Baba
Joining the army?
Namaskar,
Most countries have one day dedicated to celebrating independence day. On Independence Day people feel proud of their country and spread the word that their country is great. Such a feeling results in developing geo-sentiment in the mind towards their country. As an Ananda Margii, what should one do? Ananda Margiis are universalists and neo-humanists. However, Independence Day celebrations result in developing geo-sentiment.
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Another point is that every country has an army to protect their country. Should one join the army or not?
What is the viewpoint of Ananda Marga on the above two scenarios?
To become great
Baba’s guideline of neo-humanism is that one should give up the feeling of meanness and develop universalism. All are the progeny of Parama Purusa. Be it a plant, animal, or human being, the notion that “all are mine” is a feeling of universalism. It is natural that when one does sadhana the meanness dissipates, and universalism evolves. If one has even an iota of meanness, then the realization of Brahma is not possible. That is why an aspirant should always have the feeling of universalism.
Individualism to universalism
The feeling of neo-humanism encompasses brahmacarya. Neo-humanism explains how we should interact with the external world. To understand Independence Day, one has to understand various aspects of geo-sentiment and socio-sentiment. For example, when one is selfish and only thinks about himself, then he does not even care about his own family members and parents. This happens in capitalism. It is said in capitalism that one should only think about oneself, and capitalists take pride in such feelings. From the Ananda Marga viewpoint, this type of feeling is very dangerous, as only thinking about oneself results in meanness. Such a type of feeling is even worse than being an animal. One should not think about oneself only.
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Category-1: There are some people who only think about themselves; they are even worse than animals.
Category-2: There are some who care about themselves as well as others who live on the same street as them, but they do not care about anything else. They are a little better than those who think about themselves only.
Category-3: The next category is those who think for the well-being of their own neighborhood but look for the opportunity to exploit other neighborhoods. They are better than the first two categories, as they extended their benevolence towards a larger geography. However, they cover-up the activity of exploiters from their own neighborhood and wrongly blame good people of other neighborhoods. Even though they think for the welfare of their neighborhood, the mental feeling is that, for selfish reasons, they can exploit anybody else. This type of feeling is a narrow sentiment.
Expanding their circle of care
Similarly, there are many who extend their feelings to larger geographies than the neighborhood such as their district, state, and nation. This category of people thinks about how to support their own state, for example, by exploiting other states. In the event of water scarcity, their mentality is how to divert the river water to their state, so that their state gets benefitted, while they do not care anything about other states even though they do not even get any water. In India such geo-sentiments are prevalent in Bengal, Bihar, and other states. Similarly, people have social feelings toward their own state fellows, but not toward those in other states. In that case, the sentiment is referred to as socio-sentiment. We see both geo-and socio-sentiments in many states and countries.
Category-4: The highest category of people think about the well-being of their neighborhood, as well as that of the whole world. They will never think about harming any neighborhood for their selfish needs. The neighborhood geography can be extended to district, state, country and the whole globe.
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Should one think about one's own country
Thinking about the benefit of one's own country as well as that of other countries is good. If any external ruler tries to attack then one should take every step to protect one's own country. That is not against neo-humanism. The way one is protecting one's own house, similarly one should protect one's own country. If one's own house is burnt, then one calls the fire department, asks for help from neighbors, and in that way, the house is protected from fire. Protecting one's own country from any external attacks is one's duty. But we see that many people not only think about their country, but also think of ways to exploit other countries, ways to extend their geographic land to intrude on other countries, or to utilize business strategies to exploit economically depressed countries. Such actions of satisfying one's own country’s interest by exploiting others is against neo-humanism.
As an Ananda Margii, one has a human body, and one will live in a certain country. Wherever one lives, one will need food, clothing, shelter, education and health care. If one thinks about how to fulfill basic needs of living as well as how to help others, that is not selfishness.
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Joining the army - good or bad?
If you are walking down the street and some thug attacks you then the right course of action is to call the police for protection. Thinking about one’s own safety is not selfishness, but one’s inherent right and responsibility. Similarly, if your village is attacked by a gang of robbers and thieves then it is your duty to organize all the villagers into some sort of militia to protect themselves. Banding together in that manner is not a narrow sentiment because in failing to do so one’s own existence is jeopardized. Indeed, one’s entire existence and development is at risk, and in that case one will not be able to grow physically, mentally, or spiritually. In the same way, if your country is attacked by a hostile, neighboring country then your life will be in jeopardy. To grow spiritually, one needs a safe, secure environment where one’s basic needs are fulfilled. And that cannot happen in a country that is under siege. Whatever country provides you with your sustenance is the country you must protect from outside Invaders. And doing so is not born out of a narrow sentiment or selfish tendency. Rather, it is one’s dharmic duty.
