Baba
Stay forever
Namaskar,
Ananda Marga ideology states, "This world is just like [a] waiting room. You are to remain here for a very short span." (1)
Tragically, in this modern world, the mass of people live and plan their lives in such a way as if this world is their permanent abode. Due to the ill effects of gross materialism, common citizens think that their bank account, their house, their job, their physical appearance, their spouse, and their worldly possessions are the prized aspects of their existence. For this reason, they use cent-per-cent of their energy running after these ephemeral things, mistaking them to be the glory of human life. This is the way materialism has led everyone astray, into some dark illusion.
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "This type of crude material knowledge concerned with the crude materialism has done much harm to human society during the last one century." (2)
There is an inner aspect to our human existence that is hungry, yet the humanity is neglecting that which is inside because of being fully intoxicated with life's material pleasures.
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How materialism undermines spiritual life
As Ananda Margiis, we all know what the Goal of life is, as well as what it takes to get there. The Goal is Parama Purusa, and the way to get there is by sadhana. This fact everybody knows. Yet, we have also witnessed the ill effects of materialism and have seen people suffer. Materialism has infested each and every pore of society. It is very difficult to completely separate oneself from that environment. Huge billboards, internet ads, crude social values, financial pressures etc meet people at each and every turn.
One of the clear-cut outcomes of all this is that many do not get proper opportunity to learn sadhana, as they are so submerged in materialism. People commonly think, 'I will learn about spirituality'; yet when it is time to start meditation they just find any number of other things to do. And when they do learn then if they sit down for sadhana, often it gets curtailed due to a lack of time, lack of concentration, or lack of motivation etc. So many get swept in this manner.
And the gross materialism which surrounds us does not help; it leads to more spiritual lethargy. Whatever inherent lethargy some may have towards sadhana is exacerbated by today's crude environment. Because the world and all its inhabitants are running one direction, and they are trying to move in another. They are going against the tide.
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Baba says, "The present-day materialism has brought humanity to this predicament. Its consequences are dreadful." (3)
How spiritual lethargy manifests: “It’s already late today…”
Next, here is Baba special teaching about spiritual lethargy, or procrastination in sadhana.
Ananda Marga ideology says, "Spiritual lethargy is the worst. Spiritual lethargy means not to sit for meditation regularly. Those with spiritual lethargy have time for all other actions, but for spiritual practice there seems to be no time. They say, “It’s already late today – I’ll do a short meditation right now, and devote more time to sa'dhana' tomorrow.” They sit attentively inside the cinema hall, but in dharma sa'dhana' they feel sleepy." (4)
We should all read the above quote multiple times and honestly evaluate how far Baba's teaching applies to the situation nowadays.
In addition to today's gross materialism, here are other reasons why it is often a struggle to move on the path of sadhana. As Baba tells us, every human being has come from animal life. So people are highly familiar with animalistic desires and propensities. We need not be reminded about these things. That is a known path to us, and in general people gravitate towards the familiar and are hesitant to take up new enterprises.
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For that reason, it takes little or no energy for people to succumb to the four basic propensities: hunger, fear, procreation, and sleep. No one needs any special training in these spheres; the mind automatically runs after these things. In contrast, when sadhana is the most subtle practice for human beings, then invariably it is something that is very new and unfamiliar to us. Generally, it is not something that we have lifetimes of experience with. Whereas, for incarnations and incarnations in animal and human form, we have been deeply engrossed in material pursuits. So being attached to this old way of living certainly contributes to spiritual procrastination.
Why people procrastinate in sadhana
Then there are other things that lead to procrastination in sadhana:
1) Avidya Maya: The force of avidya maya casts allurements each and every moment, and when the whole society has fallen prey to the spell of avidya maya, then the force of that maya multiplies and it is very difficult to escape. If a person knows they should do sadhana, but all their worldly pressures tell them to work late, or buy a big house, or go to the movies, or watch TV, or whatever, then it is difficult to move on the path of sadhana. And every time a person gives in to the ignorance of avidya, then the more sadhana slips away, and becomes something foreign.
2) Objective Adjustment: In the name of objective adjustment, some leave their spiritual practice behind and run after worldly endeavours. They then justify that going to dharmacakra and doing sadhana there is enough for the entire week, or thereabouts.
Plus when the entire society is moving towards money, matter, prestige, then that multiplies the problem. Each of us individually should take an honest look at who we are and what is happening with our sadhana routine, and make special efforts to overcome whatever is hindering our practice.
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We have not come here forever - this world is a waiting room
Nowadays, everyone thinks that this world is their permanent abode. They may say otherwise but practically they live as if this is the case. So we should pay heed to Baba's important guideline about the waiting room phenomenon.
Ananda Marga ideology says, "You should remember always that you have come here for a short span. You won’t remain in this world for a long period. You may remain here say for ninety or hundred years or say for one hundred and fifty years. Some saints like Traelaunga Sva'mii lived here for three hundred and fifty years. He lived in Varanasi in India and died in this twentieth century. But you are to live under certain limitations – limitations of time, space and person."
