Baba
Spiritual path: then & now
Namaskar,
In today’s society, there are many advancements in the physical sphere, and generally those goad one to be involved in crude things, thereby degenerating oneself. On one side, due to the development of science in the present day society, there are so many avenues by which people are degenerating their mind. Things which degrade the mind are easily available. At the same time, for good people, there are many positive things which are also now easily available that are very helpful for one’s psychic and spiritual progress. So in this era, degeneration is easily achieved, and psycho-spiritual progress can also be more easily achieved than ever before.
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More advancement more degeneration
In ancient times, there was limited scope for degeneration from the spiritual path. But today, with advancement in the physical sphere, there is larger scope for degeneration. We see how various types of munitions people are killing other human beings at an alarming rate. Indeed, people harm others at every step using various means. In contrast, in ancient times, one could kill another human with stones, but by using stones how many people will they kill? Whereas nowadays with mass shootings and mass killings that number is far, far higher. In ancient times, if one was using a stone to kill another person, then both had access stones. So everything was available to all. But now that is not the case. One person goes in public places and starts to shoot when those present do not have any access to weapons or shields etc for defending themselves.
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Analogy of travel by ship, versus swimming
In today’s society which has achieved so much progress in the material sphere, why take the spiritual approach of those of ancient times---nature worship. When the revolutionary process of Ananda Marga sadhana is there one should follow it. Take the analogy of travel by ship, versus swimming. If 100 persons swim to go from one end of the ocean to another, then a few may reach but so many may die during their journey. But a wise person will travel via ship instead. So in the same way, we should follow Ananda Marga sadhana -- and not idol worship or religious rituals.
Religion is against dharma
Religions do not preach dharma. In the name of religion, they say if you do such-and-such then you will get more money, you will pass in exams, your daughter’s marriage will be done etc. This way they cheat. Religion does not teach that the goal is Parama’tma’. In Ananda Marga, in the very first step itself, it is taught that one should never be selfish, but rather should think about the welfare of all, seeing all as manifestations of Brahma. Whereas in religions due to ignorance people blindly follow certain dogmatic rituals to obtain materialistic aims.
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Nonetheless, among hundreds of millions of religious followers, there may be a precious few who become bhaktas because of their good samskara and bhakti for Parama’tma’. Slowly by doing bhajan and ideation they get involved deeply over time and start to devote more and more of their life for Parama’tma’. So even without Ananda Marga sadhana, some people may slowly progress spiritually. It is similar to the aforementioned analogy about swimming or going by rowboat instead of using a more advanced mode of transportation like an ultra-modern steel ship.
Parama’tma’ is all-merciful and gracious. When He sees that one has strong bhakti for Him, then He introduces the sadhaka to Ananda Marga. It is akin to how if a child is trying to walk, but is falling after many tries, then the parents help the child, and thereafter the child walks on its own. Parma’tma’ sees everything, so when He sees bhakti in bhaktas then He shows them the right path, Ananda Marga.
Diverted from sadhana
Even within AMPS we see that some lose the path. The reason is that their negative samskaras are so dominant that it suppresses their bhakti. The sadhaka had some bhakti and that is why Baba brought him/her to the path of Ananda Marga, but now the sadhaka’s mind is occupied by various samskaras:
- Inborn negative samskaras
- Imposed negative samskaras
- Earned negative samskaras
That is why they lost the track of sadhana for the time being. Like when one goes to an airport to go to a specific place, one had the intention to go to a particular destination and that is why one has come to the airport, but now they forget that destination and they go on a plane to go somewhere else, temporarily.
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The overall idea is that when people are diverted from their path of sadhana they drift away. And either others help them come back on the right path, or they face some tragedy in life to open their eyes. The tragedy reminds the sadhaka that Parama’tma’ is everything in life whereas the material riches and pleasures are just momentary. Sometimes it takes much longer for people to realize this fact, and till that time comes they continue to drift away. Best is to continually analyse and reflect upon one’s actions and dealings and ensure one is sticking to the path of Sixteen Points and dharma.