To summarize: The way one protects one's own house, similarly one should protect one's own country. There is nothing wrong with this approach.
In His Hindi discourse “समाज की रक्षा और सेवा” published in Ananda Vacanamrtam (Pure) part 35 chapter 15, Baba clearly advises youths to join the military for a tour of duty.
Should one celebrate Independence Day?
Countries have independence days to celebrate their freedom. Prior to independence they were suppressed by other rulers, resulting in terrible hardship to the general populace. Without independence, progress in individual and collective life in the country is suppressed. By virtue of independence, people have freedom, and their individual life, as well as collective life, progresses. To celebrate Independence Day is not bad. To remember the day, recognizing the fact of how difficult it was to live in a country ruled by exploiters, and how much better it is to have freedom, is not bad. Celebrating independence day is not a narrow sentiment as long as one has the feeling for own’s own country as well as thought for the well-being of other countries. Feeling for own’s own existence without harming others is not a narrow sentiment.
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Role of PROUT in eradicating “isms”
Even after getting independence, many people remain proud of their country, relating with this pride through an “ism”. This results in people having good intentions and actions for their own country, but evil intentions and actions for other countries. In that case, they are associating with a narrow sentiment. And in such instances, the role of sadhakas is to spread the ideals of Prout and eradicate such narrow sentiments.
What is a narrow-sentiment?
Narrow sentiment is socio-sentiment minimitis. Here, one’s thought is only for oneself, and not for children, nor even one’s own family. Feeling for relatives and other people in the neighborhood certainly does not arise when one does not think even about one's own children and family. Capitalism is an example of socio-sentiment minimitis. Such type of selfish feeling makes one even worse than animals. Animals who live in a group have positive feelings towards other animals in their group. They get inspiration from Prakriti to help other animals in their group. In case of any adversities, such animals help each other and work together as a team to overcome any problem. Humans are more elevated beings than animals. If a human only thinks about oneself, then such a human is far inferior even to an animal.
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Conclusion
Protecting one’s own nation by joining the army is not a narrow sentiment, as one has to protect the boundaries for the well-being of others living in the country. Being ruled by an outside despot means losing fundamental existential rights, and not being able even to satisfy basic needs of life. This is surely not good. So when people join the army it is a positive endeavour for the well-being of others.
Similarly, celebrating Independence Day - remembering that the country was ruled by others, and that now there is freedom to fulfill basic needs, as well as make progress in the society - is a positive sentiment. When one develops the mentality of exploiting others for one's personal benefit, that is referred to as narrow sentiment. As long as one is protecting one's own existence as well as helping others, that is not a narrow sentiment.
In Him,
Nira’kara
What is a society (sama’j)?
A society is a collection of individuals having intent for their own well being as well as that of other societies. There are many problems which are common to many societies at once. For example, a river passes through five villages; the river water is essential to all the five villages. In this circumstance, all five villages need to come up with a plan in which all will be benefitted. This example of a village can be easily extended to problems in states and countries.
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Affluent in one resource and lacking in others
Take another example, where one country is rich in a specific resource, say minerals, but lacks other resources such as agricultural products and other necessities. In this situation, that country should share minerals with other countries where such products are needed, as well as ask for help in other resources from other countries.
How to make social change
If a country’s national anthem is such that it invokes strong feeling towards harming other countries, then one should try to convince people to change to a song that will result in strengthening the feeling of their own country as well as supporting the well being of other countries.
== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==
My life is floating along safely
Note: Only those who sincerely practice the higher lessons of sahaja yoga meditation can understand this song in the depths of their heart.
"Toma'ri bharasa'y ma'jh-dariya'y, bhese ja'y jiivanatarii a'ma'r..." (Prabhat Samgiit #0777)
Purport:
Parama Purusa, depending on You alone, the boat of my life is floating along in the midst of the stormy sea, by Your grace. With Your care, I am carrying on with my life in stormy days. My boat floats on. Even while surrounded by hurricanes and confronted with high tidal waves, the ship of my life never stops; nor do I cry loudly in fear or become panicked. Because You are with me to save me. So why should I be scared or nervous about the calamity and horrifying conditions on my path. Everything is in Your hand. You are the Saviour.
