Baba
Prout’s stand: medical marijuana
Namaskar,
Watch out - a growing fad is lighting up in the west: Marijuana has been getting legalised across the USA. In a growing number of states (38 + Wash DC, & 3 US territories), medical marijuana is legal; and, recreational marijuana is legal in 24 states. And, in many of those areas, bars and cafes are opening where patients can enter, purchase marijuana and hashish, and smoke intoxicants. Medical doctors are prescribing and certifying their patients marijuana for pain relief and mental anxiety etc. This is a growing phenomenon.
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One point to be aware of is that often when a trend starts in the materialistic nations of the west, then that trend spreads around the globe. As Proutists, our dharmic stand is contrary to this trend as Sadguru Baba is against the use of such intoxicants. (1)
Baba's personal account
Before looking deeper into the medical marijuana phenomenon going on in the USA, here is Baba's below first-hand account. Baba talks how as a young boy He opposed those so-called sadhus who smoked marijuana.
Sadguru Baba recounts, "This story took place very long ago. I was extremely young then, about four or five years old. I had a Shiva linga...In those days ordinary people had a rather excessive amount of devotion towards sannya'siis and holy men. A group of sannya'siis would light a fire and sit around it in one of the neighbourhood’s slightly elevated vacant areas. Countless devotees would encircle them singing devotional songs and kiirtana. I used to see this scene all the time. Stories of Lord Shiva’s white radiance, his magnanimity and detachment had attracted my mind a good deal. But I did not at all like these sannya'siis’ greed for all kinds of delicacies, nor their marijuana pipes and tweezers. And so I would harass them...their sumptuous food and fleeing." (2)
Baba's dharmic stance against marijuana took expression very early in life.
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Long history of marijuana in India
Actually there is a long history of marijuana use in India. But mostly it was rejected by the people as being harmful to both mind and body. Only certain dogmatic sadhus with ashen bodies would resort to marijuana smoking. Their selfish justification was that they were following the cult of Shiva; but that is wrong, as the below teaching explains.
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "The developed sa'dhaka [spiritual aspirant] remains submerged in this beatific condition of intoxication. It is said that Shiva remains overwhelmed under the spell of this very type of intoxication, with His eyes fixed upwards. This is not the intoxication produced by bhang [Indian hemp] or ganja [marijuana], or that of opium, nor that of wine, but is a sort of beatific intoxication brought about by sudha'rasa." (3)
As Baba points out, it is known in India that the marijuana drug does not lead to an enlightened mind. Every true sadhaka and everyday citizens understand this, either practically or theoretically. But that does not mean that the latest medical marijuana trend in the US will not soon hit the streets in Mumbai and elsewhere. After all, India rejected materialism centuries ago yet now the youth of India are plunged in all kinds of pseudo-culture fashion and materialistic lifestyles - religiously copying the trends in the west. So it may not be long before patients and innocent citizens in India and other countries are also smoking marijuana. Here it should also be noted that “recreational” usage of marijuana is also legal in an increasing number of states in the US. And this has led to the rise of more potent and dangerous strains of marijuana.
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State support of medical marijuana
A former US Surgeon General has issued the following statement:
"The evidence is overwhelming that marijuana can relieve certain types of pain, nausea, vomiting and other symptoms caused by such illnesses as multiple sclerosis, cancer and AIDS -- or by the harsh drugs sometimes used to treat them. And it can do so with remarkable safety. Indeed, marijuana is less toxic than many of the drugs that physicians prescribe every day."
And indeed there are many medical professionals in the west who advocate the use of marijuana for a wide-range of patients. And now there are at least 38 states in the US where patients can legally purchase and smoke marijuana and hashish in cafes. Hundreds of thousands of patients in Canada smoke marijuana and millions of patients in the US the number are using marijuana. This trend is spreading fast.
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Doctors: influence of special interest groups
This all begs the question: Should doctors and the US medical industry be trusted. There are many strong lobby groups in the US that have direct influence of medical policies in the US. From dietary recommendations to prescription drug use, billions and billions of dollars are laid down by special interest groups to get their agenda approved by doctors.
The tobacco industry got away with this for years, and in the last few decades it is the prescription drug industry that has most doctors in their pockets. Today, the marijuana lobby has made its way into the wallets of physicians and the medical establishment. So we have to think a thousand times - and educate the common people about this: How far should doctors be trusted.
