Baba
Sinful earnings
Note: This letter is not for those who do not give importance to Baba's divine teachings.
Namaskar,
According to Sadguru Baba, our means of livelihood should be samyak ajiiva - right occupation. Engaging in jobs that go against this code of samyak a’jiiva hinder one’s spiritual progress by encumbering one with negative samskaras. Such jobs have a grossly detrimental effect on the society.
Unfortunately, in this early 21st century, there are many occupations that come under this category of sinful earning. Once aware about these jobs, one should keep distance from them, and alert others.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Negative earning degenerates
There are countless ways people “sell their souls” to make money. That means they indulge in harmful and lowly dealings to make money and think it is ok since it is legal.
In so many places gambling has become legal. Now there is legalised gambling on the internet. As various states and countries face financial hardship, an increasing number of local and federal leaders are turning towards gambling to heighten revenue. Across the US, every year more states legalise and expand gambling. And the growth of gambling is a mounting issue around the world that threatens to explode with the onset of increased gambling on the web. Engaging in jobs that go against code of samyak ajiiva [right occupation] is bad.
Also in various regions, they have legalised marijuana in hopes of heightening revenue in the form of a big drug tax. In some countries, the cultivation of poppy and prostitution have also become legal. While in the US, one of the biggest sectors of the economy remains the weapons industry. Agencies sell arms and promote wars in financially impoverished nations in order to profit financially.
Then there are the usual array of degrading commodities such as cigarettes, meat, alcohol, etc - all of which are legal but have a very detrimental effect on society. To turn a profit and increase their capital, businessmen, leaders, and investors leave all scruples behind and look only at the profit. Engaging in jobs that go against the code of samyak a’jiiva [right occupation] hinder one’s spiritual progress by encumbering one with negative samskaras. They will ruin their sadhana; plus such jobs have a grossly detrimental effect on the society. In sum, they will have to face the harsh and severe consequences by prakrti and become an animal, plant, even mud, sand, stone etc. Remember, there is no escape from bad samskaras.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Why right earnings is very essential
As Ananda Margiis, we should be extremely careful and conscientious on this matter. We should wholly ensure we do not adopt this same harmful path that is being followed by countless people around the globe.
That is why now more than ever we should pay strict adherence to Baba's guideline of samyak ajiiva (right livelihood). Gaining money through any type of sinful or anti-social means is not good for one's progress. Engaging in jobs that go against the code of samyak a’jiiva [right occupation] is bad.
Ananda Marga ideology says, "So one must have a clean occupation, that is, one must not do anything antisocial, one must not encourage anything antisocial, anything that goes against collective interest. That is samyak a'jiiva in physical sphere. One may earn money by selling wine. One may earn money by stealing. These are not samyak ajiiva [right occupation]. Your occupation should be neat and clean - not going against the interest of the society." (1)
Baba wants us to have a healthy and clean way of earning a living. In this vaeshyan era, people stoop to depraved levels in order to make money. But we should not be tempted or allured. Remember, those who do like this will have to face the harsh and severe consequences by prakrti and become an animal, plant, even mud, sand, stone etc. There is no escape from bad samskaras. They will ruin their sadhana also.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Why our livelihood should be pure
As Ananda Margiis we should keep ourselves on the right path and guide the society as well. All should earn a clean living and pass their days doing virtuous deeds like serving others, practicing sadhana, and inspiring others along the path of welfare.
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "Unscrupulous people earn a lot of money from actions which are by nature sinful and harmful for the world. Human beings should not earn their livelihood in this way. Their means of livelihood should be pure and sacred and should not harm anyone." (2)
Sinful jobs
Sadly people are willing to go to any extreme for the sake of the dollar: Prostitution, gambling, arms dealing, drug trafficking, junk bond selling etc. There are so many legal and illegal degenerating approaches that people adopt to make money. Engaging in jobs that go against the code of samyak a’jiiva [right occupation] is bad.
Some are legal and some are illegal, but what a few people are doing in the name of acquiring money is completely destructive, either to themselves or others. I personally know of many who pass their days earning big money working for loan sharking companies. Nowadays, there are numerous reports by investigative journalists who have uncovered their bad deeds. Yet to "get by and advance "in this materialistic era, many innocent and good people spend their entire lives working in this profession.
Of course, people certainly resort to innumerable illegal concoctions as well in order to make money: Drug trafficking, gangs, extortion, stealing, smuggling, etc. For their own desire to acquire monetary wealth, people resort to all kinds of harmful occupations. And they will have to face the harsh and severe consequences by prakrti; they will be reborn as an animal, plant, even mud, sand, or stone etc. There is no escape from bad samskaras. Sadly, their spiritual sadhana will also suffer.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Conclusion
The concluding idea is that one should not take on work that harms others. Our means of livelihood should be samyak ajiiva - right occupation. Otherwise one will have to face the harsh and severe consequences by prakrti. There is no escape from bad samskaras; they will become an animal, plant, even mud, sand, stone etc. And ultimately one’s sadhana will be ruined.
