Why some can’t do deep sadhana + 4 more

Baba

Why some can’t do deep sadhana

Namaskar,

It happens that some try and do sadhana but can't concentrate. This letter addresses this problem and offers a key solution.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

As many Ananda Margiis know, our sadhana system is unique as it enables us to reach life divine and become one with Parama Purusa. Verily great sadhakas in Ananda Marga aspire towards this aim. The more sadhana one does the more intimate their link with Parama Purusa becomes. Life become blissful.

So our Ananda Marga sadhana system is the spiritual-cum-scientific approach for becoming one with Brahma. Along the way life become blissful. All the lessons of sadhana are important. Each lesson serves a particular purpose and complements one’s entire journey of sadhana. That is why not a single lesson should be neglected; all should be regularly practiced.


Link between pranayama & dhyana

Of all our sadhana lessons, dhyana is the most important as it is only with dhyana that moksa is attained. Here below Baba pointedly states that without pranayama, proper dhyana is very difficult.

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "There is an inseparable relationship between the va'yus of the body [ten basic energy flows] and the mind. Unsteadiness of respiration means unsteadiness of mind and vice versa. Pra'n'a'ya'ma is the scientific process to control respiration and hence the mind, as a result of which sa'dhana' is especially facilitated. The practice of dhya'na becomes a time-consuming affair if pra'n'a'ya'ma is not adequately practised." (1)

By His above guideline, it is clear that pranayama is an integral link for doing dhyana sadhana. Hence if one is not doing pranayama regularly, then for them sadhana will just remain a dream only.


Delicateness of pranayama & why some skip it

There are many do's and don'ts related with the practice of pranayama. For example, if the air in the room is not clean, or if one’s mind is imbalanced, or if one is not focused on Parama Purusa, then one is not to practice pranayama. The proper understanding of this, of course, is that one should do pranayama regularly, abiding by the aforementioned points.

Unfortunately, what happens is that some sadhakas, due to fear, may skip pranayama entirely. But this habit of unnecessarily skipping pranayama is detrimental as pranayama enhances one's concentration in dhyana whereby one can reach the Parama Purusa. Indeed, Baba guides us that without pranayama, dhyana is very difficult.
Here is a brief overview of some of Baba's teachings about the highly important practice of pranayama.


Why pranayama is not for non-bhaktas
 
First Baba describes how the function of pranayama is to control the ten vital airs and by this way the mind becomes concentrated.

Ananda Marga Caryacarya states, "The process by which the pra'n'as in the body are controlled is called pra'n'a'ya'ma. Pra'n'a, apa'na, sama'na, uda'na, vya'na, na'ga, ku'rma, krkara, devadatta, and dhanainjaya – the collective name of these ten vital forces is pra'n'a'h. If you wish to increase your apperceptive power you must control the pra'n'a'h. Through regular practice, the mind will become concentrated. Pra'n'a'ya'ma is meant for sa'dhakas – it is better for non-sa'dhakas not to take the risk of injuring themselves by doing pra'n'a'ya'ma." (2)

So pranayama is one of the key tools for raising our level of concentration and it is a practice aimed specifically for sadhakas. All those materialistic, fake yogiis who do pranayama without cosmic ideation are doing more harm than good. Because pranayama is essentially for those sincerely involved in spiritual pursuits - i.e. the attainment of Brahma.

The main point is that one has to do pranayama in order to control the mind. By skipping pranayama, one’s spiritual progress will be hindered. So a pracitioner should do everything possible to be regular in the practice of pranayama and thereby get all the benefits. Here regular means two or four times per day.


A few questions & answers about pranayama

Next Baba provides us with some special questions and answers about the practice of pranayama.

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Question: What is pra'n'a'ya'ma?"

"Answer: Pra'n'a'ya'ma is defined as:"

Tasmin sati shva'sa prashva'sayoh gativicchedah pra'n'a'ya'ma.

"That is, pra'n'a'ya'ma is the process of breath control along with the imposition of the ideation of Supreme Consciousness. It helps the mind in concentration and meditation." (3)

Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Question: What is the spirit of pra'n'a'ya'ma?"