"So you should always remember that you have come here for a very short span. It is just like a waiting room of a railway station. You remain there for a short period and when the train comes, you leave the waiting room. This world is just like that waiting room. You are to remain here for a very short span."
"You should always remember this fact – “I have come here for a short span and I won’t remain here for a very long period. My home is elsewhere. I am just like a tourist.” You should always remember this fact. And as a universal tourist, you, while leaving for your permanent home, won’t require a passport." (5)
One should take a moment to reflect upon how quickly time has passed since they have come on this earth - maybe even decades and decades have passed. See how quickly people reach up to their present age. So this world is mobile and one day one will die. That could occur in the next moment or even sooner.
These are the practical realities, yet so many remain oblivious of this fact. In day to day life, they do not include this equation of death into their plan. When they go to the market they plan that they will be returning back home. And when a student attends university then they have a plan to one day return back home. But amazingly, when has come on this earth but they have no plan to leave. They think and act as if they will remain here forever. This type of mentality is not the intelligent approach.
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Without this point, the whole equation is incomplete. Baba warns us to never forget that this world is anitya (ephemeral), and one day one is going to die. That time could come at any moment. So we must not treat this world as our permanent abode. We should always keep our mind fixed on Him. And internally, we must remind ourselves again and again that we have only come here for a short time. Then and only then can we truly understand that sadhana - and not money or possessions - is the cream of life.
Conclusion
Here again is Baba's reminder about the nature of this human life.
Ananda Marga ideology teaches us, "This short period of time from birth to death is human life. Human beings have come from the world of invisibility and at the end of this short span of time will return to the world of invisibility. Those people can be called intelligent who utilize every moment of their short life engaged in spiritual practice." (6)
Failing to adopt the path of sadhana, will lead us on an endless spiral of suffering and pain in the myriad of deaths and rebirths in this material world.
Ananda Marga ideology states, "The worship of Brahma should be done scrupulously, or else you will later regret and bemoan the futility of your life with the last drop of your tears at your last hour. You should make your life worthwhile through your Sádhaná. How much can your worldly friends and relations do for you? After your death your relatives may perhaps ask, “How much money has he left behind?” Your friends may go to the crematorium and indulge in flattering reminiscences about you. Your husband or wife may cry for you for about ten or twelve days and then regain their normal composure. Your lot will be only a profound sigh – a record of the futility and frustration of your life. So do not waste your time lest you later have to repent." (7)
We should realise that this world is not our permanent abode, overcome all tendencies of spiritual lethargy, do sadhana, and reach up to Him.
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Ananda Marga ideology says, "The only way to advance is to follow the path of vigorous spiritual practice." (8)
Namaskar,
At His feet,
Gurukaruna’
References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 12, Puńya All Twenty-Four Hours
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 2, Love – the Essential Prerequisite
3. Namah Shivaya Shantaya, Shivas Teachings – 1 (continued) (Discourse 10)
4. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 10, The Devotee and the Lord
5. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 12, Puńya All Twenty-Four Hours
6. Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell - 4, Nitya Karma and Naemittik Karma
7. Subhasita Samgraha - 3, Vibration, Form and Colour
8. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 8, Struggle and Progress
== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==
True neo-humanist
"Mánuśa jeno mánuśer tare, sab kichu kare jáy..." (Prabhat Samgiita #2192)
Purport:
May human beings do everything for the upliftment of others. Let no one forget that land and aquatic animals, birds, plants, forests, flora and fauna, animate and inanimate objects also belong to our vast, universal family. Let all feel that they are members of our singular cosmic family under the guardianship of Parama Purusa. No one is alien. Each and every being cherishes their life; all want to survive. We are all one family; may everyone become true neo-humanists.
O’ human being, after losing the path in the Cimmerian darkness, why are we allowing those people to cry and lament loudly in hopelessness. Let us go and help them and provide everything to remove their suffering. They are also our family members. We should show them the right path of refulgence and support them with food, shelter, accommodation, and nourish them. Nobody will be forgotten or left behind. With our love and affection we should give them hope and aspirations, and bring them close to our bosom. They are our kith and kin.
O’ human being, people are suffering and lack the basic requirements: food, clothing, shelter, medicine, and education etc. They are facing the torture of burning spikes and thorns. They are undergoing the unbearable heat of a wildfire. People are in distress from various problems. It is our duty to provide them all their needs, arrange their basic requirements, and shower them with love and affection. All are our kith and kin, friends and relatives, our family members. No one is other; all are ours. We are under the umbrella of Parama Purusa. We belong to one family. By helping all we will create heaven on this dusty earth...
"Mánuśa jeno mánuśer tare, sab kichu kare jáy..." (Prabhat Samgiita #2192)
Purport:
May human beings do everything for the upliftment of others. Let no one forget that land and aquatic animals, birds, plants, forests, flora and fauna, animate and inanimate objects also belong to our vast, universal family. Let all feel that they are members of our singular cosmic family under the guardianship of Parama Purusa. No one is alien. Each and every being cherishes their life; all want to survive. We are all one family; may everyone become true neo-humanists.