In Him,
Mamata’
~ In-depth study ~
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "Those who are demons in human structure are all in categorical forms [fall into various categories]. Although these structures, these frameworks, look like human beings, they are exceptionally clever and cunning. By inculcating various sentiments, they misguide not only thousands, but millions, of people to the path of malevolence, just for some petty social status or other temptation. Common people never think deeply about this; they have not been taught how to think deeply about it; they do not ponder over it even now. Until today this aspect of knowledge has been generally unknown to the world. That is why common people, not fully understanding these cunning people, are inclined to give them undue importance. They write voluminous books about these clever people and accept their words as authentic, thus bringing about considerable harm to the society, the state and the common masses. Simple ignorant people do not realize that they themselves are being harmed or that they, being misguided by those clever people, are harming others." (3)
Ananda Marga ideology states, "Even if one does not harm anyone physically, but simply thinks of harming someone, sam'skáras will still be created. Whatever feelings one may have for a person, good or bad, will certainly cause a reaction. That reaction will remain in potential form in the subtle mental sphere until the opportune time arrives for its expression. This is why wise people look upon this universe with an attitude of equanimity and wish for the welfare of all. Sarvesám mauṋgalam káunkśe. People who fail to do this will have to suffer endlessly for their mean-mindedness." (4)
Ananda Marga philosophy teaches us, "Who are duśkrtas [the wicked]? Those who cause harm to innocent people either out of self-interest or group-interest are called duśkrtas. Such antisocial people are a burden on a civilized society, a black spot on society." (5)
Dirty livelihood: exploiters suck the blood of poor
Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "What a horror! Such false philosophies have taught, “Well, if we exploit the people with our intellect, what's the harm? It is also a labour to apply the intellect, and we have the right to do so!” On the basis of this argument a handful of parasites have gorged themselves on the blood of millions of people, while countless people have been reduced to living skeletons. Such fraudulent philosophies have diverted many people from the path of morality and left them devoid of dharma, addicted to carnal pleasures – infernal creatures." (6)
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "If someone is engaged in unrighteous deeds, his neighbours should ignore his dark side, and should not repeatedly condemn him. One should say, “Well, I'm not bothered by what he says or does – that's his own business.” But this attitude of tolerance can only be accepted to a certain extent. If the person's sinful or wicked actions harm society and disrupt social life, one can no longer afford to be indifferent." (7)
If anyone harms others by their negative livelihood, they will face the consequences. Nobody can save them. They will have to undergo those harsh reactions for the pain they caused. Whether their job was legal or not, if they created harm to individuals and / or the society, they will have to suffer the reactions.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 30, Ideological Flow and the Eight-fold Path
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 7, An Exemplary Life
3. The Liberation of Intellect: Neohumanism, Disc: 10
4. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life, The Science of Action
5. Namámi Krśńasundaram, Disc: 16
6. Namah Shiváya Shántáya, Disc: 14
7. Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell - 8, The Acoustic Roots of the Indo-Aryan Alphabet
== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==
Will You not look at me with love and affection?
"Tomáke saompechi go paráń, tumi ki cáhibe phire..." (Prabhat Samgiita #0278)
Purport:
O’ Parama Purusa, I am offering and surrendering my heart, mind, and whole existence unto Your lotus feet. I have only one desire: Please look towards me with Your sweet smile. Will You not look at me with love and affection? Today all my hopes and all my love have been fulfilled by having You as my own.
"Tomáke saompechi go paráń, tumi ki cáhibe phire..." (Prabhat Samgiita #0278)
Purport:
O’ Parama Purusa, I am offering and surrendering my heart, mind, and whole existence unto Your lotus feet. I have only one desire: Please look towards me with Your sweet smile. Will You not look at me with love and affection? Today all my hopes and all my love have been fulfilled by having You as my own.
1st stanza: expanded meaningO’ Parama Purusa, I have so much yearning for You. I am offering and surrendering my heart, my mind, and my whole existence unto Your lotus feet. My Lord my whole life is for You - I only want You. I have only one single desire: Please look towards me with Your sweet smile. Will You not grace me by looking at me with love & affection? Lord, You are so gracious; today all my hopes and all my love have been fulfilled by having You as my own. You have granted me everything by coming close.
O’ Parama Purusa Baba, my whole life revolves around You. Since ages, day and night, I have remained awake, waiting for Your august arrival - keeping my ear toward Your path in hopes of hearing Your footsteps. My Lord, each and every day I have threaded a new garland with fresh flowers to offer unto You. Yet, due to my melancholic longing, those garlands became drenched with my tears.
2nd stanza: expanded meaningO’ Parama Purusa Baba, my whole life revolves around You. You are my everything. Since ages, day and night, I have remained awake, waiting for Your august arrival. My Dearest, I have kept my ear toward Your path in hopes of hearing Your footsteps. I have been waiting anxiously - attentively. Lord, each and every day I have threaded a new garland with fresh flowers to offer unto You. Yet, due to my melancholic longing, those garlands became drenched with my tears.
Alas, I see in the crimson dawn of the eastern horizon, a glow is slowly appearing with a gentle smile. Parama Purusa, that smile is Yours. It is filled with forms and colours. I see You are coming towards me.
3rd stanza: expanded meaningAlas, in the new crimson dawn of the eastern horizon, I see that a glow is slowly emanating with a gentle smile. Parama Purusa, that smile is Yours. It is filled with forms and colours. Your blessed smile satiates all my hopes and longings. Baba, You are so gracious - I see You are coming towards me.
O’ Parama Purusa, I am offering my mind unto You. Please look towards me with Your passionate eye. Please look at me with love and affection...
== Section 3: Links ==
Recent postings
Other topics of interest
