Baba
Non-margiis doing AM ideas
Namaskar,
Ananda Marga, graciously given by Mahasambhuti Baba, has brought about many unprecedented social changes. Although Ananda Marga is not given credit for many such social changes, today we see a different level of consciousness in the world due to the ideological seeds sown by Ananda Marga.
When Mahasambhu’ti arrives then He creates an unparalleled vibration in the universe. He inspires many people who do His work. At the critical junctures, which are known as yugasandhi in Saḿskrta, He comes and motivates the entire humanity. There are many examples of inspiration given by Baba which led to trailblazing changes in the socio-economic, educational, and spiritual spheres.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Propagation of regional languages by non-margiis
After independence from British rule in 1947 there was no active program to promote the teaching and learning of regional languages. Baba has taught in numerous places that regional languages are very important. In 1986, a group of schools were launched by the Government of India called Navodaya. Navodaya schools are highly subsidized and admit meritorious students via an entrance exam. One of the objectives behind the formation of Navodaya schools was to introduce education in regional languages. The intent behind the introduction of regional languages via Navodaya schools was to promote the usage of regional language. There is a considerable language gap between the Northern and the Southern parts of India. Navodaya helped in bridging this gap and bringing unity.
Bringing regional languages into the mainstream by incorporating them in the education system has been effective not only in promoting the languages but also in removing inferiority complex among the speakers of those languages. The alumni of the Navodaya schools travel around the country for their employment etc. and thereby they use the regional language learned in the school. Language abilities help in bridging the gaps and indeed this is improving the relations between people belonging to various language groups.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
It may appear that this idea of promoting regional languages has been brought forth by the Government of India. However, it is well known that Baba began propagating PROUT in 1959 and in the setting of PROUT, guiding on the importance of regional languages, well before Navodaya. Baba emphasized the teaching of regional languages in addition to English long ago. In fact, when non-ma’rgiis also came to know of the great ideals of Ananda Marga, they could not help but get influenced. They made Baba’s ideas their own and began promoting the same in their own spheres. Many government officials either were themselves Ananda Margiis or knew Ananda Margiis, and when they got introduced to the issue of regional language and the solution of introducing the same in the education system, they discussed this in their departments. In this way the ideas were propagated and eventually led to various government programs. This is the grand way of the working of Maha’sambhu’ti.
Political parties influenced by Ananda Marga teaching
Baba spoke about the formation of socio-economic units like that of Chhattisgarh in 1959, and later on He created Proutist Chattisgarhii samaja - long before political parties began campaigning for the same. Later, political parties made the formation of Chattisgarh state their political agenda. Here again the political parties got influenced by Ananda Marga teaching. Today, Chattisgarh is a state in India and people belonging to this state do not have any inferiority complex regarding their language, whereas such an inferiority complex was once very common among them.
Mass scale popularization: meditation & asanas by non-margiis
Before the advent of Ananda Marga, the tradition of yoga sa’dhana’ was long replaced by idol worship. Nobody could even imagine that meditation could be done by the common people living in the general society. Many thought that meditation is the turf of ascetics with matted hairs living in Himalayas and common people have nothing to do with it. Ananda Marga brought forth a new wave of spirituality. After that many pseudo-yogiis like Mahesh Yogii and Osho Rajneesh also talked about meditation for common people and shunned idol worship.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
It must be explained here that many people were not yet ready for the pure teachings of Ananda Marga and for them the paths given by the pseudo-yogiis were like segues to the grand path of Ananda Marga. Today, the idea of meditation has become very common and mainstream. Similarly, asanas were long forgotten by people. Asanas are the integral part of Ananda Marga sa’dhana’ and have been included in Carya’carya. Baba spoke about asanas back in 1955. Today, with people like Swami Ramdev, asanas have reached common households. It is a recent phenomenon compared to Ananda Marga. Baba was talking about and teaching the therapeutic use of asanas since 1949--- now various people popularized asanas.
Vegetarianism among common people
An important part of Ananda Marga way of life is sattvik food. The prerequisite for sattvik food is that the food should be vegetarian. Many prominent religions presented animals as objects of human consumption and promoted animal meat eating and there was no voice for animals. Ananda Marga advocates vegetarianism. Today, there are many organizations that fight against animal cruelty and meat eating.
