Baba
Spirituality antithesis of materialism
Namaskar,
In this materialistic era, little thought is put into the meaning or goal of life. Most folks get wrapped up in mundane desires-- running after this or that coloured object. That is the general flow. For A'nanda Ma'rgiis, the case is different; we always aim to be involved in our Goal-- by repeating our ista mantra and by singing His name etc. Baba guides us to always remember the Goal.
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Two basic marches
So there are two basic types of competitions or two types of marches going on-- each diametrically opposed to the other. The general populace, sunk in the ocean of avidya maya, blindly runs after one fleeting attraction after another, unaware about any greater goal in life. And in their disjointed way, materialistic desires like fancy cars, big houses, and prestigious jobs become the object of their ideation—that becomes their goal. This is the way the mass of people are moving nowadays.
As sadhakas we know the Goal is something different, something divine. Even then, when surrounded by thousands and millions and billions of people running after crude things, there is the possibility of getting blown off course—to get pulled into that materialistic lull. As we all know, this can happen. At times, their dazzle of mundane jewels may seem alluring. When the mind goes down, such types of tendencies can enter one's being.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Our protection = sadhana
So, to safeguard ourselves, day in and day out, we should attend to our spiritual duties, always trying to please Him. And then there is no opportunity to get caught in the rut of materialism. Then always we will remember our true selves and our inner motion will be towards Him-- towards the Cosmic Nucleus. By His grace, this is the path of each and every A'nanda Ma'rgii.
Movement & the goal of life
Here, Baba presents us with a series of beautiful portrayals about the movement and Goal of life.
Ananda Marga ideology states, "Every human being, every animal, every plant, moves on with its different a'jiiva (oocupation) and different structure. Moves towards what? Towards the ultimate aim, towards the central point, towards the Vishva Na'bhi, the Cakra Na'bhi, the Supreme Nucleus. So they are marching from electronic imperfection towards nuclear perfection. No one can avoid this movement. That is why it is called Para'gati. They are moving towards the centre, consciously or unconsciously. And who is in the centre? Parama Purus'a." (1)
So in this grand cosmic creation, knowingly or unknowingly, all are moving around that Cosmic Nucleus, circling round and round. Some are aware about the Entity at the nucleus while others are not.
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Cow & wooden stake
Here, below, Baba describes further about the general way in which the created beings move around the Nucleus. To make a clear picture Baba gives the example of a cow moving around a wooden stake, attached by a rope.
Ananda Marga ideology explains, "Assume for a moment that a cow is tied to a stake with a thong or a strip. The thong may be short or long. If it is long, the cow will move relatively far away from the stake; whereas if it is short, she will not be able to go far away as she circles the stake. But in either case she has to go around the stake, considering it as a centre." (2)
The point being that the centre point for that cow is the same regardless if it is close to or far from the stake. Always the stake is the nucleus and the cow has to move around that.
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Materialistic people blinded by pride
Now here Baba shows how those materialistic minded people are just moving in their own crude flow-- unaware that there is a greater Goal in life. So instead of racing towards the middle, towards the Hub, they just fill their lives with their mundane==approach, and hence miss the cream of life.
Ananda Marga ideology says, "Similarly, a person is moving around [in] Brahma Cakra [the Cosmic Cycle]. The radius of Brahma Cakra is very big, though it is not infinite. People are moving around without knowing who is at the centre. They go around without knowing that they are tethered to a stake. They think that they are everything, that they know so much. They think so much. Each person thinks that he is not an ordinary person. This creates pride in a person. One does not know that he can be pulled towards the stake." (3)
So those matter-centered people are moving on the fringes of the Cosmic rotation far, far away from His blissful Self. Stuck in their own pride and vanity.
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Sadhakas move towards Him
Whereas for sadhakas the path of movement and one's mental consciousness is totally different. By His grace, step by step we have become aware about the real aim of life.
Ananda Marga ideology states, "While moving, a question suddenly comes into his mind. The person asks where he is going. When this sam'vid, this realization, comes into the mind, then the person realizes that he is moving around a stake. The person asks where he is going, from which point to which point. Is the line simple and straight, or is it [vrtta', a circle]? What is this line? From where comes the inspiration to move around? When this question arises in the mind, the radius starts to be reduced. The person begins to realize that he has to go towards the centre, the nucleus, towards the pra'n'akendra. The day this realization comes, the person becomes a sa'dhaka, a spiritual aspirant. The person now knows that the more he moves, the more the radius will be reduced. When the radius becomes nil, when there is no vrtta', then the person will merge in Parama Purus'a." (4)
So, by His cosmic grace, each and every A'nanda Margii is moving toward His divine Self. And by adhering to 16 Points more sincerely, by His grace, we can accelerate our movement towards that culminating point-- unto Him. That is Baba's above teaching.