"Answer: Pra'na'n yamayati es'ah pra'n'a'ya'ma. That is, the word pra'n'a'ya'ma literally means “controlling the pra'n'a'h [vital energy]”. The psycho-philosophy behind the practice of pra'n'a'ya'ma is that the spiritual aspirant tries to let the pra'n'endriya [ten vital-energy currents] remain in a state of pause so that the paused unit mind will merge into the ocean of consciousness." (4)

By His above questions and answers we can understand that pranayama is that special process which helps concentrate the mind and ultimately allows the sadhaka to drift in that infinite ocean of Supreme bliss. By this we can understand that we should take every possible effort to do our pranayama properly, 2 or 4 times a day.


Devoid of cosmic ideation pra'n'a'ya'ma is very harmful

Following, Baba issues one of His chief warnings about the practice of pranayama. Baba warns us what will happen if the mind is lodged in a selfish way of thinking when doing pranayama.

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "There are abuses of pra'n'a'ya'ma also. If sa'dhakas during the period of pra'n'a'ya'ma-induced contraction, indulge themselves merely in the parading of their own petty vanity instead of using that force of contraction for the inculcation brahmabha'va (cosmic ideation); that is, if they devote themselves to the expression of their own little egos, they will gradually tend towards crudeness...Pra'n'a'ya'ma is exceedingly harmful – devastatingly disastrous – for those without cosmic ideation or Brahmabha'va." (5)

So when doing pranayama one should be in a subtle state of mind - focused on the Ista. And, in general when doing sadhana every sadhaka is involved in thinking and ideating on Brahma, in which case the practice of pranayama will be highly beneficial. So skipping pranayama will hinder one’s progress on the path of sadhana.


Pranayama is a helping lesson

Here is one special point. Many of the things done in the spiritual routine are supportive aspects for doing sadhana. In particular asanas and pranayama are helping tools for the sadhana lessons of iishvara pranidhana and dhyana, i.e. first and sixth lesson.

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "A'sana and pra'n'a'ya'ma, for example, are helping items. They are not sa'dhana', they are called sa'dhana'unga." (6)

Our other lessons of meditation like tattva dharana (3rd lesson) and cakra shodhana (5th lesson) also fall in the realm of sa'dhana'unga. That is, they are helping lessons for doing the primarily lessons of sadhana which are first and sixth lessons, respectively.

So pranayama is an essential element of sadhana which is not to be skipped. Here below Baba guides us about the unparalleled importance of doing sadhana.

Ananda Marga philosophy, "The main purpose of human beings coming here to this earth is to do spiritual practice. One is to render social service, one is to learn, one is to go through books, one is to help others, one is to do anything and everything just to encourage and accelerate the process of sa'dhana'. Sa'dhana' is the main theme of life. Whatever you do in the world, you should do it with a view to promote your sa'dhana' and help the sa'dhana' of others. Human beings come to earth to practise sa'dhana', to move closer to Iishvara, the Supreme Goal – to come closer to Parama Purus'a. Thus, the deeds of human beings will not be like the deeds of animals. Whatever human beings will do, they will do in such a manner that the progress in their sa'dhana' will go on accelerating." (7)

So when sadhana is the main reason for coming on this earth and when pranayama is such an integral element of enhancing and perfecting sadhana, by practicing regularly, one will experience sweet and blissful sadhana.


Conclusion

When sadhana is not good then life becomes boring and loses its charm. Those who have experienced good sadhana in their life always long for that. In sahaja yoga there are various lessons that help the main lessons. So all the lessons should be practiced. Pranayama is very helpful so it should be done before the last lesson. By this way gradually the mind will become calm and one will have better sadhana, by His grace.

Namaskar,
In Him,
Vidya’bhu’s’an’a
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/

~ In-depth study ~

One will be getting this divine favour

Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "By dint of sa'dhana', one is to arouse and exalt that sleeping divinity. That svayambhu'liunga becomes one with shambhu'liunga. But for this one requires divine help. And I know one is sure to get divine help. And I know further that one is getting divine help. And I know still further that in future, for infinite time and infinite space, one will be getting this divine favour. And you are all sa'dhakas. You will certainly attain that supreme stance and enjoy that divine blessedness. You are sure to enjoy it, my sons and my daughters." (8)

Pranayama helps dhyana sadhana. Hence if one is not doing pranayama regularly, then for blissful them sadhana will just remain a dream only.