Consciousness about women's rights
Women have been subjugated for ages. Ananda Marga ideology was the first to proclaim women’s rights. Today there are many organizations that do so, although in many cases their hue and cry for women’s rights is not in true sense but just lip service. Even in the Muslim countries, women’s rights are being fought for.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Untouchability caste race eradication
Untouchability was a major social problem in the last century. There used to be separate dishes for the so-called low-caste and untouchable people in tea-stalls and food joints. Untouchability was practiced openly. Baba gave the slogan “ma’nava ma’nava ek hai” in 1955 and with that the war against the social ill of caste system was begun. Baba gave the revolutionary marriage to tackle the caste system. Hindu extremist organizations like Rashtriya Swayamsevak Samgha opposed Ananda Marga quite aggressively and in many cases violently. Often RSS goons would set the Revolutionary Marriage pandals afire. Ironically, today the grandsons and granddaughters of the same RSS workers and leaders do not accept caste system and marry across the so-called castes. When Baba began the movement against the caste system, many told Him that what Buddha and Kabir could not get rid of how He can do so? Even the laokik mother of Baba would chidingly smile on Baba when He said, “mother, I’ll remove the caste system from the face of this earth.” Today we see that this disease of the caste system, that even Kabir and Buddha could not remove, has waned dramatically. And whatever of it has remained will also be gone when the old carriers of the disease will die.
Conclusion
The teachings of Ananda Marga influence people deeply and when people internalize them they propagate the same in their own spheres. This is how the great changes have happened in the last few decades. There are many more things from Ananda Marga that need to be propagated for the all-round development of people than what has happened until now. As Ananda Margiis it is our bounden duty to propagate Ananda Marga teachings. The teachings can be spread via various means like social media, cartoons, and stories and we should earnestly and tirelessly work in this direction.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Although what non-margiis are doing is a diluted form of AM philosophy, but that is how it works when one is going to climb to some higher place. It needs a ladder. To bring the common people up to the standard of Ananda Marga, it needs various steps as well in the middle. In this way, the whole society gradually moves upward. So what is going on may seem to be small steps, but we should all appreciate that it is happening. And it gives a signal that the whole Ananda Marga philosophy will be fully accepted by the new generation. Because old people cannot change so easily. That's why Baba says that in order to propagate Ananda Marga ideals, we should start primary schools. Whatever bad things are going on in the society at present, that is all done by those who are adults and aged people, not by those who are young. The mind of the new generation is very receptive to Ananda Marga ideology. And gradually we will see with our own eyes that step by step common people will follow all aspects of AM ideology in their practical lives.
In Him,
Samvit
Ananda Marga is the panacea
Ananda Marga philosophy says, "A correct spiritual ideology is the only solution to the problems confronting the world. From this perspective we can call Ananda Marga ideology the philosophers’ stone. Just as the philosophers’ stone is meant to transform everything into gold, Ananda Marga ideology can, most definitely, find a just and rational solution whenever it is applied to any problem." (1)
Reference
1. Problems of the Day, Point #36
* * *
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
* * *
The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stand on their own as points of interest.
* * *
== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==
Note: Only those who sincerely practice the higher lessons of sahaja yoga meditation can understand this song in the depths of their heart.
"Tomáre páoár áshe, tomáre pete páshe, maner mukure tava chavi enke gán gái..." (Prabhat Samgiita #0784)
Purport:
Parama Purusa, Baba, in the hope of getting You and having Your closeness, I am painting Your beautiful picture - visualizing You in my mental mirror, in my mind, in my citta. By Your grace I am doing dhyana and singing Your blissful songs of our relation and sharing of heart. My Supreme guide, please be gracious - I want Your proximity.
Baba, I always remember Your smile saturated with nectar. How You were looking towards me with eyes full of affection - mamata’ - socked with the nectar of love. That memorable, magical, and captivating moment, I cannot ever forget. Always I keep that precious memory in the core of my heart.