And here Baba outlines that the key point in the whole process is understanding our inherent link with Him.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Ananda Marga ideology explains, "The person will continue moving around the stake as long as the person thinks that he or she, and Parama Purus'a at the centre, are two different entities. The person will have to go around as long as that person has the feeling that he and the Entity which has sent him are different. When the person realizes suddenly, upon nearly reaching the stake, that he and the Entity which has sent him are not different, the distance between the two will disappear and the two will become one." (5)
Conclusion
Baba has blessed us with the most unique and ultimate opportunity: to reach the Goal of life. Because by doing His sadhana and feeling His love we receive more and more of His ever-flowing grace. And, without His grace, nothing can be achieved. Rather, one will just move on the periphery far, far away from the Goal. Hence, by coming onto the path of AM sadhana, Baba has given us everything to attain the Supreme. This is nothing but His divine blessing on us.
Ananda Marga ideology says, "But what must happen first before this union takes place? There His grace, His krpa', is needed. When it is available, the oneness will be achieved. People may reduce the radius by constantly moving around, but they will not be able to achieve oneness if His krpa' is not available. When it is available, a person will merge in Amrta Purus'a. This is the ultimate aim of all animals, plants, or anything which has a life. Thus a person is unknowingly moving, and will have to move till he becomes one with Him. This is the truth. Therefore, the person who comes onto the path of sa'dhana' early is a wise person and also lucky." (6)
Namaskar,
Sarvavyapii
Our dearest One...
Ananda Marga ideology states, "There is no one who is your own except Him. Parama Purus'a is more dear to you than you are to yourself. Parama Purus'a belongs to you more than your hands and legs belong to you. Why? Because you will leave your hands and legs one day, but you cannot leave Parama Purus'a and go anywhere. Why? Because in this universe there is nothing beyond Him." (7)
References
1. Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 23, The Ultimate Aim of All
2. Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 23, The Ultimate Aim of All
3. Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 23, The Ultimate Aim of All
4. Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 23, The Ultimate Aim of All
5. Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 23, The Ultimate Aim of All
6. Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 23, The Ultimate Aim of All
7. Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 23, The Ultimate Aim of All
== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==
A bright yuga has arrived
“Nishár avasán holo, purvákáshe raunga elo, taruń aruń d́ák diye bole…” (Prabhat Samgiita #4614)
Purport:
Now, in the eastern horizon the crimson colour is clearly visible. The night has passed away; the darkness has vanished. Now the rising sun is calling and telling everyone, "Unlatch the doors and windows of your house. Open the entrance way, let the light in, awaken the chamber of your soul, and shake off the dogma of groupism." Indeed the blackness has been removed. The bondage of dogma has disappeared from the mind. A divine age has come.
That which was unrecognizable and unknown in the past, due to the darkness of ignorance, has become familiar and known in the presence of effulgence. All the expressions are part of my family feeling. The birds of distant places are spreading their wings and coming near. Those who were far in the past have become close, my own. Now in the advent of this reddish dawn, the staticity has faded away and each domicile is ready; every heart is welcoming. In days bygone, humans were treating others as distant beings or aliens, but now they can see that all are their own brothers and sisters; whereas yesterday people were thinking that others are foreign - part of some outside faction. By His grace, the realisation has come that, "All are mine." The depravity of the mental realm has faded away. There remains no distinction, no dullness, no bondage. A bright yuga has arrived.
Today, every home has become unlocked and accessible; in that airy dwelling - nothing can impede the refreshing flow of neo-humanism; all have become broad-minded. Humanity is no longer plagued by the rigid outlooks of socio, geo, and religious sentiments. Their vision is expanded - no longer diseased. The rise of a universal fraternity and one cosmic family are entering into their psychic domain. Living beings understand that all are kith and kin. In the past, the intellect was used to exploit others. It was motivated by self, clan, and national interest. Now, reason is guided by universal love and neo-humanism. Each and every jiiva, propelled by spiritual nectar, is concerned for the welfare of all. A resplendent epoch has been born.
The grim days of hatred and exploitation have faded away; Baba, by Your krpa, the age of neo-humanism has come...
== Section 3: Links ==
