Baba
Best way
Namaskar,
To create a cohesive, family feeling in our AMPS, here is a point that calls for our attention and consideration. Our Marga can grow by reviving those who are less active and attracting new people. Any organisation that is not attracting new people is step-by-step moving towards the cremation ground. And one day it will become extinct. One very practical way of increasing our numbers is to understand and implement our donation-based seminar system. This differs drastically from our overseas retreat model.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Retreats vs. seminar economics model
Here is a comparative list that contrasts our donation-based seminar model with our overseas retreat model. In the Delhi sector seminar system - which is really meant for the entire globe - attendees come together for a three day program to study specific spiritual and social teachings. The overall aim is to present, learn and study certain aspects of Ananda Marga philosophy which are expounded in the "Seminar Notes" publication. That is the main emphasis. In addition, each and every hour of the day runs according to a schedule that includes dharmacakra, asanas, food, and related programs. The overseas retreats are similar in many respects but are often less intellectually oriented. Generally there is not a rigorous course of study involved as in the seminar system. Instead there might be more akhanda kiirtan or sadhana shivir etc and of course retreats follow a 24hr daily routine.
That said, here below begins a comparative study of these two models with respect to generating family feeling within our Marga community.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Donation model generates family feeling
1) At our overseas Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha retreats, we adhere to a business model where all have to pay a fixed price for registration to enter the retreat and for accommodations etc. The whole situation is akin to going to Walmart or Home Depot or some other retailer where you cannot get anything unless you pay the cashier. It is purely a business relation, devoid of family feeling. And those who cannot afford it either cannot go or are forced to perform all kinds of menial chores in order to "pay their way". More about this is described below.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
2) In contrast, throughout Delhi sector, the seminar system has long been in vogue. Per Baba's prescribed format given in 1970, our seminars are free for all attendees. During the planning stages of the seminar, the organisers collect donations from long-time committed margiis who can afford to give. That is the main way the seminars are funded; in addition, those organisers get food and supplies donations from local markets. By this approach, those who are financially poor or fringe margiis have the option to contribute or not. It is 100% voluntary. The aim is to get maximum attendees and that can only be done if it is free for all. Yet all services - i.e. food and accommodation - are the same for all attendees irrespective of the amount of their donation. This is a good formula as all feel comfortable and welcome at the program. This generates family feeling.
3) One point to add here is that seminar attendance is mandatory for all Ananda Margiis. One must attend at least some level of seminar. The seminar cannot be compulsory if a fee is charged; that is another reason why it is open to all. By this widespread attendance, many people spend time together and this generates a family feeling. Seminars are looked upon as something special, hence all like to attend. For instance, if in one unit, there are 10 or 15 people who regularly attend dharmacakra, then the seminar for that same unit might attract 500 participants. It is a time for all to come together.
Quite humiliating
4) Part of the beauty then of Baba's special seminar system is that attendees will not pay anything and the organisers will manage all the expenses by collecting donations ahead of time from committed margiis with financial means and by market contributions. Our seminars started in this manner and by this way the attendance at our seminars became huge. People are not pressured or strained by financial concerns. By this way, so many become more involved in the Marga and even children of "fringe margiis" often grow up to become dedicated sadhakas based on their positive experience at these seminars.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Overseas retreats are fee based
5) The overseas retreat system is quite different. At these retreats, all are charged a fixed registration fee in order to attend and / or stay at the retreat site. This can be quite pricey for some. Unfortunately, this fee-based system results in a double-loss. Those who are financially poor feel the fee is very high, and margii attendees do not become emotionally attached to the community; and, those wealthy attendees who have more money do not pay their fair share - for them the fee is too low. But since that fixed-fee is what they are asked to pay, that is what they give. Whereas, if it was based more on a donation system, those same margiis would give far more financial support. Another benefit is that donors would get a tax rebate. By this way they would be encouraged to donate even more.
6) In addition, because of the fixed registration fee at these overseas retreats, some margiis are scared away and do not attend as they do not want to beg for a discount. They feel humiliated. No doubt, at some overseas retreats the organisers may offer a discount if you are poor etc. In that case, you can pay a reduced fee and / or pay via a "work assignment" by washing dishes in the kitchen. But this is all quite humiliating. The deal may be that if you are financially in need then you can pay less, but the feeling is that you are less respected and that you will have to "pay" in other ways by working long hours in the kitchen while others are in dharmacakra. This approach lacks the open-armed, welcoming feeling. But this does not happen in the seminar system. The worst part is that the fee is not the cost of expenses but many times more in order to make a profit.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Fee vs donation
7) Another way of looking at this is that in the overseas retreat system, people are penalised for not being able to afford the standard fee. Whereas in our Ananda Marga seminar system as given by Baba, there is no standard fee. The whole concept is based on the idea that everyone must attend at least one level of seminar and they need not pay anything to attend, only they must cover their travel expenses. The financial responsibility falls on the organisers and those who have more money. The overall benefit of this donation-based system is that it generates emotional attachment to the community. All attend: young and old, professionals and students, villagers and city folk - everyone. With this great family feeling, naturally the wealthy margii participants will have discreet talks with the organisers to ensure that everything is ok financially. That is the way things work in the seminar system.