By Your mercy again and again I came on this earth to do Your work - sadhana, service, and sacrifice - and wipe away the tears of suffering living beings. The purpose of my life is to satisfy You - to please You. But after finishing that allotted work, I don't know where I went. That is not in my mind. Baba, by Your will now this time again I have come on this earth. I hear the resonance of Your divine, musical flute by which You are calling me incessantly. In response to Your sweet call, I am singing Your songs - dancing and rushing headlong towards You. It is Your infinite kindness.
My Innermost, You are my everything, with the bond of Your love - You remain with me eternally...
Notes for Prabhat Samgiita #0784:
[1] Mamata': Mineness; In Sanskrit “mama” = mine, and the suffix ta’ = -ness; hence “mineness.” To have equal or more love for something / someone than one has for oneself.
Ananda Marga ideology says, "What is the meaning of “mamatá”? Mama + tá = mamatá. Mama means “mine” and thus mamatá is the inner idea of being mine, the feeling that something is my own." (1)
Ananda Marga ideology guides us, "“Mamatá” means “mine-ness” – “Mama” means “one's own”, and the abstract noun derived from it is “mamatá” – meaning, thereby “mine-ness.”" (2)
For example, suppose you are suffering from a fever then naturally you will be concerned about your own health. You will try to cure yourself by going to the doctor and taking medicine etc. If you have mamata for someone else, then if they are sick with a fever you will have the same degree of care for their condition as your own. When one does sadhana then this sense of mamata grows and one ultimately has the feeling of mamata towards the entire created universe. Without sadhana, one’s sense of mamata will be extremely limited whereby one might only care about their own individual existence. So when the mind is extremely narrow one only has mamata for oneself. Those with a slightly broader mind have mamata towards their parents and family members. And as the circumference of mind expands one has mamata for other relatives and community members etc. However, it is only with sadhana that the periphery of mind can grow further and further wherein one’s sense of mamata includes all beings and expressions of this cosmos. Parama Purusa has mamata’ for each and every entity - this entire creation, all living and non-living expressions.
[2] Veńu / Flute: “The rhythm in which the vibrational flow of the cosmic mind vibrates the annamáya kośa of individual microcosms – veins, nerves, arteries, blood, lymph, etc. – is the initial stage of the divine cosmic sound. When this sound is heard in the anamáya kośa it resembles that of a cricket. When this cosmic sound vibrates the kámamaya kośa it resembles the sound of ankle bells. In the manomaya kośa it resembles a flute; ... in atimánasa kośa, the resonance of a gong; in vijiṋánamaya kośa the buzzing of bees or the rolling of ocean waves; and in hirańmaya kośa, a prolonged oṋḿ sound. Thus the cosmic sound is expressed in various ways according to the degrees of crudity or subtlety in relation to the fundamental factors. There are various physical and psychic expressions centring around the various degrees of cosmic sound. When one’s mind is confined to a particular stratum one hears the sound peculiar to that stratum only. A person who lacks concentration of mind cannot hear any expression of the cosmic sound. In the field of spiritual practice the divine sound is expressed in a spontaneous way.” (3)
References
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 7, The True Nature of Bhakti
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 1, Pleasing the Lord
3. Ananda Marga Ideology & Way of Life - 6, The Expansion of the Microcosm
== Section 3: Important Teaching ==
First ingredient in spiritual life
Ananda Marga ideology says, “A jiṋánii often becomes fatigued with the continuous cultivation of knowledge. Sometimes, after prolonged thinking, the brain simply refuses to function anymore and it becomes increasingly difficult to implement one’s internal thoughts and ideas. What happens at that time? Knowledge concedes defeat and the ego has no choice but to surrender. Finally, one is compelled to plead, “Oh Parama Puruśa, please help me, please save my prestige.”" (1)
Note: In the life of a sadhaka on the spiritual journey, the first and foremost ingredient is surrender. Yet surrender itself is defined and described in a multitude of ways. In the above quote, surrender is explained in a very simple manner.
Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 8, Do Virtuous Deeds Day and Night – 2
== Section 4: Links ==
Recent postingsOther topics of interest
