Baba
Greedy celebrations
Namaskar,
This is one concerning trend with regards to our Ananda Purnima celebrations. First let’s take a quick basic look at one of our core principles: sevá, or service.
Service is the main thing
Service is at the very center of our AM way of life. Either sadhakas are serving Guru directly in their spiritual practices, or they are serving His vast creation. AM teachings do not support any type of selfishness or indulgence etc. Naturally, this tenet should certainly be upheld during Ananda Purnima gatherings etc.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Verily, for all our festivals and social functions, there are elements of social service such as food distribution (i.e. narayan seva), clothing distribution, or some type of welfare activity. Before 1990, our AMPS was a sterling example of this.
Selfishness during AP - have you seen?
Now, however, something else has been on display at some Ananda Purnima festivities. At certain gatherings, sumptuous food and grand birthday cakes are often prepared in celebration of Ananda Purnima. And while certainly joyous and well-intentioned and appropriate for the occasion, we have to consider the following. This is the day to highlight Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji and His mission. So the food we prepare should also be offered to those suffering from want. Otherwise, we risk undermining the essence of the occasion.
For instance, suppose brother Keshava fancies deep-fried pakora. Then he may decide or request to put that on the menu for the Ananda Purnima celebration. And then all week long prior to the festival, he is thinking about the various preparations for Ananda Purnima, including the pakora. Finally, on the day of Ananda Purnima, at the time of the meal, all those deep-fried pakoras are placed on the table, and there is a decorative sign that says, “Happy Birthday Baba!”. And Keshava is first in line for a big serving of those pakoras.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Here the point is that in the joyous and festive setting of Ananda Purnima, one should be careful about just satisfying one’s own desires. Ananda Purnima is a grand occasion and cakes and sumptuous food can be made, especially for the children. At the same time, those tasty meals should be accompanied by narayan seva, i.e. food distribution. At least, some percentage of dishes should be offered to those in need. Making a whole table full of delicacies in the name of Baba’s birthday and then eating them all is not in the spirit of the occasion.
Conclusion: true service on that day
Each and every aspect of our life is to be suffused with the spirit of service. And that should be exemplified on the occasion of Ananda Purnima. Using Ananda Purnima as a means to satisfy all one’s food cravings goes against the fundamental essence of the festival. Everyone should be aware of this and ensure that this day of celebration does not degrade into a day of indulgence. Rigorous efforts should be made to share Ananda Purnima feasts with the downtrodden section of society. We should serve them with the idea that Parama Purusa has come before us in the form of these poor and hungry people. That will be true service on the occasion of Ananda Purnima.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Ananda Vanii states, “...The best you can do is only to serve. Remember, you are to serve bearing in mind that every creature is verily the living manifestation of the Supreme Consciousness. Remember also that the credit of service is not yours; it is due to the Supreme and the Supreme alone, whose ideation has inspired you to acquire the capability of rendering service.” (1)
In Him,
Lalita
(Laura Dinham)
References
1. Ananda Vanii #23
* * *
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
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== Section: Important Teaching ==
Spa treatment: diseases
Ananda Marga Caryacarya says, "The practices given below are prescribed only for specific diseases. Therefore, they are to be performed only after consultation with an a'ca'rya."
"Vistrta sna'na or vya'paka sna'na: A bathtub is most convenient, but if this is not available, an earthen trough will suffice. If this is not available either, a wet towel can be used, soaking it repeatedly in water. Fill the bathtub with cold water, and sit in it undressed so that the area from the navel down remains submerged. Keep your feet dry and out of the tub. The area from the neck to the navel should be kept covered with a shirt or dry cloth. The crown of the head and the back of the head should be kept covered with a wet towel."
Ananda Marga Caryacarya says, "Now take another towel and rub the area from the right side of the abdomen to the groin seven or eight times. Do likewise on the left-hand side and horizontally from right to left and left to right. You should make sure that the towel on the head remains wet."
"After this, wipe the abdomen, hands and thighs and take a full bath. If this is not possible, then leave the tub wearing a shirt."
Ananda Marga Caryacarya says, "This should be practised behind closed doors. In the absence of a bathtub or an earthen trough, a wet towel may be wrapped around the areas to be bathed, but in order to compensate, cold water must be poured constantly over the towel, and the towel which is to be used for the massage must be kept wet. After vya'paka sna'na, the thighs, pubic area and abdomen should be warmed with a dry towel."
"Before and after this bath one should not eat, in order to allow the stomach to rest." (1)
Reference
1. Caryacarya - 3, Different Yoga Practices
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Management: not by central government
Prout philosophy states, “It is desirable that the management of industrial, agricultural, trade and commercial enterprises not be in the hands of the central government or the world government (after the establishment of the world government). If it is, the common people will not get the direct or even the indirect opportunity to participate in the management of these enterprises. In such cases capitalists, opportunists or self-seeking politicians can easily take control of them and misappropriate public wealth." (1)
Reference
1. Problems of the Day, Point #11
== Section 2: Links ==