In Him,
Nirakar
Importance of Ananda Marga sadhana
In different ages of human history there were a number of rśis who were there to advance the society spiritually. It is not that all rśis were born at one time, nor that during some periods no rśis were present. To move the world forward we see a number of rśis throughout the ages of human evolution to guide people forward.
People carry spiritual growth from one birth to another; that is how some became great with their spiritual effort from many births. But now with the advanced sadhana process given by Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji, one can progress spiritually at a much faster rate compared to thousands of years ago. So the difference between the spiritual progress in ancient times compared with that which can be achieved today is one of speed.
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== Section: Important Teaching ==
How to fix: gurumanta
Namaskar,
In spiritual life, ideation on the Great is very important; Cosmic ideation is the main thing, but all too often human beings forget the Supreme Entity in the course of their daily duties. In His discourse, Baba has given a very simple method for sadhakas to remember their Guru mantra. Baba’s guideline is that to remember anything then one should associate it with a particular physical action.
For example, when entering or leaving the home then it is important to repeat Guru mantra. But often we forget, while only sometimes we remember. The solution then is to employ a physical action that will trigger your memory to recite Guru mantra. So when leaving or entering the house, then do namaskar mudra before touching the door. And this namaskar mudra will automatically alert the mind to recite Guru mantra. So the first step is to cultivate the habit of doing namaskar mudra before touching the door. Once this habit is established, then you will be regular in repeating Guru mantra when entering and leaving the house. And the operative point is the use of the namaskar mudra as a reminder for doing Guru mantra.
Naturally, this same technique can be instilled at various junctures throughout the day such as when getting on a bicycle, taking food, going to sleep, answering the phone etc. When a physical action like namaskar mudra is done before those engagements, then one will automatically recite Guru mantra. Try this in your own life and see how it goes.
Without the use of a physical reminder, then most of the time sadhakas forget their Guru mantra. And that is a problem because imbibing the mind with Cosmic ideation is the main essence in the life of a sadhaka.
Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, “Namaskára is done by bringing the palms together and touching the ájiṋá cakra [the mid-point of the eyebrows] with the thumbs.” (1)
In Him,
Viniit Deva
Reference
1. Caryácarya Part 1, Methods of Salutation
== Section: Important Teaching ==
How British struck down India
Baba says, "The British rulers were very clever. Instead of attacking the Indian Práńa Dharma directly, they resorted to the path of diplomacy. They believed that to maintain British rule in India they would have to create a group of native supporters who would remain Indian by birth and complexion but European in manners, customs, education, taste and culture. So they introduced a system of education based on their own British system. This was an obvious attempt to strike a blow at Indian Práńa Dharma. As a result, the people of India forgot their distinctive national characteristics and developed a completely Western outlook. The moral, spiritual and social qualities that were developed through the Indian system of education were ignored. Rather, Indian youth, under the influence of materialistic Western civilization, grew cynical, materialistic and atheistic. A class of educated persons was created who were neither English nor Indians. Many of them were employed in the Indian Civil Service. A certain scholar once remarked that the Indian Civil Service “is neither Indian, nor civil, nor service.” These people became alienated from the mainstream of Indian social life because their conduct, behaviour, customs, manners, thoughts and ideals were different from those of other Indians. This neo-class of people with modern education could not regard the simple, innocent masses of rural India as their own. The clever English rulers trained them in such a subtle way that they looked upon the British as being nearer to them than the Indians. The imperialistic British purpose was served: colonial rule was firmly established." (1)
Reference
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 6, Práńa Dharma
== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==
Kind words You whisper to me
"Ámi tomáy bhálobási jánái kii kare..." (Prabhat Samgiita #3837)
Purport:
My Parama Purusa, I love You. Please tell me how I can make You understand the feeling of my heart. For me, You are my everything. My eyes ceaselessly shower tears of yearning for You. I do not have any words to express my prema. My heart longs for You.