Time and again, physicians make recommendations that are basically ludicrous: In the 50's and 60's they were advocating that pregnant women smoke cigarettes in order to relax. And more recently medical professionals have advocated the regular consumption of red wine (alcohol) and chocolate for overall health and happiness. There is no shortage of ridiculous recommendations by the US medical establishment. And now we see that the use of marijuana for patients is just one more scar on this growing list.
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Prout's stand: no use of intoxicants
As Ananda Margiis and Proutists, we should quickly come forward on this issue and state our position. Tragically, the common public and patients all over have been duped into thinking that marijuana is some kind of magic herb for healing etc. Not only do they think it will help with pain relief etc, but some have even begun advocating that marijuana will enhance one's memory. When in fact, marijuana is quite harmful in many respects - ruining both one's physical and mental constitution. We should strictly pay heed to Baba's below mandates about marijuana.
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "It is desirable that people keep themselves free from intoxicants and stimulants and move steadily towards the higher realms of physical, mental and spiritual development through all possible ways." (4)
Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, 'Taking hashish, marijuana, opium or wine causes a peculiar change in the mind." (5)
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "Intoxicated by opium, people sit idle and doze off. Hemp [marijuana] destroys general intelligence and the faculty of understanding. None of these intoxicants are good for human beings." (6)
It is our moral duty to oppose this latest trend of marijuana cages advocated by medical professionals and the hemp lobby etc. Because sadly, this drug will only lead people into a more dismal state, physically and mentally. And what they are prescribing for patients today they will be recommending to general citizens tomorrow, as evidenced by the growing number of states (21 & counting) legalising marijuana for “everyday or recreational” use. That is the unfortunate direction things are headed. It needs a strong push to buck this trend.
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Conclusion
Baba has given us the duty to clean up society in all respects. This recent marijuana campaign is the latest issue that we must take to the fore. With proper education, we can prevent it from spreading and set humanity on the proper path.
Ananda Marga ideology says, "For progress in entitative flow, one is to lead a pure life, a moralistic life, a life based on moral principles. Do not do anything bad. What is bad? Bad is that which depraves human existence. Follow a strict code of morality. Live a pure life, a neat and clean life. Be strict in 16 Points. What will happen? Your entitative flow will get purified and will be in parallelism with your psychic wave." (7)
In Him,
Phanindra
Note: Cannabis is the real name or scientific name of the plant that produces marijuana.
~ In-depth study ~
Irony of human quest for peace & satisfaction
Humans have long been on a quest for peace and comfort - and that has led them in all kinds of directions. Now see the irony of this most recent trend. On the one side, wealthy people in the west, who have all kinds of luxuries, resort to drugs like marijuana in hopes of finding peace and tranquility, and all around the globe those in the so-called developing world are running after money and mundane wealth thinking that those riches will supply them all the happiness and comfort they need. So those with money are not happy and seeking joy elsewhere, and the rest of the world is thinking that, “I need to be like those wealthy people in order to become happy.” Such is the irony unfolding. The marijuana trend just throws one more smoke-screen into the minds of the people.
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References
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 21, Intoxicants
2. Strange Experiences, Chap 2
3. Yoga Psychology, Under the Shelter of the Guru
4. Prout in a Nutshell - 21, Intoxicants
5. Human Society - 1, Various Occupations
6. Prout in a Nutshell - 21, Intoxicants
7. Subhasita Sangraha - 12, Man and His Ideological Desideratum
* * *
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
* * *
== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==
You retaught me sadhana
“Ámi, patha bhúle cale giyechinu, tumi pather nisháná diyecho…” (Prabhat Samgiita #1319)
Purport:
O’ Parama Purusa Baba, on the spiritual journey of my life, I lost the path of sadhana, but You brought me back and showed me the goal. After getting human form, I was just wandering around in search of mundane, ephemeral happiness. I fully forgot why I came here as a human being. You lovingly granted me samvit and made me realise my mistake. Earlier, I only asked for worldly things: money, prestige, and carnal pleasures. But instead You gave me anandam - eternal bliss. You graciously retaught me sadhana and filled my heart and mind with everlasting ecstasy.
