings – 2 (continued) (Discourse 13)
6. Ananda Marga Ideology Way of Life - 9, Tantra and Sádhaná
7. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 23, The Dialogues of Shiva and Párvatii – 1
8. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 12, Making the Man Universal
9. Caryacarya - 3, Procedure for Fasting
10. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 7, In Kali Yuga, Strength Lies in an Organized Body
11. 12/1/71 Patna
== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==
If I veer off the path
“Yadi, bhúl path dhare, kabhu cale tháki, se trut́i kśamio nija guńe…” (Prabhat Samgiita #1043)
Purport:
Baba, if ever I move on the wrong path, please forgive that very blunder by Your own wish and blessing. If ever I forget about You, please rectify that blunder at that very moment.
Movement requires one goal. Everything is a veritable waste for those who don’t have a goal. Parama Purusa, You are my Goal; You are my Polestar; I am moving towards You with Your stamina. It is exclusively Your grace.
From beginning to end, during good times or bad times, always, Your ideation gives me inspiration to move on the path of enlightenment. Baba You are the path, and You are the fuel of my on-going journey. I am singing Your glory in Your songs...
“Yadi, bhúl path dhare, kabhu cale tháki, se trut́i kśamio nija guńe…” (Prabhat Samgiita #1043)
Purport:
Baba, if ever I move on the wrong path, please forgive that very blunder by Your own wish and blessing. If ever I forget about You, please rectify that blunder at that very moment.
Movement requires one goal. Everything is a veritable waste for those who don’t have a goal. Parama Purusa, You are my Goal; You are my Polestar; I am moving towards You with Your stamina. It is exclusively Your grace.
From beginning to end, during good times or bad times, always, Your ideation gives me inspiration to move on the path of enlightenment. Baba You are the path, and You are the fuel of my on-going journey. I am singing Your glory in Your songs...
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Tragedy in AMPS
WT Conduct Rules state: “Obedience is discipline and discipline is obedience.” (1)
One time thieves wearing military uniforms infiltrated a military campus. And the commander of the thieves ordered all to attention. Those original military soldiers stood at attention while the thieves emptied their arsenal and cash etc. After the incident was reported, the real military leader arrived on the scene and found that all the troops were still standing in attention. Those military chiefs asked the troops about this. They said, “Look, our whole life we got training that we have to follow the order to maintain discipline. And that we should follow whatever our bosses say. We do not care which boss it is, but until we get next order how can we break our stance.”
Conclusion: In this story the commander thief is Rudrananda, and the military troops following the order are regular Wts. The thieves are looting everything and Wts do not know if the commander is the saviour or destroyer of the military. This happens only in a blind kingdom. In ideal scenarios, this is laughable. In any civilised nation if the commander goes against the constitution then the military revolts - or even shoots their commander. In that case they are protected by the constitution. But in AMPS, anti-social elements are controlling and obedient wts are following mindlessly. They lost all their common sense. In following their so-called discipline, they are destroying the constitution of Ananda Marga. What nonsense is going on in the name of discipline.
Namaskar,
Pranatosh
Reference
1. Wt Conduct Rules, Fourteen Points, Point #1
== Section 3: Links ==