References
1. Caryacarya - 1, Sádhaná, Point #4
2. Caryacarya - 3, Práńáyáma
3. Yoga Psychology, Questions and Answers on Meditation, Question #11
4. Yoga Psychology, Questions and Answers on Meditation, Question #12
5. Ananda Marga Ideology and Way of Life - 5
6. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 23, 'How to Concentrate'
7. Yoga Psychology, The Human Body Is a Biological Machine
8. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 23, Stages of Samádhi

== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==

Parama Purusa has come, O’ human beings listen to Him

"Gul bágicáy bubuli gáy, viháne sandhyáy ki je váratá..." (Prabhat Samgiita #4100)

Purport:

The nightingale sweetly sings in the rose garden at dawn and dusk. I wonder what her message is. Her narrative brings balance between the rose’s thorns and the beauty of the flower’s colour - both good and bad.

The nightingale calls, “O’ good people, come, listen to His message with an open mind and heart. The sky, trumpeting sound of Parama Purusa resounds; it removes all pain and sufferings.” This is the occasion when the Divine Entity Parama Purusa has come. O’ human beings listen to Him.

“O’ human beings, keep Parama Purusa in the deep core of Your heart - after forgetting all the crying, tears, and smiles.” Surrender to His sweet will and accept Him as your very own - as your nearest and dearest One. This panorama of the full-moon light rekindles that floating feeling of the restless yearning of bhakti. A spiritual feeling is in the air - it is the opportune moment to cultivate a deeper bhaktiful link with the Supreme...

== Section 3: Important Teaching ==

 
How rich people are real criminals…

In this below teaching Baba is pointing out how rich people indulge in anti-social activities like adulteration, drug dealing, and many other vices and illicit affairs. And they employ poor people to do the work. In result, the poor people get arrested by law enforcement personnel while rich people save themselves by paying bribes or hiring high-powered lawyers. Most of the profit goes to rich people and the poor suffer. Due to their poverty, the poor cannot escape this cycle from one generation to the next. That is why we see that in the ghettos people are perpetually incarcerated.

In this teaching Baba is referring to crude criminal acts as well as white-collar crime. In big business and on the corporate level, the schemes are much more sophisticated. Big banks cheat millions of people out of billions of dollars. Yet, those top bankers are almost never arrested or even charged. They escape because the laws are in their favour, or they hire lawyers to find loopholes in the law. And if they do get caught and are found guilty, then 99.9% of the time those high-level executives do not got to jail. Instead they pay a fine. But if a poor person steals even a single thing they will get arrested and sit in jail for robbery for twenty years.

This happens only in the vaeshyan era and we have to raise awareness to put an end to this.

Prout philosophy states, “Most of the evils that occur in society are created due to the exploitation carried out by the vaeshyas. In order to increase the size of their bank balances, the vaeshyas create an artificial scarcity of such items as food, clothing and other essential commodities, and then earn a profit by black marketeering. Those who do not have the capacity to purchase commodities at exorbitant prices steal, commit armed robberies and engage in other criminal activities in order to obtain the minimum requirements of their lives. Poor people deprived of food and clothing work as the agents of the greedy vaeshyas engaged in black marketeering and smuggling. When these poor people are caught, they are the ones who get punished, while the vaeshyas escape thanks to the power of their money. Such ill-fated poor people lose their consciences and descend deeper into sin. Society condemns these sinners, while the rich vaeshyas, the instigators of the sinners, play the role of public leaders. They wear garlands, set off verbal fireworks, and shrilly exhort the masses to make greater sacrifices.” (1)