O’ Parama Purusa Baba, in the spring season, sitting in the flower garden, I was uselessly collecting thorns. You came close to me, and, after removing the floret petals, poured the nectar of the blossoms into my mouth. You made me fragrant like flower blossoms and threaded the garland. You taught me many things and blessed me with bhakti. Now all the 24 hours You reside in my each and every breath. Baba, it is Your causeless grace.
O’ Parama Purusa, despite sitting in the mines of diamonds, I was only submerged in coal dust and black soot. I did not get any jewels. You came close to me and changed my vision and showed me the sparkle of the diamond of bhakti. You removed my shortcomings and filth, and made me Yours forever. Baba, You have done everything for me. I am a living example of Your compassion....
== Section 3: Important Teaching ==
Spiritual led society
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "The establishment of a classless society is only possible for those who accept Parama Puruśa [Supreme Consciousness] as the goal of their lives, for those whose entire mental power is ceaselessly directed towards one supreme goal. In a society where there is no class struggle, the remaining classes will have to disappear and all people will have to unite under the banner of one common ideology. This can only be done by sadvipras." (1)
Reference
1. A Few Problems Solved - 2, Synthesis and Analysis
* * *
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
* * *
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Ananda Marga philosophy states, “One who only punishes a person is not a Guru, and one who only loves is also not a Guru. Rather he or she is an enemy, for excessive love and affection spoils a person. Only one who does both these things is a real Guru. That is why people should be trained with both love and punishment. Where love fails, punishment helps. Medicine is not necessarily always sweet; sometimes bitter medicines are necessary as well. Patients often refuse to swallow bitter medicines; they cry in protest. But the ideal physician will force the patient to swallow the medicine. This is the proper way.” (1)
Reference:
1. A Few Problems Solved - 5, Shrávańii Púrńimá
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Harms of multi-tasking
The typical person has numerous aims. For example, they want to be the king, president, billionaire, film hero, sports star, musical icon etc. In that sense, the average person is multi-purpose. But at the same time living beings are unilateral. We can only do one work at one time. People talk about multi-tasking, but it is an impossibility for unit beings. The mind cannot do two works at the same time. And if one tries to multi-task, their mind will become bifurcated and ultimately degenerated, and / or they will find themselves in a terrible accident.
Best is to do one task at one time. By cultivating that quality in sadhana humans become one with Parama Purusa. By doing sadhana and with His grace, the aspirant does become one with Parama Purusa. And then, after losing their individuality, they can work multilaterally - i.e. in all directions. Till then, do not try and do many works at one time.
Only one direction, at one time
Ananda Marga ideology states, “Microcosm is multipurposive but its flow is unilateral. On the other hand, Macrocosm is uni-purpose but its flow is multilateral. There is no end to the desires of microcosm. Sometimes it desires fame and sometimes it desires money. But it can make itself travel at one time in one direction only. His mind cannot be simultaneously engaged in a book and in a football game. While reading, if he thinks of the football game his mind is diverted from the book. Similarly, he cannot enjoy the football game if in the football game he begins to think about his books. Hence, the flow of the unit is unilateral. It travels only in one direction, at one time, whereas Macrocosm is uni-purpose but multilateral. There is only one thought of Macrocosm and that is the well-being of all. This is His one sole purpose. Yet Macrocosm is a multi-lateral flow. He does many things simultaneously. He is feeding you, creating the world, making rivers, canals and birds. Everything is being created in His mind. Hence there is much variety in His mind.” (1)
Reference
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 18, Microcosm and Macrocosm
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Precarious nature of sentiment
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "For the very existence of speed, a sentimental support, a sentimental propulsion is an indispensable necessity. Now, this sentimental support must be based on rationality. Sentimentality based on rationality is the strongest force in the universe. And sentimentality without rationality takes the form of, or rather the distortion of, dogma." (1)
In above teaching Baba says that sentiment is a very delicate: If sentiment is guided by rationality then that is very useful and meaningful. And if sentiment is guided by dogma or any narrow interest like groupism etc then it is extremely harmful and dangerous. That is why human sentiment is very precarious. By sadhana and following Sixteen Points, one’s sentimental feeling will become aligned with rationality, i.e. ideology.
Reference
1. Subhasita Samgraha - 12, The Noumenal Cause and the Personal God
== Section 4: Links ==