O’ human being, after losing the path in the Cimmerian darkness, why are we allowing those people to cry and lament loudly in hopelessness. Let us go and help them and provide everything to remove their suffering. They are also our family members. We should show them the right path of refulgence and support them with food, shelter, accommodation, and nourish them. Nobody will be forgotten or left behind. With our love and affection we should give them hope and aspirations, and bring them close to our bosom. They are our kith and kin.
O’ human being, people are suffering and lack the basic requirements: food, clothing, shelter, medicine, and education etc. They are facing the torture of burning spikes and thorns. They are undergoing the unbearable heat of a wildfire. People are in distress from various problems. It is our duty to provide them all their needs, arrange their basic requirements, and shower them with love and affection. All are our kith and kin, friends and relatives, our family members. No one is other; all are ours. We are under the umbrella of Parama Purusa. We belong to one family. By helping all we will create heaven on this dusty earth...
==
Section: Prabhat Samgiita ==
बाबा, हे मेरे परमपुरुष, मेरे सैकड़ों दोष जानते हुये भी तुमने मुझे अपना बनाया है ।
प्रभात संगीत 1089 आलोकेर सौर रथे सबाइ नीते तुमि एसेछो....
भावार्थ
बाबा, हे मेरे परमपुरुष ! तुम मधुर रौशनी के रथ पर बैठकर आये हो। तुम सभी को दिव्य लोक में ले जाने, मोक्ष देने आये हो। तुम बड़े, छोटे और ऊंच , नीच आदि का भेद नहीं रखते। तुम सबके सुख दुःख की कहानियाॅं सुनते हो और सब के हृदय की भावनायें समझते हो।
हे प्रभु ! मैंने तुम्हें कभी देखा भी नहीं है , परन्तु फिर भी मैं तुमको प्यार करता हूँ । मैं हमेशा तुम्हें अपने निकट और प्रेम से भरा हुआ अनुभव करता हॅूं। इतना ही नहीं , जब मैंने तुम्हारे बारे में सुना या समझा भी नहीं था तब भी मैं तुमसे प्रभावित और आकर्षित हो गया था। बाबा तुम इतने कृपालु हो कि तुम हमारी योग्यता अथवा अयोग्यता पर विचार किये विना ही, सब को प्यार करते हो। तुम बिना शर्त सब को प्यार करते हो। मैं तो यह भी अनुभव करता हूूं कि तुम हमेशा,स्थान, समय और व्यक्ति विशेष इन तीनों से परे रहते हुए सदा हमारे साथ ही रहते हो।
हे मेरे सबसे अधिक प्रिय बाबा ! तुम ने हमेशा मेरे लिये बहुत कुछ किया है और बदले में तुमने कुछ नहीं चाहा। मेरे सैकड़ों दोष जानते हुये भी तुमने मुझे अपना बनाया है ।
बाबा! तुमने मुझ पर अपनी अहैतुकी कृपा की है। तुम सचमुच बहुत दयालु हो!
==
Section: Important Teaching ==
Women: grotesque custom evaporating fast
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “Perhaps you know that in ancient India, there was no custom of using veils among the women. During the last part of the Pathan rule and in the early days of the Mughal period [16th-19th c.], the veil was forcibly imposed on the women of some aristocratic families in Burdwan, so that others could not see the ladies’ faces. Burdwan was the capital of Bengal.”
“Over a period of time, the use of the veil spread to other areas. Muslim rule was not firmly established in south India, so the veil was not introduced there. You will notice that even today the women of south India use garbhakas in the evenings.”
“I remember some years ago at Anandanagar I said that my daughters coming to Anandanagar need not cover their heads because it is the home of their father. Girls do not use veils at their parents’ house. I remember that it was the first time for the married women of north India to give up their veils. Many years have passed since then. The custom of using veils has disappeared from many urban areas of north India and is fast disappearing from the rural areas as well. That particular incident at Anandanagar set a healthy trend in this regard. This was a step forward in the direction of women’s emancipation [in north India]. An auspicious beginning indeed!” (1)
Reference
1. Shabda Cayaniká Part 20, “Garbhaka”
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Classic example of hypocrites' dogma
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "When people sacrifice a goat or buffalo in a religious festival while chanting “Divine goddess, divine goddess!” before a deity, they know that the animal is an irreplaceable part of creation, but still they slaughter it. This is hypocrites' dogma. If a man kills his brother before his mother, will it please his mother? No, it cannot. The difference between these two examples is that the deity is unable to do anything to stop the slaughter, while the mother is quite capable of taking the necessary action. Otherwise, the deity would certainly interfere and stop the cruel, useless sacrifice." (1)
Reference
1. Prout in A Nutshell - 16, Religious Dogma – Excerpt B
== Section 3: Links ==
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