Reference
1. Human Society - 2, The Vaeshya Age

== Section 4: Important Teaching ==

Definition of true surrender

   Ananda Marga ideology  says, “When human beings feel that, ‘Parama Purusa is my everything’, then that is called as sharan (shelter). No entity can come under the sharan (shelter) of two different things. Then what is the meaning of sharanagati (surrender)? When living beings give up their ‘I-feeling’ by withdrawing the mind from any other object and feel that Parama Purusa alone is my everything.”
   “Up to the time when living beings are thinking that they are working with their own strength, then you should understand that the feeling of sharanagati has not yet come in them. And when human beings think that, ‘I am doing the work only with His strength’, it means the feeling of sharanagati has come in their mind. So when living beings start thinking that, ‘Whatever work I am doing, I am doing with His strength’, then they have the feeling of sharanagati.” (1)

1. Sometimes people get confused and think that if the house is burning then there is no need to do anything - just raise your hands to the sky. They wrongly think that is surrender.

2. Some hypocrites do not have the feeling of surrender within, but when others need their help then they tell them there is no need do anything - just surrender. By this way they shirk their responsibility of helping others. For instance if Mr. X came to Mr. Y saying that,  “My child is sick so please help me.” But Mr. Y is a hypocrite and he does not want to help Mr. X. So Y suggests to X, “Don’t do anything - just surrender to God everything will be alright.” By this way Y escapes his moral duty and keeps his prestige safe through hypocrisy.

3. Some think that whatever strength you have you should use to solve the crisis, and go on thinking. “It is His strength and that He is supplying the energy - and without His energy, I cannot do anything. If He wishes then only will I be rescued - it is fully depending on Him.” Whatever strength God has given must be utilised remembering that He is the final doer.

Of the three above examples, the third one is the best. And the other two are bogus.

References
1. General Darshan, Patna DMC, 1970

== Section ==

हे परम पुरुष! मैं तुम से दूर नहीं रह सकता।

प्रभात संगीत 3780: की दोष कोरेछी बोलो ना, केनो आमार घरे एले ना...

भावार्थ

हे परम पुरुष! तुम मेरे घर क्यों नहीं आए ? मेरी क्या गलती है? तुम तो सब कुछ जानते हो, फिर यह क्यों नहीं जान पाते कि मैं तुम्हें अपने पूरे हृदय और मन से कितना प्रेम करता हॅूं?

हे मेरे प्रभु! तुम्हारे न आने से, इस प्रभात संगीत का लय तान और स्वर व्यर्थ ही रहा, तम्हारे लिये बनाई गयी फूलों की यह माला भी किसी काम की नहीं रही। तुम्हारे न आने से अब इस माला के बनाने और इस गीत की तैयारी करने का कोई अर्थ ही नहीं रहा। हे परमपुरुष! तुम्हारे बारे में सोच सोच कर कभी तो मैं रोता हॅूं और कभी मुस्काता हॅूं, कभी मैं तुम्हारी रूपरेखा बनाता हूँ और कभी उसे पोंछ डालता हॅूं, यह सब मेरे मन में ही चलता रहता है।

हे बाबा! जब मैं अपने मन मंदिर में तुम्हारे ध्यान में बैठता हॅूं, तो तुम वहाॅं पूरे आकर्षण में बैठे मुस्कुराते रहते हो। तुमने मुझे अपने दिव्य आध्यात्मिक रंग में रंग लिया है। तुम्हारे गीत और नृत्य में मैंने अपने को डुबो लिया है। मेरा हृदय तुम से दूर रहना ही नहीं चाहता। मैं तुम्हारे निकट, बहुत ही पास में रहना चाहता हॅूं , मैं तुम से दूर नहीं रह सकता हॅूं।

बाबा! मैं तुम्हें  प्रेम करता हॅूं , कृपा कर मेरे घर में आओ, आजाओ...

Trans: Dr. T.R.S.

Note: If you would like the audio file of the above Prabhat Samgiita kindly write us.

== Section 5: Links ==

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This email contains five sections:1. PS #4100: Parama Purusa has come, O’ human beings listen to Him
2. Posting: Why some can’t do deep sadhana
3. Important Teaching: How rich people are real criminals…
4. Important Teaching: Definition of true surrender
5. Links