8) In our donation-based seminars, the goal is for maximum margiis to participate. That increases both our overall numbers and heightens our collective sense of family feeling. The overseas business retreat model most often fails to increase our overall numbers and lacks that overall family feeling due to financial constraints and pressures. As we all know, where there is no family feeling then that organisation dies.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Many benefits in free method
9) We have to remember that people come onto the path of Ananda Marga gradually. All have come from animal life and it is not easy for people to leave behind all their bad habits and adhere to 16 Points etc. People do not become great sadhakas overnight and strict adherents of bhagavata dharma. Yet we want all to attend our programs because by this way people will grow and feel more attached to our Marga. If we pressure them for money, then they will not come at all. So our seminar and festival systems - which encourage maximum participation at no cost to anyone - is a great way to increase our numbers and bring people into Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha.
10) Those who are fringe margiis keep linked with AMPS by attending seminars in their area. DMS is often too far for them to travel and they may not attend DC because of various reasons. So the seminar becomes one perfect stepping-stone for the entry and growth into the Marga. They come to seminars because of some faint connection with Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha and because they believe in Baba. Since those seminars are free and indeed compulsory, that is why seminars our became large gatherings. And those attendees became more active margiis.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
11) In this century, what people need most is love. People need to feel that they are a part of something great. And when we can create that welcoming feeling then people will feel attracted to come and attend. That will be a boon for our Marga - and naturally people will be inspired to support the program financially. It is a win-win-win situation: More attendees, more funds, and a stronger more vibrant Ananda Marga community.
Namaskar,
Mukul
Martin Phillips
~ In-depth study ~
In our Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha, Baba has given a unique system but unfortunately we have not properly implemented that in our retreat system.
In contrast, the various religious followers like the Sikhs and Muslims hold programmes that are donation-based and no fee is charged. At their retreat functions, everyone participates in clean-up duty and maintenance work etc. Hence, whether rich or poor, all do this. There is no disparity in their place of worship and congregation halls. So all come; all attend; and participate as one family.
However, at our overseas retreats, many have noticed that some no longer like to attend anymore because if they cannot afford the standard fee, then they are burdened with an onslaught of chores and tasks, which are not asked to be done by those who pay the full amount. In that case those unable to pay the standard fee become indentured servants. This runs directly contrary to our family feeling. In the end, those who cannot afford the fee feel it is better not to attend at all.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Fosters great family feeling
The seminar starts on the central level. There is a trainer and attendees. Then those attendees of the central level seminar become trainers for the sectorial level seminars. And the attendees of the sectorial level seminar become the trainers for the regional level seminar. In this way it works all the way down to the district, block and village level. In addition, a publication is issued - "Seminar Notes" - which contains Baba's teachings for that particular seminar. Throughout this entire process, each level of seminar is free to all attendees and is considered mandatory for all workers and margiis. This type of cohesive system naturally fosters great family feeling.
== Section: Important Teaching ==
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: Important Teaching ==
Jinanis can prove day as night & night as day
Here is an English summary of Baba’s Hindi teaching: There is one defect in jinanis. Two jinanis cannot agree on any point. Among them, many jinanis believe that agreeing means accepting one’s defeat. Indeed there are some godly qualities in jinanis. Such as they can speak in flowery language. Or that with their grandiloquence they can prove day as night, and night as day. If in daytime one jinani tells to anyone that it is night, or if during the night they tell that it is day, and if the next person does not accept what the jinani is telling, then the jinani will use the their logic and reasoning to prove that person as a top-grade fool. And he (the jinani) will make it look like the next person could not understand this one simple thing. Because of this in the scriptures is it said, ‘Mathitva…’ Meaning: if an unfathomable amount of milk is turned into butter and whey, then jinanis argue and quarrel about the whey and in so doing the butter gets rotten and destroyed. (1)
Reference
1. Summary of Varna Victira (H), p. 49-50
== Section: Ananda Vanii ==
Path of spirituality is verily the greatest task
“Marching ahead from cimmerian darkness to the stratum divine is the true spirit of life. Staticism, superstition and narrowness stand for cimmerian darkness. Ensconcing oneself in the Cosmic Soul is the life divine. Striving ahead, together with the entire universe, along the path of spirituality is verily the greatest task for humanity. I hope, in the fresh dawn...you will all ponder anew this eternal and sacred Truth.” (Ananda Vani #32)
Note 1: True Ananda Vaniis have a number whereas Fake Ananda Vaniis do not - just as a fake car license plate has no number. By this way, you can easily recognise a Fake Ananda Vanii.
== Section 2: Links ==
Other topics of interest
