Ananda Marga Universal Forum: AM processions + 2 more

Thursday, April 4, 2024

AM processions + 2 more

Baba

AM processions

Namaskar,

One of the great traditions and pracar activities in our Ananda Marga way of life is the procession. That means organising a big parade or march to highlight and celebrate a particular cause or festival etc. By this way, everyday citizens in that locale gain awareness of what we are doing and it creates public interest and energy. There are many benefits.

In the early days of our Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha (AMPS), Sadguru Baba always participated in our processions. Oftentimes He rode on top of an elephant, and other times He moved along in an open or closed vehicle; and, sometimes He simply walked. Those were unique events in our AMPS.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

The processions were regularly organised under Baba's direction in Kolkata and also many other cities, big towns, and even all the way down to the smallest of villages. There we would march through the streets en masse. And even we held our processions in more rural locations—in all the places where we held DMC.

Indeed, those processions always made our Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha more visible in the society—people took note of what we were doing and many new people came forth, either as supporting sympathizers or initiated sadhakas. Plus the procession was our way of getting our message to the people. For all these reasons and more, Baba always encouraged and participated in our AMPS processions.

Cavalcades are a big part of our festivals

Sadguru Baba has set down guidelines that enlist that a procession should be part and parcel of our festival celebrations.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states:

(A) "Ánanda Púrńimá: Collective bath with snána mantra, twice collective Iishvara Prańidhána and Varńárghyadána, collective noon and night meals, merry celebrations, spiritual conferences, annual meetings of workers, children’s sports, and procession with táńd́ava dance." (Caryacarya part 1, Social Functions & Festivals)

(B) "Shrávańii Púrńimá: Twice collective Iishvara Prańidhána and Varńárghyadána, collective noon and night meals, merry celebrations, spiritual conferences, literary meetings, procession with táńd́ava dance in the afternoon." (Caryacarya part 1, Social Functions & Festivals)

(C) "Dashamii (Vijayotsava): Procession with music and táńd́ava dance, wearing colourful dress; then collective Iishvara Prańidhána and Varńárghyadána, salutations and affectionate embraces, etc., and entertaining guests and visitors at one’s residence." (Caryacarya part 1, Social Functions & Festivals)

(D) "Diipávalii: Once collective Iishvara Prańidhána and Varńárghyadána, illumination, collective merry celebrations, entertaining visitors at one’s residence, and procession with táńd́ava dance." (Caryacarya part 1, Social Functions & Festivals)

(E) "New Year’s Day: Collective Iishvara Prańidhána and Varńárghyadána both morning and evening, collective merry celebrations, sports and games for all, collective noon and night meals, and procession with táńd́ava dance in the afternoon." (Caryacarya part 1, Social Functions & Festivals)

And not only for these above festivals, processions must be organised on the occasion of any DMS.

(F) "On the occasion of dharma mahácakra / dharma mahásammelana, a public procession with táńd́ava dance is mandatory." (Caryacarya, part 1, Dharma Mahácakra)

Processions may also be organised on the occasion of a seminar, or other Marga function.

Steps for organising a cavalcade

Here is how they can be organised:

1. Set a date and complete a permit with the local police dept and authorities. That way those officials know it is going to happen, can monitor the event, and close any roads as necessary.

2. Recruit the participation of maximum margiis, and wts. All should be strongly encouraged to participate—rather everyone should take a leading role. This should not be looked upon as something extra or optional. The fact that Guru always participated is enough of a reason that every Ananda Margii should consider this as mandatory and a part of Sixteen Points.

3. Create lots of large, colourful signs and banners. For instance, if it is a Prout procession then all our main Prout slogans should be highlighted on those signs and banners. And if the procession is to highlight a specific function or program like Ananda Purnima or DMS etc, then that info can be highlighted on signs and placards etc.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

4. There needs to be a long chain of independent links to form the procession. For instance, there should be one kiirtan section—perhaps on an open truck, or they could be marching. Then another section should be Prabhat Samgiita complete with musicians and dancers. Yet another section might be highlighting the dignity of women. There also might be a truck or section highlighting a social or environmental cause like PCAP (Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Plants) etc. And verily there can be as many sections as possible—each with its own distinct theme.