Parama Purusa, when the new dawn comes, then in that crimson sunrise, I see Your divine refulgence. You shower Your brilliance everywhere. In the form of innumerable flowers and also in the fragrance of the niipa blossom, You grace everyone by pouring Your exquisite sweetness. In the eastern crimson horizon through the sweet, gentle breeze, You tenderly call me.
Parama Purusa Baba, in the auspicious and charming moment of the colourful evening sunset, with Your infinite love You always radiate Your sweet smile. That very time You reassuringly tell me that, "Now is the time for you to take rest; tomorrow I will come calling for you." These are the kind words You whisper to me in that affectionate moment. You are always with me. Your charming tales float eternally throughout this entire universe and also in my mind and heart.
Baba, You are my everything...
Note for Prabhat Samgiita #3837: Love is not unilateral
[1] First Stanza: The first stanza reflects the idea that the love between bhakta and Parama Purusa is bilateral, and not one-sided.
Ananda Marga ideology says, "Human beings love Parama Purus'a and He loves human beings: this love is always mutual, not unilateral." (1)
Love (prema) is not unilateral or one-sided. When the bhakta loves Parama Purusa, then already Parama Purusa is loving the bhakta. Love for the Supreme is always mutual or bilateral and never exists in isolation. The inner equation is that because Parama Purusa loves the bhakta so much, that is why the bhakta also loves Parama Purusa. Divine love or prema is always mutual - not unilateral.
Here we should remember that prema means divine love - not attachment (ka’ma) for worldly things etc. And it is specifically in this intimate relation between bhakta and Parama Purusa where love is always mutual, and never one-sided.
Ananda Marga ideology says, "Your meeting with God is not a unilateral affair, it is a mutual thing." (2)
References
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 11, 'What is the Way'
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 23, Your Personal Relationship with God
"Ámi tomáy bhálobási jánái kii kare..." (Prabhat Samgiita #3837)
Purport:
My Parama Purusa, I love You. Please tell me how I can make You understand the feeling of my heart. For me, You are my everything. My eyes ceaselessly shower tears of yearning for You. I do not have any words to express my prema. My heart longs for You.
Parama Purusa, when the new dawn comes, then in that crimson sunrise, I see Your divine refulgence. You shower Your brilliance everywhere. In the form of innumerable flowers and also in the fragrance of the niipa blossom, You grace everyone by pouring Your exquisite sweetness. In the eastern crimson horizon through the sweet, gentle breeze, You tenderly call me.
Parama Purusa Baba, in the auspicious and charming moment of the colourful evening sunset, with Your infinite love You always radiate Your sweet smile. That very time You reassuringly tell me that, "Now is the time for you to take rest; tomorrow I will come calling for you." These are the kind words You whisper to me in that affectionate moment. You are always with me. Your charming tales float eternally throughout this entire universe and also in my mind and heart.
Baba, You are my everything...
Note for Prabhat Samgiita #3837: Love is not unilateral
[1] First Stanza: The first stanza reflects the idea that the love between bhakta and Parama Purusa is bilateral, and not one-sided.
Ananda Marga ideology says, "Human beings love Parama Purus'a and He loves human beings: this love is always mutual, not unilateral." (1)
Love (prema) is not unilateral or one-sided. When the bhakta loves Parama Purusa, then already Parama Purusa is loving the bhakta. Love for the Supreme is always mutual or bilateral and never exists in isolation. The inner equation is that because Parama Purusa loves the bhakta so much, that is why the bhakta also loves Parama Purusa. Divine love or prema is always mutual - not unilateral.
Here we should remember that prema means divine love - not attachment (ka’ma) for worldly things etc. And it is specifically in this intimate relation between bhakta and Parama Purusa where love is always mutual, and never one-sided.
Ananda Marga ideology says, "Your meeting with God is not a unilateral affair, it is a mutual thing." (2)
References
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 11, 'What is the Way'
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 23, Your Personal Relationship with God
== Section 3: Links ==