Baba
Pitfalls of predilection
Namaskar,
Sadguru Baba has brought us onto the path of spirituality, and we should be cent per cent sure we are keeping true to His tenets and ideals. Yet, in our lives, it is quite common - though not always appropriate - to run after things that we like. We actually associate that liking with who we are. We identify with that.
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "When you develop a fascination for a particular object or person your mind encircles it." (1)
But those likings - house, spouse, clothing, money, food, phone, movies, music etc - are not who or what we really are. Yet people become very much attached to those preferences and our mind takes that shape and form. And we go after it with full effort.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
This type of occurrence is not good for us. Yet that is the way people's likings shape who they are, and what they become. Most people's lives are dominated by such likings and tendencies. We see this with our friends, family members, and neighbors. So we should be 100% careful.
Liking changes - see for yourself
Actually such material longings or likings are quite short-lived. You can see for yourself. Take a look back at the last ten years. Honestly evaluate those things that you wanted or liked and notice if you still want them today. We may have given up everything or worked very hard to get that - yet now today it is not even something we like.
Think about it: technology, cars, property, opposite sex, status, etc. Many times people acquire such things with full zeal and joy only to soon lose interest in them entirely. Either they become old, outdated, or we realise that it is not what we thought. This is the way it goes.
Of course, those things we liked as children such as toys, dolls, and all kinds of games and coloring books we no longer like. Yet at that time as kids we were crying to get those things only to change our mind minutes or hours later.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
But the lives of adults following a materialistic approach is a little different. With all their mental and emotional force they aim to satisfy themselves with whatever they like - they take huge loans to buy new things, prestige, hobbies, sensual pleasures, friends, and so many other examples - and then after a short while after getting that thing they are no longer enthralled with it. Some even try to satiate themselves with various types of music, food habits, and intellectual ideas. This is the common phenomenon. But ultimately that liking is blind and people become bored or tired with those things. Because as soon as their mind changes then their liking changes as well. That is the main principle at hand.
What is vivek
How to avoid such problems and difficulties. As sadhakas we should always use our vivek (discrimination). But even that becomes difficult to define. Here is one key point to keep in mind:
If we think - “I exist and I desire xyz” - then one is going to run full throttle after that fleeting desire. People think, “I exist and I want a red sports car”, or “I exist and I want that opposite sex.” If one just superficially leads their life in this way then they will never employ their sense of vivek. Rather they will constantly lust after one liking
to the next. Their desires will change with the winds, and their life will be filled with torment and hell.
In contrast, if we think - “I know I exist” - then whatever we desire will be appropriate. Here the point is that phrase "I know I exist" is embedded with the innate knowledge that, “I am the child of Parama Purusa, and He is watching me and I am to live a life for pleasing Him.” This is the knowledge every sadhakas has.
When we live our lives according to this perspective then we will never rush after crude or temporary things. Then the whole emphasis of our life will be towards Parama Purusa Baba and His divine teachings. At that point our liking becomes something permanent, not short-lived. Then we can say that we have vivek - not before.
So when we are not submerged in blindly liking some crude or mundane object then we will be awakened to a finer way of life based on ideology. In that case, we will always be mentally balanced and not swayed by any blind liking or attachment.
https://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Baba says, "Once you realize the truth, you may be on your guard so as not to overdo your expressions of liking or love for someone [or something]; and not to be antagonistic to a person [or object] not to your liking. In this way you can maintain your mental balance." (2)
Conclusion
We should all be wary of this notion of blind liking and not lust after temporary fancies thinking that will give us long lasting satisfaction or that we are those things. That is not the way of the sadhaka. Baba has blessed us with a refined intellect and intuition, and with that faculty we are to live focused on Him and AM ideology. Then our liking will be pure, and we will achieve true peace in life.
Ananda Marga ideology says, "That is why I say that you must bring about a revolutionary change in the flow of your judgment and thought, and see how, after overcoming your fascination with external colour, your mind becomes tinged with His glorious colour. In Ananda Marga sadhana, the method of withdrawing the mind from degrading tendencies, and absorbing oneself in the colour of the Great, is called pratya'ha'ra yoga (the yoga of withdrawal) or varn'a'rghyada'na (the offering of colours). All people have a particular attraction for one or another object or activity and as soon as they become attracted to an object, then their minds become coloured with the colour of that object. You can withdraw your mind from the colour of that object and dye yourself in His colour by offering Him the captivating colour of the object that has attracted you: this is the real pratya'ha'ra yoga." (3)
In Him,
Cinmay
References
1. Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell - 6, Ekendriya – 3
2. Discourses of Krsna & the Giita, Spiritual Lessons of the Giitá – 1
3. Subhasita Samgraha - 3, Vibration, Form and Colour
== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==
Always You remained far
"Khunje gechi toma'y ghare ba'hire, dhara' dile na'..." (Prabhat Samgiita #3710)
Purport:
O’ Parama Purusa, I searched for You nearby, in my home, around my locale, in far distant places, and also externally everywhere. I visited so many known and unknown places, and went to dogmatic, religious sites and so-called tiirthas like, Bodhgaya, and other locations like Ananda Nagar, Tiljala Tomb, Jamalpur, Varanasi, Rameshwaram, Puri, or Kailash and traveled to Bodhgaya, Mecca, Rome, Jerusalem. But, unfortunately, I could not find You anywhere. I wandered all around looking for You in one artificial holy land and another “holy land”. But always You remained far and could not be gotten.