5. These days social media channels should be used to highlight the procession ahead of time so that the general public, activists, and community groups are aware about it. They might like to participate in it as well.

6. Generally, people get caught up in their day-to-day lives and they lose sight of other things. Our Ananda Marga processions are our way of creating stir so that people are aware about who we are and what we do: Such as the many dynamic social service projects we run. So this is all about generating community interest and involvement and projecting our ideals to the public.

Baba participated in processions

Every bhakta feels in their heart to do what Baba has done and emulates Him in every way. Thus when Baba Himself—the Guru of Ananda Marga—took time to participate in local processions both big and small, then we should be keen to do the same.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

at His lotus feet,
Kiirti Devi

== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==

Resplendent image in my mind

Note: Only those who sincerely practice the higher lessons of sahaja yoga meditation can understand this song in the depths of their heart.

“Bhálo bási tomáy ámi, keno tá jáni ná…” (Prabhat Samgiita #2329)

Purport:

Parama Purusa, I love You; but, I do not know why I have bhakti for You. You go on pulling my heart - but what is the mystery behind this, how and why You are attracting me, I cannot say. All I know is that You are the divine refulgence of my dark core. By Your grace, I will never allow that brilliance to get extinguished. I will always keep Your love in my heart. By Your krpa, I will always hold Your resplendent image in my mind.

My Supreme Entity, all the affection I have in the deep core of my bosom, and all the hopes and longings I have in my sense, all these desires and aspirations of mine are revolving around You. By Your kindness, they get expressed through Your songs, dance, melody, and rhythms. Baba, You are the focal point of my life - my everything.

Prabhu, by Your causeless grace, I feel that You are guiding each and every aspect of my existence. There is not even an iota of confusion in my feeling. Everything is clear. Where am I, where will I go, and from where have I come: All these types of doubts and questions never creep into my mind. By Your mercy, I do not even want to know these things. Just I am fully depending upon You: this much I understand that everything is in You. For me that is enough. You are my shelter, my anchor, and the Supreme Controller of this vast universe.

Baba, my Lord, You are always ever gracious on me. I love You with all my mind; my whole existence is for Your service...

== Section ==

The section below demarcated by asterisks is an entirely different topic,

completely unrelated to the above material. It stands on its own as a point of interest.

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How one can become extraordinary

Ananda Marga ideology says, “When the pleasure-seeking unit mind blindly runs after unit-objects, Puruśa also gets smitten by the same mental attributes. He appears to be as if in bondage. But when the unit mind shuns its attraction for mundane objects and accepts that Supreme Puruśa as its only pabulum, it gets an opportunity to become one with the Cosmic Mind, giving up its finitude. With the attainment of the witness-ship of the Integral Mind it becomes one with the Puruśottama. In the absence of bondage of enjoyership (Bhoktábhava) the unit mind attains emancipation from all kinds of fetters.” (1) Note: This is the essence of human life. When one is no longer allured by worldly attractions and sincerely directs the mind towards Parama Purusa, then one can become one with Him. This is the aim of sadhana and the path of yoga - realising Him. He is within but people are not aware. When, through sadhana, this ignorance is removed, then one truly feels they are Parama Purusa. And that is realisation, i.e. the feeling in the heart and mind that, "I am Brahma." At first one must impose this idea in their sadhana, but as one involves more deeply in their meditation then by His grace that feeling develops from within. Then sadhana is very blissful and one has advanced along the path of spirituality, by His grace. Reference: 1. Ananda Marga Ideology and Way of Life - 6, The Primordial Cause of Creation

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== Section 3: Links ==

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