Parama Purusa Baba, with full trust on You alone, the boat of my life is floating along safely in the midst of the stormy sea, by Your grace.
Parama Purusa, You are love-personified and the abode of compassion. You are the solution to every problem. I always remember You - You are always in my thoughts. It is Your mercy that I do pranam again and again at Your rosy feet and surrender myself completely. With Your blessings I move ahead smiling, carrying the particles of Your krpa with me. Your sweet will propels me onwards in my journey.
Parama Purusa Baba, with full trust on You alone, the boat of my life is floating along safely in the midst of the stormy sea, by Your grace.
Parama Purusa, by Your melody, rhythm, and love, the divine sweetness is collected in the pollen of my heart. Meditating on You, my existence becomes full of bliss. By always chanting Your name and constantly singing Your song, I realized that You are the Essence of essence. You are my Dearmost. It is Your infinite kindness.
Parama Purusa Baba, with full trust on You alone, the boat of my life is floating along safely in the midst of the stormy sea, by Your grace.
Baba, I surrender at Your feet…
Note: Only those who sincerely practice the higher lessons of sahaja yoga meditation can understand this song in the depths of their heart.
"Toma'ri bharasa'y ma'jh-dariya'y, bhese ja'y jiivanatarii a'ma'r..." (Prabhat Samgiit #0777)
Purport:
Parama Purusa, depending on You alone, the boat of my life is floating along in the midst of the stormy sea, by Your grace. With Your care, I am carrying on with my life in stormy days. My boat floats on. Even while surrounded by hurricanes and confronted with high tidal waves, the ship of my life never stops; nor do I cry loudly in fear or become panicked. Because You are with me to save me. So why should I be scared or nervous about the calamity and horrifying conditions on my path. Everything is in Your hand. You are the Saviour.
Parama Purusa Baba, with full trust on You alone, the boat of my life is floating along safely in the midst of the stormy sea, by Your grace.
Parama Purusa, You are love-personified and the abode of compassion. You are the solution to every problem. I always remember You - You are always in my thoughts. It is Your mercy that I do pranam again and again at Your rosy feet and surrender myself completely. With Your blessings I move ahead smiling, carrying the particles of Your krpa with me. Your sweet will propels me onwards in my journey.
Parama Purusa Baba, with full trust on You alone, the boat of my life is floating along safely in the midst of the stormy sea, by Your grace.
Parama Purusa, by Your melody, rhythm, and love, the divine sweetness is collected in the pollen of my heart. Meditating on You, my existence becomes full of bliss. By always chanting Your name and constantly singing Your song, I realized that You are the Essence of essence. You are my Dearmost. It is Your infinite kindness.
Parama Purusa Baba, with full trust on You alone, the boat of my life is floating along safely in the midst of the stormy sea, by Your grace.
Baba, I surrender at Your feet…
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "At one time people were told that this world is for human enjoyment only, so the existence of all the plants, of all the birds and animals, in the world is intended merely to provide objects of enjoyment for human beings. Their hopes and aspirations, their intense desire to live, their pains and pleasures, their affectionate family or community lives are simply without value. However much a baby goat may wish to live, the main consideration is how much meat that kid carries on its frame. This defective philosophy has made people ruthlessly violent – even more dangerous than blood-thirsty tigers. Tigers kill only to fill their stomachs, to preserve their physical existence; whereas human beings kill animals mostly out of greed. Generally people have resorted to hypocrisy to camouflage this instinct of greed; they have killed animals on the pretext of pleasing the gods, while actually their main motive in doing so was to please their own tongues. These are all the inevitable results of such defective philosophies." (1)
Answer: Baba is talking about the Semitic religions. This is done by the semitic religions, i.e. Islam, Judaism, Christianity. The theology of these religions claims that all of the animals are for human consumption and enjoyment. These animals do not have their own independent existential value. Humans can keep or kill them according to their desire. Animals have no intrinsic value or right to exist on their own. According to their theology, God created animals for human use and desire.
Reference
1. Namah Shivaya Shantaya, Shiva's Teachings – 2 (continued) (Discourse 14)