O’ Baba, I tried to find You on the seashore as well as in the alleged holy rivers. I went to mosques, temples, churches, jagrtis, Marga Guru Quarters Tiljala, and the tiger’s grave in Jamalpur - and in various other so-called holy places. All the while You remained hidden, beyond the reach. O’ my Arúp, formless I did not see You anywhere in form or figure.
O’ Parama Purusa, I also visited the caves of the mountains in seeking You. But I never found You. I did not get my dearmost One in any of those external places. It is only now at the end that I see that You are smiling in my mind - in my heart. The Ever-new, blissful One, Parama Purusa, Baba, I do namah to You again and again...
"Khunje gechi toma'y ghare ba'hire, dhara' dile na'..." (Prabhat Samgiita #3710)
Purport:
O’ Parama Purusa, I searched for You nearby, in my home, around my locale, in far distant places, and also externally everywhere. I visited so many known and unknown places, and went to dogmatic, religious sites and so-called tiirthas like, Bodhgaya, and other locations like Ananda Nagar, Tiljala Tomb, Jamalpur, Varanasi, Rameshwaram, Puri, or Kailash and traveled to Bodhgaya, Mecca, Rome, Jerusalem. But, unfortunately, I could not find You anywhere. I wandered all around looking for You in one artificial holy land and another “holy land”. But always You remained far and could not be gotten.
O’ Baba, I tried to find You on the seashore as well as in the alleged holy rivers. I went to mosques, temples, churches, jagrtis, Marga Guru Quarters Tiljala, and the tiger’s grave in Jamalpur - and in various other so-called holy places. All the while You remained hidden, beyond the reach. O’ my Arúp, formless I did not see You anywhere in form or figure.
O’ Parama Purusa, I also visited the caves of the mountains in seeking You. But I never found You. I did not get my dearmost One in any of those external places. It is only now at the end that I see that You are smiling in my mind - in my heart. The Ever-new, blissful One, Parama Purusa, Baba, I do namah to You again and again...
== Section: Important Teaching ==
Be a friend, not an instructor
Ananda Marga philosophy guides us, "Even in private life when a person behaves with you badly or uses harsh words, don't behave with him in the same manner. You shall explain to him his duties gently. In case, anyone has a wrong impression, you shall show him the right path without scolding (abusing) him. Make it clear to him if possible with practical demonstration how harmful may be the effect of such habits. But always keep this in mind that in such cases your behavior must be like that of a friend, and never like that of an instructor. Your only object will be to get your advice accepted by him. The idea that he is fool and you are wise is not desirable in any party." (1)
Note: In His above teaching, Baba is outlining an important pracar technique. Specifically, when speaking with non-margiis, we should talk with them in a soft and gentle manner, using a friendly, supportive tone. By this way, they will gradually learn Ananda Marga ideals. Baba also addressed non-margiis in this manner. And then with more established sadhakas - i.e. experience Ananda Margiis - Baba was more firm to best enhance their progress.
References
1. Ta'ttvika Diipika': Dvitiiya Parva
== Section: Important Teaching ==
This keeps human genius buried
Ananda Marga philosophy states, "The effort to attain liberation from economic bondage, political slavery and all sorts of social dependence in the physical world, is the liberation from staticity in the crude world. In order to attain liberation from worldly bondages of this sort, human beings will have to make conscious efforts.”
“If a certain country is held in bondage to another country, then that subjugated country will have to wage war in order to attain liberation from the chains of slavery. That is why liberation from worldly bondages is essential for human beings. We have noticed that wherever there is worldly subservience – whether economic, political or social – the proper development of the innate qualities, or the genius of human beings, remains remote. That is why in every sphere of life liberation is necessary; liberation from the bondage of staticity is a must.” (1)
Reference
1. A Few Problems Solved - 4, Liberation From Staticity
== Section 3: Links ==
Other topics of interest
